We love a PJ Party

Sweet Pea's class party was a first...pj's and breakfast! It was great fun and the parents did such a great job planning all the details. It's not normally easy to get Sweet Pea out the door in the morning. But this morning, it was very easy. Pj's...check. Breakfast at school...check. Party excitement....check.

I'm never one to miss a party. They asked parents to wear their pj's. Most didn't but the least I could do was wear sweats with my matching pajama shirt. Sweet Pea was grinning from ear to ear. Thankfully, I remembered to go home and change before heading out for errands :)

My hubby and I drove to the heart of Amish country today to shop for carpet and make lots of flooring choices - ugh! We did count 81 ups trucks in a 5 mile stretch on the way. That was a record. As well, my hubby ripped his jeans (oops) and we chatted more in our drive there and back than we have for a month!

Merry Merry!

A Portico for Christmas

Sing along....All I want for Christmas is a Port-i-co.. All I want for Christmas is a Port-i-co. Ok, so anyone who knows me knows that there is more on my list than just a portico. It's just that Christmas week brings a trimmed portico this year.

The columns went in today and additional trim goes on the columns on Thursday. The builder said he had another day and half on them. When I asked Sweet Pea what she thought on her way in from school I asked her if it looked good. She said, "Not just good Mom but GREAT!"

Perfection

The title of this post isn't meant to indicate that I am perfect. God knows, I am the first to admit, that I am NOT. I however do try a little too hard sometimes and this post is meant to serve as reminder of what happens when I am too concerned with perfection. I often lose sight of the details.

I am happy with our Christmas Card from Tiny Prints. Here it is....

On the inside I could add an option for individual pictures of each child. I decided to include a photo of each with a quick note with age, grade, sports, and details for what they are thankful.

The boys were quick and decisive. Sweet Pea, not so much. I asked about what she wanted to include and she wanted to think about it. She wanted to come up with just the right thing. Hmmm, where does she get that from?

I checked and rechecked the card a million and one times. I went back to her for an answer without any success. I went back to the card later and in a hurry ordered the card completely forgetting that she STILL needed to complete her paragraph. After all, I had a coupon to use and a deadline. I had tried so hard to be deliberate and thorough. Darn.

I was so excited for the box of cards to arrive. If I remember correctly, it might have arrived on the same very exciting day that the contractor discovered hardwood floors in our foyer. That was surely a good sign. I opened the card, read the inside, grabbed my heart and uttered loudly, "UGH!". A house full of contractors gave me an instant, and forgotten, audience. I felt compelled to explain myself to the electrician watching my reaction. Oh, I wish I would stop doing that. He just wanted to be sure I wasn't having a heart attack!

Yes, you see it correctly. I forgot to loop back with Sweet Pea and get her final answer in order to complete her paragraph.

Of course, I got upset and frustrated. I was headed off to a school concert and took one to throw in a friend's face so we could commiserate. I showed it to my hubby later. He's so wise. He showed us AGAIIN how to turn a negative in to a positive by suggesting Sweet Pea tell me what she is thankful for when writing each card. A little time intensive but super sweet when she is telling her friends that she is thankful for them or our family that they are important to her. Things have a way of working out, don't they?

Christmas Card Bloopers 2010

We had quite the Christmas Card photo taking session this year. I was way too invested which made me a little hyped up wanting so desperately to capture a wonderful picture of my own children. I took a wonderful photography seminar this fall with Lisa and saw what was possible by some very talented photographers. While there I practiced taking photos of children that were not my own and oh so cooperative. It was great! I was determined to create the same thing. They sure didn't make it easy!

Let me first introduce you to my right hand man...funny guy, entertainer, and the parent to insert calm when one (me!) might be a little too crazed about the photos she is taking. He wears many hats, including the children's.

Of course these are in no order because I can't figure out how to load photos in a particular order.

Surprise...

Thriller from Michael Jackson anyone....

We had a hole lot of this....from him....

They started off the day with this...

We had several of these....meltdowns...on the ground....waiting to revived with belly laughs. Here's my right hand man in action. He also brings snacks!

This was their idea of a pose in the front yard. They thought they could get out of the trip to the park for photo taking by posing their own and being ready in the front yard. I liked it so much it's on the back of the final card.

All in all, a day that didn't make me feel like a great Mom but I was happy with the final picture thanks to a little help from my friend. Our final card tomorrow.

Perfection

I adore this ad from Tiffany & Co. It caught my eye as I was searching for parking at the mall. Let's just say the parking situation was dire and this sweet ad put me back in the holiday spirit. The children are beautiful as are their, I suppose, pretend parents.

When I put on my photographer's hat I wonder how they accomplished all that is beautiful in the photo...the snow, the children's faces, the perfect kiss. Must be PHOTOSHOP!

The clothes remind me of the cuteness I saw at Olive Juice's warehouse sale. I got there at the very end, bought more than intended and had such fun putting together a cute outfit for Sweet Pea. I am fixated on the brown tights that I didn't buy and need to finish the outfit. Anyone have any Olive Juice connections?

I just had a feeling...

That this was coming up soon! I just looked and it's today. I'm supposed to be grocery shopping but I might just have to stop in for a minute, or two. or three.

Tongue Tied

Today I am feeling tongue tied. I found a little gift for a friend today and it took me three attempts, and three notecards :(, to get my thoughts down on the paper.

My first attempt said, "Merry Christmas! Enjoy!"

I put the card and the wrapped present in the mailing envelope and sealed it. I wanted to use a simple message because the gift would speak for itself.

I have this knack of remembering really little details. Most days I can't remember what I did the day before but I can remember the exact pair of earrings that I brought to our bookclub gift exchange in 2009. My friend Jennie had them stolen from her in the "fun" of the exchange and has been disappointed ever since. Fast forward to December 15, 2010. I finally found another pair. They were purchased from a gift show in 2009 and I crossed paths with the same ladies at a show today and low and behold they had another pair. Sure beats accosting them at Costco...not that I would have done that last January!

Then I started thinking. And then I started worrying. Any other time of year I could drop a gift in the mail and not worry about the recipient feeling the need to reciprocate. At this crazy time of year I started to worry that she would feel obligated to send something back and that was the last thing I wanted. Can't we send a gift just because?

I cut the bag open, removed the card, and decided to try again.

The second attempt I got all tongue tied, skipped a word, and then got jumbled on another. I threw that card away too.

I finally got it on my third attempt. I thought for a moment. Decided what it was I was really trying to say and explained that the gift was just that, a gift. Her only gift to me was to enjoy them.

Now, off to the post office! I hope in all of the doing for others she enjoys a moment for herself.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Disclaimer....Many ideas I have are not original. Most times I am totally inspired by some other very creative person and then I extract their idea and add my own touches.

I recently read a post about traditions at Christmas that help our children keep the gifting aspect of Christmas in perspective. My first thought, "What do we do and is it enough?"

There is always room for improvement and this year our focus is particularly challenged because of the construction madness in our home. However, I am putting my best foot forward to remember the real reason for the season.

Tonight I am working with a team of folks to host a True Meaning of Christmas party at our church. We did it for the first time last year and it was a huge success. I was a bit more prepared for last year than I am this year but things always have a way of working out.

I borrowed the idea from a family in our neighborhood that hosts a True Meaning of Christmas party in their home. We have a huge contingent of families in our neighborhood who worship elsewhere but love our VBS in the summer. I suggested this event at Christmas because it gives us another opportunity to connect with our VBS families during the year.

Tonight's schedules includes a spaghetti dinner and a round robin rotation through stations for crafts, bible story and games. Oh how our children love their games! Especially a relay involving Hershey kisses and oversized gloves!

Our bible story will be in the sanctuary this year. The creche is already in place and our leader is staging the bible story as if the children are overhearing the very important conversations between Mary, Joseph and the innkeeper. It should be amazing and I am so excited to watch the children as they are transported back to bible times.

We finish the night with parents rejoining their children for carol singing and cookies. I hope it's a wonderful night and one that helps reinforce to our children the reason for the season.

Blessings to you all!

A First

Look who lost her first tooth! of course, there is a big tooth come in the back and she needs to lose at the 2 more in order to fit the new tooth. I see orthodontia in her future.

She also went to a birthday party at Sweet and Sassy for the first time this weekend. It sounds like quite a production. She is in love with the hair. Me, not so much. They put her hair in a bun and then attached the faux locks. Do you think she will let me borrow it for our line up of holiday parties?

Children, Fashion and Bribery

Getting my children dressed for church is a nightmare! We go to church nearly every Sunday, as we have for the past 13 years. My children have essentially gone to church nearly every Sunday of their entire lives. Don't you think they would have a) figured out how we dress and b) given up on trying to get out of going.

Yesterday I scrambled to get them dressed as it's a little harder under renovation to find what we need. Each one hated what I had put together and they, surprisingly, had my husband and I in hysterics about it on the drive to church.

The Dog (who is 12!) called himself an oompa loompa in his Ralph Lauren striped rugby shirt and decided Sweet Pea looked Amish in her gorgeous boutique brand smocked green gingham dress and matching sweater. Buddy chimed in and questions how on earth I could put him in a Christmas vest with Santa in, of all things, an airplane. They were very good spirited about the whole thing and sometimes you just have to laugh.

The little ladies at church gave them lots of cheek pinching and compliments. They thought they were darling. I'm not sure if that helps me or makes my job to dress them for Sundays even harder.

I have to come clean...I bribed them to pose for this photo! This was just one of those moments I had to capture.

While I was taking photos Buddy wanted to be sure to get another one in the MUSTANG. Good thing our contractors take the keys home every night!

This is what most of my photos turn out like. Can you glimpse Sweet Pea's sassy red patent leather boots? They are Kenneth Cole from Nordstrom HERE and the most favorite thing we have purchased this season. Worth every penny of the $29.95. I hope she remembers them when she is grown up like I remember my chunky heeled white patent leather boots.

Decorating ADD

I have self diagnosed Decorating ADD. My mind jumps from one project to the next and I can't seem to complete a thought for any one room at a time. It's especially difficult when I am working on several rooms at a time.

Perhaps it's not a bad thing. Maybe that's just my version of creativity. Right now it's my version of insomnia. Not really...I haven't had much trouble sleeping lately but I do fall asleep thinking about design schemes and paint colors. Doesn't everybody?

I'm not someone to shop in one store for decorator fabrics and expensive furniture. I enjoy the process and like to piece my rooms together from a variety of sources. For better or for worse!

The above scheme is the start to my new master bedroom. What do you think?

The pair of new Ethan Allen chairs from the Goodwill were the first purchases. From there I loved the green and while duvet. I love the pattern and the color. The green is a tad off but I think I can work with it. The IKAT is a tablecloth purchased from One Kings Lane. My vision...Euro shams behind white Frette shams ($7 score from TJ Maxx) with green monograms. I loved the tablecloth instantly and knew it would give me a large amount of fabric at a reasonable price.

I have been looking at fabric covered headboards and might make a purchase from Ballard Designs. I have ordered a stack of sample fabrics to be sure I can make the right match.

These lights from Pottery Barn (click HERE) also struck my fancy. Love the burlap shades with the mercury glass lamps. Was thinking of buying two different lamps to avoid the matchy matchy. Definitely the trophy lamp on the left but not sure about the 2nd lamp.

What do you think so far?

13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days

For 13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days, give or take a few days, I lived with the ugliest faux brick floor in my foyer. And really, it wasn't a foyer, it was a front door that abutted the stairs to the 2nd floor. I absolutely hated that floor.

Several years ago I pried one of the faux brick squares up and found a plywood subfloor. I sadly replaced the square and resigned myself to life with faux brick indefinitely. At the time of the faux brick escapade our current addition wasn't even contemplated.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do about the faux brick other than buy a cute hooked rug to draw visitors' attention away from the U-G-L-Y floor.

That all changed yesterday. Our builder was working on the portico and we were anxiously awaiting the new front door with side lights that doesn't STICK! I went off to play tennis and when I came home several hours later I screamed.

Under the fugly faux brick floor that I have hated for 13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days, approximately, was a hard wood floor! My Amish builder thought I had lost my mind. He couldn't understand why I screamed and what I was going on about. I'm not sure whether it was an Amish thing or a guy thing but either way I am sure I made a fool of myself.

I'm okay with being a fool if it means that the days of faux brick are behind me.

We bumped out the front door about 18 inches and you can't believe the difference. The front door no longer blocks the dining room door when it is open and more than 2 people can enter without feeling like they are in a cage.

Aaaah....hard wood floor. Yes, the new part needs to be matched but our builder assures me it won't be a problem. Today we talked about a new banister. The carpet will come off the stairs to reveal the hardwood floors and potentially a new banister that wraps at the bottom will be added along with a rounded and extended tread on the 1st step. Might as well fill up some of the new space!

We are getting down to the detail stuff and the decisions get harder. Decisions have to be made about the trim details, banisters, closet doors and eeeek....paint. I love mixing fabric but hate to pick paint. Thankfully, Emily at Jones Design Company posted HERE about her favorite paint colors. I love her choices of neutrals...tans, taupes and grays. Do you think you can mix taupes and tans with grays?

And while you are visiting Emily you should go HERE for great print your own gift tags. Too cute! Where on earth does she find her selection of wrapping paper? Our local craft stores have nothing this cute.

Thanks for celebrating the demise of the faux brick with me. I promise to smile at my hardwood floors daily for the rest of my time in this house!