r's day

We have set a goal that each child will get one day a month as their "special day" with mom. They drew numbers this month to see who was 1st, 2nd and 3rd. R was the lucky number 1. She made her decision on the location so today we packed up and headed to the Art Museum. R LOVES going there. She always has. It might be because Dale takes the kids there many times throughout the year (ever since they were babies). Not exactly sure but whatever the reason it is a favorite place. The other day at Hobby Lobby we purchased her first sketch book. So she was ready to do it right....

the front of the building...

here is the first painting she sketched. every time we go to the art museum she stops at this painting and asks for the explanation. it is of Appollo slicing the arm of Marsyas because he is too prideful and thinks he is better than the other gods- such a consequence! R drew the slicing of the arm (i like that Marsyas has a big head). cracks me up!

deep in thought...

she was really intense on this one...

one water lily for each child in the color she thought they would like :)

her favorite silver tree...

the pitcher and the fruit bowl (she said she did not see the fruit)



After all that hard work we headed to Starbucks (surprise, surprise). It was a FUN day!

ok so i can't get enough

of this little girl....

sweet c

We LOVE our photographer: jodie allen of jodified designs. She is fun to work with AND she produces amazing art! You should check out her website: jodified.com

a "taste"

Carsyn had her 7 year pictures taken on Sunday in the Loop. We had so much fun hanging out with Jodie (our amazing photographer) and being together just the three of us. Here is a sneak peek of the photos. More to come....

snowy april morn

I cannot say it enough: I LOVE Monday's (even when it drops to 33 and snows in APRIL!). It is the only day of the week that I stay home all day. No where to go (unless we want to). Nothing to do (unless we want to). It's just Luke, Reagan and myself. We bake bread, play games, read books, do crafts, and nap while staying in our pj's all day (or just until Dale comes home from school). It is my "rest day". I LOVE IT!!

Today we baked bread- L and R love to play with the dough. Oh and in the midst of making the dough Luke comes running down the stairs and says: "Mom, my ant farm fell over and the ants are everywhere!" Never a dull moment!

L went around the house taking pix. I love how his hair looks in this one...

We dyed eggs...


I love the team work...

We are proud of the results...


We saved some eggs for C to speckle. Oh and keep your eyes peeled for the "eggimals" we are making tonight (before DWTS)!

a crazy woman

Twice a year I participate in a Childrens Clothing Sale (CCS). I donate a few items, volunteer a few shifts and shop for kids clothes all in the span of 48 hours. Thursday Michelle and I volunteered for the shift when you receive and tag clothes donors bring in (I am not going to explain the logistics of the sale so hopefully you will understand the story). So were talking, laughing, tagging, eating, putting clothes out etc. As I am tagging I find the CUTEST pants you have ever seen! They are bright, bold, colorful, have plenty of pink, knit and they are hanna anderssons. SWEET!! Reagan would LOVE these. Even if she didn't I would make her wear them (yeah right).

So I make a mental note to find these pants first when I shop. Now realize 2 things: 1. there is a heirarchy at the CCS: committee members, volunteers, donors and the general public- there are shopping time slots for each group in that order (note: I am a volunteer/member). 2. women are a bit fanatical at this sale (well, in general). After my volunteer shift ended (way far out in the deep recesses of West County) I cruise home and crash into bed. I fall asleep only to wake 7 times in the night with DREAMS of these crazy pants. I am not sleeping because of a pair of pants and there is NOTHING I can do about it!!! UGH.

It's Friday now. I get to shop at 4:00. I drop the kids off to Dale and head down the long stretch of Manchester Rd. I get to the sale early, 3:25 to be exact. There are 3 women IN LINE ahead of me and 10 committee members rolling out hanging carts FULL of kids clothes to their cars. I do a quick scan of the passing clothes - don't see the pants. There's hope. Yahoo! Doors open at 4:00- women rush in, I go for the 4T isle and search, and search, and search for these crazy pants- and they ARE NOT THERE!. OK, so it's not meant to be. They're just pants. God is teaching me a lesson here. Right?!? Don't be obsessed with material things- focus my energies on HIM. Got it! No pants, no big deal (mostly)

So i go thru the clothes and pick out things I think we need and as I am flipping thru the dresses I spot the PANTS. HOLY COW!! So cool. Not exactly sure the lesson here. Still think I should not be obsessed by things but how do I force my mind to do that?!? I have to process that while I watch R play in her cool new pants!! I know- I'm crazy. Knew it already.....

BTW: she LOVES the pants. She would wear them every day if I would let her and I just might! oh and they are MUCH cuter in person!

they are great for jumping:

and posing:

daisy field trip

Today Carsyn's Girl Scout Troop went on their first field trip. They went to a local florist for a tour and a little flower arranging. I must admit that I thouhgt it was a cheesy idea, but as we toured the facility I quickly changed my mind. It was a really amazing place. They girls were fascinated with all the flowers and the florists who were creating amazing arrangements. They got to experience a little of it first hand. Carsyn had a great time and took great care arranging her flowers. One of the girls was VERY particular about the placement of each flower- it all had to be spaced just so, with the colors evenly distributed. She was extremely careful with each of the delicate blooms. It was HILARIOUS! Lisa, I think you may have a florsit on your hands!!! I had a great time watching the girls. We topped the afternoon off with a trip to Gus's Pretzels. It was fun!

C getting started...

i love the look...


the troop...

Gus's...