Umm...yeah...

So...I'm not the best at the discipline part of being a mama (OK, ask Jason, I suck.).  I almost always end up erupting in giggles right along with Addy.  Seriously though, I'm supposed to tell this girl to stop playing with her food and eat her dinner?  She's clever enough to use a chewed up carrot stick to apply ranch dressing nailpolish (yes, that's what you're seeing on her left hand nails).  I can't discipline that.  I just can't.  That is all. 

Extra, Extra!

Alright, I've been slacking again on the blogging, but for important reasons - I swear!  Case in point, in the past month, Cohen has worked his way from one step to THIS!

Pleeeease excuse:

• the window crank in his hand and mouth (it seems that he needs something in his little fist to keep his mind off of what his feet are doing) - I promise he won't choke
• his personal cheering section
• the fact that my voice is almost indistinguishable from my two year old daughter's

I've also been completely distracted by dandelion crowns, a teething baby (4 top toofers all at once!), cookie dough, mid-year performance management (coworkers, can I get an "Amen"?), a ten month milestone, late night conversations (you know who you are...and I love you!), a couple of good books, and party planning for some VIP's (more on that later).

Happy Tuesday!  I promise to be back sooner next time. :)

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.

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).  :)

~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!

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! :)

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.