spring giveaway.

Oh, I love this bag. I've walked myself to the front door to stare at our green grass through the rain only a dozen hundred times today, just so I could glance at this bag as I passed it hanging in the foyer. I love it when I love what comes from a good idea.

Actually, this isn't at all what my idea was. I was thinking a couple ruffles across the bottom, and a soft striped grey for the inside with one big strap across the top. But a red button fell onto the ruffle as I was searching my bucket of buttons for an old copper look. I loved it so much, I twisted and turned that newborn ruffle until it found its place front and center.

And I love it.

So you can have it, if you want. Because I can make another one.

Just leave me a comment.

I'll give you a second entry if you link to it on your blog; just tell me you did in your comment. I'll announce the winner in one week, Saturday April 18th.

Happy Spring!

the banana tantrum.

You don't eat green bananas.

Try explaining that to a two year old.
And you get the banana tantrum.

The lamp ended up on the floor and we spent a good amount of time talking about appropriate ways to express our frustrations. Which doesn't include knocking over semi-expensive home decor.

Try explaining that to a two year old.

the truth of the mother matter is...

Sometimes the kids wear their pajamas for 48 hours. Until the after bath routine when they get a nice new pair of clean, fresh pj's for bed.

Sometimes we watch more than the healthy dose of tv. duh.

Sometimes I lie.
The candy's all gone.
I don't know how to jump rope.
It's yummy.
Your face'll stay that way.

Sometimes I take the kids to Target barefoot so we don't lose any shoes.

Sometimes the laundry makes me cry.

I eat cheescake for breakfast.

happy birthday little miss eliott.

danielle thompson.

I just bought this print from TinyBazzar for my kitchen.

I love it.
I want to live in it.

covergirl.

When I hear quiet...Kacie's busy.

At first glimpse of my open bedroom door, she grabs the closest stepping precipice, struts her stuff to the master bath, and climbs into the sink to hang out with her reflection and mommy's magic bag of covergirl.

She fancies the whipped Tru-Blend foundation. As do I.

This time I was distracted. Not until she came downstairs repeating "I koot (cute)" did I notice her flawless complexion.

create.

I had to put this here, so I could scroll down some random day, and remember, again.



I have a keen ambition to create something everyday. I often interpret that into selfish, material terms. But my passion for creation stems far beyond an ability to sew a straight seam.

The ModPodge and pompom makers go back in the closet, and my showpiece for the day becomes the pb&j...

when I remember.

To create memories. confidence. laughter. trust. gratitude. courage. interest. ambition.
To take something broken, and fix it.
To mold these miracles...into our masterpiece.

katybeth.

lame.

We went to see Monsters vs. Aliens 3D. My recommendation; don't.

Lame. No disrespect to Reese Witherspoon, I like her; but lame.

AndyHam rocked out during the previews. And the credits (in the aisle with a little more enthusiam) but I didn't get the camera out in time for that show. He was funnier than the movie.



The kids all wanted popcorn, and I said no. That stuff will kill 'em young, and cost us their college tuition. So I said no. Joey whined and whimpered and pouted for popcorn. He was mad the whole time. And I still said no. Then half way through the movie, right when the Golden Gate is crumbling, Joey turns to me and whispers, "Dad gets me popcorn."

Ouch.

The kids all had raving reviews for dad when we got home. I told him it was lame, and he asked the kids if they ate a lot of popcorn.


silence. heads turning. eyes glaring, piercing my very soul.

"No."

Dani took responsibility, as the oldest, to let dad know that mom wouldn't buy popcorn.

"It'll kill 'em, Conan."
"But it's the movies. You have to get popcorn at the movies."


He's right. I'm lame.


no I'm not.

cribs and derbies.

I took the rail off Kacie's crib.

No more clanking of the toys against the bars after naptime.

No more crib. No more baby.

I'm not prepared for that.

Conan and I made our first Pinewood Derby car this week.

Jake, all cute and grown up in his uniform.
He didn't win a ribbon; of any kind.

He cried himself to sleep as I told him about Ekaj the Pirate Boy, who didn't win the big boat race, either. Ekaj watched all the faster, shinier, bigger boats pass by, and was kissed by a dolphin, and saw a Unicorn slide down a purple rainbow. He made it to the end, and cried on the beach, head held low, in last place. Then he was socked in the stomach by a roller skating supernova. He didn't get the win, but he took home an exploding star...on skates. (Conan and I just watched Xanadu; the skates made sense.)

I think he understood. Someone will always have a faster boat, but they may never hold a super nova. Or smooch a dolphin. He cried, some more, and said it was the best story he ever heard in all his life. sweet jakey.

I went to sleep trying to think up a good one about Ekaj getting his heart broken by the Pirate Princess Aihpos.

I'm not prepared for that.

Kacie plays the bongos and rips up books now, instead of sleeping.
Jake has a list of treasures from the Derby; but still wants a ribbon.

Naptime is disappearing.

Stories don't fix everything.

Someone will always have a faster boat.

I'm not prepared for that.

Good thing I've got a hamper full of purple rainbows.
And ripped up books.

madalyn and cassi.

I love making clothes. Funky and quirky.

Target Shoe Fest. I wanna.

I don't claim to know what I'm talking about when it comes to fashion. But I know what I like. And I like Target. And I like shoes. And I like colorful shoes from Target. So you can imagine my click and paste frenzy when scooping on the availability of my yellow shoes {seen below} some have inquired about...Target.com.

All I've ever pretended to know I learned from Target. And American Idol. And mermag. And What Not to Wear. And Gap ads. And Marshalls. And I like to throw in some Lana Lang from time to time.

I'm a well rounded learner, with an emphasis on versatility. I speak many languages.

Mittie Ballet Flat in Pink Patent.

I'm all about the flat. And the flower. $24.99

Zetta Tall Rain Boot in Purple. I'd wear these with a blue pleated skirt. And a yellow headband. And a pink umbrella; because it would be raining. $24.99.

Elani Demi Wedges in Red Patent.

I'd shave my legs for these. $22.99.

Elsa Slide Sandals in Pooter...I mean Pewter.

bring on the fuschia toeglaze. $13.99

Odell Ballet Flats in Blue Patent.

yes please. $12.99

Winna Hurache Sandals in White.

welcome back third grade. gotta have 'em. $19.99

Selena Ruffled Mary Jane Flat in yellow. hello. $13.99.

And of course, my favorite, the flip flop. Which I still prefer to call a thong but do not as to avoid a nasty visual. {I rue the day the thong changed the life and style of comfortable summer footwear jargon as we know it. Knew it.}

Lizbeth Flip Flop in Black. $12.99

i love heather ross.

Check out her new line, Far. Far Away, on her blog. I'm in love with it.

This is where I get serious about quilting. When I buy unicorns.

crystal.

dress up day.

I was the Lady eating Mini Eggs. All day.

Worked out great for everyone. Except Dragon kept stealing my eggs, and Wizard Lady cried 'cause she wanted to be Lady with Mini Eggs. Sorry. Role taken.