Christmas Ideas

I just love this idea! I think it would be a great keepsake of my little ones. I will need to practice my sad embroidery skills. Perhaps a class at Home Ec. is in order? I also saw one mama (on Soule-Mama) use her childrens' drawings to make pillows. Who knows which on I will do but I certainly have a plethora of artwork to choose from!

This adorableness is from craft pudding on Etsy. They also have a great book stamp that you can personalize. How much fun is this?

One of my other favorite ideas is Table Talk for families. I have been wanting to get these for a while now - for my kids at home and for students at school. I am wondering how easy this will be to make and give to friends and family? I think I could make it fun and cute!

Onward Hawks!

This year would be remiss if I did not mention the almighty Hawkeye football team. Lars was able to go to a game earlier this year with his daddy! This year has not been pretty but it has been full of great exciting football games that have kept the fans on the edges of their seats. I was lucky enough to go into Kinnick for the Northwestern game, much to my dismay, they lost. This ended the undefeated season- so they are currently 9-1, which is pretty darn good for us! There are still chants of Rose Bowl ging around but we face Ohio this weekend. I wish the boys luck and I am proud most of all of the players- they are a respectable bunch of students and of Ferents, the coach, who really is the strength behind the group! Go Hawks!

Foolproof Outfit

Great idea here to think of an outfit that can take me through my entire day with no item changes. It has to be stylish but yet fit and allow for the mobility to chase a 3 year old Lars. I have a limitation of not being able to wear jeans since jeans are a no no at my school. (So sad but true!) So here is my idea of a perfect outfit....Since I cannot afford to really shop virtual shopping it is!

I think all the items are classic and very versatile. I really do want a ruffled shirt- but I am looking for one in chambray. I liked this one though. I also shopped at one store- GAP. I will need to do another foolproof outfit from another favorite store.

Kodak Praise

So it has been a while since I last uploaded pictures on Kodak Gallery. In fact, I was growing very annoyed at all the glitches I was having. I recently received an invite to try out the "new" improved website. I really wondered is it was possible. I went and checked it out! It was really amazing all they are having to offer.

• prints for 9 cents- all the time!
• local pick up
• easier to load- amazingly easy & faster too!
  
• free card samples
• great card selections
• easy to make photo books (better than before!)
  

They are finally paying attention to the competition and what they offer! So if you have been ever a customer, you should check them out now! So I have downloaded tons of pictures and created three photo books and ordered prints- all for $2.00! The deals are way too good to pass up right now. This is one site that is drumming for your business so why not take advantage!

The big deal they are running right now is their "1 Million Thanks Giveaway". Everyone seems to win a free $15 git code and I am sure there are other gifts too. All you have to do is sign up! The new coupons expire November 17th.

Into the Woods

Perhaps next week the witch, aka mom, needs to get ready to appear in some pictures. These are pretty cute though! I am glad my kids have allowed me one more year for them to dress like kids. Lars was complaining that he did not think Hansel was cool (after one kid from his school said that he was going to be Scooby Doo) so I had to explain how Hansel was cool, as Bret snickered from the other room. Now, I know that Hansel may not be cool, but seriously- how cute is he?

Someone I was listening to or reading mentioned how they wish kids woudl only dress up as inanimate objects or story book characters. I love this idea, but pop culture takes hold of this young impressionable group especially at the time of Halloween. Add animals to the list of allowable costumes too! How is a parent to win?

Hansel & Gretel Sneak Peek

I am hoping for the weather now to cooperate so I can wisk the kids off to an enchanted forest for a fabulous and scary photo shoot.

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

I think this is putting my sewing to shame. I also dig the photo shoot. I have been working on Hansel and Gretel costumes for my kids for this Halloween but my sewing pales compared to this ensemble. I may need to wisk my Hansel and Gretel away to the woods with me as a witch to get some fantastic shots like this.


I cannot get pics of this link but you must must click to see this womans sewing fabulousness. It is truely amazing! Something for me to think about!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Kitchen Finals...for now

This is the desk I posted many different carts to replace. Bret wonders if we changed the top and handles, and possibly new legs if then we would not hate it as much. I think I woudl still hate it. It stands for old ugly kitchen. I want a new nice counter area!




What do you think of these chairs? Our others have served us well- but after many years of love and use they may need to put out to pasture. I love these modern clean looking chairs. I also like the version in a light wood.

Now I will need to start work on our holiday surpise of hanging up some very special artwork for the walls to complete this transformation. Oh and I am reminded of the sad neglected apartment int he basement where I will need to paint and hang blinds too. How come I always want to do my stuff first?

Green Baby!

Boy... it sure is green. Bright bright green. I do think the yellow table really pops and the blue in the floor seems to be brighter too. I plan on using all white or stainless accessories too. Once i have the second coat up, I plan on hanging up cafe curtains in the back window and on the window above the sink. All then I need is the cart from IKEA to go where the desk is.

I have been eyeing these too.

I still am not sure which one will be best. But all I know is I cannot wait to get rid of the horrid desk that is in there right now and have a more functional item in its place. Then onto the wall accessorites! Bret and I have quite the non-traditional surprise in store here. I am hoping we can have a small holiday party as I am hoping we are done with everything by then. Let's hope!

Slow Parent Ahead

I just read another article on the "Slow Parenting" movement. Interesting stuff. It almost seems like people are being told through these kind of articles that they have to choose a side as to which kind of parent they want to be. Instead, I prefer the approach that you just need to be with your kids and offer them the most you can on whatever terms you feel is right to help your child develop into the person they want to be. I am certain this can be done regardless of what classes you sign your kids up for. I long to have the privilege of time with my family that is safe, fun, relaxing and just mine. No pressure - not always an agenda other than we just want to do this.

I have also heard this idea called "lazy parenting" which, of course, I do not like. I see my actions for NOT doing the many things as very purposeful which in reality is not laziness but rather wanting to be and live in the moment. I do have the worry about working and missing many moments but I think if you use this approach you can strive for the balance and connection we all need within our lives.

That being said, I have long since gotten over the fact that I don't have my kids signed up for any lessons this fall and I am not sure there will be any this spring. This past summer we did swimming but that was the only planned activity we did. We enjoyed the wonders of Kent Park, pools,the library, the backyard, parks and playing with friends.

I plan on continuing sharing my ideas and really being lazy thus enjoying my kids and family and allowing life to take me where it chooses.

Apple Picking 2009

We enjoyed our trip this year to TJ's orchard. The kids love the freedom of running around and picking as many apples and pears as we can. I have all ready made 2 apple crisps and have more coming! I do wish we were closer to Grandpa Jerry's as we could to pick from his trees too! Fall is my favorite time of year and it has definitely arrived. Welcome!

Lemonade and Leaves

Ella and Alice were playing together on a beautiful Labor Day. What else to do but have a lemonade stand. I was itching to go shopping but instead, I got them the lemonade and cups and got my book ready. I read from the porch and watched them from afar as they were excited and bored with their real lemonade stand. This was worth staying at home and literally doing nothing but watching our girls have fun.

My guess is they had two neighbors (thanks Jo and Don), two sets of bikers and two cars that pulled up and ordered lemonade. Everytime someone came they squealed with excitement and were so giddy they almost forgot what to do. I stood my ground on the porch and laughed heartily as their first customer had to help them pour as the container was a bit too heavy for them to handle ontheir own. When they were bored they decorated their stand (a box) with more decorations.

If you look closely at the signs one says "Lemonaid" (I can never remember how to spell it) and the other was "Flowers". The only problem was we did not have lots of flowers to choose from, so Ella decided to sell pretty leaves instead for a penny a piece. Sadly there were no takers for the leaves. I did have to hold my laughter when a set of bikers approached and Ella proudly told them we had lemonade for a quarter and leaves for a penny. She very seriously said she would take the lemonade. I was having a hard time keeping a straight face!

More Home Projects...

I cleared the side of the house. Ready for free plants.

Bret's new drainage system, then we will finish the boxes and I can do more landscaping!

New windows downstairs and a new door coming soon. This great work brought to us by Mark & Rob. I am so grateful to have such handy people in my family.

Kitchen Progress

All the wallpaper is gone! Hooray!

And above are the two new light fixtures. I have one my handyman (Mark) is helping to hang on arm. But overall they help bring my kitchen out of the fifties.

If anyone would like to see a house frozen in time, you should come to my neighbors to see what I termed "The Scariest Open House Ever!" If you are in the market for a house with a lot of potential and willing to do a complete overhaul, then this is the house for you. Unfortunately, they are selling it way too high and no one has realized that smokey mirrored glass, food on the walls, dirty carpets, and plastic flowers are NOT selling features anyone wants to look at these days.

Now I just need to prep the walls then it is onto choosing a color. I think green is a high contender but blue has been recommended. I think it may just depend. We will see!

Mr. Shucks Rocks

Mr. Shucks, the CR Kernels mascot is truly a sight to behold. The kids are finally old enought and are not too scared of him so we got this great shot!

Buckethead.

Only at the Kernels can both your kids leave with a ball and a free spaghetti dinner from Zio Johnnos! Ella was so excited that she finally won a trophy!

We even were luck enough to get a free ice cream and had more than enough for 7 people. This one looks as large as Lars' head! It wasn;t quite that large but still it was big!

ACT 2009 Picnic

Hands down the ACT picnic is one of the best for families! Lars was a daredevil and decided to ride on the Pirates Revenge and the squeaky train. We enjoyed the company of friends and ate lots of food. Bret was disappointed they ran out of ice cream bars (again! 2 years running). They celebrated their 50 years in business with a fireworks display that the kids loved. We all went home tired and full. A good night by all!