Epic...

Disaster or success...still TBD.  Me and creativity, don't get along very well.  Not to mention craftiness.  But, one of the girls from work showed me a picture of a wreath she made, inspired from a wreath she saw on Etsy.  I too was inspired!  Sometimes, I really want to be a crafty, creative person.  I like to use the excuse that I have to kids and work full time.  Well, I popped on Etsy for a little Valentine's Day wreath inspiration.  "Sure, I can do this!"  I thought!  (And shouldn't it be cheaper if I make it myself instead of find a wreath at Target?)

Well, on Friday, I made the trip to Michael's in search of my supplies.  Inspired, I walked up and down the isles.  "What in the world am I doing in this store?" Was the question I silently asked myself.  Where is there someone to ask me if I'm finding what I'm looking for.  Although, I don't know what I'm looking for.  What am I supposed to say?  I want to make a Valentine's Day wreath but I have no clue what I'm doing.  Super!

Finally I found the supplies I'd use to make my wreath.  And upon check out, I realized, I probably could've found something at Target for a similar cost.  "This is going to be an experience," I thought to myself as I climbed in my car.

Well, there it is!  I need to take a wreath making class, that is for sure!  Especially, a ribbon tying class!  The "knot" was the best I could come up with.  I would've panned to a larger view of the door, but I really need to repaint it since birds like to make their home in my fall wreath!  The success/failure is will be determined to see if this holds up for the next month.  I must say, I'm pleased with my creation!  I can't wait to make my summer door decor!  Or, maybe I'll just hire the girl from work ;-)!

But, for now, it was epic!  Epic, in the look I received from Mark when I asked for wire cutters!  Not to mention the comment he made about making sure everything was put back exactly where I found it at his tool bench!  (Funny...I feel the same way about the rest of the house!)  Epic in the amount of time it took me to figure out how I was going to attach the flower.  Even more epic in the amount of time it took me to finagle   the burlap ribbon!  And definitely, an epic experience!  

Say What?

Jackarino has been the cause of much laughter this year!  He is definitely a character and says some of the funniest things!

Where's it come from?  Has become a new and frequent question!  His own version of "why" and frankly, I'm glad, "why" isn't yet a part of his vocabulary!  Where's it come from comes in many forms...a few of my favorites from the past few days:  "Where does pee come from?"; post sneeze and bless you, "Where's bless you's come from?"; "Where do eggs come from?".  You can only imagine a few of the responses I've had!  

His response when asked questions:  "Would you like milk?".  "Of course"!

Tonight at dinner he declared, "I don't love this".  "I'm sorry bud, this is whats for dinner.  If you eat some more then you may have something you do love."  "Umm...I think I love donuts."  "No kidding!"

Last night, after being sent back to bed a few times, came into our room as I was folding laundry.  He climbed into bed, pulled his blanket over him, and starting having a conversation.  Eventually we got to counting and singing the alphabet.  Thus leading him to sing a song about cars.  "Cars. Cars. Cars."  Mark asked if that was his song, and he said, "Yep, that's it"!

He says in the mornings, when I turn on the light, that the sun is too bright!

He says, "Don't hurt my sister", when Mark is tickling me.  And tonight, he said I was a Princess!  And he's a Racecar!

Oh Jackarino...where do you get these things from?!?!

New

The "halls" are now completely un-decked (thanks to a 60 degree January weekend), the toys have found their homes, and we're back to our normal routine!  Happy New Year!

December was once again, a whirlwind of a month!  Christmas parties, social events, every day life, and Christmas and New Years filled our calendar!

The boys were completely and utterly spoiled at Christmas!  The living room as a complete disaster - filled with wrapping paper and new toys and clothes!  We even took a few breaks to clean up, play with toys, and eat breakfast!  (Also in part so I could fight with the Drs office, trying to get Romy in for an emergency checkup for the worst sounding croup.  It failed.)  The major hit of a gift for Jack was a dragon.  Which him promptly named "Tookress" (i.e. "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon).  As for Romy's favorite gift...its hard to say, considering he plays with all of Jack's toys and his attention span is so short!

"Tookress"

Yummy wrapping paper!

A telescope!  Just like "Jake!'

Sure, I'll smile for you!

Christmas weekend took us to Nana and Papa's for lots of fun playing with different toys, cousins, and of course, more new things!

Merry Christmas!  (This cookie is so yummy!)

Madison & Romy playing

Dinner and a movie!

Sweet Charley!

New Years weekend took us to Chicago for a visit with college friends!  A long drive (in which Jack didn't sleep at all), a lot of patience (with fussy kids on the back seat, slow traffic, 4 kids), and lots of sharing, brought us a great weekend with great friends!

Sammie and Romy playing Princesses!

Post bath, pre bed, Mickey Mouse Club House!

And, with the beginning of a new year brings some new tricks for the little one!
Like walking!  He's started to stand on his own and take a few steps!  He still likes to throw himself forward in a "trust fall" if he's close enough, but he's getting stronger and sturdier!  And, new obsessions, like the pantry and the stairs.  We've discovered new ways of keeping him away from the stairs since our way of gating Jack off wasn't nearly good enough for the Romy-Monster!  (He's too smart for his own good!)  He has also started to despise diaper changes!  He'll continue to do a death roll until the diaper is off.  Even trying to distract him with a toy, only works sometimes!  And, we think he's starting to put on some weight!  Thanks PediaSure!

I want to get to those stairs!

Whoopsy!  The Cheerio container spilled!  Let me help clean up!

As for Jack, he's a 3 1/2 year old boy!  He loves rough housing with his Daddy, sometimes has a hard time sharing with his little brother, and is occasionally an awesome helper!  He has started going to the gym with me to play on Saturday mornings and helps put groceries in the cart after his donut has been demolished!  He drinks out of big boy cups (without lids) at the table.  

"Decorating" the Gingerbread House

Cookie decorating!

And of course, with a new year, brings new goals for myself!  This year, I'm not calling them resolutions, because lets face it, resolutions only resolve in quitting!  So, to hold myself accountable, perhaps I'll put them in writing!  In no particular order: 1.  Workout more; 2.  Spend more time enjoying my boys (prioritize the crumbs, stickiness, dust, and dishes vs racing, wrestling, and snuggling)!

My Boys!