Day 63 - 3/5/13 - Snap Happy

Since I love taking pictures so much, my kids have developed a similar passion.  They carry their cameras all over the place and take some of the funniest and surprisingly good pictures.  I love looking at the world through their perspective.

Karen

Day 62 - 3/4/13 - Peek A Boo Jazzy Boo

I don't think I mentioned it before but Lindsay started calling Jazzy, Jazzy Boo Boo, out of the blue and it has stuck.  So Jazzy Boo Boo has learned how to jump up on the couch and she was totally playing Peek a Boo with Lindsay.  It was very cute.  Here she is snuggled on the corner of the couch.

Karen

Day 62 - 3/3/13 - Painting

Another crafty day -
They would pick painting everyday if I let them.  So when I caved they were thrilled.  Here are their creations.

Karen

Day 61 - 3/2/13 - 3D Hand Art

Today we did a craft project that I found on Pinterest and wanted to try.  First, I traced everyone's hands.  Then I made the lines using a curved line inside the hand to make it appear 3D.  Then I left the kids color and decorate as they wanted.  Although, I did most of the work on this project.  The kids were mesmerized and sat very still watching me as I did.  Patrick said, "It was like magic."  Good times!

Patrick- left, Me-middle, Lindsay-right (she got all bored with coloring and then helped me with my pattern)

Karen

Day 60 - Flashback Friday Summer Style

Ran out of creative ideas so I'm playing Flashback Friday.  This post will include pictures from our first vacation that I used my DSLR.  We went to Marco Island, FL and it was truly one of the best family vacations we've ever had!!

Karen

Day 59 - 2/28/13 - Really?

Lindsay is transforming before my eyes and developing quite the personality.  She only likes to wear dresses for special occasions, she has VERY strong opinions about clothes, she prefers "hip hop" clothes, she hates wearing her uniform, she loves putting on make-up, loves irritating her brother, loves being the center of attention, singing, dancing, and swinging!  Another new development is she says "Really?"  all the time.  For example:

Me:  Lindsay it's time to go to school.

Lindsay:  Really?

Me:  Yes, it's a Pope John Paul Day.

Lindsay:  Really?  I have to wear my uniform.  Really?  

Me:  Yes, let's get moving.  What would you like for breakfast?

Lindsay:  Really, Mom.  You know I want a chicken biscuit.

Me:  Really?  Okay.

  

Sigh.  Please pray for me.  I think we may REALLY lose our minds when she is a teenager.  Love this little sassafras though!

Karen

Day 58 - 2/27/13 - The Truth About Labradoodles

Before deciding to get a dog, we did a TON of research.  We wanted a dog that was allergy friendly and family friendly.  Our sweet labradoodles are both!  We love them so much!  What was not found in our research though was that their fur is like velcro.  Yes, they do not shed at all and are super super soft, but EVERYTHING sticks to their fur.  Our little one will go outside to play and we'll be picking grass, leaves and twigs out of her for the rest of the night.  Poor Sparky is constantly wet under his chin. He has a serious Fu Man Chew and it is always wet.  I snapped this picture of Sparky the other night when he was coming in from laying outside so you could see what I mean.

Karen

Day 56 - 2/26/13 - Helping Hands

When Daddy was working on the desk he was building, of course, the kids wanted to "help".  Patrick started off by roping off the "construction zone".  Then both kids worked on sweeping up saw dust and hauling it over to the huge hole that they have been digging in the backyard.  (That is a post for another day.)  They were good little helpers and most importantly had fun!

Karen

Day 56 - 2/25/13 - He's a Working Man

One of the things I admire about my husband is his work ethic.  As a business owner, he works hard to keep his business running.  Of course, his beautiful wife and loving children are a good motivation.  I am always amazed by his ability to multi-task, create, and design.  Most importantly, he always tries his best to be home in time to eat dinner together as a family and spend time with the kids before bedtime.  My husband does not like having his picture taken but I did sneak these few pictures as he was working on a desk he was building.  (I need to take a picture of the final result because it is gorgeous!)  I don't say it enough, but I am so proud of my husband!

Karen

Day 55 - 2/24/13 - Shaving Cream Fun

Each week for homework Patrick has to write his sight words 3 times each and each in a sentence.  In addition, he gets to pick from a menu of activities.  This week he picked to write his words in shaving cream.  Both kids LOVED this activity, and I LOVED it too because I got the groceries unpacked quickly without "helping" hands and didn't hear any arguing or complaining for a good 20 minutes!

Karen

Day 53 - 2/22/13 - Swinging Beauty

Blogger is messing me up today.  Sorry for the out of order posts.

Lindsay was swinging and she never turns her nose up to a "photo shoot".  I had a hard time focusing with pushing her and trying to take pictures but we had fun!  I actually like the not so in focus look of these.  I also played a little with editing too.  Remember, I'm a novice here.  I'm also chronically indecisive so here are my four favorites!

Karen

Day 54 - 2/23/13 - Back to the Swing Thing

What is it with little kids and loving to twist themselves up on swings, let it untwist, and then twist up again?  I get dizzy just watching it.  Honestly, I'm kind of dizzy just looking at this picture.  Lindsay did this over and over again and giggled away.  I had to laugh.  Ahhhhhhhh to be young and carefree again.  If I didn't think I would throw up my lunch I might try it again, but the last time I was just swinging normal I felt a little sick.

Karen

Day 52 - 2/21/13 - Pool Progress Part 3

It looks as though we have enough wood to build a small house in our back yard.  But no folks, that is the wood to frame up the awesome deck that will go around our pool.  I love how it looks like the dogs are checking out the wood in this picture, but in reality Jazzy was hiding behind the wood and planning a sneak attack on Sparky.

Karen

Day 50 - 2/19/13 - Poor Peanut

The stomach bug hit Patrick.  He had a fever, slept a ton, and wouldn't eat a bite.  Although it was so hard to see him sick, both Will and I enjoyed the extra snuggles we got from him.

Karen

Day 51 - 2/20/13 - Fun Dip, Anyone???

JUST SAY NO to the Fun Dip!  Seriously, this is like speed to my children.  Thankfully they each only got one for Valentine's Day so we only had one evening of crazies!  I do have to admit though those sugar sticks are the best!!  Shhhhhh, Patrick actually got two but I ate the stick out of the other one and threw the sugar away.  Our little secret...

Karen

Day 49 - 2/18/13 - What a Good Daddy!

Lindsay has been on a nail polish kick here recently!  She wants her nails to be painted every weekend and she also enjoys painting other people's nail.  She asked to paint mine and did a beautiful job painting them alternating pink, orange and lime green.  I was actually impressed with how well she did.  Well, she asked her Daddy if she could paint his and being the good Daddy that he is he let her.  She was so excited.  She took her job very seriously but had to giggle every once in awhile at her Daddy's painted fingernails.  I loved every moment of it for several reasons.

Karen

Day 48 - 2/17/13 - Doggie Dress Up

When we play dress up, we go all out in our house.  Not only do we dress up, but we create a skit to go along with our costumes AND we include the dogs.  This time Lindsay dressed Jazzy up in a tiara and pearls and Lindsay wore a red sweatshirt and carried a basket.  Of course, Lindsay was Little Red Riding Hood and Jazzy was the Big Bad Wolf dressed up like Grandma.  I didn't get a picture of that one though because Jazzy was running around too much trying to get her tiara off.  Sparky, on the other hand, was very cooperative.  He was an alien who had come to Earth looking (hence the binoculars) for trouble.  Patrick was the helpful ninja sent to take out the alien.  I don't think I have laughed so hard in a long time.  I love the creativity of my kids!!

Karen

Day 47 - 2/16/13 - Crafting Time Take 567

Have I mentioned my children like to do crafts?  Lindsay woke up saying she wanted to paint.  She had the canvas all set up and ready to go before 8 am.  Sigh.  She and Patrick agreed calmly (amazing) that they would paint a sunset.  We had a good 30 minutes of quiet time of them working together to create their masterpiece and I love it!!!

Karen

Day 46 - 2/15/13 - My Children

My children are my greatest accomplishment, my pride and joy, my life, my everything.  For that reason I love taking pictures of them.  They are my favorite subjects and I never tire of looking at them, smiling at them, and laughing with them.  So, I apologize if you are sick of seeing my little ones but be prepared for more.  (Since I think my mother and bff are the only ones that look at this anyway I guess it doesn't really matter.) 

Karen

Day 45 - 2/14/13 - My Loves

I tried to take a picture of the children with their ridiculously priced As Seen on TV Stuffies that they got for Valentine's Day, but none of them turned out to good.  So, instead I'm resurrecting two of my favorite pictures of all my loves!!!  We have an incredibly hard time getting a decent family picture so I take what I can get.  :)  Here are two that I love!!! 

Karen