A Tiny Bit of Randomness in my Otherwise Super Organized Life

Because random should be my middle name, I felt like I should have a post to reflect this trait.

For starters, we have a new chore chart!


The highly anticipated chore chart! Finished! My aunt Ramona helped me copy this idea from a blog that I look at occasionally. I'm really happy with how it turned out. And when the new baby is ready to join the chore world, I have some blue polka dot ribbon just waiting to be attached at the bottom with some buttons.


Here is an up close shot of the pockets. Basically, just laminated some scrapbook paper with the chore picture on it-and the name of the chore on the bottom for soon-to-be readers. Then when they are finished, you flip the card over with the "All Done" on the back!


The Thanksgiving cactus did not get the message that the holiday is waaaaayy over. So funny because this cactus didn't bloom for years, then we moved it to this window and it has bloomed twice in 6 months and doubled in size. Guess it likes light, who would have thought?

Here are some rascals making "Magic Muck". This is a perfect (but messy) project for wintertime/daddy's not coming home tonight/nothing to do fun!:) Each kid had a different color, some with glitter, some plain...But all can be made with kitchen ingredients and the kids love the goopy texture and how it can also be made into balls. Warning: **Recommend drop cloth for big pregnant women who don't like to bend over***


Here is my favorite girl working on a craft for her Valentine's Party! She is very meticulous and LOVES crafts...a girl after my own heart...the craft part, not the meticulous...LOVE her.


This boy can be so sweet. I told him to bring me some socks from his drawer so I could put them on. Well, he is really into dressing himself (trying) and insisted on putting them on his own feet. After struggling for several minutes, he said "just second Mom, I be right back". He got a pair of his dads, and voila, so much easier to slip on than his...so cute. Now if only they would fit in his shoes...

5-5-5

Blast from the Past... What a great memories! Here we are on our cruise to Jamaica in 2003. We had a great time!

I was tagged by Natalie and my cousin Dawn to post the 5th picture under the 5th folder....and now the 5 people I want to tag!

1. Kelly H.

2. Candee M.

3. Heather Marie

4. Beth W.

5. Tara T.

Deja Vu and Ta Da!

Here is a picture of the "new" nursery! This was Em's crib bedding and I was so happy to set it up again! Sorry the picture is a little funky, it looks very yellow, must be the lighting. Or Levi had been smoking on the sly in his crib..





And Ta-Da! Here is E and L's big kid room and bunk beds! Yes, I realize the room is pink, but I'm hoping by the time Yeebs learns his colors, the girls will be sharing this room.:)


Vanity and Cottage Pictures


Reading Nook- I also hung a little picture on the wall which makes it all the more nook-y...nook looking? Whatev...anyway...(p.s. Candee, I did even nail into the beadboard, I used a removable hook...are you proud of me?)




The best for last!!

Of course the beds aren't made, but I had to lower my expectations or haul my large self up the ladder to make it...I chose to swallow my pride and let you see them in full unmade glory.

Levi is quite enjoying his new football bedding and didn't even move or try to get out the first night because he was elated to just be surrounded by footballs...isn't that cute? Of course it didn't last more than a night, but still...

There is also a trundle drawer underneath the bottom bunk which I intend to use for storage, but I have to get some sheeting cut to make a base for the bottom of the drawer.

I love nesting.

Projects

I've been feeling a little bit crafty lately....I blame it on "nesting". Unfortunately, they are not the projects I should be working on (quilt binding, ahem)...but anyway.

Since I love looking at other peoples craft projects, here are a few of my own that I snapped some pics of.

A fun little notebook cover that I made for my friend with just a regular old notebook and some leftover paper and ribbon!



Recovered dining chairs. What a cheap and quick way to make the dining room look refreshed.

Christmas Pictures

We had such a great Christmas with all of Chad's family here in town. We are thankful that they live within driving distance. (Weather permitting.:) All of the nine grandkids had a great time playing together and it was fun to see them interact as they grow out of the toddler years!

Chad edited and put some Christmas Eve pictures on Philldog Photography website. Check them out; he did an awesome job.

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone so quickly, but it has, so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

24 1/2 weeks

I was so good about growing belly pictures when I was pregnant with the first two, but this is the only one I have so far of this little lady.:( I figure that posting them will keep me accountable. I don't want her to be left out already; she isn't even out yet!:)

By the way, I am taking any good name suggestions that anyone has! Chad and I are having a hard time finding the 'perfect' name, so bring 'em on!!

It's a GIRL!!!

I guess unless you are an ultrasound tech, you might not be able to appreciate these photos!:) They always look so... well....scary! But we are so thrilled to be welcoming another GIRL into our family this March.:)

Halloweenie

For Halloween this year, Emme went as Stefanie from Lazy Town ( I think it's a cartoon on some weird channel! I'm not sure:)! And Levi went as, of course, SpiderMan. They had such a fun time at the Fall Fest that Calvary puts on at the Fairgrounds, and I like that they have activities to do for the evening! They played bowling, did a cake walk, went fishing, and did lots of other things like jump in bounce houses and slide down huge slides. Here are just a couple cute pics.

Spidey and Stef

Packing up the baggies

Then I got this awesome idea from a friend named Kim Hanson (hi Kim!). At the end of the evening, since the kids have gathered the amount of their body weight in candy, each child packs a baggie full of their favorite candies to keep and the rest of the candy gets collected by the "Candy Fairy." The "Candy Fairy" then takes the excess candy and gives it to Operation Christmas Child to be sent overseas with their holiday packages. In turn, the "Candy Fairy" will leave each child a book or paints or little car or something thanking them! I really loved this idea and the kids were excited to be generous with those less fortunate.

Will

Congratulations to Nat and Adam! William Scott Renstrom born last night weighing 8 lbs. 13 oz. And what a cutie!

I think he's practicing for his hearing test. The little genius.

We love you Will and can't wait to meet you next month!!

ummmm......

The day I gave birth to Emme was in the high 80's.

The day I gave birth to Levi was in the mid 70's.


On the eve of the kids' birthday party this is NOT how it is supposed to look.



Not 27 degrees today.


Oh my, good thing I didn't get ponies this year!





"Something tells me we are not in Kansas anymore Toto."-Dorothy

Emme's Soccer

Here are some pictures of Emme's first soccer game! Can you believe that she is old enough to play an organized sport? Kids can actually start at 2 1/2 years old in this league. There are some on her team still in diapers! What a crack-up.

I wouldn't say that she loves the game (which only lasts 15 minutes), but it's fun to watch her run around, or pout on the sidelines at the very least, like she did last weekend. :)

She does a great job with the drills though!

Em and Pressly, soccer buds

Who let this little guy on the field? Levi loves to think he's part of the team. "Where's my soccer ball?" he says.. We've started bringing a second ball to each game so he can play on the sidelines..he loves it.

Wedding Pictures

Chad has been working feverishly on getting some of Erin and Brandon's wedding pictures ready for viewing. They look fabulous if I do say so myself. You can view the first batch here! Click on Galleries and it should take you right to the wedding section. (And don't forget to comment! It boosts his confidence.:))

First Day of Preschool

My little "big" girl on her first day of preschool! She was so excited she couldn't even eat her favorite breakfast cereal that morning. She acted like a pro when we got to the school; she hung her backpack up on the hooks (never happens at home), found her name and seat and sat down immediately. She didn't even give us a second glance as we walked out the door.:) I'm so glad everything went so smoothly. She was definitely ready for this big step into the world.:)



This 3 mile down the road, 3 hours once a week step into the world.



And not a toenail further.

1+4=5

It seemed only fitting on Labor Day to announce the soon-to-be new addition to our family! We are very excited and our looking forward to this little one joining us in March.

Also in honor of Labor Day, I've seen this fun post floating around from RocksinMyDryer. Play along if you like! I would love to read your answers.:)

How long were your labors?

#1- 17 hours (yikes! I was induced)

#2- 9 hours (mucho better)

How did you know you were in labor?

#1- Doc told me to come in for induction, 3 weeks early

#2- Water broke at Dream Dinners!, 2 weeks early

Where did you deliver?

#1 and #2-St. Luke's hospital, right where the drugs are kept..

Drugs?

Praise the Lamb for epidurals. Seriously. Just in case though, I memorized the anesthesiologist names just in case they jacked it up. That way I could scream at them with more accuracy. Loved, loved, and will love it again with this next one.

C-sections?

Nope.

Who delivered?

#1-My awesome Doc

#2-My more awesomer hubby. (yes, I know that's not a word.) Doc let Chad actually guide Levi out and catch him. What a surreal moment.

Go to Rocks in My Dryer if you want to play along! Happy Labor Day!