76 Trombones

While we were visiting Gram and Pop we were able to visit a little with Great Grandparents as well. Great Pop used to be a part of a barber shop quartet and he plays the piano VERY well (he claimed he was rusty but I was very impressed). The kids had so much fun dancing along.

I spent almost 24 hours trying to upload a longer video but it never worked. Here is a shorter version, but sadly you don't hear as much of his playing.

Where to Start?

We had a wonderful time visiting Gram and Pop. The girls had a blast visiting family, going to the beach and DISNEY WORLD.

I have a ton of pictures to sort through. Here are just a couple until I have a chance to go through them all.

Momma

We had the best time. Lots of good talks, lots of fun times and evenings sitting together reading (just like we did when I was growing up). I dropped her off this morning and made the hour drive home with my eyes burning and my stomach hurting.

The girls' school coincidentally had a grandparents day presentation while mom was here. They were hilarious. Here is a video when Kate saw us sitting there. After her class performed they moved to the side and sat on the floor. The next class stood up to sing their songs and when there was a moment of quiet we hear, "HI MEMAW!!!!" Everyone in the room cracked up.

Momma

We're picking my mom up at the airport today, yippeee. I'll try to remember to take pictures, until then here are a couple of inspiration pictures that I liked this week.

Quiet Time

Kendall had swim lessons this morning, she did great. Unfortunately it leaves her physically and emotionally exhausted. I usually give her about 30 minutes after Kate goes down for nap before she is off to bed too, today we filled that with some quiet mommy & Kendall painting time. I've read about this project on a blog and was eager to try it. I admit this was as much for me to get my watercolors back out as it was for her. It turned out great and Kendall learned a LOT about mixing colors and blending.

We had a little snow dusting this morning, the girls ran out to "taste" it. Yummy right?

What We're Doing

We've had a short visit from Gram and Pop.

A quick trip to Uncle Jeff's and Aunt Jill's for a few pumpkins from their patch, luckily the girls and Pop couldn't quite lift this one.

We got to meet Carson and Corrigan.

Today for some horrible unknown reason neither of the girls could nap. I knew we had to stay occupied to avoid exhausted female dramatics so we baked banana bread and then the girls "washed the dishes."

Let's Get Started

Last night I sat down to get this December Daily project under way.

I finished the cover and a few interor pages, the cover has since changed slightly. It's nap time now and I'm working a little more, I love making stuff.

It never matters how big the desk is, I usually end up with some on my floor and some on my lap.

Crafty Mess

I did a scrapbook page during nap time.

Now I have more then just the bathrooms to clean.

Today

Today I helped in Kendall's classroom, the kids were so cute and each so very different. I love both of the girls' teachers, I couldn't be happier with what the girls are learning and how they are growing.

This week has been kind of crazy. Errands and appointments and the training first thing after dropping off the girls has divided my "time off" (preschool time) to where I haven't been able to get much done around the house. All the laundry has been washed and folded (but still sitting on the dining room table), the kitchen mopped and things picked up but that is the extent of the household productivity around here. The girls are both down for their naps now and I think I'll just carry on the zero productivity chain and relax at my desk and do something creative. I have big plans of tackling all those bathrooms first thing in the morning...unless something distracts me.

Here are a few things that have been inspiring me lately. I'll give one from each of my photo gallery categories.

Home (this has two pictures):

Love this calm kid bedroom, especially loving the silhouette on the wall, might have to do that in one of the girls' rooms.

I also like how they painted this window frame and then painted the glass with magnetic paint to use in a studio.

Scrapbooking: As always the fabulous Ali Edwards constantly inspiring me. I have to pat myself on the back because the deadline for registering for her class has come and gone and I resisted the temptation.

Kid Activities: With all the leaves in the yard now I really like this little activity for the girls. I don't know if I will go so far as to mount the leaves but I think we could do a little nature walk and come home to study all our findings with our magnifying glasses (I found some last year in the $1 section at Target).

And because no post is complete without the required picture of my kids. Here are Kendall and Kate jumping up and down to stay warm last weekend while waiting for Daddy to finish his race.

Bump

Shortly after the blog posting, this occured. Kate's head met a brick sidewalk. Poor little monkey.


After a bath and a bandaid the UPS man delievered the little ladies "Big Bottomed Bumble Bee" so all was well again.

Around Here

I sit with a mug of hot tea sweetened with honey and a stack of magazines from the library. The girls play on the steps with their sidewalk chalk and a cup of homemade "trail mix". We're all kind of waiting on the UPS man, Kate's Halloween costume is due to arrive today and we're a little excited.

With all our running around Sunday the girls ended up sleeping in the car. Kate looks so sweet.

Kendall looks....well I don't really know how she looks because she sleeps like this in the car.

I love that they have each other to play with. Here they are playing "sleeping". Exciting game, yes? I wish they would play this game a little more around 6am.

Playing

I'm starting to use more digital elements in my scrapbooking. Let me rephrase that, I'm trying to learn how to use more digital elements in my scrapbooking. I've been playing with these tonight. Now I'm exhausted, actually I'm sick and tired, literally. Off to read in bed

Freeze

This picture really hit me. I took it this morning, doesn't she look old?! Where did my little baby go!?!

One Great Weekend

We had such a fun weekend. I think I've mentioned before how we have been blessed with great neighbors. Every once in awhile their kids come home and we LOVE them too! Their son and daughter-in-law are our age and their kids are close in age to Kendall and Kate. They were in town this weekend and we had dinner together (and a little impromptu dance party), went to the craft fair together and they came over to play too.

Sunday was very busy for us too. Brian had a race in the morning, the girls and I made sugar cookies and then went to cheer him on. Afterwards we went directly to his softball double header. Watching his races always inspires me. I always say that I'm going to start running after I watch one. Brian is helping me with my training and I started today. I feel confident about the actual running part, nervous about the running in freezing temperatures part!

Christmas Count Down

Simple Mom has a great countdown starting. Officially 12 weeks until Christmas. Here is her list to help us prepare.

12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas

• 12: Solidify the Christmas budget
• 11: Organize your mailing addresses for Christmas cards, and explore alternative ideas
• 10: Start (or finish!) gift shopping
• 9: Research ways to donate gifts or time as a family
• 8: Inventory your holiday decor and list the items to look for on sale
• 7: Finalize the holiday calendar and schedule dates and events
• 6: Prepare a a new family tradition, such as a Jesse Tree
• 5: Design, buy, or order your Christmas cards and stamps, and address envelopes
• 4: Decorate for Christmas
• 3: Make meal plans; batch cook and freeze meals for the next few weeks
• 2: Make and freeze cookie dough, and prepare any food gifts
• 1: Clean the home, prepare for guests, or prepare to be a guest

Getting There

I'm so happy with how my office/studio is turning out! I still need to get a little side table between the chairs and then the artwork on the walls.

Still deciding what table should go between the chairs, I'm eyeing this one! Cute little mirrored side table. I've seen these a lot lately in magazine and design sites.

I'm a little stumped when it comes to artwork. The only idea I have is my little wooden scissors that I want to hang and put a frame like this around it.

Let me know if you have any artwork suggestions! I've thought about a nice cork board or something to hang inspiration from, possibly two large framed pieces, or maybe ledges for frames and small trinkets.

And finally for the grandparents Kendall picked out her clothes today, she was trying to match her Strawberry Shortcake.

PS I'm sure the photos are so mixed up, I've been having trouble getting them in the right place since I switched to the mac.