It's Fall! (Close enough right?!)

Ok, so maybe it's still 104 degrees outside and technically it is still August, but who cares! Let's break out the fall decor. This is a little project from last week that I finally finished and I love it so much that I couldn't wait to display it. I found the directions for these little pumpkins here. These were so easy and fun to make. So here's some wishful thinking that fall will hurry up and get here!

Our Big Messy Day

The boys are off track and we were without a car today, so I decided that today would be a great day for crafting. Today's project: puppets. So, we grabbed some felt, markers, paint and my sewing machine and we got to work. Each boy got to choose what kind of puppet they wanted to make. Erik chose to make a ghost and Austin chose to make a blue puppet that we refer to as "the monster" and Cam chose to make a double sided puppet part alien and part astronaut. With that decision made, I drew up a pattern for the puppets, then we traced, cut and I sewed them together. Then the fun began, the boys got to decorate their own puppets. After the chaos of paint and markers flying everywhere, the puppets were done. Now what do we do with them? Write a script, make a theater and perform a puppet show. Erik took right to the task of writing a script and Cameron sat down and created the artwork for the puppet theater. Once that what was done, we were off to create our puppet theater. With the help of 2 kitchen chairs, one white sheet, a jumprope and some clothes pins our work was complete. Once the puppets had time to dry, it was time for the dress rehearsal (which I was lucky enough to see 3 times). Then all we had to do was wait for Dad to come home from work for the big premier! "The Geeky Street Kids" starring Erik, Cameron and Austin (sort of). The boys were very proud of all their hard work. So as Cameron said earlier, "Today was really fun. It was a big messy day!"

Now grab some popcorn and a soda, sit back and relax and enjoy the premier of "The Geeky Street Kids" (You'll need to pause my playlist to hear the show.)

My own little flower shop

Every few days I head outside and clip the roses from my garden. They make me happy! It's like having a little flower shop just outside my back door.

Stinkin' cute

Austin is talking so much these days. He has grown from baby to little boy over night it seems. Last night I said to him

"Austin, you are so stinkin' cute!"

to which his reply was

"No I not stinky."

Too funny!



I was just trying to take Austin's picture for this post and he was not cooperating (of course I can't compete with the mound of dirt and shovel that had his attention)! I said "Austin, let me take your picture" and he replied in an annoyed little voice "I digging" Then he looked at me with this grumpy little face. Sorry kid, grumpy or not I still think that you are "stinkin' cute"!

My little helpers

As I was taking pictures for my blog, the boys jumped in and wanted to take a few of their own.






Maybe they need their own blog!

Newest thrift store finds

Just thought that I would share a few of my latest thrift store goodies:

I got this little lamp ($3):


I got these cute framed pictures for the boys playroom ($5/ea):


And I got this little basket purse that I totally re-fashioned (priceless):




I sewed a new liner for it with the cutest pink, glitter fabric (does it get any more girly than this?)and I attached the pink, gingham grossgrain ribbon to the handles and as a shoulder strap. Then I sewed a flower yo-yo to the front and added the cute little butterfly. Then I made the butterfly hair clips to match. I forgot to take a before picture, but I love how this little bag turned out! Check it out in my etsy shop.

Last but not least, I got the bargain to beat all bargains this weekend. I picked up the cutest, coolest, piece of furniture for the boys playroom and I can't wait to fix it up and show you what it is...but for now I'll keep it a secret. By the way it cost me a whopping $0!! Just wait till you see it!

Time for another re-do...

I am now focusing my attention upstairs. Our office is in need of a makeover and I am just beginning to plan out in my mind how I would like that room to look. Here is the chair to our desk. Austin decided to give it a new look for us, however, it wasn't quite the look I was going for. So here is the before:




And here is the re-do:




This little project took me about 3o minutes and I love the result.




I have also had this frame for years. The glass broke the first time I tried to put pictures in it (of course) and I kept it with the intention of turning it into a flannel board for the kids. Well, that obviously never happened, so now here it is as my new message board that matches my new chair.



I have a few more things to "re-do" for that room, so I will post a picture when it is all complete.

Our "Good Citizen"

Cameron got his first award today at school. He was awarded the "Good Citizen" award. His teacher had such nice things to say about him. He said that Cameron always tries to do his best and that he is always doing what he should be doing and he helps the other kids when they need it. He also said that Cameron listens attentively and does what the teacher asks of him. Yeah Cameron, we are so proud of you! Keep up the good work in school!




Now we're off to Coldstone to celebrate!

I did it!

Today was the big day! My braces are in place. I am so excited and happy to be sportin' these little beauties (insert fake enthusiasm). Just think, in the next 2 years my teeth are going to be straight and white and I'm sure just beautiful (they better be).


*Photography by Melanie (amazing right?!)

How appropriate...

I was just checking out my calendar for the week and check out the quote for tomorrow:

Eary morning hath gold in its mouth --Benjamin Franklin

Well, I may not have gold in my mouth, but tomorrow I will definitely have metal. Yep! I'm getting braces in the morning. AAAAAH! I am dreading this. I just have to keep reminding myself that in the end it will all be worth it! Wish me luck and try not to laugh at me too hard.

Sunday night games and ice-cream

It's Sunday evening and Brett is at a Priesthood meeting, so I thought "hey, let's play a board game." The boys thought that sounded like fun and Cameron rushed off to get "The Allowance game". Things were going great. This was a good idea. Then I hear "I want to be green", "no I want to be green" and then I see two boys wrestling on the floor over the green pawn and then I remembered I am a mom of boys and nothing goes as easily as I think it should. I help (no force) the boys to work it out and Cameron ends up with the green pawn. Ok back on track. The game begins, we roll the dice to see who goes first. Erik wins and then battle # 2 begins. We talk it out and everyone is good to go. Phew! The game begins (again), things are going well until Austin discovers that it is fun to roll the dice and attempt to knock down everybody's pawns (which he does with surprisingly good aim). We deal with this by remembering where our pawns were before he throws the dice. Eventually he tires of this and the game goes on. Cameron begins to get bored while he is waiting for his turn and starts doing handstands dangerously close to the game board and his mother. I quickly put an end to that, then he decides that it is fun to get a running start and jump over the game board. I finally get Cam to sit and wait patiently for his turn and then Austin begins grabbing handfuls of the money from the "bank" at this point I'm begging for someone to save $20 so this game can end! Finally Cameron earns $20.70 the game is over and I need a nap. 7:00pm and bedtime is just around the corner, so it's off to the kitchen for some ice-cream which turns into ice-cream with malt and hershey syrup. Just when I think the kids are full and ready to quiet down for the night, Erik says "I'm hungry" and of course his brothers follow suite, then it's apples and cheese and yogurt and graham crackers and muffins (of course each boy has different request) and then finally everyone is full and the mess is cleaned up and the bedtime routine begins. Scriptures, prayer and storytime and finally the boys are tucked into their beds and hugged and kissed and I can finally relax!



Cameron...our winner! He was so cute he said "This is my first time winning!"



On a funny note, Austin looked at the game money and saw the picture of George Washington and said "Grandpa" So Grandpa Jed or Grandpa Boyd? You decide!



My little "angels".


Now off I go to watch the Olympics/read until bedtime.

just thinking...

about changing the coffee table decor to this:


I borrowed the flower arrangement from my bedroom and I missed it there so now I'm thinking of spray painting the basket black and going this route (even though I borrowed the plant from my kitchen).
what do you think?

It is finished!

Brett and I finished our "new" coffee table.
Once again, here is the before:



And after...




I love it!

Austin did it again. This kid loves the Camera!



Now onto the next project...

I've been sewing.

A couple of new bags coming soon to my Etsy shop

First up the Market Tote:





I love how this tote turned out. I love the pleat on the front. Remember my thrift store finds? I used the pretty vintage pillowcase to create this bag.




Up next, another placemat tote. This has to be one of my favorite bags to date! I love the butterfly fabric that I used and the cute little tie on the front of the tote.