#640 - watercolor with vinyl letters

Inspired by a quote I saw on pinterest.

Ironically, I didn't really "think outside the box" to make this...or maybe I did...I don't know.  At least I didn't think outside the box for the quote :)

Basically, I took some vinyl letters I had and put them on some nice (read: thick) water color paper.  Then I gave the boys some water colors and they loved it.  

 We also did their cousins' names.

 Here's what they looked like before we took the vinyl letters off.

 And the finished projects...

#630 - 9/11 exhibit @ the American History Smithsonian in DC

For all of you that can't make it to this 9/11 exhibit in DC, I wanted to give you a peak.  Be prepared for a picture overload.

 airplane parts, seatbeat, window shade, flight attendant button (Shanksville, Pa site)

 water cooler, announce booklet, logbook, United Air flight handbook (Shanksville, Pa)

 

 a can of burnt money, melted metals, a clock that feel off the wall at the exact time the plane hit the pentagon (Pentagon)

 phone, badge, uniform, m&m dispenser from someone's desk (Pentagon)

 airplane window, beeper, cell phone, doll (twin towers)

 fireman tools, a briefcase, badge, camera that took the first video of the plane flying into the World Trade Center (twin towers)

 Oster writing his thoughts

 Where were you on 9/11/01?  

I had just woken up and was trying to find our phone (back in the day we didn't have cell phones) so I push the button to make the phone beep (does that make sense) and my roommate Mel came in the front door (she had the phone and was at our neighbors watching the twin towers on tv) and she told me.  We didn't own a tv, so we went next door to our neighbors to watch it all unfold. 

 At the exhibit, you can write down your memories of 9/11 and pin them to the wall. 

 This is my friend Rachel reading some of the comments. 

I brought both of my boys to the museum and they were wild!  But while we walked through this 9/11 exhibit, they were surprisingly good.  It's almost like they sensed there was a reverence in this area.

Just every day objects, like a clock on the wall, a tin of coins, the airplane window cover, and a cell phone, have now become part of history.

It's weird to think that my boys will never know a world where we don't have to be concerned about terrorism.

#618 - school supplies

Didn't you love getting new school supplies every year when you were younger?  I got a few school supplies for Oster (and Parker) and they are in heaven!  They love playing "school".

And bonus, they were a steal of a deal:

Pencil Box - $0.97
Crayons - $0.40
Pink Erasers - $0.97
Colored Pencils - $0.97
Notebook - $0.20
Makers - $0.74
Sharpener - $0.97
Scissors $0.74

Total = $5.96

#603 - chalkboard pinata

So remember when we my sister Karli made a pinata for Oster's 1st birthday?  Well, I wanted to carry on the piñata tradition for Parker's 1st birthday and since my sister Kar was across the country, I decided to make my own.  (Well, I was going to buy one, but with a $15 price tag for a wimpy little pinata, I decided I could make one less expensive and way cuter.)

I did basically the same thing as Karli did, but I only made mine 2 days in advance.  I then had it drying out on our deck and a huge rain storm (you know the kind where you walk out into it for one second and you are drenched?) rolled by and soaked my pinata.  Luckily, I was able to get it to dry out in time.

I didn't have time to put tissue paper on it, but I did have a can of chalkboard paint, so I quickly painted it and it dried in minutes.

Then I had the kids draw on it with chalk right before we hung it up.  It was a success (mostly due to the loads of candy inside.)

#586 - 2 "tunnels" from IKEA

 We made an impromptu trip to IKEA yesterday and Oster really wanted these funnels.  2 for $.99, I couldn't pass up that kind of deal...cheaper than most toys.

Oster and Parker each have one to play with.  They have used them as trumpets, used them to see what can fit through the funnel, used them as swords, etc.  They love their 'tunnels'.

#584 - Little Red Lighthouse in NYC

We made a quick trip to NYC to visit Pepe's cousin (in and out in less than 24 hours).

 Pepe's cousin lives about 3 blocks from the Little Red Lighthouse, so we decided to check this off our list of places to visit. 

 

It's adorable and was a fun little walk.  And I can't wait to read Oster and Parker the book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge.

It really is a little lighthouse...really little.  Can you see it in the picture above in the bottom right corner under the bridge? (you can click on the picture to see it better)

Details: we drove and parked on 181st Street then walked to the end of 181st (going west towards the Hudson).  there is a long set of stairs, or your can take your stroller/bike to the right when facing the Hudson and that will take you to the entrance of the park.  you could also take the subway to the 181st street stop (i think the A (blue) line is the closest).

#562 - swinging baby

#559 - St. Patty's Day socks

Oster and Parker got St. Patty's Day socks in the mail from grandma & grandpa.  Oster's socks have rainbows on them, so he was so happy!

ps...sorry about the lack of posts, we've been traveling and then we were really sick..not fun!

#500 - the long awaited post - my boys

Remember a while back, in post #501, I said that post #500 was a special one and would come back to it...well, here it is:

Can't believe I've written over 500 posts (yep, there are lots not published yet)!

Last night as I was putting Oster to bed, I was going crazy.  He was jumping off his dresser onto his bed, jumping up and down, not wanting to sleep.

I was holding Parker in my arms, so I couldn't really lay the law down if you know what I mean.

Pepe wasn't around to help, so I was about to loose it...

Then...

As Oster was jumping up and down on his bed, laughing with a huge smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye...

Parker busted up laughing...out of no where...he couldn't get enough of his brother being wild...he just kept laughing

A deep down, hearty laugh...you know the one that makes your heart melt.

I just stopped and took it all in...

I tried to take a mental picture of this short, crazy, wonderful, precious moment in my life.

It will never happen again...that's it...take it or leave it...make what you want of it...enjoy it or __________ (fill in the blank).

Being a mom is so life changing...really puts life in perspective...

I go crazy a lot, but I'm really trying to just soak it up... and remember this will never happen again, so take it as it comes and make the best out of it.

Here's some mental pics I want to remember:

OSTER
*"I Love You" - says this a million times a day
*"Can I watch a moobie" - again, million times a day
*Dance party maniac - loves his music
*Loves to direct music (his hands are always moving)
*Loves his brother to pieces...really thinks the world of him
*Honest...he can be sneaky, but will always be honest

PARKER
*Loves to cuddle
*Love to laugh and smile...he's a happy baby
*Loves his mom
*Loves his food...he takes after me

And, I don't talk about him that much here, but I really do love my my husband...he works so hard for our family!   Life has thrown us some curve balls in the past few months, but he is there keeping me going when I just can't handle it any more.

New Year's Resolution #2 - soak up life...take more mental pictures and enjoy my boys (all 3!) because this will never happen again!

(about an hour after Oster finally went to bed, I walked by his room and he was fully dressed for they day, he wanted to go outside and play even though it was 11pm..."snap")

#495 - girl scout calendar...Buenos Aires...100 kids

Did you know that I was in the 1988 Girl Scout Calendar?  

Pretty sure I was the month of October :)

It was only $1!

I need to find a copy, so that I can post it for you all.

Did you know that I lived/worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 3 months?

3 times for 1 month each

I love love love it there!

Buenos Aires means "Good Air" in Spanish

1st time I went my mom, my dad, Karli and my uncle were there 

Pepe went with me the last time I was there

Best decision ever!

Pepe's parents (my inlaws) are moving there in 2 months

To serve a mission for our church

 Did you know when I was little and my mom would ask me how many kids I wanted to have some day I would say, "100"?

Now that I have 2,

I want more!

They are intoxicating

Parker because he is warm, snuggly, and precious

Oster because he is SO DANG Cute!

Even when he tries to drive his car all over Parker...

Real conversation with Oster last night...

Me: We have to be quiet because daddy has to go to work in the morning.
Me:  What does mommy do for work?

Oster:  Mooooovies (I swear that's what it sounded like at least)

 Me:  What does daddy do for work?

Oster:  Moovies 

Me:  Daddy works at movies too?

Oster:  No, daddy works at church

Me:  what does daddy do at church?

Oster:  He plugs and flips the lid 

Oster sees Pepe plug his laptop in at church and open it up for his Sunday School class

Me:  What does mommy do at church?

Oster:  Plays with toys

I work in the nursery with the little kids 

#493 - "U" is for...

"U" is for "Underwater Diver"

another page for Parker's ABC book

Doesn't it look like he is holding his breath?

Details:

Water - wavy blanket from my sister Casi

Fish - from the game "Gone Fishing"

Seaweed - Moby wrap (dark and med green), Oster's pajamas (light green), rod from a playmat (polka dot green)

Outfit - Carter's from Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Joseph

In case you missed the other letters, here they are:

G is for...

D is for...

S is for...

B is for...

#489 - busy baby feet

Life is flying by so fast...

please...

slow... 

down!

When did my newborn become a 3.5 month old?!

When did Oster learn to finally get out of his crib?!

Where did the summer go?! 

Come back!

This summer:

I was hoping to get a whole bunch of bills organized and scheduled...I didn't (I just have a huge stack of papers moving around our living room)

I was hoping to finish a few of the 5-6 wedding videos I've shot...I didn't (I'm almost done with 2)

I was hoping to lose some baby weight...I didn't really (I was down 10 lbs, then gained 8 lbs back)

I was hoping to hang up some pictures...nope, didn't happen...still bare walls

I was hoping to sew some baby blankets...nada...fall project now!

But you know what I did do:

Started making lunches for Pepe to take to work and make dinner most days of the week (huge accomplishment for me)

Talked with my mom and sister almost daily (love it!)

And most important...Loved my baby boys (and my one big boy)...just enjoyed them...gave them lots of kisses and love!

#482 - Happy 1st Day of School - "G" is for...

"G" is for Geography Teacher

Happy first day of school to all my nieces, nephews and everyone else out there!

Another page for Parker's ABC book.

Details:

ABC frame -  from Oster's room

Wooden Apple - from Costa Rica

Pencil holder - cup from Pepe's grandma

Table - cookie sheet

Map - fabric from JoAnn's that I'm using to make a blanket

Map dispenser - picture holder (that black thing)

Pointer - An old stick we found at our house when we moved in

Map puller downer thing - string from a bag

Background - gray/red fleece blanket from my sister Kar

Pencils - just pencils :)
Outfit - Carter's from the Hubers

This could also be "T" is for Teacher.

#480 - The Bib Awards - "what's the best bib?"

Most Stylish Bib with a Handmade Touch - Homemade Bibs From My Cousin Lizzy

(Lizzy, you are so talented, you should open an Etsy shop)

Oster loves wearing these bibs around the house, no need to be eating.  They are also asorbant, so they catch the spills.

Best Bib for Overall Coverage and Easy Clean Up - Dex Dura from Walmart 

(not a fan of Walmart, but this bib was only $4-$5 there)

 I first heard about this bib from her.  I love how it catches everything, including liquids.  I usually just wipe it down or throw the bib in the washer and let it air dry.

Best Bib To Get Your Kid To Eat 

or Most High Tech Bib 

or Most Expensive Bib - Think Geek Illuminated Jet Feeding Bib

Pepe bought this bib recently to get Oster to eat more...it's helped!  

It really lights up and the jet spoon even has flashing lights.  

Con - way too small and doesn't catch any of the food.

Best Message Bib - I Love Mommy and I Love Daddy Bibs from my mom

Can't get any better message than that?!

It's the perfect size for Parker and it soaks up all his slober.

The "I Love Mommy" bib was in the wash, I guess I use that one just a tad more :)

What about you?  Do you have a favorite bib?  What works best?

I really like this bib tutorial for a waterproof catch all bib.

#478 - snapping our walks

Oster, Parker and I like to go on walks during the day....

Oster gets out his energy...

Parker falls fast asleep...

I burn a few calories...

I usually bring my camera, but the pictures I take never see the light of day.

 So, I decided to shrink the pictures from one of our walks to fit on a 4x6 layout (I added white on the top and bottom to make a 4x6 print)

I spent $.09 (on sale at Costco)

Cut up the picture into mini pics

 Drew a little map of our walk in Oster's journal

Pasted the pics

 Added some commentary

And put a piece of packing tape over the pictures, since Oster likes to tear things.

On this day Pepe came home for lunch, so he drove up while we were walking.

The pics aren't spectacular,

the journal entry isn't the cleanest,

but it will spark loads of memories one day to see all the tiny details about this walk.

#476 - "D" is for...

For Parker's ABC book

D is for Dog Walker.

Details:

Ground - brown baby blanket from Gap (from Aunt Kim)

Tree stump - brown maternity pants (love them!)

Green leaves on tree - Brazilian sweatshirt

Yellow dog - Oster got this when he was in the NICU

Leash - phone charger cord

Parker's outfit - Ralph Lauren outfit from Aunt Wendy

#468 - surfer boy

"S is for Surfer"

My version of this.

Details:

sun - tissue paper

clouds - reusable diapers

surfboard - poster board

surfer outfit - Carter's from Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Joseph

outer blue blankets - from 2 ladies at church

middle blue blanket - "Little Giraffe" blanket from my mom

i already have a few more photo shoot ideas (mostly sports), but if you have any ideas, let me know...

#467 - playing ball with the babe

Have you seen Mila's Daydreams yet?  I just saw it via 100%Cottam.  It reminded me of some photos I want to try when the boys got older.

Parker's not a great napper, so I can't really catch him while he's sleeping, but I can set up some fun photos with him while his older brother (Oster) naps.

I think it might even be fun to do pictures like this for their "ABC" book.  

This one would be, "B is for Baseball".

Here's the details of the photo:

sunshine - left over tissue paper from Oster's birthday pinata

clouds - reusable diapers from my mom

grass - my moby wrap

bases - Pepe's socks

monkey's outfit - Oster's premie outfit

Parker's outfit - a Baltimore Orioles jersey from our neighbor

ps....check back later today to see another cute photo I snapped of Parker