Misc. Monday: Party Planning

image found at http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

While most of you are thinking about decorating for Christmas, I've been decorating for Lilly's birthday. She turns four on Wednesday, and her party is this weekend. It seems like just last month we were bringing her home from the hospital. One of the nurses told us when we were leaving to never decorate for Christmas before her birthday. That has stuck with us, so our home is currently celebrating Lilly until Sunday... when we will get our tree and Dan puts up the lights. Thank you, sweet nurse!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Happy B.Day, Sophia!

I've been dying to show you the first doll I ever made, but it was for my niece's first birthday, so I had to wait. Her gorgeous apple themed party was today. My sister did a wonderful job. Everything was so pretty. I made Sophia a full sized quilt, and a matching doll quilt for the doll I made her. I think she liked it! I used the "black apple" doll pattern that I saved from a Martha Stewart show that aired last year.

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Giving

I took the girls to the market to fill  food boxes for Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services for Thanksgiving. They each got to fill their own box. It was fun, and Iris only dropped one can on my toe! We talked a lot about people who don't have as much as we do, and how we need to be generous and loving to others. When Dan got home, he asked Lilly what we did that day. I was down the hall, but stood around the corner, so I could listen to her reply. She told Dan that we filled boxes of food for "all the lonely people." It made me laugh to hear her make a connection between what we did and a Beatles song. Only our Lilly! Have a Happy Thanksgiving. We are so blessed and love each and everyone of you!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Owl Show U a Cute Calendar!

Seriously, go right now to My Owl Barn and download yourself this amazing calendar for 2011. You even get to design each month yourself! Whooooo doesn't love owls?

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Iris' Big Day Out



"This is so much fun!"



Cute cousins!




I can't believe my sister is a mommy!




Sophia got a boring croissant...



while Iris was treated to a special cookie...




and she loved it!

 I don't know if you know this, but Dan and I decided to send Lilly to preschool 3 days a week, and one of them is my Monday off. I felt a little guilty about it. We were spending more money, and the reason I work part-time is so that I can spend time with my girls. On the other hand, Iris has never had me all to herself. So from 8:30am to noon every Monday, Iris and I have some quality time together. We go to a Toddlergym class every Monday, and thanks to my district's furlough days I got to take Iris to Disneyland on Wednesday too! My sister and I me there and got to spend time together with our babies. At one point, I turned to her and said, "Did you ever think we'd be pushing strollers around Disneyland together?" Life is good.

Misc. Monday: Curb Appeal

I cannot tell you how excited this makes me!

Sew Crafty Saturday: So Thankful!

Here's a look at our console table for Thanksgiving. I made the wreath with a form and ribbon from the Dollar Store and already had the felt. The Prints in the picture frames are from craftily ever after and I'm still in love with my typewriter. I love this time of year and have been talking to Lilly a lot about being thankful and realizing how blessed we are. We gave some clothes and old toys to a woman's shelter and she was not pleased. It made me realize how selfish we are by nature. I guess that's why preschoolers don't like to share. Being generous does not come naturally. It's something I think we all struggle with, and I really want to show my kids how it's done and that it doesn't have to hurt!

Wee-Ones Wednesday: So Pretty!

Dan and his sister had silhouettes done at Disneyland when they were kids, so he's really been wanting to do it with our girls. I was pretty reluctant at first. I love silhouettes and have even done one of Lilly myself. (Guess it's time to make one for Iris, oops). Anyway, I just thought having "Disneyland" printed on them was kind of cheesy. But it was important to Dan, so I said let's do it. Boy, was I wrong. The experience was wonderful. The girls behaved. Their little silhouettes look just like them, and we love Disneyland! What was I thinking? I even bought the frames with 24 gold hidden Mickeys, and they are hanging up proudly in our living room for all to admire.

Misc. Monday: Words

I love to read the blog, Joy's Hope. It is written by a coffee drinking, So. Cal.  believer with 3 girls. (If you read her story at the top, you'll know that she also lost a daughter. It's heartbreaking). She is quirky, funny, and I think we could be friends. (She doesn't know that though)! A few weeks back she posted about the power of words along with the picture of the typewriter above. I love it! You know I just got a new (old) type writer, and I'm always putting my foot in my mouth, so it's perfect! How did she know? (I think she wants to be my friend too...she just doesn't know it yet).

Misc. Monday: Trick or Treat



Our Trick or Treat crew!




Our pretty heroes!




Lilly had this sweet technique of yelling, "trick or treat" in mailbox slots. 




Who doesn't love a toothbrush?




The best part of the night!




The Wonder Mama!




...and the Super Daddy!



We hope you had a fun and safe Halloween!
xoxo, The Michael Fam.