Turkey Time

Very rarely do I allow myself to wander into Pottery Barn at the mall, knowing full well that I won't spend the money on their products despite how much I like them.
On this rare occasion, I went in, and I fell in love with these little turkeys for Thanksgiving decoration. I typically don't really do much for anything but Christmas, in fact my Halloween decoration is a live gigantic spider web along with a HUGE spider on my front porch. It's been spared the hairspray/broom method of destruction so we can be a little bit festive (thanks mother nature, I guess... )
But, how cute are these?
(www.potterybarn.com)


I'm thinking perhaps in January or February they'll go on final clearance, and they'll be mine for next year.

Happy Sister's Day!

Growing up with sisters, there is rarely a dull moment. Especially when there's 3 of you in a 33 month span. It was cool to always be just one year apart in school, have many of the same interests, and always have someone around to hang out with!
No one who has sisters can deny that there's also a fair amount of bickering, teasing, and torture that goes on too. Even those memories are thought of fondly today.
It's great having two best friends built in to everyday life.
Love you guys, and Happy Sister's Day.

One of the classics

8502 Munson Ave.

This one is actually taken in my mom's current house, then "Mrs. D's"

Every Niagara Falls Native probably has one of these somewhere...

New Year's in Style!

Ahhh... the middle school years.

Wedding Day!

Most recent... we get better with age (-:

(P)Interesting

As if I need something to interfere with my productivity more, but I did recently discover a website that is perfect for a rainy day (and who am I kidding, any other chance I get)... Pintrest for fun ideas for, well... just about anything and everything. And, you create your own virtual boards to pin your ideas to, so you won't forget (was this made for me, or what??) They all pretty much cite their sources, so if you see something you like, you can get it, or figure out how to do it.
Gorgeous wedding dresses to look at for my sister as we shop for her June 29, 2012 big day! (tumbir.com)

Hahahahaha!

Lego Cake.. AWESOME. bettycrocker.com

If you make it fun, they'll do it! (whateverdeedeewants.com)

And amazing recipes! annies-eats.net

I wonder...

Could I get Adam to eat more by wearing one of these?

COULD IT BE...

Garden's planted (and Adam's gone gangsta)...

Tee-Ball is in full swing (the coaches are kind enough to let Z sit on the bench)...

The pool is out...

Bike rides are on...


....THAT SUMMER IS REALLY HERE?

Rock Lobster

There's not a lot about lobsters that don't automatically remind you of summer (which I am hoping is really and FINALLY here).
Lobster bakes where its freshly steamed w/ all the butter and lemon you could dream of, sunburn that makes you look like a lobster, cheesy feel good B52's songs, and NOW, thanks to TJ Maxx, my new wristlet!

I know it's a little young, but this brand caught my eye and I just thought it was too cute to pass up- and now that we're diaper free it's big enough to hold my debit card, phone, a small pouch of wipes/tissues, and other small essentials for our much anticipated summer outings!

Just a Dog?

"Sure, I'm stuffed into a dog's body, but that's just the shell. It's what's inside that's important. The soul. And my soul us very human"
Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Teavana Perfect Tea Maker

As a faithful coffee drinker, I was reluctant to get "into" tea. But, a few samples of tea at Teavana led me to give it a try...
I purchased The Perfect Tea Maker in the single 20 oz. size ($20). There is no need to buy the matching mug unless you are a Type A and must be matching at all costs... this contraption works on any mug, even the travel Styrofoam ones from Sam's. (Oh, and a word to the wise, use the coaster it comes with, or you may find it strains out on any surface that is even somewhat unlevel... such as the refrigerator shelf when trying to make iced tea....oops).

Purchase some loose teas, throw them in the tea maker with some hot water and the sweetener of your choice (if any), allow to steep, then strain over the top of the mug. It's so cool, watch the short video below to see.

Try the Toasted Nut Brulee Oolong from Teavana with a little milk and sugar... it helps with those nighttime sweets cravings.
Or, to quench thirst on a hot day, try the Blueberry Bliss Rooibos equally mixed with Pineapple Kona Pop Herbal lightly sweetened over ice. It's gooooood......

Is Santa coming today?
That was Adam's first statement today. Quite possibly before he even opened his eyes.
The Christmas magic is alive in our house.
Trying to stress the "reason for the season" can be challenging with two little boys whose eyes light up at the mention of Santa, and whose mouths drop at the plentiful lights in our area.
Adam did say "Jesus' birthday... hmmm... is Jesus' last name God?" He's sort of obsessed with people's last names. And Zachary saying as we read a Christmas book "who is that baby, does he pee on the potty?", shows he noticed the baby but has his own.. ahem ...obsession at the moment. Here's what I am hoping they might ask soon enough...

We decorated the tree as a family and powered through the near meltdowns of a 2- year- old whose motor skills do not yet allow for effective ornament hanging, but whose level of independence refuses help of any kind. It was fun. Lots of ornaments are concentrated front and center at about the 3' 2'' mark. I am going to leave it that way. They're only young once, right?

Halloween 2010

This year, because Halloween fell on a Sunday, it felt like a 3-day event!
We wound up with a full schedule due to parades, parties, and the usual festivities. Not to mention, we also wound up taking the plunge and leased a new vehicle, which took up some time as well (looooong time coming!). The weather got pretty darn cold, too. I realized sometime Sunday while stressing over what to do (Family Fun Night at church, regular trick or treating, handing out candy...etc), that Dumbo and Mickey did not care and were not asking about any of it. I think they felt their celebrations at school were "it", and they were unaware that any more fun was supposed to occur (- : !
Are there any other moms out there, who want so badly for their kids to be happy and have fun, that you forget to stop, look and see that they are content? My thought last Sunday was "WHY?".... if they don't care, why drag them out in the cold to get candy that they (and I) do not need? Guilt and uncertainty led us up the street to about 3 houses in costume then back home, where they were asking to go.
Adam at school

Zachary at school... yes, they tie them together, and yes, that's a dinosaur princess

On the porch

5 houses and done!

We had the pleasure of a family session with Jerry Seawood of Jerry Seawood Photography.... here is some of his work...

"Gnome" Thank You

Gnomes....

Ladies bending over in the garden....

I am typically not a fan of lawn ornaments.








Until I found these.

I could not resist the whimsical fun they added to the yard.

I had the idea I would randomly place them, but the kids insist they be together and watching the yard from the garden. Ok by me, I think they are great!





Any ideas on how to keep the kids out of the garden without putting up an ugly fence?

Something many would never guess about me is that if I was not in the human services field, i would definitely be in sales. I am a Tupperware representative's dream, a Pampered Chef consultant's answer to a big commission on a slow month, a Mary Kay lady's Pink Cadillac.


Ok, so I am exaggerating a bit.

But I do get excited about selling stuff, especially when I get my rewards in return.

Point is, my $700 + Pampered Chef Show for my cousin, and bride-to-be, Marisa entitled me to these adorable pink and white dots martini glasses for only $17.00!!



If you could see my collection of glasses, they are mostly plastic, ugly, and old. When I saw these, I got so excited. I probably won't be having martinis, but love the idea of using them for ice cream or milkshakes.
Now I just need an RSVP- pick a day and I will make something good.

Decisions, Decisions...

As some of you may know, my little Zachary has a preoccupation with ladybugs, or "aye-eee-uggs". For some reason, we have had ladybugs turning up in the house all winter, which has provided much delight and entertainment for my high spirited son!
As the little guy's birthday approaches, I am looking at cake ideas, which one do you like best? (Or, should I give up my Martha Stewart aspirations and just see what Wegmans has to offer?)


1.
2.
3.
4.

I Heart My Cell Phone Camera

Thankful that when I cannot grab our awesome but large camera that I can usually capture some fun with my subpar but very accessible phone!

Moms out there...do pursed-lip-pass-outs melt you like they melt me??


And how about those fun moments where you know you must strip your kid down so they can enjoy their favorite snack (oh, and pardon the randomness of my dinner table)?


Or times when the thing you absolutely don't need turns out to be just the thing they needed...

And, I've spent the better part of the last week with the image of Adam's smitten face at the sight of Santa at Walmart...
3 seems to be the magic age where Christmas means something to them.
It didn't hurt that he yelled 'Santa, I need a drum!" as we walked away.