Confessions of a Wall Scribbler

This morning at breakfast Addie had a confession for me. It went something like this...

"Mama, last night I colored on the wall."

"You did? Where?"

"No, don't see it!"

"Why not?"

"Cause you be mad at me."

"Oh, was that a bad choice?"

"Yes, I sorry."

"Are you going to do that again?"

"No, never ever."

"Okay then, I love you."

"Thanks mama."


I love that the guilt was too much for her. She is so sweet, and tries so hard to be good, but those 3 year old impulses just take over sometimes. Now I just have to hunt down where the scribbles are, since she still won't tell me!

My Sweethearts

I used to dislike Valentine's Day. In fact Jason and I never celebrated it because our anniversary is only 2 weeks before. But for the last couple of years I have really been enjoying celebrating it with the kids.

Last year I made a Love Note box, and starting one month prior to the big day, we start writing each other love notes. I provide pretty little papers and markers, and when we get the whim we start writing. We even did it a couple times as part of our family home evening lesson.

Then for FHE the week before we decorated Valentine Boxes and set them out for decorations.

On the Actual day, which this year just happened to be Monday, I filled the girls boxes with treats and new stuffed animals. Then for FHE we opened our boxes and passed out the Love Notes. We had so many notes this time! Some were sweet and some were funny, and Ivy gave several to herself. Addie's were cute little scribble pictures. We had a great time reading our notes out loud and telling everyone how much we love them.

For dessert (as if all the candy wasn't enough!) I made Valentine sugar cookies. We had such a great night, and Jason keeps telling me it was the best Valentine's Day he's ever had.

I just love the love!!

All our recent goings on...

I have been feeling like I don't have any cute Valentine's Day decorations, so I decided to fix the problem. I started with some paper crafting. I made the LOVE banner to hang on the walls.
I also found some cute picture frames in the Dollar section at Target, and added a little somethin, somthin to spruce them up. I'm happy with the results, and all three projects only cost me $2.50 since I used scraps I already had.

The wooden hearts my mom gave to me years ago and I never decorated. I found them in my craft bin during last weeks snow days, and Addie and I got to work. I painted the blue and light pink one. Addie painted the bright pink one. She did a pretty good job at it, only made a minimal paint mess. I used some foam stamps and black paint I had on hand to cute them up, and added the sparkly pink ribbon to Addie's. I love a free project!

Now this here is Elmer. The new addition to our family. We found him as a stray out at Jason's parents house this Christmas. He is a German Short hair Pointer, and a super sweet dog. We checked with the local pound to see if anyone was looking for him, and Jason took him to our local animal shelter to check for a microchip. No on both accounts, so I guess that means he's ours. Well, Jason's really. He follows Jason around like well, a lost puppy! He waits at the front window for Jason to come home from work, and whines every time Jason leaves. Except for his propensity to run away he is a great dog. We have had to chase him down 3 times now, but recently found out he will come home when he is good and ready. All we have to do is leave the front door open, and when his is done with his run, he comes right in. The girls, and our other dog Penny just love him.

We have recently been having some crazy winter weather out here in Texas. Last week we had 4, yes that's right 4, snow days in a row. It actually worked out well for us since the kids were sick for most of the week and didn't end up missing any school. But that also meant that Emilie was the only one to really enjoy the snow. On the last day, Friday, she and I finally left the house to do some picture taking.

Emilie took this one of me. Not too bad for her first time using the "big" camera.

Pizza, Cupcakes, and Little Girls

This past Friday was Ivy's 8th Birthday Party. We had a cooking sleepover, and by golly it was fun. I made each girl a cupcake apron, and a cupcake necklace.

I think they turned out totally cute!

Ivy was so excited, she talked about the party all week.

By the time Friday got here she was so hyped up I thought she

would bust!

At the party the girls made their own pizzas (delish), decorated their own cupcakes (sweet), and

boxes (adorable) to take cupcakes home in.

For breakfast the next day we make blueberry pancakes (yummy).

It was so cute to watch the girls play hide and seek in the dark,

and dance their hearts out to the Just Dance wii game.

To wind down the evening the girls chose to watch the movie Matilda, and go to sleep.

I'm so glad that everything turned out well, and that everyone had fun.

I think Ivy had a terrific 8th birthday party!

the necklaces
the aprons

Ivy gearing up for some party fun!

Pizza making time.

They made the pizzas in 3 groups.

Emilie, Kambry, and Mary

Katie, and Mckinley

Sarah and Ivy

time to decorate cupcakes. I think

the cherries were the biggest hit.

Decorating cupcake boxes

Ivy opening her gifts. I could barely get close enough to take

any pictures! I think the girls were just

as excited as Ivy.