Weeeeee!

That's all natural too--no gel required. He gets it from his father's side. No really he does. Here's proof:

Brother Devotion

See this girl.

The one in the adorable Hanna Andersson yard sale dress? Well she worships her brother. Truly.



She prances after him and follows him wherever he goes.

If he slides, she slides.

If he drinks,

she drinks.

Most of the time, Chase is a model big brother letting her tag along after him with nary a complaint. But sometimes, he'd rather just be alone. And when that happens, well it really isn't very pretty.

Jiggle This

When Mom was here making me go thrifting (yes it's her fault), I bought a still shrink-wrapped 80's set of alphabet cutters for JELL-O. I had planned on tucking them away to pull out on a rainy day, but Chase spied them as soon as I walked in the door. As you know, the kid is a bit letter obsessed. So for the past two weeks he's been begging me to make JELL-O so he can cut out a C for Chase. That child is relentless when it comes to begging for something he wants. I thought I was stubborn, but I've got nothing on that one.

They had a great time and were chugging away cutting out letters until Andy reminded them that they could eat their creations. After that, there was no convincing Amaya to stop shoving the wiggly little letters in her mouth. Good thing I got sugar free, right?

If you plan on doing a similar activity, might I suggest you not choose the red variety of JELL-O. My fingers were pink for 2 days. No joke.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Remember last week when I mentioned that I was on the prowl for a lamp for Amaya's room? Well, lo and behold but what should I find the very next time I hit up the thrift store:

I love the little lamp on the left with it's beribboned shade and flower pull, but I wasn't sure if it would be tall enough for the spot that I envisioned it in. So, I bought the one on the right too--planning to switch the shades if it were the one that made the cut. One lamp was $5 and one was $6 though I can't for the life of me remember which was which.

 I ended up liking the first lamp just fine. So now I have to find a home for the other one. I think I might locate it a new shade and put it in the guest bedroom. That will be a project for another day I think.

And of course the final test:

  Yep, she works all right.

Most. Fun. Ever.

What could be better than starting the evening by eating ice cream with sprinkles and gummi bears?

Why ending it by getting completely drenched in the town center fountains of course.

Anyone see a drowned rat running around here anywhere?

Here's the story, of a lovely lady

It would seem that my daughter has channeled a new hair style icon.

Who's going to be the one to tell her that the 70s are over? Not that it would faze her at all--she'll just 'keep on, keep on, keep on doing it right'--well her version of right anyway.

Design on a Dime

Well 25 dimes actually. Still a bargain though I think. It all started when my mom was here a couple of weekends ago. We hit the thrift stores where I found this lovely for $1.50: 

I loved the crocheted butterfly, and I've been looking for things to put on Amaya's dresser now that all of the bottles, bibs and burp clothes have moved on. But that frame. Ick. I originally intended to paint it, but well, you know I'm awfully lazy about stuff like that.

So when I came across this for $1.00 while out yesterday, how could I resist?








Putting them together gave me this:

And here it is in place in her room. 

I want to find a lamp to stand behind it, but I need one that won't break if she pulls it down on to the floor. So that's next on my list. Oh and that doll? Patricia brought it back from Brazil for Amaya. I have the greatest friends, don't I?

They tooka his blood Drew, they tooka his blood!

Chase had to have blood drawn yesterday so that we could see if he's still allergic to nuts and peas. Poor little guy had to give up 4 tubes--4! I'm grateful it was Drew that got to take him for that little adventure.  If you couldn't tell from the picture, let me just inform you now that he was not at all happy about the ordeal.

He insisted on trading his short-short sleeved shirt for one that would cover his band aid which is why he's shirtless in these pictures. I guess he thought if he couldn't see the evidence, it would be like it never happened? The above two pictures were taken right after he returned home. Please note the way he's holding his right arm as that pose will become important in subsequent shots.

This picture was taken about an hour later:

And this one after his nap which was about 5 hours after his blood was taken:

Finally, this one was taken after dinner--a full 8 hours after he was stuck:

Does that boy know how to milk an injury or what? Frankly, I don't know where he learned such a thing.

There's always one. Or in this case two.

Andy's side of the family celebrates Mother's Day with a brunch type thing where the entire family comes together to eat, drink and contemplate ways to pamper the women of the family. It's great. Especially when it isn't my year to host. (Thanks Danielle and David)

Since everyone would be  under one roof, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get one photo of every member. I don't usually take a lot of pictures when we visit with Andy's family--I'm not sure why. I guess because they all live in the area, I don't feel like I have to capture the moments we have together since we get to see them so often. But how will I remember those times in the future if I don't take a picture now? I can't even remember what I had for breakfast for heaven's sake. So, I am going to try to be more diligent about getting candid snapshots in the future--well at least until someone yells at me to put the camera away. Husbands don't count though as I'm quite immune to him being annoyed with me. 

First up, we have PopPop playing tickle games with Amaya. I just love the look on her face here. You can see how she has one shoulder all tensed up from the tickle, but she's trying to be all nonchalant about it. Not even 2, and she's already too cool.

Adam and Noah. Another priceless look. "Hey dad, what's with the crazy lady? Is she safe?"



This one--well he's lucky I didn't leave him there to live with Aunt Danielle. Do you know what he said as we were driving to their house? "This is good driving Mama." Which would have been awesome--if I had been the one driving. I wasn't. It was Drew.




Gran started a tradition long ago where the mothers of the mothers bought them presents too. Did that make sense? No? Let me try again. Ok, so normally children buy gifts for their mothers right? Well, Gran started buying a gift for her daughter (Jan) every year too. Now, Gran buys gifts for Jan, Danielle, Me, and Jenn--and Jan does the same. Plus the gifts that we buy for Gran and Jan--my head spins just thinking about it.  So when we get together on Mother's Day, the house looks like a Hallmark gift bag truck exploded in there. That's just a small piece of the pile in the picture below. Not that I'm complaining. No way. I adore presents.

Nana does a mean sock puppet. It's pretty much a given after spending years in a kindergarten classroom. And Nate does a great job pretending to be wary of said puppet. He's destined for Hollywood. Just remember, you saw him here first. Finder's fee??



There she is, the saint that volunteered to host the brunch. Do you think we drove her to drink?



Or was it him?


No, couldn't be. After all he did all of the cooking. You might remember that when I hosted Mother's Day, I'm the one who had to cook and I was pregnant no less! I hope Drew took note, so when my turn rolls around again, he'll be aware of the  proper protocol.

Jenn and Noah. Glad to see he looks less concerned with questioning my sanity. He's warming up to me. Only took 5 months, too. Has to be a new record.



And that's it. So you may have noticed that I'm missing a picture. Or two. I don't know how Gran and Drew escaped my lens. I think it must be a conspiracy. So just so you don't forget who these people are, I've taken the liberty of including previous portraits of them from my gallery . Purely for reference purposes of course.

Gran:

And Drew:

 Maybe next time, he won't be so eager to hide when I try to take his picture?? I never said I'd play fair.

Treasure Hunting

I really love antiquing/junk shopping. I don't know why I don't do it more often. Oh wait, I do have a small inkling. I believe it has something to do with how a pair of troublesome preschoolers wouldn't mix so well with a display of highly breakable, expensive objects.

Yea I know I could go alone. But, it's just way more fun to go with friends, right? People who can give you their opinions on things and help you spot the hidden treasures you might have missed.

Yes, it's definitely better to have a shopping buddy or two. Especially when those friends not only get, but happily accommodate your need to take silly photographs of them pretending to pick their teeth with antique antlers. At least, I hope she was pretending. Danielle's dentist might need to step in on this one.

It's also nice to have someone actually look at the camera with a smile as opposed to the freaked out look strangers give me when I try to get a portrait of them holding random objects.

And if I'd gone alone, who would have taken this picture of me wearing this lovely crown. It was labeled "Queen of the Lovlies" and if that isn't me, then I just don't know who I am anymore.

Having company on these kinds of excursions is also beneficial when you come across creepy dolls, monkeys or clowns. Like say this wall ornament/plaque/atrociousness:

Seriously, why was this ever made? Why?  I find it comforting to be surrounded by people who understand the hysterical, completely unhinged giggle that slips out when I stumble upon something so wrong.

Finally companions are nice to have along when you just need a little help creating that perfect, creeptastic vignette.

I think Danielle and I nailed the crazy old Victorian cat lady's parlor theme, wouldn't you agree? It's really a shame none of us wanted to purchase these items to display in our own homes. Maybe next time. So what did I get? Glad you asked.


First,I got this pretty little luggage rack for the lake house. I've been saying that I need to get some of these for about 4 years now, but I've not wanted to pay $100 for the ones I've found.  Price: $20

This fun Tom Thumb cash register because it's red and will look nice up in my glass display cabinets. Also I like to press the buttons to make the price appear in the little window. Price: $19

And my most favorite of all pieces--this old black sorting cubby thingamabob. Price: Let's just say Drew doesn't need to worry about buying me something pretty to atone for his firing me sins anymore.

Isn't it wonderful?? I just love the little numbers underneath the slots:

I've already gotten the man to hang it on the wall, so now I'm on the hunt for a little console table or bureau to pace under it.

I think that means I might have to hit a few more junk stores--anyone game?

7 AM Drive In

When I opened Chase's bedroom door this morning, this is what I found.

Chase informed me that he, Orace the duck, and all of the cars were watching a movie. And not just any movie but a very specific film. Its name? Jiggers of Jigger. I don't think I've heard of that one before. I sure hope it's G-rated. Wouldn't want any angry mama calls originating from the Radiator Springs area code.

That's right. I've been fired. By my own husband.

Yesterday, Drew informed me that he plans to eliminate my position at his company. When I asked why on earth he would do such a thing, he mumbled something along the lines of needing to "cut the fat from the budget" and "hire someone who will actually attend the office Christmas party". As you can imagine, I'm shocked and appalled. I'm quite sure I never read anything in my contract that said I actually had to go into the office to do actual work. Ridiculous.

So, this weekend, I'll be licking my wounds by indulging in pedicures and dinner with Eva and Adriana tonight, body combat Saturday morning, and antiquing with my sisters (in law) in the afternoon. I might even try to sneak in a movie somewhere if I can get away with it. Anyone care to join me??

I'm sure Drew feels extremely guilty, and I really don't want that. No, certainly not. I think the best thing for him to do is to buy me something pretty as a peace offering to smooth over that whole firing me thing. And, well looky here! I happen to have thrown together an entire outfit that he could buy  me at ModCloth. And he says I'm inefficient. Pa-Shaw!

ModCloth Spree by yellioli featuring Jack BB Dakota dresses

Items in this set:
American Beauty Rose Dress, $60
Out of Your Dreams Top, $28
Your Vest Friend, $62
Twinkle Toes T-Strap Flat, $28
Shopping at the Bit Bag, $60