adorable lampshade (if I do say so myself)

I have wanted a new lamp for Amelia's room for quite awhile. Her big girl room is almost complete and was missing the right 'girly' lamp. I had seen a lampshade online for around a hundred dollars and thought I could recreate it for a lot less. So $16 in flowers, 2 hours of my time and one tiny hot glue burn to my hand it was complete. I love how it turned out and most importantly Amelia loves it. There was a clutching of her chest and loud exclamation of her adoration "I loooove it Mommy, it's soooo beautiful!"

party time

Amelia had a princess theme party of course. Her little friends arrived in their regal attire and they had fun painting and decorating picture frames, playing games and eating cupcakes. After her friends left it was time to welcome family that had waited in very long pre - Olympic border line ups. Amelia loved all her pink presents and crafty supplies.

amelia's birthday

Amelia started her special day with dance class. Perfect for her. Afterwards, Amelia and I had a hot date at the mall. She was spoilt with some new shoes (shopping for little girl shoes is almost as much fun as for myself...almost) a 'birthday outfit' to wear out for dinner that night and a lil manicure with pink polish. We made cupcakes for her party and then it was time to pick up Aiden from school. Aiden melted my heart on Amelia's birthday. It started by him waking her by singing happy birthday, making her bed for her, being waaaaaay nicer than normal to her. It had been library day at school and Aiden had a chosen a ballerina book so he could read it to her for her birthday. After school they played Lego together for hours until was time to go out for dinner. Red Robin was the choice and Amelia was dazzled by the big red bird until he turned around to leave and she loudly exclaimed " bye, bye, chicken butt!" I could have slid under the table right there. Halfway through dinner, Amelia wanted to sit beside Aiden so we swapped, parents on one side kids on the other. Dale and I had an 'aha' moment of being parents to older kids and we liked it alot.

interview with a three year....

My baby turns three today. Sigh.


me: what's the best thing about being a three year old?
Amelia: my birthday

me: favorite food?
Amelia: pizza

me: favorite restaurant?
Amelia: dinner one (Applebees)

me: favorite activity?
Amelia: dancing, twirling and coloring

me: best place to play?
Amelia: my room

me: favorite thing about Aiden?
Amelia: plays Lego with me

me: favorite movie?
Amelia: Ice Age... 'he's so funny'

me: favorite toy?
Amelia: pink toys and my unicorn

me: favorite color?
Amelia: pink

me: what do you want to be when you grow up?
Amelia: a monster

me: what do you think about global warming?
Amelia: eeeeewwww that's gross!

photo by rebeccabphotography.com

mid winter blahs

Every year at this time I get antsy. Usually rearranging the furniture helps me in this department. But after several years of doing that I know how I like my furniture and I don't want to change it. Over the last few months I've started to feel like my house looks like someone significantly older than myself lives here (say a 90 year old lady that only likes the color brown). So I am determined to bring some color and 'funkiness' to my home. The family room is my first project and I've bought a few orange and turquoise accessories to hopefully help. Wish me luck and of course I will post some pictures when I'm done!

cutest valentine idea

I found this idea online last week for a brownie bag. I downloaded the free template and printed it on a white paper paper bag. It turned out very cute and now I'm looking forward to filling with yummy brownies for the big day.

meatball- apolooza

I did get those 10 pounds of hamburger made into meatballs this week end. It took about and hour and made 8 large family size portions for the freezer. 1 hour of time + 8 dinners with minimal prep = one happy Mama. My plans for the meatballs include:
- add to store bought spaghetti sauce
- add to a sour cream sauce for strogonoff meatballs (recipe on blog)
- add to a jar of grape jelly and jar of chili sauce and serve over rice
- serve with bbq sauce
- make meatball subs or calzones

just in case....

anyone was mistaken that I live some sort of glamorous or exciting lifestyle. This is my plan for today: drag myself to the gym, run errands at Costco and Target, convert 10 pounds of raw hamburger into meatballs for the freezer, make my kitchen appliances sparkle, tackle a weeks worth of laundry, paint my kitchen stools, finish an old scrapbook project. If I get all this done I should reward myself with something glamorous and exciting....any ideas?

cutest lil dollhouse

Dale made Amelia a dollhouse bookcase for Christmas. He did a great job and I was able to find the most adorable doll furniture to complete the project. If you ask Amelia she says Santa gave it to her and she is 'going to sell it' but she really does like it. I opened her little play fridge and found Cinderella inside and smiled. Later I opened her night table drawer and found at least 5 naked dolls stuffed inside. I didn't smile that time because it looked a little creepy and I am starting to get worried that she may have some...issues.

overheard

Aiden was talking to my sister's new neighbor boy...
boy: My mom's a landscaper, what does your mom do?
Aiden: ummmm...she scrapbooks and hangs out.

I'm choosing to think I juggle all my roles so well he only sees me as a relaxed mom who has plenty of free time.

harrison redemption

We went up to Harrison Hot Springs with the kids for an overnighter. It definitely was more enjoyable to take the kids and go in the winter. The pools were fun and the highlight was warming up in front of the giant fire. The low point was realizing Amelia still cannot sleep in the same room as everyone else. It was a looong night.

basketballer.

Dale and Aiden were talking last night about his basketball game today. Aiden asked Dale if he thought I would make a number '7' (his number) flag and run up and down the sidelines cheering for him. I guess Dale almost drove off the road laughing at the mental picture. Would it really be that funny? I'm the same mother that did donkey kicks in public to impress my son and now it's a running joke because it was caught on videotape and it isn't very graceful pretty.

thai beef soup

2 32oz carton beef broth
2 garlic cloves minced
1 inch cubed ginger grated (I use a mini food processor)
1 bunch cilantro chopped
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp chili pepper flakes
1 tsp black pepper

1 steak thinly sliced

1 bunch green onions

Bring broth to boil, add garlic, ginger, cilantro, soy sauce and oyster sauce, pepper and chili pepper flakes. Simmer 10-20 minutes, cook thinly sliced beef in separate pan and add to soup, add sliced green onions. Serve over cooked noodles, and your choice of matchstick carrots, beans sprouts, sliced mushrooms, or snow peas.

photo organization

For the first time since I started scrapbooking in 2003 I have my photos put in a photo album chronological order. I also finished my year in review book and put together my Christmas card collage. I've done the collage over the last few years and it's fun to see how people change each year. Now I have quite a few scrapbooking pages to complete for 2009 so I need day of scrapbooking with friends. Who's in?

title:uncooperative dance subject

Amelia started her new dance class this week sans Mommy! I tried to get some pictures in her big girl dance clothes and ponytail but someone was too excited!

i'll love you forever moment...

As I was tying Aiden's basketball shoes tonight he told me "I'll tie your shoes for you Mom when you get old and forget how to tie your shoes." And I smiled. And I wanted to cry a little bit but I didn't.

january to do list

in no particular order
-[schedule knee surgery]
-[Aiden last H1N1 vaccine]
-[Amelia 3 year check up appt]
-[plan Amelia's birthday party]
-[finish decorating Amelia's room] one more thing and it's done!
-deep clean our closet, [bathroom] and [bedroom]
-convince Dale we should re do bathroom vanity
-[organize 2009 photos] (and then make plans for 2003-2008 photos)
-Christmas thank you cards -oops email today instead!
-return and exchange Christmas gifts
-clean, condition and store purses properly
-figure out storage baskets for master closet ???

fun gift idea for the kid that has everything...

Or if you're my kid and I can't handle more toys after Christmas. Both kids birthdays follow the 6 weeks after the holidays. I have always felt like they have just been bombarded with toys and gifts and then it's time to do it all over again. My sister in law was telling me about designing your own shoes at Converse. I found a low-top slip on version for $45 {the rest were a little spendier} and Aiden had a ball picking the colors and patterns. I told Aiden 'maybe' these would arrive in the mail for his birthday. He was beyond excited which should come as no surprise since he has some fashion designer tendencies. Remember the paper skull applique sweatshirt?

meal planning with a twist.

I like to cook but I found every week was a scramble to have food bought and prepared for the family (I work every Monday and Tuesday evening). In December I went to a fun cooking class put on by a local catering company. The theme was appetizers and martinis which was very fun but the best part is I learned they prepare and deliver dinners right to your doorstep weekly! The cost for 4 family dinners with leftovers for 1 person for lunch seems to run btwn $60-75 week delivered to my doorstep. My family has enjoyed all the meals and I have decided the price is worth it for us. The time I have saved from having to plan, shop, preapare and clean up meal prep has made the cost worth it. Check it outTwo Tomatoes

my word

I have decided my word for 2010 will be...nurture. I feel like the days and years are rushing past and I need to stop and take time to develop the relationships and connections that make up my life. I want to be purposeful in my actions and make sure I am present and thoughtful in my interactions with family and friends. Also, I need to nurture myself more. Hopefully this attitude and intention will see me through a rich and fulfilling year.

happy new year.

best wishes for a wonderful new year.

christmas week review

This past week has been a whirlwind. For the first time ever I got the 'Christmas crud' sniffling and croaking my way through the holidays. I improved just in time to welcome Dale's sister and family for a week of visiting from the east coast. We kept busy checking out the aquarium, the new museum, painting at creativitea, swimming, bowling and keeping 5 children happy. Then we turned around and it was time for them to fly home.