Recap (aka things that happened these past two weeks that you might want to know about)

So, this past week has been the flurry that May has become to us. Second to December, I feel that there is a ton packed into this month! We've already been to 2 different birthday parties, celebrated Mother's Day, celebrated Auntie's birthday (that would make 3 birthdays total), and had our normal stuff on top of that too!
So, sit back, relax, grab a beverage (or two) and let's catch up!
Last Friday was the opening of Jason's latest show (this time he's the stage manager/light operator/etc.) The Drowsy Chaperone. It was quite funny to say the least and Auntie and I had a great time! (PS-I got that necklace and earrings that night right before the show!)
(Not really sure what's up with the weird spacing. Just think of it as a really boring preview reel.)

I also bought these super cute sunglasses too!

We celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday with both kids giving me vases that they made at Build and Grow (and I forgot to take a picture of it) and then the things they made at school. Mamu made me a 'breakfast in a bag' - the card said something about how he wanted to make me breakfast in bed, but since he's too little for the oven, it's breakfast in a bag. His bag had a little can of orange juice, instant oatmeal, and instant coffee in it. Super cute! Bebe made me a chore coupon redeemer flower thingy - which I was informed when I want to redeem them, not to tear them off, just tell her- and a super sweet poem she typed at school. MG and Grandaddy came over after going to see Jason's show (our present to Mom for Mother's day) and ate dinner and played with the kids on the recently finished play fort!

On Wednesday, we celebrated Auntie's birthday with cake at our house after Bebe's dance class. Auntie volunteered to take her to dance, so I bought her and Bebe dinner and then they came home for cake and cards. On Thursday, she came over for her weekly visit and she got to play on our new fort! The weather has been gorgeous and we've been outside a lot the last part of this week (Tuesday it poured!). We've been enjoying the adventure that is eating outside with an excited 3 year old boy. The kids really like playing 'diner' with the little picnic bench on the fort and Grandaddy even taught Bebe some diner lingo! It's pretty cute! Mamu on the other hand has a very limited menu. He will let you have "a hot dog with ketchup and no bread please." Even if you ask nicely for bread, he will politely decline your request. (Can you tell he doesn't like buns on his hot dogs?)

Also on Thursday, I was looking for a new way for Bebe to practice her subtraction facts. Flash cards just don't hold the excitement they used to; we're not breaking up with the flash cards, just seeing other math practice plans. We're not in a committed relationship with the flash cards, so it's not cheating or anything. Anyways, back on track - I made up a little scavenger hunt with subtraction facts on them. I put the problem on the top and the clue on the bottom. She had to solve the problem before she could figure out the clue. That helped her with her speed a little bit! I hid 8 around the yard for her to find with a My Little Pony toy (I had from the prize box) at the last clue. She loved it! We'll definitely be doing that again!

I also bought my Mother's Day/birthday present this past week. Yes, I know that my birthday is in June, but people, I need this for recital. Need, people, need!

Meet my new favorite thing:

It's my new lens - a 55-210 whatever ... Basically it lets me shoot farther away, which is why I need it for Bebe's recital! I'll also use it to up my Mommy paparazzi status to stalker instead of lurker. I shot most of those pictures on the Thursday part with my new lens, mostly from the comfort of my patio chair. Lazy mush? Even yesser! (That one's for you, Auntie.)

Today, Mamu was running outside and he tripped. He skinned his knee pretty bad, so it required a large band aid. One that Lightning McQueen or Curious George cannot cover. So, what's a boy to do? I offered him stickers to jazz it up a bit and he picked yellow and green. Yellow's so our favorite color and green is becoming a close second. Those free Highlights stickers sure made my boy's day better!

Finally, I learned some things (ok, remembered and learned) about myself today.

First, when attending a child's pool party, I should remember how easily I burn. I should apply sunscreen even when I don't think I'll be in the sun and especially when I am SITTING in the SUN. Or I could use the giant beach towel to cover my legs.

Second, if I have not applied said sunscreen, I should at least switch which legs are crossed so I can have a matched set of oddly sunburned knees.

Third, I really, really, really, really need to not photograph my knees. Or have Bebe photograph my knees. She's a good photographer, but even she can't make this look good. (And yes, I'm holding my shorts up - I don't have weird 1983 shorts)

Finally, tonight the kids were watching Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella. When I asked Mamu if he would dance with me, he said "No Momma. You are not a princess. You are not wearing a dress." Well said, my friend, well said. Also princesses have people who apply sunscreen to their whiteity white legs when they are sitting in the noon-day sun!

There you have it - sort of a DVR version of our past 2 weeks.

Dilemas of a Crafty Mom

So, when I get crafty (which happens often) my housework, umm... slacks a little.

I might just hand you a blindfold when you come in my house if it's during a "crafty spell".

One of those such "crafty spells" happened yesterday.

I've been kicking an idea around in my head for about a month now concerning tote bags. Here's my confession: I love tote bags. It has become a slight obsession. (some people might say, it's an addiction, but I can justify them, so it's just an obsession... right?) Do you know how excited I was that reusable bags came back in? I can now carry around cute bags in the stores? What? Awesome! I get to buy more to "Save the Earth"? Now my obsession is going to save the world? Excellent!

Bebe has 3 different pairs of dance shoes that she totes around in her dance bag, along with her jazz shorts, jazz pants, cover-up t-shirt, hairbrush, 2 combs, water spray bottle and heavens knows what else. I've been thinking that things might be a tad easier for her if they were all in their own little bag. At one point, I wanted to make her a bag complete with different pockets and labels, and all sorts of organized-goodness. Then I remembered that since this is her 5th year at her studio, she'll be receiving a dance bag with her 5 year patch on it (a very BIG deal!) and I didn't want to go through all of that work for only 4 or so rehearsals before she gets her bag.

Enter, the 'tote bags for the tote bag' concept. It's sort of like if you decided to pack your shoes in little bags when you go somewhere. Only way cuter.

I sewed up 3 little bags (one for each pair of shoes). I haven't decided on a fastener yet for them, and when I do, I'll stick it on there. Then I'll post a picture of them. Hopefully, I'll decide soon.

While I was cutting and sewing these, Bebe and Mamu were playing nicely. Like, for an extended amount of time! Usually, they play together very nicely, but for just a smidgent of time (like 5-8 minutes). They played Hungry, Hungry Hippos for about 20 minutes! No fighting, just playing (and madly banging the poor hippos lever thingys.). It was awesome!

At that time, I felt happy. Like, a proud momma happy. My kids are able to get along without me intervening. :) So what if my house looks like a giant horde of craft elves hit it with their full force, candy induced, craftiness mess making love? I've got happy kids AND I'm enjoying tote bags to boot.

So, please don't look when you come over during a crafty spell. (I probably should just hang a sign on the door to warn people). But please listen to the love. :) (And if you'd like to sweep, mop, or vacuum, I'll happily point you to the laundry area to get your items. Don't stand still too long, I might add you into a craft project. Or organize you into a tote bag.)

Easter

So, Easter was a few weekends ago. I'm sadly behind on updating you. The pictures tell the story!

Hope you had a great Easter!