Once up on a reader

As much as I love reading bedtime stories to the girls,
its nice to get a little break and have our budding reader to the job.
She is reading like a pro!

Sleeping like a baby

I love watching my girls sleep.  So amazingly peaceful.  Here's little Leighton (who is getting way too big for my taste lately), cuddled with her sleeping necessities: blankies and bears.  She is a great sleeper and rarely wakes us up at night (unlike her older sisters who insist on at least one nightly visit).
My sweetest littlest, I want to remember her like this forever.  

And we all (Lemi) Shine on.....

 

Look what came in the mail last week.  My very own box of Lemi Shine samples to pass out.  Apparently Lemi Shine really has their feelers out and read my post on my kitchen's new bffs where I raved about Lemi Shine and its amazing shine powers in the dishwasher.  They contacted me and offered me free samples to spread  the Lemi Shine love to my friends and fam.  So come on over and pick up your free sample!

On Ice

 

Brooklyn and Ellie have been looking forward to going ice skating for a while now.  I told Brooklyn right off the bat that I simply could not take her though.  I have clear memories of dreading those ice skating birthday parties, hugging "the wall" the entire time, and having a near panic attack when after circling once I had to pass the entrance to the ice where there was a break in the wall for 3 feet and there was nothing left for me to hang on to.  She would have to go with a much more coordinated person than I...insert Aunt Heather (one of the only people I know that has mastered the roller blade).  All was going well until Ellie and Brett crashed on their second go around and Ellie ended up with this:

 

several hours in the ER and 5 stitches.  

But look at that smile- what a trooper (and calm and collected Dad handled the whole thing himself!)

Your milk will love this...

Everything I've tried that she has recommended has been amazing.  Here's another...brownie covered oreos.  Sounds like something they'd be selling at the County Fair right?  Try them, you will love...the slight crunch, the cream filling, it is a whole new twist on a brownie.  And since everyone loves brownies and milk and oreos and milk, its a genius combination. Some tips...use double stuff oreos, make 24 with 1 box of brownie mix, just put the leftover batter on top of each one until its gone (this makes them nice and thick).  Don't overcook them or you will loose that chewiness brownies must have- 12 minutes, maybe only a couple more.  Now get a glass of the tall white stuff and enjoy!

Raggedy, Ellie, and Me

I love the time I get to spend with each of my girls individually.  It is so special to connect with just one girl, undistracted by an older more talkative one, or a younger more demanding one.  Nap time stories have been this special one-on-one time for Ellie and me.  As a part of my classic girly book collection, I picked up Raggedy Ann Stories from the thrift store and we have been sharing a story each afternoon before naps.  Just the two of us, no one else.  We are the only ones who know how Raggedy was almost lost when she got tied to a kite, and how she got re-stuffed with a candy heart inside, and how she was always kind and loving even when the other dolls were not.  Cuddling next to Ellie on her tiny toddler bed, Raggedy Ann under her arm, thumb in her mouth on a quiet afternoon...so very special.

the many faces of ellie

I just love that thumb-suckin' grin!

Kindergarten: then and now

Let's see how many similarities you can find.  
Beside the obvious one... our fashion sense: mad about plaid!

crafting lately

The actual expression of my craftiness comes and goes in seasons.  I usually always have an idea (or ten) buzzing around in my head but with so may other pressing things on my plate (for instance, 2 of 3 girls with pink eye today), I rarely have time to get them out.  But when I get started... somebody stop me!  Its like a crafting cyclone.  I craft up a storm, and my sewing room (and the rest of the house lots of times) looks like its been hit by a tornado.  So here's some of the latest storm that's been brewing...

My chalk board now bears the fruits of the spirit (I wish all I had to do was pin some flags on myself to do the same!).  Oh to have more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

 And another reminder to LOVE...inspired by this.

Hanging together in the entryway (can you really call it that if its in the center of a room?) with a lovely letter "S"- made from some scrap wood, full page sticky label and spray paint.  And let me warn you we are still in the eye of the storm...more to come.

Little Momma

It is amazing to see Leighton instinctively care for her dolls. 

She holds them close, pats them, and even tries to sing to them.  

And all this after only 13 months.

I think she's made to be a momma.