The Chicklet's Christmas list

The chicklet's Christmas list by thepaperchick on Polyvore

1.  If my kids are not sleeping or begging for a snack you can pretty much bet that they are outside. So their big toys this year are outside toys. Kendall and Kate have tried out their cousins and friends pogo sticks and are anxious to have one of their own. We noticed the Razor 360 as soon as we moved into this neighborhood and Kendall has played on one at a friends house. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to try it out myself. Jack LOVES to scoot around and has been using the plasma car (which I would highly recommend if you don't already have one). I've heard that kids that use these balance bikes end up learning to ride a two wheeler really early since they never learn to depend on the training wheels.
2. Guess Who is a classic board game, one my kids have never even seen. I'm sure they'll love it
3. Story Cubes is a game that you develop fun stories with, I'm all for using your imagination.
4. Two card games I've heard good things about. Spot it! and Sleeping Queens. Since we're traveling this year I think a lot of these will be good in the car.
5. We never have a year where some kind of logic or thinking game isn't included, this year it's Lonpos. Kendall has been doing something similar to this in her math homework and I was really surprised with how easily this came to her and it's fun too.
6. These are really pricey but I've had more than one mom suggest them. Tegu magnetic blocks are meant for Jack but I see Kate playing with these a lot as well since I always catch her building with things.
7. Kendall and Kate have both asked for some of the new Lego Friends sets.
8. While cleaning out her closet this week Kendall was anxious to get rid of any toys or things considered too babyish, sigh. She handed down a LOT of books to her sister and informed me that she wanted to fill her shelves with chapter books. I guess this summer's Mommy School goal of developing a love a reading was a success. The Magic Tree House series is a favorite of hers, she also likes Katie Kazoo and Ivy & Bean. For Kate I found this Kiki and CoCo in Paris since both girls love all things Paris.
9. Finally, they've been begging for these mismatched Chooze shoes. We really love the TOMS but are having problems making them last. One of Kendall's friends wears these and they seem to be holding up much better and the best part is that you can just throw them in the washing machine!

Any other must have that I've missed? I'm really at a loss for what to get Jack.  He loves cars,  blocks and to play outside and we have all of those things!

Boys clothing on a Gap budget

Dressing little boys has gotten SO much easier in the last couple of years. I've pulled ten items from gap.com that you can mix and match to make lots of different outfits. Please note that you can find a LOT of similar pieces in Target. They have great gingham button ups, striped tees and jeans. I hesitate to make a Target board (even though I LOVE their little kid clothes---but not their big girl clothes, seriously?!) just because they have so many things on their website to sift through.

Boys clothing on a Gap budget by thepaperchick featuring a puff vest

1. This is my favorite piece of the entire board, I just think it's so versatile. Jack would wear this to church with the cords or even better, on a weekday I would layer it under the graphic tee and pair with the jeans and desert boots
2. These other shirts are all basic, comfy, every day shirts. Jack has this orange striped tee, actually he's wearing it today with some navy, knit cargo pants. You can layer any of them under the hoodie.
3. My little guy plays hard so I tend to put him in dark colored pants, he has no reservations over plopping down in the middle of a dirt pile to play. Dark jeans and a darker shade of corduroys does the trick.
4. I love how these dark knit cargos are super cozy and comfortable but still cute. 
5. We have this orange vest, it's VERY plush and looks cute with a lot of different shirts. I would wear it with any one of the shirts on this page.
6. Mock neck? Elbow patches?! Yes, please.
7. Desert boots on little guys are seriously cute. The thin sole on this boot makes it flexible so it's easier to walk in. Between these boots and a pair of Navy TOMS or tennis shoes you pretty much have your shoe needs met.

I remember when my oldest daughter was born (seven years ago) I would look through the children's clothing racks and be so thankful that she was a girl. Now it's so easy to find cute little boy clothes!

What I'm Eyeing on an Old Navy Budget-Girls Edition

Let's face it, dressing girls is really fun. It's really easy to buy and spend too much on them but it is becoming increasingly easier to find cute things at good prices. I've collected ten items that I've found on the Old Navy website, many that are on sale for $15 or less. I think all of these are easily mixed and matched too.

My girls love to wear dresses and skirts no matter what the temperature is. We get lots of use out of them even in the winter by pairing them with either skinny jeans layered under them, fun leggings or with tights.

1. This grey cargo skirt is adorable and a great neutral layering piece. I think it's essential to have some good neutral, classic pieces in any wardrobe. In my closet I tend to spend a bit more on these because I know they'll be worn more but with my kids I know that they're going to grow out of them in a season anyway. I would pair this skirt with a chunky sweater and fun black and white stripped leggings or maybe a cute patterned top and a puffy vest with cable knit tights and tall boots. 
2. Pattern and color are important to add to any outfit regardless of your age. This shirt is a good way to incorporate both in one piece. You can wear this with the sweater (#6) and denim (either skirt or jeans) or you could wear it with the grey cargo skirt and top it with a jean jacket.
3. Every little girl needs a jean skirt. I don't think either of my girls have been at an age where they haven't had at least one in their closet. Jean skirts can be worn with so much in any season.
4. Tall brown boots are really versatile, wear them under wide leg jeans or over leggings and tights with a skirt. This momma takes comfort in thinking they're an extra layer on tiny legs for warmth
5. Fun socks peeking out of tall boots are cute. Kendall and Kate do it and so do I.
6. Another neutral layering piece, I keep imagining this with a navy and white wide stripped shirt and jeans. Or you could wear a collared button up and a pink corduroy skirt and fun tights.
7. Skinny jeans, enough said. 
8. These dresses look very Crewcuts to me. On really cold days wear one of these dresses with your skinny jeans and a pair of sparkly TOMS or fun print flats (Kendall wears a pair of cheetah print flats with hot pink lining from Old Navy ALL.THE.TIME).
9. (see #8)
10. Cute winter coat. Too often our outfit is covered by a winter coat so I think a fun one is in order. 

Make sure you take a peek at my post on creating a Look Book for your kids to help them build confidence in dressing themselves in the morning!

Girls Striped Long-Sleeve Henleys / Girls Hooded Cable-Knit Sweater Vests / Girls Fleece Cargo Skirts / Girls Flower-Belt Skinny Jeans / Old Navy Girls Ribbon Belt Jersey Dresses / Old Navy Girls Distressed Denim Minis / Old Navy Girls Faux Leather Riding Boots / Girls Hooded Performance Fleece Toggle Coats | Old Navy / Girls Graphic Tiered Dresses | Old Navy / Girls Patterned Knee-High Socks | Old Navy / Girls Patterned Knee-High Socks | Old Navy

Fall in the Kitchen

My girlfriend Suzi mentioned that I had left you guys hanging with those teaser pictures. I have found that if I don't have the house exactly like I want then I don't want to show it at all. Well let's face it, my house will never be exactly how I want it or finished. I've reached a point of a blogging paralysis, not because I don't know WHAT to blog but because I have so many ideas that I don't know where to start. I loved having Suzi say specifially what she wanted to see (fall decorating and the results of those teasers).

We hosted a cookout here this month. The beautiful pumpkins were pretty much the extent of the decorating I did.

I also threw together these little burlap and music sheet tags to tie on those that were on the buffet.

A little craft store wheat and various treasure found outside completed it.

This is actually one of my favorite spots in the kitchen. We usually just use oil and vinegar on our salads so it's nice to have them within reach. My little collection of wooden spoons/utensils are also close at hand. I tossed a decorative pear there for the fall.

On each of the tables at the party I had a few of these mason jars wrapped with twine and burlap. In each there are coffee beans and unscented votive candles. They were a really cheap and cute table filler (each table had a linen/cream colored table cloth with a wide piece of burlap crossways on the table)

Our new dining table is sporting some beautiful pumpkins and wheat too. These are low and fairly narrow so they don't have to moved every evening at dinner.

We love the new table in the kitchen. It's much more rustic looking so a better match to the style of this house. Also when we bought the house on our house hunting trip they were mid construction. I didn't have time to go to the lighting store to pick out the light fixtures. Our builder picked out lighting but allowed us to change 20% once we were in. The large one over our table was one of the few that I switched.

Our bedroom is on the main floor of the house. I'm standing near our bedroom door looking into the great room. To the right are four large windows that overlook the backyard. We've added woven blinds and these curtains.This space is a bit of an "open" hallway, just some added space so that you wont have to walk through all the furniture in the great room in order to get to our room. 

It's really hard to tell from these pictures but the artwork is HUGE. Each of the reclaimed wood pieces are two feet squared. They're some of my favorite pieces that we have ever bought, they have the smell of leather, making me think that they possibly were part of a tact room in a barn at some point?

Here's the little man to give you a little perspective on how big they are.

Tucked into a little corner of the kitchen is this little grouping. I purchased these candle sticks when I was in high school for my room. They were HIDEOUS colors....ugly red and one was multi colored. A couple years ago I asked my mom to bring some to me when she came to visit and I spray painted them all a glossy cream color. I switch out the different doo-dads depending on the season. 

Next to the couch is a little stack of books (covers ripped off) again with twine and burlap. These are out year round actually, not exactly seasonal.

Our bookshelves have little bits and pieces of seasonal items. This is one of those unfinished spaces I'm hesitant to post. The entire top row is untouched but I PLAN to put a lot of stacked books, again with the covers ripped off/with some tied with twine. Some will be upright, others stacked.

Our enormous pineapple found a home here.

Left side of built-ins

Right side of built-ins. We actually had a decorator come in and "style" them at one point and I didn't buy a single thing she brought. I don't like clutter or shelves to feel crowded, Brian and I both like the simplicity of the way I had styled it.

Along our dining room table is an old window box found a long time ago at Home Goods with various "filler".

On the buffet.

And finally on the entry table a little book page covered box, pumpkin and a rustic, rusty little iron bird.

 I would love for you to weigh in on what you would like to see more of here on Paper Chick! 

Sneak Peek

I've been reminded that we are long overdue some new house decorating updates. I'm almost ready, really I'm ALMOST READY to provide those. Until here are just a few little teasers.

Trestle table love.

The LONG searched for antiqued mirrors in mirror frames. Yes, that's a fall pumpkin, it's September don't judge. I love fall.

The most beautiful reclaimed wood art. These puppies weigh 20 pounds or so each (?) and we have four of these beauties. I would love to know where all of the wood came from. Some looks like it may have been in a fire, others you can tell have had hinges or other hardware attached. Gorgeous and big 2 feet by 2 feet each.

So that will have to due for now. Have to get some of these things hung on the wall and styled then I'll be back with a more detailed post

Look Book

Part of our back to school preparations involved cleaning out the girls closets and finding what they needed. While we sorted and put together new outfits we took pictures to create a little Look Book for each of the girls.

 We will add more photos over time but now they have a nice selection to page through when they get dressed to get inspired by. Of course they don't HAVE to choose one of those outfits but it's working out to be a good way for them to learn what goes with what, which colors work together...

Kendall's attention span for the project lasted much longer than Kate's did so each day that she wears something cute we'll take a quick pic and add it to the book.

I need someone to come in and do this with my own closet!!

Routine to Me Part II

The girl's bath routine isn't exactly routine anymore. Sometimes Kendall showers by herself, sometimes with Kate, sometimes they have a bath...just depends on the night and their mood. This night they opted for a bubble bath together. You know how baths are supposed to calm kids? Well, that doesn't happen here, it's gets mine all riled up.

This little boat has a story of its own, it's a story that I'll save for another time but the short version is that my engagement ring was delivered on it, now my kids play with it.

My sweet little brown babies, the summer was good to us.

I do love these sweet girls. 

This is Kendall's "bunny" he has been around awhile and has had a few surgeries and some serious love in his life.

Some last minute rowdiness with Dad then the girls and I read a story from the Bible together. Afterwards Kendall heads to her room for a book with Dad and Kate and I read together. Each girl says their prayers and have a couple of songs before the lights go out.

The girls always hug before bed, actually Kate is quite adamant that Kendall NOT kiss her. I guess she was feeling generous this night with the camera there.

Oh this arm around the neck snuggle. I can't handle it, I dread the day that these little squeezes stop.

They're prayers are always the sweetest. They pray for Shirley in Peru (Compassion International), they had a long list of things they are thankful for: Daddy's job, our house, good neighbors....sweet little voices being thankful.

It's All Routine to Me

So after a yummy dinner, and some outside playing, it's time for bedtime routine. My kids go to bed prettttty early. We've tried later bedtimes but they wake up early anyway so we stick to what works. On weekends and during the summer we will sometimes stay out later to play but for the most part my kids are in bed by 7:00. The girls are allowed to read until 8 but they always opt to go straight to sleep!

I've blogged similar pictures before. I love these bedtime routine pictures. 

He is always so happy to throw away his old diaper.

More pouring water back and forth

I love this picture, the way he's smiling up at me. I know there will be a day that he doesn't look at me quite the same!

Both of my girls have snugglies that are stuffed animals, Jack prefers his blanket.

Daddy always comes in to kiss him while we read a story, say a prayer and sing a couple songs.

See that brown dot on his foot? That's not a bruise, it's a tan line from his pool shoes :) Jack has never been much of a cryer at bedtime. He goes to bed at 7 then sleeps until 7 or 8. We took his pacifier about a month ago and now he'll talk in his bed for awhile, sometimes he yells for me but he doesn't really cry. Honestly I don't mind going in there when it's quiet and dark. He snuggles me in his chair and we talk for about five minutes then he goes down without a peep. He always asks in his sweet little voice, "Sissy night night? Daddy night night??" over and over until he is completely convinced that he isn't missing out on anything.