Thank Goodness Its a Three Day Weekend...

Otherwise I wouldn't have time to read this...



I am obsessed. I finished it in less than two days... and I'm starting to read it again because I keep going back to reread my favorite parts. I bought the other three books in the series, but I already know how it ends. I couldn't sleep the other night until I got on the web and found some spoilers... like I said, I'm obsessed.
I fear my children, husband and housework will be greatly ignored in the next few days due to these books.
Who knew I was so into vampires?

Just Call Him Popeye!

Why does DS continually make this Popeye face when he's getting his pic taken? It's becoming impossible to get any decent pictures of him! But it sure is cute, isn't it?






Even Grandma had to get in on the action!

A Pic for the Grandmas...

Just posting a little cutie-patootie picture I found of DS! Thought the grandmas would like it!

Nie Nie Day

The blogging community is like a family.... it really is. Women and men that I will never meet in real life... in fact, I don't even know most of their real names. But I read about their lives, loves, trials and tribulations, joys and pains. I've cried through their births, deaths, marriages, divorces. Perhaps it's because I am a stay-at-home mom... but these people are my friends. They fill a void in me that comes from staying at home with two small children, without a job, and without adult companionship.

So, when I read about the recent accident involving Nie Nie Dialogues, I just felt like I should at least dedicate a post today... since it has been declared Nie Nie Day in the blogging community. Take the time to look at some of the wonderful things that are being done to help this deserving family. Design Mom has done a great job organizing this celebration and there are so many excellent items that you can bid on... all for a great cause!

DD's Room Questions Answered...

I've been waiting to answer some of your questions about DD's room until I could get better pictures of things, but our camera is broken, so I haven't been able to get any new pics.

We bought the bookshelf at Big Lots about four years ago for roughly $40. I wish now that we had gotten five of them... it has been one of the best purchases ever made for the kids. They love their books! I know Pottery Barn sells similar models for a lot more $$$$.



The dresser (and nightstand) we got at various yard sales and thrift stores. I primed them all last year and finally got around to painting them recently. The drawers were stenciled with various different stencils. I'm sure I'll change them sometime, but it's super cute right now!


Before


After

The harlequin pattern on the wall was painted with a stencil. It took forever but I love it! The "H" painted on the wall was done by tracing around an oval platter that I had and painting that in with white. Then I did pink polka-dots around the edge and hung the large H inside. The H is from Hobby Lobby- it was gold, but I painted it.

I think that answers most of the questions I got! Thanks for all your great comments!

Good Bye Old Friend... Again...

I'm saying goodbye to my beloved Mountain Dew again.
I've become addicted and it's brought upon the downfall of my diet.
Tomorrow will be day one without it...
Pray for the geek and kiddos- I will be grumpy without it!

The Wait Is Over!

She did it! Shawn Johnson got her gold!
I cannot even imagine what it's going to be like here in Des Moines when she returns from Beijing! The whole city (and state of Iowa really) is just ecstatic.
Congrats Shawn! We all knew you could do it!

Answers Coming Soon...

I've gotten a few questions regarding where I bought some of the things in DD's room, so I'll try to address them tomorrow after she's awake. I'll also take some more pics of the dresser I painted... everyone has been so sweet with their comments!

DD's Room

One of my favorite blogs, Nesting Place, is having a party today where people are supposed to show window "mistreatments" that they have done in their home. If you don't know what mistreatments are, you'll have to check out her explanation on her site. But I thought I would participate and show some pics of DD's room in the process!
Here are the curtains I "mistreated" in her room. I wanted to move them up higher and the panels weren't long enough, so I got out the hot glue gun, some toile fabric and trim, and done! It's not perfect, but that's the point!




Here are some more pics of DD's room. Her room is definitely the most "done" of all the bedrooms in our house. It has been painted, repainted and changed around quite a bit in the year-and-a-half we've lived here. I think I'm finally happy with it! I painted the harlequin on the wall (along with the "H") and also painted all her furniture. For some reason, even though nothing really matches, it all seems to go! We all love spending time in here... it's our favorite room to read and cuddle in!





Edited to Add: Sorry about the pic quality! Darn lighting and darn camera!
Edited Again: For all you "Nester" fans, also take a look at the garland I made per her instructions! Love it!

Is He Saving Them For Later?

So, DS's newest obsession (and he has a few old obsessions already, mind you) is hiding things. Hiding everything... toys, food, books. His favorite is definitely food though... he just loves tossing food between the railings of the banister onto the basement stairs. And sometimes he's not even trying to hide them... sometimes he'll just throw them over your head and figures if he can't see them and you can't see them, they're hidden.

Well, this is his newest hiding spot for food.



Can you tell what it is? Yes, that is the space between the fridge and freezer. He put a ton of animal crackers in there... it was the funniest thing. And yes, I forgot they were there after I took these pics and when I opened the freezer later on, they fell out and broke all over the floor!

New Toy for DD...

Who needs a trip to the toy store? Not our kids!




DD was rather amused with the bubble wrap from one of Daddy's packages. Just think of all the money we could have saved not filling our playroom with expensive toys!

Congrats Shawn! Congrats USA!

Congrats Shawn Johnson on the silver medal! We are so proud of you here in the Metro!

Go Shawn! Go USA!

Just have to give a little shout-out to the USA women's gymnastics team and to our local hometown hero- Shawn Johnson! I've been obsessed with the Olympics this year... staying up late and taping segments to watch later on. Can't wait to see if Shawn can take home a gold or two! We are all so proud of her here in Iowa!

Welcome Baby Zander!

Here are some pics of my new nephew, Zander Scott! Isn't he precious?!

He's Here!

Zander Scott arrived at 3:02pm today! He's a little muffin- just 5 pounds 12 ounces. Both mom and baby are doing fine!
My brother sounds excited and overwhelmed! I can't believe he's a daddy now!

Going To Be An Aunt Again!

So excited! My sister-in-law went into labor this morning! Soon I'll be an aunt again! Can't wait!