Monday, April 23, 2012

seriously?!


Unprompted, without an example to follow, this happened in our driveway tonight .  This crazy proud mama gets tears in her eyes at this sight.  When did this happen?!  When did my two-year-old decide she wanted to write her name and do a darn good job at it, with a big clunky piece of sidewalk chalk?!  I. can't. take. it.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Happy 1st Birthday, Ries!

So, if you've been following my blog, you've probably noticed that I've been taking a bit of a break from cakes.  Starting this month, I'm easing back in (no more than two per month for a while though).  I just couldn't stay away from the challenge and, as I've said before, the opportunity to be a small part of a celebration in someone's life.  And, in case you haven't heard, a first birthday for a lil' girl is quite a celebration...Is there anything better than a smash cake and zebra stripes for a diva?!  Considering I could barely remember how to make fondant, I'd say it didn't go too poorly (I've typed and deleted the glaring issues I see on this cake because hopefully you're not noticing them and I know without a doubt that a one year old surrounded by her friends and family isn't).  :)


Friday, April 13, 2012

~Playroom~

Woot, Woot!  We've finally got another before and after!  This is one of the smaller bedrooms from back when we first moved into the house....Now that Addy and Cohen have their rooms and there are no other kiddos in our future, we decided to tackle this room.  It’s been a computer and music room, but we’ve decided to relocate the computer and guitars to the basement (crank up the volume).  We had thought about making this a guest bedroom, but we’ll find room for that elsewhere because we need a playroom!  Take a peek…
That wall was quite the undertaking (i.e. an entire day of measuring, cutting, and placing painter’s tape).  Is it any wonder why Jason cringes whenever I say, “I have an idea!”?   Luckily, we had Addy to help us.  ;)
Is there a more appropriate place for furry blue pillows and pop art cow pictures?  I think not.  I can’t even begin to describe the alarmed look on Jason’s face when I proudly unveiled this awesome IKEA find…Addy loves her art station (which was a stage for dancing and free stylin’ songs until we added her roll of paper and crayon buckets), and she already points out that the extra chair is “Coey’s chair.”
And she's pretty darn excited about her personal art display and the Teee-V that's sure to cause some sibling spats a few years down the road.
 

Happy Friday, ya’ll!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Easter Weekend Buzz

I'm just now coming down from a pastel-colored, chocolate-induced high from Easter weekend with my family.  Here it is, in probably far too many photos because I can't seem to pick and choose.

the start...egg dyeing (two tones, glitter, sequins, and only 2 seriously cracked eggs)



Easter baskets with Dr. Seuss books, pinwheels, sidewalk chalk, puzzles, nailpolish, pool toys, a velcro toolbelt, and of course, some candy


chipped lilac nails and madonna-style lace gloves (modified by dad as the fingers were far too long...I'm sure anyone who has met her would agree - these are much more "Addy")

 really?! 

bustin' a move, in the front yard, no music required


our best attempts at the forced posey picture (gotta love how they mirror each other - looking away from each other and then the scrunchy nose)


Seriously.  Heart.  Bursting.



egg hunts with cousins and the Easter bunny's surprise at Mimi and Clint's house...a "bouncey fing!"







can't get enough of the "oooo" concentration face with the stand (and now step!)



brother initiating his own game of peek-a-boo


the coolest dudes on the planet.

There it is...one Happy Easter!  I'm a lucky lady! :)

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

bam!

The braces are finally off, and I have to shout it from the rooftops.  You couldn't smack the goofy smile off this face right now...it doesn't hurt that I sorta have a crush on my jokester photographer.  ;)


I'll be back tomorrow with our Easter weekend pics after they've finally finished uploading.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Reason #829

You're looking at Reason #829 that I'm thankful Jason is father of my children.  Only a really good daddy takes the time to draw, in crayon and on the back of a coloring book page, a map of North America for a two year old.  Please note the star indicating "Mowine."  Finding this made me smile a week ago and it still makes me smile to think about it today.  Eat your hearts out gals...he's all mine.  :)




Monday, April 2, 2012

Countdown to Easter

Only the best holidays involve baking.  Addy was all about making and sharing her bird's "nestesses."  Sister's tongue is a dead give-away...she might have been sneaking some of the ooey gooey goodness.





We went out to Grand Mound to an Easter egg hunt with my mom...


She impressed me, once again, with her little social butterfly attitude.    Except of course when it came to the Easter bunny.  Seriously!?  This is the same girl who shouted from a shopping cart to a teenage boy, "Hey big boy!"  And although that may sound like a pickup line, which is why we're still laughing about it, she meant it in the most friendly, admiring way.  She's loving the idea that she's a big girl right now. 


Anyway, back to the Easter bunny.  She was so scared of it, that when she noticed part of her "incredible" tattoo was coming off, she was sure that the dang bunny had something to do with it.


She's all practiced up for this weekend...




The excitement around here is building for egg dying, lace gloves, overflowing baskets, and Easter celebrations.

Happy Monday!