If The Piece Fits

Last week the kids were both battling head colds and Rylan was running a slight fever during one night, so I kept them home the next morning.  As you can see, we did lots of puzzles in our jammies.  Actually, we did ALL of our kid puzzles in our jammies.  I had to stand on the catwalk to get a picture of them all.  

Funny Things

I've been keeping a list of some of the funny things the kids say so I can blog about it.  Here they are!

Mackenzie was going to the bathroom one day and she called me into the bathroom.  She said, "Mommy, we need to pray - thank God for toilet paper!"  I replied, "well, I don't think we have to do that right now,"  and she threw it back in my face, "uh-huh, pray anytime!" She has a little book called My Pretty Pink Prayer Purse, it's all about how and when we can pray to God.  I couldn't argue with her, so we did, we prayed right there in the bathroom to thank God for toilet paper.

We were eating supper one night, and Mackenzie was singing, "I am special, I am special, I am special".  Rylan looked at me and asked, "why is she special?"  Without missing a beat, Mackenzie replied, "cuz me cute!  You cute too Rylan, and sweet, you sweet."

At the lake this summer, I had worn a new swimsuit for the first time.  It was a one-piece with a ruffle on the bottom.  When I came outside Rylan said, "Mommy, that is a beautiful swim dress!  Daddy, doesn't Mommy have a beautiful swim dress on?  If I was a girl, that's what I would wear."

We were at McDonald's one day, and the kids were playing in the play land.  Rylan had befriended 2 little girls and they were climbing around together.  They were on their way up to the top and I heard him say, "Follow me ladies!"

Mackenzie was dancing around the kitchen one morning, spinning and twirling in her own little world. When she finally stopped, she let out a big sigh and said to me, "Me wish I was ballerina in a forest, for God!"

Rylan had been looking for a specific toy in our kitchen toy drawers.  I warned him before he started looking that if he took a bunch of stuff out, he was going to have to put everything back.  He said he understood and started looking.  Of course he found the item he was looking for on the bottom, after both drawers had been emptied.  I told him to get busy picking it all up.  He looked at it, let out an exaggerated sigh, then said in his most exhausted, sweetest voice possible, "Kenzie, would you mind cleaning this up for me?  I'm too tired to do it."  I laughed and him and explained why that wasn't going to happen!

Mackenzie was playing a game on the iPad.  After she got an answer correct, the game said to her, "that's right, you're great!"  She replied enthusiastically, "I know it!"

Parade

We went to a parade a couple weeks ago and as always, the kids had a great time.  I love that they have so much fun collecting all the candy that gets thrown out, but they totally forget about the candy the next day.  Really, they asked to eat some that same day, and it has not been mentioned since.  I don't even remember where I put it.  Thankfully the same has always happened at Halloween, a few pieces the night of, and never mentioned again.  Can you tell we aren't candy eaters?  (well, unless someone gets Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, those are the ones that Mommy hides and eats when everyone is sleeping or at school)

Walking downtown to the parade route

Waiting on the blanket with friends - this was obviously before the parade even started, once it started, they never sat down.

Mackenzie and friend Katelyn (a different Katelyn from the Sunday School pictures)

The weather was perfect for a parade and it was just the right length.  And I only had to run down the street after Mackenzie once!  The kiddos were standing in front of us and when the Kennel Club came by with all the dogs, I was momentarily in a trance - staring at a little dog in a bike basket who was wearing a hat and sunglasses.  In my head I was contemplating whether it was real or not, because I hadn't seen it move and then when it did move, I was snapped back into reality.  Dogs, Mackenzie, oh sh*t, where'd she go?  Mackenzie LOVES dogs and sure enough, she was about 30 yards down the street, walking in the parade next to one of the dogs, just petting away.  No doubt in my mind she would have gone the rest of the route without thinking about me once.


The next day, Uncle Spencer came for a visit on his motorcycle, so Mackenzie needed to try on his helmet.

Oh yeah, that's where the candy went - I gave most of it to Spence.   :)

Fall Is Here!

I had fun a couple weeks ago crafting for fall, as inspired by Pinterest.  The weather has definitely changed here and I'm ready for fall.  Here's my table in the foyer.

I bought some cheap burlap at the fabric store, cut some big circles, sewed around the edge to keep from fraying, then used embroidery floss and wide stitches around the edge to cinch it up around a stick we found outside.  They are stuffed with plastic bags and newspaper.

The kids helped me gather some acorns and branches for this glass canister and then I threw in some fake leaves for color.

I used the same method as the burlap pumpkins except I used 8 inch felt circles.  I plastic bag fit perfectly inside each one.  I already had the basket and the little branch balls.

I love my hurricane vases to change decor for the seasons!  A little popcorn and a fake leaf tied onto the candles and we're in business.

I made this felt garland with 2 1/2 inch strips of felt and wide stitches with embroidery floss.  I liked how it turned out, but I didn't know where to put it.  It looks pretty good above a window in the kitchen.

I found these felt placemats at Bed Bath and Beyond on sale.  I just love how they look on my table.



My dining room windows have bothered me since this past Christmas.  When our house was first done, I had no desire to put a valance or anything on the windows because I love the wood so much.  Too me, it was almost like putting a bumper sticker on a porsche, don't ruin a beautiful thing.  At Christmas time though, I put up a pine garland to decorate.  I loved that it was simple, but still a unique way to add color.

After taking all the Christmas decorations down though, the house felt so bare and boring and bland.  I casually started to look for ways to add more color and thought I was going to have to put up a valance.  But then Rylan's birthday rolled around and I used a balloon garland on the windows.  It was the perfect way to decorate for a party.  You can't see it the best in this photo, but it's all I had.

For Mackenzie's birthday, I made tissue poms to hang up.  They were my favorite and I left them up for quite some time.  (actually I just took them down a couple weeks ago)

I had decided to make a valance, but I couldn't find fabric that I loved.  I finally found a table cloth that I loved but when I pinned it in place just to see if I liked it, it seemed way too busy and intrusive.  I couldn't do it.  So back to square one.  I needed something, but not a valance.  I searched online for unique window treatments, but I never found anything that intrigued me.  Then a couple weeks ago, I randomly came across this idea on Pinterest and I knew I had to do it.

And I love how it looks!  I cut squares of burlap, sewed around the edge, then used an actual apple half to stamp the paint on.  I touched up each one with a paintbrush, but it was pretty easy.  I used a fabric paint marker to add the stem and seeds, then attached some jump rings to string them on some jute.  I love it!

And I think I've decided to seasonally change my window treatment with something new and unique.  Next will be the Christmas garland again, but then I'll have to find something awesome for spring.  I'm getting more and more into decorating, and it's so fun to make unique stuff myself!  I'll gladly take suggestions for my windows, so let me know if you have an idea!

Sunday School Kickoff

Sunday school has started again at church and there was a kickoff party a couple weeks ago.  We had perfect weather for music, games and food on the church parking lot.

Inflatable obstacle courses are always a big hit!

Mackenzie got her face painted too.

She was so thrilled to have a horse painted on her face!

Rylan and Mackenzie with their good friend Katelyn.

It was a great party and they love Sunday School.  I'm teaching Sunday School this year too, grades 3-5.  I didn't know how it would go teaching my own kids so I went with the older ones and I'm liking this age group so far.  I haven't really missed being a teacher yet, but it's been fun to have this little bit of teaching back.

Rylan and Ace

Every day when we get home from school, Rylan plays with Ace - throwing the ball for him or just chasing him around.  They love each other so much.  One day Rylan asked me to take pictures of him and Ace so he could take the pictures to show and tell at school.  

He tried to get Ace to look at the camera, but it wasn't working.

So I got a rawhide bone out.  That got his attention!

He also wanted pictures of him giving the bone to Ace.

Riding The Bus

Since Mackenzie is in the afternoon class at her school this year, she and Rylan are done at the same time.  Their schools are about 10 minutes away from each other, so I was picking Mackenzie up early to be at Rylan's school by the time the bell rang.  In my mind, he's still to young to have to wait for me. Even though 10 minutes isn't that long, I didn't feel comfortable doing that.  But the whole first week of school, Mackenzie left school crying because she didn't want to go with me.  She didn't really understand that he friends were going to leave in a little bit too, she just knew that she was having to leave them behind.  

Since her school isn't our home district school, she was eligible to ride the preschool bus.  This bus only carries the preschool kids, the teachers walk them right to the door of the bus, and there is always another adult on the bus besides the driver.  We decided to try it and so far, so good!  I still pick up Rylan every day, but he and I get home by 3:10 and Mackenzie gets dropped off around 3:25, so it works out perfectly.  It's really nice to have that little time alone with Rylan, I rarely get that, so I enjoy hearing about his day without any interruptions.  

The first day Mackenzie rode the bus, I was ready with the camera!  Here it comes!

However, I was expecting the bus to drive onto our driveway in order to turn around.  So when it stopped at the end of the driveway, she was out the door running to me before I had walked close enough to have her pose for a picture.  And then the bus was driving away, so we snapped this one as he was turning around.  She was just beaming, so excited to have ridden the bus!

I know 4 seems young to ride a school bus, but it's working and I feel very confident in her safety.  And this will more than likely be the only time either of our kids rides the bus, because once that bus is full of middle-schoolers, there's no way my kids are getting on!

Chai Latte Cookies

They just sounds delicious right?  I came across this recipe on Pinterest, and the name caught my attention, but I knew I needed to make them when I saw how easy the recipe was.  Here's the original post: http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/07/spiced-chai-latte-cake-mix-cookies-with-vanilla-cream-frosting.html  

Chai Latte Cookies with Vanilla Cream Frosting
1 white cake mix
1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp chai latte mix (spiced or vanilla)
2 eggs
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all the ingredients for the cookies.  Mix till well blended.
2. Drop by teaspoons onto a baking sheet or stone.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes (or until lightly brown)
4. Cool.

For the frosting
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1-3 Tbsp milk

1. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon.
2. Add milk slowly until frosting reaches spreadable consistency.
3. Frost cooled cookies.

I made my cookies bigger than teaspoon size so it took about 15 minutes in the oven and then they were still pretty chewy.  Definitely wait until they are slightly brown on top, then they'll be perfect!

Rylan The Photog

Rylan takes a lot of pictures on his camera, but these are some of his best self-portraits.  His facial expressions are my favorite!

And I think is really is how he views his sister.

Bunny bear is happy to see him as always.

 I think I asked him not to take a picture of my face that morning, so he went with my feet.

And a sleeping, unsuspecting Daddy gets some props added for a picture.