Sadie and Isaac

Sadie wiggles her way in whenever one of we humans sit down. 

She's a snuggler.

Turning Junk Into Treasures

Coloring on Plates

New Curtains

Dandelion curtains for the playroom made by my Mom. 

Soon they are off to be hemmed at the appropriate length.

Chalkboard Complete

Bill and I picked up this old beat up frame at an antique store while we were on a date. We painted the frame, Bill cut out a board, and he painted it with chalkboard paint. We still have to put some hooks on it to hang it up. As for the size, it wasn't quite as big as I was hoping for so we brought in the lockers from the garage to fill in the blank space. I'm really liking how it all came together.

Baby Dolls

My baby doll meeting Kate's baby doll. 

Life with Kids

What a beautiful mess!

And just in case you didn't already know, dried Play-Doh, smashed into a jute rug, vacuums up beautifully.

Jonah . . .

. . . as told by my second grader.

Kitchen Organization

Cleaning Schedule

Nothing makes my Type A smile quite like an organized dresser.

It's Tuesday and according to my cleaning schedule, it's clean out the dressers, clean the bedding, wash the floors, and shine up the mirrors day. I've had the cleaning schedule taped up inside my kitchen cupboards for months, but just haven't followed it. I think this first week will be the hardest since all the dressers were pretty untidy. Anyway, it's somewhere past four o'clock and I still have a two more beds to make, floors to wash, and mirrors to scrub . . . and all the other daily chores to finish. We might have a messy house, leftovers for dinner, and dishes to wash, but those dressers look NICE!

Lockers

We brought the lockers in from the garage! I'm loving how they look, now I just need to style the shelves and figure out the wall arrangement. Maybe I'll search for locker baskets at the Farm Chick's Show in June. Maybe I'll put an old wooden crate on the top. Maybe I'll arrange some white dishes on there. Maybe a set of silver bowls. Maybe I'll just arrange photo boxes. Oh, I do love a space to decorate and organize!

Maybe something like this . . .

Late Night Snack

Bill and I heard clicking sounds late last night -- like claws on the floor. Turns out Sadie sneaked out of our room and helped herself to what was supposed to be our breakfast. There were several muffins too .  . . She enjoyed them, but she sure is feeling guilty this morning.

Christmas Duck

Bill spoils me with gifts at Christmas while I struggle with what to get him. So this past Christmas I didn't shower him with gifts, but I did get him something that he wanted (I've missed the mark several times!) I pulled one of his bagged trophy birds out of my freezer (eek!) and took it down to the taxidermist. I did recruit my Mom to go with me because taxidermists are supposed to be creepy right? Turns out he was perfectly normal and helped me give Bill a gift he actually liked. He stuffed the thing for me just in time to surprise Bill on Christmas Eve. When I brought the box in and told Bill to open it, I had NEVER seen such a pleased smile on his face. Not only did he like it, but he was surprised. I was pretty happy about that! So . . . now there is a dead bird displayed in our room. Guess I'll have to give him a name and learn to like him.

Dining

Our little Parramore Cafe.
We got a couple of metal chairs yesterday in the hopes of blending the kitchen/dining combo.
And oh how I adore mismatched items.

A Clean Kitchen . . .

. . . Makes me want to bake something.

Fighting the Bug

The dog can't stand her pets not running around. She lays around with her sad eyes, just waiting for someone to play with her.

Funny thing about this bug is that it lays everyone flat for awhile then everyone appears to be better. Back and forth it goes . . . for nine days thus far between the five of us. We can't complain though. Everyone has been in such good spirits throughout the process and everyone has been really sweet in looking after each other. Last night, for instance, I was tired, worn. Wonderful Isaac knew I was done for the night so he took it upon himself to brush his sister's teeth for me. Doctor Kate checked up on me throughout the day, taking my temperature and asking me how I felt.  Bill gave me a day to lay in bed and sleep -- he cleaned and cleaned AND CLEANED. Makes my heart burst to see how much love has been displayed in how generously everyone pitched in to care for each other. I have a feeling the dog will have her regularly rowdy crew to chase around in no time.

Fruit Basket

This should last us the week. The little people gobble this stuff up fast!

Nightstand

Embroidering Towels . . .

. . . is one of my favorite things to do.