This Is The Year

The other day I ran across THE cutest craft idea for kids here . Loved this fun idea for glowing jack-o-lanterns, simple enough for ALL my kids to do, and cheap enough for me to let them!!! Here's what you'll need: glass jars (I used canning jars) orange tissue paper black paper Mod Podge (saw that one comin', didn't ya?) green paint Optional: lids and rings green tulle While the kids were busy cutting the tissue paper into strips (about 1.5 - 2 inches wide, length measured to fit the height of their jars).... I went outside and spray painted the lids and rings (glued together with a dab of hot glue) green. You can just paint the top, threaded part of the jar green with a brush...but you all know I'm a lazy crafter. So spray paint it is!! Once all the strips were cut... It was time to break out the Mod Podge. Working with a section at a time, apply a layer of MP to the jar, then smooth a strip of tissue paper over the top. Repeat all the way around, overlappin...

Well...I think I'm back. Sorta. My husband rigged up 2 computers and so far, so good with being able to post pictures, and view videos, and open attachments and stuff. I'll use it this way for as long as I have to, as long as I can get my blogging fix! Last Friday I enjoyed a funtastic girls' day out! It was me, my girls, my mom, my sister-in-law, and my sweet cousin who's staying with my parents while she goes to school here. We went mall-hopping, and started out downtown at the Gateway, a fabulous outdoor mall that has all the best stores, and great landscaping and outdoor attractions as well. Here's Monkey showin' off the bling she immediately found on walking into the first store. Here's the girls modeling the latest in headwear fashion. I turned my back for 2 seconds, and Monkey had herself decked out in these jewels. Should I be worried? Now time to model the fabulous eye-wear. First up...Monkey. She needed more than 1 take. Doesn't Cowgirl j...

I was so prepared this morning! I hauled my lazy butt outta bed super early so I could make sure the morning of the first day of school went off without a hitch! Got up, fixed the kids one of their favorite breakfasts, toasted english muffins with peanut butter, honey and cinnamon. They like bananas on them too, but we were out! Anyway... had it all laid out for them, little glasses of milk, and went to wake my sleepy-head darlings. Amazingly, there was no complaining or whining of "I'm tired", "Why does school have to start so early?", and other such nonsense. I started packing lunches for the kids, and realized I could not find a sandwich baggie anywhere! Last they had been seen was when we were packing for the reunion. Eeek. Called hubby who had a 5 a.m. job, but was planning on making it back to take the kids to school with me. He said, no prloblem, he'd pick up some baggies. Finished the sandwiches, left them on a plate, and went to work combing hair. E...

Okay, okay. I know Halloween is still more than 2 months away. But is anybody else so over summer? I mean...the kids are going back to school...but it's still so freakin' HOT! Doesn't the thought of the beautiful changing colors, cool Autumn nights and all the fun "togetherness" the fall and winter holidays bring just make you excited for the changing season? No? Well how about this...the thought of all the last minute cramming to get Halloween costumes made again this year just puts you in a BAD mood, and you're planning ahead to avoid repeating this scenario AGAIN this year!? I really am excited for the seasons changing, and once again I am vowing to plan ahead so I can be more prepared, and REALLY enjoy the holidays. I bet Vivienne NEVER stresses during the holidays because she's so ridiculously organized and prepared! I wan to be Vivienne this year! So I've been trying to decide what to do for the kids' costumes this year. Heres what we had g...

I'm back! And I've got some tales to tell! But first things first. I'm thrilled to announce the winner of my Mod Podge Mania Giveaway...it's Shortmama ! Congratulations! Well, our last hurrah for the summer is the family reunion for my mom's side of the family. We went to a little place in Idaho called Downata Hot Springs. We use the term "camping" loosely. We have my dad, and 2 uncles whose physical health does not allow for the more "rough" type of camping. So we "cabin" it. We reserved some small cabins, a ranch house, and several tent spots to fit our family. Downata isn't really in the mountains...but there are some trees! What they boast is a hot springs-heated pool, and some fun water slides. The kids were anxious to get on the road Thursday afternoon, but I made them pose for a picture anyway! They were so excited! This is the Ranch House we shared with my 2 brothers and 1 sis in law, my cousin and her hubby, and my parents...

Yesterday my baby boy turned 11! Can you believe it? I'm not old enough to have an 11 year old! Really...I'm not! I wanted to take today to throw "humble" out the window and brag on my boy! I can't believe how the time has flown. Bookworm is my firstborn...do all you moms remember how OVERWHELMING first time motherhood is? While we were in the hospital, he began exremely rapid breathing...so fast that the doctors thought he may have an infection and did routine treatment. I was NOT pleased with my hospital experience. I felt the hospital staff was unprofessional, and at times down right rude! But that's a post for another day. After 2 spinal taps, and 3 days of antibiotics being administered via IV, they finally decided to let us go home. They put IV lines in my baby boy's head and leg...then wrapped him all up to make sure the IV's stayed in. We were to continue the doses for 6 more days at home. It was very traumatic! When I came to the nursery to ge...