Friday, January 27, 2012

What do you get with a bed sheet bag and an old t-shirt?

You get an adorable Valentine's Day outfit for the cutest sweetheart around!!!!
I've been busy putting the finishing touches on it today. I think it looks great....even if I do say so myself.

See those lovely ruffles...not perfect so don't look too closely!! And that old striped t-shirt made the cutest leggings!
She seems to like it okay!
Those little rosettes are great accents...and those ruffles!!!
So pretty in red that little Lillie!!
So what do you think? I'm trying to decide if I want to make red or black slippers...or maybe silver? What do you think?!

Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Prunes, prunes, prunes...

Someone likes her prunes!!! Since we've introduced cereal she's been a bit stopped up...enter prunes. I just have to say that they are working!!! And thankfully she LOVES them!!




Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Celebrating our 10 year old at the skating rink

cause that's where she wanted to go for her birthday. It was perfect timing too cause for $5 bucks we got to skate for 2 hours, and eat all the pizza, hot dogs and soda that we wanted!! Let's hear it for Homeschool Skate Day!! Woot!!








Anyway, the girls LOVED it!! We invited a friend of Alayna'a as well. Jer picked Sam up early from school and the fellas joined us. We were blessed to have a lady from church that lives here in Stanley watch Sofie for us. It.Was.Perfect.

Ari did so great with skating. It won't take much for her to start doing well on her own. I skated with her most of the time. Alayna tried it out some and did okay but was more content with walking around with her friend playing games. Sam preferred the games and climbing area as well.













It was so nice to get skates on again. It's been years and I was a little nervous but after a couple of rolls around the rink was back to feeling young again.

As a special treat the last two skates was a "couples/friend" skate. Ari and I skated to dim lights (remember the disco ball? Yup, it wa there too) and flashing colored ones. It was nice!












Alayna had a blast with her friend and received two books, a shiney notebook and gospel pin.

Lillie was perfect and spent most of the time with her daddy. Love it!!

All in all it was a great time, we'll be back for sure!! What a way to celebrate our oldest turning TEN!!!! Yikes...can't believe we've been parents for a decade...where does the time go?









































Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Busy crafting lately...

...so my house is not so tidy to say the least. But I love what I've been doing!! Making flowers again! Found the tutoral for a new felt flower while browsing Pinterst (addicting!!!)
The idea for this felt Camelia flower came from Joy at How Joyful. You can find the tutoral and FREE printable pattern (love that) at her blog.

I made one in grey for our newest girl and liked it so much that I made one in pink for Littlest...no pictures of hers though. I think it turned out great and it was oh so easy!!

(Sorry, we don't have the greatet camera.)



I also came across the greatest idea on Pinterest for a message board for couples. Check it out:
Isn't it beautiful?!! Let's say he washes dishes for you one night...the next day or whenever you could write that on the board. Or you could write about how he always brings you coffee in the a.m. Anything.

I made this one for a friend but am totally making one for me and the hubs!!!!

This idea came from Lianne over at A Content Housewife. Go here for her tutorial on how to recreate your own! It's so easy, so inexpensive and so beautiful!!

I came up with a poem to go with this message board since I was giving it to a friend. This is what I  wrote:


Use the marker to tell him why

You love him and are glad he’s your guy..

Take the time to let him know

And watch the love between you grow.

Feel free to use it if you are giving yours as a gift.
Anyway, that's what I've been crafting. What have you been up to lately?


Lovin' Learnin'



Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Our New Workboxes


So way back when we began using the workbox system. Well, like most people we tweaked the idea to fit our homeschool style and space, you can read about it here. The idea worked great but it's been time for a change for quite some time. Enter my newest idea.


I had been checking out some craft storage carts at Michael's for, oh, say about 1 YEAR...yeah, I don't spend my money hastily...but could not bring myself to spend the $70 bucks they were wanting for them...times two! So, at Michael's they would sit.


Well for my birthday and Christmas I received Michael's gift cards. I was so excited. I checked out the sales ads the week after Christmas and saw that the storage items were 40% off!! Woot!! I also had the coupon for $5 off every $25 dollars spent...double woot!!!


The Monday after Christmas Biggest and I drove on into town with a mission: "Purchase those craft carts. Pronto."


Well thankfully there were about 3 left in the store by the time we got there and they were on sale for $34.99 - 50% off!!! Triple woot!!! So, with my discount, gift cards and the coupon for $5 off every $25 spent I purchased two of those babies!!!


Can I say that I LOVE THEM!! And they were so easy to put together!! They are not of gigantic size, they are slim...like I wish I were...they are colorful but not loud, they seem sturdy enough...but we'll see, Littlest will put them to the test I'm sure and my girls LOVE them!!! They (in the 3 short days that we have used them) have helped keep our school day organized!!


They come with 10 drawers...plenty for us...and have a nice shelf on top for extra stuff. I'm so in love with this purchase and the great deal I got!


Hubby was concerned about where I'd put them and honestly I was too as we have a houseful but they are just the perfect size and fit well in the living room.


Knowing me that will not be their final resting place...does anyone else have the bad habit of creative energy making one change living room furniture around all.the.time? Hubby goes with it but I know it drives him crazy. He's so great..I love him!!


Anyway, we honestly don't use all of those great numbers and labels that most people who use workboxes do. I did when we did our last system but I don't find it necessary this time around. Maybe the girls are old enough to just get in and get it done? Maybe the colored drawers are enough? I don't know but this system is so easy and straightforward. Perfect for my season of life!


Anyway, if you feel so inclined, check out Michael's...I've seen these carts on sale again since I've purchase them and Michael's is getting ready to have another great sale on Sunday from 1 - 7 pm...if you shop on Sundays.


And do you wanna see what I made with the boxes those carts came in? Here ya go:
Sorry it's blurry, a certain long-haired chihuahua thought he needed a picture taken...so camera focused on HIM instead...grrr...




Fabric covered boxes...FREE and made to my desired measurements!!! I followed this tutorial-sort of. Can't help it, I tweak everything!!!


Anyway, I'll post later about how things are going with our Christian Light curriculum...in a word...great. Details to come!!


Lovin' Learnin'