We swapped!

 

I've already unveiled the hoop I created for the fabulous hoop swap hosted by Heather at Life Made Lovely, but get a load of this.  My swapping partner was the lovely Gina, who I especially enjoyed getting to know through her blog.  I can't decide what I like more, the burlap (which I had never seen on a hoop before- and love!), the crochet beauties (which I have tried my hand at and failed miserably several times) or the simplicity of it all (I tend to be a simple gal you know).  Anyhoo, its found a perfect new home in my crafting/laundry room- thanks Gina!

Not just for sweaters...

 So the yarn wreath trend is carried on in our house.  

I was able to:

1.  avoid the carpel tunnel from all that winding (1 skein of yarn did the job)

2.  save a little $ by using a straw wreath instead of styrofoam

 (leave the plastic wrap on if you want to keep you house from looking like a barnyard)

3.  find a creative way of hanging the thing (flat lace tacked up by a fabric covered thumb tack)

4.  scrounge the supplies for the fabric flowers/leaves from my stash (felt rolled flowers, twisted felt flowers, crochet flower-made by a friend)

Now join the club and go make one of your own!

the girl's bedroom is a changin'

The girls' room has been undergoing some changes...

which inevitably involve Craig's list, thrifting, spray painting,

 and a little crafting...more to come soon!

mother of all orchids

You may remember my love of orchids.  I've had lots over the years, but none like this one.  The mother of all orchids has arrived.  And from none other than the orchid nurse herself.  A spray of 13 gorgeous blooms, each as big as a saucer (the picture doesn't do justice I tell you).  Just look at the intricacy of this bloom.

Stunning and amazing.

All work and no play?

What would you expect a kindergartner to do on her first day of Easter vacation?  Certainly is wouldn't be to wake up at 6:45 am begging her mom to schoolwork with her.  And then going on to complete over 100 pages in her workbook.  Don't worry, we also got in some hopscotch, a Barbie movie, and frozen yogurt too. 

What's up doc?

Brooklyn's class had their "Resurrection Party" yesterday.  I was trying to think of something healthy, cheap, and cute to bring and this is what I came up with...

 A garden of carrots in a bed of hummus...

To make your own garden you need: 

a clay pot (the 6" pot fit the hummus conatainer perfectly)

a clay saucer

a bag of baby carrots

hummus

parsley

and a skewer (to make the holes).

Just cut the parsley into small sprigs, poke a hole in the end of each carrot with the skewer, and carefully push the parsley in.  You can also do individual gardens with the tiny clay pots and a 3 oz cup of hummus inside (didn't want to go there for 23 kids though)

It was a big hit for the kids and teachers.  Unfortunately not as big of a hit as these...

 the amazing mound of Easter donuts 

(I don't blame them, you know I would choose them over hummus any day!)

I loved hearing the kids sing their hearts out...

 and Brooklyn made her debut and the narrator of the Chicken Little play.

And now, off to two weeks of vacation!  Yeah!

Hoop Art Swap

I've put all those thrift store threads and hoops to use and finally finished my hoop for the Hoop Art Swap. 

Her's Tired

This is what happens around noon when you stop taking morning naps.  Isn't life exhausting?

PS- Does anyone else's grandma say things like, "her's tired' 

Play Dough

Some moms love play-dough... making their own dough, allowing kids complete freedom of artistic expression with it, using all the overpriced play-dough accessories.  Others are deathly afraid of it...the mess, the way it becomes food, the mess, the inevitable dry out, the mess, the color mixing, the mess.  I fall somewhere in the middle.  As long as its over tile or outside, I'm good.  Ive discovered kids have a play-dough spectrum as well.  Brooklyn was the queen of the dough.  She could play for hours, never had to be told not to eat it and never mixed colors.  She would have fits when friends would come over and mix colors, like they were breaking an unpardonable  play-dough law.  Ellie was at the opposite end for quite some time.  She ate play-dough for years.  Nothing I tried could keep it out of her mouth.  And she was the mix master.  Every dough in our beautiful collection slowly morphed into the ominous brown.  And this week, Leighton joined in.  As soon as she felt the squish between her fingers she grinned and said a big "thank you".  She seemed to enjoy it but as soon as she slipped a piece into her mouth she said, "all done" and wanted it out of her way.  Wonder what she'll do when I give her 2 colors?

New Niecey

We apparently can't get enough girls around here..
just look at the adorable addition to the all girls club...
Skyla June my newest niece.