Nana’s Birthday!

 

Happy Happy Birthday to my beautiful – ever so loving, Momma!  I can’t even begin to tell you how much I learn from my mom.  She didn’t have a formal education, nor did she grow up with many opportunities to lead and experience.  She is a Godly lady, so sweet and tender.  She can be a little “clueless” sometimes.  My sister and I tease her a lot…in a loving way.  (I have tears of laughter and love filling my eyes just thinking of the funny times with her). 

From my mom, I have learned…

1.  values and morals hold a key in ways to serve God and others. 

2.  to be kind to others, despite how they may treat me.  

3.  to be humble yet, proud of what I have accomplished, what I stand for, and challenges I have overcome.

4.  to gift smiles, belly laughs and grace to people who pass judgment on me or say negative things about me.

5. having empathy, understanding, compassion, integrity, reason, respect, responsibility and bravery are key to living a balanced and productive life.

 

AND, she has also taught me…

1.  a polished and finished look is important.  Why?  It is the “front cover” to what qualities and habits one encompasses.

2.  make-up and accessories are absolutes, if they help me (no one else) feel better.

3.  skin care is just as important as NOT sleeping with make-up on.

4.  keeping a super clean and super tidy home is impossible unless she lives in it.  NOT kidding.  

5. it is totally okay to be picky and detailed, only if I don’t require or expect it of other people. 

6. it is never okay to lie, but I don’t necessarily have to share everything I purchase (while shopping) with my hubby:).  Men aren’t interested anyway…right?

 

These are just a few of the many things (some important and valued, and some silly and random) I have learned from my mom.  I hope to be the best mom I can be, just like she was to me and my siblings!  I am so blessed to have had her keep Nealy full time until the age of 3 years, and share the time (with Scott’s mom) keeping Brayden until the age of 4 years.  Blessed because I know she has passed along her love of life and sweet innocent spirit to my babies.  I love you mom!….WE love you mom.

 

LOVE this photo

We took my mom to her favorite lunch place, La Madeline.  MMM!  One of my favorites too!

Time got away from me and I didn’t get all the photos I wanted but, reflecting on the day, I am happy we utilized the time talking, sharing, remembering, and CELEBRATING my mom.

 

Easter Chicks

This is a little project I made this afternoon.  I found this idea on Pinterest.  I thought it was so cute.  I’m sorry I don’t have the direct link.  Well, all you need is scrap paper and craft paint.  It looks like the ones below are on painted canvas.  I chose to use scrap paper and frames.  I guess I am thinking it will be easier to keep them protected and easier to store them.  I also used my babes’ fingers instead of their whole hand (just preference).  I included my little ones’ names and year (didn’t want to forget the year…later on, once they are older).  Anyway, I used heavily textured cardstock for the eyes and the beak.  I think it gives it a hint of dimension.  The turquoise backing has a shimmer.  Oh, and the colors are pretty bright, but not too bright.  I took my pictures in “lamp lighting” instead of natural light.  I have to say, I really like them…a lot.  I am toning down my color palette for most of my Easter decorations and these fit in perfectly!

 

 

Finding Bigfoot Adventure!

So, this has been a week of relaxation as it has been our spring break.  We’ve done a whole lot of nothing but, enjoy each other.  Wednesday B and I enjoyed the cool breeze and got a little fresh air as we walked to the park.  It was a gorgeous day.  Before we left he reminded me he was going to “call” for a bigfoot.  (He loves the show with the four single-minded researchers, Finding Bigfoot.  It’s on Animal Planet, which is one of his very favorite channels).  Anyway, I was so grateful for the time and nice weather to spend doing one of my favorite things…spending some one-on-one time with my number one boy.  I so HEART the conversations we have.  He was telling me how we must look for evidence (yeah, he said that word) in the grass and wooded areas.  He also said, I shouldn’t be scared because if we happen to see an elusive sasquatch (yes, he said both those words too), it would be scared of us.  I felt safe with my little guy;).

He has the BEST bigfoot call around!!!  In the 2nd photo below he is sounding the distinctive call.  LOVE it!

 

These are two little guys B played with (while on a break from searching).  They played a rhyming game as they ran around randomly.  They also played tag.  Both boys were older and bigger than B, and yet the oldest was so sweet to play fair and cut B a few “breaks” on tag.  It was fun to watch them interact and just “chill” together.

What an ever so sweet time I had with my little guy!  I wish spring break could be forever!

Valentine Popcorn with a Twist & Lovies!

Okay, so I made the ever so popular gourmet popcorn you can find almost everywhere online.  I found the idea on Pinterest of course and as soon as I saw knew it was what I would be doing for my little guy’s Valentine Treats fro school.  Leave it up to me to change it up and randomly tweak the recipe…sorta.  So, I tried looking for the Orville Redenbacher Tender White and Wilton Candy Melts.  After sending my hubby to 3 different stores and looking myself, I gave up.  Seriously, after the fact, I am so happy we didn’t have any luck finding the original ingredients.  I used these instead and not only yumminess was created but CUTENESS was too! Yay!  I found the cool BLUE popcorn at Walmart as I did the Baker’s Premium White Chocolate baking cubes.  Here are the simple steps! 

* ingredients: Pop Secret (pops blue), Baker’s White Chocolate, and Valentine M&Ms

1. pop popcorn (directions according to bag)

2. melt white chocolate cubes (in microwave) stir every 30 seconds (total time: about 1 minute 10 seconds)

2.  mix all ingredients and stir

3. set out on cookie sheet or wax paper and put in refrigerator to cool quickly

4. package up, add ribbon & card….Viola!

OH, planning ahead with a cute saying (on the back)….all the better!

LOVIES------because I am a detailed.silly.busy-bee.momma:

The well “thought out” V Day ensemble

  

teacher gift

 

Lovies for my babes!  Nothing CRAZY great, but I will throw in…that we have NOTHING against candy, it’s just that we don’t necessarily want to “encourage” it.  Mean you say?  It’s Valentine’s Day for crying out loud.  The truth is, Brayden doesn’t care for candy…not.even.kidding.  Didn’t say he doesn’t like sugar…just doesn’t care for candy…any candy…at all.  Nealy on the other hand LOVES candy but, I brought SO much home from school and we always have some on hand.  Bottom line? Candy doesn’t excite my children like TWO very sweet sock monkeys do!  Ha! B named his, Cocoa.  I threw in some make-up for N and Legos for B.  It was a LOVELY day!

Cheerful Road Trip

 

Family road trips are fabulous!  I say this sincerely AND sarcastically.  One: Scott, Nealy, Brayden and me all together in Downtown Houston at the JW Marriott makes for some fun times and snuggle times! Two:  early mornings, hair, make up, …and all that jazz is a combination that equals chaos.  I have to say the good outweighed the bad and the trip was grand.  As I am an early to bed kind of gal….I didn’t get photos of Saturday night where Nealy and two of her girls went to Steak House and came back to swim in the indoor pool.  I enjoyed the comfort of the bed, the Houston air (good for the allergies) and a few games on the iPad. Take a look at a few random pics of the weekend! Oh, and Sabres ended up in 2nd place:).  Man how we wanted 1st…we could taste it.  BUT, we were proud and Sabres performed well!

 

You may not EVEN notice but, Nealy’s skirt is a teensy big here.  (how much smaller can it get? :)  Well, she forgot her skirt in the hotel room the first day of competition. This seriously brought me to tears.  You can only be so responsible as a cheer mom.  Ugh!  I received a text 10 minutes before they were to be on stage.  Nealy discoverd she didn’t have it oh about 2 minutes before then.  First, she text me.  Then, the team mom.  Aaaah!  Seriously the tears were rolling and I was getting a little sweaty.  All I could picture is my girl out of 32 being the only one in teensy black trunks.  Luckily the coaches found her one to borrow from an other CA senior team! Phew!  Nealy didn’t forget her skirt the next day!

 

Um yeah I made my hat. Fab, right?

The boys a little annoyed with us….

AND, here’s what N and I need to stay calm and collect (as best we could) in the room, in car, at the competition, at….well, you get it!  This was right down stairs in our hotel.  Greatness indeed!

Aaah, love this boy so much!

My mom and sis came!  They stayed at the Hyatt House SO close to us!  Loved having them there to cheer on our girl.

Yeah, he’s patient and so supportive of Nealy and her cheer AND drama cheer momma….love him.

Enjoyed this weekend (smile).  NCA is coming up!!! Go blue, black and white….G3FCA2A!

Do you Know the Muffin Man?

…the muffin man, the muffin man?

Do you you know the muffin man,

he’s name is, Brayden James!

When we arrived home Wednesday last week, we were presented with, “Mommy, Daddy, Nee-nee, I made you all cupcakes!  I worked on them with Gran.”  What a sweet little Muffin Man we have.  He was able to tell me some of the ingredients he used and how much fun he had.  He was excited to give them to us.  He exuded pride….I was so proud too!  You better believe I dug into these, right away…mmmm!

 

 

Well, as a family we try to eat healthful with “here and there” treats.  We’d give up cupcakes but, we England’s are NO quitters! 

Heart cupcakes and our Muffin Man!