Party, Party, Party!!!

I've got 4 boys coming to my house in ten minutes!! The decorations are up, the cupcakes are out, the camera battery is charged, we are ready!!

My Rocker

Here is my latest purchase!! I love this rocking chair with its soft, chocolate brown fabric, its oversized seat, and it even reclines! Such a fun chair!! It has already been used to rock Karter to sleep and to read lots and lots of books to my little ones. It is also my favorite spot to sit, relax, and watch TV.

Hair Ties

Okay, Isabelle's hair supplies take up the second drawer in the kid's bathroom. It has been a challenge to use, keep clean, and find what I need when I need it. I have used the tiny jars from Ikea to divide all the hair ties by colors. I liked the look of it BUT it was a pain to unscrew and dig through the jars each time I needed ties. I finally got the idea to use those fun craft carriers that I use for my scrapbook embellishments.

What a mess!! I started digging through and getting rid of all the things that her hair is too thick for.

So I planned a trip to JoAnns and bought the case below. I like that it has a handle on it and that it is easy to open and close.

I decided not to divide her hair ties by color and grouped them together by what they are. Now I can just open the case and get what I need. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the colors I needed when I needed them, but the container is shallow enough that this system is working well.
Here is her drawer without the above container. Her conditioner spray, gel, brushes and combs just lay inside. I put all her bows, ribbons, and large hair items in the floral container. Her foam curlers are in the tin heart. I did keep one of the Ikea containers to keep her extra elastics in.

Her plastic case fits right on top and the drawer slides closed easily. It is amazing how the small things make simple task so much easier!

So, I finally replaced the pillows that came with the couch. The two horizontal striped pillows came from my lovely neighbor (Thanks Amy!!), the brown floral one was one I had around that I still love, the brown and white pillows were ones from Ikea, and the vertical striped pillows covers were on clearance at Pottery Barn with inserts from Ikea. I love the feather inserts and Ikea has them at a great price. So far they seem to be holding up well. As you saw in my earlier post, I'm planning to do more pillow covers. Excited to make some black and orange covers for fall so I can switch these out. More on that to come.

Announcement!

Just wanted to let everyone know that WE ARE MOVING!!! We actually put an offer on this home back in January and are just now a couple weeks away from finally closing the deal. Let me tell you, it has been a roller coaster ride!! So much going on with this, so many ups and downs, so many times we thought we got it and we thought we would NOT get it.

So, pictures to come soon. Some details you may want to know:

1. 2300 square foot home
2. 3 car garage
3. Built in the '90s
4. Seperate HUGE Shop, did I say HUGE, let me emphasize the HUGE FACTOR
5. 1 1/2 acres
6. Cosmetic Fixture
7. Flag Lot
8. Long Driveway
9. Tree House
10. Partially Fenced Yard
11. Partial Walk Around Porch
12. PORCH SWING!! (Probably, hands down, my favorite spot!)
13. Gas and wood burning fireplace

So, of course it has land and the shop. The house isn't exactly what I would choose. (If you were wondering I would choose brand new, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous fixtures, you get the idea.) BUT, we are planning to fix it up and get it the way that we want it. Steve has given me the thumbs up to do it the way I want it to be done! I have had to get use to the idea that it is all garages on the bottom floor and you have to walk up a flight of stairs to the front door. Definitely not my first chose, but it is growing on me. I'm liking the fact that it will be different then your "standard" home and excited for what we will do with it.

Well, that is about it. I have to get in packing mode!! I'm so not stressed about this move, not yet, but it will come. I don't know if that is good or bad. The stress gets me to work hard and get it done. I have had so many people offer to help and I am so grateful for it. So, we will be packing up and heading out.

Oh, if you were wondering. We are planning to rent our townhome out. Do you know anyone who would be interested in renting a 2100 sq ft townhouse??

Pretty Package

Look what came in the mail today.....

Don't you think that all packages should come wrap and tied with string?? "Brown paper packages tied up with string..."

Planning to do some sewing with my mom when I see her this summer. SO EXCITED to use these yummy fabric!! Gorgeous!

These will make pillows to add to my sectional. I just love red, don't you??

First Birthday

Happy Birthday to my beautiful neice Zenna!! Such a beautiful day to celebrate this little girl. I was so impressed with her party and got so many good ideas. Polk-A-Dots were the theme!! They had a couple small pools of water, one pool full of colorful balls, a table spread with sandwiches and drinks, and a fun polk-a-dot cake (I want to do one for Isabelle's Birthday). Thanks for inviting us to share the day with you and celebrate this darling little girl.

Daily Chatter

Jakob: Isabelle, tomorrow is Saturday. Daddy doesn't have to go to work. We get to play with him all day!!

Me: Isabelle, please get in your carseat. (I've been trying to say please more!)
Isabelle: Why? (We do this everyday, repeatedly.)
Me: Because we are taking Jakob to school and you need to be buckled up.
Isabelle: Oh.

Jakob: Mom, Karter's like an enemy.
Me: Like a what?
Jakob: An enemy?
Me: An enemy? What do you mean?
Jakob: You know, those things that we saw at the beach. The things that I touched.
Me: Oh, you mean an anemone.
Jakob: Yeah, an anemone.
Me: Why is he like an anemone?
Jakob: Because when he sucks his bottle he sucks really hard and won't let go.

Me: "Isabelle do you want to go to the zoo and see the elephants??"
Isabelle: (Said with wide eyes and excited voice.) "And the tigers. I like tigers!"

Karter: "Ah, dee, ah, ah, ah, da. Da, da, da-dee. Ha, ha, ha. Da-da. Ba, ba, ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ah. Ga, ga." (You get the idea, he is such a talker!!)

10 1/2 Months Old