I have been bitten by the Spring Cleaning Bug! Sadly, this happy little guy will have to go. Here is proof that you CAN find happiness in a dirty floor.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Have a Happy Day
I have been bitten by the Spring Cleaning Bug! Sadly, this happy little guy will have to go. Here is proof that you CAN find happiness in a dirty floor.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Something Fun
What could be more fun than playing dress-up when you are 2? How about having a funky little station to display all of your "pretties" while getting a peep at how FABULOUS you look?
I made this fun dress-up station as a Christmas gift for Grace and thought the idea MUST be shared. It was easy, cheap, and Grace couldn't have more fun playing with it. My directions aren't very detailed, but it really isn't difficult.
It all starts with a bi-fold poster board and some wrapping paper.
I used Modge Podge to adhere the wrapping paper.
Simple thumb tacks were used to hang stuff on. All they needed was some personality, so I used E600 to add the buttons.
I used erasers to keep the tacks in place. (You can find multiple erasers in a refill pack for mechanical pencils, which is what I had on hand)
After jazzing up a plain mirror, I hung it on the display by cutting slits in a ribbon and sewing buttons to the board. This takes a little planning. You'll want to make sure the mirror isn't too heavy for the poster board. Keep in mind where you want to hang the mirror so your little one can get a good view of herself. To reinforce the slits you could use Fray Check, but I just used a lighter to melt it a little. I like to do that to the end of ribbon because I think it really seals it off to keep from fraying.
Again, I sewed buttons to the board to create a place to hang tutus from with clothes pins.
There you have it! All that's left to do is have tons of fun!
I made this fun dress-up station as a Christmas gift for Grace and thought the idea MUST be shared. It was easy, cheap, and Grace couldn't have more fun playing with it. My directions aren't very detailed, but it really isn't difficult.
It all starts with a bi-fold poster board and some wrapping paper.
I used Modge Podge to adhere the wrapping paper.
Simple thumb tacks were used to hang stuff on. All they needed was some personality, so I used E600 to add the buttons.
I used erasers to keep the tacks in place. (You can find multiple erasers in a refill pack for mechanical pencils, which is what I had on hand)
After jazzing up a plain mirror, I hung it on the display by cutting slits in a ribbon and sewing buttons to the board. This takes a little planning. You'll want to make sure the mirror isn't too heavy for the poster board. Keep in mind where you want to hang the mirror so your little one can get a good view of herself. To reinforce the slits you could use Fray Check, but I just used a lighter to melt it a little. I like to do that to the end of ribbon because I think it really seals it off to keep from fraying.
Again, I sewed buttons to the board to create a place to hang tutus from with clothes pins.
There you have it! All that's left to do is have tons of fun!
Look Who's 2
I'll give you one guess...her name rhymes with Schmace. Stumped? It's GRACE!!! (a.k.a. "Meow" or "Schmoo") That's right, our darling baby girl is growin' up. Since we refuse to, I guess she catch up to us one day!
We had a Picnic at the Park Playdate
In the evening, Grace blew out her candles and opened her presents. We had to re-light her candles over and over, but it gave me the chance to take more pictures.
We had a Picnic at the Park Playdate
In the evening, Grace blew out her candles and opened her presents. We had to re-light her candles over and over, but it gave me the chance to take more pictures.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Handmade Game
This is the DEAL-E-O:
Lucky you!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1 - I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (Though I may ask some questions during the process.)
2 - What I create will be just for you.
3 - It'll be done this year (might take a little while).
4 - You have no clue what it's going to be.
5 - I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same. (Don't worry, it can be a card or cookies or whatever - it doesn't have to be outrageous, just homemade.)
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
Lucky you!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1 - I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (Though I may ask some questions during the process.)
2 - What I create will be just for you.
3 - It'll be done this year (might take a little while).
4 - You have no clue what it's going to be.
5 - I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same. (Don't worry, it can be a card or cookies or whatever - it doesn't have to be outrageous, just homemade.)
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
(I get to receive something from THIS wonderful person!!!)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Keep the Change
Grace is always putting stuff down her diaper. We have found rocks, stickers, coins, toys, and even a tampon! What a stinker! I can't wait to really begin potty training her. I feel like ALL I do is change diapers. When I found this dime hiding out, I had to chuckle. One day I will look back on our diaper years and miss them. That's what I tell myself now, anyway.
Monday, March 2, 2009
From Fun to Frantic
I woke up this morning making a mental list of all of the things I was going to do today. Go shopping, grab some lunch, play with Grace in the fountains at Tempe Marketplace, clean (not going to be as fun as the other things, but a necessity)... There was one thing, however, I had not planned on happening...
Grace and I were having a fun mommy/daughter day. (Although what day isn't a mommy/daughter day?) We had already hit a couple of stores and we were eating some yummy pizza by the fountain, Grace's anticipation growing with every bite. I chased her through the water and watched as she became successfully soaked. We were having a BLAST!
Back at the car, I was changing Grace's diaper and absentmindedly tossed the keys in the front seat. Grace hopped into her car seat as I folded up the stroller and stuck it into the car. I shut the door and in the time it took me to walk around the car... Grace jumped out of her seat, climbed into the driver's seat, grabbed my keys and hit the "lock" button. I was locked out, but most alarming, she was locked in!
At first she thought it was a funny game. She clicked on all of the lights, tried to put the key in the ignition, and honked the horn a ton. I just kept knocking on the window and asking her to open the door. I pointed to the handle, but she wouldn't open it. I tried telling her to get the keys and push the buttons in hopes she would unlock it as easily as she had locked it. It had been about 3 minutes into the situation and she was still enjoying herself.
A couple came by to try to help, but with strangers on the scene Grace started getting nervous. I continued to try EVERYTHING to get her to open the door. I told her that I needed her to be my helper, I kept pointing to the door handle, you name it, and finally the couple suggested I move out of her sight so she might try to open the door to find me. At the time it sounded like a good idea, I needed to try anything to get her out. Grace began to cry.
Now 5 minutes have gone by and it is a sunny Arizona day. I am sure that the car is hot and I am so thankful she is wearing wet clothes and staying cool. A new guy shows up, figures out what is going on, and asks if he can help by calling 911. He does and in the meantime I go to the back seat window so Grace will follow me out of the sun.
My poor baby is sobbing and I keep telling her it is okay, but my heart is breaking. The guy is being so nice and reassuring and then he asks if I am alright. I said, "I HAVE to be right now. She's upset and if I start crying it will only make her more upset.
I haven't lost hope that Grace can open the door so I am still asking for her help. The police arrive and I fill them in on everything as they try to open the door with a "slim jim." (not the jerky) Ten minutes have passed and the cop isn't having luck with the lock.
At about 12 minutes into the incident a huge fire truck shows up and they step in. They have a kit that opens the window enough to put in a curved piece of metal that can pull on latches and locks. In no time they open the door and I grabbed Grace and gave her the BIGGEST hug ever! She was fine, a little shaken up, but not crying anymore.
Don't asked how I had the presence of mind to ask for a picture with our heroes, but they were happy to pose. Grace cried harder in front of the fire truck than she did in the car!
It was a scary 15 minutes, but when all was said and done...
Grace and I were having a fun mommy/daughter day. (Although what day isn't a mommy/daughter day?) We had already hit a couple of stores and we were eating some yummy pizza by the fountain, Grace's anticipation growing with every bite. I chased her through the water and watched as she became successfully soaked. We were having a BLAST!
Back at the car, I was changing Grace's diaper and absentmindedly tossed the keys in the front seat. Grace hopped into her car seat as I folded up the stroller and stuck it into the car. I shut the door and in the time it took me to walk around the car... Grace jumped out of her seat, climbed into the driver's seat, grabbed my keys and hit the "lock" button. I was locked out, but most alarming, she was locked in!
At first she thought it was a funny game. She clicked on all of the lights, tried to put the key in the ignition, and honked the horn a ton. I just kept knocking on the window and asking her to open the door. I pointed to the handle, but she wouldn't open it. I tried telling her to get the keys and push the buttons in hopes she would unlock it as easily as she had locked it. It had been about 3 minutes into the situation and she was still enjoying herself.
A couple came by to try to help, but with strangers on the scene Grace started getting nervous. I continued to try EVERYTHING to get her to open the door. I told her that I needed her to be my helper, I kept pointing to the door handle, you name it, and finally the couple suggested I move out of her sight so she might try to open the door to find me. At the time it sounded like a good idea, I needed to try anything to get her out. Grace began to cry.
Now 5 minutes have gone by and it is a sunny Arizona day. I am sure that the car is hot and I am so thankful she is wearing wet clothes and staying cool. A new guy shows up, figures out what is going on, and asks if he can help by calling 911. He does and in the meantime I go to the back seat window so Grace will follow me out of the sun.
My poor baby is sobbing and I keep telling her it is okay, but my heart is breaking. The guy is being so nice and reassuring and then he asks if I am alright. I said, "I HAVE to be right now. She's upset and if I start crying it will only make her more upset.
I haven't lost hope that Grace can open the door so I am still asking for her help. The police arrive and I fill them in on everything as they try to open the door with a "slim jim." (not the jerky) Ten minutes have passed and the cop isn't having luck with the lock.
At about 12 minutes into the incident a huge fire truck shows up and they step in. They have a kit that opens the window enough to put in a curved piece of metal that can pull on latches and locks. In no time they open the door and I grabbed Grace and gave her the BIGGEST hug ever! She was fine, a little shaken up, but not crying anymore.
Don't asked how I had the presence of mind to ask for a picture with our heroes, but they were happy to pose. Grace cried harder in front of the fire truck than she did in the car!
It was a scary 15 minutes, but when all was said and done...
Friday, February 27, 2009
Love is for EVERYDAY!
Just because Valentines Day has come and gone doesn't mean I can't show you some love and share these pics.
Our "Corny" Valentine's
Digging into her "Big Cookie." (The BEST Valentine's tradition EVER!)
Our "Corny" Valentine's
Digging into her "Big Cookie." (The BEST Valentine's tradition EVER!)
I "Wuh" This Girl
She is so dang CUTE! She has been crackin' Jeff and I up with the funny things she says...
Poppa (Big Jeff): "Bye-bye Sweetheart!"
Grace: "Bye Assheart!"
Jeff: "Say Basket."
Grace: "Bak-a-set!"
Jeff: "Say Wubzy."
Grace: "Wub-a-zy!"
Grace: "Bye Assheart!"
Jeff: "Say Basket."
Grace: "Bak-a-set!"
Jeff: "Say Wubzy."
Grace: "Wub-a-zy!"
Monday, February 16, 2009
Fast Friends
A few weeks ago while Grace was playing in her "fort," (our loveseat turned on it's side and draped with a sheet) I overheard her chattering away. Nothing unusual about that, but then she said a name, Sophie. It's likely she heard Jeff and I mention it in conversations about what we want to name a girl. (If we are to get another girl, that is. It is so weird to say "get" instead of "have.") The thought also crossed my mind that she was pretending to play with a little girl she knows from Nursery. Either way, I KNEW she was in desperate need of a friend to play with. (Poor girl, oldest grandkid in both sides. Everyone she knows is an adult. I'm not sure you can count Alexis or Jeff most of the time.)
The next week I made arrangements with Sophie's Mom to have a playdate at the park for the girls. They hit it off right away! It was so fun to watch them play and giggle. They had the best time! They even got a little mischievous on the bike ride to our house, rocking the trailer back and forth...giving me the workout of a lifetime. We had a little picnic in our living room and they played with toys. It was a fun afternoon and I was especially thrilled that Gracie had a friend. I look forward to what the future holds for these two. Hopefully they will be the BEST of friends. They sure are cute together...
The next week I made arrangements with Sophie's Mom to have a playdate at the park for the girls. They hit it off right away! It was so fun to watch them play and giggle. They had the best time! They even got a little mischievous on the bike ride to our house, rocking the trailer back and forth...giving me the workout of a lifetime. We had a little picnic in our living room and they played with toys. It was a fun afternoon and I was especially thrilled that Gracie had a friend. I look forward to what the future holds for these two. Hopefully they will be the BEST of friends. They sure are cute together...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy "B-Naversary"
For our 6th anniversary Jeff planned a weekend getaway to Rocky Point, Mexico. What was intended as a full 2 days of "Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow" sans Grace, turned out to have a few extra surprises. Who knew that where we stayed would be so awesome? As soon as we got there and realized how spacious and nice the place was, we wished the family was there to share the fun. Call us crazy, but we just HAD to invite Mom and Pop to come along with Grace.
Don't get the wrong idea! Oh, there was definitely some "Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow" enjoyed. See for yourself...
We also delighted in a delicious dinner and a little night life. Oh, and some CRAZY good beef tacos for a midnight snack.
Things worked out perfectly the next day. We were able to still have alone time before the family arrived. We occupied ourselves with a light breakfast, walk on the beach, downtown shopping, and fresh clams eaten on the oceanfront.
We stopped by the supermarket just before meeting the family at the resort. We all headed back to the downtown area for shopping and fresh oysters on the half shell. When we got back, we hit the hot tub (and met a funny guy from Washington state who was in search of a good time) and then Jeff and I cleaned up and went on a dinner date. As fate would have it, the seafood tacos Jeff had loved a decade ago were just as good as the memory. We wrapped the night up by playing Rook on the patio.
We woke up the next morning and while enjoying the views from the balcony we spotted whale!
We went for a closer look on the beach. Pop was in Heaven! After a while, we went back to the balcony to continue whale watching (more arrived) and Jeff and I prepared some goodies - pina coladas and steamed clams with garlic butter. Both turned out fabulously.
What an incredible weekend! It was so nice to be able to share our happy occasion with loved ones. We had the best of both worlds...time for us and time shared with family. Simply prefect...
P.S. Pop's weakness for busty beauties came out on the trip.
Don't get the wrong idea! Oh, there was definitely some "Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow" enjoyed. See for yourself...
We also delighted in a delicious dinner and a little night life. Oh, and some CRAZY good beef tacos for a midnight snack.
Things worked out perfectly the next day. We were able to still have alone time before the family arrived. We occupied ourselves with a light breakfast, walk on the beach, downtown shopping, and fresh clams eaten on the oceanfront.
We stopped by the supermarket just before meeting the family at the resort. We all headed back to the downtown area for shopping and fresh oysters on the half shell. When we got back, we hit the hot tub (and met a funny guy from Washington state who was in search of a good time) and then Jeff and I cleaned up and went on a dinner date. As fate would have it, the seafood tacos Jeff had loved a decade ago were just as good as the memory. We wrapped the night up by playing Rook on the patio.
We woke up the next morning and while enjoying the views from the balcony we spotted whale!
We went for a closer look on the beach. Pop was in Heaven! After a while, we went back to the balcony to continue whale watching (more arrived) and Jeff and I prepared some goodies - pina coladas and steamed clams with garlic butter. Both turned out fabulously.
What an incredible weekend! It was so nice to be able to share our happy occasion with loved ones. We had the best of both worlds...time for us and time shared with family. Simply prefect...
P.S. Pop's weakness for busty beauties came out on the trip.
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