Hooray for Friday!

Here are a few pictures from our week:

Captain Ameri-Charm

Clover at 12 weeks!

Super Charm!  

Picture courtesy of Tami O.

And here are some things we've been enjoying recently:

We had a 'Cupcake War' themed weekend after discovering this show last Friday.  The kids timed themselves while making toy cupcakes, then we made real ones with vanilla butter cream frosting, and Bill even made meat cakes (meatloaf in a cupcake tin) for dinner on Sunday night.  If you want your kids to eat meatloaf, make meat cakes:).

What a simple concept!  Why didn't I think of this?  All I know is, it works and I feel less rushed.

These pens are the best.  They even write upside down.  (You know for when I'm making lists while doing hanging sit ups:).  Just kidding about the sit ups, but not about the awesome-ness of the pen.)

Bill has been eating us out of gumballs as of late.  At least I tracked down an 'all natural' version.  They were meant for an occasional treat for the kids, Bill, but I'm glad you like 'em too!!

Have you been struck with the Frozen Fever?  This song has been playing on repeat in our house while we sing and dance along.  The kids love it, but truth be told, I do too.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Clover's New Dresser Knobs

Even though I haven't shared Clover's nursery in its entirety 

quite yet, I thought I'd share this quick update.  Late last fall, we purchased this dresser to serve as a changing table for Clover's room because it matched the color and style of Clover's crib.  It was on sale and we used a coupon, so the price was right compared to most nursery specific pieces.

And then I saw this image on the Land of Nod website and really like the whimsy the mix of knobs added to the dresser:

Handpicked Knobs

Land of Nod

I decided I wanted to replicate the look on Clover's dresser, but at $6-8 per knob, the Land of Nod knobs were a bit too pricey for me, especially considering I needed 12 knobs and I already had perfectly good knobs that I was replacing:).  So I patiently waited for Hobby Lobby to open locally, and picked up this collection of knobs with most priced at $2 on sale (I think one or two were $2.50 and one was $3).

Clover and I finally got the knobs switched this week, about a month after purchasing them:

 Aren't they cute?

 And here's a tiny bit more of Clover's room:

I still have some pictures to put in frames, a crib skirt to make, and a couple other small details to work on before the room will be done.  I'll share more soon.

Hope you are having a nice week!

Friday Fun Day

Here are some pictures from our week:

And here are a few things we've been enjoying as of late:

This movie was my Valentine's Day pick, but Bill really enjoyed it too!  If I could sum it up in one word it would be: Dads.

I am loving the Lou and Grey Collection at the Loft.  This tunic is one of my favorites.  I'm just needing super comfortable clothes right now, and these are perfect for me.  Even the sleeves are long enough!

Have you tried this candy yet?  I stumbled upon it at Target, and gave the caramels and fruit chews a try.  They are so good.  The fruit chews are like Starbursts except no artificial colors or flavors and there is real freeze dried fruit in the candy!  I'm hoping to try out some of their licorice and raspberry fudge rolls too.

I love this room by Emily Henderson.  It makes me happy just looking at it.  I can't imagine how awesome it would be to actually be in the room!!

My kids and husband LOVE this song.

And with that, have a wonderful weekend!!

Simple Ship Controls

When I was at IKEA awhile back, I found these magnets:

Spontan Magnets

IKEA

I love them and use them in our mudroom and on our kitchen fridge.  One day it occurred to me that their size and shape would be perfect for ship controls in Charm's room.  (I think this idea came to me about the same time I was working on a rocket ship for Charm's Outer Space themed birthday party in August.  That's how long it takes me to implement things:).  Also, that's a reminder to me to post some pictures from his last party before its time for his next!)

I had picked up three packs of the white magnets sometime before Clover was born, and then a couple weeks before or after he was born (that period of time is sort of a blur to me now), Charm and I made 'Ship Controls'.  They could be for a space ship, or a pirate ship, or even a car or train.  We drew on them with black Sharpies and stuck them to his Spontan Magnet Board that he already had in his room.

Instant Controls!  

Even though they aren't interactive in the sense that the vehicle always has 3/4 a tank of gas and the compass always reads NE, Charm uses his imagination and really enjoys them regardless!  He presses the buttons and makes rocket blast off noises.  I love watching him play...he is a kid who gets totally lost in his dream world of play.  Back to the control magnets...we use the magnet feature as well, and they oftentimes get used to hold Charm's artwork in his room.

I can't wait for Charm and Clover to be co-captains!

St. Patrick's Day Perspective

A couple weeks ago, while loading Clover into the minivan after a quick errand, I saw this in the snow packed ground of the parking lot.  You may see see a smushed up Hershey Kiss, but I see a four leaf clover!  Lucky me!  It's time to get a lottery ticket, I think:)!

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

(And Bill, Happy 9 Year Anniversary of our engagement!  If only we could go for a walk on that beach today.  Mental note: Return to the beach in Miami someday on St. Patrick's Day.  Drink green beer.  Enjoy a little sun.  Just a little:).  And bottle up some sand as a souvenir of the day Bill asked a simple question, and I made the best decision of my life by saying, 'Yes!')

P.S. Check out the leprechaun trap that Lucky and Charm set up last night:

Leprechaun Pete led them on a little scavenger hunt this morning.  Gold chocolate coins were hidden under their breakfast plates:)!

Triple T: Totally Terrific Target

I don't know about you, but Target is one of my happy places, and one of my favorite things to do at Target is browse the home decor aisles, especially when new collections are displayed.  Their designers always seem to get it right and offer higher end looks at Target price points (and when you hit a sale, use a coupon or score a clearance find...you just can't go wrong!)  I inevitably find something that I 'have to have' and my mind begins to race asking the question, where could I put that in my home?

Here are a couple things that caught my eye on a short Target trip.  (The trip was short only because my children and I are good at reminding ourselves to 'stay on track' when one of us gets distracted by all the fun and pretty stuff Target sells.  I got off track the most on our trip this week because the entire home decor department is on sale...and there is a coupon out too for $10 off a $50 home purchase.)

Threshold Poufs:

I love these poufs.  I think I have a pouf obsession.  These specific poufs remind me of West Elm's version except lots cheaper at $69.99 full price, on sale for $48 currently.

West Elm

Bazaar Pouf

$249

I also loved this Threshold Bamboo Hamper (I couldn't find it online and I don't remember the price, sorry.):

It reminds me of this West Elm version:

Hanam Hamper

$39

And check out these nearly identical floor lamps from Target and Land of Nod, respectively:

Threshold Jumbo Architect Lamp

$99

Wow That's a Big Lamp

$299

I also loved checking out the patio furniture and accessories:

I like these wicker outdoor chairs and I think they would make super practical and kid friendly indoor dining chairs as well!

This set is modern and fun and seems to be made out of the same material as composite decks.  Also, did you know you can even buy a dog house at Target now:)?

Outdoor Pouf!

Outdoor Baskets and Garden Stools

And as a heads up, Target is clearing out this popular bar cart in stores (which means there will be room for a new collection!!):

Locally, it is 30% off.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and if you end up at Target don't forget to check out the great home sale:)!

The Weekend Whirl

These days, our weekends are PRECIOUS.  It is family together time as we continue to learn about our new family member, and friend time as we try to put our focus on people, not things, and lots of routine trial and error as we continue to work on more efficient ways of accomplishing the necessary daily tasks.  I've been working hard to make sure errands are completed and laundry is done (not folded, but clean...baby steps) during the week, so that our weekend time can be dedicated to quality family fun time.  And at the same time, I'm learning to let go of the my long list of expectations I used to make for our family weekend time.  There won't be any big DIY projects around here any time soon.  We are just going to chip away at the small things one at a time, maybe one per weekend even.  Slow and steady is where we are at right now, and it's exactly where we need to be.  (Notice how this weekend post is coming on a Tuesday even?:))

This past weekend was a perfect example of our new norm, as long as you don't count the crazy venture trip to the Mall of America that I planned for me and my three kiddos on Friday since school was out...that is not part of the norm, but we all enjoyed it greatly, and I'm glad we ventured out for a little excitement!

I felt so much pride leaving the mall that day...mostly for Lucky and Charm, because they are such great kids and good listeners that I was able to venture out with all three and not worry too much that I would lose one in such a big place:).  And there was a bit of self pride too, because even though I was a little nervous, I made sure we all had a fun time!  Our highlights included one ride each at Nickelodeon Universe and visits to the Disney Store and the American Girl Store, along with lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe.  Lowlights included Lucky needing a bathroom break five minutes after entering the mall, visiting the Nordstrom Women's lounge for a Clover diaper change and seeing strangers' boobs galore (Charm called it 'Baby City', not 'Boobville', so hopefully his focus was on the babies) and finally, standing breastfeeding in the Old Navy bathroom (albeit clean and well maintained) after a Lucky jean try-on-athon with a less than happy Clover.  If you don't count bathroom visits, it was a perfect day topped off by homemade pizza and movie night.  We splurged for Spring Break and bought Frozen through Amazon Prime and we all loved it!  I can't tell you the last time I watched a kids movie at home and could stay focused on the movie...this one captured us all!  The story, the characters and the music were all fantastic!

Saturday morning started with swimming lessons for Lucky and Charm.  I stayed back with Clover and worked on some Pharmacy CE while he napped.  When Bill and the kiddos came home, we had an impromptu cook-athon.  Bill has been wanting to make Alton Brown's homemade cottage cheese from this recipe.  I wanted to try out some Gluten Free Banana Bread from this recipe.  And then we made these sandwiches (-ham + turkey) for lunch.  The cottage cheese and sandwiches were fantastic!  The bread was okay.  

Moving along in the day, we met friends and tried out a new local church that is starting a series focusing on marriage, which we found really interesting.  I have to say that Bill and I are in a really good place in terms of our relationship and have a strong, loving marriage, but like most couples we've gone through our bumps along the way.  I always find classes on marriage or parenting useful and interesting, because they help me to grow and strengthen my relationship skills.  The service was fun, and our kids had a blast at the child focused program they participated in and came home reciting bible verse: It is better to give than to receive.  You have to love that!  After church, Bill headed out for a long overdue guy's night while the kids and I enjoyed dinner and play time before heading to bed.  

Sunday morning involved play time inside:

Dining table tent and campfire:)

and playtime outside:

The warm temperatures inspired the kids to attempt to clear off our driveway in their pajamas and rain boots:)!  After two warm days, it's almost completely cleared now...aside from a few icy patches.

And Bill also finished a tiny little project we've been working on:

We've been dealing with this double towel rod in our kids bath for four years now.  I don't get the idea behind double towel rods.  Do the towels ever really get dry when they are touching one another?  And really, how practical is a double rod in a kids bath?  It's tricky/annoying for even an adult to use.  (In preparing for Clover's arrival, one of our goals was to seek out places in the house that we could make changes to enable Lucky and Charm to be more independent.  This goal was fueled by the idea that the more Lucky and Charm can do for themselves, the less Bill and I have to do for them.  The added bonus is that kids seem to thrive on independence, so by helping ourselves, we are also helping them.)  One area we identified as needing improvements was this towel rod.  Now it looks like this:

We actually stained the piece of wood we used last fall, and we finally got to attaching the hooks (purchased for $3.50 each on sale at Hobby Lobby) and hanging it this weekend.  I love the look and the ease of hanging towels now!  We've made a few other updates in this room as well that I'll share once the whole room is complete.  Slow and steady.

And our weekend ended with a birthday party at a friend's house where they served the best ever homemade pizza (like they should get it marketed and go into the pizza business...it's that good) and ice cream made using liquid nitrogen.  The party ended with fireworks, and then we enjoyed a nice family conversation on the way home before we started bedtime routine, capping the end of another precious, fun-filled, family and friend focused weekend that went by in a whirl!

Here's hoping you had a lovely weekend too, and are enjoying a warmer spring week!