Spring in Colorado

My tulips are starting to peek up out of the ground, thanks to my Father in Law who planted them last fall, when I didn't have the energy.

I found stones in my flower beds this morning. One of them says,"Hope," and was a surprise from my Mom. A message she left for me to find when the weather was warm and I would be tending to the plants she had planted for me.

The wind is blowing like crazy and my umbrella keeps tipping over outside.

I am eyeing my terra cotta planters. Eager to paint them cream and distress them before planting my herb garden next month.

I found Robin's Egg Blue spray paint at a craft store and it made me deliriously happy. I am painting most everything that needs a make over - side table, a stool ... and probably more, too.

Spent some time designing my sister's Save the Date postcards. Now I am dreaming of her bridal shower in June. 

Found these pictures on this Etsy store front and dream of warm weather and fresh flowers.

Spring is here.

Welcome to Birthday Town | Speed Limit 5

I have a million pictures to edit and post, and eleven children/10 adults to present evenly for their blog glory (ha), but I don't have it in me today. Today I will tell you about the party.

Caeden's theme was "Paint the Town." They created t-shirts as a warm up and then after sundaes all the kids went outside for a surprise.

Birthday Town awaited them. There was a sign that said, "Welcome to Birthday-Ville! Speed Limit 5 MPH."

On the lawn awaited multiple houses (made of wardrobe boxes) and a rainbow of paint choices to "paint the town."

The kids had a blast. The adults were relieved they were entertaining themselves. The sun was shining. Everyone was happy.

After they painted, everyone went inside for present opening.

Legos, cool building materials, a scuba play set for the tub, art supplies, and ... guns.

As soon as the guns made their appearance, ALL the kids ran outside and grabbed whatever they could find to turn Birthday Town into an old west ghost town. There were gun fights and laughing and running and playing.

The party was a huge success as the kids had fun and Caeden felt celebrated. He has the greatest bunch of friends (as do we!) and I was so thankful they came to hang out with us for the afternoon.

XOXO

Caeden's 5th Birthday Party | DIY Sundae Bar

This little man had his 5th birthday party Saturday. Also the day of his first soccer game (after a month of cancellations due to weather/traveling out of town).

His wish list for his 5th Birthday Party:

DIY Sundae Bar (instead of cake).

Painting "Houses" made of boxes.

Friends to help him Celebrate.

NO SINGING Happy Birthday (He's not a fan).

A Cowboy Gun.

We set the Sundae Bar up in the dining room and used a chalkboard to advertise.

When the kids started to arrive we broke out the hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, etc.

There was a line of 11 excited children and 10 adults for all the  sundae goodness. 

The only mistake was not letting all the ice cream flavors un-thaw because Wayne and my Mom had granite to scoop 

as hungry eyes stared them down.

They still rocked it, though!

Out of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and 'blue' cotton candy ... Cotton Candy was the favorite flavor of the day. Sprinkles and gummy bears (with hot fudge and whipped cream) were the favorite toppings.

I wish I had pictures of all the kids going to town. They were all fantastic friends to each other. Waited for their turn patiently, stayed in line, and helped each other scoop.

Used jelly jars for the toppings. Made the labels with stamps and craft sticks.

Mom appeared with this gorgeous, gigantic bouquet of balloons -- a child's equivalent to flowers. Caeden (and Claire) had eyes as big as plates. So, so happy.

And Mom brought these, too ...

 

Two dozen cupcakes (from Nomilie) that the adults devoured. 

You know who you are, people!

As the kids arrived, they had their own pack of fabric markers 

and a plain, white t-shirt waiting for them.

The budding artists created their masterpieces while getting to know each other ... again, no photos of the action

(have you ever tried to manage eleven 5 & 6 year olds?!)

but they turned out so dang cute.

Here's Lindsay & Mom. Could not have pulled this off without them! Mom worked for two days straight, helping me create; plan; run errands; navigate the party.

Lindsay was my go-to girl to keep Claire busy while I ran around like a lunatic 

(disguised as a Hostess).

A picture of Caeden and I ...

(Pre-makeup but whatever. I was so happy to get a picture of us together. It doesn't happen enough!)

And a sneak peek of the birthday boy. 

Coming up tomorrow:

The Guests, Painting Birthday-ville, and lots of fun details about Caeden's special day.

Love you Caeden Koop!

Food Revolution, Cont.

I blogged last week about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on TV. The show is amazing. If nothing else, I will never, ever eat a chicken nugget or fast food burger again. 

Thank you, Jamie, for showing me how they are made. No amount of BBQ sauce can undo the sight of the chicken carcass' whirling in the food processor. 

Caeden has been watching it with me and I am trying to explain why he needs to drink Wayne's smoothies and why eating vegetables are important. He's starting to come around.

Yesterday he asked for Green Beans for a snack. We replaced fruit snacks with Clif Bar fruit snacks (found at Costco for a steal) and he loves them.

Does he also love Donuts? They might be his favorite food in the entire world. And I have no delusions that if I and a chicken nugget were both dangling over a cliff, and he was hungry enough, well ... I won't go there. We all know how that would end up.

But. We are all improving! (Now if I could get my bum to the gym. Please, someone, drag me there! And then let me watch you workout while I get a massage!)

While doing my usual morning blog surf, I found Cathy's free download.

She devised it as a way to get her son to try new things - and reward him for it in the process. If you have a picky eater, this is a great idea for keeping the humor in, "please try your broccolini, dear."

Spring Inspiration | Chalkboards | Decorating a Wall with Goodness

Rhonna is an amazingly creative person that I had the pleasure of meeting & learning from (at Creative Escape in Arizona two years ago).

Her blog is nothing but creative goodness. I especially love her take on the chalkboard wall. She takes it to another level with embellishments like pendents & little do-dads.

I'm thinking a wall like this is a must! And easy enough to knock out while Claire is napping.
It's just ... happy. And a girl needs something like that with snow on the ground this morning.

Farm Fresh

Claire thought the fainting goats were puppies. She kept trying to talk to them like this, "Woof! Woof!"

They didn't care what animal noises she made as long as she had food.

Well hello there handsome fella. Billy, I presume?

Caeden didn't want much to do with the animals, but everything to do with Grandpa. 

Over and Out.

Caeden saying, "I am so over this. I'm going over there."

No amount of pleading, talking sternly, threatening or acting indifferent could get Caeden to look at the camera. Not a single shot of Easter Day with him smiling or being sweet in front of the camera. I took 268 photos in rapid fire style, hoping something funny would make him smile. Not one.

So glad for the blue door the day before.

We had huge egg hunts in the wide expanse of yard that the farm provides. We ate too much. We had fun catching up with extended family. We drove all the way home to Denver once the day was done.

Snow, rain, and wind prevented six photo shoots from taking place. I feel sick about it and wondered if having a studio would better serve my business since so much is left up to Mother Nature.

Oh yeah. I hate studio-posed portraits. But still...

Very disappointing.

What was not disappointing was spending time with our family and being on the farm. Decorating with Donna. Sending Wayne and Dave off to Deadwood. Running around outside. Eating at Alpine Inn.

Not disappointing at all.

In Between ... Blue

In between the rain and the clouds ... we parked along Main Street.

In between office buildings my Mother in Law and I each grabbed a child and undressed and redressed them again. In cream. In something I knew would not last tomorrow with the chocolate and the grass and the pastel sugars that will claim their faces, hands, and clothing.

In between times of driving somewhere else, I always looked at this blue door perched on Main Street - and knew I had to find the time to photograph my children it front of it.

In between naps and snacks and baking for Easter tomorrow I took these pictures. Because I don't want to forget what is truly important... which should not be in between everything else.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'
Bible: John 11:25-26 NIV

Lemonade

When life gives you lemons ... like rain and cold ...

Choose the rain boots.  They'll make you smile every time.

As much as I want the rain and cold to clear before Saturday (hi to all six families I am photographing that day!), having an excuse to splash in puddles and wear a rain coat with ruffles makes it so worth it.

    (not pictured: Caeden with pen and paper - "directing" Claire how to pose)

Canyon Lake | Rapid City Photographer

Fairy wings and ruffles are no match for Batman (in the background). He is foiled by her charms every time.

Packing Up

Tomorrow (after school & after work) we are headed to Rapid City for Easter. My "things to pack" list is getting very long.

1. Easter Bunny Items

2. Camera Equipment & Session Props

3. Laptop

4. Vitamix

5. Clothes

6. Cooler full of fruits and veggies (that still won't stop us from making junk food stops, I'm sure)

7. A new DVD to keep the fussing to a minimum

Spinach, pineapple, and grape smoothie.  We were way too naive and told Caeden what was in it, and of course, he wouldn't touch it. Claire, however, LOVED it. It's the best one yet. I just hope we can get clever with naming these things so Caeden will actually drink them. This morning I said, "It's the Swamp Monster Smoothie!" and Caeden looked at me like I was the lamest person ever.

Twine, Old Crates, Wire and { Cuteness }

I love the idea of stringing twine along a wall and filling the space(s) with letters, cute drawings, pictures, post cards, etc. 

I did the same thing in the kids' playroom and it's currently filled with Valentine's. Shortly it will be replaced with birthday wishes (Caeden turns 5 in a couple of weeks).

This is a somewhat fuzzy screen shot of my favorite baby boutique, Lauren Alexandra (located in Kansas City). When I still lived there, my alphabet art and cards were sold there. And when I was back a couple of weeks ago, I stopped in and stocked up on stuff for Claire: fairy wings, a pink clothing stand that is now on display in her room and full of spring dresses and bloomers, and a cute cupcake barrette (I never give up hope that she will, in fact, grow hair.)

I love that store. LOVE that store. The staff is fantastic, too. Makes all the difference these days.

There is something I wanted to point out in this picture:

The crates hanging on the wall have all been painted different colors and screwed to the wall. How stinkin' cute is THAT? You could do that in someone's room to hold books, toys, favorite stuffed animals, a clock, etc. Or, in a bathroom for cotton balls, towels, soap, etc.

The point is, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a super cute, custom look in your house.

Here's a cute idea for storing your jewelry. Found at Pottery Barn for $39 (available in June). I found a blog this morning that had step by step instructions for making one yourself. Cannot find. 

But, trust me, it looked easy.

Spray paint a cheap frame whatever color your little heart desires. Screw i-hooks (faking the name of those things) onto the back and string wire. 

Total cost: about $5.

***New subject***

So yesterday's post. 

It struck a cord with many of you out there. I got 9 (yes, I counted) different emails from people not wanting to post on the blog about how they could relate.

I chalk it up to Winter Blah Syndrome (technical term). Not to be confused with Seasonal Affect Disorder (the real deal).

Thank you for letting me know I am not alone! 

Also, I had quite a few questions about the Roden + Fields skincare I mentioned. They are the company that launched Pro Active. They used to just be sold at Nordstrom (And Macy's maybe? I cannot remember for sure) but they went direct (for all those poor women who do not have Nordstrom near by). The big deal with them is anti-aging. Reversing dark spots, wrinkles, etc. I tried the serum the other day and couldn't believe how smooth my skin was. I made Wayne feel it. He nodded that, yes my skin felt great, and yes I looked 10 years younger. 

Or maybe he just sort of nodded with a vacant expression on his face. 

Either way, I was really happy with it.

I am not interested in selling it, but my rep Kacie is making $$$ (try a 10,000 bonus on for size). If you want to order some skincare or talk to her about how she is making $, contact her: https://kacieshober.myrandf.com

I will report back with how it is working. Maybe I will take a before and after picture and you can see what you think.

Anyhoo.

This weekend is filled with planning for my Easter Mini Sessions. Making a cute garland, ordering flowers, painting chairs ... I cannot wait. The portraits on the farm are going to be brilliant. I still have slots available, so if you know someone who doesn't read my blog, please pass this along. Thank you so much!

To book: valerie@beinthemoment.net

Sort of Whining. Only read if you are REALLY bored.

 (picture has nothing to do with anything {via Martha})

Am I the only one who occasionally freaks out about aging? 

Today I am at "Pump It Up" - for those who do not have children, it isn't as naughty as it sounds. It's just a huge room filled with kids bouncing on slides, in big boxed "rooms," and everywhere else.

The kids love it.

And what do the parents do while the kids are running around? Make small talk. Coo over new babies, and more than once I overheard, "So, what did you do before kids?" - It was implied that once you have children you are no longer working (well, I guess a safe assumption considering it was 11 am). But still.

The thing that I noticed was that I seemed to be at the older end of the spectrum. Or maybe I just looked it? Either way, I saw many super cute, young, designer jean wearing Moms there.

I wore a KU baseball cap, jeans from 7 years ago, and tennis shoes. I am no John Kumpart.

The thing is, I went to this place thinking I was a good Mom for getting the kids out of the house and doing something fun. I left still feeling that way, but also feeling like the unpretty Mom.

I am not saying I need to compete with them, only that I should try a bit harder to be a better me.

Do you ever feel like you need a make over??

I need these things: get back to the gym DAILY (my sister in law just ran a marathon and I haven't raised my heart rate since chasing my son and PRETENDING to let him win),  new skincare to take care of my face - needing to evolve from a hodge podge of things and get consistent with slathering serum on my face before bed (I would be a very happy lady if I could have skin that looked like my Mother in Law), and drink lots and lots of water (currently chuging a diet pepsi). Oh, and eat organic.

Maybe I just need a nap?

You know what else? I think it is more stressful THINKING about what you want to change than actually DOING it.

So, I've got the Door to Door Organics folks delivering food (starting when we get back from Rapid City), taking kids to the gym after they wake up (and bringing along my Sigg full of water), and I am trying out some new skincare from Rodan + Fields (my rep is Kacie). 

It promises to reverse all those times I baked in the sun without sunscreen ...

when you are stuck in the house ...

*Edited to add: My resourceful friend Carisa found all the supplies to duplicate the art center at Ikea.


Lamp 39-
S Hooks 3-
White Containters 6-
Silver Bar 7-
Wire basket 2-

We're sitting under 10" of snow and I've been sick for almost 2 weeks. When you don't want to get dressed and can't really go anywhere ... what do you do?

1. Bath time for the kids. Maybe even twice.

2. Craft time for all!

3. Waste too much time online.

4. Cook and bake with healthy ingredients (that all turned out horribly):

a. Cook blueberry pancakes that your 5 year old doesn't like (I used wheat flour and he noticed).

b. Bake banana muffins that taste horrible (used bananas that were really, really, REALLY black).

c. Bake oatmeal cookies with flax eggs and oat bran (That didn't rise. At all.).

If you trust that I have been a victim of bad luck but do know how to bake ...
I DO have a few tips that I thought I'd share:

Do you know that feeling of needing butter to bake but it's still in the fridge and as hard as a rock? Cut it up into chunks and it will be ready to bake with in about 10 minutes.

You all know to coat your berries, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. in flour so they don't sink to the bottom of whatever you are baking, right?

Moving passed the failed attempts in the kitchen and onto craft time:

Caeden likes to craft as much as I do. If I wasn't too lazy to take a picture, you'd see a desk similar to this one, piled high with paper, stamps, markers galore, pencils, glue, glitter ...

And as soon as Claire knew I wasn't looking, it would be an instant disaster. Need to do something before the inevitable happens.

Yes, I think that is what I will work on today.

I especially like the hanger for displaying paper and art and that towel bar is genius. Are those hooks usually for shower curtains? I can't quite place them?

photo via stephmodo

a little of this ... a little of that ... all in a frame.

I have quite a few walls that need something other than photographs (like up my stairs, for example). I like the idea of mixing in keepsakes, the kids' art, and pictures to make a big statement of "this is us!"

Claire has a red and white polka dot bikini I'd like to frame. Caeden's sweet baptism shirt. Their shoes (one of each from smallest to largest).

Above photo via creative mama.

For those of you with older children, I can't think of anything sweeter than putting a beloved toy that has been outgrown into a shadow box ...

Photo via poppytalk.

Above images from Martha Stewart.

Here's my only one, created 5 years ago ... taken with the trusty iPhone. :

It's got Caeden's picture, his footprints on acid free paper, his itty bitty hat, bracelet, etc. 

To make:

1. Cut foam core to the size of your frame (making sure the frame is deep enough to accomodate).

2. Adhere paper (or fabric or whatever you want) to the foam core for the background.

3. Using brads, string elastic in a zig zag to create the look of a pinboard.

4. Tuck in your keepsakes and carefully place into your frame.

Making a Change

Food has become quite an issue in the house. Junk is winning over fresh food and I've struggled (and am failing) to feed my son nutricious food that he enjoys. 

Packing his lunch has become a worry that starts with me the night before he goes to school.

1.  Will he eat an apple if I take the skins off (I resist doing this as the peel is rich in nutients, as we all know)?

2.  Does a wheat bagel with cream cheese make a worse choice than deli meat and cheese (sandwiches are another thing he won't eat)?

3.  There are never veggies packed. (He claims he is allergic to them all.)

Dinner at home is no different. Even when I make him go without dinner if he doesn't eat what's on his plate, he gladly starves (especially when we're talking about veggies).

He lives on Cheez-its (I allow them as a snack once a day).

I feed him vitamins and HOPE they are doing some good. 

But we all know vitamins can't make up for lack of good nutrition the majority of the time.

I was so relieved to be watching Jamie Oliver's new show on TV: Food Revolution.

He talks about what we all worry about as parents - our children. How their generation is the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than us. That is so wrong on so many levels - it makes me sick and sad. 

So, this long winded entry today does get to my point:

I got reacquainted with two classmates from High School this weekend. Jessica and Kacie and I sat around talking about how to make our lives better - whether it is food, skincare, the importance of empowering each other, and the strength of community.

Jessica introduced me to Door to Door Organics.

It's an organic food service that delivers fresh produce to your door every week. (It's in Colorado, Kansas City, and other places.)

I could smell the oranges in her kitchen as soon as I walked into her front door. That should tell you something about the caliber of food they deliver. 

Wayne and I talked a lot tonight about what we need to do to change the food environment of our home. One of the first things we are doing is ordering from this company. The second is we will start juicing the produce that we don't know how to disguise (Caeden can sniff out vegetables a mile away but will drink the juice made from fresh veggies willingly - a bit of apple or some grapes mixed in makes a huge difference.)

Will it be horrible to plead and negotiate with him at first? Yes. But after awhile, I have to believe he will forget the crap he was eating and get used to healthy, fresh choices. (One of my biggest accomplishments in the food arena is that he chooses ice water over juice and has never had a soda.)

I'm tired of taking the easy way out and/or being manipulated by a 5 year old. He's such a good kid - this mess is not his fault. It's mine.

But I can change all of that. (I can get clever at the very least.) And I KNOW our family will be better for it.