Science Becomes Art

Last night we went to science night at school.

This year's topic was experimenting with chromatography by

watching the effects of rubbing alcohol on permanent marker.

We came home with some beautiful t-shirts.

I have a feeling we will be doing this at home.

What a great hour. Science is so fun!

Bride Birthday Party

I always ask the girls what theme they want for their birthday parties. I don't go overboard with my themes. I do a light theme....cake, plates, napkins, goodie bags, and usually a craft project. Simple things. 

Six to eight months ago O told me she wanted a "bride birthday party." I knew she wanted a Barbie cake. I had made one for CK several years ago and O wanted one too. Okay, I can do that, but a "bride birthday party." Ookaaay....

I planned on making a bride barbie doll cake. I took O out to find things for the goodie bags. We found bubbles and "engagement rings." (What's a bride without an engagement ring.) O picked out "bridal" napkins and plates (pink with "I Do" on the dessert napkins and hearts and a ring on the plates and lunch napkins) they are very cute.

A few nights before the party O woke up very worried, "Mommy, what am I going to wear for my Bride party?!" Oh boy, is this a girlie girl or what? I reassured her that we would find something. I would buy her something new.

That day we were out getting things for her party and I told O we would buy her a dress for her party. I was thinking of a simple dress. Something she could wear to school. She

needs clothes for Spring. Noooo, it had to be a "bride dress." Are you kidding me?!

"You want to dress like a bride?" I asked

O responds with a big smile, "Yes."

Oh great! Now I'm searching for a wedding dress for my 6 year old. There is something wrong with this. We find one (on sale-thank goodness) at Sears with the Easter dresses. Perfect. I told her she could wear it for Easter too. She loved it and was happy about having a date to wear it again. Not too many brides can say that.

It was a wonderful party. The birthday girl had a wonderful day and that's what's most important! 

The Barbie doll bride cake I made.

The happy "bride" Can't forget about Ken. He had to be with Barbie.

The shy "bride" as everyone sang "Happy Birthday."

The Best Thing...

I did was to not put any toys back downstairs and only have some books and all the girls board games. The girls have sat and read or played a board game every day since I put the bookcase back in the family room. It's been great.

The girls don't miss not having any toys downstairs. They play with their toys in their room anyway. After three and a half months with the house upside down, that was the only place they had to play.

Last weekend, my sister was in town with her daughter and my nephew. After dinner the kids sat and played board games. They had a great time. I loved seeing them play some of the wonderful board games we have.

Happy Valentine's Day - Our Sweet Day

My day started with these beautiful tulips and a heart shaped boxed of chocolates by my bed. They're bulbs, so I'll be able to plant them in the yard.

C made his three girls pancakes with Nutella for breakfast. I then made homemade Sticky Buns for...well, lunch. We had apples for afternoon snack, so that made me feel better. These Sticky Buns were wonderful! I got the recipe from my friend who put them on her blog. I'm also posting it on my BMCC blog. It's too good not too.

C and I gave the girls chocolate covered fortune cookies for their Valentine's Day treat. Do you think they enjoyed them?

Date night for me and my beloved tonight. It should be a romantic dinner and walk in the rain. I can't wait.

Happy Valentine's Day!

6 Years Old!

My baby is 6 years old today! Not such a baby anymore, Miss O is a big Kindergartner. I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday she was born. My surprise baby. I'll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant with O and told C. He didn't believe me. Who would. After all, we had a 6 month old at the time, which took us 5 years to conceive. 

We are so glad God surprised us with our second daughter. What a true blessing she is. My big girl is always happy. She always makes me laugh and knows how to cheer me up. She is the sweetest, kindest and most caring person. Always thinking of others, especially her best friend, big sister CK. 

Happy Birthday My Valentine Baby!

Slowly, but Surely

I am so excited. I emptied 4 boxes from the garage today! Boxes of games, cookbooks and the girls books. They all went into the bookcase we brought back into the house.

I'm excited to start planning my weekly dinner menus now that I have all my cookbooks back in the house. I haven't wanted to plan anything with everything in boxes in the garage.

I wasn't the only one excited about the bookshelf being back in the family room. The girls love our new reading corner. I have a feeling I'm going to have to redo the girls reading corner on the landing of the stairs.

A Few After Pics

We are not completely finished yet, but I'm starting to get threats if I don't post a few after shots of our floor.

We still need area rugs in the living room and family room, I haven't hung any photographs back up, and we need window treatment. You'll notice I've got temporary blinds up in the living room. Just lovely. There is also still furniture in the garage that I need to move back in and/or get rid of. I'm hoping to get the garage emptied soon. I really miss parking the car in there.

We love our new floor. It's so beautiful. I love how the entire first floor is the same flooring. It makes the house look bigger. 

Ever since we moved the recliner/rocker, that CK is sitting in, to the family room (from our bedroom-I used it when both girls were babies) C refers to it as "mommy's chair." He has sat in it only once in the past 2 months. The girls love it. CK reads in it every night. Often O joins her. It's a great chair and I'm so glad we never got rid of it. I absolutely love it in the family room. I do need the bookcase back in the family room too. Yikes....

I would like to get some type of small coffee table for both the family room and the living room. It would make a big difference. There is not much room in the family room, so it might be hard to find something the right size. I'll have to do some shopping....darn.

A few weeks ago C spent his weekend painting the front window. It looks fantastic! We love the new windows. I can't wait to be able to do the rest of the house. No mutton bars!

If you would like to see a few before pictures go to these past blog posts:

Our Busy Weekend (scroll to the bottom of the post)

Demo of Front Window

13 Years Ago Today

It has been the best 13 years.

I can't believe it's been 13 years.

I am so blessed to say this man is my husband.

I love you honey!