Love the Simple Things

A new happy place...

So, I had these two Pottery Barn gift cards and I promised myself that I'd use them for Ben and I.  You know, get something pretty for our house.  There was this quilt that I fell in love with and I thought this summer would be the perfect time to paint our bedroom and this quilt would be the finishing touch!  Well- this quilt was sold out - everywhere.  So the next best thing....get something for the girls!  Well, it's for us too.  A sweet little activity table right in the kitchen to keep them busy while we are cooking meals or talking on the phone...etc..
It's just so very lovely and Laney already made her mark 3 minutes in.  Needless to say I will be picking up a pack of WASHABLE crayons at Target tomorrow as well as some Mr. Clean magic erasers.  Coloring "on the paper only" hasn't quite sunk in.  I also put a stack of paper under the tin with the crayons in it as well as two little aqua tins on each side that hold card games for Maya and Sesame Street people for Laney. 

What we've been up to....

downloaded a few videos tonight.....enjoy!

The Bakery Shop from Missy on Vimeo.

Sunday night dance party from Missy on Vimeo.

Remember to...

take time out and play in the leaves!

Dear Bloggety blog readers,

I know I know, you must be feeling so neglected. Between mornings spent getting kiddo ready for school, afternoons spent preparing for dance class, ordering costumes, taking pictures,  getting dinner ready and evenings spent teaching dance, doing laundry and picking up baby tornado house destruction I have not had time to post a thing!  If you don't mind I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!  The chili is cooking, banana bread in the oven, house is sparklin' and we are resting up for our annual trick-or-treat party at our house tonight!  I promise to update sometime soon as I have almost 500 pictures in my camera waiting to be uploaded.   

In the mean time, enjoy some pics from the patch!

 
 
 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

A legacy

2 children

5 grandchildren(10 really, she called the significant others her grandchildren, that's important to me as I am a significant other

10 great grandchildren

-who have all known and felt the love, wisdom and Irish spunk she possessed.  And that's just the beginning.  There aren't enough words to describe the impact she has had on this family. 

 

5 days, as published in the Aug/Sept issue of Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbook Etc. magazine.  Meemaw, Ben's grandma, holding the youngest great grandchild, my Laney, last summer.  This page is so very precious to me.  There is so much meaning behind it.  Stories told. Her being able to finally hold a great grandchild again....My tribute to you Meem.  That and I know you and God are snackin on Snickers Ice cream bars right about now. 

Wednesday Random...

If you have checked 365, you saw that I got a new toy for my picture editing.  No- I did not buy CS4...It was very generously given to me at a HUGELY discounted price.  Thanks friend!  Anyway- I've been up way too late at night playing with it...downloading PW's actions:) and falling in love with photography all over again.  I was nervous about doing this 365 thing...I mean, a photo a day for the entire YEAR! What was I thinking, but it's helping me learn all about my camera, how to capture different angles, different focuses and how that affects the picture, how to use the light in front of me and how to use the light behind me.  Here are some of my favorites(and I played with them a bit in Photoshop:)

 

 

 

Hey, how'd this cute little semi finalist for the Scrapbook Etc. Kid on the Cover Contest get in here!  You might as well vote while you're thinkin about it!

Not to be outdone...I am in love with her smile and how she crinkels up her nose

 

and no, every picture is not like this.  That's the beauty of it.  Here's a blurry picture of Ben playing tickle monster with the girls, I was watching, loving the moment of us all being home together, Laney giggling and Maya laughing hysterically.  I {heart} this family and this picture:)

 

off to bed..Happy Wednesday!

Our weekend

Phew!  What a busy weekend!  Summer is comin baby- I can smell it!  Friday was Mother's Tea at Maya's school.  We had cream cheese sandwiches, jelly and cream cheese and just plain cheese.  The kids made the sandwiches themselves and used little cookie cutters to make fun shapes with them.  They served peach and raspberry iced tea and also punch. The moms were surprised with a homemade plate and a beautiful book all about our little preschooler.  I was so proud of Maya.  She even over came her stage fright and sang and finger played in front of all the moms with her class.

 

Saturday we took Maya to her first Indians game.  Our church had group seats for Faith night.  We didn't make it for the Christian concert after the game, but had loads of fun with friends, ballpark franks, cotton candy and singing some Take Me Out to the Ballgame!  Oh and it was cold...very cold!

 

We celebrated Mother's Day together with a french toast breakfast made by Maya and Ben(see 365), church with family and friends, and lunch at Ben's Mom's.  We had a little dance studio drama, but I kept my smiley face on and trudged through it.  Thanks Ben for helping me out on that one!  I love you!  Played a family game of Zingo after dinner at Panera.  Thank you sweet family for a great Mother's Day! 

....Now it's back to real life tomorrow as we get ready for a new hot water heater:( 

by the way....

Remember to Vote Vote Vote Every Day!

Go vote!

Don't forget to vote once a day for this picture!
http://my.scrapbooksetc.com/app/voting/index.jsp?id=/templatedata/sbe/voting/data/1232664095895.xml&sid=1

 

Overheard:

Daddy -"Yesterday Laney tried to pull my alarm clock off the nightstand..Ever see time fly?"

We're still here...

Just enjoying Spring Break....Hope to have the desire to update the ole' blog soon.  Did update 365.  Check it out, yo!

These girls...

crack me up.  It really is the simple things.  They teach me everyday.  This shared from Ben who put Maya to bed last night..."Daddy- today was a great day.  I had Sunday School, then Mrs. M gave me GUM! Then Papa sat next to me in church, then we went to a birthday party, then we took Applebees HOME TO EAT!"  Earlier that day she had said that Tuesdays were her favorite day- when we asked why- she promptly said, cuz of gymnastics!!!  Lately, her and Laney have been really interacting.  I love watching it, listening to it...Today I sat on the couch a few extra minutes before getting Laney after her nap just so I could listen to the two of them laughing through the baby moniter.  I just want to bottle it up and keep it forever.  Well, I can't bottle it, but I can burn it on a DVD from mr. flip!  I bet you can't keep a straight face.  Sometimes all it takes is waving a blanket!