Hello March

Courtesy of julochka

Hello March! 

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here. I have been busy like no other. I have overwhelmed like no other. I am learning to take one task at a time, rather than doing a bunch of things at once. Ugh! I am a work in progress, what can I say? But aren't we all? Right when I think, oh I've got this figured out Murphy's Law comes around to show me I don't (insert angry red devil emoticon).

On another note, spring is right around the corner. I am super stoked! This year I am doing a full garden. It has taken a quite of bit of preparation. I am starting most plants from seeds. It's cheaper and fun as well for the kids to see the progress and mother nature as she works! I will put another blog post about it soon with pictures! 

I know that January 1st is usually the day to begin reflecting and making plan of the new year. I have been out of sorts since November! Or at least it feels that way. The holidays whooped my butt this past year. Aiden's birthday is at the end of January so, January was still busy as crap. A few things I have learned:

• Lists are a must. I am a list-maker. I have a love-hate relationship with lists. To be productive, I must make lists. 
• Better to do one thing AMAZING than a lot of things half way. This may be common sense to some, but I have a fear of not getting things done, so I try to get them all done at once! Not a good idea. Plus, it's not good for my anal-retentive cleaning. 
• It's ok to be a little sleep deprived. If I got all of the sleep I needed each day, I would get nothing done. It is a constant battle. To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question. 

I am however out of physical therapy now! That is a very good thing. I am still working on my knee exercises on a daily basis, because my knee isn't fully recovered just yet. I look at it like motivation. I have got to do these exercises to keep my knee strong. Flab be gone! 

Homeschooling Aiden has become easier. We still have our days when I want to pull out my hair but, mostly the days are sunny (figuratively) and productive. 

Ava's terrible twos is in full force! HELP!!!!! 

Say a little prayer for me ;)

Dannielle

Gift List #3

Here's list #3! These are gifts that are different, or not so different, but neat altogether. If you haven't done so already check out list #1 and #2.

This is the Specialty Gift Box from Lucero. This has just about a little of everything they offer. Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dipping oil, and a lemon artichoke tapenade. I bought my Dad the award winning olive oil and the dipping oil for his birthday this past year. He loved it! I make homemade french bread to go with it, and it is DIVINE! This company has tasting rooms in Portland, OR and California. So, if you're close by give 'em a try! They have many other options, but this is my favorite assortment. $65

These my friends, are Baby Proof books. We all know babies and books are not a  great combination. At least if you want to keep your books till the next generation. Plus, these nursery rhymes are classics, and now a days the classics are flying out the window. Perfect price for these six gems! $25

These are absolutely adorable. Ava loves these Finger Puppet Board Book Series! There are plenty of different kinds of animal books as well. They range from $4 to $7. 

I like classic pieces for the most part. But I also think every woman needs statement jewelry. Francesca's has so many delightful pieces that could dress up any outfit. These Barbados Circle Chandelier earrings are dressy but simple and totally cute! And for $22 you can't beat it with a stick!

Have a great Thanksgiving week!

Dannielle

Thankful Pumpkin

For the month of November, we are doing Thanksgiving, thankful, and turkey crafts. This week we did a Thankful Pumpkin. I'm gonna break it down for ya... ;)

What you will need:

2 or 3 orange sheets of construction paper

1 sheet of green construction paper

black washable marker

tape

scissors

Ok, besides this table being scratched to heck and back, see the tape hanging off of it? Be prepared to have plenty of tape on hand in this matter. 

Cut the orange paper into strips (lengthwise). About 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Start writing "I am thankful for..." and then put what you are thankful for. This was an opportune time to talk about what we are grateful for. I mentioned to Aiden that no matter what we can always be thankful for something. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," Hebrews 13:5

Aiden with his thinking cap on...

I wouldn't give Ava scissors, and she is getting at the age where she had got to do whatever Aiden is doing. Here she is practicing with a crayon. That lasted to about 3 mins. He he. 

Okay, here goes... you want the thankful statement to be on the outside. So, you take two strips and put them in a "V." The wideness of the "V" will determine how many strips you will use. As you can see in the next photo, Aiden's "V" was wider. 

Here's the final project! It turned out better than I thought. Mine was starting to fall over to the side so I put an apple in the middle to keep it straight. Aiden's however, is sitting just right. For the vine and leaf, I just freehanded two spirals and two leaves. Cut them out and tape the vine onto each pumpkin. After you have cut out the leaves, roll each one up for just a minute. It makes it look more realistic. 

This was such a great crafting experience for me. Aiden enjoyed it too, but it was nice for me to communicate with him about being thankful. 

A+ for great family fun!

I hope y'all enjoy!

Dannielle