Last Minute Valentines

I told myself that I was going to be proactive this year and get Valentine's cards done early. Did I? NOPE. It's the day before and the girls VERY nicely asked when we were going to do it. Let's just say that I work well under last minute deadlines. This is a total knock off of Lily's card from last year, but why reinvent the wheel?! I will be staying up tonight and adding the lollipop that gets inserted through their hand. (Jack asked why their hands looked weird)

Useful Stuff

I know we're addicted to another certain website that has taken over the world. Yes, I'm referring to Pinterest! Hours have been lost, opps, utilized wisely for the betterment of our homes and humor. Oh, the humor.

I saw a "tip" the other day on how to fix scratches on your wood chairs. Well, the scratched chairs didn't apply to me, but I have some awesomely scratched banisters. The tip was; rub a walnut over the scratch. How simple can that be?! I happened to have a can of mixed nuts in my pantry and promptly picked out a few walnuts. I did try and wipe off all the salt before I started rubbing on the wood.

I'm not naming any names (Emma!) may have etched her name and a few Xs in the wood quite a few YEARS ago. They were mostly out of the way and I thought trying the walnut couldn't hurt.

The before:

The after:

It didn't remove the scratches completely, but what a difference! Thank you Pinterest.

Winter Advisory

Michael has been on a trip for work, this week, in balmy California. He's suppose to get back tonight. Unfortunately there is a forecast for "blizzard-like conditions" this evening. Yikes! I'm really hoping he gets home before the storm gets bad.

Of course, what does he have planned for Friday night? A Scout camp out! (Shaking my head, thankful I don't have to go!)

2012

Yes, it's been a while...ok, a LONG time. I'd really like to get back on the blogwagon. Here's my attempt to start again.

So, 2012. New Year, new goals. I was reading various blogs/forums and there was an interesting thread about trying to choose ONE word to describe the kind of year you'd like to have. I decided that my word for the year is going to be Positive. I wouldn't say that I'm necessarily a negative person, but I know that I would like to have a more cheerful attitude.

What would your word for the year be if you could only choose ONE word?

Fall Leaves

The weatherman said there was snow in the forecast and I waited until the last second to get some "Fall" pictures of the kids. We took the pictures and ran home because the temperature was dropping and the snow clouds were rolling in.

Jack in 6th grade. Age 11

Emma in 4th grade. Age 10

Lily in 1st grade. Age 6

First Day of School

It's a monumental year at our house. All three kids in all day school...at the same school. YEAH!

Tallest to shortest, the cousins are excited to start school. Jack and Ana are entering 6th grade together and Cameron and Lily are sharing the playground as big 1st graders. The outliers are are Emma and Brady as Fourth and Eighth graders.

Lemonade Stand

A successful lemonade stand happens on a hot day with a captive audience. We combined forces with our friends and sold lemonade at a library concert. It wasn't as hot as we thought it was going to be, I may have some leftover lemonade in my fridge (we'll be drinking it for the next three days). All the money that we made (about $30) will be donated to the library. The kids had fun...we'll have to do it again.

Lily gets to sample some of the lemonade.