Curse You Harbor Freight!

Dan loves this store. I don't know what lures him in more, the millions of junkie tools or the cheap prices. But when the flier comes in the mail it's treated like a Sear Roebuck catalog with such high reverence and importance. Where it seems as though we should all sit around the crackling fire, circling favorites in the ad and we can all dream of the day when we can purchase a set of clamps, drill bits or a $2.00 shovel. Sigh.

THIS is what I came home from church to find set up in my kitchen.

Yup, one of his latest HF acquisitions. Someone break out the sleeping bags and hobo dinners. I might as well be camping in my own home. (Not a bad way to camp really, if one has to camp...but really - on the counter top? Where I prepare food? Yuck!)

Ahhh...

It's a Saturday morning with a clean house! Heaven on earth!!

It's been a busy last 24 hours. Dan had his Nerd Night (oh, I mean Game Night) here, so I made all sorts of healthy food like giant chocolate chip cookies and pigs in a blanket and pina coladas for him and his friends to eat. After a quick sweep to make sure the house was clean (at least all the "public" rooms) I packed up the kids and we went to my mom and dad's for a fun sleepover. I'm not sure why sleeping at Grandma and Grandpa's house is cooler than sleeping at your own, but they love it!

My friend Marcy is having a bridal shower today so I made these for her to serve:

MMM...they turned out pretty cute I think with the blue centers (the brides color are brown and blue.) The only problen was it's pretty warm here today and the centers were taking a long time to harden up. But the boys each had a sample cookie that gave me rave reviews, so at least they tasted good! Marcy made milk chocolate dipped Oreo lollipops with blue sprinkles, I can't wait to see what those ended up looking like - they sound too cute!

Today I am dragging the family out to look at a new community with 22 model homes. Another slice of heaven on earth for me, dreadful for Dan. But he loves me so he goes. That and they are handing out free movie tickets to Wall:E. So if we get free things from doing something I already love to do, I'm all for it!

Busy and Boring

Do you ever feel like both at the same time? That is me this week.

My Greg pulled a freak move of getting an ear infection WHILE ON AMOX! Who does this? How did he do it? Am I a bad mom for thinking he was just trying to get out of swim lessons? (just a little)

I have been busy doing busy girl things like:
Cursing at my sewing machine and then begging and pleading for it to work. This is like a very sick, wrong, wish I could do over bad break-up circa 1995.
"Don't leave me, I love you!"
"Jerk"
"But I thought you loved me too!"
"If you EVER, even THINK of calling me again..."It's not a healthy relationship right now but I am giving it 100% for it to work.

It HAS TO WORK. I am not giving in to the insulting sewing machine man. Yet.

Busy things like writing how to articles over at eHow under code name MulberryGirl.
Need to know how to shuck corn? Get your kid to behave in church? I am SO your gal.
(Unless you've sat near me in church and know it's all good on paper, Kristen, but your kids have serious bladder issues asking to go out to the bathroom every 10 minutes.)
And I've gotten paid 4 cents for my seven little articles this week alone. Jealous?

Busy like deciding the world cannot LIVE without my pre-sewing machine break-up burp cloth creations. So I listed them here for sale. I think they are cute and I like having something like that to make after the sweeties go to bed. We'll wait and see how that pans out. The worst I'm out is sixty cents, big whoop. (Fifty-six if including my big time eHow earnings baby!)

Wait till you see what I'm doing after swim lessons tomorrow - you'll wish you were hanging out at my house being bored and busy with me!!

Little Fishies

The boys started their swim lessons today! I was surprised to see how well Greg did since he does not love the water. But he took off like a little fishie and even jumped from the side of the pool!

Graham maybe should've been in the next level up. But he said he was happy where he was and will for sure be the star of the group. So I'm keeping him there as a little confidence boosting for my shy guy.

Greg floating. I was jealous - it was so hot and the water looked so nice. I'll have to take them back for free swim sometime this week.

Happy Anniversary to my cute sister-in-law Lacy and her husband Rob! Two years and one cute baby James later...hope you have a wonderful day and do something special to celebrate!

Congratulations Sheree!!

My cutest ever little (but so grown up now) sister-in-law, Sheree is going to serve a church mission for 18 months in Malaga, Spain!
We are all so very excited for her and know with her amazing attitude will do great work! What a beautiful place to serve! We are also excited because this is where my brother, Mike was called to serve back in 1989 (when it was the Seville mission) and it now includes the area of the Canary Islands where Dan served in 1991.
Congratulations Sheree!

Guess I'll Eat Some Worms

So. Have you ever gotten your feelings hurt and then realized that the person you are mentally accusing of causing those hurt feelings does not have, nor ever WILL have, any clue? And then you being to wonder if this is called being "overly sensitive?"

I won't go into whos, what, wheres and whys but I got my feelings hurt/was being overly sensitive yesterday. This used to happen more often but I've found as I've gotten older, notsomuch, for which I am grateful. But it is still a sad feeling when it does happen now and then.

In other news, my beloved sewing machine is "taking a break, I need some space" from me. Mid project of making mini capris for Lauren. So I called the Dr. for these sorts of things. I could barely hear the old man on his static filled cell until he mentioned $89.95 flat fee - ?!?!

Like, as in EIGHT -NINE? I repeated back to him?

"Thank you for your time, but I'll have to pass"

Two minutes later the phone rings and it's old static machine doctor again. Asking me to describe the problem, he jabbers on ( I CANNOT understand him) I mention the machine is about 19 years old although in excellent condition.

He says loud and clear, "It doesn't matter how old the machine is, I find most often it is not the machine, but that the owners have no clue how to use it."

I had to stop myself from laughing outloud to tell him:
"Thank you sir for calling me back and I appreciate you doing so to insult me. "

I Think I Have a Problem

Hello, my name is Kristen and I have a ribbon addiction. If you are thinking, "Oh, that's not so bad!" Stop saying that, just stop. Because there are three times as many in the box right outside of this photo and it is that bad. Ribbons are so pretty and I've rarely met a ribbon that I didn't like. Many of these are leftovers from when I owned my wedding flower business...but still. I need to get busy doing something with all of these!

Oh, and because you are pleased to be photographed in your bikini when you are only 4 months old, here is my little bathing beauty modeling her new swimsuits.

All I Can Say Is...

Loved it!!
It was a fun night girls!

Imperfectly Beautiful

So, The Nester is hosting "Imperfectly Beautiful" today where I am supposed to show a room as it really is. Piece of cake. Could this have been a busier weekend? No. Did I clean at all really this weekend? Only the rooms that I don't really care to show you. A clean toilet is not really photo worthy this morning...but these are:

The toy loft. It drives me so crazy to see my 5 and 3 year olds dump toys to find one thing and then walk away like "What mess?" See how it oozes like a slow parasite into the hallway. There have been days I can't even walk up the stairs because the hallway floor is covered in the newest GeoTrax architecture that I dare not disturb.

Just so you can see the main culprit at work this morning and the loads of Thomas Trains and Hot Wheels on the floor.

This is a constant aggravation. See the cute little stair basket? I'm the only one who gets what this is for and how it is used. Other things get piled AROUND it that need to go up to the kids rooms.

This is just to embarrass my husband a little. His dresser as of this morning. Just a little bib, some baby lotion and wipes, and if you look really close, a Cottage Living magazine. Ok, that is mine that I left there and forgot to pick up. The post it on my wall is not my favorite place to put post its though. This dresser needs an organizer valet thingiemabob and a picture or something above it. Sort of last on the decorating list right now.

The lovely corner of the Master. Shoes, bouncers, the 800 bed pillows (hey, I just finished getting the kids breakfast, I haven't made the bed yet) the 8 yards of decorator fabric I got a garage sale for $10. This corner is on chair alert. I've been looking at garage sales for one I can re-paint and upholster. So it's just dead (way dead) space.

I think I'll try to post some after pictures of at least my room today!!! As for the toy loft? Eh, it can stay messy. I clean it up a couple times a week and re-bin everything and last week Graham offered to help and did most of it himself! But I have three cute kids who make messes like kids do. How sad would I be if I had to walk upstairs everyday wishing those three bedrooms had children in them? Dan and I joke that we've filled the rooms and now we are done having kids! But really, my heart is full of gratitude that each of those rooms holds one of our sweet little ones and all of their messes!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you and I am so thankful that you are my dad!!

Happy Father's Day Dan! Our kids are so lucky to have you as their dad! I am so blessed to have a family with you! I love you!

Hope you both a terrific day and know how special you are!

And It Just Keeps Getting Better

I finally did what I've been thinking of doing for months - I canceled the Dish. I got fed up when the other day I was watching Jon and Kate + 8 and listening to their kids scream. "Why am I watching this? Is this some sort of sick punishment I am giving myself, like I don't listen to this enough in my own home, but I need to add eight more children to the mix?" Paying $50 a month for it even.

Gone - done. I'm just getting too busy to sit around and watch crud on tv. I like watching it - but there are other things I really need to be doing. It wasn't even the extra channels so much, I just loved the DVR feature. Not having that is going to take some getting used to. Watching tv with commercials and on real time. I think I'll last one show and the tv will stay pretty much off this summer. Love it!

The boys BEGGED me to help clean the fridge last night when Dan was off at a meeting. Who am I to turn down free labor? They had a blast unloading the fridge, spraying the inside and scrubbing. I just stood back (in awe) and washed off the shelves and drawers.
I had to take pictures, just had to. Because you know they are going to roll their eyes at me when they are 15 and I ask them to lift a finger. Now I can say " You used to beg to do this."

Oh - and Graham woke up throwing up and with a fever last night. Hoping it was a fluke since he feels and seems fine this morning. I slept horribly and will for sure be needing a caffeine fix today to make it through. Wish me luck.

Make That Bad News...

Greg came down with.....Strep Throat AND Scarlet Fever! What the...??? Who gets that? Isn't that like an 1800's disease? One more trip to the doctor and one more lovely encounter with his nasty receptionist later, we are Amoxing it gone and I *think* everyone else has avoided it. He seems 100% better today than 2 days ago...good thing I moved their swim lessons, he would've missed the whole first week!!!

I'm thinking I need a name for my blog. Our family name is great and all...but seems a little, um, I don't know - maybe typical. Expected? Hmmmm...

Dr. Dr. - Give Me the News

I know you are all concerned about the health and well-being of my children...so I will update you.

Lauren had her 4 month check-up today and comes in at a whopping 90th percentile for height, 85th percentile for head size (big headed kids=big brains=$$$ jobs=someone to pay for my retirement condo in an oceanfront community where Dr. Hottie is on staff and weekly pedicures are offered) and 47th percentile for weight (13 pounds!!!) Which is surprising since I call her legs drumsticks they are so cute and chubby. Graham came along with my mom and was SO cute to come back to her patient room mid-visit to "see if Lauren was doing ok and does she need me?" Love that little sweet boy.

Her "I'm Sorry Mommy Made You Get Shots" outfit.
Gymboree is a very bad place if you have a girl!

Four shots and a comforting trip to Nordstrom later....I finally bought her some swimsuits (1/2 off Children's Place, love that) and got some shorts for Greg. We stopped by Williams-Sonoma to buy an overpriced can opener that is so deluxe I had to ask the saleswoman how to use it, to which she replied "I don't remember, let me read those instructions again." Yeah...from that sentence knew Dan would love it so it came home with me.

All in all she did well, Graham was a-may-zing (no, really and I do know how amazing is spelled too) and I somehow am now on Gymboree's mailing and call list. I told the lady if she calls my house and my husband answers the phone to pretend it's the Ob/Gyn's office instead.

Had a great movie night tonight with some book club friends where the stupid DVD died 15 minutes to the end. Grrr...I was pretty pro-NetFlix prior to that experience.

Preschool Graduation!

We went through his closet and this is what he picked. He refused to tuck his shirt in "because I have to stand up and sit down a lot mom and it'll bother me." Fair enough. I was secretly thrilled he let me roll up his sleeves though!

Cute brothers

The Graduate!
He walked over to us about 4 times during the program because that dumb hat would not stay pinned to his head. We just cut his hair so there was nothing for the pins to hang on to!

Lauren waiting for her big brother.

My favorite picture of the night. Sweet little L got too shy to get her picture with Graham so this is what I caught. Isn't she precious? The tragic news? She is going to a different elementary school!! SO sad!!

Graham did SO great! He gets so shy but this year (this is our 3rd preschool graduation for him you know, he started when he was 2!) he wore the hat, stood up with the other kids when it was time and STILL did not do a single note of any song or hand gesture. But standing up in front of a large room of strangers was a great feat in itself. We went out for ice cream afterwards with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate that we now have a Kindergarten-er in the house!!! Excuse me while I cry!! Hard to believe my baby is that old!

Oreo Cookie Lollipops

Graham wanted to bring his little crush L a present to Preschool Graduation Friday night. Heaven help me, the boy is thinking about gifts for girls already. He doesn't get this from example, his dad is not a gift giver. But Graham wanted to bring her a doll. I don't think so. I was pleased to help him give her a little something, but spending money on a five year old girl from school without concrete assurance she will go with him to the senior prom? Um, no.

So we came up with these, too bad I got instructions on HOW to do them after I started, but it turned out to be pretty easy and they looked CUTE if I say so myself!

First you will need Double Stuff Oreos, white chocolate chips, lollipop sticks, cellophane treat bags, sprinkles, tags and ribbons (if gifting them.) I bought everything in one quick trip to Wal-Mart.

HINT! I did this backwards!! Melt your chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds till completely melted. Dab a tip of your lollipop stick into the chocolate before sticking it into the Oreo ever so slowly and gently! The chocolate on the tip acts as a glue to keep the cookie on the stick!

Re-heat your chocolate if necessary for a few seconds. Dip cookie thoroughly in chocolate coating both sides. I used a spoon to help pour extra where the stick meets the cookie. Place to harden on wax or parchment lined cookie sheet. I would do 3-4 cookies, then sprinkle!

To make sure everyone knows I'm a novice baker, here are a few of my rejects before my happy helpers Graham and Greg ate them in the name of "taste testing." Quality assurance working at its best!

Letting the chocolate harden and cool. Took about 30 minutes till I felt I was safe to wrap them.

Ta-DAA!!! I didn't get a shot of the ones we gave L. I had a larger treat bag, stacked 4 (2 sets of 2 side by side) and wrapped multiple ribbons with a tag. They really turned out darling, Graham was thrilled to have something fun to give to her and I curbed the "gifts for girls" thing!

Hello Lover

Have you missed me?

I've seen you trying to be coy, glancing my way every time I walk into the basement. I try not to look. "I don't have time for you, I'm not good enough for you!" are my thoughts as I force myself to think about what to make for dinner.

But you finally won me over. What are people going to think?
They are going to think I am nuts, that's what. I am a craft sewer I would call it. I do great straight lines. Throw in a sleeve or a buttonhole and I'm helpless. It's Mr. Bryan's fault from 7th grade. I was too busy putting on lip gloss during Home Ec in case I saw him at our lockers afterwards to worry about learning to sew. And I was too impatient with my grandmother to stop and learn from her. I regret that.

Bib and burp cloth set I made for Miss Lauren

No cats here, just call me the Crazy Burp Cloth Lady. Who are they for you ask? I have no clue. But aren't they cute? I just went nuts with some fabric I had lying around...which leads to another problem...

I L.O.V.E fabric. I get this from my grandmother - but my heart just races when I see bolt after bold of cute fabric. Kj introduced me to a very dangerous shop and now I am in trouble.
"What is this fabric for Kristen?" you ask. I have NO IDEA. But I loved the blue so much I kept thinking about it all night and went back and got 3 yards of it. And it was on sale!

Right now I'm thinking a cute dress for Lauren next summer with some big fat polka dot ruffles.

MORE? Yes, more!!! Again..no idea what I'm using it for, but isn't it darling?

And on a side note, my foot pedal for my machine is now being used as Speed Racer's jump ramp. I knew I shouldn't have brought this bad habit upstairs.

And for all you fellow comment junkies....check this out!

Ok, I'll Say It...

I'm not going to fake it, I've been in a cruddy mood today. I woke up to boys asking me for root beer and marshmallows for breakfast and that just started the ball rolling for me for some reason. I have practically been in a self wallowing of tears all day thinking...

Is this it?
This is it....CRAP.

I signed the boys up for baseball. There goes $70.00 - and thinking about $$$ made me even more cranky. SEVENTY DOLLARS for two boys to each play eight games of baseball and get a cheapo trophy at the end? I sat there filling out the forms debating on starting my own art class or little league. I could make bank. I just hate that "I want my kids to do this, they need to do this, but my wallet is getting majorly ripped off here" feeling.

I also made Greg's appointment with the ENT since we think he might need to get his tonsils and adenoids out like Graham did. And Graham's appointment with an Ophthalmologist for his vision screening for Kindergarten. Fun. Fun.

On a happier note, here are the results of the backyard beds. We have yet to put in curbing so for now it's just done with a edger. But I've planted some Summerwine Ninebark (Diablo), Weigelia, some whatsitcalledagain blue flowering stuff and a few burning bushes.

Should fill in nicely oh, around the time we decide to move.

I did find one little silver lining..my peonies are getting ready to bloom! I almost transplanted them this year since I am not super thrilled with their location, but they are triple the size they were last spring (I had 2 blooms) and now I might have enough for a big bouquet! Yay!

OH! I had a point! Just when I was ready to start listening to some Chris Issak (he's so depressing) I went to the mail and found a card from my sister-in-law Sheree. She is only 21 but wise beyond her years I think. The note was sweet and simple and just really made me stop thinking so selfishly. I hope she reads this and know that her small gesture was timed perfectly for me and made a world of difference in my heart and attitude today. Thank you.