think...

Since I haven't blogged in so long I figured I needed to post something...and since I took all these cute pictures of Payton in her musical theatre costume yesterday, I thought "perfect!" So here ya go!

Payton has looooved dancing this year. I think she really caught the bug after her first competition and she started to see what this was all about....being on stage is so much more than just being in the classroom setting, and she loves it! Part of me still can't believe that I have a daughter old enough to be in the dance world, and so many memories have come flooding back to me in the past few months as she's been performing. It's been fun and I'm proud of her and for the time being she's loving it, so that's all that matters, right? (Oh, and just a sidenote...for this number, they are kids in detention. She loved acting out her part and was so cute onstage!) Things have been so so busy this past month...I've found myself getting back to taking pictures again, and then we've been busy with dance competitions, rehearsals and everything else that comes at this time of year. Out little Crewie turned 1 almost 2 weeks ago, and yes, I still need to blog about that!! I wish I could keep up with it all! I am at that point that I am just so ready for the fun and relaxtion of summer...it'll be nice to have no schedule and just hang out and play. Only 1 more month, right??? (hee hee)


 

motherhood on my mind

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I've had "motherhood" on my mind as I've been browsing online lately...I always tell myself I'm going to do a fabulous photoshoot with myself and my kiddos, and surprise surprise...life gets busy and it never happens! Yesterday I came across this wonderful photo checklist by Rebecca Cooper, and decided to give it a try. She suggested using the self-timer on your camera to get some snapshots with you and your kids ('cause let's face it...WHO exactly is going to take a picture with ME in it?) so Gabby and I sat down and this is what we got! These photos that took about 5 minutes in total to take have already become so precious to me. This is the last few months that I'll have Gabby home with me during the days before she starts grade 1 in the fall. While she is so ready to be at school all day like her big sister, I can't help but be emotional at the thought of her being gone all day and taking that next step towards becoming a big girl. Gabby is always full of kisses, snuggles and "I love you's"...I will sure miss our afternoons together. (When she's being a sweetie...let's not even talk about the meltdown she had on our driveway the other day for the whole neighborhood to see! Heehee.) So now I need to get that camera out and do this with all my kiddos! Thank you Rebecca for the inspiration!!!











(Also, come and see my "Motherhood" Board on Pinterest for all things mommy...quotes, tips, ideas, good online reads, and more!!!)

11 months

Well, somehow our baby boy has managed to get to be 11 months old. 11 months??? Really??? Even though it feels like we've had him forever, I still sometimes feel like was just pregnant. I haven't forgotten the horrors of pregnancy quite yet! (haha)

So instead of me apologizing for being such a crappy blogger, let's just get to some more cute photos of our Crewie. I was looking at the calendar today and realized that Crew is one in just a month, so Gabby and Kherington helped me snap a few quick photos of our boy. He is so funny....and sooooo hard to crack a smile out of as soon as the camera comes out!! He was more interested in the hairbrush that was sitting on the floor than the cool plane and bike that I put in front of him, but we still managed to get some cute ones I think!

Love this boy!!!!!

And yup, he spent most of the time crawling away and towards that hairbrush I was talkin' about.

Stinker!!! (heehee)

gabby's valentine parfaits

I just wanted to quickly share Gabby's little treats that she and I made for her Valentine's party in her Kindergarten class this morning. She was such a great little helper, and they turned out so yummy and cute!! I found this pin on Pinterest (surprise!) and knew that this would be right up my alley...I like finding alternatives to cookies and cupcakes...nothin' wrong with either, but we all know how I feel about baking and decorating!

To make your own Valentine's Parfaits you will need:

-a cake mix

-cool whip

-vanilla pudding mix

-vanilla yogurt

-sprinkles

-plastic cups

Decorate plastic cups. Bake cake according to instructions on the box. Let cool completely. Scoop into bottom of cups. Mix together cool whip, pudding, and yogurt. (add food coloring if desired) Scoop into cup. Top off with with cool whip and sprinkles. Done!

Hope you like' em! I'll be making these again for sure!!

xoxo

happy heart day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Just wanted to share some photos I took of the kids last week. I love all these crazies so very much!! We'll be spending our Valentine's here at home together tonight...nothin' too special, just lots of kisses and lots of hugs...oh, and maybe some chocolate, too!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day spent with the ones you love....

xoxo,

valentine's decor & a birthday party

I gotta say, I love decorating for Valentine's Day...pink and red and hearts...oh, my! When I saw this banner by Rebecca from Simple as That, I got to work. It has been soooo long since I've properly scrapbooked or made much in the way of cute projects, so it was nice to get out some paper and scissors and cut and play. Thank you, Rebecca for the inspiration and the motivation!

After I finished this banner and hung it up I decided it was so cute that I made another one for our mantle and then I made yet another one for my sister...I just love the mix of the vintage book papers with the pink and red hearts...so so cute!! And believe it or not, I added some hearts to twigs to put on my mantle as well, and then I saw this post of Rebecca's...mine are purely decorative, but I love that she's using hers to write love notes to their family members...I'll have to keep that in mind for next year!!

We also had a little birthday party for Payton on the weekend, and since our house was already half-decorated, we went with a Valentine's theme for her party and I loved how it turned out!! It was sooooo easy to throw together since there's so much in the way of Valnetine's stuff in the stores right now. The girls did some v-day crafts and coloring, played human tic-tac-toe, decorated a valentine's frame and of course, had some heart-shaped cake.

So we're very much in the "Valentine's Spirit" around here...next up on the to-do list is the girls Valentine's to bring to school!

the simple things

Popping in for another "simple things" photo from this past week.

We had a (late) birthday party for Payton with her friends, and she was so happy and excited for her party! It really is the simple things like friends, some decorations and a cake that can make a day super special for a 7 year old.

Payton makes me so proud to be her mama. She is growing up before my eyes, and just this week she displayed an act of kindness and understanding that showed me what wonderful potential she has. Love you, gorgeous...inside and out.