Ephemeral Evidence

More FREE Valentine's Day Printables!

2012-02-13T14:31:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd make some cute tags for my girls' Valentine's Day treats. Since there are so many cute printables online, I thought I'd add to them! Download these after the jump!

Download!

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Thought of the Day Thursday

2012-02-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

Wax Paper and Crayon Valentine Hearts

2012-02-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

I'm going crazy with Valentine's crafts...only because I AM IN LOVE!!! This is the best dog ever ;) I made these Valentine Hearts with our Brownie Troop last week and they were a hit. This is a very fun project to do with the little ones, but you need to be extra careful because there is an iron involved.

Oh and a pencil sharpener...

You will need some wax paper, crayons, an iron, and a pencil sharpener. Because I had to prep crayon shavings for a troop of 10 girls, I used a mini food processor. I have not attepted to clean this mini food processor. Right now it is in the freezer. Fingers crossed.

Fold a long piece of wax paper in half and trace a heart shapes on the top.

(A cereral box makes a great heart stencil.)

Peel the paper off of the crayons and break them up into pieces. If you are smart and using a pencil sharpener, start shaving each crayon. You can use any color you'd like.

I used mostly red with a few other colors.

Voila!

Start ironing. Depending on your iron, start at medium. Keep little fingers AWAY!

Once the wax cools, cut out the shapes and hang!

Love is in the air...

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I'm Sexy and I Know It

2012-02-07T12:25:00.001-08:00

Kind of love this dog...

DIY Valentine's Door Decor

2012-02-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

How about some glue gun action this week to get ready for Valentine's Day?

This Valentine's Day door decoration is very simple and costs less than $5.00 to make...

You'll need a glue gun and glue sticks, a few packages of crepe paper in the color of your choice. I used white since we have a dark front door. One or two thin wood hearts (I purchased these at Michael's) and ribbon of your choice.

To begin, rip crepe paper in 14 inch sections. Crumple the crepe paper up and gently re flatten. Begin twisting the crepe at the base twisting as you go. Keep crimping the base to fashion a rose. Don't over think it - watch some Real Housewives while you are doing it.

Once you have enough to cover your wood heart, start gluing them on. I found it helpful to cut the base of the roses so the bottoms sit flat against the wood. Next, glue your ribbon on the back and VOILA! At cheap and chic Valentine's Day door decor.

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Free Valentine's Day Printables

2012-02-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here are some cute free printables from around the web!

S'more Themed Treat Topper

Treat Bag Printable

Valentine Labels

DIY 'Je t'aime' mini card sets

Color Inspiration

2012-02-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Have you seen Design Seeds? If you are looking for some color inspiration, I highly recommened it.

Also, here is a great idea for carrying your paint colors with you while shopping for home goods!

Indoor Outdoor Rugs

2012-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

{ via }

The rug under our dining table is starting to look tattered. I was looking for a good replacement since we have two little girls and one messy, but adorable man in the house :) I think an indoor / outdoor rug is the way to go. Simply wipe clean like any other hard surface...all under $200!

Fix Your Broken and Shattered Eye Shadow

2012-01-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Now that I am officially a Pinterest junkie, I'd like to share with you this little idea that I got off of my friend's beauty board. The tutorial is how to fix a broken compact. I thought I'd try it with my broken and shattered eye shadow and VOILA!!! It works great.

All it takes is a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a spoon or something similar to smooth the shadow. Just pour the alcohol over the broken shadow. Wait a minute for it to soak in, smooth with a spoon (a baby spoon works great) and let it set over night. The liquid evaporates leaving you with a solid shadow once again.

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Thought of The Day Thursday

2012-01-26T14:09:00.000-08:00

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So true!

Skate Date

2012-01-24T05:47:00.000-08:00

Some of the best things in life are free...or nearly FREE. For $3.00 we skated and had admission to the GRAM where E. was recognized as a former art camper :) Great Saturday morning.

Thought of the Day Thursday

2012-01-19T05:25:00.000-08:00

{ via }

Images / Art © Emily McDowell

Snow Day

2012-01-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

The first offical snow came late this year. We have been so spoiled by the warm temps and mild weather. This first snow was a show stopper. I'll take it because the sun is still shining and we are almost through January. I love to do house stuff this time of year. We changed E's room around and bought her a twin over a full bunk bed, replaced Wren's bed with E's white twin and gave her a bookshelf bench. I will take pictures of their rooms once they are complete. Pa did a great job of re-caulking the kitchen and the bathrooms this weekend. He was so happy to do it ;). You've got to make the most of the weather!

First Day of Pre-School

2012-01-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Our little started the 2.5 year program last week. She is SOOO ready. She didn't even say goodbye. Instead, she walked in the room and got right down to business. I had brought my camera in the morning and took some precious shots of her in her Hello Kitty backpack. I returned home in tears, only to find out that my memory card was corrupt. (HOW?) and I had lost all of the pictures.

I snapped a few after class. Here she is giving the thumbs up with her first day report.

Hi Mom!!

The best part is that her teacher is helping her potty train. She is almost there...but this is the push that will get her there!

Fun in the New Year!

2012-01-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

Holiday Wrap Up!

2012-01-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays.

I love all of the food and festivities, but I hate all the work and extra stress.

We all have a perfect image in our heads about what the holidays should be. In the hustle and

bustle of trying to make everything fabulous for everyone, we forget what is most important.

And that is simply being together.

{Making cookies with Grandma}

This past holiday we made the decision to spend time with my parents which meant a 6 hour drive each way. I was SO happy that we went. Forget about the gifts, the driving, the planning and packing.

It was so worth it to wake up at Grandma's. I know both of my parents were happy to have us there.

{Trip to the museum}

{Talking with Bruce the Spruce}

Holiday Lights!

2012-01-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

Pa took us to see the light display at the ball park a few days before Christmas. Over a mile of lights!

We told the girls that they were at Disneyland. Do you think they believed us?

Sitting With Santa

2012-01-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

We visited our local furniture store the week before Christmas. Little did we know that Santa Claus would be there handing out giant teddy bears. At first, nothing could convince our Wrennie Roo to get near him. For this picure (iPhone) she decided that standing there was good enough.

Later she could be seen chatting away.

If you look closely, you will see her batting her eyes at Mr. Claus.

Christmas Goodies

2011-12-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we were able to make some Christmas goodies - No small chore with a fiesty 2-year-old running around. I wanted to share two recipes that we tried for the first time. My mom used to make candy cane cookies when I was little. These are much easier than cut outs and the kids love to assemble them. I used graham and whole wheat pastry flour in mine. Do not try and make Christmas cookies healthy. Mine are edible but would have been great with regular flour. The other recipe that I dying for was cheesecake brownies. I added one small pouch of Starbucks VIA Italian Roast to the brownie batter. These turned out great and could not be easier! I plan on serving them in little fluted paper cups. I have already cut the pan into bite sized portions to freeze. They are even better frozen. I don't think that they will last until Christmas.

Tree Hunt

2011-12-21T18:56:00.000-08:00

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-12-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eggs

2011-12-12T04:26:00.000-08:00

Wren decided that after we got our tree, we needed to paint eggs. The girl has her holidays jumbled, but this bought me 45 minutes of free time so why not? E. finished them for her.

The Wizard of Oz

2011-12-06T04:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend we were lucky enough to see a production of The Wizard of Oz at the Grand Rapids Civic theater. It was so well produced and the costumes were exquisite. The girl who played Dorothy

(a sophomore in high school!) sang so beautifully. Over the Rainbow brought chills to my spine.

Photo via Paul Jendrasiak/grnow.com

The best part of the entire play was when E. got to meet Dorothy. She was absolutely star struck.

I've never seen her speechless before. There is so much history regarding the Wizard of Oz. There will be an auction for a pair of the original Ruby slippers at the Icons of Hollywood Auctions, Dec. 15-17. It is estimated that they will go for between $2 and $3 million!

Ruby slippers. Original costume from The Wizard of Oz, 1939. Made of silk, leather, sequins, and rhinestones.

Advent Calendar

2011-12-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

I finally opened the Advent Calendar that I purchased after Christmas last year from Pottery Barn. I didn't realize how enormous it was but I LOVE it. The only issue I had was finding a place to hang it. I found a bare wall in the living room and the calendar looked fantastic there, but the hangers I used could not withstand the weight of the calendar with all the wonderful goodies I had placed in each pocket.

The night after I hung it I heard a crash at around 3 am. Not the sound one likes to hear after decorating a REAL Christmas tree...It was our GIANT Advent Calendar...whew...

I almost cancelled Christmas (again)

*also makes a nice pet bed

I did not want to nail a hole in the wall so I purchased a couple of Command Hooks and moved the calendar to the door which leads to the basement. The kids just love it. Every night after E. finishes

her homework, they get to look in the pocket where I placed fun erasers, paints, tic-tacs, gum,

dollar store items, etc.

This calendar is way more enjoyable than The Elf on the Self which, quite frankly, creeps me out. Scaring kids straight during the month of December isn't necessarily a bad thing, but my kids have enough trouble falling asleep without worrying about where that elf is going to show up next.

This is one holiday tradition I was happy to start :)

Permanently Punished

2011-11-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

Have your kids ever embarrassed you to the point of no return? The other day Wren and I were at my favorite discount store. I asked the nice man at the customer service desk where something was.

He was very nice and after he helped us Wren said "Thanks a lot you crazy elf". Crazy elf?

The girl is two. Where did she get that from? How does she even know what an elf is let alone a crazy one? The worst part is that he did look like an elf...crazy? Maybe. Terrible. I know.

I was helping out in E.'s class today and she announced to her classmates that my breath smelled like a tuna fish sandwich. I had 22 kids staring at me, waiting for my reaction. Awesome! I can't wait to embarrass them when they are teenagers :)

Ranger

2011-11-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

We are lucky to have a new boy in our family. Ranger was adopted from The Papillion Care and Rescue Trust. The Papillon, pronounced pA-pee-yawn - the French word for "butterfly", is a highly intelligent, loyal, and obedient breed. They are usually mostly white, with either brown or black areas on their face, ears and body.

Ranger is a very sweet, well trained boy and we have all been enjoying him very much. During the day he sits on my lap and tells me all of his problems. When it comes time for Wren to take her nap (In her big girl bed!) he jumps in with her and has made the transition from a crib easier. My only complaint is that he likes Pa the best...but I am convinced that I will win him over.

Black Friday

2011-11-25T12:37:00.000-08:00

I found myself feeling a little homesick today. My two brothers and their families were able to spend Thanksgiving together so maybe I'm feeling just and eensy weensey teeny tiny bit left out. That said, I am very thankful for what I do have and all the love I've got right here. I mean, look at this guy...

...on our way to Thanksgiving yesterday...what more could I possibly ask for?

Wren in a dance off with her cousin...

Getting in the Spirit

2011-11-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Our troop decorated a tree at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. We attended the tree lighting ceremony where the Salvation Army band played and traditional carolers sang. The girls were so sweet arm and arm singing right along. Although we didn't win a prize that night there is still the People's Choice Award! If we don't win that I will be cancelling Christmas :)

Thankful

2011-11-16T04:49:00.000-08:00

I am thankful that I am a mom.

Eight is Great

2011-11-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Catching up with last month's posts....E. turned 8 and we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday. Turns out she wanted to go visit her grandparents and have a family party. I thought that was the sweetest thing. We ended up there a bit early due to dad's heart problem. We were able to celebrate in style at the place that my siblings and I celebrated birthdays...HAPPY JOE'S.

(correction - I never celebrated a birthday there because my birthday is in

August and we were always in the U.P. of Michigan but I am not bitter).

Happy Happy Birthday E. ! I love you so very much!

Space Monkey!

2011-11-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

{ Miss Baker, Space Pioneer}

My dad was scheduled to have heart bypass surgery last month. Upon further revie, they decided it was not a good idea. Instead, they used a new tool, just approved by the FDA to open one of the most calcified arteries. He was the first patient at his hospital to have the procedure done. The instrument was flown in special just for him. I told him he was like the space monkey and I am happy to report that he is doing very well. Recently, he had a heart difubulator placed in his chest and has recovered nicely from that surgery. The hope is that his heart will one day be strong enough for the bypass surgery that he needs. His doctors are hopeful. I am truly amazed at modern medicine.

Take Dick Cheney for example. Did you know he has and LVAD device which continuously pumps blood through his body? As a result, he is alive without a pulse. We were able to get a signed copy of his new book, In My Time, for my dad. I know he will enjoy it.

BOO 2

2011-11-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Monster Bride

Wren's "Monster Face"

BOO!

2011-11-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

In the midst of our busy fall we had a little get together on Monday to

celebrate Halloween. Of course we needed MORE sugar so E. and I made some fun treats.

This centerpiece turned out cute. I don't remember where I saw this idea but its really easy...

just a vase inside a vase filled with candy...Pa already ruined it by eating Kit Kats...

I don't like scary decorations...these were 99¢ from the Dollar Store

I hope your Halloween was spooktackular!!!

Hanging On

2011-09-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

Mom told me it wasn't good. But it didn't register with me until today. His heart surgery was cancelled and that I now know is a blessing because he would not have made it off of the table. I am praying that I will see my dad after Tuesday. I am staying calm and optimistic, drinking wine and eating ice cream. All the necessary things one does to keep sane.

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it it in)]

EE CUMMINGS

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Naughty Betty

2011-09-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

I saw this paper goods line at Target and featured on Honey We're Home...They made me chuckle :)

The Right Way

2011-09-19T04:36:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a run

on a Sunday morning in early fall

this counts as church for me :)

The Wrong Way to Deal with A Crisis

2011-09-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

First, drink a bunch of Seven Red Wine from Spain...it will dispell any notions

you may have about boxed wine, while making you overly emotional.

Next, listen to Ryan Adams' latest and greatest song "Lucky Now"

off his soon-to-be-released Ashes and Fire over and over and over...

{my dad-second from the left}

Then, call the ailing person every hour until they get annoyed with you and tell you to get a grip.

Afterwards, cry yourself to sleep...so when you wake up in the morning one eye is swollen shut.

(why just one?)

Love you Dad.

When Things Slow Down

2011-09-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

{walking to the bus stop with her neighbor}

I kept telling myself once E. went to school and things slowed down I'd get all sorts of things done. But things just keep getting busier. Which isn't a bad thing...not bad at all.

{off to second grade}

I remember second grade. I remember my teacher and my friends, and the classroom. It blows my mind that E. is suddenly old enough to retain such things.

{first soccer game}

She started playing soccer and loves it. This makes me very happy because the first time we attempted to play soccer it was a bit of a disaster. We had just moved here and it was a very hot summer. I don't blame her for not wanting to play soccer in 90-plus degree heat. This girl is no fool.

Along with all the excitement and adjustment of the beginning of school, we had some bad news today. My dad had a heart attack and will be undergoing surgery within the next week. My suggestion would be to stop what you are doing and call your dad-or mom...if you are lucky enough to still have them...and tell them that you love them. As Wrennie says "I Lub You....Eberyday Mom".

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

2011-09-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for back to school and

potty training boot camp next week. Both are ready for their new adventure-not sure that I am...

Part Deux

2011-08-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

The view from our room...

The view from our table

My dessert complete with booze cherries...

Nice touch on the house!

Nicolas Cage singing to me...not really

Mega 80's!

Painless...My Birthday Part One

2011-08-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Our weekend started when grandma arrived for a visit and made waffles with the girls.

We headed to Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park...

Wren and I in front of "Mad Mom"...I can relate

All of us on the tour train

Wren wants to "ride the sculpture"

It was difficult to explain to her why she couldn't slide down this piece of art.

A fun morning and I got to spend the afternoon with a dear friend at Red's.

When I returned home there was this cake...

These flowers...

and the best gift EVAH...

A hand embroidered dish towel from E. :)

Have a Glamorous Weekend!

2011-08-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying the very last days of my 30's... tick-tock. This weekend I am excited to spend some time

with Pa who was planned everything for my big day. I can't wait to see what he's got in store for me

(no pressure) - especially since I threw him a very memorable 40th a year ago. :)

Chalk It Up

2011-08-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Amazing Chalk Drawings by Dana Tanamachi

Fun time lapse of wine label.

All Images Via Dana Tanamachi

These People Are a Lot of Work

2011-08-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

This morning Ella drank a large glass of milk. Fifteen minutes later she vomited all over the sofa (in the middle - where the cushions meet - oh yeah!) and all over the rug. She then made a trail to the bathroom and finished off on the bathroom rug. Shock and Awe. Poor kid.

I grabbed our steam cleaner, I got her upstairs, cleaned her up then I opened the door to Wren's room and she is holding her diaper and squatting and peeing on her bed. Just keepin' it real folks!

It's time to potty train. For reals. These people are a lot of work...and you know what? I love them.

Signed, Real Housewife of Kent County

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-08-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

{ via }

"Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight"

Yes, I'm having a moment :)

Resident Artist

2011-08-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

One of my very favorite things about being a mom is seeing the artwork that my kids come up with. We were lucky enough to attend E.'s artshow at the end of her camp. I am planning on framing some of her pieces. Her favorite? The hat made entirely of tape.

Grandpa's 70th

2011-08-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who had more fun...Grandpa or his girls:

Have a Sweet Weekend

2011-07-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

We've got a 1 year old birthday party and a 70 year old birthday party this weekend.

Sweet.

The Help - The Movie

2011-07-28T05:28:00.001-07:00

Last night I was lucky enough to go to a prescreening of The Help based on the book by

Kathryn Stockett. If you haven't had a chance to read the book yet, go see the movie out August 10th.

One of the things I loved about the movie was that most of the actors are relative newcomers.

I laughed and sobbed and then sobbed some more. It was fantastic!

Learn about the story here.

Getting Big

2011-07-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Do kids grow faster in the summer?

Uncle Dave's Boat House

2011-07-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

We had such a good time at Uncle David's summer place. He and my hopefully-soon-to-be-sister-in-law rented a place for the summer. It used to be a girls' camp in the 1930's. My favorite part of the property is the boat house. It is the only part that hasn't been updated and when I walked in I felt like a teen. The parties they must have had there...

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-07-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

I've never heard anyone say that winter is flying by too fast.

G S Lillian

2011-07-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Found via Bex A Style Diary...

have you seen GS Lillian? Pretty Pretties!!!

A Wild Ride

2011-07-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

{ my chariot awaits }

Don't let the tranquil Monet-like lilypads fool you. Last weekend was a wild ride! Our two-year-old finally decided that she is officially DONE with sleeping in a pack and play. This made for a loooong night for all of us at my in-laws' house. She still sleeps in her crib at home and I am going to let her sleep there for as long as she'd like. Any tips for traveling with a toddler who is in transition?

Saucy Girl Aprons

2011-07-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful aprons from Saucy Girl. This local company was featured in Midwest Living this summer. They offer full and half aprons as well as childrens styles for around $20.00. What a great birthday or hostess gift!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-07-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

‎"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and

courage to be the secret of liberty."

- Louis D. Brandeis

...and We're Back!

2011-07-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

We had a fun vacation and 4th of July. Grandma tried to get a picture with
everyone looking at the camera and smiling :)
Don't mess with the Nuk...Don't.

Summer Hiatus

2011-07-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

{ via }

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

We are off to mingle with friends and family and enjoy the summer...

and I hope you are too!!

See you in a week or two!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-06-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

”Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

G. Love and The Special Sauce

2011-06-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more awkward than a (late) thirty-something stay-at-home mom gushing over a musician? Yes...I can think of a few things...so bare with me! Pa and I had so much fun seeing G. Love and the Special Sauce a few nights back...

Excuse the iPhone photos...total fail on my part as I assumed that you could not bring a regular camera...duh. What a talented handsome man! (and G. Love aint so bad either :)

After the show, we got to meet him and he signed our cd. Ma had a belly full of beer and I am pretty sure I was leaning on him. Then, as we were leaving, he gave me a peck on the cheek. I still haven't washed that side of my face. Do you think he remembers me? Sigh...One of my personal favorites is Beautiful featuring Tristan Prettyman off of Lemonade. If you like blues, check out his new cd Fixin To Die where he does a fantastic cover of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. I recall my mother playing this song over and over on the way up to our cottage...hmmmm

Chalk Art

2011-06-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Inspired by seeing chalk art last week...

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-06-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

“Beauty is a form of genius - is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation.

It is of the great facts in the world like sunlight, or springtime,

or the reflection in dark water of that silver shell we call the moon.”

- Oscar Wilde

What Could Be Better...

2011-06-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Q. What could be better...

than a really nice neighbor?

A. A really nice neighbor with a pool!

I hope you are enjoying your summer so far and getting sun on your chubs :)

Dear Photograph

2011-06-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this idea...check out this site...

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

To all the Fathers out there!

I am 9 or 10 in this picture. I don't know who's sunglasses I like better...mom or dad's?

Go The F*ck To Sleep

2011-06-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

WARNING: SWEARS.

LOVE THIS...This was our life the first year of our little's life.

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-06-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind.

The goal is to find it. - Buddha

Our Own Sculpture Park

2011-06-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

The Start of Summer

2011-06-13T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Last Day of School

2011-06-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

The last day of E.'s school year was an emotional one. That is a good thing - I am so glad she likes school. We showed up for the flag lowering ceremony and her little sister made a scene during the moment of silence. I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible but E. wouldn't have it. We had to go back to her classroom and say a proper goodbye to her teacher.

E.'s teacher is a non demonstrative lady. E. ran up to her and gave her the biggest hug on earth and told her how much she was going to miss her. I saw a tear on her teacher's face. I was so proud to be her mom at that moment. She has learned so much this year - math, reading, science...all of it. Today we received an email from her teacher thanking her for the gift and asking E. to write her back with her summer plans.

In my opinion, the year went by very fast. Next year is the second grade. I vividly remember second grade. I look at my girls and want time to stand still. Stay this age forever where I can watch them every second and know that they are OK. For now we have the summer and I am hoping to make the most of every second. The days are long but the years are short!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-06-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

{ via }

‎"Conflict cannot survive without your participation."

- Wayne Dyer

Tea Liking Spree

2011-06-09T13:36:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite kids clothing brands, Tea Collection, just launched the Tea Liking Spree. You're invited to Like your favorite of 16 Tees & Tops and Tea Collection is dropping the price of these tops as their Likes increase!

How it works:

200 Likes = $12

400 Likes = $10

800 Likes = $8

What a fun way to save! Go get Liking (and saving) in Tea Liking Spree!

Paris Vs. New York

2011-06-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the blog Paris Vs. New York

by Vahram Muratyan — cofounder of ViiiZ art direction + graphic design studio?

C'est magnifique!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-06-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

When you see the road, don't sit looking at it. Walk.

- Ayn Rand

Our Little is Sick

2011-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

The worst thing in the world is a sick little one. I hate it!

She has a high fever but she still manages a little dance now and then.

Baby is tired and mommy is exhausted.

One a lighter note, our iris is blooming and it is beautiful...

summer is finally here...hurrah!

Beachin' It!

2011-05-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day!!!!!!!!!!

My Container Recipe

2011-05-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

Proven Winners here, Potunias here and Purple Lady Iresine here

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-05-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

{ via }

Latest Obsessions

2011-05-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

Goody Spin Pins...have you tried these? One does the work of 20 bobby pins! Hair gizmos usually don't work in my straight, fine hair but these do! I'll be sporting a bun all summer. Check out the video here.

Aura Cacia Lavender Oil. I put a few drops in the fabric softener compartment in the washer.

Our towels and sheets smell yummy! A little goes a long way.

Archer Farms Cookies from Target. Try the Dark Chocolate Espresso Waffle cookie.

They are to die for!

Hulu Plus for iPad. I watch The Office while I'm on the treadmill working off the Archer Farms cookies!...it's makes the time go by faster (at least that is waht I keep telling myself)

and there are limited commercials.

Aerial Art

2011-05-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

{ Via }

Aerial views of Dutch Tulip Fields

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-05-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

{Frank Lloyd Wright's Brandes Residence - Sammamish, WA}

“We do not learn so much by our successes as we learn by failures—our own and others’.

Especially if we see the failures properly corrected.”

- Frank Lloyd Wright

Never Enough Shoes...

2011-05-18T13:45:00.001-07:00

How cute are these linocut shoe prints from etsy seller annasee???

They would look adorable on my closet wall :)

The Secret to a Royal Hiney: A Case for Pilates

2011-05-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

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I laughed when I saw this article about Pippa Middleton's now famous behind. It seems that Pa has a slight crush on this famous sister. Her secret? Pilates! I have been doing Pilates on the reformer weekly since last August and I love it. It really is the perfect compliment to any cardio workout routine. I don't know if my derriere is more Pippa-like, but I do know that it has really helped to strengthen my core.

{ via }

Core work is the key after having kids. It also helps with my lower back issues too!

Meringue Roses

2011-05-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this how to video from Zoe Bakes. I took a cake decorating class in 4-H oh so long ago-this is an easy review. These would be sweet in meringue or simply on top of a cupcake. Voila!

Go Fly A Kite

2011-05-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share some of the photography tutorials that I have enjoyed reading. Found via Honey We're Home: The first is Centsational Girl’s Better Brighter Blog Photos and also 31 Days to a Better Photo Series. I also LOVE Digital Photography School.

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-05-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

I realize that it is Friday but Blogger has been on the fritz!

Blue Room in Trent Park by Winston Churchill

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

- Winston Churchill

Are You My Mother?

2011-05-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Did you have this book when you were little? I loved it.

This past Mother's Day we were happy to find out that there are live babies in the robin's nest under the deck! This nest was in our kitchen a few weeks ago (don't ask). Pa placed it back on the beam and sure enough, they hatched. I used my iPhone to take a short video through the cracks of the slats on our deck. The little bird in front reminds me of Are you My Mother?.

I hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day. I was treated to this beautiful portrait by my older daughter, along with some very large and sparkly earrings.

We had a cookout with our neighbors and we had perfect weather.

I may need to get my highlights toned a bit.

I am so happy that I am a mom. It is the toughest job in the world, but it is also the most rewarding!

Chocoveynal

2011-05-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Found Via With Two Cats...adorable wall art from Chocoveynal

A Perfect Weekend

2011-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have a date night,

fantastic weather and a nap on the deck?

The perfect weekend...HAPPY SPRING

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-04-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

Earth laughs in flowers

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rain Rain Go Away

2011-04-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing you can do about the weather...except pull out one of these pretties. E. was at the bus stop this morning, so proud of her fashionable umbrella, when a gust of wind took it and turned it inside out. I got out of the car in and ran in the rain to help her and I think she was embarrassed...

of me not the umbrella...sigh

This was our view tonight after the storm...

My One and Only

2011-04-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know who this lady is but she was really happy for us....

Happy Anniversary to my One and Only Prince Charming.

Speaking of Prince's ...I heard from a very reliable source (facebook) that Kate's dress cost $434,000. This can't be unless it is encrusted with diamonds. I have no plans to get up at 4:00 AM, but I am interested in seeing this dress!

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a fun filled Easter with lots of sun and chocolate!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-04-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

“An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth.”

- Bonnie Friedman

Candidate

2011-04-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Love these prints on etsy

The Week That Was

2011-04-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Hooray it is Friday! Grandpa is flying in today for a visit and the girls are

excited to see him. Happy Weekend!

Thought of the Day Thursday

2011-04-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

‎"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people"

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The Vamoose

2011-04-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

I'm loving these summery accessories inspired my nature from The Vamoose!

Butterflies are Blooming~

2011-04-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!!

Bubbles

2011-04-10T16:34:00.000-07:00