Cardboard Creation

Ryan brought home the best present ever for the girls. A giant cardboard box for each of them! They loved them of course, but to stop the misery when they flaps collapsed while they were playing in them, I decided to build them a proper house.

Thank you Janet for the hours of fun!

Winner!

I've learned something new today as I was perusing the Washington state driver's manual in hopes of helping a friend get ready for getting a license. I am not breaking the law when I leave my kids in the car when I run into the dollar store to get something quick. I knew people frowned upon leaving your kids in the car, but on errand days I started doing it every once in awhile. Think what you want, but it's not illegal unless I leave the motor running. *wink*

So, the winner of "Discards to Keepsakes" happens to be one of the craftiest ladies, Kelly! So, I'll send you a message and we can make arrangements. And for all you non crafties that were really hoping, talk to me. I really like making dolls.

Merry Christmas!

We celebrate because Jesus was born on earth as man, as God, and died to cover our sins. Without this birthday to celebrate, there would be no hope. But there is. Find joy in hope. Come to Night Church or visit the blog, or send us an email or talk to us if you don't know the hope and JOY that comes from Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 And she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.

Our kids don't totally get the Jesus thing yet. My prayer is that they will soon, and I think Maddie is getting closer everyday. But they enjoy Christmas anyway just like everybody else. I mean, who doesn't like presents!

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas.

Discards to Keepsakes

I've had a stash of cute baby clothes I've been having a hard time letting go of. But recently, I've had the need to purge, so in the giveaway bag they went. But last night I had a thrilling idea and grabbed them back. After making a doll softie for a cousins baby and thinking it cute and easy, I thought maybe my girls should each have one in their stockings. Especially since they both wanted to play with it right away. (So they each got to give it a good squeeze to fill it with love and then put it aside).

Anyway. Baby clothes. I grabbed them and started cutting. Ack! But they are so cute! Never fear. I took what my children would never use again and made it into something they can always have. And it's still just as cute as those clothes! Have a boy? Make a bear. Or a boy doll. They'll be just as cute. I liked this project so much, I saved a couple of those dresses. I shouldn't. But I am. AND...because it's Christmas, I want to make one of these lovelies for someone else. Leave a comment and on Monday there will be a random winner. You can supply me with your baby clothes for my chopping pleasure, or if you don't have any, or think that clothes can feel pain and don't want me to chop them, I have girly clothes or can visit my local thrift store. We'll make arrangements after Monday.
I think Phoebe and Paige are fitting. What do you think?

More Late Night Making

Teatime for Annora


Since Annora ate the family I made for the dollhouse, Maddie asked for another "Maddie".

- I may or may not have gotten carried away...

Is There Cookie Under That Frosting?

I think Maddie could frost cookies all day long (as long as she gets to eat the frosting out of the bowl). I think Annora could frost herself all day long. Don't worry, we won't make you eat them.



















On a side note - Santa was found naked, crazily driving around a shopping cart.

Shhh...

Had to show someone my fun Christmas project. Keep it quiet though.

What the heck?!?!

I wanted to just put this rant out on Twitter, but unfortunately 140 characters was not enough to express my complete disbelief from this stupid Black Friday phenomenon.

There are already people lining up TODAY (Monday) to get in line to purchase items from stores like Best Buy. Now I know there are good deals on Black Friday, and I understand the idea of waiting in line for an unreleased item. I have waited overnight before at WalMart to purchase a Wii on that launch date.

But lining up for a SALE? That seems... confusing at best. See you could enter the store RIGHT NOW and purchase the exact same item you are going to wait in line 4 days to purchase. There is no "exclusitivity" to the product that you are waiting for... all you are waiting for is a PRICE.

But what in the world do you do that you it is actually a worthwhile endevear to wait in line 3 days to purchase something from one of these stores. I have to assume you are not unemployed, because most of the "big discounts" that are offered on items are on big ticket items. You can get a $1000 TV for $500 or some such other "great deal." Therefore I have to assume you have some sort of income that allows you to have a disposable amount of $500.

If this is the case, would you not be better served WORKING, saving your days off, and just spending the extra cash? The real cost to get the TV (taking time off + price) is going to be MUCH greater than the price you could probably purchase it anyway.

Not only that, but that means you are also going to have to sit outside in late November (cold and rainy), and miss a time of celebration with friends and family (Thanksgiving) while you wait to save a couple of bucks.

I just don't get the mindset/lifestyle that thinks this is a productive idea, but I suppose whatever floats your boat.

Year in Pictures

I make a yearly picture album. I'm supposed to do it once a month, so I don't have to spend hours and hours and hours at the end of the year. I don't know what happened to this year...I'm actually looking at pictures that I haven't viewed till now. And I took the picture in June or August. Here's some of my favorites from today.

A plunger and a helmet are a good combo for a laugh.
This is the heart of Maddie - tutus and ice cream.
I LOVE this picture.
"Silly Annora" as Maddie would say.
This isn't even my kid. But it makes me smile anyway.
It's the "fat man in a little coat" kind of funny. Not that he's fat - you get it.

Cuteness

God made kids look cute, act cute, and say cute so that we stay grounded instead of flying of the handle every chance we get. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

My girls make me laugh. Sometimes I find myself smiling at them during the day and realize I haven't really smiled yet during that day. And I say, "Thank you God" A smile always brings joy and relaxation. And I can deal with what comes my way easier and with a heart of grace.

Annora requests the "Pizza Hut" song, where I sing about pizza hut, kentucky fried chicken and mc'donalds. Her favorite is the "chicken" part. Cracks. Me. Up.

Can you guess?

What color Annora's poop is today?

Sometimes...

...I feel like this -and sometimes I think I look like this -

Lost and Found

I couldn't figure out where these pictures went. The digital age is supposed to make things simpler...I'm glad I found them. Isn't this girl grand!?! I love her expressions. She is always making me laugh!

What One Does For Love.

Do you like people to see your closet? Most people don't. My house is neat only because my closets are messy.

I challenged Ryan today to a task and to help him out I told him I'd go home and make the kitchen spic and span...he requested to be able to walk into the closet instead. I told him I'd post pictures, here you go my love.

What Maddie is Drawing

Maddie make some great art. I love it. I love that she tells me all about. I love that she's starting to make multicolor pictures. Like yesterday she gave a person hair in a different color than the body. But today...she drew me a picture of a big chicken, a little chick, an egg that was cracking (which was perfect by the way) and LOTS of poop. She actually counted all the poop. It was funny. All the green parts are the poop.

New Room

This is LONG overdue. But every time I thought to take pictures it was nap time. So, if you don't know already, I decided to paint Annora's bed turquoise, and decided shortly after that to put the girls in the same room. Which meant I had to paint some in Maddie's room, which turned out perfect. I've been long needing to put a border of some sort at the top of the wall, and the yellow scallops were quick and added a great whimsical touch. My Mom then found the perfect bed linens, a turquoise chenille and a patchwork in all the colors in the room. I'm in love. And the girls love their room too. Actually, Maddie gets pretty upset when she can't take her nap in there. She isn't quite beyond naps, but most days she rests for 20 minutes and then starts playing, sometimes screaming, "Annora, Annora!" because she really wants her to wake up so she can have a playmate. So the nursery turned playroom now has a bed in it for "Mom's sanity hour".

Speaking of Mom's sanity...my kids do stuff like this:What's that in the bathtub you ask? You don't want to know, but I'm going to tell you anyway. It's poop. Annora crawled in the tub after bath time and pooped in the tub. Maddie thought it was hilarious.

I've decided that all kids are like that. My kids are not unique in their quest to find new crayon canvas, unusual ways to eat food, and explorations of all kinds. But when these things happen, us parents can't imagine why a person would do such a thing, and they don't envision other kids doing the thing their child just did. But around the block Bobby Jo is using chocolate milk to paint smiley faces on the sliding glass door too. I'm just glad these things make me laugh. It makes my life richer.

In my past post of vaseline queen it reminded our parents and Ryan's grandma their own vaseline queen moments. There was a gallon jar of honey, peanut butter (on shag carpet nonetheless) and a container of Comet.

Life makes me smile.

Come Over and Play!

Ryan worked for two full Saturdays and various hours throughout the last 2 weeks to accomplish my vision of a play structure with playhouse. We still have the play areas underneath to finish and we need a swing, but I think she's a beaut. Three cheers for Ryan!

Vaseline Queen

Yesterday Ryan and I were busy building this:



Which meant the girls spent a lot of time playing inside and watching movies to keep them entertained and out of harms way. Annora took an early nap, which was nice, and Maddie let her out of her room when she woke up, so, I didn't see her till lunch...
and this is how I found her :Yes, encased in a thick layer of vaseline. I quickly plunked her down at the table with some food and ran upstairs to see the damage. Not bad actually all things considering since she was doing this :
This being combing her hair with vaseline if you can't tell from the picture. I have no idea why. But why do kids play with poop and eat rocks? Experimentation I suppose. Trying out life for the first time. I was so mad and so giggly at the same time!

I tried to document the process of getting the vaseline out of her hair. I read all the tips and tricks online. I washed her hair with Dr. Bronner's thinking "it takes care of everything!"...but no such luck. Then I used the cornstarch trick. Which I think helped...but it was hard to tell. I did the cornstarch twice, then baby powder (which is essentially the same thing) and then cornstarch 2 more times, using a comb to get out clumps and washing with regular shampoo and sometimes rinsing with rubbing alcohol (alcohol is how they say to get it out of the carpet...I thought it might help in hair too). In the end, after 6 cornstarch shampoos and various rinses (including the "krud kutter" rinse) Her hair was minus slime but still stand on end greasy. The girls played outside by the new play set a bit later...where they dug in the dirt...and of course...Annora put dirt on her head, because that's where all the cool kids are putting their dirt these days. So, after dinner I took the girls to Walmart. Honestly I really didn't want any of the public to see the disgusting mess on my child's head. It looked like a nest, or a burrow of some wild animal. But for it to look better, I had to buy some other stuff to try out. I plunked her in the tub once home and first tried the RC Cola. I bought RC, because it said RC. I'm sure it's the same as other cola's...but I wasn't taking any risks. Then I washed her hair with Dawn detergent. Some more baby powder. 2 more dawn washes and RC rinses and we were "good enough". Her hair still stands on end, but is no longer sticky. I figure another 10 goes at it and her hair will either be back to normal or will have started to fall out.













First Wash


Second Wash


















Third Wash All I Will Remember.

Turnoff Week

Did you know that this week was National Turnoff Week? Ryan and I decided that it didn't apply to us...but we DID make some time for some board games even though we did keep up with our favorite shows.

This week was a week when I would have let the kids watch more TV than they should. We all had runny noses, Annora's teeth are making her cranky, and I have 101 things I SHOULD do and 201 things I WANT to do. These last 2 days I have been busy drawing plans for our swing set and playhouse. Which I am very excited about, but at the same time I just lost 2 days of my life I can't get back.

Anyway, our kids aren't allowed a lot of TV during the weekdays, except on weeks like these. But I thought since it was turnoff week, I should give it a go. I like TV. Sometimes I love TV. But there is something to be said about doing things like corn printing instead.

A Trip for Mr. Worm

Maddie found a worm in the garden today. She played with him till he died. Poor worm. I made her give him a bath in the sink because I thought he was looking a little dry. I had to fish him out of the drain. She came inside and asked me if I could get him out of the train...she said he was done taking his nap. I caught her coming down the stairs with it...worm play is supposed to stay outside. Apparently she was showing him to Annora. At least she brought him back downstairs.