Tiered Pots

A big thank you to Amy over at Positively Splendid. She shared her tutorial on how to make a tiered terracotta planter ( http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2010/05/tiered-terra-cotta-planter.html). I saved it to my "Must Create" file in my favorites folder last year. This was PP (pre-Pinterest) days. I was still old school then. :) I finally got around to creating my own. It was truly as easy as she made it seam. The most challenging step was finding my "thrillers, spillers, and fillers," as Amy explains. (You'll have to check out her blog to learn what those are.) It really adds to the front of our house. I'd show you a picture, but I am still decorating for the summer. Once I accomplish that task, I'll update!

That's it, folks...plus my daughter's pigtail. ;)

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

So...think back to February when we made the bookmark for Dear Daddy. E and I also made a shirt for her, Jake, and SJ. The inspiration for the shirts was actually El and SJ's faces! :) They have taken after their father in so many ways, appearances included. I was trying to brainstorm an original gift for him that E could help create.

We purchased some plain white tees (not the band) from Walmart. (This is where they were least expensive. Keep in mind-you get what you pay for. Considering I didn't think they would be wearing the shirts much, a low quality material was ok by me.) We printed out a clipart of an apple and a tree. I cut them out, modifying them to my visual appeal. I traced the pattern onto freezer paper (the side without sheen), ironed them onto the shirts (sheen side down), and we (yes, E and I) went to town with fabric paint. ((((Here are a few more parentheses just for fun since I think that I went a little parenthesis crazy in this post.))))))))))) Jake liked the shirts and surely got a charge out of them. Here's the kicker, though. They just wore them yesterday for the first time!! (Insert parenthetical YEE-HAWS here!!) Too cute, if I don't say so myself. Well, I just did.

There She Blows!

I found this idea on Pinterest yesterday, so we had to try it out immediately! All it takes is a little baking SODA (Do not use powder. It doesn't do anything. Your toddler will be angry. You will be angry (clean-up times two).) Oh yes, add some dots of food coloring. Arm your child with an eye dropper filled with vinegar and *BOOM*....a colorful volcanoe! http://pinterest.com/search/?q=baking+soda%3B+vinegar

So. Proud.

What you are looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is a picture of a family full of B.S.! Or, B.A. We have all earned our bachelor degrees! (Yes, even the two littles. *Sigh* Come on, now!) I am so very proud of my brother. This is a man who HATED school as a boy. I remember hearing him cry one night, because he so didn't want to go to school the next day. As a teacher, and also his sister, it breaks my heart every time I think of that memory. Anywho...I am so very proud of him and my own family for that matter. At this point in time, I'd like to state that the University of Wisconsin system and all those who are employed through it owe us a HUGE, wet kiss. I am so sure we have buffered a few salaries through the years. Those new trees they planted at UWM? Yep. We probably paid for one or two of them. Cough. Cough. Honestly, it is quite an accomplishment to earn a four year degree. Kuddos to all of us. :)

Snug as a Bug

I am soooo loving our Burley. No, this is not a paid, sponsored post. I just had to share my new-found excitment. We purchased it last year and made good use of it solely as a bike trailer. Now that SJ has arrived and spring has turned, I have been using it as a jogger stroller with both kids. It is just great!

Clearly, they love it. I love it! I am able to take both at once for a nice, smooth ride. The best part is that El yells, "More" (ok, it's more like "Mo!") when we arrive back at the house. I'm truly looking forward to cool-ish summer and fall mornings, jogging with the kiddos.

Infections! Gross.

I have been MIA. We have been dealing with ear, eye, and sinus infections for almost a month. My head is too clouded to think. The end.

You Color My World

J's birthday is tomorrow, so we have been working hard on gifts to give to Daddy. Jake has been studying for his recertification exam, so we decided to create a bookmark for him. Exhibit A:

A piece of cardstock, some markers, the use of Picnik (R.I.P.), contact paper, ribbon, and a hole puncher...there you go, ma'am! Elianna was quite proud of her creation! It's the handmade gifts that make the greatest impact. Don't you think so? Soon to follow...keep your heads' up! Apples falling!