I didn't think it was a good day...

...until I looked at all of these pictures.

It got even better when I looked at Madeline's camera.  Which they had outside with them, while playing.

Looks like they had a little photo shoot.  They're so sweet.  

I'm not gonna lie, I was not thinking sweet thoughts when they were throwing fits due to a lack of napping, running around the house, mocking me (yes, my 2 year old did a little impression of me yelling) and just general MAYHEM!  

I'm glad I sat down and looked at all of these.  Puts my day into perspective.

It's Finished!

Once I started working on it without other projects getting in the way, I was able to finish in no time.  And Madeline likes it, so much so, that we argued about leaving it on her bed.  She wanted to carry it around and love it and hug it.

BTW she sleeps with all of those buddies every.single.night...and still wants me to lay down next to her.

ABC's

This is a little project I'm working on for Madeline.  I was inspired by something I found on etsy.

I think it's a fun little reminder to work on learning her letters.  For all of us.  

After thinking about it all day, I get online to see this:

The Alphabet Song by The LMNOPs from The LMNOPs on Vimeo.

This is such a cute video, and they are totally right when they say it's not annoying for parents.  

December: as seen by Madeline

We've been given a wealth of things lately.  One of which was a hand-me-down point and shoot that I gave to Madeline.  She had been asking for a "real Princess camera" from Santa and I was NOT going to buy a camera for my 4 year old.  This generosity from my cousin came at a very good time.

When they gave us the camera the pictures had a pink tint.  As soon as I gave it to Madeline she banged it on something (as I suspected would happen, hence the NOT buying) and, voila, it started taking perfect pictures.

Here's a collage of some of her work.  This is a very small sampling.

  

click on the image to view it larger.

Look What Santa Brought!

Santa worked very hard on some gifts....

and was just given others.

We had a very wonderful Christmas with family.  How did you celebrate?

Love Love Etsy: Hail To the Chief

This is so frickin cool.  I just had to share.

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Have you ever been so tired you feel like you're watching a movie of your life?

Today was one of those days.  This movie could have gone a few ways.  I'm very proud to say, it turned out to be a movie I'd buy and watch over and over.

I've been working on several orders, one of which was very large and time consuming.  I promised my kids that if I finished my work last night, today we would have lots of fun.

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We played in and picked up the leaves. 

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We decorated and ate some sugar cookies.

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And we read our bedtime stories right by the Christmas tree.

After the kids were in bed, I baked some cupcakes. I'd like to say it was for National Cupcake Day, but I was just craving sweets.  I'm also planning to share some with my mother-in-law for her birthday.

btw.  All photos are from weheartit.com.  My computer is full and I can't load any of the pictures we took while having fun.  I think after Christmas I'll be able to free up some space on my hard drive.

It Really is a Wonderful Life.

I love this movie.  For so many reasons.  Here are just a few:

Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.

The memories.

  My family usually watches it while we're all getting ready for midnight Mass.  I love to watch it on T.V. and one year my family insisted we watch the DVD.  I wouldn't let them, so when I went to take a shower they switched from TV to DVD.  

Another year, we were at my Nana's house and, this was before NBC had bought the rights, it was on so many channels we would just switch the channel when it was a commercial.

The quotes.

"I wish I had a million dollars...Hot Dog!"

"Say brainless, don't you know where coconuts come from?"

"George Bailey, I'll love you till the day I die."

"You see George, you really had a wonderful life."

"Help me Clarence, please. I want to live again." "My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleed... (He reaches in his pocket) - Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's...There they are! Bert! What do you know about that! Merry Christmas!" I could go on, but I won't. It's a great movie, a beautiful story and my favorite Christmas movie.  I love it so much that I have to pack it away with my Christmas things to keep myself from watching it all year long. p.s. I'm watching it right now.

Love Love Etsy: Rainbow Kitchen Edition

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I'd love love to have each of these items in my kitchen.

My Girl

Madeline found my old Strawberry Shortcake dolls and asked to play with them.  She played for hours.

At one point she handed me Huckleberry Pie and said:

"He's got cute shoes, but his leg came off."

I'm giving it.

Are you?

It's not even Thanksgiving yet...

...but I'm gonna dream of this room for Christmas right now.

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Breakfast with Santa

This morning my mom, the kids and I had breakfast with Santa.  And heard a story from Mrs. Claus.  We're pretty special like that.  The kids were encouraged to write a letter to Santa.  Madeline, not being able to write, drew pictures of what she wanted.  She asked Santa to bring her:

1. A real princess camera.  Not happening, FYI.

2. A puppet theatre.  Eeek!  I'm so excited about this one.

3. Small colored marshmallows.  She asked me  for some at the store yesterday and I absentmindedly told her to ask Santa.

4. a ladybug that lights up.  Santa may or not make this happen either.

This is the first year she's really *gotten* Santa, so it should be a super fun Christmas!

Today's clothes people.

I make these before bed, to avoid arguing with my little girl about what she's going to wear for the day.

All in a days work.

Possibly two or three days work.

Handmade Christmas on Mars

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I love this so very much.

Now, back to work (or start working, whatev).

Oh, How I love thee...

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A few days ago Madeline was looking through the Joann ad, and saw a small "kid-size" sewing machine.  She squealed a little and then asked if she could have it.  I love her.

A few months ago, while making something for someone else, Madeline asked me, "Why doesn't [insert child's name]'s Mommy make it?"  

Me: "Not everyone's Mommy sews."

Madeline: {GASP} "Yes they do!"

Just two of the reasons I love my daughter...and sewing.

Robert Bruno's Steel House

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I've driven by this house numerous times, very slowly, hoping to catch a glimpse inside.  Sunday was the day.  The husband and I were able to tour the inside. 

My husband took all of the pictures in the collage above.  Pretty cool, no?

Upon searching the internet about Robert Bruno/The Steel House, I've found lots of blog posts, or op-ed type pieces.  Only his obituary really told about him.  Go here if you'd like to read it.  Here is a video tour of the house; given by Bruno himself.

You can read my husband's views on the house, and the artist here.

It's Gonna Be a Good Day!

I saw two of these on the way to school this morning, a while back I decided a VW siting means a great day is waiting!

Do you ever play games like these with yourself?

I'm a Winner!

I enter so many online giveaways I can hardly keep track.  I can now add a win!  And it's a really good one.  The giveaway is from Arian Armstrong.

These are the three prints I chose.

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I'm thinking of having a tiny little giveaway of my own.  I know I have a few readers out there.  So, let me know what you would like to win.  Browse through my flickr set for options.

Our Weekend

Friday night we headed to a birthday party.  These are the ONLY two photos I got.  One is super blurry, and none of the birthday boy.

Saturday we started carving a pumpkin.  It was a little more difficult than I thought it would be, and I didn't have the husband here with his know-how (and strength).

We then met Gran and Grandad for lunch.  I didn't have my camera, so no pictures.  Afterwards the kids went back to their house and I was able to finish up this little project.

They came home to this...

Sunday was packed with fun.  In the morning we went to see the Husband where he was house sitting for the night. While out there we picked pumpkins, carrots, peppers and radishes.  Chased some chickens.  Were a little frightened by the dogs.  And fed the horses.

 On to lunch.  Jumbo burgers for all.

After naps the evening festivities began.

  First stop: birthday party.  With a pinata!

Next stop trunk-or-treat #1.

Trunk-or-treat #2 didn't fare any decent pictures.  There was a BIG blow-up slide that both kids went down...and wanted more, but it was closing time.

Finally, bedtime.  The kids were so exhausted they went to bed without their normal bedtime rituals.  Not one single book was read!

What a great weekend, and wonderful memories.