Loving these...

Getting Crafty

I was with my friend Sara one day and was admiring some pretty bottles in a store. I wanted them for my mantel but the price was crazy expensive. Sara then said, "you know - I know how to make those." That was all I needed. I said, "sign me up!" All I had to do was find some pretty sea fans or shells that I liked and the vintage bottles. The sea fans are easy to find in the local shops around here and the bottles I just kept an eye out for when I was in antique stores. Over the next few weeks I did my homework and then told her I was ready. Sara came over and we had them made in about 15 minutes tops. It was that easy! Here we are in action. Don't be fooled by the photos. In reality, Sara did most of the work. I have a third smaller bottle but we ran out of time and had to run to the school to pick our kids up but we'll finish it up next week. I put the bottles up on my mantel and they look so pretty. Thank you, Sara. I love them.

Ballet Girl

I started Gwen back up with ballet lessons. She was begging me daily to start again. I was just not wanting to add another place for me to be during the week. She would put her leotard and tights on almost daily and ask if we were going to ballet. I couldn't take it anymore, it made me feel pretty bad. About a month ago as I was tucking her into bed I told her that in the morning she would be going to her ballet class. She squealed with excitement. The next morning she had her leotard and tights on at 6am ready to go. It is totally worth the extra effort on my part. I mean, come on...look at that sweet, happy face. Love her.

Love

photo by Sue H

I love this photograph. Not totally sure why but I can't get enough of it. I am wanting to print it and have it hang in our kitchen. The colors, composition, well - just everything about it appeals to me. My sister Briar sent me this random website where people post photos of things organized neatly. It's strangely intriguing. That's where I ran across this image and fell in love.

Bunny in Thailand

Beam and Bunny

Remember Elle's Bunny? Well she made it all the way to Thailand and into the arms of this sweet little girl named, Beam.

When Allyson sent us the pictures last night, Elle and I both started crying.

It is something Elle will remember forever.

The details are on Ally's Blog...click HERE

Lily's Room

I moved Lily's furniture around in her room the other day. I couldn't take it any longer. It's a tiny room and it has function not only as her room but it's also where I keep Gwen's clothing and the closet doubles as our linen closet as well. Crazy. I knew I could rearrange the furniture to make things easier and I was right. I put Gwen and Lily into the crib and I moved everything with them laughing hysterically. They thought me moving the crib with them in it was the best thing ever. I even moved that big armoire by myself. When I get my mind set on something I just have to do it right then. I removed Lily's closet doors...the track and all and decided on hanging pretty draperies over it instead. I think it will look better and will be easier for me to navigate. I found some I love on etsy and am starting to save up so I can buy them. They're perfect. The best part though is how much Lily loves the little windows above her crib. She wakes up, pops the shutters open and is completely entertained. The lens I had on my camera made it impossible for me to get the whole room in one shot but I still thought the view from the hallway looking into her room was pretty. It makes me happy now just to turn the corner in the hall towards her bedroom.

French Toast

Yesterday Gwen was grumpy. I mean, really grumpy. I was trying to get her to preschool and she was just not cooperating. Everything was going wrong in her opinion and she was completely irrational. She hated her outfit, her shoes were itchy, the lunch I packed was gross, she thought Lily was being mean, it was just one of those days. I put her into the car and she was still crying. I finally pulled the car over, turned around and said, "gwenners. what's going on today. you can tell me." She crossed her arms, rolled her eyes and said, "you really want to know? are you sure? cause i'll tell you." I reassured her that yes, I REALLY wanted to know. She looked at me, started crying even harder and said,

"you NEVER, EVER make me french toast!"

What?

I couldn't help but smile (which didn't help things) because I had NO IDEA where that thought was coming from. She has never in her life asked for french toast. I would make it for her but it's just never come up. It was so random. So I said, "oh that IS pretty sad. OK, I'll make you a deal, if you calm down and bring the happy Gwen back I'll make you french toast tomorrow for breakfast." It worked. She was then totally fine. Her 4 year old mind was relieved.

And guess what my Gwenners got for breakfast this morning...French Toast.

Perks

There in one perk to having a sick baby. Just one, but it's a good one. When they're sick, they're extra cuddly. Lily is a sweet baby but she's also busy, busy, busy. She's been sick this week (and last) and ALL she wants to do is snuggle. It's super hard when I'm trying to get dinner going or like this morning when I was getting Elle out the door and making her lunch- - Lily just literally sat on my feet and cried. I couldn't hold her and it was so sad. I did get Elle off to school and came right back home - got Lily out of her carseat and back in my arms, hooked a happy Gwen up with all of her "baby stuff" (she's really into baby dolls right now) and headed upstairs to my job - AKA keeping this house organized. It's never ending but at least I have my sidekick.