Monday, May 31, 2010

memorial day 2010




Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope that your family had a fantastic and fun Memorial Day holiday weekend. Our family took a little "road trip" Saturday (I'll post about that later this week) and then enjoyed a neighborhood BBQ Sunday afternoon. What could be more fun that a sunny afternoon with friends in a backyard swimming pool and then a BBQ, followed up with a backyard game of baseball! Oh, and I forgot to mention... then ending the night with good, old fashioned, frog catching at night with flash lights! Needless to say, my children had a great time!!!
Don't let this last photo "crack" you up too much!!!!

Friday, May 28, 2010

fab find friday!





It's the end of another week.... and the beginning of a holiday weekend! Yeah!

So, to help you think of "rest and relaxation," I am posting about pillows! Ok, I know... corny! Anyway, look at these cute little pillows! Those of you that know me, know my love for decorating and might know that I love a bit of "whimsy" somewhere in each room. What better way than one of these adorable handmade pillows. I just think the one with the green flower looks like it belongs on a dark wicker chair with a white cushion in a sunroom. And, what about the blue one with the white flower on a "tween" age girl's bed? I just love them. And when you look at their shop on etsy you will also see one with a baby blue bird. I LOVE that one and am seriously thinking it might have to go in the little boys' room upstairs!!!! You can check out all the designs here.

TGIF!!!!!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

buddies...


Bryson and his soccer buddy, Ethan

Isn't it great to be four years old, not a care in the world, play soccer and have a good buddy on your team??!

Soccer season is winding down for us. Technically the last game of the season is this weekend. Unfortunately, we will be out of town and miss it. But, we have definitely enjoyed watching both of the older boys play. And we are looking forward to the fall season!!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

adults only




This weekend was "weekend getaway time" for me and Doug. Adults only! Not that I do not love my boys more than anything in this world, but it was time for Doug and I to have a little "adult" time and mental break. We spent the weekend in Hickory, NC with some great couples! Doug was invited to play in a member/guest golf tournament by an old college buddy/frat brother. So, while the boys golfed all weekend, the girls hung out by the pool and got acquainted. We were lucky enough to stay in the Otterberg's guest house, which was like being on vacation at a resort! Thank you Shani and Dustin!!!!! While Doug and Scott did not finish their golf weekend quite the way they wanted (lost in a play off), we all had a fantastic time Saturday night and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know everyone! Thanks for a great weekend you guys!

Friday, May 21, 2010

fab find friday!





Yeah.... it's Friday already! This week seemed short to me, maybe because I only worked three days? Anyway... Friday is here! So, time for Fab Find Friday!

It's.... Mommy Calling Cards or Playdate Cards. I just love this concept. So much so that I ordered some of these for my sister-in-law for a gift last year and then some for myself as well. I have noticed that my sister-in-law laminated one of hers and hung it on her diaper bag. What a great idea! That way when you drop the little ones at preschool or the church nursery, the info they need is right there! I also think these are just perfect to give out when you are having a conversation with a fellow mom and you are trying to plan a playdate or just need to exchange contact info. How much easier is it to hand a card (and a cute one at that!) than fumble for pen and paper?!! I really love these and there are so many choices out there. These are a few of my Etsy favorites, but all sorts of sites have them now.

Here's the link info in case you also like any of these:
the top two are from Sarah + Abraham Paper Goods on Etsy.com. You can customize the top one to whatever sihouette you need for your children! Novel idea, huh?!

The next one has to be one of my favorites. It is from Oh Smile by Eva on Etsy.com. I love the idea of your name and your husband's name on the card "equals" and then your children's names! How clever! She has many other styles as well.

And the round one is from Posh Girl Boutique also on Etsy.com. I love the round - very different and unexpected!

Enjoy! TGIF!!!!!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

this should make you smile today...

So, I was perusing a couple of blogs earlier today while waiting for my 14 month old to "poo," YES, I said poo! It's a long story that I will post about later this week once I know more info. It all relates to Noah's previous sickness... long story.... but he is great! OK, back to the subject... while I was waiting for Noah to do some "business" I found this link on a blog. You have to take a minute and see it if you have not already. Noah was in my lap at the computer desk and he sat so still watching, we had to watch it FIVE times. He actually cackled out loud watching the babies at the beginning! PS - Be sure you have your volume turned on when you watch it!

Enjoy!

Monday, May 17, 2010

things change


Doug and I have enjoyed our new Sunday school class at our church so much this year. It is a Christian Parenting class and not only do we love the teachers, but we have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many nice couples. It has been a great way to "socialize" with other parents struggling with how to raise children in today's crazy world! Anyway..... the weekend before Mother's Day we had a discussion in our class about "how has parenting changed you." One of the in depth discussions was on "how has parenting matured you?" Of course, several of us chuckled and said "gray hair," but inside I was thinking about how so many of my feelings/wants have changed. I have often (even today!) found myself at the mall really wanting a new dress, but I always end up perusing the children's stores and then buying outfits for the kids! Before having the boys, I would have been disappointed about not getting a new dress. But now, it seems like I just say "oh, I'll get it later..."

The week of Mother's Day Cameron asked me on a couple of occasions "Mommy, what is your favorite flower?" I answered, of course, and did not think that much about it. Then, Mother's Day morning, Cameron gave me the sweetest handmade card and a beautiful bundle of tulips. Obviously, I understood then why he had asked me that question. I assumed to "help Daddy!" But, I later found out from Doug that he was not the one who wanted to get me flowers - Cameron did. Cameron told Doug exactly what flower and color to get AND gave Doug HIS own money to make the purchase. When Doug told me I cried. You might not know, but Cameron is a saver, not a spender. He does not give "his" money away easily and the thought of him doing that for me just made my heart "hurt," but in a good way! Mother's Day with my boys was very special this year, but I realized that it was not because of the gift that I really thought I wanted (but I do LOVE my new iTouch... thank you Doug!!!). It was because I realized that what is truly important is the little things!!! And, for me, it's three of them!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, May 14, 2010

fab find friday!


Friday is here again! Yeah!!! So, today's find might not be something that everyone would like, but I just absolutely LOVE it! I love the simplicity of it and the personalization, but not your typical monogram personalization. The company is on Etsy and is called jennilyons81. You can click here for the link. She used lots of recycled materials and has some really cute items. But, by far, my fav is this burlap basket personalized with you last name, longitude and latitude of your address, and your house number! How cool is that?!!! Can't you just imagine it in your master bath filled with fluffy white towels like the photo. Or maybe on a shelf in the kitchen with kitchen supplies and kitchen towels, or in a living room filled to the brim with your favorite magazines?! And, don't you think this would make the best basket to give a friend for a wedding gift, personalized with their new married name???!!!!

TGIF!!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

"prelude" to fab find friday!


It's a Daninotes giveaway! You all are probably familiar with Daninotes from previous posts and how much I love her style and products! Well, she is doing a "giveaway!" These too cute wrap labels. I ordered these during the holidays for my holiday cards and then again for Noah's first birthday celebration. They were perfect for both occasions!

Just go to this link and she gives all the instructions to enter. Good Luck!

Monday, May 10, 2010

the strawberry patch

















Doug asked me about a week or so ago what I wanted to do this year on Mother's Day. Usually when he asks I never really know, but we usually end up doing a nice lunch and then going to Duke Gardens to meander through the flowers and feed the ducks. Although I LOVE doing that, this year I decided to change it up a bit and we would all take a trip to visit a strawberry patch! The plan was to go as a family to pick strawberries and then come back home and make something using our strawberries, a recipe that we had picked together and had never made before! A complete adventure all the way around... picking strawberries and cooking!

We ventured out to Whitted Bowers Farm, about 10 miles north of HIllsborough. The farm is completely organic and could not have been prettier. The weather was absolutely picture book on Mother's Day, so that helped, but their land is very serene and picturesque. I thought we would all enjoy strawberry picking (Cameron has not been since a kindergarten field trip), but I never imagined how much the ENTIRE family would get "into" it! Bryson had a blast and did not want to leave. I think he would have picked strawberries until dusk if we would have let him. And, even little Noah enjoyed finding the red "balls" as he would say! Side note, "ball" is definitely his first real word other than mama and dada! Too cute! And he did a good job practicing his "walking" up and down the rows and rows of strawberry plants.

After about three big baskets full, we decided it was time to head back home and start cooking! We decided to make a strawberry crisp. Although time got away from us, we managed to "whip up" our strawberry crisp which turned out fantastic! I would definitely recommend this recipe. It was great fun to actually use something we "worked" for and turn it into a tasty treat!

We hope your family has as much fun as we did picking strawberries this year!

Strawberry Crisp Recipe

*1 cup uncooked oatmeal
*1 cup all purpose flour
*1 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup butter
*1/2 cup sugar
*3 cups sliced strawberries

mix together oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. cut in butter until crumbly. (you can add chopped walnuts here if desired)

in another bowl, mix strawberries with white sugar

grease an 8 inch square pan. spread half crumb mixture on bottom. cover with strawberries. spread remaining crumb mixture over top.

bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. serve warm or cold with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream!

Enjoy!!



guess what noah gave me for mother's day?!














His first steps!!!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

happy mother's day







"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever."





I hope that all the mommies out there had a very special Mother's Day today. I am very thankful that mine was very sweet. I'll share more details later!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

today





Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.
- Robert Brault

pest control needed?



Yesterday was the annual "bug day" at Bryson's preschool, Abundant Life! It is probably one of my favorite things they do each year. All the kids dress like their favorite bugs and march around the preschool in a bug parade. They usually enjoy bug snacks and different "bug" activities. Bryson was a spider last year, and choose to be a beetle bug this year. He has been quite obsessed with beetle bugs for a year or two now ever since we started finding them in the backyard and he would "keep" them as pets!

Friday, May 7, 2010

fab find friday!



I just fell in love with these little gift tags about a month ago and really wanted to share them. I am sure that we will be doing some Mother's Day gift wrapping this weekend, for mothers in one form or another, so maybe this will give you a little inspiration for that task! The simplicity is what drew me immediately to these little guys. They are actually made from clay. Then rolled in linen to give that distinct texture. She also has a tree and a bee that are very sweet. I can just envision one of these tags on the prettiest little craft box tied up with chocolate brown and baby blue ribbons for a baby boy shower gift, or white paper and a large satin brown ribbon for a wedding gift. The possibilities seem endless! And, they would be cute tied to the front of a basket as well, to place on a shelf!

TGIF!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

baby needs a new pair of shoes!



First, let me say that Noah is still not walking! He will be 14 months old next week. Part of me is not worried because he does stand alone (for a brief time) and he will take a tiny step every once and awhile. But, part of me is worried because the other two boys were walking by 13 months! Anyway.... I guess we'll see what happens over the next few weeks. I just feel it will be anytime now and he will "take off." (Funny, once he is walking I will laugh about how I wanted him to walk and now I cannot keep up with him!)

So, since Noah is not walking yet, I have not put much emphasis on shoes. We had a pair of Robeez "slippers" that we wore often and a pair of Pedipeds that he has basically worn out! Those were great! But, we decided it was time for a little more of an actual shoe. So, off to Nordstrom! I actually bought two pair of shoes, one pair of fisherman sandals from See Kai Run (great shoes!) that are two cute for words, and the other, the old stand-by... Crocs! Well, we tried on a couple of pairs in the store and every time I took them off Noah's foot he would cry and hold up his foot. Cameron was with me and just laughed at it every time. So, when we went to pay, the lady boxed up the shoes and Noah screamed! Well, it was out of the box and on the feet before we left the store and little Noah was happy as a clam! And, ever since if you hold up the crocs he holds out his foot and wants them on. We bought them Monday and he has worn them around the house even with only a diaper on! I wish you could see how terribly cute these teeny tiny Crocs are on his chubby little baby feet!

*PS, please excuse the very dirty toes in the above photo! We had been playing outside, barefoot, when I took the photo!

soccer season is in full swing



As a mother of three boys I feel sure I will be saying the above title many times throughout my life!

Spring soccer started about 3 weeks ago for Cameron and Bryson. This is only Bryson's second season, but Cameron has been playing since he was three. They both seem to really enjoy playing, although Bryson is a bit more into the "action." Whereas Cameron will learn skills and play! So, our Saturdays are pretty much consumed, for a portion of the day, with soccer games this time of year.

Monday, May 3, 2010

getting ready for mother's day!


I never know how many people really read any of the blogs on my list here, so, in case you miss it..... Be sure to check out Tom Kat Studio today for a very truly adorable free "print your own" download! You could make your mom a batch of yummy cupcakes and use the cupcake toppers to finish them off. Or use one of the tags to complete her Mother's Day gift package. Just some ideas in case you needed any......