The Crafts

A 58 cent Target purchase and a girl experiencing bubbles for the first time... Joy Pure joy

My thoughts have been all over the map this month. I am reaching that beautiful stage where I can have a complete and independent thought again. My brain is not bogged down from a lack of sleep and an excess of baby drama. I run most days to release energy and yet staying still the remainder of the day has me wanting to break free.  February is a tough month. And I am trying my best to not allow the dreary hallows of it to take hold of me. The promise of a new month will be fulfilled shortly. March will not bring magic but it does carry all of us one month closer to life outdoors. March introduces the glorious, giddy feeling that invites us to roll down car windows and let Katy Perry songs escape without hesitation. (If I had Sirius radio I would drown your eardrums with a 90's grunge station but my tape deck doesn't pick up satellite. True story.) March's arrival is the reintroduction of green, St. Patty's Day, Shamrock shakes, basketball tourneys, clumpy ra...

It is Valentine's Day. Despite those who curse this day I really kind of like it. Not because I expect to be showered with roses, chocolates and diamonds but because the colors of Valentine's are a wake-up from the long winter. Plus I really like to make heart shaped foods. It's fun, darn it! (Tonight's dinner is heart shaped pizzas with cheese cut into heart shapes.) Winter is affecting everyone in a big way this year. These long winter days have finally brought me to my breaking point. Cabin fever has made me cranky with my babies but the arrival of Valentine's is a reminder that winter is nearly behind us and HALLELUJAH for that!! So on this cold winter Valentine's I say yes to the inundation of pink and red. Yes to the cheesy exchanges of love and sympathy. Yes to lots of chocolate! I have many reasons to feel a whole lotta love today...

Winter. We are in an abusive relationship right now. Winter slaps me hard in the face and I curse it's name with all of my flip-flop loving brains. It is time to break up. That is all I will say about that. *********** In other news I am dreaming of a kitchen floor makeover. Here are some of my favorites... Looking at this floor and I just slipped in a pile of my own drool. This floor pic is a pin-up for awesome women everywhere.  I can just see myself twirling circles in my socks all over this floor. I love you black hex tile. Drooly, drooly, drooly... Our existing kitchen floor is linoleum with a layer of lovely asbestos tile hiding beneath. Who doesn't love themselves a big breath of asbestos? Someday I will pull the new floor trigger and dance every morning upon a gorgeous tile kitchen floor with coffee in hand and Wang Chung in my heart. But for now I will continue to annoy any one who follows me on Pinterest with continuous pins of chevr...

Last week our oldest baby turned seven years old. Couple this information with the awakening knowledge that our youngest baby is currently more than capable of giving Curious George a run for his money, and I realize how easy life was with baby Kate... Roughly five years ago we had some friends over for dinner on a warm, summer night...so it must have been five and half years ago because ain't nothin' warm about right now. So, this couple has three boys and while giving them a tour of the house with one year old Kate dutifully following behind, my friend says, "You have a potted plant on the floor!" Me- "Yes." Friend with three energetic boys- "Doesn't Kate dig in the dirt...toss it all over your house?" Me with my one sweet and obedient daughter- "No. She has never even attempted to touch it." ...and this pretty much sums up Kate. Kate is a rule follower. A rule follower who wants to know every rule. Rules such as: How old must...

These four walls of my house have been holding us warm and safe for much too long. I will not complain about winter and its icy, snowy, freaking freezing goodness but I would also not complain if a warm gust of air wanted to show it's gorgeous face. Alas spring tulips are far down the road. Thankfully my coffee maker is ready to keep me cozy. To truly survive cold winter climates I fully believe you either have to possess a very solid imagination for fun or have a great cable t.v. package. The later doesn't exist in this house but that is okay because we make our own fun.  Natalie thought this was fun...for a short while. Despite colder than deep freezer temps we enjoyed the holidays. We filled our time with many road trips to visit family, endless games of Jenga, Rack-o, UNO and Elefun, and running laps through the kitchen, dining room, living room, foyer...repeat. Christmas morning at home... We had to wake CJ to open gifts... ...because this one...

Well I missed a day in my "countdown to Christmas." Se la vie. I turn my attention to the bright side and the bright is that I am posting today. This pictures sums up my two oldest girls. Kate is sporty and cares very little about clothing or hair. That morning she chose a practical ensemble featuring a soccer shirt, leggings, soccer socks and untied running shoes. And no, she didn't have soccer that day. CJ on the other hand is girly. Her typical outfit includes sparkly shoes, a dress and sometimes a skirt under the dress. I wonder what Natalie will choose as she gets older? Right now she simply prefers anything to do with Mom.  Speaking of Natalie I am feeling a wee bit of Mom guilt. This Christmas season I have two different photos of Kate and CJ with Santa but none including Natalie. I know she would never let that bearded man come anywhere near here, especially if I were to walk away, but I wish I would have had her with me for these pictures.