*Hi*

I am happy to report, after a long ol' night, everyone seems to be on the mend. I took TWO naps today, trying to make up for not sleeping for 48 hours. Feeling lazy ... & hopeful that laundry is caught up.

Found a neat little site with lots of birthday ideas: Caeden will be 4 in April & Claire will be 1 in May. Unbelievable!! I want to do something really special for each of them this year, and this website had some neat ideas... Picnic.

Look at this cuuuute birthday hat. You know I have to get one for Claire so I can take her picture in it. :) Found it, where else, but on Etsy.

I am also in love with these flash cards: A Little Hut. For 7.99 you get to download the entire set. Super cute for framing, too. Or print a set out on cardstock and give as a gift (over and over - how savvy are we?!) She has a blog, too. Blog.


Have a good day!

A New Day

The comment on my last post summed up my night. I toggled between Claire and Caeden - washing sheets, scrubbing carpets, hosing down the kids. Wayne was just as sick, and laid in bed half-moaning, half-talking to me. Everyone is still down for the count - napping right now - and while I do laundry and spray everything with Lysol ... I found some time to surf the web ...

Have I ever shared this table set? I want it so badly for Claire. I imagine taking pictures of her with her stuffed animals having tea parties in the middle of a field ... (and not stuck in the corner of her room with crayon marks all over it ;)

Found it here: Table and Chairs.

Next, I have been having so much fun learning photoshop, learning to digitally edit, learning how to take better pictures ... so, I spend most of my blogging time looking at photography sites for eye candy. Have I shared this site before? Peek a Boo. I want to be this woman when I grow up. Have you ever seen such cute props and backdrops for photos? Or such sweet photos?

Then, off to find Claire bear some baby legs. These are a new invention since I had Caeden. They are super cute lil' leg warmers that really add a punch to an outfit. I bought some so that Claire can crawl on the wood floors (since that is most of our house). Found them here.

Kids are up ... duty calls!


P.S. Back on good ol' Pioneer Woman's website for a Caesar salad recipe. Seriously, she has the best recipe commentary ever.

P.P.S. From another blog, I found a link of "tried and true" Cooking Light recipes: Make something new. A lot of them look awesome - if you are anything like me, a new "good!" recipe is always nice. I hate trying something new that no one has tried and it flops. I mean, with the price of groceries these days, who can afford a flop, right?

Is the Workout Worth It?

I took Claire to the gym daycare 2 days ago (something I never did with Caeden - for this exact reason).

Yesterday she was sick all day. Up all night with yucky diapers. Today - more of the same.

And then.

Wayne started feeling bad.

And then Caeden came in from playing outside complaining of a stomach ache. Then he promptly threw-up all over the living room. And then our bedroom. And then again.

So, a house full of sick people for 45 minutes on the treadmill. So not worth it. :(

Can't Imagine His Teen Years

What Caeden ate before 9 am:

1. Pop-tart
2. 4 pieces of toast & jam
3. Big bowl of oatmeal

And then an hour later (so, at 10:30 - still an hour away from lunch)

4. 2 more pieces of toast
5. Crackers and Turkey

He has completely by-passed the 4T size and is into 5T. All his shirt sleeves look like 3/4 length!

Uhhh ... growth spurt, anyone?

Playing Around

Playing with some new actions/frames. This is Claire 2 days old. She never took a binkie, so she must have given it up immediately following this nap...

100

The 100 list

This has been floating around for sometime on line. {Color} means been there/done that.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- just didnt know it !
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

When Being "Green" Doesn't Pay.

So. I got my butt in trouble with another speeding ticket today.

I was out and about with Claire - pushing her past her nap time - so that we could stay out and enjoy the beautiful weather. I am so sick of being in the house all day, you know? So, I was going a tad fast, trying to get home and into bed (and hour late) ... and get pulled over.

I had the worst experience ever.

We have USAA insurance, and have opted to get electronic bills, notices, etc. That includes our insurance cards, too. I pulled out my license and registration and insurance ... and came across my insurance print-out that had expired. I explained to the police officer that we must have had forgotten to print off the new one, but we definitely had insurance, etc.

His words, "Well, I know you are lying because I have USAA and they send me BOTH a card in the mail AND an electronic version." -- He is saying this as Claire is sobbing in the back seat from being over-tired.

He cited me - "With no break on the speed because of your insurance story." If only I had kept looking through the paperwork ... the current/valid version was sitting right there.

I have to go to court to prove I have insurance. Since I'm there, I might fight it. To be accused of lying just floored me. I was (am) so upset. Wayne had the great idea that I should take a screen shot of the option online to opt out of paper and take that to court. I totally am.

If only I had just kept looking ... there it is. Current insurance. The jerk.

Love is a Movement

photo by cdduerksen

Etsy has recognized the Cora movement. According to this article, word has spread fast about Cora and her family. It's a wonderful recap, if you didn't read about it before, this article is still incredibly sad, but it is worth reading. It is an example of the goodness of people and their faith in God.

There are many things available to purchase to raise money for Cora's playground. I ordered some headbands for Claire, for me, flower clips, and t-shirts for Claire. Is there something for a friend, your daughter, your niece that would you could get to support Cora's memory? None of the items are expensive and it all goes to Cora's playground fund.

Good Question

Photo: Matilda Jane Clothing. March 1st is the new spring stuff!

Hey - anyone out there with girls ... if I held a virtual Matilda Jane show, would you be interested? Ordering through a show gives you $4 shipping instead the sky-high price they quote online.

In other news, I have been taking Photoshop classes from Jessica Sprague. I am excited that she has created a new class all about photo editing in Photoshop (starts Sunday).

She is giving seats away in her class by asking thought-provoking questions. Today's question is:

What one person, thing, moment, or place do you wish you had a photo of?

and the one you can answer for yourself in your head:

What one person, thing, moment, or place can you STILL go and take a photo of, perhaps TODAY? Or this weekend?

*The photo(s) I wish I had: When I was holding Caeden and Claire for the very first time.

*The photo(s) I can STILL get: Us - all together- this weekend hanging out (maybe in an alley or downtown).

How about you?

Getting There

Claire is starting to get up on her legs, but immediately rolls onto her side. No back-and-forth yet, but it's coming.

Totally lame post, but it is all I have today...

Baby Cora

It is a small blogging world. From a link that Whitney sent me about a house, I found the story of baby Cora. A sweet girl Claire's age that shockingly died of cancer only weeks after symptoms/diagnosis. I warn you that I have been crying all morning, and if you think you might too, this is a blog post you may just want to skip. These are real people with families just like mine and yours. It is unthinkable and unspeakable but if you are able to donate a little something for this precious family, every little bit helps, even if kindness and support is all we as a community can give...

Learn about them here:

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

The family is from Kansas, and there is a Cora Playground fund set up through the Etsy site that you can donate/buy some cute things to fund baby Cora's playground: Cora's Playground.

Snapshots of a Good Life

You should have seen it around here this morning. Today was the registration day for an online photography workshop that I have been so excited to take. I originally signed up months ago and was put on the waiting list ... number 300+. But, there was an advanced sign-up for a class starting in March for anyone on the wait list. So, today was the day.

I knew there were going to be A LOT of people trying to get into the class, it is supposed to be amazing, so I was worried about getting a spot. Wayne, being the awesome person that he is, rearranged his travel so that he could stay home and be my wingman in case I couldn't get it. So, he is downstairs, with 2 laptops open and ready to go and I am upstairs on my computer trying to get in, but the internet was down on my system, and with 2 minutes until registration, I was FREAKING OUT. "Why doesn't our internet work, Wayne?" - In a total accusatory tone, like it is his fault. I fly down the stairs and whip open my laptop (yes, that means there are 4 computers in our house ... not counting all the ones in Wayne's office), and try to log in there.

Nope, internet still down. Now I am really paniced and stomping around. Caeden says, "Is your computer still broken because of the water spilling on it?" Poor little guy was all concerned that I was going to blow a gasket and is trying to talk me down.

I finally get the internet to work, log on, and refresh every second, like a wild woman, until I got into the registration page. Score! I typed as fast as I could, feeling confident that I was in. And then I kept getting errors. The server was crashing. Grrrrreat.

After all the drama, my registration went through and I am now an offical Karen Russell student. Go me! I am pumped to be able to take this class and learn all the little things about photography that (if you don't know them) become the big things.

Her blog.
Her website.

Oh, and about that cut-throat registration. I just checked, and there is still room (when will I learn to stop freaking out?!). She opened up another date.

In other news: Do you not just adore the wall in this bedroom? I want to do something like this in C & C's playroom. Love it! I would decorate like that in Caeden's bedroom, but I know he would tear it apart while "napping." I found the pictures here: Ohdeedoh.



And. This. Paint. Color. I loooooove it. Where could I paint this color at? What do you think about the downstairs powder room? My craft room is in the loft, which I open to the downstairs, do you think it is too much if you could see this color from the living room?

My dream is to have an old house with white cabinets in the kitchen - where it would not be odd at all to have this color in there. It kind of reminds me of Anthropologie for some reason.

I want to know what you think. Please post a comment, people.

Memories

Every summer my brother and I would go stay with my grandpa and grandma Parks for a couple of weeks. I will never forget the yellow farm house with the American flag waving in the yard. The huge barn-red barn full of wild cats, tractors, and the smell of hay.

We would run around the farm, tan and lean, going from one thing to the next. We'd swim in the irrigation ditch (if I ever get cancer, I will know why), catch frogs, drive/wreck the 4-wheeler...

My grandma would cook and bake up a storm. Huge breakfasts, amazing hot lunches (grandpa's favorite meal of the day) and very light dinners. She'd make chocolate chip cookies and bake bread almost everyday. I remember Brian and I would slather on her homemade jam onto warm bread and she'd always wonder why we never used butter. It just didn't need it.

I'll never forget the smoothness of my grandpa's hands. He was a farmer, yes, but he always wore gloves. His hands never aged a day, and even in his later years, his hands looked like those of someone 40 or 50 years younger. Amazing.

He had a sparkle in his eye and loved to chew Winter Mint gum ...

My grandma, who is now living in Spearfish, had the longest hair imaginable. She always kept it up in a bun, and I remember sneaking into her room at night when she would take it down to brush it - it was such a feminine gesture, the brushing of her hair, and as a little girl I thought it was so alluring.

At the end of our visits each year, out would come the Polaroid camera. They would take pictures of Brian and I - happy, content, sun-kissed, and probably a little homesick. I was just amazed at the instant-ness of them...and I loved to wave them around, hoping to speed up the drying time.

I never saw the collection of photos they took over the years, and have often wondered who has them. I suspect my biological father does, but I don't know for sure. They are tied to such sweet times of my childhood...

When I saw this old Polaroid frame, all those memories came flooding back. Of course, this picture is of Wayne & Claire, but the sweetness of the old-fashioned picture goes way back ...

{Happy Valentine's Day}

*Caeden got his first box of chocolates (Hershey Kisses inside)

*Wayne made a yummy (short rib) beef stroganoff for dinner.

*Caeden took a pink bath (love those color tabs for the tub!)

*We all received Valentines from Grandma and Grandpa. Caeden played with his new monster truck, Claire slobbered all over her new stuffed animal (lion, complete with a pink and red mane), and Wayne and I are saving our Valentine money for a night out on the town.
Thank you Mom and Dad!

*A friend brought over pink cupcakes with a heart shaped brownie atop each one. YUM!

*Wayne spoiled me rotten once again ... I can count the ways he loved me: calls, texting, pictures, email ... on my new iPhone! (I am still trying to get his present put together - I have until midnight, right...?)

*Happy Valentine's Day to all! Mmm-wah!

Valentine's Party

I have no pictures of today's party because we were busy making Valentine people, decorating sugar cookies, playing Valentine Bingo, and playing "duck - duck - goose."

Things I overheard today:

Caeden to a friend: "I love holding your hand."

Caeden to his teacher after decorating cookies: "This is the best birthday ever!"

Caeden to his friend T (T wanted to go home - didn't want to be at school): "T, it's okay, my Mommy will take you home and then you can be with your Me Ma."

And, the proud Mommy moment: each child took turns giving out their Valentines to each other. Everytime someone dropped one into Caeden's box, he would say thank you. Sometimes, "awww, thank yooooou." :)

A card for every moment

The last one is my favorite. :)

Found them here.

Arts & Crafts

We love arts and craft time. It happens everyday at the same time - during Claire's morning nap. We color, stamp, paint, cut ... you name it. I love it as much as he does!


This week we have been working on his Valentine's Day box for school. Do you remember those? I loved Valentine's Day at school as a kid ... just to see all those boxes decorated to the hilt. Plus, the Valentine's were so fun. "Oh good! You love me, too!"


So, for Caeden's project: we hunted for an old shoe box and Caeden painted the lid red and the box white.


He stamped old fashioned trucks onto cardstock (that later will be hauling loads of Valentine's in it's bed).

He placed stickers all over the lid and box ...

And finished with a big grin.

Today we're making heart sugar cookies for his school party tomorrow.

Wednesday already?

The past couple of days have been a blur. Sick kids, sick me, sick all around. Last night I literally slept sitting up-right in Claire's rocking chair, holding her upright, so that she wouldn't cough. The night before? Teething got us both up every couple of hours. This week has been a blur.

This picture might be the last of her gummie-ness. :)


Just checked my email and was excited to see a link to this: Matilda Jane. I think I have mentioned this company before, but basically they have the cutest girl clothes on earth. Unfortunately, the only way to get them is to order through a trunk show (think: Pampered Chef). That is all fine and dandy, but I don't know anyone who sells the stuff. I wish I could order it the old fashioned way, you know, online.



This morning we finished Caeden's Valentine box. He did such a good job painting, stamping, using glitter glue, slapping stickers down everywhere ...I'll post it on Valentine's Day. Oh, speaking of, you know those felt Valentine envelopes I told you about? Mine came in the mail and they are just darling. I am going to write the kids a love letter every year and give it to them in their special envelope each Valentine morning. I love having kids so that I can do stuff like this.

Back to it ...

What we did ...

While the fellas were away ... we played peek-a-boo.

We played, "I'm gunna get yoooo-u."


We rocked in the rocking chair ...

And we napped {there is no picture of that}.

Weekend Update

Grandpa & Claire having a blast ...

Claire groping Grandpa's face. It's how you know she really likes you. :)



I know I have been a bad blogger (no Monday post - thanks for the email reminders! :).
Water spilled on my beloved MacBook Pro, so my keyboard is jacked. That's why I didn't post. But anyway, onto the weekend update.

We had the best weekend. Caeden was on cloud 9 all weekend. His Grandpa was here and all was right with the world. There was hardly a moment when they weren't together : playing in the playroom, going for a walk to see the construction site, playing in the back yard, or ... just sitting together. My heart gets so full when I think of how much love Caeden has for Dad/Grandpa. There is just nothing like it. See? Like right now, as I type this - {heart is filled to the brim}.

Can you believe I do not have a single picture of them together?! I think it was because they were always so busy playing (and not wanting me to get to close as to ruin the fun) that I didn't get a chance. But trust me, they would have been great - Caeden would be staring at his Grandpa with adoration and clutching toy monster trucks. :)

Dad, do you know how Caeden looks up to you? How even when you and Mom aren't here ... you are? In memories, in stories that Caeden tells, in the fabric of our daily grind. Today, for example, you are back at work in RC, but as Caeden was painting his Valentine's Day box, he wondered out loud, "I wonder what color Grandpa likes best?" You are always on his mind.

Anyway, the mushy stuff had me sidetracked for a second, when the real attention should be the MONSTER TRUCK SHOW. :) Yes, Caeden took Wayne and Grandpa to the show. I think it was quite painful for Wayne (he had great stories about the other attendees) but Caeden had a blast. This morning he had his toys lined up just like at the show. I had to stand on the sidelines and wave a flag, "Just like they did at the show, Mommy."

It has been back to reality this week. School yesterday, swimming lessons today, and Friday is the Valentine's party. We're in charge of bringing plain {heart} sugar cookies for the kids to decorate, so I suppose we'll be doing that Thursday night...

Sunday

Caeden is taking Wayne and Grandpa to the Monster Truck show today. He can't wait!!
So, I'll be busy cleaning, doing laundry, etc.

You know I am kidding! I'm taking a nap with Claire! :) Here's to a lazy day. Just my style!

Text Message

This morning I stole away (alone!) and went to the mall. Grandpa and Wayne played with the kids while I:

1. Stopped at Starbucks for a Vanilla iced tea

2. Went to Nordstrom and tried on every.single.kind.of.jean.
a. None fit in the size I thought they should have.
b. Texted (is that a word?) my sister to whine/get validation that, YES, all these jeans are made for women with no hips or thighs, and it is just disgusting that they actually made sizes SMALLER than last time I shopped for jeans (which was before Caeden. I know, I really needed a new pair...).
c. She tells me to try on WilliamRast jeans (over in the Savvy department).
d. I do. I fall in love.
e. Do you like my outline format?
f. I take a deep breath and buy them. Ooooh how I love them.
g. Call my sister and tell her I got them. She curses me (she wanted them).
h. for the first time EVER, I am glad we are not the same size, because I know she would "borrow" them. Take that, Linz! That's what you get for being so dern skinny!!!

Done with the outline.

Also got a few lip glosses and some moisturizer. I actually feel like a GIRL today. Yay!

Thank you, Lindsay, for being so fashion savvy. And thank you texting-inventor. Thank you.

More Photo Sharing

I love being able to take pictures like this. I have always felt bad that when Caeden was born we went all out and had professional portraits done. All Claire has is what I have taken. Maybe these aren't such a bad trade.


This is the official 8 x 10 the family is getting. Already printed and ready to go!


I was just playing around with the color on this. Photoshop is so fun!

Thanks for letting me share. I was shy to post them because I don't expect comments, but I wanted to show you what I've learned.

I've learned: practice, practice, practice. :)

Supposed to be working out ...

But here I sit, looking at DESSERT recipes. Could I be anymore ridiculous?

My high school/college friend turned email/blog pal (hey, gotta do what you gotta do when you live a million miles away), Paula, sent me a random email a long time ago about Pioneer Woman. This woman is funny, brilliant with Photoshop, homeschools her kids (saint!), and can cook up a storm. I think I am going to make this "best ever" chocolate cake tomorrow night for my Father in Law (who loves pecans) with my sister's spaghetti (she uses sausage and hamburger - great idea, huh?!). Do yourself a favor and spend lots of time on PW's website. I have a crush on her and you will too.

Now, with the food business out of the way, a funny YouTube video sent to me by Nellers. It's the one where Ellen DeGeneres calls Gladys (from Austin), an 88 year old fit fire who "loves Jesus but drinks a little, too." The call is so funny! If you have a few minutes to watch, it will make coffee come out of your nose (that is, if you are drinking coffee this time of morning).

What else ... can I talk about while stalling on working out? What's that? Nothing is more important than my health/fitting into my bride's maid dress in May? Fine. Thanks for the buzz kill. Off to do lunges.

Tagged via Sara

Six Names I Go By

1. Mommy
   
2. Val
3. Valerie (only Wayne calls me this)
   
4. Seestor
5. Baby Girl (before Claire - she is the new baby girl, of course)
   
6. Honey
   

Three Things I am Wearing Right Now

1. Grey Sweatpants with "Jayhawk" across the bum
   
2. Pink Sweatshirt with "Kansas" on the front
   
3. Dark brown toe nail polish
   

Two Things I Want Very Badly at the Moment

1. A wedding ring. Mine was lost in Florida 2 years ago.
   
2. A cleaning lady. I find myself thinking this multiple times a day: "I JUST cleaned the bathroom ... do you (not me, everyone else, of course) really need to pee that badly?!"
   

Three Favorite Things I did Last Night

1. Played on my computer with the photos that I took earlier in the day.
   
2. Rocked Claire to sleep.
   
3. Scrapbooked.
   

Four Things I ate Today

1. Cheerios for breakfast
   
2. Cheerios for lunch
   
3. Cheerios for a mid-day snack
   
4. Pineapple pizza for dinner (and some M&M Premiums "Almond" - huge, overpriced mistake. Not that good).
   

Two People I last Talked to on the Phone

1. Mary Jo in Texas. She took my order for Claire's baptism gown.
   
2. Lindsay

Six Things I Plan to do Tomorrow

1. Take Caeden to an allergy appointment. He is really, really sick.
   
2. Pick up Dad from the airport.
   
3. Work out to "Cindy Crawford" DVD. Don't laugh! It is the best workout ever!
   
4. What Gray's Anatomy (which is recording now).
   
5. Go get some moisturizer. All three jars are empty, and I have exhausted all reserves.
   
6. Blow on Claire's toes and read "Tickle Monster" to Caeden.
   

Five Things I am Grateful for Today

1. Not to be dramatic, but I am grateful for health insurance and Wayne's job security.
   
2. A clean house/fresh sheets.
   
3. A spouse that doesn't mind that I don't cook every, single night.
   
4. The Internet.
   
5. That Caeden still has dimples on his hands. I know they won't be there much longer.
   

I tag...Paula, Whitney, Delise, & John.

Sneak Peak

It was 70 degrees today! So while Caeden dug in the dirt and hauled it all into the middle of the driveway, I took a few pictures of Claire for our Valentines that I am trying to get in the mail. This is one of my favorites.



And then there's Caeden. Does he aspire to be an Abercrombie model? Is that why he pulled his shirt up? And the gesturing...? All I can think of is "Y ... M .... C .... A!"

I could just eat him up. Crazy kid.

Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte

Yum. Last night I met some friends at Starbucks, where I promptly ordered my standard Grande Decaf - Black. (I have a weird thing about drinking calories - I try not to.)

Then wandered over to M. where she tells me about this amazing caffeine-free tea she is drinking. I took a sip.YUM. It takes like vanilla milk, except not. It's warm, sweet (but hardly), and so good. I had to get my very own.

I came home and did the math on the calories. 160. Not horrible, not great. But really worth it.

All about Etsy

My super stylish & amazingly vintage chic cousin, Nellie, has started an Etsy store. You can find her 70's & 80's stuff here: Nells Finders Keepers. I already scored the watermelon bowl; you need to be fast around here! She's the one who discovered the above card. My new favorite!

I am loving this felt Valentine Envelope.

How sweet would a yearly love letter to your children be in this? I ordered 2 {Caeden & Claire}. Hopefully I'll get them before Valentine's Day.



Last, the beloved tutu. Haven't ordered this as my Etsy spending limit has been reached for awhile, but isn't this just cute?? I love the rose petals in it. I have some sort of strange need to get Claire a Tutu in every color! :)

Things I Learned This Weekend:

How to download cool (& free) photoshop actions to make pictures look awesome. Doesn't this picture of Claire look vintage? Exactly! That is the name of the action, Vintage. Now if only everything in my life was this straight forward.



Secondly, Caeden. He no longer knows how to smile. Instead, some sort of cheese-grinning monster lives in the crook of his mouth and rears it's ugly head whenever the camera appears.


Next: Claire is infatuated with balloons, just like her older brother. She especially loves the danger of the string, which has threatened to cut off the circulation in her hand a time or two.


The forth thing I learned this weekend is, apparently it is possible to become whatever it is you are wearing on your body. Have you ever seen a child look MORE like an owl? I rest my case.

5. Homemade chocolate chip cookies taste much better when you bake with the itty, bitty, mini chocolate chips instead of the normal ones. More chocolate per bite. Trust me on this.

6. Sleep can happen anywhere. Even on Claire's bedroom floor, using a towl (left over from bath time) as a blanket. No pillow. It doesn't take much to be comfortable when you are too exhausted to climb down the stairs for the 8th time that night. Screw it. I am taking up residence in her room. It's much cuter than mine, anyway.

7. The superbowl commericals did not disappoint! I loved the Pepsi ones, but missed the Audi one, and all the Dorito ones. Must see them after I am done blogging. The biggest hit for me? Learning about Hulu. That clever Alec Baldwin sucked me right in with his alien schick and now I am totally loving Hulu. Free t.v. anytime! I no longer have to compete with Wayne while he vies for Family Guy.

8. I am, indeed, a bargin shopper. Normally when I walk into a store, I go immediately to the full-priced clothing, finding tons. Next, head to the sale rack where I find absolutely nothing. Not so! Yesterday I got the kids much needed P.J's at babyGap. Normally 22.oo each...I got 4 pairs PLUS a new pair of sunglasses for Caeden for 34.00. That includes tax.

Yes, I know! It totally makes up for the {undisclosed amount} that I spent the very next minute at a baby boutique buying some new spring time Baby Lulu clothes for Claire.

Until tomorrow...