Hey look at me - I'm 33!

Yesterday I celebrated the big 33. Granted I have spent the whole year thinking (and telling people) that I was 33 so I really don't feel older. I LOVE being in my 30's. Many people say I look very young. Those that comment that my 5 kids can't be mine think I am about 21 or 22. I feel so vindicated when I tell them my age - ha - they are mine, thank you very much.

I made my own cake and used my christmas present: Wilton tips . The girls and I watched a cake decorating show called Bake, Decorate, Celebrate on OPB Create and I decided I could do it. It didn't turn out as nice as the lady on the show, but for my first attempt, I was happy.





The pink frosting is supposed to be rosettes.

Brian got me flowers for my very favorite pitcher. He also bought me three bars of my favorite organic dark chocolate. This isn't the cheap waxy kind, but the real stuff.



The girls made me cards. This is from all of them, drawn by my 11 year old.



And this is from my 3 year old Ellie:



We spent the day at church where Graedon actually took a nap without much fussing. He did get a split lip from Maddie putting him in a chair and then turning away. He fell right on the hard floor, poor guy. Brian got his typical Sunday migraine so when we got home we put Grae down for a nap and took one ourselves. Then we all ate dinner and went for a family walk. As soon as we got home, we dove into the cake. After the kids went to bed, I spent the rest of the evening catching up on home reno and craftblogs. So all in all, it was a relaxing day. Brian's birthday is in 12 days so I had better get busy thinking of something to do for him!

Making fossils

We have a really great basic science curriculum that we use. It's called Eagle's Wings "Considering God's Creation". It give a basic overview of life sciences starting with creation, moving to astonomy, atmosphere, rocks, then animal life. I think it ends with the human body. It is very hands on and is great for teaching a range of ages. I have all three older girls in it.

Today was rock day and one activity was to make sugar cookie dough and then make fossil imprints in the rolled out dough. Grae, Ellie, Maddie and I went for a walk this morning while Ava and Lauren made the dough. Getting everyone assembled for school was really easy today ;)

Here are the girls making their fossils.

That is a playmobil fossil by Ava. She also imprinted goldfish crackers.

When the girls were making fossils, I took pics of Grae & Ellie.



Now off to sample some fossils.

Floor progress

Our floors are stripped and Brian put a coat of white primer to see what needed to be further sanded.
Soon it will be time to put the floor tiles down.



The hallway also will have tiles.



Oh and I did get my flowers.

Doing better...

We are all almost healthy and sleeping better. Well, most of us. Graedon got used to the idea of sleeping in our bed every night when he was sick and needs to be retrained that his bed is comfortable too. We can't have him and the new baby sleeping in our bed. So last night was the first night of forcing him to go back to sleep in his bed. He only cried for about 10 minutes each time so it wasn't so bad. He woke up in an excellent mood.

The kids and I decided since it was so beautiful outside to go for a nature walk. We discovered a nature trail only a couple of blocks from our house. It was fun! We found horses and wobbly camels to ride on, crocodiles to fight and a great picnic area to eat our cheerios and raisins. Next time we will bring a proper snack and water because the cheerios were left over from our walk yesterday. There is a stinky little stream running along the trail that holds lots of water skippers. We did scare a duck away, much to Graedon's surprise.

Brian is going to be laying down the Congoleum tomorrow morning while we step outside to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade. It goes right by our house. It's a pretty lame parade but we do get lots of candy. The girls are excited and planning on what to wear (has to have green in it).

Well I'm off to make lunch for Ellie and Grae and then put Grae down for his nap. I can't decide if I want to paint the kitchen during nap time or sew (well I want to sew but need to paint the kitchen). The girls can't wait to play in the backyard with their Playmobiles. The build houses for them out of sticks and bricks.

I'll post pics of our progress tomorrow.

Some bits and pieces....

I think I'm going to live. Yesterday I wasn't so sure. This head cold/cough thing is sure hard to get over. Try as I might, I couldn't get to sleep at night and only slept 3 hours (not in a row) on Sunday night. Last night was better and I feel better today too.

Thought I would share some bits and pieces of projects we are working on. I hate to admit this but I'm painting the dining room/living room again. I never really like the orange/green combo so I am going with something a little less fussy. I picked out a nice "cottage" yellow and I LOVE it. The dining room is all painted and I need to prime the living room and paint it. It will look great with the blue kitchen (haven't painted it yet).
Anyway, here are some things around my home:

This is a lamp shade I did to cover up the brown that was underneath. Very easy to do. I just hemmed the top and bottom and did 3 rows of elastic shirring at the top. Made a red polka dot tube and tied it in a bow.


One of the set of curtains I made for the kitchen. I took swiss dot and added a vintage reproduction plaid border. I really like how they turned out.


Pillows I made for the couch. I didn't line them, even though I should have. The covers are removable.


Goodwill finds. The little shelf was $.99 and I may paint it. The pitcher is glass with a pink handle. So cute! Can't wait to put some flowers in it. (hint, hint, Brian)


Some cute reproduction blocks I bought on eBay.


Brian tore out the kitchen floor and I will post what that looks like in a bit. Hopefully the new floor will be done by this Saturday.

Sick, sick, sick

We are sick around here and nothing is getting done except for hacking up various parts of our lungs. It started with Graedon and now Lauren, Ellie, Brian and I have it. Ava had it a few weeks ago. Bri is actually staying home from work today and alternately laying in bed and on the couch.

Me, I'm trying to get caught up on laundry as having clean underwear is something you grow fond of. Hopefully this thing won't last too long.

Goodwill

We've been trying to visit Goodwill once a week (it's on the way to Lowes/Home Depot). It's been fun and we have found tons of stuff.

Made in Japan ice cream bows: $.69 each.



Just for looks mugs that match the kitchen perfectly: $.49 each.



Little white birds for decorating: $1.99 each.



HUGE vintage window frame with the neat handmade wavy glass: $9.99. This is my favorite find. I'm going to hang it on the wall and put some vintage postcards on the glass (I think).

We are going to try to go to Goodwill tomorrow as we need to make a Lowe's moulding trim run. Bri and I decided to put some moulding on the upper cabinents so they wouldn't be so plain.