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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
I also took the opportunity over the last couple of days to work on some fun projects....
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| From March 2010 |
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Happy Birthday!!!!
My baby turns 3 tomorrow. A good friend brought her a birthday present yesterday...she was so excited!
She was so excited...thank you Rachael and Kimmy!!!
I also took the opportunity over the last couple of days to work on some fun projects....
I'm much happier with my second attempt at Talia's birthday shirt...plus the matching bows!
I also took the opportunity over the last couple of days to work on some fun projects....
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A Breakthrough!
Today, right before lunch, Talia came whining to me. She wanted her diaper off. She wanted to wear her panties. In fact, she begged me (as much as she is capable at {gulp} 3 years old)..to wear her panties. I told her she had to pee in the potty. She DID!!! I did make her put the diaper back on for her nap, but she has been in panties all afternoon, had 1 small (drops) accident that she told me about immediately, and even got over her fear of pooping in the potty once!
I'm hopeful!
I'm hopeful!
Cleaning
I have come to the conclusion that I could spend every minute of my time away from work and sleep cleaning, and my house would still not be spotless. After all, I have 3 children (and we all know how much most children enjoy cleaning...they jump for joy, always pick up after themselves, and volunteer to scrub the toilet ;)) and a husband, who is wonderful to ask me what I want done, and to do anything I ask him to, but is not an intuitive cleaner.
I come from a long line of cleaners, some of them compulsive cleaners. I still remember that growing up, on Saturdays during the school year and every day but Sunday during the summer, I was not allowed to go into my bedroom after the carpet had been vacuumed. After all, the perfect "lines" from the vacuum couldn't be messed up. I hated it, but that's the way my mom was raised. As I got older, however, she loosened up about that, and by high school we were in a new house, with a berber carpet, and that relaxed my mom about the carpet. However, the house was always spotless. I rebelled when Cole and I got married. Not about the clean, but I got into the habit of not worrying about the clutter. Now, I look at my clutter spots in frustration.
I decided to use some of my precious time off these last couple of days to do some deep cleaning. Yesterday, I focused on my guest bathroom and my laundry closet. The guest bathroom gets a "surface clean" of the toilet, sink, and counters fairly often, but since we rarely use the shower, it gets ignored. I scrubbed the tub, the floors, the walls and switches...as well as the "surface" stuff. The laundry closet is one of my clutter spots...it seems that everything that is headed for the garage gets put there, everything that comes out of the wash(that doesn't belong) gets put there....now it's clean again. For now, I know our family too well to think it will stay spotless....
Today I focused on the fridge and freezer. I usually try to pull everything out and clean them every few months. It took on a new urgency this last week, because the chicken nuggets popped open as I pulled them out the other night, spilling crumbs everywhere. Then, last Wednesday, Kyle was putting the milk delivery away, and the grape Koolaid spilled. He got it all off the floor, but didn't realize it was ALL OVER the inside of the fridge too. (I was very impressed, however that there was no stickiness on the floor after the spill...he really did a good job).
So, I pulled EVERYTHING out of the fridge today, washed all the shelves, drawers, walls...it took all morning.
(I'm also embarrassed to say that I had to throw away a full garbage bag of expired foods from the fridge and freezer. I should be better at keeping it organized...what a waste of $)
Of course, the after feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GREAT!!!!
It took me all morning. I also discovered a few spills under the drawers that I knew nothing about...I vacuumed under the fridge as well.
Now, my sheets are in the wash, and the blankets are next...
Cleaning is a work in progress. I am going to play a little this afternoon, though....
I come from a long line of cleaners, some of them compulsive cleaners. I still remember that growing up, on Saturdays during the school year and every day but Sunday during the summer, I was not allowed to go into my bedroom after the carpet had been vacuumed. After all, the perfect "lines" from the vacuum couldn't be messed up. I hated it, but that's the way my mom was raised. As I got older, however, she loosened up about that, and by high school we were in a new house, with a berber carpet, and that relaxed my mom about the carpet. However, the house was always spotless. I rebelled when Cole and I got married. Not about the clean, but I got into the habit of not worrying about the clutter. Now, I look at my clutter spots in frustration.
I decided to use some of my precious time off these last couple of days to do some deep cleaning. Yesterday, I focused on my guest bathroom and my laundry closet. The guest bathroom gets a "surface clean" of the toilet, sink, and counters fairly often, but since we rarely use the shower, it gets ignored. I scrubbed the tub, the floors, the walls and switches...as well as the "surface" stuff. The laundry closet is one of my clutter spots...it seems that everything that is headed for the garage gets put there, everything that comes out of the wash(that doesn't belong) gets put there....now it's clean again. For now, I know our family too well to think it will stay spotless....
Today I focused on the fridge and freezer. I usually try to pull everything out and clean them every few months. It took on a new urgency this last week, because the chicken nuggets popped open as I pulled them out the other night, spilling crumbs everywhere. Then, last Wednesday, Kyle was putting the milk delivery away, and the grape Koolaid spilled. He got it all off the floor, but didn't realize it was ALL OVER the inside of the fridge too. (I was very impressed, however that there was no stickiness on the floor after the spill...he really did a good job).
So, I pulled EVERYTHING out of the fridge today, washed all the shelves, drawers, walls...it took all morning.
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| From March 2010 |
Of course, the after feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GREAT!!!!
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| From March 2010 |
It took me all morning. I also discovered a few spills under the drawers that I knew nothing about...I vacuumed under the fridge as well.
Now, my sheets are in the wash, and the blankets are next...
Cleaning is a work in progress. I am going to play a little this afternoon, though....
Monday, March 29, 2010
A different Perspective
It was a long week. It started, unfortunately, with being called into work on a busy, crazy night. Extra help was necessary, but that doesn't mean I was glad to work extra...every extra hour away from my family is hard. They are growing up so fast, and I resent having precious time taken from them. Especially since I've learned that even when I've had to be at work more than "normal", I still have to take time for "me" in order to be a good wife and mother.
Monday was turned into a "recovery day" instead of a day off. I had big plans for some organizing, and even though I was exhausted, I still got Talia's room all cleaned and organized again (an hour later, the toys were all across her floor again, but at least the floor got vacuumed). I kind of crashed later that day...only to have to supervise Kyle finishing up the last minute things for his state report. For what seemed like 20 hours. Let's just say I'm praying that he is like me, and starts taking responsibility for his own projects soon. It seems to me like after my 5th grade year, I got better and better at keeping track of things on my own, and by 7th grade things were better. Mostly. I just don't want it to be a constant fight anymore....
Wednesday, of course was the amazing birth of my new niece. That about tops the scale of wonderful...there's just something about the birth of a baby. It's a slice of heaven to hold...(and I know that sounds sappy, but it's really the only way I could describe it).
Thursday and Friday were work again. Busy, crazy, work.
Saturday Night I got together with some girlfriends to eat, play cards, and talk. It was a really fun night, and I stayed out late. I should know better...
Sundays are hard enough for me, add that to a lack of adequate sleep...
Sunday afternoon I found myself grumpy, tired, frustrated, and irritable. It was too late for me to take a nap if I wanted any sleep in the night(that's the bad thing about training your body to stay up til 3:30 in the morning with an hour nap in the afternoon). We put Talia down for a nap, Cole laid down for awhile too...We let the boys have a little playstation time, and I went for a walk.
I walked around the various neighborhoods in my area. I took my ipod for mood music, and my camera to possibly capture a different perspective.
After walking for over an hour, I found myself a little less irritable, and more in control of my temper. I came home, woke Talia, and took her into the backyard. The boys shortly joined us, and the kids all played together for a good 2 hours, on the tramp and on the swings.
There's just something about watching your children playing together...not in perfect harmony, but in love and caring, that's totally uplifting.
Monday was turned into a "recovery day" instead of a day off. I had big plans for some organizing, and even though I was exhausted, I still got Talia's room all cleaned and organized again (an hour later, the toys were all across her floor again, but at least the floor got vacuumed). I kind of crashed later that day...only to have to supervise Kyle finishing up the last minute things for his state report. For what seemed like 20 hours. Let's just say I'm praying that he is like me, and starts taking responsibility for his own projects soon. It seems to me like after my 5th grade year, I got better and better at keeping track of things on my own, and by 7th grade things were better. Mostly. I just don't want it to be a constant fight anymore....
Wednesday, of course was the amazing birth of my new niece. That about tops the scale of wonderful...there's just something about the birth of a baby. It's a slice of heaven to hold...(and I know that sounds sappy, but it's really the only way I could describe it).
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| From March 2010 |
Thursday and Friday were work again. Busy, crazy, work.
Saturday Night I got together with some girlfriends to eat, play cards, and talk. It was a really fun night, and I stayed out late. I should know better...
Sundays are hard enough for me, add that to a lack of adequate sleep...
Sunday afternoon I found myself grumpy, tired, frustrated, and irritable. It was too late for me to take a nap if I wanted any sleep in the night(that's the bad thing about training your body to stay up til 3:30 in the morning with an hour nap in the afternoon). We put Talia down for a nap, Cole laid down for awhile too...We let the boys have a little playstation time, and I went for a walk.
I walked around the various neighborhoods in my area. I took my ipod for mood music, and my camera to possibly capture a different perspective.
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
After walking for over an hour, I found myself a little less irritable, and more in control of my temper. I came home, woke Talia, and took her into the backyard. The boys shortly joined us, and the kids all played together for a good 2 hours, on the tramp and on the swings.
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| From March 2010 |
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Happy Day!
I had every intention of going to our wards RS Birthday dinner last night. I knew how much work our ward had put in, and I was looking forward to a fun night. I had a class at work from 3-5, and while I was waiting for it to start, I called my Mother in Law to check on my Sister in law, Amanda. She had started having contractions on Tuesday, and since she was having a c section, if they didn't stop they were going to just deliver the baby. I was informed by my mother in law that tonight was the night...my plans immediately changed!
I headed up to check on things after my class. Working there sure has it's advantages...the Labor and Delivery nurses were so great to loan me some scrubs, and let me be back in the c-section (even though I wasn't officially at work). I got to bath and do all her "stuff"...it was so fun and I feel so special to have been able to be a part of it.
David and Amanda get ready for surgery...and to become Parents!
The birth...
Weighing
Holy cow! Where did my tiny sister in law fit that much baby!
Happy Family!
Bath Time!
Danielle Taylor, born March 24th at 6:31pm. 8lbs, 7 oz, 20 inches long.
It's still a little surreal...
Congratulations, David and Amanda! We are all so excited to have Dani join our family!
I headed up to check on things after my class. Working there sure has it's advantages...the Labor and Delivery nurses were so great to loan me some scrubs, and let me be back in the c-section (even though I wasn't officially at work). I got to bath and do all her "stuff"...it was so fun and I feel so special to have been able to be a part of it.
David and Amanda get ready for surgery...and to become Parents!
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| From March 2010 |
The birth...
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| From March 2010 |
Weighing
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| From March 2010 |
Happy Family!
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| From March 2010 |
Bath Time!
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| From March 2010 |
Danielle Taylor, born March 24th at 6:31pm. 8lbs, 7 oz, 20 inches long.
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| From March 2010 |
It's still a little surreal...
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| From March 2010 |
Congratulations, David and Amanda! We are all so excited to have Dani join our family!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
It's Finally Done!
Kyle is in 5th grade. I remember 5th grade as the year I started to not like school. Some of that was social (girls start to get really mean at that age), most of it was math (Long division defeated me...and I hated it so much that no amount of "persuading" from my parents or teachers could release that mental block), but the past couple of months, I realize another reason why....
The dreaded State Report. I hate homework. I am seriously opposed to homework in most forms. The state report was done almost entirely at home...which made it homework. In it's worst form. It's been 2 months of prodding Kyle to do what he needed too...fights over him bringing the appropriate books home from the library...emailing the state only to be ignored...teaching my child the meaning of plagarism, and why it's not cool....and the hardest part for me...correcting the written report without actually writing it for him.
I'm happy to say that Kyle gave his state report on Michigan yesterday. He did really well, I was happy with all the hard work he put in, and I am very, very proud of him.
Getting ready to start
I didn't get a great picture of it, but he and Cole created that shirt he's wearing...Michigan, the Arsenal of Democracy, WWII
Explaining his 3D map, state flag, tree, bird, and flower
(He got lots of questions on how he created the 3D map...a lot of credit goes to his father, for teaching him the technique of using tracing paper, clay, glue, and paint to create such a cool map. The teacher was quite impressed).
During the question and answer portion...
Kyle did a great job, but I'm really glad it's over. 5th grade homework is killing me. (only because I have to make sure it gets done! I hate that part. Sorry, Mom, for all the fighting about homework when I was in 5th grade!)
The dreaded State Report. I hate homework. I am seriously opposed to homework in most forms. The state report was done almost entirely at home...which made it homework. In it's worst form. It's been 2 months of prodding Kyle to do what he needed too...fights over him bringing the appropriate books home from the library...emailing the state only to be ignored...teaching my child the meaning of plagarism, and why it's not cool....and the hardest part for me...correcting the written report without actually writing it for him.
I'm happy to say that Kyle gave his state report on Michigan yesterday. He did really well, I was happy with all the hard work he put in, and I am very, very proud of him.
Getting ready to start
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| From March 2010 |
I didn't get a great picture of it, but he and Cole created that shirt he's wearing...Michigan, the Arsenal of Democracy, WWII
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| From March 2010 |
Explaining his 3D map, state flag, tree, bird, and flower
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| From March 2010 |
During the question and answer portion...
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| From March 2010 |
Kyle did a great job, but I'm really glad it's over. 5th grade homework is killing me. (only because I have to make sure it gets done! I hate that part. Sorry, Mom, for all the fighting about homework when I was in 5th grade!)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Over the Weekend...
I had planned to post this on Sunday night, but life got in the way when I was called into work just after 9pm. On Saturday, my parents took Talia overnight. They started this tradition with all their grandkids the year Kyle turned 3. They take the kids overnight, go do some activity with them, take them to the toy store, and let them pick out their own birthday present. It was Talia's first time...
I had a surprisingly hard time with her being gone...It felt lonely. We decided to take the boys to do something that we wouldn't enjoy as much with a little one....
We headed down to Fat Cats to bowl.
We got the "family deal", which was pizza, 2 pitchers of soda, breadsticks, and 75 minutes of bowling. It was really fun, Pizza Factory pizza and breadsticks were yummy, and Alec won the first game and Kyle won the second game, so they were happy.
We had a good time.
On Sunday, I was happy to at least get to go to my nephew's 2nd birthday party...Happy 2 Hunter!
I had a surprisingly hard time with her being gone...It felt lonely. We decided to take the boys to do something that we wouldn't enjoy as much with a little one....
We headed down to Fat Cats to bowl.
We got the "family deal", which was pizza, 2 pitchers of soda, breadsticks, and 75 minutes of bowling. It was really fun, Pizza Factory pizza and breadsticks were yummy, and Alec won the first game and Kyle won the second game, so they were happy.
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
On Sunday, I was happy to at least get to go to my nephew's 2nd birthday party...Happy 2 Hunter!
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| From March 2010 |
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Mommy/Daughter Date
As a young, first time mother, I had a difficult adjustment. I loved being his mother, loved my baby more than anything...but I had been going, going, going for months, trying to finish up my Bachelors degree before he was born. I found myself feeling trapped at home. It was winter, cold, the time we tell all the mothers to STAY HOME with their children. I couldn't, even though I knew better. I needed to be out and about. I was careful to protect my baby, and thankfully he never got sick. However, I learned something...I loved to be out and about with my baby. Kyle made it easy...from infanthood, he loved being out as well. He was so easy, never cried, enjoyed the stroller, and even as he got older into toddlerhood he would sit and play with his toys or charm the salespeople while I shopped endlessly. Alec was the same as an infant...he wasn't content at home, but loved to be out in the stroller. That all changed for Alec when he learned to walk. Suddenly, outings became trauma. Tantrums when I wouldn't let him walk. Tantrums when I put him back in the stroller because he ran off. More toys tossed in temper than I had ever experienced before. I learned quickly that shopping was not pleasant with my 2nd son, and avoided taking him whenever possible. (Thankfully, he did outgrow this around 3 years old, and became fun to take with me again).
I was really happy when Talia was born, and with the exception of 1 trip to the mall when she was 5 weeks old (she screamed for an hour), she has been an angel on most shopping trips. I love this solo time out and about with my kids. I've been so excited for our date today....
I took my baby down to the Gateway to Build a Bear today. I wanted her to make a bear for her birthday, and I wanted to make a bear for myself. After all, I have 3 children, and all of them reach significant milestones this year (age 3-preschool, age 8-Baptism, and age 12-Deacon) and it really is the end of my "young mother" years. I will be 34 in May, and although that's not old in any way, it's not the young 22 I was when I became a mother for the first time.. I've wanted to make a Build a Bear for myself since forever, and now I had a good reason...to remind me. Remind me of the wonderful years of baby, infant, and toddlers that are quickly falling behind me.
Talia's first choice
Talia's second choice
Third choice
Final choice (I didn't get pictures of ALL the in between choices...she spent about 15 minutes choosing and changing her mind)
My choice
I was drawn to this bear first because of the "tie-dye" look...I would have gotten something different if Talia had wanted it, but I couldn't convince her to choose it...but what made my final decision was the cute heart shaped nose...:)
Stuffing time
Talia puts the heart inside her Puppy
(My bear has 3 hearts...one for each of my amazing children!)
"Shower" time...
(Talia was afraid of the noise of the air, she refused to get anywhere near the shower table for a picture, but insisted that they needed showers...silly girl!)
Our helper helped Talia dress her bear while I manned the camera..
All Dressed!
After the fun at Build a Bear, we grabbed lunch at the food court (McDonalds, of course, she IS a toddler!) and then in our wanderings I got lucky with these cute shoes!
It's bittersweet to see the years of parenting young children behind me. However, as Talia's 3rd birthday approaches, I find myself looking forward to all the new milestones all 3 of my children will be achieving in the next few years. I think it's going to be OK. I'm pretty blessed.
I was really happy when Talia was born, and with the exception of 1 trip to the mall when she was 5 weeks old (she screamed for an hour), she has been an angel on most shopping trips. I love this solo time out and about with my kids. I've been so excited for our date today....
I took my baby down to the Gateway to Build a Bear today. I wanted her to make a bear for her birthday, and I wanted to make a bear for myself. After all, I have 3 children, and all of them reach significant milestones this year (age 3-preschool, age 8-Baptism, and age 12-Deacon) and it really is the end of my "young mother" years. I will be 34 in May, and although that's not old in any way, it's not the young 22 I was when I became a mother for the first time.. I've wanted to make a Build a Bear for myself since forever, and now I had a good reason...to remind me. Remind me of the wonderful years of baby, infant, and toddlers that are quickly falling behind me.
Talia's first choice
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
My choice
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| From March 2010 |
Stuffing time
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| From March 2010 |
Talia puts the heart inside her Puppy
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| From March 2010 |
(My bear has 3 hearts...one for each of my amazing children!)
"Shower" time...
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
Our helper helped Talia dress her bear while I manned the camera..
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| From March 2010 |
All Dressed!
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
After the fun at Build a Bear, we grabbed lunch at the food court (McDonalds, of course, she IS a toddler!) and then in our wanderings I got lucky with these cute shoes!
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| From March 2010 |
It's bittersweet to see the years of parenting young children behind me. However, as Talia's 3rd birthday approaches, I find myself looking forward to all the new milestones all 3 of my children will be achieving in the next few years. I think it's going to be OK. I'm pretty blessed.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Catch Up
Wow, I'm behind in blogging this week...time for a little Catch up!
Last week, I had 3 days off in a row. I've been busy doing lots of fun stuff....I took advantage of JoAnn's Coupon Commotion last week...
Made some cute bows with some friends from work...
Made a blackout curtain for my bedroom....there's a story behind this.
I sleep a lot of days. I used to sleep with an eye mask. Unfortunately, as I've gotten older, no matter how many different types I've tried, they rub the skin on my ears raw, or I wake up with a headache, or both. Last fall, I hung a dark blanket over the window. It's worked pretty well, except that it's was such a pain to put up and down, I left it up, effectively blocking access to any natural light. A few weeks ago, while blog stalking, I saw an idea that sparked an idea for me...because I wanted my blackout curtain to be hung from hooks above the window, easily removable when I wanted natural light. I found black, tightly woven broadcloth, and these cool rings with clips....
I wish I'd known these existed sooner, I have so many new plans knowing they exist....
Also bought some D rings, and made 2 new hair bow holders (the one on the right and the one on the left)
Curled more ribbon to match Talia's birthday skirt and shirt...
And then the shirt itself...
I like the way the 3 and the flowers turned out, The crown is ok, but it's a little bigger than I wanted it. The diamond isn't placed quite right, and the pink heart lock didn't translate well...I bought another shirt, and I may try again.
Sunday the boys finally got to see Grandpa again (he's been really busy, so it's been awhile), and they had so much fun playing Chinese Checkers with him.
And tonight, something so cool happened....
Alec has had his name on the school library's waiting list for the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for about 6 weeks. My same aged nephew loves the books, and I was hoping Alec might as well. It was finally his turn today...
He did his normal homework, finished up the book he was reading before, and then he had his Playstation time. He went out to ride his bike awhile, and when he came back in, after awhile he came to ask me a question. I thought it was going to be the usual "Can I play my DS?" but it was actually "Can I read my new book?" He read it all night...as his BookWorm Mom watched happily....it was really cool.
I have some fun plans with my daughter tomorrow...A little early birthday celebration.
Last week, I had 3 days off in a row. I've been busy doing lots of fun stuff....I took advantage of JoAnn's Coupon Commotion last week...
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
I sleep a lot of days. I used to sleep with an eye mask. Unfortunately, as I've gotten older, no matter how many different types I've tried, they rub the skin on my ears raw, or I wake up with a headache, or both. Last fall, I hung a dark blanket over the window. It's worked pretty well, except that it's was such a pain to put up and down, I left it up, effectively blocking access to any natural light. A few weeks ago, while blog stalking, I saw an idea that sparked an idea for me...because I wanted my blackout curtain to be hung from hooks above the window, easily removable when I wanted natural light. I found black, tightly woven broadcloth, and these cool rings with clips....
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
I like the way the 3 and the flowers turned out, The crown is ok, but it's a little bigger than I wanted it. The diamond isn't placed quite right, and the pink heart lock didn't translate well...I bought another shirt, and I may try again.
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| From March 2010 |
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| From March 2010 |
And tonight, something so cool happened....
Alec has had his name on the school library's waiting list for the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for about 6 weeks. My same aged nephew loves the books, and I was hoping Alec might as well. It was finally his turn today...
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| From March 2010 |
I have some fun plans with my daughter tomorrow...A little early birthday celebration.
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