love is the answer

Valentine's Day

I started the day with my sad little attempt to make chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes.

I gave the kids a couple of gifts and candy.  I wanted to give them each a hand made gift.  I made Tyler a crayon roll and tried to make a tote for Madison.  I had major issues sewing the straps.  I used a thick polka dot canvas and my machine could not sew through the straps.  I broke a needle and gave up.  I might try to do it manually.  Here is the crayon roll I made for Tyler.  I also made one for my niece Lily but I forgot to take a picture before I sent it.  I used this tutorial.

Willy surprised me with some things I've been wanting badly!  He bought me an ice cream maker and an immersion blender.  I can't wait to make ice cream, smoothies, soups, etc... 

After pancakes and gift giving, the boys went rock climbing and Madison and I went shopping.  We finished the day together with dinner at Olive Garden.  The more I eat out, the more I'd rather eat at home.  Every time we eat out I end up feeling over full and plain yucky!  The food tastes great in the moment, but there is a price to pay!!

We took some pics before we left the house.

Looking at these pictures made me feel so blessed and loved...i guess thats what Valentine's Day is all about!!!

Valentine Teacher Gifts

I spent about an hour yesterday sewing these little bags for some Valentine teacher gifts.  I had to take these pics at night, so they are not the best.

 
This is what I put inside for each teacher. A notepad /pen set and a starbucks gift card.

 

A Valentine Package

Yesterday the kids received a Valentine package of goodies from my mom.  It's always so fun to get mail.  Especially from my mom, who always decorates the outside of the package so beautifully.  There were a few highlights that the kids really enjoyed.  It was a great day to receive goodies since it was a snow day and we were bored.  It was the 9th snow day this year.  We are on the tenth one today.  The kids actually have to go to school on Saturday...what a bummer!

Anyways, back to the package. Madison received a journal that she basically spent the rest of the day writing in.  That girl never gets sick of a new journal.  There is an insane collection in her room.  The cutest thing my mom  made her was a cell phone card.  Madison got such a kick out of it.

  
 

Now, I know most of you have been exposed at some point to the Where's Waldo? books.  Tyler loves these, so you can imagine how much he loved this box from his Nana!  Can you find him?

scroll down a bit

 

There he is!

This was too too cute and wonderfully creative!!!!  Inside the box was polymer clay and instructions for making some animals with it.  My mom printed them from here.  Tyler wanted to get right to it.  His little critters came out adorable.  We already are going to need more clay!

 

 On another note, I made some red velvet cupcakes.  I love red velvet for Valentine's Day.  I made the same ones as last year. Yummy!  I had to leave some plain because Tyler does not like icing on his.

 
  
   

Valentine Centerpiece

Tyler's school asked if I could bring in a small Valentine centerpiece for a teacher's breakfast they are going to have.  I instantly came up with some ideas to put one together.  The best part about this, is that the only things I had to buy was floral foam and pink gingham ribbon.  I loved how it came out and kinda wish I felt like making an extra one for home.

 

The 4th of July

We went to Greenlife to buy some dinner picnic stuff and headed out to see some fireworks.  This year was a bit emotional for me.  I deeply missed my family and friends and even got a bit teary during the fireworks.  We did have fun though.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Here is a picture of the card I made for Willy.

He got me this bracelet from Brighton which I LOVE!  It reads, "The biggest thing in the world, bigger than the ocean and the sky, is your heart."

holiday stuff i enjoyed...

buying a REAL Christmas tree.

gathering with close friends.

making a gingerbread house.

tyler being tyler at his school holiday performance. (note: he is the one in the yellow and wine striped shirt)

dropping off the kids at school on their last day before Christmas vacation.  i felt so happy that morning and so in love with them, i felt inspired and excited for the upcoming days. you know i had to be inspired to care about taking pictures in the morning when I've only drank about half my coffee!

seeing that belly grow and knowing my niece is coming soon.

my two getting along more than usual.

feeling in love and connected with the hubby.

spending time with family!!!

I'm actually ahead this year!

Typically, during this time, I'm absolutely insane.  I have a million presents to buy and a million things I want to do with the kids that I never seem to get around to.  I'm still overwhelmed yet the shopping is 95% done!  Here are the kids having fun on our Christmas decorating day.

Decorating cookies.  This year, instead of attempting to roll out dough, I got these great cookies from Pillsbury.  The dough was already rolled out and cut into shapes for you.  All you have to do is bake then decorate!

After patiently waiting for 2 years, I finally got to put up my village again.  I couldn't put it up in fear that Tyler could drop or break pieces.  I think it was still too soon though because one of my elves is missing feet, and Santa and his reindeer don't seems to circle around anymore.  Hmmm, I wonder who did that?

and now, for the amazing, artistic, fabulous cookie!

This cookie was designed by Willy.  He was so proud of it that he wouldn't eat it and made me take a picture.  He's usually not to good in the creativity department, so this cookie is a big accomplishment!

Boo To You!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!!  I've been having a decent Halloween today.  I took the day off of work and spent the day with T-bone at school.  He loved sharing his "school life" with me. 

Here are some pictures of Hasha as a funky pirate and T as the black spiderman.

I was very proud of the lunch I packed for Hash today.  She was so excited this morning when she saw it.

Can you see the huge muscles?

HALLOWEEN NIGHT PICTURES

a family shot...

couples...

and some more...

Pumpkin Patch Day!

So the yearly trip to the pumpkin patch...the hot and humid pumpkin patch.  It kills me sometimes, what I would have given for a cool, crisp day that was begging for a sweater. 
Regardless, it was a nice enough outing.  It was Willy, Madison, Tyler, Mom, Marcy, Raymond, Anaise and me. The place itself was a little disappointing.  I started going to The Little Farm for the pumpkins a few years back  Each year they have more and more don't go here and don't touch this signs.  I just didn't have the "pumpkin patchy" feeling.  Well at least there is always the pictures, so with out further ado:

and, a pumpkin for lil' lily:

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, Willy is sooooo happy.  He finally got his 50" plasma T.V.

 

He really wanted to mount it on the wall.  I kinda wanted it on a media cabinet.  I'm gonna get one to put under it anyway.  I'm thinking of this one in a walnut finish or this one.