Wee-Ones Wednesday: Splish Splash

 

 

I love capturing these everyday moments. Lilly was in he shower being a big girl. While these two were having so much fun together, laughing & splashing. Once they got out of the bathtub, Henry made a run for it. I love how he covered up his private parts as if to say, "Enough already, Mom." Ah, too cute!

Misc. Monday: New Blog

Lilly has started her own blog. We were driving in the car the other day, and she asked me if she could. I told her, "I don't see why not, but let's talk to your dad first." Her father gave the nod, so it's a go. She thought of a few titles that day, but settle on: Adventures of a Big Sister. You can read about her adventures at http://www.abigsis.blogspot.com/  I can't wait to see what this girl comes up with.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Romancing the Small Stuff

 

 

For us, Valentine's Day has become more about the kids, but romance isn't dead in the Michael household. The day before, I whipped up this little pillow for Dan that I saw on Pinterest. I used a pillow form and muslin I already had, and ran to the office supply store to pick up the stencils. It was quick, easy, and he loved it. Dan bought me the most beautiful Valentine. It simply says, "I love you" so it is now wall art in the hallway. Good job, baby!

Misc. Monday: XO Day

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. It is no stress. I love all the cheerful decorations, and we have created some wonderful traditions over the years. Dan always gives me a dozen red roses in the morning, and gives one to each girl. (He informed me this year that I will have to do something for the boy next year). We always have heart-y food throughout the day. This year, I made heart cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we had the heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's Take and Bake again. Something new I added this year was that I wrote out compliments on different colored hearts and taped them to their bathroom mirror. They  I will definitely do that again. But my favorite tradition is the scavenger hunt. This year, Lilly read the clues out loud to Iris as they went searching for their treats. Hendricks followed along, never quite keeping up. I can't wait for next year when he's running circles around those two!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Party Time

I love, love, love to plan parties. I love thinking of a theme, cruising Pinterest, and watching everything come together. Hendricks turns one on March first, and I am in full party mode. His invitations included the quote "Oh, the places he'll go..." a spin off of Dr. Seuss, but there is nothing Dr. Seuss-y about this party. It is more travel related. I typed up the invitations on lined paper, folded them into paper airplanes, and put them in vintage airmail envelopes. Dan and I have made plenty of paper airplanes out of maps, and I made buntings out of the same maps. Activities will include a paper airplane making & decorating station, map & travel coloring sheets, and inflatable globes to throw around in the yard. Old suit cases, and discarded globes will round out the decorations. Whoever said boy stuff isn't as cute as girl stuff didn't try very hard because I already know what I want to do for his second birthday!

Wee-Ones Wednesday: The Wee-est

(I have 12 months, but thought posting them all would be a bit excessive. I plan on making a collage comparison and will share that later.)

Our wee-est one will be a year old in less than a month, and as I am preparing for his first birthday party, I can't help but reflect on what a little joy he is. I am beyond happy that we decided to have him. He completes our wonderful family perfectly. He has the most infectious giggle. He loves to read. Seriously, he will hold a book, turn its pages, while babbling the entire time. He walks like a cowboy, eats like a football player, claps like he's at an awards show, and dances like a pop star.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Frozen in Time

 

 I hadn't done anything remotely creative or crafty in awhile, so I decided to browse my Pinterest boards for some inspiration and came across this little project. It was fun, quick, and easy. I used a running stitch for simplicity's sake, and am super happy with the way it turned out. I even stained the embroidery hoop, so there would be some color contrast with the muslin. I've always had a soft spot for hand print art (it's one of the school projects I do not throw away) and I love the idea of having their little hands frozen in time.

Misc. Monday: Best Friend

Lilly came home from school today with a "best friend" bracelet. You know, the one that is broken in half and you put the two halves together when you see that special friend? Her name is Kloie. They met in Kindergarten, and they are in the same class at church. (How cool is that?) She's a good girl. I'm happy for them. They are so sweet together. Yet, it made me choke up a bit. It's the dawn of a new era: outside influences, new firsts, decisions to be made, growing up. It starts small, sometimes you don't even notice it... but our babies are getting ready to leave us a tiny bit each and every day. Today, I noticed it and it made me smile through my tears. She chose well, and I'm happy she has a best friend.

Sew Crafty Saturday: We've Been Valentinized!

Check out our new lockers from Pottery Barn. Gotta keep this family of five organized!

I've taken Valentine pics of the kids every year. Wish me luck, I take all three on Monday.

I whipped up these little felt hearts as gifts a few years ago, and they still make me smile.



The console table found a new wall when the lockers came. It feels like it's been under this display of frames all along.

We had to get Henry his mail bag for his first Valentine's day!

I cut out these little hearts from felt and sewed them together to make a simple garland.

I cut these heart out of an old children's dictionary and sewed them together going the opposite direction. I love the way they hang down in our front window.

All of our door knobs have hand sewn Valentine bags hanging off of them, perfect for small treats for the dweller inside.