The Ants Attack!

Charlie was attacked by ants in the back yard yesterday.  I was inside making dinner when I heard him screaming bloody murder.  I ran out to find his left foot covered in ants.  I brushed them off the best I could then raced him the the water spigot.  He cried for a long time after this.  Derek searched the area for ants but couldn't find a hill. We have no idea where they came from.  I hope they don't return.

Finished! Alphabet Memory Game

    I'd been toying around with making a memory game for Leah using the alphabet.  She's been struggling with retention on the names of the letters.  She can draw them, she can name when she sings the song, but holding a letter up in front of her and asking her what it is...that is a struggle.  I think this as been in the back of my head for a while now, I just couldn't figure out how to execute it and make it durable. 
     Wandering the toy isles of Target with Charlie this past week, I had a flash of insight while staring at the card games.  A deck of face cards has 52 cards in it, the alphabet has 26, double for a memory game and you get 52!  I did the math....twice....  Anyway, I realized I could glue pretty paper onto the front of the card and use the already printed design on the back of the face card to make the set AND it would be strong enough to survive my kids playing with it, at least that's the theory.  So away I went cranking out the cards.  I think this is one of my fastest finishes yet! 
     I've been looking at way to many blog tutorials lately and decided, "what the heck?" I'm going to make this into a tutorial.  So that is to come, I have the pictures, they are downloaded from my camera and organized in a file.  I will get them on here soon.  Not that I expect anyone to find this silly blog and make it.  It just seemed like a fun thing to do at the time.

Finished! CD Cases

A while back, while preparing for this move, I decided it was time to go through the huge bin of Cd cases I have and get rid of them.  The Cd's themselves are in those travel cases in my closet, but I couldn't part with the stupid plastic cases and the cover art.  So I started hunting around the craft stores and so forth for a container and a way to KEEP my Cd inserts and Cd's organized, accessible, yet with a minimized foot print.  I found these fantastic boxes at Wal-mart, I wish I'd bought one more, because they don't sell them anymore, much to my dismay.  I would love to say this was a fun project...but it really wasn't that fun.  Tedious is a word that works well.  I can't even tell you how many hours this took me to complete. I'm sure my time would be better spent elsewhere, like with my kids, or working out...but my OCD is satiated, at least for now. 

The Pioneer Woman aka Ree Drummond

     I was driving around, semi-lost one day trying to find Wal-mart I believe, when I found instead the Columbia County Library.  Happily, the kids and I stopped in to check it out and get a library card.  While I was there, I saw a large poster advertising a presentation and book signing for Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.  I excitedly took note of the date and time so I could attend.  I've followed her blog off and on for a few years.  The last two years, I took advantage of the book discussions hosted by the Pierce County Library in Washington during Pierce County Reads.  I've really enjoyed listening to the authors as they discuss their books.  This seemed like a similar thing and I couldn't wait to go. 
     I ended up going alone, no one close was able to attend with me.  I really enjoyed listening to her presentation and watching the slide show she put together and subsequently mocked the whole time.  She's just as funny in person as on her blog.  Her husband and two boys were there too.  I tried taking a picture, but for some reason they turned out super dark, even though the space was lit and I had my flash on.  I really want a new camera, a nice one, you know that makes my poor photography skills look fantastic. 
     Anyway, back on topic.  I had noticed the people lined up around the back of the room we were in, but didn't pay much attention, I was focused elsewhere...Ree's funny.  When the discussion ended, I got up to get in line for the book signing and found out I was one of the only ones in the room, not in line already.  "Sigh"...I trudged to the back of the line and nestled into my Nook for a long wait.  At least I had the foresight to bring it.  About 2 hrs later, I was standing starstruck at the front of the line saying hi to Ree with ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SAY!  Seriously, I need lessons in the social graces.  So I boggled my way through and got a picture with her.  She did say she liked my shirt.  That's the most memorable part of our terrible 30 second conversation.  It was fun and I'm glad I went.  Next time, I'll bring someone with my that knows how to make interesting small talk....

Random Pictures

 Resident Lizard, he lives in our window.

Wedding

The Beautiful Bride

 I was really fortunate to be able to attend my sister's wedding in February of this year.  I had been planning on driving out with the kids and spending some time visiting with family before our move East.  When we got to surprise call that we were moving early, I was worried I would miss her wedding.  Things worked out, our move was delayed and I was able to fly to SLC the weekend before our movers showed up.  The second best part, besides getting to be there for the wedding, was being able to go solo.  It was the first time I had ever been away from my children overnight, ever.  I was so looking forward to the break and to seeing my family. 
My sister was gorgeous.  The wedding was beautiful.  It was great to see my family and spend some time with them.  I was able to visit with so many Aunts and Uncles that I hadn't seen in a while.  The trip was too short. I wish I could have spend a few more days.   But I'm feel blessed that I was able to go at all. 

My Wonderful Family

New House

We've been in our new house for a month now.  I have had a few requests for pictures.  So here they are.

 My music room/ library.  I've always wanted one of these.

 The office

 The living room

 Master Bedroom

 Dining Room

 My Sewing/Craft Room (I'm sure this will be the last time it's this clean)

 Leah's Bedroom (she's in heaven cause it's pink)

 Charlie's Bedroom (He's in heaven cause it's blue)

Back Yard (It's bigger than a postage stamp!)

 Kitchen

Other Half of the Back Yard

I love that we finally have enough space to spread out and put everything away.  I love the huge backyard.  I love most that every room is painted a color, not white or cream or tan, but an actual color and it's even better that the colors match our stuff.  The kids are loving the back yard.  They can spend hours out there playing.  I hope you enjoyed the tour.  I forgot to take one of the front of the house.