04.30.10

I have been avoiding this "chore" for quite a few weeks.  But today I decided to tackle this dreaded job.  My craft room has needed an overhaul for quite some time.  Boxes were starting to over flow and things just didn't have a place.  I really didn't want to do this because it meant making a huge mess - see the before picture.  I pulled everything out, I mean everything and sorted things.

•  I created a "CRAFT" box with all the items that were in 20 different boxes.  That box includes everything a child or even an adult might want or need to do a craft project.
•   I also made the crayons, markers and glue more assessable for the kids {which I hope I don't regret.} 
• I reorganized my fabric again and made it easier to get to some of the more used fabrics.
• I put things up high that might not get used as much.
• I brought the sewing machine and serger back from the dining room.
• I organized the scrapbooking papers that were everywhere and put them back where they belong.
• I found a home for just about everything and organized enough that I ended up with 8 varying sizes of plastic bins that were empty.
• I vacuumed the floor
• All I need now is to find a home for a computer tower, keyboard and monitor and the room would feel complete.

I almost don't want anyone to go in there for a couple of days.  I wish I was better at the "after you use it, put it away" game.  But I'm not and that is how it gets SOOOOO messy.  I can't always blame it on the kids but they tend to make the cut the paper to a million pieces types of messes and then leave it and the markers out on the table.  Maybe I need to make a sign that says, "If you take it out, put it back."  Do you think it would work????

04.29.10

This is my darling Kirsten making a flower.  I made them to go on the aprons and she wanted to make her own.  I had a couple left over petals and made a couple more and except for a couple stitches here and there . . . she made this.  All hand sewn.    I'm quite proud of my cute little girl.  Maybe she will follow in the tradition of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and be a "sewatitionist" (a made up word from dad.)

04.28.10

Okay so I have been sewing A LOT this week.  I am doing it because it is so much fun, but I am also avoiding doing housework.  So now my secrets out . . . that's how I get so many things made. . . I sew instead of clean. . . Are you happy???

These are some aprons I made for Kirsten's teachers.  I figured while I am feeling a bit more energy and since I had the sewing machine down on the dining room table that I could sew and keep track of the kids.  I think they turned out pretty cute and I hope they will like them.  They are a bit whimsical and not very traditional but I thought they might be able to wear them at school.  I don't know.  It was an easy project and I used up left over material and so they cost me $0.   I like free.

04.27.10

I was trying to take a picture of Kirsten this morning in her new pajamas that I made her, but Peter insisted on being in the picture.  I did get a couple without him but I love the disgusted face that she has in this picture. 

04.26.10

Uhhh . . . I think he has some skills.  He threw the basketball through the "hoop" for awhile this morning.  I was holding the hoop at first but I wasn't doing a good enough job, I guess.

04.25.10

Here is my Earth day contribution.  I took a pair of jeans that were too short for Kirsten and chopped them off, added the cute ruffled skirt and WaLa a new skirt is born.  I made the hair bow to go with it.  Isn't she the cutest girl??  I love sewing things for her.  She is pretty easy to please somedays . . . well except the time thing . . . "is it done yet?"

04.24.10

Today we spent the afternoon at the Cosley Zoo.  Dad decided that we needed to go somewhere together as a family.  We were considering a picnic but thought better of it since it had been raining in the morning and was still overcast when we left the house.  After we had lunch at Panda Express the rain begin to pour - you know one of those famous Midwest downpours.  We were sopping and trying to decide if we were going to go to the zoo now.  We decided to drive to the zoo and see what it was like there.  It was like we drove out of the storm (although it was still overcast.)  We had a great time at the zoo and didn't get one drop of rain while we were there. . . we did carry our umbrella's around since we had been caught without them at lunch time.

04.23.10

The windows really needed to be cleaned today and since most of the fingerprints are his and his sisters I let him help me with the cleaning.  It is always nice to look out the window and actually be able to see what is outside.  Now if I could just get him to clean toilets . . . ummm. . . . someday!?!

04.22.10

It was our Visiting Teaching Confer"ant"s today.  I just loved this idea for the ants with M&M's.  It was so cute.  The conferance was all about how we are different types of ants like persist"ant", dilig"ant", etc.  They had a way cute program and then some yummy food to eat after the meeting.

04.20.10

We went to the library last night for FHE.  This is only about 1/4 of the books they got.  Of course I'm not sure why they are still on the floor in the living room.   Ummm. . . .

04.19.10

I'll admit I was quite suprised this morning when I found this popping out of my planter.  I have not inherited the gene for growing things that are supposed to be green.  But this year I thought I might plant a garden.  Because of the variable weather around here, you have to start some things from seed.

I decided the other day that I would plant some plants and the kids thought it was the most exciting idea.  Peter and I went to Home Depot while Kirsten was in school and bought a couple of flowers to try and grow.  I also had some seeds that are a couple years old.  We planted all of them and labeled them so we would know what we are getting.  Kirsten thinks it is pretty cool that we have these popping up.  I guess I do to.  I think I might have to replace the ones I planted that were too old.  I don't think they are going to make it.  It's alright.  Home Depot is less then 1 mile from our house. 

04.18.10

I'm afraid this could be my post for almost any day for the last couple of months.  I just can't get things on the list and even if they are on the list, I will probably ignore them for a couple more weeks.  (Unless they are super pressing.)

04.17.10

Our ward has a semi annual clothing exchange.  Once a year we expand it to anything else in your closets and homes (smaller then a side table.)  We call it our Swap and Save.  We have many young families that can benefit from this and many people who love to clean out their closets and have an excuse to give things to a good cause. 
We were up early this morning to get everything set up.  Our day was a pretty steady stream of people and around 11:45 I said - okay let's clean this up.  We had everything out the door in a very short period of time and off to our local salvation army and women's shelter resale shop.

I have to admit I almost always come home with either the same amount as I brought or even a little bit more.  BUT who can give up free stuff - and if it doesn't fit or work, I can pass it on.

04.16.10

Kirsten has taken it upon herself to potty train Peter.  I guess mom is just not "ready" to do it yet and so Kirsten has taken Peter into the bathroom the last couple of days and had him sit on the potty.  She reads to him and talks to him.  {No success as of yet, but it is only a matter of time. . . . of course I'm not going to stop them . . . the more she does, the less I have to. . . . }

04.15.10

We had a picnic at the park today.  It was a bit windy but it was sure fun to eat outside and play at the park.  The kids will use any excuse to go outside, and then on top of it the luxury of not going inside to eat. . . it was all too much!!

04.14.10

It looks like the dandelions are taking over the lawn.  We had our yard sprayed today.  Hopefully in a couple of days it will be dandelion free!!  {We have the worst looking lawn in the neighborhood it seems.}

04.13.10

This is just how it is some times . . . hours after going shopping the non-perishables are still sitting on the ground.  Guess I will put it away.

04.12.10

Baby is looking good and it has a strong heart beat. . . It's waving hello in this picture. . . although it mostly looks like a big blobby thing.  (If you look closely below the head it you can see the hand like it is pointing out at you.)

04.11.10

What do you get when Dad leaves for training in Texas before we get home from church and mom doesn't feel very good after church?  . . . .

Breakfast cereal for lunch and ramen for dinner. . . Don't you wish you were here having dinner with us?

04.10.10

The best view of the neighborhood.  Peter doesn't want to miss out on the action.  He wants to know if Jake and Micheal are out side.   AND when they are you hear this little voice yelling, "I'm here, Jake and Micheal, I'm up here." 

Yes he is sitting on the computer desk and yes the window has a screen.

04.09.10

Last night began the craziness and today it blossomed into utter madness.  We made over 80 necklaces and 300 washers between the 10 ladies that were there the two days.  I was kind of shocked when they said the washers had run out.  (I had bought 3 100 count boxes and actually thought I would be returning one tomorrow.). . . it was fun . . . it was crazy . . . there were circles and dots everywhere.

04.08.10

The end of our craft group night.  I always remember to take the picture after everyone is gone.  We are making washer necklaces.  We spent the night punching out circles and Liberty made the necklaces.

04.07.10

Okay so why do I bring the stroller????

04.06.10

This is a new phase we are going through at our house.  The "I don't want to go to bed" or coming out 4 or 5 times phase.  Mom is a bit perplexed.  I follow the routine - read the book, say the prayers and leave the door open a little bit.  So why are we not going to bed????

04.05.10

Family Home Evening Treats - Strawberry filled crepes with cool whip!!  YUMMY!!