Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday my stud muffin! 

I found this great tutorial on a car shirt for him from the kids. I put a piece of cardboard in the middle and traced the design with a black permanent marker. H used washable markers to color it in. Now Ryan can lay on the floor and the kids can give him a massage by driving cars on it. I'm not sure if he liked it but we had fun making it. Actually I think the best gift was him sleeping in until 10:15!

Confessions of a Non-Soccer Mom

I put "Non-Soccer Mom" b/c I'm clueless still. We've been waiting for this day for weeks now. I picked out the shin guards, grabbed the ball and we were good to go. I was a little nervous b/c I wasn't sure if he'd go (you never know) AND if he'd enjoy it. Before we were leaving, Ryan asked if he had any tall socks. I immediately thought of his bright orange Halloween socks and pulled out a pair of his ankle socks b/c they somewhat match his shirt. Non-athletic me, didn't realize you wear long socks OVER your shin guards. Oh brother. AND I forgot to get him soccer shoes. Jeez. Also, if you're a veteran you bring a large container of water and folding camp chairs. Here I was lunging around a big heavy purse running around after Waverly. 

Thank goodness, H didn't really notice any of this! He was quite the trooper and it made my heart swell with love seeing him out there and not giving up. We're so proud of him. His coaches Kat and Karl are pretty awesome too. Thanks guys for making it so much fun! I'll have it together next week!

Website Wednesday - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Okay, this stuff is all over Pinterest and blogland. Click HERE to read more about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. No sanding or priming is needing for this paint! Sara and I checked it out and it sounds great. Shannon confirmed to me that it's awesome. Now I just need to decide which pieces and what color. More to come!

The Kitchen

Here's the kitchen / nightstand BEFORE picture . . . 

TA DA, it's finally done! Well, almost I'd like to find a picture to use as a faux window for the back by the curtains. Waverly has put her toys in the sink and H uses the top part to keep the Legos out of reach from Baby.

Remember this bargain find?

I used it for a message board on the side. It's hung up there with a screw so it's easy to take down. This has been my favorite Before and After project. Hmmm, now what next???

Get Me Out!

Harrison saw Wavy's hat today and said "oh, she's wearing her rain hat!" Ha! Michele remember this one?

Funny Guy

As I was going through our books, I found this Far Side one. Remember those? Well, I placed it in the bathroom knowing that one of the boys would find it ;) Harrison came out and said it was so funny. Later when he thought he was sleeping, he came into the living room and showed us how he bookmarked all the funny pages. 

H: Look Mama, this is SOOOO funny. He has SOOOO many babies!

Independence. Sometimes when they are young you long for the days they can do things for themselves. Then when they surprise you and do it, it's a little sad. Does this make sense?! Anyways occasionally Harrison brushes his teeth by himself. We can always tell b/c he lives a trail behind. No wonder were going through more tubes than usual :)

Purge Party

Lately I've been feeling like our house is SOOO cluttered. It's driving me CRAZY!!! So we're having a purge party. We've started with our books. Both of us have several from college that we haven't looked at since college. I'd like to turn my office into more of a creative room/play room. Let me know if you see any cool ideas out there.

Throw Back

It's throw back Friday 80's style. We have our cool-kid Star Wars t-shirts and otter pops. Does it get any better than this?!

Harrison told me him and Nate have been working on video games. They have like a million right now. His latest one is called Angry Sharks. It's were swimmers have water guns and shoot at the sharks. The sharks try to eat them and spit them into buckets. Oh and there's octopuses too who use their suctions to get the swimmers. You heard it here first!

Oh Wavy, what's she up to? She understands most of what we're saying to her. If I say, "Are you ready for nite-nite?" She shakes her head no and heads in the other direction. She is constantly bringing me shoes. Most of the time they're Harrison's and she insists that I put them on. Already telling me what to do!

Herding Cats

I did it. I was called to herd cats yesterday. Actually, I volunteered for afternoon recess duty at H's school. First, I've never been in charge of that many kids so it was a little overwhelming. Imagine 17 of them just waiting to bust loose. The other class joined us so that's another 18 but 2 other wranglers. 

WHAT you have to use the bathroom? Okay . . . heard a LOT of meowing from the stall . . . you okay? . . . . MEOW. . . MEOW. . . MEOOOWW. . . I guess that's a yes . . . MEOW, kitty needs her bottom wiped MEOW. . . (real convo, not making this up)! . . . okay (good thing I'm an experienced cowgirl)! 

We'll see what kind of adventures I have next week on the plains/playground.

Website Wednesday - Jess & Russ

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I've posted on Jessica Hische whom I greatly admire. If I had 1% of her talent, I'd be one happy/successful girl. Anyways, I was googling her the other day and stumbled upon her engagement website. Click HERE to check it out. Trust me, it's one of the best designed sites I've ever seen! 

The Day

Today I left some dishes dirty,

The bed got made around 3:30.

The diapers soaked a little longer,

The odor grew a little stronger.

The crumbs I spilled the day before

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints there on the wall

Will likely be there still next fall.

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes

Will still be there next time it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say,

Just what did you do today?

I held a baby till she slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done,

Might be important to someone

With deep green eyes and soft blonde hair,

If that is true... I've done my share.

College 101

Ethan moved into the dorms yesterday and Harrison was wondering where the playground was for him (Ethan)...I guess H decided the decorative fountains should be a water park instead. Both kids were pretty soaked by the time we left. 

Stylin'

I was able to sneak off to Anthropologie this weekend. Didn't get anything but if I had unlimited funding I'd be all over it! Great place for inspiration.

Yum!

Good food.

Good company.

Good times.

Day 2, Stitches 2

Yep, it's the 2nd day of school and we're in the ER at the Children's Hospital!!! And we thought W would be the first one to get stitches!

His teacher called and said there had been an accident at recess and I needed to pick him up. I freaked out when I saw all the blood on his little shirt. BUT he had the whole office laughing and he was crackin funnies left and right. It didn't phase him at all. Apparently he hit the back of his head on the rock wall/fence. Jeez. Day two and everyone knows who Mr H is! Let's hope next week is uneventful!!!

First Day of PreK!

Actually, yesterday was his first day. The family walking him up there. Doesn't he look handsome in his uniform?! It wasn't as hard for me this time. I think b/c he's so excited and ready, plus we're only a couple of blocks away if he needs me :)

This dude was tried when Wavy and I picked him up this afternoon. I told him I would push the stroller but he had to hold W on his lap. I think they both had a good time!

Website Wednesday - cocodot

Click HERE for today's website. Cocodot is a place to create cards and invitations, and find inspiration for modern parties and home entertaining. All are conceived and designed in-house plus the digital ones are free!

Open House

It's open house day at H's new school. So exciting! We joined the other PreK and Kindergarteners in the park for popsicles and playtime.

The Findings

Aren't these lockers cool??? I would love them somewhere in the house but I'm afraid Wavy would knock them over. There is the option of securing them to the wall but our walls are plaster so I'm pretty sure they would crumble if we attempted anything like that!

How bizarre is this lamp?!?! Kinda gross too. Harrison gave it a thumbs up!

Hmmm, should we stay or should we go???!!! Junk or treasure??? 

Pickin Flea Market Style

While in town, Melissa wanted to check out local flea markets. She really had to twist my arm for me to tag along ;)

Everyone needs to own an iron skillet. If you don't have one, there's plenty here!

So Melissa scored on an antique sewing table. The picture above is the foot pedal. She's going to make a dining room table with two sewing tables as the base/legs of it. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I'll have to post a pic once it's completed.

Saturday Living

My sister was flying in today and I was a little behind on some free-lance projects so Ryan watched the monkeys and I headed to the library. I just love that place. It's nice to get some work done and people watch :)

I had plans for these hardback books that I scored at a yard sale...unfortunately it POURED on them! The one time in two months we get a decent rain look what happens. Oh well, we desperately needed the wet stuff.

Oh Harrison, you are quite the character. Lately he's been wanting to dress himself so why not?! Well, he's very particular about his socks, can't be too short or too thick. Today these were the only clean ones that met the criteria. Then he informed me that halloween was coming up. Grandpa would be so proud.

Walkin' Boots

Miss W was pretty jealous when Mr H came home with new rain/firefighter boots. To rectify the situation, I found H's old froggy boots.

Problem solved! These boots are extra special to us and I remember it like it was yesterday. I was only 6 weeks pregnant with Harrison and these were the first things we purchased for the new baby. Little did we know, baby #2 would be sporting them around the house :)

Zoo AGAIN

Sara and Liam joined us this morning for another zoo outing. Unfortunately I forgot to get a pic of the crew but I got a good one of this snake!

Every time we go, H wants me to take his picture in the animal cutouts. It will never grow old with me :)

Website Wednesday - The Twinery

The Twinery? Really? Yes, it's actually pretty cool. Click HERE for it. Who knew there were SO many cool uses for twine! Can't decide my favorite color? Maybe peapod or honeydew?! Why yes, I would love some, go ahead and ship it to my house. Thanks!

Baby Likie

Guess who has their hand in the salsa????!!!!

Oh BABY!!!! She saw Ryan doing this and insisted she needed some too. I couldn't believe when she went back for seconds and thirds! CRAZY!!!! Especially b/c it was almost too hot for me. Jeez!

Early Birds

We were the first to arrive at the zoo this morning! I love having a membership and not feeling rush to explore the entire place. We can take our time and enjoy it all. The spider monkeys were in a private meeting then they started smelling each other arm pits!?!

Kissie, kissie from the fishies. 

The penguins were showing off for us. 

Even the black-eyed susans were impressive!

Sleep ON

Rule 1: Never wake a sleeping child. Especially ones that have already given up their home naps. I don't mind driving around for an extra 20 minutes, hour, 3 hours whatever it takes ;)