Inspiration

Lack of blogging this week is due to exhaustion. Complete. Utter. Exhaustion. I started running again consistently (the first time post-marathon). I leave home at 5:45am so I am at the gym when the doors open at 6am which translates in to an unintended bedtime of 7:30pm when I put Nate to sleep.
During my waking hours, though they are few, I have been drooling over this:
ttp://www.amybutlerdesign.com
A friend tipped my off to this fabulous fabric that is sold locally. She knows I am constantly looking for bright, fun fabric.


I bought 3 different patterns today and wanted so much more. My favorite line is Love

I want this bag

but unfortunately I have to make it myself....

and this skirt
I know they are the same pattern (I bought it for some wall art in my kitchen).

I will post pictures of my projects as I finish them. Don't hold your breath. I don't have a lot of money, I mean motivation, to finish them.

Christmas Tree lighting at Bayshore

I love Christmas.

But I took my kids to a Christmas event on November 13th because it was a fun, wholesome family activity.

And it is still above freezing so we might as well enjoy the time outdoors while we can (I am not joking!)
And the Nutcracker characters were there from The Milwaukee Ballet Company. (but they were a little scary so we didn't hang out with them long)

And the Florentine Opera Company was singing.


And there were horse-drawn carriage rides and "train" rides
And all the hot chocolate, cider and cookies you could want.
And we all cheered together to light the tree with Christmas magic as Santa delivered the final light bulb to be plugged in.
And it was magical.

So clearly, it was an event not to be missed.
I did not drag my family out just because I love Christmas.
I didn't.


And it was fabulous.

Have I told you I love living here?

Creative story telling... or lying.....?

This just happened:

I made french toast for breakfast.
I syrup-ed and cut up Nate's for him.
He excused himself to go to the bathroom.
When he came back in he said this:

"Mom on my way up to the bathroom Kitty told me that I needed to put more syrup on my french toast.

We have a talking cat! Isn't that crazy.
....
So can I have more syrup?"


I blame his father. He tells him bedtime stories.

True Story

We were driving in the car today on the way to the grocery store when we had this Nate moment:

Mom, are there germs all over your shirt?

(what?!)
I looked down to see if my shirt was dirty.
Trying to decode his question. Think like Nate....
Then I really looked at my shirt (the one pictured below- click to make larger)

The shapes look like bacteria aka "germs".
He didn't mean it literally. He meant as in he was wearing a striped shirt, and I was wearing a germ shirt. Duh, mom. Obviously.

I am really going to have a hard time keeping up with this kid. He watched this earlier in the day. And he's right. My shirt does look like bacteria multiplying.

And I will never be able to wear this shirt again without thinking "germ shirt"


And if you are in the mood for some more microscopic marvels. This is his all time favorite youtube video. A white blood cell "eating" bacteria/germs.




p.s. we did go to the Christmas Tree lighting festival last night. It was magical.
I will upload pictures tomorrow.

Things that I love {a new tradition}

Every Thursday is going to be "Things that I love" day. I have found so many beautiful design photos on the web and I will share my favorite from each week.



When it comes to decorating I have a split personality disorder (anyone who has been in my apartment can see that)

I love the vibrancy and energy from this living room.
It's playful.
It's fun.
I love it.

(and there's enough white to make me happy)


but I also love the peaceful grace of this one
Classic.
Timeless.
Calm.

(and, of course, lots of white)
(and blue)

How does a girl decide?

(I think I like the first one better. It's just me).

Things I should know [part 1]

French toast should be made with French bread (I know, it makes sense. I just never thought about it before) and it is quite delicious (as tested this morning).

And even more fabulous with ciabatta bread (a tested at Berkley's Cafe on Saturday morning).
Add sugar, cinnamon, and syrup and you've got a little slice of Heaven.

ba humbug

Today I paid for groceries with cash.
I let Nate have the change.
As we walked out he asked if he could put it in the quarter machines .
I said no, let's save it.
Then we saw the Salvation Army bell ringer.
I suggested we put the money in the bucket.
Nate said no thank you.
I insisted we put the money in the bucket.
Nate put one penny.
I tried to explain that this money is for kids who don't have food and they need it.
(we talk about giving to other people since we have so much daily- this is nothing new to him)
I talked.
and talked.
and talked.
Finally I guilted him in to putting the money in the bucket.
All but one dime.
That was being saved for "John Deere tractors".


When we got in the car.
He looked furious.
As I buckled his carseat he said,
" Mom, I don't like that lady.
I don't like her bell.
I don't like her bucket.

Let's just throw her in the garbage.


and all the police men too "
(this was a logical jump because clearly if he throws the bell ringer in the garbage the police will be coming after him)

"What if someone steals our car Nate?"

"Alright, I promise to keep one helicopter police man"

....

This past week was insane. I had to make and put up all the decorations for a Hollywood themed auction fundraiser for Nate's preschool. In other words, I was busy. While Andy napped I would paint glitter on stars, cut out letter, paint paparazzi silhouettes while Nate played by himself. More than once he would ask me to do something and my snarky response was:
"Nate, look at Momma. (he looks)
Am I doing something right now? (yeeeeeeeees)
Am I busy? (yeeeeees).
Okay. I will help you when I finish ________________.
Just give me a minute please."

It was only too appropriate on Saturday (after the auction on Friday night- hallelujah!) we were trying to get out the door to the zoo and Nate was sitting on the floor looking at books. I was still grouchy from my 3 am nights of glitter and paint.
"Nate, come over here so I can get you dressed or you will have to get dressed yourself"
no response
"Nate! If you aren't over here in 3 seconds you will have to get yourself dressed (yes, this actually works- he hates getting himself dressed)
Mom, look at me.
Am I doing something?
Am I busy?
I will come over as soon as I am done with this book.
Just be patient, mom.
It will just take a minute.
.....
.......
..........
Touche.

Halloween Week

Yesterday: We made Halloween shaped sugar cookies and gave them to our maintenance man and neighbors.

Today I was lazy and didn't get up in time to work out and shower before I had to take Nate to preschool so Chris took him for me. I don't know what I was thinking. side note: I could be losing my mind It was his Halloween party day (knight in front row not looking at the camera). They did a little parade we did the same thing in my preschool. If the picture boxes were unpacked I would upload it. I was a pink fairy with a want that lit up.Awesome. His teacher emailed this picture out today. Hopefully I can get some more pictures off of the other parents. I can't believe I missed this. I am so bummed.

And then to continue with my latest trend, I didn't cook dinner.
We ate out.
It was more that we wanted to spend.
And didn't taste good.
On the other hand, I realized that I can cook better than some restaurants.
Andy has been sick the last few days and I am planning to head back to Iowa this weekend leaving the kids at home with Chris so we put him to bed early and carved pumpkins.

No children were hurt during this process.
Promise.

I tried out the self timer feature on the camera.
I tried again.

I will try again.

Tomorrow: Start of the Whitefish Bay Pumpkin Festival. We are so excited! They have a 900lb pumpkin and probably a dozen over 300 lb. More on the festival to come.

Gaga

We love her
and i love this photo

Sctripture study

I go to pick Nate up to take him to his nap after he refuses to go up by himself-

"Touch me not or God will smite you"

I go to take the glue away from him after he has dumped half of it on the table. on top of playdough and chunks of string cheese (that would be one cake I would actually have the willpower to refuse)

"Touch me not or God will smite you"



All day I have heard
"Mom, you be meangrouchy King Noah and I will be Abinadi."

well, alright
(it's an easy role for me to get in to on a Monday morning)

Motherland.... again...

Home again, home again.
Jiggity, jig.



This time to see

(taken while talking on Skype)

We are so excited!

Double Standard

Nate: I want more pancakes.
Me: Sorry, you were goofing around (typical) and took to long with your breakfast. Kitchen is closed. No more pancakes today. How about some toast and jam or eggs?
Nate: No, I just want something with sugar in it. How about some candy corn?
Me: ...... (wasn't expecting that one)


My standard is no candy for breakfast.... but I just had a few.....

Rebecca

Gone to book club tonight

Sutton Grace

http://suttongrace.blogspot.com

Because on Sunday nights I waste hours browsing design blogs.

I found this one.

She's amazing.
By the way, the kitchen was made from an old entertainment center. Inspired?

The Marathon

2 registration fees for Ashland, Wisconsin's Whistle Stop Marathon= $120
2 nights stay at the AmericInn with Splashland Waterpark = $400
Traditional pasta dinner the night before the race= FREE
2 knee replacements for Chris= $70,000
Running a marathon with your spouse= PRICELESS

at least that is what he thought at the time these pictures were taken....

Best Parts

• training for months with Chris
• running the marathon with Chris
• having my mom there to watch the kids
• late (9am) start time so I could eat breakfast beforehand
• breathtaking scenery (the lake pictured above is at the start line with cell phone)
• Looking over at Chris while I was running and smiling at each other
  
• inside jokes- "Do you have a map?" "No, but I have an atlas"
• my mom coming along (I know, but it needs to be said twice)
  
• enjoying the norther Canadian sounding accents of "the locals"
• planning future trips
• s'mores (provided by the hotel- campfire was out back on the lake)
• water park in the hotel
• Going on a trip with the family
  

Worst Parts

• Freezing cold! Literally, one of the water cups they handed to me at an aid station had a top layer of ice that had formed while the cup sat on the table
• Ice on the road for the first few miles
• FREEZING COLD at the start line with no bonfires or any way to keep warm
• Nate setting the fire alarm off at the gas station (pushed the emergency exit bar on the door. The employee could not figure out how to get it to turn off. The fire department came)
  
• realizing it was 7+ hours away, not 6
• Chris hurt his knees. Badly.
  
• SO COLD! I had 5 layers on top and, at times, I was STILL cold!
  

TRUE STORY

On our way home tonight, Chris said, "Maybe we should just give up trying to make new friends"


Here's why.


During dinner at our "friends" house Nate was running around like.... well...... to be honest..... like Nate. We kept apologizing saying he was really excited to be over at Avery's (their daughter) house.

As dinner progressed he pumped the entire contents of a bottle of Bath and Body Work's hand soap in to the bathroom sink .

After dinner he dumped an entire bottle of lotion.

All over the bathroom sink.

While Avery was in it.

She was covered in lotion from head to toe.


He said he was trying to make her face white like a clown.




They laughed.

I was mortified.

So was Avery.




I am pretty sure we won't be invited back.

HOME (part 1)

TRACTORS

COUSINS (and the rest of the family)

COOL GRANDPA AND HIS MOTORCYCLE

A TASTE OF WHY WE LOVE GOING THERE

Back on Monday

We are going back to the Motherland

to see these cute girls.

My child's prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,


Thank you for me.


Thank you for mom.

Thank you for Dad.


Thank you for Andy.



Please, please, please protect us from bad guys.
Please, please, please protect us from monsters.

Please make it so their eyes can't see me.
Please take their eyes out.
And their feet.

So they can't come to my house.



Amen.


My Prayer
Please let me child sleep through the night.
Please. Please. Please.


As you can tell, we are having taxing time with sleep around here. I have not idea where Nate's fear is derived from. He has never even seen Monsters Inc. let alone anything truly scary. I don't even watch the local news when he is awake. But every night around midnight he wakes up screaming.

Help.

Please.Please. Please.


and yes, I did laugh out loud when he asked for their eyes to be taken out.