Wednesday, January 30, 2013

:: Valentine's Day - diy/printable valentines










It's almost February.
Time to start thinking about making Valentine's Day cards.
Here are some fun printable/DIY Valentines.
Check them out.






Source: armommy.com via Amy on Pinterest





Last year we made these for Ava's class . . .

Source: skiptomylou.org via Amy on Pinterest




This year I think we'll be making these . . .
{easy and glow sticks are cheaper than candy}



You can follow me on pinterest here.


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

:: Family Happenings - potty training day 2


We decided that before this little one comes at the end of March
we needed to potty train Reese.
I don't want to have two in diapers.
And recently, she's been coming to us to change her diaper,
so we knew she was ready.
So for 3 days, we're doing the 3 day potty training method.
We did this with Ava and it worked . . . I was amazed!

Yesterday was day 1 and Reese did awesome.
It's all about positive reinforcement and letting them think they're in control.
Constantly telling them, "Let me know if you need to go pee pee on the potty"
instead of "do you need to go potty?"
By the second or third time yesterday,
she was coming to me to tell me that she needed to go.
Awesome!

With Ava, day 2 was the dreaded potty training day.
So I wasn't looking forward to it today, but she's only had one accident this morning.
And since then she's done great.
Hopefully the rest of the day and tomorrow will be just as good! 
{knock on wood}

It will be so nice to have a 2 month break from diapers.


Friday, January 25, 2013

:: Toys - wooden food groups


When Santa brought the little girls a pink, retro kitchen,
he also brought them these Melissa & Doug wooden food toys.
They absolutely love them.
I just received a meal of chicken, banana, tomato, milk stew.

I'm sure these will last much longer than the plastic ones.
And they aren't horribly priced.
You can get them for $16 off of amazon.com


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

:: DIY - beadboard wallpaper and homemade baseboards

One thing I do love about holidays and family coming into town
is that things on my "honey-do" list actually get done!

We've had this beadboard wallpaper and these baseboards my husband made, up for awhile.
They just were never painted.
And it looks so much better now.
{I posted this two years ago . . . things get done slowly around our place.  :) }

Now on to the rest of the baseboards in our house . . . 

And please excuse our very messy kitchen . . .


So, here is the finished product . . . finally.


I love the beadboard look.
The only thing is, since it is where little feet are it gets scuffed very easily.
But that's life with kids, right?
Can't have everything perfect.

We found these iron corbels years ago at Tai Pan.
We took out the standard wooden ones that came with the house.
And then we spray painted these rusty looking corbels 
so they'd match the knobs and pulls that we placed on our cupboards.

I'm so pleased with how it looks.
And when we finally put up lights, I'll show you the finished kitchen with all the details.

Monday, January 21, 2013

:: Inspiration Board - baby boy nursery

The little man will be arriving in 2 short months.
So excited, so nervous, and feeling so unprepared.

We decided to make the guest room into his nursery.
And I'm so excited to decorate it.
Not sure where our guests will sleep now, but we'll figure it out.

Who knows if it will end up looking like this,
but this is what I've come up with so far.

baby boy nursery inspiration

12 / 3 / 4 / 56 / 7 / 8 / 9

Friday, January 18, 2013

:: Family Happenings - we bought her a violin . . .


So . . . a few months ago Ava started violin lessons.
I guess I didn't realize how difficult it would be.
That I would need to be there to practice with her everyday.
It definitely hasn't been easy.
And she's tried my patience on multiple occasions.
(okay . . . maybe every time we practice)

But I'm looking for suggestions.
Suggestions on how to make practicing (any instrument) fun!
Anyone?  Ideas?



But, with all this being said, I am so proud of her.
She played 'Mary had a Little Lamb' at her recital in December and I thought it was
great for a 4 year old who'd only played for 2 months.
(even though the ending might have been made up by her)

So, what do you think?


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

:: Valentine's Day free printable




So I haven't offered a free printable in awhile.
I need to start creating more.
I just wish I had more time . . . 

Anyway, I designed this last February for an online class I was taking.
I found this quote by St. Augustine and loved it.
So, go here to download this print.
Would be a beautiful addition to your Valentine's Day decor!




Thursday, January 10, 2013

:: Embrace the Camera - 01.10.13

Here we are embracing the camera on this cold, rainy January day.
It's definitely a sweater day.


Luckily, I was just on call today.
So I was able to stay home with these two cuties.
But I now have to go . . . I have a birthday party planning session with Miss Ava.
She REALLY wants a unicorn party.
We'll see what we come up with.

Happy Thursday!


Monday, January 7, 2013

:: And it's a boy!

I don't think I've announced it on this blog,
but we're having a boy!
And we are so excited.
This house needs a little blue in it.

Do you have a special way of telling your other children what the baby will be?
Well, when we had just found out that Reese was a girl,
we went to the store and bought a pink balloon.
We picked her up from our friend's house and told her the news.
I think she was more excited about the pink balloon than anything.

So, we decided to do the same thing this time.
I told Ava that if I picked her up from preschool and she saw 
a pink balloon, we'd be having a girl. 
If I had a blue balloon, we'd be having a boy.
Well, this whole time she's been telling me we'd be having a boy.
{when I thought that it was for sure another girl}
And after telling her this, she said she hoped we were having a girl.
Surprised, I asked why and she said it was because she wanted a pink balloon.
Of course.  That's my Ava.
But when I picked her up and she saw the blue balloon,
she was so excited!
Reese, on the other hand, didn't quite understand what this balloon thing meant.
She was just excited to be getting one.

But we are so grateful to be adding another little one to our family
and we are so excited that he'll be adding some blue to our home!













Thursday, January 3, 2013

:: Embrace the Camera - 01.03.13


After Christmas, we went to Vegas to visit family for a few days.
While we were there, Tommy's brother and his family 
invited us to go to Mt. Charleston to go sledding.
And look at us Californians.
We look slightly pathetic.
Especially with our cardboard sled.
The girls were freezing after 20 minutes of being in the snow. . .
we may need to invest in some snow gear some day.
But it was fun while it lasted and thank goodness Grandma came
cause she had the idea of bringing up hot chocolate.
A perfect snack to end our 20 minute snow adventure.