a couple of projects

We've had a few projects lately that we've been working on...and since I'm a fan of before and after pictures, I thought I would post a few.

Our first project was to put in a chalkboard for our school time...but the problem we encountered was that we didn't have any wall space for one. So I found some chalkboard paint and used our school "closet" as the canvas.
BEFORE:
This is the only before picture I could find...since I forgot to take the before picture. So look beyond the silly kids and the cabinet is what we used.
AFTER:

Our next project was a toy box we picked up at the thrift store for super cheap. As you can see by the pictures I almost forgot to take a before picture...so it's half painted and I already took the wooden knobs off the front. But you get the idea....pretty ugly.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

8 months

I almost forgot to take her 8 month old pictures today until right before bed. So this time we get some jammy pics...but she's still stinkin' cute to us either way.

If you look closely, you can see Ansley's new top teeth...which I think makes her look so much older.

She's still crawling around like crazy and is now starting to walk along the furniture. Just today she let go of something and stood for a few seconds...I think she was just as surprised as we were.

We're loving this stage that Ansley is in and are so thankful for her. It will be fun to see what new things she will learn this next month.

portraits

For Ethan's birthday we had these portraits "drawn" by Chuck E. Cheese himself, as you can tell by the signature in the bottom right hand corner.

Jason started it off by getting his picture with Ansley...aww, cute isn't it? And then the rest of us thought it would be fun, so the boys and I tried it next. Almost looks Olan Mills doesn't it? Ha!
Then Ethan wanted a self-portrait...this was right before he said "mommy, when do I smile?"

And then it just went down hill from there.

lost teeth and new teeth

The weird thing about the teeth that Ethan has lost so far is that Ansley has her new teeth coming in the same spots he is missing teeth. Weird huh?

sewing, sewing, sewing

My sewing machine and notions have been invading our dining space for the past week or so. It all started with sewing a bear for a friend of mine who had a baby shower this week. Then onto making baby burpies for my MOPS group as give-aways for moms with newbie babies. I decided to try a new design too and was glad to use up some scraps of fabric I have left-over from the many bears I have made. And then lastly, I am trying to sew a baby sling...but this seemingly easy project is turning out to be my most difficult...and it only has two pieces of fabric. Anyone out there made a simple baby sling before?

50 years

Today marks 50 years since Hawaii became a state. Happy Statehood Day Hawaii!

giggle box

Ansley has entered the stage of belly-laugh giggles. For some reason sharp sounds make her almost fall over with laughter...and the rest of us can't help but laugh right along with her.

friends

We're so thankful for our new friends, the "Cawins" (as Jude would say).

the big 6

6 years old that is. Why does 6 seem so much older than 5? Our theme for the day was the number 6.

Number 6 pancakes (idea came from my friend Lisa)...these looked better on the other side but then it would be backwards. But the boys gobbled them up and that's all that mattered.

and a number 6 cake.

Our big celebration was at Chuck E. Cheese where you can see by their expressions that they had a blast...they're just very serious when it comes to playing games. But with all the chaos there, I think we all left with blank stares and feeling a little overwhelmed.


And then you can't leave out the presents. I think his expression says it all here.

Happy Birthday Ethan! We are so thankful for our energetic, full of life, loving, hard worker, adventuresome little/big boy! I can't wait to see what little man God is going to grow you up to be.

snapshots

The great thing about a blog is that it reminds me to take pictures of my kiddo's. So thankfully our third child has just as many pictures as our first. The only difference is that Ethan has a completed album of his first year. Jude has half of year done and poor Ansley I haven't even started. But at least we'll have this blog to look back on.

She is one determined little girl...if she sees a toy that she wants, nothing will stop her.

My favorite smile of hers...the old man smile.

When her teeth were coming in, her tongue was hanging out of her mouth quite a bit. I guess that helped sooth the gums.

Full of mischief.

Who is that baby?

pineapple tea

Our funny little Jude is quite the ham. He keeps us laughing especially when he uses his Jude voice...it's hard to explain what that voice is but let's just say when he uses it, no one ever knows what he's talking about. In this video he is saying "pineapple tea". It's not funny or anything but I just love how he says things...and pineapple tea is a favorite around here.

reading

"I have never been able to resist the appeal of a child who asks, "Read to me, please?" The warm security of a little person cuddled close, loving the pictures which help tell the story, listening to the rhythm of the words, laughing in all the right places as the policeman stops Boston traffic for the mother duck and her family in ...Make Way for Ducklings. Or the safe, soothing feeling of ...Good Night Moon, or the wonder of...White Snow, Bright Snow." (p. 19)

I just finished reading the book Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt. For all mothers out there, I highly recommend this book to you. I do love how my boys cuddle up to me while I read them a book...and I especially melt when I see their daddy reading to them on the floor and Jude has climbed up on his back to get a better view.

campin' out

I found these really adorable sleeping bags for the boys on clearance at Sears...Lands End brand. They even had matching pillow cases, and at 75% off you can't beat the price. Now when they go camping, have a sleep-over, want to sleep by the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve or just want to sleep on their own floors for fun...they have sleeping bags to do so. I love a good bargain!

pajama time

We figured since Jude is 3 1/2 years old now, that he should be able to dress himself....we probably should have started that a little earlier, but sometimes it's just easier to dress him myself. Especially when he often gets two legs in one hole or tries to put his head through the arm hole. But this night we gave him his pajamas and through lots of encouragement, he ended up with this...it was a little backward but he did a pretty good job. Way to go Jude!

jumpy bean