Things have been on a shift here. It started with Spring Break for our Kindergartner. The week she was home started the natural shift of seasons. I thought this was going to be a gradual shift but then we had a bit of a family even tossed into the mix. We celebrated the life of Great Grandpa, who passed away at a remarkable age of 104 years old. We also celebrated Easter - although this year the Hubs and I agreed to not touch base again on the real reason we celebrate the holiday. We thought it would confuse the kids that Jesus was resurrected and that their Great, Great Grandfather would not be.
I would love to be able to start switching over the children's clothes but it has been so unseasonably cold I'm not even going to attempt it start that whole process. Then again, Bear has entered the "peel off pants" party. She likes to get dressed after breakfast and then once we are down the steps into the office - off comes the pants. So I have been digging into some boxes for dresses. We are in full on dress mode to help save my sanity - and from picking up strewn pants.
I lavish in the moments that I am able to open the windows to let in some fresh air. I also love being able to open the front door when the sun is shining in to let in some natural light. Side note - that is one of the major house projects we are working on - that front door unit has been a nightmare - oy!
I'm a bit antsy but I'm ready for this shift. It's nice to be able to finally have some sun and light in the house. It's going to be a big haul and I know its going to look bad before it looks nice but since the move we have a ton of bins and boxes to clean and sort through.
What is something that you enjoy in this shift of seasons? The changing of clothes? Of schedules? Or how about of household decorations??
Monday, April 28, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Starbucks and Springtime
Many, many thanks to Modern Mom for the wonderful opportunity sampling Starbuck Spring Blend. Not only is the packaging beautifully Spring like - the coffee inside is absolutely delectable! We have been enjoying it in our reusable kcups with our Keurig. I really like the sweet orange found in the tasting notes of this blend. It's subtle but just a hint.
Speaking of orange - I am a sucker for chocolate with orange! Oh and the smell of chocolate! Easter brings about a ton of chocolate - more traditionally in our family solid chocolate crosses from my parents that they pick up from the market.
Every year my parents come over in the early morning on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. We all load up and head to the Broadway Market. It is more or less a hodge podge of vendors, some year round and some seasonal.
And every year its the same thing - the men go stand in line at the meat counter. This is where getting to the market early is important - those lines can get awfully long! Who cannot resist a couple pounds of freshly prepared Polish sausage?! How about some duck blood? Or maybe a buttered lamb?
While the guys are standing in line, my mum and I take the girls to look for their nesting dolls. Last year the selection was slim pickings but this year the girls had a bunch of dolls to choose from. My little guy picks out a painted egg or two - a crazy feat to conquer in a timely manor when there are dozens of dozens of painted eggs glimmering in the lights.
The girls also get to choose an "Easter crown" from the vendors in the back of the market - but Bear doesn't quiet get the wearing part yet. The crown is on for all of six seconds then it's off and into the tote bag. All the kiddos stand patiently with their dollars in their hands and wait for their turn with the clown as he creates balloon animals for them.
We usually meet up with the guys at about this time and wander around the rest of the market picking up goodies that catch our eye, always getting a jar of prepared horseradish, maybe taste a few wine samples, pick up some bakery treats and check out new trinkets and crafts. About the time we're all just about done is when the market starts to get busy.
When that's all done we haul the crew out to brunch - which has also been at the same restaurant for the past few years now. This year the Hubs and my little guy left after the market - they had a project that they had signed up for at Lowes to build. But I can tell you that next year we will definitely be needing a bigger booth!
This is one of my favorite times of year and one of my favorite family traditions! Spring time is finally breaking here - which made this year's trip to the market and Easter holiday so much more enjoyable! It's been an awful long Winter.
Now that the Spring warmth is sneaking in I have been enjoying my morning cup of Starbucks Spring Blend coffee watching the birds dance around the yard with my younger kiddos. It also goes real well with my french toast with a twist (its just a few dashes of cinnamon but the kiddos gobble it up!)
What is one of your favorite Spring moment/tradition? Has it been in the family since your childhood or did you start this when you had kids?
By the way do not pass up the chance to pick up a bag or two of the Starbucks Spring Blend! It really is a great medium blend of coffee with a great lively taste!! The Hubs who usually prefers light blends even enjoyed this one.
How fun and festive is this design??!
Speaking of orange - I am a sucker for chocolate with orange! Oh and the smell of chocolate! Easter brings about a ton of chocolate - more traditionally in our family solid chocolate crosses from my parents that they pick up from the market.
Every year my parents come over in the early morning on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. We all load up and head to the Broadway Market. It is more or less a hodge podge of vendors, some year round and some seasonal.
And every year its the same thing - the men go stand in line at the meat counter. This is where getting to the market early is important - those lines can get awfully long! Who cannot resist a couple pounds of freshly prepared Polish sausage?! How about some duck blood? Or maybe a buttered lamb?
While the guys are standing in line, my mum and I take the girls to look for their nesting dolls. Last year the selection was slim pickings but this year the girls had a bunch of dolls to choose from. My little guy picks out a painted egg or two - a crazy feat to conquer in a timely manor when there are dozens of dozens of painted eggs glimmering in the lights.
The girls also get to choose an "Easter crown" from the vendors in the back of the market - but Bear doesn't quiet get the wearing part yet. The crown is on for all of six seconds then it's off and into the tote bag. All the kiddos stand patiently with their dollars in their hands and wait for their turn with the clown as he creates balloon animals for them.
We usually meet up with the guys at about this time and wander around the rest of the market picking up goodies that catch our eye, always getting a jar of prepared horseradish, maybe taste a few wine samples, pick up some bakery treats and check out new trinkets and crafts. About the time we're all just about done is when the market starts to get busy.
When that's all done we haul the crew out to brunch - which has also been at the same restaurant for the past few years now. This year the Hubs and my little guy left after the market - they had a project that they had signed up for at Lowes to build. But I can tell you that next year we will definitely be needing a bigger booth!
This is one of my favorite times of year and one of my favorite family traditions! Spring time is finally breaking here - which made this year's trip to the market and Easter holiday so much more enjoyable! It's been an awful long Winter.
Now that the Spring warmth is sneaking in I have been enjoying my morning cup of Starbucks Spring Blend coffee watching the birds dance around the yard with my younger kiddos. It also goes real well with my french toast with a twist (its just a few dashes of cinnamon but the kiddos gobble it up!)
What is one of your favorite Spring moment/tradition? Has it been in the family since your childhood or did you start this when you had kids?
By the way do not pass up the chance to pick up a bag or two of the Starbucks Spring Blend! It really is a great medium blend of coffee with a great lively taste!! The Hubs who usually prefers light blends even enjoyed this one.
** The not so fine print - I was provided with two bags of Starbucks Spring Blend 2014
as well as a gc towards our awesomely awesome new mugs that
the kids finally decided on after spending 20 minutes looking around -
many thanks to Modern Mom and Starbucks **
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Amazing
What makes a man amazing? And I mean truly amazing. Is it his first steps taken? Is it the journey that his first steps begin? Can it be the people he meets and the memories he gathers along the way? Or is it more of the moments he creates?
What about the ones that he loves and the family that grows - and continues to grow and grow? Is it the people in his bloodline? How about all his friends and acquaintances? All that are near and far, all that are here and there.
Is he amazing because of his weathered hands from all the years of hard work and labor? Is he amazing because of the hidden stories only he knows of that mischievously twinkle in his eyes? Is he amazing because of how full his heart is?
Do the growing legends of his years make him amazing? Every single one of the choices he made? The lessons taught from his mistakes? The time he took to teach the knowledge he knew?
Is it the image of the man standing in all his pride with a stoic stature? Is it his kind and warm heart felt in a hugs embrace? Or a silly little something whispered in your ear that only the two of you share? The twinkle in his eye when he knows he's being a charmer?
Is it his legacy that makes him amazing? His children? His grandchildren? His great grandchildren? Or even his great, great grandchildren?
Today I caught my 22 month old staring out the front window. Just standing there looking out. Her older sister tried to get her to come play and even taunted her with the promise of watching Minnie Mouse but Bear did not budge. I continued to watch her look out. It was peaceful watching her stare. She was still and as far as I tell she did not make a sound. I had a feeling she knew. For a good 7-10 minutes she stayed there peering out. Then simply turned and walked down to her older sister.
An amazing man left us today at 104 years of age. I can stand by my claim that he was amazing because he is my husband's great grandfather. I am fortunate to hold memories that I get to cherish. One of my favorites was right after our wedding ceremony and after we walked out of the church into the shower of bird seed. He tugged my hand and held it tight and pulled me into him. He whispered "You are beautiful" in my ear and gave me that charmer eye spark. That is just one of the many memories but easily one of my favorites!
Recently I watched that movie with Ewan McGregor "Big Fish". ****Spoiler Alert**** I simply adore the ending of that movie where everyone gathers together to celebrate the life and legend of Ed Bloom and the son starts to realize that his dad was spectacularly amazing - in life and continues to be even in death. I feel like this is how Great Grandpa's remembrance will be.
My heart is warmed knowing that Great Grandpa's life will continue to be celebrated even after his passing. I am honored to have known him. I am honored that I got to share moments with him. I am honored that my children share some of his genes. I am honored that my son and youngest daughter share their middle names with him and his wife. I am forever thankful for his journey. I am forever thankful for his choices made that have led in creating my Husband and my family. And most of all - I am forever in debt to this amazing man's first steps taken.
What about the ones that he loves and the family that grows - and continues to grow and grow? Is it the people in his bloodline? How about all his friends and acquaintances? All that are near and far, all that are here and there.
Is he amazing because of his weathered hands from all the years of hard work and labor? Is he amazing because of the hidden stories only he knows of that mischievously twinkle in his eyes? Is he amazing because of how full his heart is?
Do the growing legends of his years make him amazing? Every single one of the choices he made? The lessons taught from his mistakes? The time he took to teach the knowledge he knew?
Is it the image of the man standing in all his pride with a stoic stature? Is it his kind and warm heart felt in a hugs embrace? Or a silly little something whispered in your ear that only the two of you share? The twinkle in his eye when he knows he's being a charmer?
Is it his legacy that makes him amazing? His children? His grandchildren? His great grandchildren? Or even his great, great grandchildren?
Today I caught my 22 month old staring out the front window. Just standing there looking out. Her older sister tried to get her to come play and even taunted her with the promise of watching Minnie Mouse but Bear did not budge. I continued to watch her look out. It was peaceful watching her stare. She was still and as far as I tell she did not make a sound. I had a feeling she knew. For a good 7-10 minutes she stayed there peering out. Then simply turned and walked down to her older sister.
An amazing man left us today at 104 years of age. I can stand by my claim that he was amazing because he is my husband's great grandfather. I am fortunate to hold memories that I get to cherish. One of my favorites was right after our wedding ceremony and after we walked out of the church into the shower of bird seed. He tugged my hand and held it tight and pulled me into him. He whispered "You are beautiful" in my ear and gave me that charmer eye spark. That is just one of the many memories but easily one of my favorites!
Recently I watched that movie with Ewan McGregor "Big Fish". ****Spoiler Alert**** I simply adore the ending of that movie where everyone gathers together to celebrate the life and legend of Ed Bloom and the son starts to realize that his dad was spectacularly amazing - in life and continues to be even in death. I feel like this is how Great Grandpa's remembrance will be.
My heart is warmed knowing that Great Grandpa's life will continue to be celebrated even after his passing. I am honored to have known him. I am honored that I got to share moments with him. I am honored that my children share some of his genes. I am honored that my son and youngest daughter share their middle names with him and his wife. I am forever thankful for his journey. I am forever thankful for his choices made that have led in creating my Husband and my family. And most of all - I am forever in debt to this amazing man's first steps taken.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Break in the weather
Over the past few days there has been a break in the weather..., it's actually feeling like Spring time! The kids have been able to play outside without being bundled up but they have had to watch where they run around in the yard thanks to the snow and rain mix leaving the yard a bit squishy in spots.
It has been wonderful for our health and our spirits! Right now the kiddos and I are outside enjoying the soft breeze and warm temperature. The Tweedles are hanging around in the Hugglepod and Bear is sitting next to me eating some grapes giggling about the birds flying around.
Sadly, this will all change come the later evening hours where rain is going to creep in and the temperature is going to drop 4o degrees. I almost wish I drop big glass dome over our house to lock in this outdoor treasure!
So are you enjoying some awesome weather or are you stuck in the eternal freeze thanks to Elsa?
It has been wonderful for our health and our spirits! Right now the kiddos and I are outside enjoying the soft breeze and warm temperature. The Tweedles are hanging around in the Hugglepod and Bear is sitting next to me eating some grapes giggling about the birds flying around.
Sadly, this will all change come the later evening hours where rain is going to creep in and the temperature is going to drop 4o degrees. I almost wish I drop big glass dome over our house to lock in this outdoor treasure!
So are you enjoying some awesome weather or are you stuck in the eternal freeze thanks to Elsa?
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Spring into action
Just as things in the house were falling into place after the move we were whacked with an eternal freeze (sorry we've watch Frozen one too many times). So we've been locked inside the house all Winter long. We also pulled all the boxes out of storage a while ago and have been feeling cluttered. Our house doesn't look like one of those on an episode of Hoarders BUT it feels cluttered.
Now that Spring is creeping into our area a little at a time I've been getting awfully antsy with cleaning house and getting stuff out! The impromptu snow storm last week irked me but the snow is just about melted away now.
I was listing some items on a Facebook yard sale page but I wasn't selling as fast as I wanted to, if at all. Some of those people want stuff for free or next to nothing - even if it's brand new! I also tried listing on Craigslist but not a huge fan of that either.
I did try a local consignment shop but she wanted 60% and for me to bring stuff already on hangers. If I'm doing most of the work I'd rather have 50% thank you very little. (yeah that extra 10% makes a difference - haha) I even talked my son's school into a consignment sale so our profits could be put towards our tuition but that wasn't as successful as I had wished for.
I've seen some places online where you can send them your clothes and get credits but they seem very picky and I don't want to end up sending in a whole slew of stuff for measly credits.
The best luck I have had was selling a lot of baby stuff at a yard sale. I made a great profit and moved a lot of items. The only problem with that is waiting for warm weather to have a yard sale which is were we are right now., waiting.
So while I wait I'm going to work on organizing other parts of the house and get to some Spring cleaning!
~ What is your favorite cleaner product?
~ How do you approach Spring cleaning?
~ One room at a time or a little by little approach?
~ Is there a check list you follow along to?
Now that Spring is creeping into our area a little at a time I've been getting awfully antsy with cleaning house and getting stuff out! The impromptu snow storm last week irked me but the snow is just about melted away now.
I was listing some items on a Facebook yard sale page but I wasn't selling as fast as I wanted to, if at all. Some of those people want stuff for free or next to nothing - even if it's brand new! I also tried listing on Craigslist but not a huge fan of that either.
I did try a local consignment shop but she wanted 60% and for me to bring stuff already on hangers. If I'm doing most of the work I'd rather have 50% thank you very little. (yeah that extra 10% makes a difference - haha) I even talked my son's school into a consignment sale so our profits could be put towards our tuition but that wasn't as successful as I had wished for.
I've seen some places online where you can send them your clothes and get credits but they seem very picky and I don't want to end up sending in a whole slew of stuff for measly credits.
The best luck I have had was selling a lot of baby stuff at a yard sale. I made a great profit and moved a lot of items. The only problem with that is waiting for warm weather to have a yard sale which is were we are right now., waiting.
So while I wait I'm going to work on organizing other parts of the house and get to some Spring cleaning!
~ What is your favorite cleaner product?
~ How do you approach Spring cleaning?
~ One room at a time or a little by little approach?
~ Is there a check list you follow along to?
Speaking of cleaning - here are all the treasures left in the washer and dryer after doing T.W's laundry. The joys of being a mum to a boy :)
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