{Caeden's Christmas Program} 2009

Little Blessings Christmas Concert 2009

As Caeden and his classmates prepared for their concert, they walked in line down the aisle that was centered in the middle of the audience. We were lucky to score seats in the back middle section, so when the kids went by, I heard his teacher say, "Caeden, did you see them??"

I love how his shirt is untucked in the back. Especially after all the fussing I did getting him dressed.

I really love this picture because it shows him really getting into it. Such a change from last year when he refused to sing a single syllabl. This year he was really into it. My heart grew two sizes watching him tonight.

The sweet buttoneer is from my Mom. She pinned it on him tonight before we all came to the Church. He was the only one wearing one, and I really love the sweet gesture. The told her, "Oh, Mimi, it's the perfect gift!"

A Merry Christmas to Wayne and I a bit early.

It was the perfect gift.

Meet Finley

Meet Finn. He's our very own Christmas Elf sent from Santa to make sure Caeden (and Claire) belong on the "nice list" for Santa.

Every night after the kids are in bed, he zooms to the North Pole to report the day's happenings to Santa. Each morning when the kids wake up, Finley is in a new location - proof he was gone in the night.

Finn is magical in more ways than one. Having him around is an automatic guarantee that sharing, kind words, and sweetness ooze out of our son.

I wonder if Cupid, Easter Bunny, the Leprechaun ... have some one they can send too?

Elf on a Shelf found here.

{In the Details ... }

This morning I made a pot of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to make my baking list. I was listening to the kids play in the living room, thinking it was nice to have them to myself this weekend (Wayne is in Vegas). After awhile, it got pretty quiet. I glanced up at the kids, and this is what I saw ...

Claire at the tree, touching ornaments that she knows she is not supposed to. Here she is looking over at me saying, "No, no?" Like, perhaps, I have changed my mind and now all ornaments are fine to man handle. I wasn't too concerned as the ones she can reach are the unbreakable ones I mentioned a couple of posts ago.

I think what she was really going for was the Golden retriever ornament (bought our first Christmas with Lucy Goosie). The head sort of bounces around and it never fails to make Claire laugh. That's when Caeden got in on the action.

 

"Mom, this is what I want Santa to bring me ..." - And there he is on number 3 (I told him Santa only brought a few things because he doesn't have room on his sleigh for everything).

Here's Caeden's favorite ornament. We got it when we visited Durango for our Polar Express ride. I think I love it as much as he does...

 Here's mine from Durango. Got it in a little boutique that smelled like vanilla. All the ornaments were vintage and lovely. My favorite kind of place ...

 

And as long as we're talking about ornaments, here is a sentimental favorite. A bell inscribed with the year Caeden was born. I never get tired of holding it (it is heavy and substantial. I love that.).

 

And this is the first ornament we ever purchased. The year was 1994 - the year we were married. I was really into Precious Moments stuff (have a hilarious story about my wedding topper: bought the "tan" version of the Precious Moments couple to sit on top of our cake. I thought it looked more like us because the girl had dark hair. Then I was told it was the African American version and the man looked nothing like Wayne.)

This is an old ornament as well. I love the glitter and the patina.

And here's Claire with another ornament. Knowing I was taking pictures of other things, she made her move. A cute move it was.

Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S.

Wayne may be in Vegas, but I am dreaming of Mexico!

Christmas Ornament Decorating ... Off the Tree.

 (Photo Credit: Country Living)

This is a similar idea to one I shared a while back with baby shoes (display the gradually increasing sizes of your child's shoes in a cute shadow box. Tag each shoe with the size and age of your child at the time).

Score a shadow box (always on sale at Michaels and Hobby Lobby) and adhere paper to the back (I use paper from the scrapbooking section). Use double sided tape to stick your favorite ornaments on top of the paper.

Wha-la!

Freebies: Christmas Links & Ideas

This year things are a bit tight for all of us. We're in a recession, our homes are worth less than ever, and our children want EVERYTHING (well, I speak for Caeden...). We did not experience job loss like so many did, but our year was full of health care related expenses. What I mean to say is, regardless of our individual situations this year - it has been a tough one for most.

That really doesn't stop me from wanting to give presents to those I care about and be crafty as much as possible, so what's a girl to do? Here are some thrifty ideas and links to get you started:

Free gift tags that you just print! Link to tons here.

Make the neatest holiday candles ever (super inexpensive!): Link to short video tutorial here.

And, a $5 coupon code for all the goodies you'll see on the House of 3 site.

(An aside, I made these candles a couple of years ago and instead of printing off graphics, I used stamps and ink and they turned out fabulous.)

(Photo credit Heidi Swapp)

Free downloadable Holiday Cards here (stylish - not el' cheapo).

Create a winter village craft with the kids with old cereal boxes here.

It's a bit late for the Advent Calendar, but Caeden and I are printing off this free one today and decorating it as his official "countdown to Christmas" visual.

Here are tons of felt craft ideas you don't want to miss: The Long Thread Blog.

And last, these are not free, but super cute. These ornaments are not breakable - making them perfect for the lower portion of the tree that was all but bare because of a certain baby named Claire. I love these! Curiosity of Land of Nod.

Tick Tock

 Caeden says a prayer before lunch and snack time at school. It goes a little something like this:

Tick Tock Tick Tock 

This is the way we Pray

We thank our Lord Jesus Christ

For our (dinner/meal/snack) today.

Amen!

Dinner time was fast last night - 

Wayne was at the store,  Caeden was "starving!" and Claire was tired.

So I was whipping up dinner and fixing plates without time to think about much. Except, I should have thought about prayer.

Claire starting praying and looked at me as she did it. It was like she was looking right through me. I know that might seem weird to hear, but honestly, it was like the Lord was talking to me through Claire. "Pray Val."

Claire is 18 months old. She has 1 tooth. She does not walk. She says things like, "Daddy, Round and Round (ceiling fan), bye bye ..."

And now she says, "Tick Tock, Tick Tock ..."

I get choked up even now when I think about how powerful it was.  It's all I have been thinking about. 

Behind the Scenes

(Here's a picture from that awful photoshoot when Claire broke her arm.)

So ... would you like the behind the scenes scoop on our fairy tale yesterday?

Of course you would!

Caeden started to get really sick as we were driving to Durango. He was complaining of a stomach ache and had a bad runny nose. For those of you at Nikki and John's wedding this summer - a lot like that (Caeden felt so horrible that he refused to walk down the aisle (he was the ring bearer) so I had to bribe him with cupcakes (well before the bride and groom got one) just to make it down the aisle. He then proceeded to throw himself across the alter (at the feet of the celebrated couple) and lay there until Grandpa and Grandma rescued him.).

We arrived at the hotel 7 hours later and fed him some medicine and put him to bed. He didn't protest. That's when I knew he was not feeling great.

The next day we had grand plans to discover Durango's cute downtown area, have lunch at a great place, maybe some light shopping for a Christmas ornament and a souvineer, but poor Caeden was out cold. 

Instead, we went to Wal-Mart and scored the Wii (thank you Cassie for the great tip!!). We played Super Mario Bros. while the kids slept the day away. (But, really, who am I kidding? I snuck out and shopped. Scored a CUTE ornament (little snow village inside a clear ball ornament) and a hat for Wayne (wanted to add to his mountain town collection).

That night was the train ride, and Caeden, all doped up on medicine, rose to the occasion and had a wonderful time. I didn't get the photos I had planned on or imagined, but Caeden was such a trooper and indulged me while feeling not so hot.

On the way home from Durango, we hit 3 snow storms. Not a big deal for snow lovers like us. Wayne is a great driver (although we did get pulled over on the way there for speeding - Claire got us out of it by flirting with the Police Officer. Bless her!) and usually handles snow with the best of them. 

But when it is white out conditions every time a car or truck meets us, and we are 11,000 feet up - staring at a cliff that drops off without railings most of the time - it was unnerving to say the least. We were on pins and needles going through the mountains and we so happy to emerge!

Half way through the drive home, Claire scored a full cup of ice water from her brother's cup holder and it spilled down her and her blankets. The water soaked her carseat and everything else. We pulled over to change her, couldn't find any clothes, and put her in Caeden's shirt. Fed her Oreos to keep her mind off of the wet seat (covered with a wet blanket) - so miserable!

How is that for reality?! 

We finally got home and, believe it or not, both of us could not wait to do it again next year. Totally worth it.

{ The Polar Express } Durango, Colorado 2009

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Caeden. Caeden loved the Polar Express and dreamed of riding on it one day.

His Mom and Dad planned a surprise trip to the Polar Express in hopes of adding an extra special touch to Caeden and his sister, Claire's, Christmas this year.

And so the adventure of Caeden and Claire's trip on the Polar Express began ...

The tickets were picked up at the crowded counter - golden and as true as the story - and Caeden held onto them tight.

 Dad surprised us all by springing for the First Class ride.

Caeden waited patiently for the Conductor to signal that it was time to board the train.

Claire just took it all in. "Where are we again?"

Caeden was interested in the details and asked questions like, "Where is the smoke stack? Will the light bulb burn out? Will the train slide on the ice?" 

Finally it was time to board the train. Our coach was named the Alamosa. 

As the train pulled away from the station, Caeden sat quietly and looked out his window, watching the lights and bustle of the station slowly fade behind him.

This is the point in the story that the lights on the train dimmed, and only the colorful glow of the candles on our table lit our coach. This is also where the narrator started to freak out that she did not bring a flash and could not take any more pictures ...


All of a sudden, a man in a white coat and hat appeared. He danced to some music, "Hot! Hot! We've got it!" and served us delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. 


Caeden continued to stare out the window in silence as he watched the city lights pass by.


Then the story of the Polar Express was read...


The story ended just as we pulled into the North Pole. We saw reindeer and elves from our windows. Just as we began to wonder where Santa was, he appeared in our coach!!


He talked with Caeden first, hugging him tight. "What do you want for Christmas," he asked? Caeden replied, "A Polar Express train and a REAL workbench. Oh, and a Big Foot monster truck..."


Santa looked at Caeden and smiled. "I will see what I can do, Caeden." And then Santa handed him a silver bell.


The look on Caeden's face was precious. Incredulously, he said, "Santa talked to me, Mom!"


The ride home from the North Pole was magical. The passengers sang Christmas carols and Caeden happily rang his silver bell to the beat of the songs. 

It was a magical, joyous trip full of memories that we'll treasure forever. And hopefully we'll be able to do it all over again next year.

We witnessed the joy of the season through Caeden's eyes this weekend. I wish it to be like this all season long...

Polar Express

Tomorrow morning we are headed to Durango, CO for the Polar Express train ride. Complete with new jammies for the kids, hot chocolate, and a visit to the North Pole to see Santa. Wayne put the entire trip together - using Marriot points for the hotel, booking the trip far in advance to get tickets (sells out quickly and early), and plotting our journey across Colorado's mountains for the first ever trip to Durango.

There will be lots of pictures. LOTS.

I leave you with a link to a new site I found that is amazingly appropriate with their gift suggestions. They break it down by age - gifts and stocking stuffers. Even if you don't order from them, it gives great ideas while bargain hunting locally. Shop Learning Toys.

Back on Monday with our Polar Express Trip update!

XO

Val

Wii

VS.

I've been anti-gaming system for awhile now. It mostly has to do with wanting Caeden to move and be as active as possible. I also realize in Colorado winters, being active (aside from going to the gym which, by the way, we are - woot!) is difficult.

So I was thinking about the Wii. It has Super Mario Bros. (a personal, nostalgic favorite), Monster Truck games (Caeden Koop still wants to grow up and drive one instead of being a neurosurgeon), and the Biggest Loser.

I am a treadmill rat. I love to zone out and run (OK, walk, too, until I get back into proper shape) and listen to music. I love to feel my shoulders relax and my hands loosen up as I find my rhythm. I would also like to have the feeling back on NOT feeling my body jiggle as I do this. So, to lose 10 pounds, I thought the Wii might be the answer?

Or.

Is this really my lust over Mario clouding my judgement?

Christmas Cards

There was a Christmas photoshoot. It included a shiny red chair that Dave painted especially for this reason. It was a gorgeous day ... perfect sun & warm. Caeden was actually OK with me snapping his picture and Claire was good natured as usual.

I still broke-out in a sweat, knowing I'd have 5 minutes to capture what I needed.

The pictures turned out adorable and I knew I had more than a couple of keepers for our Christmas card. However, once I realized Claire had fractured her arm in 2 places because of it, I haven't looked at the pictures since my inital download off my camera. It makes me sick, actually.

So, this year, I was going to skip it. Skip sending cards ... who would really miss it as I post almost daily here anyway?

And then I got Melissa Lanes' family card in the mail yesterday. Seeing her sweet family's photo and card (the first of the season) was so much fun. And then I immediately realized I still needed to send a card. Holiday mail is very much apart of what makes the holidays ... the holidays.

If you have not received a Christmas card for me before, it is most likely I do not have your address. Please email me at valkoop@mac.com to be put on the official Christmas list, because after all, broken arm or no, the holidays must go on.

Facebook

It is Monday and I have NOT:

1. Caught up on Laundry
2. Cleaned the house (from T-Day week)
3. Taken a shower
4. Checked Facebook in a gazillion years

Facebook is always on my to-do list. Whenever I get an email notification that someone has commented on a picture or left me a message, I LOVE it.

I also feel guilty. I feel guilty because I never log on to FB unless I am sitting in the car waiting for Wayne to come out of: 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, Best Buy, or somewhere else I don't usually go. I log on only because I have an App on my iPhone and it makes me feel so connected. ;)

Anyway, my friends and family post important things (birthdays), day to day things (hilarious stuff), and in-between things (status updates, etc.) and I miss 99% of it.

To all of you out there - I am sorry! I am a miserable Facebooker. But, I am good person and I hope you can forgive my lack of FB'ing and see past all my inadequacies.

You know, so I can be narciassist and blog.

Have a Drink

Enjoying my family. Laughing. Went to mountains. More laughing. Talking to my neices and nephews. Catching up with my brother and sister in law. Cooking. Baking.

I need a drink. :)

Game night tonight ... thinking of throwing down on Rock Band...Guitar Hero, or whatever it is called. Apples to Apples, Scattagories, and Taboo ... we are going to have so much fun tonight!

Heading to grocery store with a list a mile long - and some of the ingredients are to make this cocktail tonight (and probably tomorrow, too!) Amazing Thanksgiving Cocktail.

Have pictures, stories, and lots to tell. Probably after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your families. These times are so precious!

XO

Val

Children's Table

The other day I came across some tags that had my niece's and nephew's writing on them. It was what they were grateful for  - many, many years ago. One theme they shared was to mention their family. They loved their Mom and Dad and they were smart enough to be grateful for them. They must have known, even back then, how lucky they were to have such devoted and loving parents.

This year they are all making the pilgramage from Atlanta to spend a week in Denver with us. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have them all here. While they have grown up a lot since that last shared Thanksgiving (a tradition I miss so much), I still fret over the "children's table" and how to make it special for my children and our guests.

I came across this idea in Country Living and again on Odeedoh, and it was just too cute not to share. Butcher paper and markers is all it takes to make a cute impression. And look - name tags. It's our craft project this week (and then sugar cookies for sure!).

Have a wonderful weekend. We are going to be busy getting the house ready for guests - so that I can be in the moment at not fret each and every moment about: cleaning, food, entertaining ...
This time around - I am thankful just to be able to enjoy my brother and his family.

More Monday ...

Catching a Break

How ironic the last title post has come to be. Shortly after I took some pictures of the kids, Claire fell off the red chair and landed in the grass. The fall looked soft, and while she cried hard, I thought she was scared and not too hurt.

All through the night baby Claire cried. And cried. I took her to bed with me (something I haven't done since she was 4 months old) and snuggled her close. We stayed up together until 4 am when we both fell asleep completely exhausted.

The next morning, she nursed her arm and was unable to crawl. I called her pediatrician in Rapid City and took in for an XRay.

Claire has 2 fractures in her left arm and is in a cast. :(

I can't bring myself to post a picture as it just breaks my heart that I did not immediately take her to the ER the night it happened.

She is scooting around on her bum, unable to walk or crawl. She is mostly on my hip (even as I painted a wall and desk this morning) through out the day and seems to be doing OK.

Dang it anyway. It is always something around here.

Hanging On

We're still in South Dakota. So much to share but please forgive the blogging vacation. Family gatherings, 2 funerals, siblings arriving and leaving ... we are busy, emotional, tired, and reflective.

But we are all hanging in there! Back to regular programming next week...

Wayne Update

Wayne just met with his Oncologist to go over the results of the 2 days worth of scans he has just undergone down in Houston.

1. Tumors are stable. Some have shrunk.
2. The cancer has not spread to any other part of his body.
3. He is officially on break for 3 months.
4. His CVC is coming out (will be able to swim, shower, and hold Claire without her trying to rip it from his chest).
5. He will be home tonight.
6. I am so happy that I am having a hard time articulating myself. My heart is squeezed so tight right now that I can hardly talk.


 I told Caeden that Daddy's cancer bugs are not growing and he is going to be feeling good for a long time, and he said, "Ooooh. That is wonderful. Do you think he will be able to play with me now...?"
I couldn't answer him, but I did cry.

Now She Can See.

My grandmother passed away last night at the age of 93. Ninety three years of living, of raising her family, and worshiping our Lord.

Last night I slept with her Bible on my bedside. It's soft, black leather cover a comfort of the promises within. I fell asleep thinking of her and all she has been through ... of how her body slowly wore out - her eye sight the first to go... and I knew this is how it is supposed to be. In Heaven, she is where she belongs.

She is home... and she can see us all once again.


*Edited to add: We are heading to Rapid City tomorrow morning and will there through sometime next week. The service will be Saturday afternoon with visitation Friday evening.

My Grandma Parks

My cousin Lori is an amazing writer. Her blog, Fingerprints, is on my sidebar. Today her entry is about our Grandma Parks (paternal side). Read it here.

She wrote something that brings me to tears each time I think of it:
"...93 years of living, and Grandma is growing weary."

We've been on the phone numerous times over the past couple of days, talking about the details of Grandma's life. I cannot learn enough about her and wish so much that I knew more. Or that I could be the one to provide details that have slipped through others' memories. But I am not that person. I am the one who spent summer days running through their fields, swimming in the ditches, eating warm bread. The one who never sat down and asked Grandma to tell me her stories ... until it was too late.

There are many stories and questions I had for her over the years of visiting her in assisted living. I'd ask her about when she was a girl. What made her fall in love with Grandpa (she raised her hand to her neck and gave a nervous laugh and said, "Honestly, Valerie.") - She was always private and I have always found that endearing and sweet because I am not (obviously).

I remember when Grandpa passed away, and we sat around her kitchen table at the farm and she told me so many things that I didn't know. That she had lost a son, that she loved Chinese culture, that she loved when we'd eat out without Grandpa so that she could try new things.

Today she sleeps in a nursing home in Rapid, with her blood sugar and oxygen levels swingly widely. We will be heading up there when Wayne returns from Houston and I pray that I am able to hold her hand and tell her how much I love her and how much she means to me before it is too late.

To tell her,  like Lori, I bake Schwann's bread because the smell takes me back to her kitchen. That each and every time I make chocolate chip cookies with Caeden, I think of how Grandma and I spent many afternoons doing the same thing. Tell her that I wish I had had her teach me to sew. That I wish I would have had the ear for the piano. That I wish I would have taken her out to eat more often. Tell her that a picture she took - of Grandpa and I (as a baby) - is framed in Claire's room. That I think of her each time I look at it.

Mostly, I just want to tell her I love her. My Grandma is growing weary.

35

This morning I woke up to breakfast in bed. Caeden carried in the tray - full of orange rolls and gingerbread pancakes - all by himself. And soon Wayne appeared with a hot cup of coffee and a huge smile. It was a fantastic way to start the day.

We were together all day today - hanging out in the house, running around town, and making plans for our family after Wayne returns from Houston (he left tonight). This afternoon my sister Lindsay and her boyfriend Jordan came over to hang out ... we laughed so hard that I cried. You know the kind of laughter that makes so you so grateful for such good company? They are that for me.

All day I had calls and electronic well wishes from friends and family. I felt loved and remembered. Some were even kind enough to "remember" I was only 29. Such dang good friends!

Then we headed down to the barn for pictures. It was cold. Caeden was not very happy. Wayne was thinking about getting to the airport. Claire was thrilled with her new vintage Christmas ornament. And I. I was just relieved we were all able to be the picture together!

I loved my day today. I love my family. I love my friends. If this is what 35 is like, I realize how silly I was to dread it. I'm the happiest woman out there tonight.


XO


Val

Fairy Doors & Bookcases

I was getting my daily fill of Ohdeedoh this morning, and came across the article about Fairy Doors. They are popping up all over Ann Arbor, MI, and people seek them out like a scavenger hunt. The idea of the Fairy Door is that you install one in your house to let your special Fairy in. Some fairies are travel fairies, leaving plane tickets, maps, special excursion details, etc. for your children. Another is a cleaning fairy that checks to see if the playroom/bedroom/whatever room is cleaned up (and leaves treats if it is)... the list goes on and on ... and I adore the premise.

So, I found a vendor on Etsy that makes them. I contacted her to see if she makes different styles and colors, and will let you know what I find out.

How sweet and magical...

Another find was this great idea for a bookcase (Ohdeedoh, too):  

Take an existing bookcase, and insert long pieces of wood in the front to create a forward-facing bookcase. The advantages are your children can see what book they are looking for and find it easily (especially if they don't read yet) without yanking each and every book off the shelf. LOVE this.

Meet Buck

Meet Buck. He's our old school basement contractor. Buck is: an iced tea drinker, an early riser, adverse to smiling, trustworthy, and a hard worker.

Buck gives me a hard time, but likes that I push back. Today I told him I was taking his picture to show all you out there who he was. He blushed ten shades of red when I called him a handsome fellow.

Buck was over today working on shelves and a built in desk and bookcase. I'll post the rest of the tour when he gets his horrible looking tools off my carpet and finishes all the little things ...

Anyway, that's Buck. Now on with regular programming:


First, my girlfriend Julianna and I were talking about something to wear under shirts that is long enough to tuck into jeans so that the low-rise ones aren't so dang revealing when you walk, bend over, sit, stand ... whatever. You know my pain. I know you do. Anyway, she recommends the camis' from Undertease.  She swears by them and so I wanted to pass the tip along (she has impeccable taste).

Second, some unique Christmas gift ideas worth mentioning:

Tickle Monster Book. We give this to kids Caeden's age. Hugely popular and so cute. Love this book and highly recommend it to the little ones in your life.

Whisky Stones. Practical and useful. I have someone in mind for these.

Memory Quilt. I love this idea. I really, really wish I could sew. I am thinking of making a quilt (or having one made ... Mom Koop? Oh Mom? I have something to talk to you about... :) for the kids out of their favorite clothing items/blankets. A keepsake for sure.

Silicon Ice Cube Tray. Saw this idea in Cookie Magazine. Use it to make baby food, freeze pesto, freeze leftover chicken stock (am I the only one who has leftover stock sitting in the fridge?), making new crayons out of old, broken pieces (melt old crayon bits for 5 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees). These are the perfect gift for just about everyone. Oh yeah, they make great ice cubes, too.

One of a Kind Cake Stands.   Found these in Country Living Magazine. I adore the yellow one.

Have a good weekend!!

Basement Tour Part 2

Disclaimers:

1. I have to apologize for picture quality. Still using my iPhone (still lazy).
2. Sunlight is not the best this morning, so it's dim.
3. I did not have time to pretend I live spotless and pick everything up. What you see is what you get.

Here's where I work. Coffee cup, Nordstrom catalog, pictures ... are always staples on my desk. Picked up the office chair from a model home clearance sale for $35 (this chair is usually $550). Desk from Pottery Barn ... about 10 years old. Lamp is Anthropologie. Computer is Mac Pro with gigantic monitor (love, love, love!).

TV viewing area. Squishy sofa that barely made it down the stairwell (had to remove rails). Over-sized ottoman both from Curious Sofa (the best place on earth for furniture), old side table is too tall, too old and too white, but I am using what I have, so there you go. Leather chair is from the same model home sale. Picked it up for a song.

The great thing about a basement is rules pertaining to TV size don't really matter anymore. Big, bigger, biggest are all welcome. I watched the entire 1st season of True Blood the other night on it and loved the gaudy size. I imagine movie nights all winter long down here. Super cozy.

Here's my work in progress wall. I have a tough time replacing pictures in frames, I tend to just get more frames for more pictures ... so, I imagine in another month or so, this wall will be filled to the gills with more. And then I will need to find another wall ...

The clocks do not work, but each are set to a special time. The time my children were born, the time I got married, and the last one is my "just in case" clock for a special occasion yet to come.

Here's the playroom. Train table, normal table, storage galore all from Pottery Barn Kids. Love their style, but not sure they are built with quality in mind. The wood is soft and scratches, dents, and chips easily.

My OCD tendencies want me to delete this picture and go rearrange all the baskets and toys so they look perfect. Good thing my lazy side is dominant.

Here's the kitchen where we make smoothies, cakes, and everything else under the sun.

More tour tomorrow ...

In other news, Wayne is hanging in there. His white blood count is zero. However, he is shooting wheat grass every day and his red count is at a record high! We are hopeful he will not be needing a blood transfusion Friday if they hold steady.