Summer List (aka Summerpalooza 2010)

Every May 20something the big kids and I sit down and write a "summer list."  This is a list of things we would like to do during our summer vacation.  My rule is that their list items must be "do-able" things.  

For example, "go to Hawaii" or "build a state of the art time machine" are not "do-able" for obvious reasons. 

"Go to Sonic for a happy-hour drink," very "do-able." 

Along those same lines, we also try to keep a reasonable budget in mind, (you're welcome, Chris).  

So, without further adieu, here's our list for summerpalooza, 2010!!!

KEY:  Cole    Sydney     Mom    Everyone

watergun fight       spa day       start a running program       go to dallas museum of art       block party       plant sunflowers        read bible everyday        research projects       take zeke to dirty dawgs       paint pottery       library day (storytime with GK)        white rock skate      learn latin       kids cooking night    farmers' market       read chapter book to big kids       putt-putt       read 6 chapter books by the end of summer        picnic at the park       repurpose "junk" furniture for my new classroom        try something new    baking       family nights       go to six flags       arboretum concert nights     new recipe once a week 

So, what do you think?  Sound like fun?  The first child to utter the words, "I'm borrrrred mom," gets a swift kick in the pants.  With a list like this, we have NO TIME for summer boredom.  

Wish us luck.  Here's to a fun and memorable summer!  

Introducing, Chef Georgia!

OK, remember when I told you that I was passing the torch (or the spatula) onto my children?  

GK has really taken my last post very seriously.

table-side guacamole, anyone??

(so glad that her smelly sneakers are inches away from the cutting board - nice.)

"This cooking stuff isn't so tough, Mom.  What are you always griping about?"

YUM!  Chocolate something or other for dessert!  I love a satisfied customer!

Mom, what's for dinner?

Is there any other question that invokes such anxiety on such an daily basis?  Not for me.  I am bombarded with the "what's for dinner" question everyday around 3:15 (right as I pick children up from school).  You would think, knowing it's coming, I would prep for it.  I have started to lie about my supper menu just to get them off my back.  That only creates disappointment when they find out the truth.  The truth being, I simply do not know what's for dinner.  

Why does it fall on me?  Why can't my lovely children share in this responsibility?  I guess the job was placed on my shoulders, just like laundry, dishes, taking out trash, replacing the trash can liner, refilling the empty toilet paper roll, feeding the pets, etc, etc, etc...

Well, my friends, I am turning over a brand new leaf.  I'm going to let my lovely children share in dinner responsibilities.  I'm over it.  Really over it.  There is no reason that my 3 intelligent, responsible, innovative children can't come up with the menu a couple times a week.  (I realize that my youngest is 2, but why not start grooming her domestic qualities now??).  If I give each child 2 days each week, (2 days X 3 kids = 6 days!!!) I am only left with one day to figure out.  And who's to say that we don't call that evening, "Take out Tuesday???"  LOVE IT!  

Whew, so glad to have dinner figured out for the week.  Just ask my kiddos, "Hey, what's for dinner?"  Let's see how that question makes them squirm for once! 

Good luck, suckahs!

What do 2 year olds do?

Georgia Kate has recently celebrated her 2nd birthday.  I can't get over how big she is getting, right before my very eyes.  Everyday she is doing, saying, eating, trying something new.  Let me show you a few things that she has been up to lately...

she plays dress up (love those clicky shoes)

she colors in her Barbie Princess coloring book (she actually spends most of her time dumping the 10 gazillion crayons on the floor, but she colors a little too)

why didn't I settle for the 8 pack?  really?  guess who picks these up 72 times a day?

she likes to sample the newest and hottest lipshades for spring (lovely, don't you think?)

this shade is called "are you kidding me?  why wasn't your mommy watching you?"

she swings in the big-girl swing (no more baby swing for me mommy, I'm 2 now!)

With that all said, happy birthday big girl.  Thank you for adding such laughter, spirit, spunk, chaos and craziness to our already zany home.  We are so glad that God gave us such a special gift 2 years ago.

Spare time (part dos)

I promised more pictures of my mediocre crafting attempts.  Here we go...

That about sums it up.  Took a sewing class the other evening with a few girlie friends and learned some great tips.  Was I ever doing so many things incorrectly.  Thanks City Craft of Dallas for setting me straight. 

Spare time...(part 1)

Greetings friends and fellow bloggers.  Thank you for always finding the time and motivation to inspire me with your creativity.  I find myself losing big chunks of time during my day sitting at my computer and looking at all of the lovely projects you have completed and found time to blog about.  

Latey, I have been bitten by the sewing bug.  I wish I could say that my sewing skills are improving, but I'd be a big fat liar.  My projects look really cute from far away.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look closely at my hems, crooked stitches and sloppy craftsmanship.  Like I said, keep your distance and admire my handiwork.  Here are a few items I've done for Syd...

patchwork skirt (denim patches recycled from a shirt I've had since the 80's- time to let go) 

another patchwork skirt (lots of Ikea fabric - don't you just LOVE Ikea?)

this skirt was once mine - i cut it in half and now syd can enjoy it

another one of my skirts from the past - (cute one from anthropologie, i believe)

random picture of GK - has nothing to do with my post - just kinda cute

I'll be back with more projects.  I've been busy lately creating lots of mediocre crap.  See you soon!

Guilty Pleasures

As I was struggling with a new topic to blog about, cute Chris suggested that I write about my guilty pleasures.  Urban dictionary defines a guilty pleasure as:

1. Something that you shouldn't like but do anyway.  

            husband:  "Did you polish off that bottle of wine?"
            wife (me):  "Hmmm, me?  No, um, I think you did.  Oh, you haven't had any?  Oops, guilty."
   
      2.  Something that you love to do but hate to admit to.

            husband:  "I can't believe you are watching those Orange County housewives. Again."
           wife (me):  "I know, it's a total guilty pleasure!  Don't tell your mom I watch this trash."

Anyway, you get the picture.  Thought you might like a list of my guilty pleasures.  Hope it makes you feel better about your own vices.

• Warm chocolate chip cookies right outta the oven.  Hmmm, actually, any variety of warm cookie right outta the oven.  Can't resist and even find myself baking them and pretending they are "for the kids, honey."  
• Sleep.  Power naps, long luxurious naps, the rare morning that I can sleep in.  LOVE to sleep.  I can't remember a time when I didn't feel tired.  Can you???  
• I've said it before, and I'll say it again, love me a glass of red wine.  Love the taste, love holding that pretty stemware in my hand.  Love how it "takes the edge off a really long day."  Cute Chris thinks I might have a problem.  "It's because of the kids, honey."
• Me Time.  Selfish, I know, but aren't most guilty pleasures?  And really, how often do I get Me Time? (Running errands during nap time does not count.  That's called, "Beat the Clock.")   I love to steal away with no agenda and get lost for a while.  Sometimes I leave my phone in the car so I'm hard to reach. Don't tell my family that.
• Places I love to get lost:
• bookstores
• mani/pedi salon
• junk shops
• the aisles of Target

So, there you have it.  Just a few guilty pleasures.  Not too bad of a list.  Now go and have that glass of wine with your chocolate chip cookie.  I won't judge.