cousins

growing up,

i had a cousin that was my age

and my best friend.

i'm so grateful

that my girls have the same

types of relationships with their cousins.

anthropology wanna-be

with the mirrors that we had lying around,

a couple i picked up at hobby lobby and the local antique shop,

i attempted to create a mirror collage

in the dining room

bless my husband's heart for all

the measuring, drilling, and hammering he did

it's not perfect by any means

but i like it that way

proud

bella and meredith

are both playing basketball this year.

they play through a christian organization call upward.

the league is non-competitive and requires

that kids be evaluated for their skills before the season

so that the teams can be put together evenly according to skill.

it is an awesome program

and i am very impressed with the girls' skill levels and improvement.

they are given uniforms to wear and this year's colors are green...

i love it!

everyone has the same uniform and they're reversible.

at the beginning of each game,

they turn the lights down in the gym,

run a disco light,

and play that "ready to rumble" jock jams song

as they announce each player,

just like in the NBA.

sooooo cute!

it's everything i can do to keep from jumping out of my seat,

running out on court,

grabbing my little girl and

showering her with kisses.

i am so proud of my daughters.

growing up, i never played a sport.

it wasn't that i couldn't, there were lots of opportunities.

but i just didn't have the confidence.

i was so worried about messing up,

not being good enough,

or embarrassing myself.

i'm so glad that my daughters

don't care.

that they have the ability and the confidence

to play.

i have to say that i think i enjoy it

just as much

or more than they.

watching them is amazing,

adorable, and fun.

back in the groove

i haven't sewn since before christmas

when i made 10 tissue covers,

20 checkbook covers,

2 wallets,

and 70 keychains...

hmmm...wonder why?

but, last night i was bound and determined to make something.

i've felt so lazy lately and as if i haven't done anything.

forget the fact that i'm teaching a class, planning the school carnival and silent auction,

keeping track of three little girls, laundry, and house cleaning.

so, when my girlfriend gave me heather bailey's newest pattern to make a bookbag,

i made a promise: to make the bag by the end of the weekend.

so, needless to say, last night was a late night :)

but meredith was very excited to have a new school bag this morning!

it fits her books and folders perfectly and is sooooo cute!

i used the last of my favorite jennifer paganelli fabric,

i needed to.  after a set of drapes, two pillows, two dresses and now a bookbag,

i think it's time. 

my goal today?

keep sewing!  i'm going to attempt to get some keychains and checkbook covers completed

for my girlfriend's shop. 

it's amazing the satisfaction that comes from sewing and completing a project.

i feel accomplished!

cake bosses

what to do when it's cold outside,

there's 12 inches of snow on the ground,

and the kids aren't in school?

play "cake boss"

it has to be one of the cheapest,

most fun,

and easiest things to do.

whip up some cake from .99 mix,

throw some butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar together,

add food coloring,

put in frosting bags

and let 'em at it!

i love to see their creations!

blah

it is cloudy today.  this is day, I don't know, maybe 10 of no sun, cold, slushy, foggy cloudiness. 

i feel blah!

what do i do with this feeling?

sit at the computer and look for color, beautiful, inspiring pictures...

eye candy

that'll fix this nasty feeling i have.

i want to re-do my master bedroom.  something in whites and blues.

calm, peaceful, clean.

with a little heather bailey beauty.

fresh... a pop of green.

and i have always wanted to do a mirror collage

in my dining room but wasn't sure to even begin.

on a whim, i searched anthropolgy yesterday

and found some inspiration.

now to just find the energy to get started.

i'm cleaning out

re-doing

purging

and freshening up

my home.

my baby's out of the crib

we had a couple extra kids for a week or so.  the littles had tons and tons of fun together.  you know the kids that you have over and it's almost no work because they all just play so well together?  no fights that you have to step in and referee.  it's.... nice.

all five of the kids played together, including little margo.  with school out of session and no schedule to worry about, sleep schedules were off the wall.  the kids were never in bed before 10... including little bit.  so what happens to a two year old who doesn't go to bed until after 10?  she sleep until lunchtime!

so with schedules so messed up, it was the perfect time to break down the crib (sniff, sniff) and put up her beautiful big girl bed that was found at an antique store and painted white by daddy.

i bought the bedding months ago through craig's list.  somebody had bought it at pottery barn and changed their minds.

the girls were all very excited.  actually, mere was jealous... she wants an old bed, too!

ignore the binky...please.

so after all the pink and brown and lots of white... is it just the middle of winter "spring fever" i'm feeling, or does the room need some color?

so we painted a dresser.  margo and i.

she was so proud of herself.  she did some drawers and then i gave her the extra special job of painting the back of the dresser.

i have yet to buy the glass knobs that go on the front.  target is out and i haven't made it to home depot. 

so after the dresser, i think i went a little crazy.  i painted a picture frame, mirror frame, decoupaged some letters, added fabric to a loom.  and i'm a little concerned i did too much.

i want the room to be a little funky and fun.

i thought it'd be fun to have the mirror be where margo could see herself. 

regardless, she likes it.  i still need to touch up the walls, change the baseboards and paint the trim.

overall, i like it.  it's a happy room.

and margo's been sleeping like (sniff) a baby in it.  even though, she isn't anymore.

she tells everyone that she's a "big girl now."