Vintage Reindeer Redeux

I purchased this vintage set of reindeer from a local antique shop for $10.

It's amazing what a little silver spray paint can do.

{I downloaded the free subway art show above from 

Smile Like You Mean It 

and had it printed at Sams Club for $1.54.}

What have you spray painted lately?

Burlap Christmas Pendant Banner DIY

Linking up for the party going on at Skip To My Lou and The Girl Creative!

Christmas Tree Hunting

We took the boys to cut down our own tree this year and they really got into it.

So much so that I think it will be come a new family tradition.

Ryan was not so sure initially, and it took some begging convincing on my part.

But on the drive home he admitted he had a change of heart. 

He even let us listen to Christmas music while we put on the decorations. {insert gasp here}

The day really was a lovely one. 

Brisk, but not frigid with no puddle in sight. 

Mild enough for only sweaters and scarves. 

My favorite. 

And my littlest let me dress him. 

Although it took everything within me to convince him that he 

did not need to wear his Missouri Tiger baseball cap.

Tell me do you do a real or faux tree?

Real is definetly messier. 

Oh this is a good one...

Messy? Who Cares!

Be That Spark

Source

One of the things I've worked hard to instill in my Kindergartner is how very important it is to treat everyone with kindness. 

Even if they are different 

Even if they are not kind back. 

I want my boys to be the kind ones.

We talk about it frequently and Gentry always looks at me not really saying much. 

Sometimes I wonder if he thinks I've lost it.

Or if his wheels are really turning and soaking 
it all in and processing my words. 

The other day at drop off an older boy and his sister walked in right after us. 

Gentry ran up to the boy and gave him the hugest hug ever.

I could tell the boy felt special. 

The smile on his face was priceless.

It really almost brought tears to my eyes.

I called my sister (who has an older son) 
to ask what grade kids start to notice that some 
kids are different and not as "cool."

Just the thought breaks my heart, 
but I know it's a reality.

She remembered having conversations about it in first grade. 

(Gosh that seems so so young to me!)

I've decided that even if he thinks I'm 
crazy or weird 
I will not stop reminding him that he was born to be kind.
To be a friend.
To be a witness for Christ.
To make others feel 
special
important
loved.

As his mom, it's the very least I can do.

Lazy Weekend

This past weekend I was feeling a bit under the weather. 
Just a head cold, but it was a doozie.
Thank goodness we had a non-eventful weekend planned.
The weather was beautiful so we took a couple 
of walks and even managed to get to the park to run 
off some energy.
The time change really messes with my kids sleep schedules. 
I sure wish they would just cancel the whole darn change.
I tried to keep them as active as possible so they 
would sleep really well.
(Ikey was still up at 5am on Saturday morning.)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Even with the low key weekend I was able to capture 
some fun shots using my phone.

Gentry insisted on wearing this get up for a quick lunch and stroll around the Plaza. 

As quickly as I'd forget, 

a family would bust up laughing as they walked by.

Isaak found this plastic eyeball left over from a Halloween craft. I taped it to his forehead and he immediately began acting like a goofy monster. The longer I look at it, the more I laugh.
I think because his eyes are nearly the same size as the fake one!

This is what I felt like doing all day on Sunday. 

Our spoiled Paisley knows she's not supposed to 

lay on the couch or on the pillows. 

I think she knows I was ill and was taking full advantage.

While Paisley slumbered the day away, 

I watched a Sock Monkey puppet show. 

Ikey couldn't quite figure out how to keep his 

head beneath the "stage" while still holding up 

his "puppet." 

And then the whole "stage" came tumbling down. 

It was hysterical. 

After it fell about a dozen times they finally gave up and resorted to decorating the cardboard with stickers.

Sometimes lazy weekends are the best kind of weekend!
How was yours?

Really Bad Mom

Sometimes I feel like I'm a really bad mom. 
Bed time prayers are forgotten.
The bickering becomes too much.
I yell when I shouldn't.
We eat cereal for dinner.
Teeth go unbrushed.
I forget to read the bed time story.
Because its been a long day.
And I'm tired. And a bit cranky.
And I take it out on them. Even though I know I shouldn't.


I teach them to say I'm sorry.
And sometimes I have to say it too.
I ask for forgiveness.
I pray for strength.
And my little boys always give me another chance.
To be a better mama. Their mama.
And I try really hard to do better.


I asked Gentry tonight if he will let me give him kisses even when 
he's big and has girlfriends.
With a toothy grin on his face and arms wrapped tightly around my neck 
he replied
"I choose you to be my girlfriend."
I'll remind him of that one day. 


So today this mamma or **ahem** girlfriend will try harder.
And tomorrow too.
Maybe one day they will say that I was a really good mom.

BOO!

Source

Halloween Crap

Our Halloween festivities have officially begun. 
And since the actual day is Monday the celebrations seem to be endless.
This year I finally gave in and let Gentry dress up as a super hero. 
Because I know that is all he will ever want to be from now on. 
I made it to 5 years. Pretty good eh?
This year I have black spiderman.

And a sock monkey. 

We're one day in to celebrations and each boy already has a bucket full 
of Halloween crap goodness.
The rule around here is if I find it on the floor, it goes to the trash. 
And it happens.
I'm a mean mom. 

And here is my little sock monkey in action in the parade at pre-school.
Silly boy.

Days of Laughter

Simple + Sweet

There is nothing that I love more than chocolate mixed with a touch of peanut butter. 

I was really in the mood for something sweet over the weekend so I decided to use some things I had on hand. 

I melted half of a dark chocolate candy bar with a splash of cream in the microwave for 20 seconds. 

I then dipped those same Trader Joe's wafers in the chocolate and placed in the fridge to cool. 

Once the chocolate hardened I added a smear of peanut butter and placed two together. The combination of flavors was simple and sweet!

Banana Cream Cups

I recently discovered a clever way to make banana pudding in adorable paper cups. 
I thought it was fitting to make them for a dinner that we hosted with some friends who also have small children.
The paper cups and the idea came from Garnish and the recipe I used was the best I'd ever tried. 
(Though I think part of the secret was crumbling Trader Joe's Ultimate Vanilla Wafers over the top.)
It was incredibly easy to make and loved by both adults and the wee ones alike.

Small Things

Our master bathroom was getting a bit out of hand lately and 
was being overtaken by hairspray and lotion and other "beauty" items.
I'm the type of person that has to have everything I might need right in front of me. 
On the counter so I can get to it quickly!
I've found that if I have an easy place to put things back to, I'm more likely to do it.
And since we are the only ones that use the bathroom, I don't mind things on the counter.
I found this small ladder shelf at Target over the weekend and it works fantastic.
I love when something so simple makes my life easier. 

Now I just need a solution for my makeup.

Yikes!

I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag...

Gentry was so excited today when he arrived home from school because he finally remembered all of the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. 
I was thrilled not only that he had memorized it, but that the public schools still have the children say it daily.
It was a proud Mama moment that I had to pull out the video camera for. 
What happened halfway through caught both of us off guard. 
I almost lost it, but he recovered wonderfully and after swallowing 
his piece of candy made it the whole way through.

Thankful for the Crazy Ones

Happy Monday

Autumn Day At The Park

We actually had one Saturday free with nothing on the agenda 
so my my sister and I met up at a local park with our boys. 
It was unseasonably warm and dry so we wanted to take full advantage.
We ran and threw leaves and climbed and chased each other. 
And played super hero. And police guys and bad guys. Of course.
And then went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. 
Spicy chicken sandwich and sweet tea anyone?
I'm thankful for the simplicity of the day.
For 
sunshine
giggling boys
orange and yellow and brown blowing leaves
family
fresh air
and time to just relax and enjoy each others company.

Happy and Crazy

I've got one of each.
Happy with a bit whole lot of sass.
And silly with a bit whole lot of drive his mother to crazy-ness ness.
But oh how I love these two 
full of life
naughty
cuddly
bickering
sweet
smart-mouthed
concerned
free-spirited
rowdy
junk food loving [they can't wait to get big and drink "coke and coffee"]
one-of-a-kind 
little persons.
They are my life.

Photo by Aunt Becca

Say It Again