Craftiness

I'm loving Pinterest! I have found so many cute ideas for the kids. Last Wednesday I made a felt Christmas tree Advent calendar. I put lots of fun little activities for us to do. It helps to have the little extra push for making family time. Here's my list of activities:

Hope you are enjoying old family traditions and making new ones this year as well!

Thanksgiving

We had a quick month of November and a fabulous Thanksgiving.  Dave had a few days off, so we spent the first part of the week at my parent's house.  He worked Thanksgiving day, but was off on Friday.  I enjoyed watching the parade with the kids and we got our tree up over those 2 days.  On Saturday, Dave's family came to watch the Iron Bowl with us and to celebrate Dave and Pops' birthdays.  We had a ton of food and enjoyed spending time with each other...especially since Alabama won!

I'm still working on straightening the house back up and Christmas decorating.  Trying to do several handmade gifts this year, so I'm looking forward to that!  This Saturday we will go to the Christmas tree lighting downtown (per our felt Christmas tree advent calender that I am throwing together today...such a procrastinator).

I am finished with the kids' gifts.  Shhhh!   I shopped on Black Friday for the first time ever this year.  Before you gasp in astonishment I'll just let you know that it was ONLINE shopping.  I got all of the same deals without getting a black eye.  Ta-da!

For now, I'll leave you drooling.  I made this yummy Peanut Butter Cup cake.  I found the recipe on, of course, Pinterest.  It was so very delicious, even if I did over bake it a smidge.  ;)  It was still unbelievably moist!

~ Chocolate cake with peanut butter cups baked inside,
peanut butter buttercream frosting, and peanut butter cups on top ~

HaPpY HaLLoWeen!

The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood

We had a fun night trick or treating with our friends across the street.  Livee walked the entire circle and was such a cutie pie being a "big girl".  She said Happy Halloween a million times and said "I trick-or-treatin."  We also have a new addition to our family, Pip.  We rescued him from the pound on Sunday and think he's going to be lots of fun!

Just had to put a better picture of my goofy Frankenstein door.  Got the idea from Pinterest!

Pip and Little Red :)

She had to be a big girl and hold our neighbor Alicia's hand for most of the time.

Pumpkin Patch

2 weeks ago (yes, I am behind) we went to Muscle Shoals.  While we were there, we visited McGee Farms' Pumpkin Patch with my brother, his wife, nephew, and niece.  It was a beautiful day and the kids really enjoyed it!  Livee hasn't been to a patch since she was a baby, so she enjoyed seeing the chickens and goats and going on the hayride.  She also LOVES her Uncle Brandon.  She sat with him on the hayride.  There was also a haystack for the kids to play in that the big boys had a ball on.  

We have been very busy this month.  I feel like I'm hardly every at home anymore.  I'm sure all that will change once the cold weather hits, so I'm trying to enjoy these gorgeous days right now.  I am room mom for Livee's class, so I've been busy getting ready for her fall party.  I also made Livee and Hayden's Halloween costumes this year.  I've been getting crafty lately and setting myself on a regular chore schedule for the house too (Thanks Pinterest).   

Hayden started karate at the beginning of this month and is actually enjoying it (rather than t-ball where he really didn't).  He's also learning quite a bit at school and is very close to becoming a reader!  Livee loves going to preschool and says new phrases everyday.  She's a talkative little girl at home, but becomes shy when she's out.  I really think it's more of a game to her than anything.  She follows Hayden around a lot and mimics him.  One funny thing she did last night was to tattle on me.  She was pitching a fit when it was time for her bath, so I picked her up and put her in the tub.  20 minutes later (after her bath and pjs were already on) she told Daddy that I hurt her arm.  Drama Queen!  

This is my absolute favorite time of year, so it's nice to be able to enjoy it.  This weekend we're heading to Birmingham for Samford's Homecoming game.  It's my 10 year reunion (yikes), so I'm glad I'll be able to be there and show Hayden and Livee my college!

The Few and The Proud

On Sunday one of Dave's brothers, Charlie, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. We are so proud of him! Here are some pictures from the big day. Keep in mind that Hayden took about half of these and his were better focused than mine! I really need some photography classes and a better camera. :)

Catching Up

First Day of Kindergarten...finally!

Since Livee's birthday, we have started school! Hayden missed the first several days of Kindergarten due to Strep Throat (that lasted forever because it started with vomiting), but he is finally adjusting. He has had some issues with defiance, but I'm hoping that those are finally settling down. He's working on his site words and learning to read. His favorite subjects are P.E. and Art, which is customary for a little boy I think. The second weekend of August we had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, also. He's 6 and growing like a weed! I asked him to stop, but he said no. :)

Ticket booth with cousin Carson

Ready for CAKE!

Gotta make sure Chuck E. is still there

Driving at the Cheese

In September, Livee started attending preschool at a local church two days a week for a few hours. She LOVES it! And I love that I am able to volunteer at Hayden's school one day a week and attend a Bible study on the other.

Livee's first day

Other than being sick on and off, we are enjoying the fall weather. Dave and I went white water rafting at the end of August with our LifeGroup class. Even though it wasn't a really rough river, we still had fun just being together all day without kiddos. The kids and I went to Muscle Shoals on Labor Day weekend (since Hayden was out on Monday) and will go back next weekend (Hayden's out on Columbus Day). We don't have anything else planned this month except for football (ugh) and my 10 year COLLEGE reunion. Yikes! I hope we can sneak in a trip to a pumpkin patch sometime since Livee is big enough to enjoy it this year.

I've joined Pinterest, which is why I need to use the treadmill that we bought on Craigslist last month. I just look at that site and I gain a pound. I've already made several recipes I've found on there and gotten lots of ideas for sewing and decorating. I'm planning on making the kids' Halloween costumes this year and I'm excited about that. I've also been working on painting my dining room chairs and recovering the cushions for about a month. It wouldn't have taken that long except it's rained in between and I've gotten distracted with other things. I will hopefully tackle painting our bedroom in the next couple of weeks. I've just about decided to paint the walls a nice stone gray and the ceiling a beautiful turquoise. Then we will get a king-sized bed next spring and a new ceiling fixture. I hope to remember to take pictures tomorrow at Uncle Charlie's commissioning ceremony so that I can post again later this week!

Livee's Par-tay!

Livee had a monkey-themed birthday party this year because she LOVES monkeys! She has a pink monkey that I picked up in Wal-Mart around Valentine's day this year that she sleeps with. We call it "pink monkey". Very original-I know.

I tried to keep her party low-key, mainly because she's ONLY two...for goodness sakes. Been there, done that---oh, you know... the big party for a two year old who won't remember. It's a bit ridiculous. I invited two of our neighbor's little girls who are around the same age as Livee and our niece Carley Grace. Then, of course, Hayden and our nephew Carson were there. It was nicely rounded out with 6 kids.

First, they painted a "jungle" mural. Then we went ahead and had a snack of cheeze-its and let Livee blow out her candles so we could enjoy her banana monkey cupcakes. After snacking, we had a dance party to one of our favorites, "Five Little Monkeys" by Go Fish, and I told the kids a little story. Then Livee opened her presents and the adults had time to chat. It really was a fun party and not too stressful at all!

Check that off...

Livee's new curtains - DONE!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Livee!

What a difference a year makes!

July 2010

July 2011

Holiday Weekend!

We had a fabulous week last week at Grammie and Deeda's. We got to play with my niece and nephew and spend time with family. On Thursday, the kids and I headed home. We spent one night, then headed to Stone Mountain on Friday.

We love going there and hope to have a pop-up camper one day so we can camp! We rode the train, climbed on SkyHike, watched a short Yogi-Bear 4D adventure, swam at the hotel pool, and watched the new laser show (which was awesome). We spent the night in the hotel there Friday and then on Saturday we headed to Peachtree City for our friend Matthew's 4th birthday party. We had a great time there for a couple of hours hanging out with our friends, then headed to Birmingham to meet our new nephew!

We spent the night at Grandpa's house, had homemade Italian spaghetti (the best there is!), and met baby Gaines! Hayden and Livee LOVED holding him. I'm sure it will be different when he's a little older and more wiggly!

He was born in May, so he was 6 weeks old and still so tiny! On Sunday, we headed over to Gramma and Pops' house to enjoy ribs and spend more time with the family. After 2 days around the baby, I realize now how much work they are and am so glad we are moving into a "big kid" direction! Hayden decided to spend the week in Birmingham at Gramma and Pops' house, so the 3 of us have been lonely around here. On Monday we had leftover spaghetti and went to bed early! Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July holiday!!!

A little inspiration

Browsing the internet today I found some inspirational photos. I am so ready to change the look in my dining room, master bedroom, and den....okay, okay, ANYWHERE in my house. But I would need lots of moolah to do what I REALLY want to do. Patience is a virtue. So, for now, I am going to do some little things.

• I am going to change Livee's bedding and curtains and paint the dresser that goes in her room a sweet pink.
• I am going to order the fabric for Hayden's "cowboy" room and paint his "new to us" desk.
• I am going to order some fabric to recover the chair cushions in my dining room.
• I WILL find a new covering of some sort for my round table in my den.
• I am going to paint the lingerie chest that is in my bathroom.
• And this fall, I am going to paint my bedroom and ceiling and replace the hideous fan that is in there. :)

I feel better just having written that down. Now for the fun to begin!

Summer update...

Batter up!

His pre-K end of the year program. He is so excited to start kindergarten this fall at his "new school".

My beautiful little girl who will be 2 in two weeks!

My 2 favorite guys in an action shot! Dave was the 3rd base coach.

This was earlier this spring, but I love the picture. She spent 2 hrs in the backyard playing t-ball by herself one day!

So far, we have had a busy summer. T-ball and school, along with my birthday cookout with friends, rounded out May. In June, we have had playdates with our friends the Briscoe's and the Decker's and been to 2 birthday parties. We've also been to the pool several times. Livee had her first ear infection and we just finished up VBS yesterday (I spent last week decorating for it and then performed the drama rotation for preschool). Hopefully I can get caught up on housework and laundry in the next few days and then we will have the beginning of next week to visit our friends and family in Muscle Shoals.

All things complicated...

Why does parenthood have to be so hard? To quote one of my good friends, "Parenthood is a losing battle. And then when God knows you are at your breaking point, he lets 1 tiny little thing go right just to give you a bit of encouragement."

I concur.

Hayden has always been my difficult child, but behind that cantankerous attitude is a loving, sweet little boy. He helps his sister and loves her to pieces. He always has a hug and a kiss for us. He is so smart, too. He has been able to open internet explorer and find his websites on the favorites bar for 2 years. He can finish video games that Dave and I can't. He already knows at least 20 sight words. He can think critically and remembers EVERYTHING.

I have not seen very much of my sweet little boy in the last couple of months. It started at church. He couldn't keep his hands to himself. I thought it was one of the teachers (she gets frustrated easily). Then I thought that one of the other little boys who is naughty was rubbing off on him. I wasn't making excuses for his behavior, but I was trying to find the root of the problem. Then, it spread to school-it was as if an alien had taken over his body. I went through the same search, but couldn't figure it out. Then it progressed to t-ball. When we would ask why he couldn't keep his hands to himself, he would just shrug his shoulders. Then, last weekend, I was at a breaking point. I almost lost it...or what little of it I had left. I had to go to his school last Thursday. Friday was bad and Saturday was worse. No type of punishment would work - spanking, in his room all day, no TV, no video games, taking away rewards, I even threatened to clean all of his toys out of his room. While I was rocking Livee Saturday night, I was thinking that I needed to give Hayden his allergy medicine and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I remembered my mom telling me last year that she had read on some consumer sites about the side effects of Zyrtec on children...two of which are aggressiveness and anger. BINGO.

Needless to say, he hasn't had allergy medicine since last Friday. He seems better. Still a cantakerous 5 year old, but the rays of sweetness are shining through. We're also trying to give him extra attention from each of us, especially at bedtime. So far we have had 2 good days at school in a row. We'll see how t-ball goes tonight. 1 more week of school and then he will be home with me all day. Help me, Jesus.

Gift

Some people have artistic gifts that blow me away. My friend Theresa is one of those people. When she moved to Georgia and said that she was starting a photography business, I had no idea how talented she was. There are so many local photographers now that I wasn't sure how her photography would be different, but her style is so unique that I can't even describe it. You just need to check it out from the link on my previous post. When she mentioned teaming together to provide beauty sessions, I was ecstatic! We are going to have so much fun!

Give me a call and book your session for West Georgia!

Check It Out!

If you're looking for a photographer, look no further. My friend Theresa Decker takes some amazing photographs. Check out some snaps she took of my baby girl at the zoo while we were there a couple of months ago. I ♥ them.

Stay tuned for a fabulous Mother's Day gift idea in the next couple of days.

Project Crazy

I've decided that I'm a little ADD. I cannot do one thing all the time. I love to sew for my little girl, but I get on "kicks" of sewing where I sew several things and then I put the machine up. Then I get on "kicks" of re-decorating. I'm in one of those right now. First I rearranged Hayden's room so that it wasn't a disaster area flowed a little better. Then I moved on to redecorating our entryway so that it wasn't a disaster area was more like a mudroom. Enter http://tiffanyruda.com/. SHE. IS. AWESOME. I am totally convinced that we would be bffs if we knew each other at all. Just kidding...maybe.

Here is our entry now.

Still needs a new rug and a boot tray, but looking good for an afternoon's work.

I've already picked out new fabric for Hayden's bedroom (we plan on moving his "big bed" into there next spring) to convert it to a cowboy-themed room.

We have our neighborhood yard sale this weekend where we will try to get rid of our loveseat (I've decided I will never have another one again) and other various items. We need a new couch, but that will also be waiting until next year. For now, we will buy two Poang chairs from Ikea and look for a dresser to convert into a unique and awesome TV stand.

I want to find some fabric for our dining room. I have had an inspirational picture saved for a while on that one.

And I would like to re-stain my end tables and find new pulls for the drawer fronts. Let's just add to that list and also say that I've been thinking about painting our bedroom gray. I lurve this quilt from Anthropologie. It would be fab-uuu when we get a king sized bed next spring.

Can't you just see it with a neutral upholstered headboard?

I think I need more coffee.

Now if I could only get on a "kick" of making my house spotlessly clean or running my business more efficiently.