Day 25 - 1/25/13 - Fly Away

Giving a little shout out today to one of my favorite local designers.  Ursula's Handmade Treasures makes the most wonderfully unique and imaginative items.  We have clothing, handmade dolls, and beautiful wings from this fine lady!

Check her out on FB and tell her I sent you!


Karen

Day 24 - 1/24/13 - Dog Lady

I really wasn't a huge dog person in the past, but my husband and my in-laws were.  My allergies had prevented us from having/keeping a dog in the past.  When we found out about labradoodles, we thought that might be a good solution.  They are shed-free, allergy-free, and 100% lovable!!!  My Mommy instincts were kicking in for another baby, but since that isn't in the picture for us.  I found myself craving a puppy, and boy do I love my two little fuzzballs!  My two cuties have converted me!  I am a dog lover indeed (at least my two pups)!  What's not to love about those puppy dog eyes!!

Karen

Day 23 - 1/23/13 - What Are Little Girls Made Of?

Although Lindsay isn't always a frilly, prissy girlie girl, she has her moments.  She loves makeup!!!  In fact, she says she wants to be a face painter and a makeup artist when she is bigger.  I took these the other day when she was playing with some lip gloss.

Karen

Day 22 - 1/22/13 - Blue Skies

I was born and raised in Delaware, lived in Maryland for four years, and then moved to Florida after I got married.  Although Florida is my home and I love it here, I can't help to feel like my home will always be Delaware.  I miss my family, I miss my friends, but I do not miss the cold or the gray, dreary skies of winter.  I took this picture from my backyard on a warm, sunny January day.  I never realized how much I was affected by the seasons until I moved to Florida.  There is something to be said about having sunshine every day - good for the soul, good for the spirit.  I always say everything happens for a reason.  Although the heartache of missing my family is overwhelming at times, I couldn't think of a better place to be.  I have so many blessings here in Florida - a supportive husband that works so hard to provide for his family, two beautiful children, incredible in-laws, a job that I love, a great group of friends, and sunny blue skies!  Life is good!

Karen

Day 21 - 1/21/13 - Day Off?

I thought days off were supposed to be relaxing or a day to get things accomplished.  Ha!  Well, I guess I did get caught up on this.  Our day off today consisted of dentist appointments for both kids, a fun 2 hours at Chuck E. Cheese's, making cookies and crafting with the kids.  I have a million other things I need and want to get done, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend my day off.  These two cuties light up my life!!

Karen

Day 20 - 1/20/13 - Dishonest Mom of the Year Award

Do you want to know how I get my kids to pose and smile for the camera?  I bribe, I say potty words, and yes, I sometimes lie.  I got a new lens for my camera that I was excited to try out on the kids.  Neither wanted their picture taken.  So, what did I say?  I told them it was a special lens that makes really pretty faces look ugly.  They smiled really nice and I got some great shots!  Then when they asked to see the pictures and if it worked I said, "No but I did take some pretty pictures so I guess I'll keep it."  Yup, totally losing the Mother of the Year Award.  The things moms do for a good shot.

Karen

  

Day 19 - 1/19/13 - Sleepover Success

Patrick and Lindsay ALWAYS beg to have a sleepover in one of their rooms.  They want to stay up and play and then sleep in the same room.  We have tried several times but it usually ends up in tears and off to separate rooms.  Well we finally had sleepover success!!!  No arguing, no yelling, and they even slept in.  When I woke up in the the middle of the night to check on them this is what I found.

EXHIBIT A - The Aftermath of Staying Up and Playing:

EXHIBIT B - Two happy, sleeping, content, sweet children:

Karen

Day 18 - 1/18/13 - Documenting for the Future

So, I'm not doing so hot on my New Year's Goal of doing laundry every other day, folding and putting away.  As I'm tying this I'm looking at the laundry on my storage bench in my bedroom that IS folded but definitely not put away.  Sigh.  As soon as my children wake up said laundry WILL be put away!  Anyway back to the documentation.  Lindsay had been battling a rash (originally diagnosed as Scarlet Fever to later find out it was hives) and I took the day off with her.  We spent the morning with the allergist getting the hives diagnosis and we spent the afternoon folding and putting away laundry.  She is a fierce little washcloth and towel folder.  I took documentation of my beautiful chaise lounge totally cleared off calling me to snuggle up to read and enjoy a glass of wine.  Haha.  It only took me a sick off to get caught up.  So, here it is my proof that I did accomplish something.

While we are looking at my master bedroom, here are my awesome new curtains.  I love them.

Day 17 - 1/17/13 - Fashion Diva

I snapped these pictures of Lindsay when she was getting ready for bed.  Yes, folks, this is what she picked out to wear to bed.  This was after trying on and discarding several pairs of pajamas.  If this is how she is at 4, we are in BIG trouble at 14!

Karen

Day 16 - 1/16/13 - Let Me Tell You Something Bout My Best Friend

I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life.  I have friends and family members that pick me up when I am down, laugh with me until we cry, hug me through the tears, and just walk next to me enjoying life.  My friend, Kristen, is one of these people.  We met in third grade and have been friends ever since.  Our friendship has always been a constant in our changing lives.  We grew up together, celebrated our first kisses, consoled each other through our first break ups, stood by each other's sides at our weddings, and now play with our kids together.  So thankful to have her in my life.  Here's a picture from our visit.  We always try to get a picture of her and I with our children each time we get together.  They are usually pretty funny but this one is not too bad.

Karen

Day 15 - 1/15/13 - Circus Pictures Part 2

Kid picks.  The first collage is one of Lindsay's favorite parts of the circus, the girls twirling by their hair.  The second collage is Patrick's favorite part, the ninjas.  Will and I were slightly concerned that both children might try to do some of these stunts on their own.  So, we had a little chat about these performers being professionals and not to try this at home!

 

Karen

Day 14 - 1/14/13 - Circus Pictures Part 1

I am still working on taking pictures in darker settings.  The circus was a bit of a challenge.  We had soooooo much fun though!  I had never been to a real three ring circus so it was just as exciting for me as it was for the kids!  Of course the company of great friends was enjoyable too!  I took so many pictures I had to do collages.  Enjoy!

Bring on the elephants!

Karen

Day 13 - 1/13/13 - I've Got Friends in Low Places

One of the best things about this weekend was watching my children bond with my best friend's little boy, Smith.  They both love him so much!  Lindsay wanted to be next to him almost the whole time we were there.  I love this moment in time I captured. 

Day 12 - 1/12/13 - Just Monkeying Around

Okay, so it happened sooner than I expected.  I got behind.  I took so many pictures this weekend though that I'm going to spread them out a little and catch up. 

My Peanut love monkeys and climbs like one too.  We went to a playground during our visit with the Lawlors.  Patrick has been working hard to tackle the monkey bars and this weekend he DID IT!!!  Now I didn't get a shot because he wanted me right there by his legs for security and comfort, but I did snap this one of my little monkey climbing!

Day 11 - 1/11/13 - Cheers to the Weekend!

I'm very excited for this weekend for several reasons.

1.  I'm going to see one of my oldest, best friends, Kristen, and spend time with her family!

2.  We are going to the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus on Saturday.  I have never been to a big three ring circus and neither have my kids.  I think I am just as excited as them.

3.  We have some new wine to try.  I sent my husband to the local winery to pick up a few bottles for the weekend.  This is what he came home with.  He's a good man!

So, cheers!  Have a great weekend!!!