Michelle my Belle...

"Michelle, my belle...." I guess she hates it when people sing that song! My dear friend, Michelle {who I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a time or two} just sent me something I'd never heard of before... Muffin Tin meals. Apparently it's a cool new mom thing that I hadn't picked up on in my current zombie-like state.

pictures courtesy of flickr

How awesome are these?... thanks Michelle!

and they lived happily ever after

The last few weeks have been a blur to say the least. I won't get into details, but practically every extra moment has been spent making sure we are actually going to get the house we are under contract for right now. We're supposed to close escrow a week from today and my fingers are STILL crossed. So, until then, here are some things which reduce my stress level...

puppies... I, I mean, Emma, is getting one for her birthday or Christmas

gorgeous tablescapes by Carter & Cook

inspiration for the 65th wedding anniversary party I'm planning

and fall... today is the first day you know!

it's that time again!

It's that time again! The annual Modern Economy Online Sale is tomorrow at 9am {pacific time}. If you sign up for the mailing list, you get access 1 hour early. Can anyone guess what I'll be doing at 8am?

$3 bliss

I found something yesterday that gave me peace and quiet for more than 20 minutes. And it only cost $3.

While scouring Target for art supplies I happened upon these markers, specially made for drawing on glass {while still non-toxic and washable, unlike dryerase}. Emma gets incredibly bored in the car and so running errands is generally exhausting. I opened up that box as soon as we hit the car, and the entire time we were driving I didn't hear a peep from her. Except perhaps to tell me she was drawing a pink dinosaur. Glorious.

darling....

On this last day of summer vacation {for our family} I'll leave you with a few quotes from my darling 2 year old.

E: Carrots scare me

M:You mean parrots

E: Oh yea, parrots

E: I love Quesadilla! (she means IKEA)

E: {Speaking about 4 week old Ashlyn} I take the baby for a BIG walk. Where's the leash?

E: No talking! You're a horse!

E: {Playing dollhouse with Ashlyn} I'm the mommy & the sister. Here Ashlyn you can be the toilet!

Keep track of all your family's funny moments with this easy tip we picked up from Dave's Aunt Cindy: Put up some type of notepad and pen on the refridgerator. Every time someone says something funny or noteworthy anyone who can write will be able to record it easily - and you'll have the memory forever!

know your colors

Came accross a fabulous idea for the little ones today on one of my favorite blogs, Angry Chicken. This could work for any kids learning colors, or just as a nature/art project.

step 1: collect paint samples

step 2: glue samples in book

step 3: find objects outdoors to match colors (glue by color)

an envelope glued to the back holds extra paint samples!

Check out the blog. Amy Karol is crazy talented. I adore her sewing books, and easy-to-follow tutorials! All pictures are from Amy Karol.

perfect day

I got to spend some quality time with little Ashlyn this afternoon. We went outside to play and I got some adorable pics of her. It was probably time too... poor 2nd child not nearly as many pictures of her as Emma at the same age!

It was a perfectly relaxing summer day. We even went out to dinner with Dave's parents and there was NO crying or whining! Just when it couldn't get any better, we got a call from our realtor... we got a house. Not just any house, but my favorite one of all we've looked at! Praise the LORD! He is so good and knows how to give perfect gifts to His children!

this young house

No time today... check out this awesome blog I found while trying not to daydream about the house we currently have an offer on... This Young House. Do you think I can get them to help me once we finally move in?

Crafty

When I was a kid, I really didn't like arts and crafts. Somehow, wrapping yarn around popsicle sticks, or watercoloring didn't hold the same appeal for me as playing outside with the dogs, or going on wild imaginary adventures with my friends. My 2 year-old, Emma, however loves everything crafty. She would paint the walls with crayon and paint if I let her. while searching for some artsy entertainment for the two of us, I stumbled across this site, Craft Gossip. It's full of literally thousands of fantastic ideas for creative crafts (complete with tutorials on how to accomplish them!). Here is just a sampling of what you'll find when you visit - and you really should!
How to make a dust ruffle for a crib here.

these sweet little treats here.or this fun gift-box-band here.

beans

The long summer days seem to have gotten to me. We've been so wrapped up in looking for a house (and it's been SUPER frustrating) that I haven't blogged all summer! Well, I'm hoping to take my mind off the housing market, and do some relaxing with these last couple of weeks!

Our church is having VBS (Vacation Bible School) next week, and I signed up to make bean bags for one of the games. Just look what an awesome idea I found for them while browsing through Ohdeedoh.

I am SO making these this afternoon (if Ashlyn ever gets to sleep). They're perfect for teaching letters, or just to look pretty! Even the little ones can participate in filling the bags. Tutorial here at yet another amazing blog, Little Blue Boo.

nest

Are you my new home? I sure hope so!

Could this cute little one be our next nest? It sure needs a lot of TLC, but I'm pretty much in love with it. Please forgive my recent absence. We're trying to find a house, ASAP, and it's taking up most of my internet time! I promise I'll be back soon.

something else to add to the creepy file

description: "The Hug Me pillow provides comfort as well as piece of mind."
"Bedding includes an incredibly soft microfiber shirt that is conveniently machine washable"

available on Overstock.com

disneyland

we took emma to disneyland for the first time on my birthday. her favorite ride? the rollercoaster (see picture below). least favorite? matterhorn (i forgot about the yeti at the top with flashing red eyes and loud roar... bad mom)

play house

so cute... i think i'd like one for myself!

ps. found this on designspongeonline.com

going green

I'm not really into global warming (I can hear the collective *gasp*). I'm not sure I can trust Al Gore quite that far. But I am into making little changes that go a long way. Here's one of them. How many zillions of little snack baggies do I throw away every day? The number will only go up exponentially when Emma starts preschool next year. These reusable snack bags & sandwich wraps are a terrific replacement... with a little added style!to purchase click here
click here

happy day

photo courtesy of flickr

A friend asked me today if I have been working out (that alone made me laugh). She told me my arms are getting ripped. I too have noticed this, which led me to think... "Is there any way I can start lifting my two girls with my abs?"

ps. I'll be back soon, I promise!

100th post!

Hello Again! I haven't posted in a week because I was trying to decide what to do... you see this is my 100th post. I can't believe it... I had all sorts of cool new ideas and things to share, but decided to make this a family post instead. Our girls are growing up SO quickly these days.

Emma is 2 years and 4 months old. She has become incredibly particular about what she wears - I have to convince her that each outfit is a ballet dress (or ballet pants, ballet shorts, ballet jacket). She's quite the girly-girl with hot pink as her favorite color. Every morning, she likes to sit on the counter while I get ready and put on lotion and "lipstick." Her daddy is proud as her athletic prowess is starting to show as well. The other day she hopped on a big two wheel bike (with training wheels) and took off peddling around our courtyard!
I almost feel as though I've missed the last 5 1/2 months of my life... Ashlyn has been growing and changing every day - I definitely don't remember Emma's first year going so quickly. She will be 6 months old pretty soon. When did my tiny, sleepy newborn become a chubby, giggling, crawling baby (with a smile that melts my heart)?

As the summer approaches, so do many changes for our little family of 4, many of which I hope to post here. If my presence seems scattered, it probably has something to do with the new project I'm working on. (top secret for now). Thanks for reading and I hope to see you around soon!

Sale of the Century...

My amazing friend, Michelle can do it all. She's a pastry chef (with credentials and all), mom of two, ebayer extraordinaire, practical zoo keeper, party planner, she works in the nursery at church, finds the BEST deals, and still makes time to be a great friend... oh, and she does all of this with her husband in school full time! Today I got an email from Michelle, that made me wish we were staying in San Diego this weekend. Apparently, she found out that a local (San Diego) manufacturer who sells to Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod, etc. is having a warehouse sale THIS SATURDAY, from 8am-10am. The art is from Oops Daisy, Studio Avo, and Colorful Rooms. There will also be nursery bedding, grown up decor, and all sorts of odds and ends. Click here for details... and happy shopping - the pink lamps are mine! ;)

root canal

So I had a root canal yesterday. The first of two I'll be needing - yikes! I hopped on that train of thought and it brought me to the tooth fairy and how, when I was little, my dear mommy made me a pillow with a little pocket for my teeth to go in (and the money which replaced it). I cruised on over to Etsy and found the CUTEST little shop with some pretty sweet tooth fairy pillows.

I was planning on just showing you the pillows when, much to my surprise, I found these in Laura's Loft as well... and almost died due to their adorableness. Which ones should I pick for Ashlyn?

PB kids

Who doesn't love pottery barn? I always smile when I get the new catalog in the mail. Sure, they might not have the artistic flair I crave, but just flipping through the pages relaxes me and makes me feel at home. Did you know they have decorating classes (and flower arranging classes!)? Well coming up next Wednesday at 7pm, is the class on decorating and arranging your nursery - and who wouldn't want a little input from the professionals? Click here to sign up for lesson updates in your area. p.s. and they're all free!

after 4 years...

So, it's been 4 years and i FINALLY have our wedding pictures! Although I wish I had known this photog when we got married, I'm glad to finally have something to remember the day by!

Unexpected Surprises

As the clutter in my home multiplies, I've found myself dreaming of simplicity. Handmade, handpainted toys from Unexpected Surprises Wood Toys (US Toys for short) are beautifully made. Their simplicity gives children room to grow their imaginations rather than be entertained by a toy with only one function. Not only that, but they're safe made with only wood, glue, and non-toxic water based acrylic paint!