A fondness for shoes & still more snow

Ben wearing Isabelle's Dorothy ruby slipper shoes.

Snow I woke up to this morning.

Beautiful....yet I am ready for it to go away....

School was cancelled today (even though Isabelle doesn't go on Tuesdays). Isabelle recently got a time out at school! I picked her up from school, we were drivng home and she told me: Me and Isa (her friend Isabella) got a time out today! For what? For running.... (she was embarrassed, yet at the same time proud of getting in trouble). Driving to school yesterday, Isabelle informed me that it was really FROGGY OUT. I said froggy? and she said yes, froggy! (I myself, I thought it was really foggy out, but what do I know).

In the first picture we see Ben wearing Isabelle's shoes...he loves to wear shoes, hats, purses, backpacks...

Saturday Morning Quick Steal

I feel like I have totally been neglecting my blog lately, the family is still sleeping (which will change any moment, if I am not too late already!) so I thought I would steal a few moments of proper thinking time to produce an update of sorts.

The kids have both been sick! ugh. Kept Isabelle home from school some, she went back on Friday, we are all thankful for that. Of course, Now I am feeling quite crappy myself, it was bound to happen. Speaking of bound. Above is a fun journal that I made to get me in the mood for spring!

I think the project we will take on today is cleaning and organizing the bedrooms (clothes have gotten extremily overwhelming) and Noah may paint the upstairs hallway & railing...so I must say that is exciting, and probably worth spending the day cleaning...just to get that done! That will feel good to have that done.

Coffee and Pajama Pants are two of the best inventions in the entire world. that is a true belief of mine.

Ben had his 18th month appt at the Dr. He wasnt feeling to good while it was happening, he was not happy and would not settle down for the nurse, so she never got his proper weight and such...so Im kind of clueless there, but overall exam, he is doing wonderful of course and we are so blessed and thankful! I must admit that Isabelle was an angel baby compared to Ben though...in regards to....trouble. I am calling him my little terror...his constant goal, is to climb, touch and destroy. I think my favorite moments lately are seeing Isabelle and Ben having fun together..coming up with little games and play and just giggling and sharing....(when there not fighting over the same item). They often remind me of Shel Silverstein's poem HUG O WAR, when they roll around on the rug and giggle.

Kindergarten....OMG, very soon, I need to register Isabelle for Kindergarten! She will be going full day, everyday and we are changing schools...so there is a lot of new coming after this summer. I can't believe how time flies away. Speaking of flies away, recently, Noah saw a huge BALD EAGLE right next to him as he was driving down a road by our house. He said it was amazingly cool.

We are still in Annie land here every day. Isabelle wants a hampster, that's her new desire. She talks about it quite often. How she wants a real one to pet and feed cuz she SICK of PRetend hampsters (we have a toy one in a ball that operates on batteries). I told her to ask for a bunny instead because I always wanted a bunny, but Noah always says no....something about Lance eating it.

Happy Weekend Friends & Family! When the kids get fully well, I will be taking their pics, I know I have not shared any in a while! Plus, I will be revamping my blog, there's lots of old stuff in the side bar! Fresh and New is on the horizon!

Snow Birds, Smelly Fish

Along with the endless snow, we have been getting endless birds! Snow has overwhelmed our area and we have had lots of school closings, event cancellations, etc. We have been hybernating this winter for sure! Tonight they are calling for below freezing weather with horrible windchills - joy. I keep telling myself that spring is just around the corner and we have so many wonderful things to look forward to. I read a quote yesterday, forgot the detailed words, but it was basically saying be IN the season that you are in and make the best of it. So with that, we are defintely trying!

So this morning, Noah gave Isabelle a hug and she ran to me and screamed daddy smells like the stinky fish we had for dinner! (grilled trout last night). - haha.

Valetine's Day is approaching and Isabelle wanted Barbie Valetines for some reason....so that is of course what I found! She will be filling them out herself this year so that is so exciting, seriously. They are not supposed to address the cards to specific friends so it's eaiser at distribution time, so they are supposed to address the cards to: Friend. So , I have been teaching her to write that. So now she knows to write her first, last and sort of middle name. ben's name and a few other words. She is right handed (Noah and I are both left, I think Ben will be left as well because he tends to color and such with his left).

On this winter day I have much household chores to tackle, I need to work on some custom orders for my shop and I think I will make bake some banana bread with Isabelle.

Oh I have some fun news! A publishing company is making a book about handmade greeting cards and they had a call out, so I submitted a few of my cards for consideration back in nov/dec. Well, I just got notification that they selected one of my cards to be included in this book! So, I think that is very cool.

Ben has been an extremily mischieveous little boy lately. I swear this kid's middle name should have been TROUBLE. But, he's so darn sweet. :)

That is all for now. Demands are calling (and whining and screaming). :)

ink&chocolate&COLD

Isabelle couldn't wait to try my new alice in wonderland stamps

...so I let her work on some projects. INK as far as the eye can see.
The little artist in creation mode.
Ben had to join the messy gang in his own special way (chocolate).
I couldn't wait to try my alice stamps either!

Life around here has been pretty COLD lately. It is artic freezing frigid bone chilling cold. We have been hanging in mostly at home. We have been fortunate to have some grand company this weekend so that's been fun and has changed up our winter duldrums a bit. It doesnt feel like a Monday. It feels like a Sunday. No school, no mail. I guess I have to wait another day for my million dollar check to come in. oh well. I'm in a scrapbooking mood, but dont have any new pictures to work with...awaiting on a snapfish order to arrive. Ben has been carrying around one of Isabelle's purses all day. Today he has been pulling Isabelle's hair and then she cries and he jumps on her and hugs her and laughs and then, Repeat. The annie soundtrack is on in the house right now...it's a hard knock life for us.... Ben hasn't been sleeping super great at all lately, so neither have I. I wish I could take a nap right now. So, I checked out the new super walmart that has recently opened in town and to tell you the truth of the matter, I felt a little overwhelmed by the store. Too big. Too much. After I left I realized that I even forgot to check out the section I really wanted to see (scrapbooking/crafts of course). It's snowing like crazy out there at the moment. Maybe I will make us some hot chocolate. Note to self: We need to purchase a humidifier. Sorry to ramble of mundane musings today, but I just feel in the mode of boredom and that cannot be altered at the moment and Ben is pulling on my arm so for now good day, keep well and warm and have a pleasant time of it. To bad it is so cold outisde, otherwise in the meadow we could build a snowman.

The year was 2008...

I have no NEW YEAR pics of the children so I thought I would throw a recent project that I made up for your viewing pleasure. This is a mini box of cards with love quotes on them.

I have not written in a while I realize, wow. I think I have been in the duldrums of the new year. Excited about the fresh start (new calendars, high organizing and other standard resolution type goals), but on the other hand...the bitter winter takes it's toll on the soul after awhile. Cabin fever gets a little overwhelming....and we have a long way to go. I will just try and make the best of it I tell my self as I start each new day.

The tempartures are going to be falling back into the below 0's. At least the sun is shining and we are warm inside at the moment.

The kids are doing swell. Isabelle now can offically spell and write her entire first name. I am so proud of her. Ben is talking more little words and understanding more and more. He tries to "help out" with daily routine as much as possible. Example" - If he finds Isabelle's sippy cup thrown on the floor, he picks it up and brings it to the sink! If he takes his coat off when we come in, he walks to the coat hook and gestures for me to hang it up there for him and of course he still has his obession with the garbage can. Although he mostly is throwing away garbage, we still have to watch him. Recently I found a book in there and also a baby from Isabelle's doll house.

Isabelle's current favorite show is ANNIE. She sings annie songs all day long and pretends annie scenes throughout the day as well. I have been so lucky to take on the role of ms. hannigan in Isabelle's play. Well, I guess it could be worse, I could of won the part of Sandy the dog, but that went to Ben.

I have a new obession myself. This year I am going to take on the skill/craft of book binding. I want to hand make my own books! Journals, notebooks...the possiblities are endless! How exciting! I guess this would be a natural interest of mine since I am so in love with the thought of a book in general. Ive always found binding so interesting...and now, I am starting simple, with the easiest techinques. I've just started my research, and Ive made a few easy items, and I have to tell you that it is so fun! I feel an addiction coming on. Someday, I hope to make nice books out of leather and such.....wouldn't that be the greatest? wow. So anyway, I begin this journey with great excitement.

I havent really made any new meals lately. NOah has been doing most of the cooking latley. He wants to. He enjoys the entire process (purchasing, planning, preparing (but not cleaning up of course). I get to make the occassional spaghetti or meatloaf, but thats about it. Some people think it is grand to have your husband want to cook. Seriously, it is nice to try his gourment meals and to get the break the from the kitchen duty in that aspect. But on the other end of the spectrum, he is making these fabulous meals that taste so great (that I really shouldnt be eating, like if I was eating my somewhat crappy dinners, I wouldnt be eating so much!), he likes to put a lot of spice in the meals so Isabelle doesnt like them half the time (ben will eat anything though), then there is eating on the scheudle he wants, these meals take a long time so sometimes we are getting the kids in bed later than I want and then the clean up is horrendous too. So, ladies - as this may sound like a great dream for some, trust me as I say, its nice, but I kind of miss being in control of that aspect of home life.

I am so excited that I have registered for a conference in March. It is called Hearts at Home. It is informational workshops and social gathering for Mothers. A group of my friends attend and I am so thrilled to be joining them this year. I hear that it is a very emotional and heartwarming event. The best part....NO kids allowed! hehe

Must be Santa

Look at this cute little red nosed Elf.

Visiting Santa. Ben is trying to evaluate the situation. Isabelle tells santa she wants ear muffs and a bathroom.

Ben finally decides, hey I don't like this.

Sibling Sweetness

Isabelle's school program. She is the unsure donkey in the front/middle.

Snow & Decorating of the Pine

A brief quiet moment with Ben as he decides

what kind of trouble he will be pursuing next.

Isabelle putting ornaments ON the tree.

Ben taking ornaments OFF the tree.

Isabelle being pulled in the SNOW on her sled via daddy.

These days of late have been extremily busy. On top of illnesses (yes, still!) and other things, we recently had an ice storm that knocked out our power for almost 24 hours! Oh Winter Bliss is among us. I can't believe how quickly Christmas will be arriving, I am so unprepared. I don't even know if I will get Christmas cards out this year...and if I do, they may not be homemade! (I know shocking!). Any HOOT, (owls are making such a grand comeback...well I suppose they never actually "Left"), that is all I have to report at the moment...my coffee is waiting and Alice in wonderland (aka Isabelle in her alice in wonderland dress) is waiting for her Juice.

2 turkeys & the night kitchen

Thanksgiving Day at Grandma & Grandpa's. We had such a nice holiday & got to spend time with lots of family this weekend! I am truly so thankful for so much.

3 bakerS in The NighT KitcheN (ben, belle, aunt mary)

Well we started baking for the holiday season already. The turkey decor isn't even down yet! But, it is never too soon to make cut out sugar cookies! I had to take a picture of these 3 stooges as they created the festive masterpieces. For some reason these fun, messy bakers remind me of the story: In the night kithen by Maurice Sendak (author of where the wild things are).

I can't believe there is Ice on our windows already. My new favorite at home coffee is: dunken donuts brand. Currently, Noah is making homemade cinnamon rolls this morning. Ben is still sleeping, Mary is reading nursery rhymes to Isabelle. I recently began reading a new book: Roasting in Hell's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay. Ben's most recent Dr. Visit was quite a success for he is doing very well (aside from the fact that we all have colds to some degree right now). Isabelle's class made stone soup at school recently. Her job was to bring the barley. She talked about stone soup for a week straight, couldnt wait...after school we picked her up and asked her what she thought of stone soup...she responded that: it was yuk but I liked the crackers!

The Little Prince

Recently I went to a used book sale. I found an old copy of The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. This is one of my favorite children's stories. What an amazing find, this book...not only do I love the musty old book smell...but I love the history of owners...I love when you open an old book and not only discover the story within, but also a little piece of who owned it at one time. In this copy of of The Little Prince there is an inscription from the gift giver and he is telling why he likes this story and is passing it on. ALso inside the book is a note from someone who owned the book, the note is about her "love" who I am assuming is her son. Also at the end of the book was an old newspaper article that I found delight in reading. This book, what a treasure for 25 cents!

So, I decided with a busy Monday coming (Isabelle School, Ben Dr. Misc Errands..) that I would try to prepare myself as much as possible for the morning, because morning around here lately...are anything but prepared. I dump my purse out in attempt to clean it out, get organized and I find...I can't believe this.... 12 pens! 12 pens! Am I insane? I was wondering where all my pens went. I ask myself am I a mental case? 12 pens? Normally, I carry 2 pens. 1 for use, 1 for back up, cuz you never know. This just shows how out of sync I have been lately. The normal me would never haul around 12 pens. Yes, I am a writing freak...but not in that way. So anyway, I am taking note (now that I have found my pens and can do so) that I need to slow down and concentrate a little bit more. I am not even going to tell you how much change I had in my purse!

Something that I have been feeling really bad about lately, is my lack of correspondence with family and friends. I feel like a total and complete antisocial neglector. <-- sorry if that is not a word or spelled incorrectly but I dont feel like looking it up. I apologize to anyone that has felt like I am not around anymore...I'm here! I'm just trying to find myself in all this mess! Seriously though, things have just been crazy and I really am trying to become better aquainted with my priorities and a somewhat schedule that is functional to be productive in all aspects of my life. Something that will really help my communication is that I have a new cell phone (living without one was quite an adjustment!). The best part of my new phone besides the fact that it is p i n k (I am trying to embrace more feminity as I have been lacking at that lately too), is that I have the best ring tone I could have ever dreamed of! The office theme song! Whoah, life is good.

These lovely Autumn days...

My friend Sally visited from afar (Minnesota) and while here, she did a photo shoot of the kids. Even though the elements (on the go children and wind) were against her, she got such wonderful shots! These are just two of her amazing photos! I love them all, so I will be posting more when I get them! :)

The last couple days have been so nice weather wise. Those perfect Autumn days in which the weather is crisp enough to breath soul into your step and warm enough to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without heavy attire.

I just took the kids out of the bath. They smell so nice. The sun is setting. I think we are having leftover Gumbo for dinner because Noah has a meeting tonight. Noah has been cooking an awful lot lately. I tease him asking if he will ever let me cook again...maybe when he has a cold and has no taste buds. Well, he enjoys it and he by some miracle has been really helping with the clean up, so honestly, I don't mind one bit. Most things he has been making have been really good....well, except his meatloaf. It was way too salty. Oh well, they can't all be five star. So speaking of cooking, we finally saw the movie Ratatolli. Very cute little flick. Isabelle tells me the next time she goes to a restaurant she is going to ask for Ratatolli with NO matos!

The clutter of the house has been really getting to me lately. Today I spent the day attempting to do my best to change things up a bit. Clean, organize, switch furniture around. I feel better for now but as I speak the house is getting undone by the two little people whose job it is to keep me challenged.

My etsy shop has been keeping me quite busy lately. I have serveral custom orders lined up. This has been such a good thing for me but I personally need to make sure I keep a balance of all things...like the house has been in such chaos lately, that's why I took today to attempt some kind of major improvement. I also have been working on projects after the kids go to sleep and before they wake up, so I have not been sleeping as much as I should. I am not complaining at all, it has been such a good thing...but I like I said, I need to learn a good balance for family, home & business. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Speaking of, I should probably get off the computer for now! Stay Well & Enjoy these Fall days, for they are fleeting!

p.s. I just had to add this! I just picked Ben up and something rattled...so I unzipped his footy pajamas and found a little shaker toy, a little people horse and an half eaten apple!!! This kid is little a chipmunk storing things in his pajamas!

10 years

On November 1st, Noah and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. I have to say, WOW. I really can't comprehend that 10 years have gone by so quickly. A few jobs, houses, towns, dogs and kids later....here we are. Like all lives, some of the times have been hard, but all in all we have been truly blessed with our amazing family and we somehow get through the trials we face. In each other we find comfort and we find laughter. We find understanding...and we know that we are truly loved.

So, I thought I would share a few converstions/situations that I have had with Isabelle & Ben lately:

Isabelle: My friend Cake is going to be at the party. Cheryl: No, your friend's name is CaDe. No, his name is Cake!

Isabelle comes into our room in the middle of the night*** Isabelle: I can't hear the OWLS because DADDY is snoring!

This afternoon, I gave Isabelle a toy catalog that came in the mail and told her to circle the things that she liked so we could get ideas for a list for Santa Claus. Isabelle, returns later to show me the catalog and as we go through it, I notice that ALL the items in the catalog are circled.

Isabelle likes to pretend Ben is a puppy, she throws something and tells Ben to fetch. Ben goes and gets it and brings it to her and she pats him on the head and says good boy. She throws it again and he goes and fetchs again....they go on like this for awhile.

Isabelle's new obessions: getting a race car shaped bed and bringing an outside bird in the house to sleep with.

And Ben has turned into quite the escape artist...when he sees me coming with the diapers and wipes he high tails it away like you wouldnt believe...or if Noah tells him he is going to get him...then Ben goes and hides under the little kid picnic table and peers out laughing.

Ben does not like swings. Ben does not like his hair rinsed in the bath.

I'm very tired so I : Wish you well & goodnight.

Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh My!

The Yellow Brick Road Unwinds...

So, today at the local Picture Show, there was a special showing of The Wizard of OZ, how perfect for our costume choice this year! Isabelle Loves the Movies. Isabelle Loves The Wiz, Isabelle Loves her Costume, Isabelle Loves her Great Aunt Mary (who came with us) and Isabelle Loves popcorn, so as you could imagine, this was the perfect event for my little Dorothy. This was the first time I put in her in her complete costume. Noah went golfing, Great Aunt Margaret stayed home & played with Ben, and we were off to the show... It was such a fun experience. I couldn't remember the last movie I saw in the theatre to be pefectly honest with you. We've been watching The Wiz at home alot lately, so Isabelle just absolutely "knows" and enjoys this movie.

There was a few moments that I looked over at Isabelle watching the show, and I almost felt like crying. Not to get all sappy and such...but I just love to see her so happy and my mind simply can't wrap around the fact that she is this little girl now...no longer a baby...but more and more her own person everyday and that she is so beautiful. All in All it was a swell time.

Later in the day we went out to lunch at a chinese restaurant. When the waitress asked Isabelle what she wanted she answered: I would like a hot dog please. With ketchup.

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My Esty Store has been so great. Ive been working on a lot of paper projects lately. I have my first international customer! Someone from Australia is buying a book I made! I think that's really cool. (If I can figure out the postal/shipping correctly). The house is neglected. I wish I could hire someone to come deep clean and de-clutter. I am trying to gain some focus. I can never establish a proper routine. This chaos makes me feel like "if I only had a brain". But, I don't give up ...I don't give in. It's been so cold and dark lately. We've all been on the verge of sickness. I think I have been wearing the same sweatshirt for 3 days. I need to really pull out my winter clothes. My clocks are always off. It feels like autumn has gone, yet it has not begun yet... I can't believe Halloween is in just a few days. I even forgot that we are supposed to carve pumpkins! That will be fun with Ben I'm sure. Haha. Recently we have made several meals for freezing and we have actually used them so much lately...beef stew, chili, chicken soup (tonight). I must get Ben a proper stocking. Isabelle asked if we can make muffins tomorrow. I don't know if I have ingredients for muffins...oh maybe pumpkin spice muffins I do. I think once my head finally hits the pillow tonight, that I will be in a nice deep slumber. It's been a long day...a long week. Goodnight dear Friends & Family.

FALLing into Trouble

Look at my little Ben's whispy curls...I know I need to get his hair cut, but I just love those little curls. Boy am I getting a run for my money with this kid. He is constantly looking for trouble. We now have to keep the garbage can compltely turned around against the wall because he is constantly going into it either trying to pull things out or put things (anything) in it. Yesterday he fell off his little picnic table, hit a toy with his mouth somehow and there was blood all about. If this is what little boys are made of, I better get ready because I am in for a wild ride I believe...

So far this fall has been very busy. I don't know where the time goes. I have been extremily neglectful of my blog and I apologize. I intend to do a better job of updating.

Tonight I am making chicken parmaseasn on spaghetti noodles. Infact, the oven is preheating and I must put it in soon. I have not made any new outstanding recipes lately. I really hope we make chili this weekend, its cold and I am cold so I think that would be good.

It has rained on my laundry for two days now.
I really dislike my post office for several reasons.
Ben just put a papercrafting tool of mine in a little truck of his and drove it away...I hope I remember to go find it. I must go for now, but I shall return soon. Good Evening.

writting letters & hand stuck in a green bean can

Since I have no new pics of the kids, I put this one up! I have made these Recipe Cards and put them in my new online shop. I absolutely LOVE how they turned out! Makes me almost want to cook!

Isabelle has started writing a few letters of the alphabet and she is only in the beginning, but her teachers have taught her how to write the letter I for her name. I just can't believe she is writing letters! Isabelle just told me "tell my family that I can write the letter D too, and Benjamin can't!" She has her first bus field trip tomorrow to the local apple orchard.

Ben lately has been attempting to eat dog food, put things (that don't belong garbage) in the garbage, pull things out of the garbage (got his hand stuck in opened discarded green bean can, has floated his bottle in the dog water, had smashed an egg on the floor, keeps getting all his clothes off (including his diaper), pretends he's talking on the cellphone, walks around with it to his ear, babbeling, he has tried brushing his hair with a tooth brush, among many other adventurous talents.

I officially have gotten both kids costumes for Halloween! Whoah!

Yesterday for the first time ever, Isabelle told me she wanted a NEW mom. I was almost in tears. She has never said anything like that to me before. Also, yesterday a bug flew up my nose and a vaccum belt that I just bought instantly broke. I am hoping today will be a more productive and positive day. (If only I can get myself and the children out of the house at decent hour). I have to go grocery shopping since there is nothing to make for meals in the cabinets…but I can’t seem to think of anything to make…maybe a turkey breast and chili (not together).

Currently I am reading a book about Cemetary’s (getting in the Halloween mode).
Also, cannot wait to watch the office tonight!
I know there are other things as well that I wanted to speak of, but my mind is kind of in a million directions at the moment. So, I shall check in soon, just wanted to say hi and have a pleasant day and a lovely evening!

Footy Pajamas and Exploding Vaccum

Sister & Brother fighting over a toy cell phone (I think there may be about 30 more toy cell phones laying about the immediate premises, but this one held particuliar interest for both children at the same exact time, go figure...)
We call this picture: The loving compromise. A win. win.

So, the (wonderful, amazing, leaf crunching, crisp air) season is upon us. The season of footy pajamas! Is there anything more comforting in life then footy pajamas? I think not.

My coffee tasted a little "soapy" this morning, so I dumped it out and started a new pot, yet the taste still lingers. Yuk!

We picked our garden pumpkins recently, that took all of about a minute. The garden is defintely winding down. I have canned tomatos, I have sauced tomatos, I have given tomatos, I have incorporated tomatoes, I think I am done for the season.

Recently we did a bonfire with smores and I forgot how good smores are! I wonder why we don't do that more often? Speaking of the bonfire area of our yard...apparently a few weeks ago while my family was slumbering...some drunken teenagers drove right through our yard becuase they missed the stop sign and didn't realize the road ended! LOVELY.

School is in full swing for Isabelle. She already had picture day (crossing fingers that photo will be cute and adorable). Isabelle comes home from school with many stories. I don't know if she learned this song at school or MOPS, but the other day she started singing: "bringing home a baby bumble bee, won't my mommy be so proud of me". Then of course, I chimed in with great enthusisasm (sorry if im miss spelling or bad grammer today), because this song brought back great memories of my youth as I used to sing this song in brownies/girl scouts! It was neat to hear her singing it now. So far Isabelle has worked on the letters A and B in school. I'm betting the letter C may be next...

I started selling some things on ebay (so far the experience has been interesting & fun but I haven't made much money). Im learning alot and it is neat and thrilling, the whole process from interacting with people from all over and learning, that my stuff may be their treasure! hehe One of the funnest <--is that a word? parts is putting together the packages with a little extra fun touch or surprise.

I have been trying to get a lot of paper projects done. I am selling some on ebay, but I have also opened a little store on this site called Etsy. It's where to go to buy and sell handcrafted goods. When my store is ready, I will put the address here, but as of right this moment, I only have 3 things listed so far! This is exciting I must say.

Who would have thought that new "green" Shrek toothpaste would make Isabelle think I am the greatest mom on the planet? Uh oh, Ben is eating something and I didnt give him anything! Be right back......o.k., it was pretzel from yesterday that he must have found. He finds everything! As I was over there, I also discovered that he is stinky so I must not linger long.

Did I mention my most recent appliance/equipment nightmare? My vaccum practically caught on fire the other day! Here I am vaccuming, almost done with the living room, when I smell a scent almost like burning leaves, yet more like burning rubber! Then I turn around and there is massive amounts of dark grey smoke coming out of the shop vac! I ran to the wall and unplugged it, grabbed ben from the pack n play and evacuated the house, finding Noah and telling him the vaccum is on fire! Well, come to learn it was nothing I did, the thing was old and shot. So, needless to say, I don't need to vaccum at the moment (because I can't) besides, I have Ben to pick up any thing that needs not to be on the floor (well besides toys).

We have a birthday party this morning for Isabelle's friend and a barbaque this afternoon for a family friend, so I better get going I have presents to wrap, dishes to make ...oh and I have that diaper to change!

new

new updates coming soon.

Little Boy Blue

I know Isabelle has only been back in school for a little bit now, but I am really enjoying my alone time with Ben. Just us. We can just interact with out any interruptions or takeovers...hehehe But of course...11:15 rolls around and I can't wait to go get my little girl back.

Today is one of those days in which I cannot stop yawning. Even though I drank 3 gallons of coffee this morning, I guess it just didn't do the trick. The last few nights I haven't slept much at all. I think the moon is too full. The night is too still.

So, I started selling on ebay. I started sunday. I now have 9 misc. items up for sale. So far, NO BIDS...no interest. I am not even a good sales person not in person! haha Today Isabelle told me I could sell her princess potty. I told her no, she better keep it. So even though I have got no BIDS and only one inquiry so far...it is exciting...the anticipation of checking....and maybe some day...some how....some way... I shall sell something! Of course when all is said and done, I am sure I will lose money in the deal...considering all the fees involved already. Oh well...like I said it's kind of fun. Especially writing the descriptions! Putting a little color and flair into everyday objects... but then again, maybe it is those very descriptions that are frightening buyers to "trust" me.

Isabelle came into my room in the middle of the night last night and said this: Mom! Mom! I need to talk to you something important. Why does baby Bop have a bow in her hair?

Did I mention how upsetting black and white photos are to Isabelle? She really gets disturbed when there are no color in pictures. She doesnt understand it and she gets really upset like something is wrong.

I have NO clue what I will make for dinner tonight. If it was up to me it would be Ramen Noodles or beefaroni....or cheese and crackers. Something S i m p l e. I tried to take a nap earlier but it just didnt work.

I think I really want Isabelle and Ben to be Dorothy and cowardly Lion this year for Halloween...I will have to see if I could pull that off in a cute way. I dont like the lion costumes that have a head of a lion on top of the hood ....I really like the ones that have the maine directly around the baby's face. And I could paint him a little black nose and wiskers. Also there is a cute dorthoy costume somewhere that comes with the basket with todo....and then of course there are the ruby slippers.... Or she could be alice in wonderland and ben could be the white rabbit or door mouse. Or she could be red ridinghood ( i was that when I was about her age) and ben could be a little wolf.......of course I should probably find out what Isabelle wants to be. I just asked her and she said "Spiderman...then she said no, tinkerbell...oh never mind how about spiderman?" I think this girl might need some costume suggestions and direction from me afterall. I was gonna get Isabelle a humpty dumpty costume when she was a baby...a cute egg with a hole for her face to come through...maybe I will see if I could find that for ben...he would make a cute humpty dumpty.

Isabelle just told me that ELIVS is a boy show. Not a girl show.

o.k. I don't know what rock I have been living under but I am so in love with a song I recently discovered: Goodnight my angel - lullaby by billy joel. Also I have a love hate relationship with the song: Love Today by Mika

I feel like I live in the wilderness lately..or at the zoo. I was thinking of all the overwhelming amount of animals I came across today alone.....the standard birds, cats, dogs, squirrels...but also today I came across pigs, apacas, cows, horses, sheep and deer! Maybe it's a sign that my husband should build an ark. I don't think that's gonna happen, it's hard enough to get him to take out the garbage.

Back To School

I can't even explain how exciting it was to get back to school today! This year wasn't emotional for me like her first year (plus I had just had Ben just a few days before at that time)...it was nice to go there with the excitement of the first day and not have the anxiety of a new situation. This year Isabelle will be going to preschool 3 mornings a week (m-w-f). This year Isabelle has the same teachers and some of the same kids in her class, so that was a nice thing to look forward to as well. She also knew what to expect so there was no departure anxiety from her or I as I left the building after dropping her off which gave us both great comfort and security. Ben and I ran a few errands and before I knew it, it was time to pick her up. She had a great first day and so did I. Of course one of my favorite parts of school starting is knowing that Autumn is coming too.

little side note before I forget: BEN says Uh-Oh all the time now. So cute. hehe

Party

Pretty in Pink Party Girl.
"tired" Birthday Boy
Adorable Duck Cake made by Elaine
Elaine made this beautiful Alice in wonderland dress from scratch for Isabelle. Also on this night Isabelle recieved a dress up princess Belle gown, a Fun Bears Cheerleading outfit......but she choose to wear for the remainder of the evening, this:
Spiderman Costume from Uncle Al !

At first when Isabelle opened the gift, she questioned the giver "why did you get me this? It's for a boy!" But, once she got it on, there was no taking it off. She ran around all night with super powers, spinning webs and jumping on the party guests. (doll cake made by Elaine).

Family Party = Great Success. Thank you Everyone! We are truly blessed (and spoiled).