Our kitchen

The kids have a table and chairs that were given to us from J's sister, but after much use the table leg decided to give out. There was only so much wood glue the poor thing could stand. So began my search for a new set. I knew that I wanted a bigger table this time and 4 chairs. We found a cute table at Nebraska Furniture Mart, but with a 200 dollar price tag, it just wasn't cutting it. That and I didn't like the color and definitely couldn't justify paying that much and then having to paint it. So, I turned to craigslist . . . 

I found this baby for 60 bucks! It is a SOLID piece of furniture, is larger than our previous set and has 4 chairs. PER-FECT. It was in pretty good shape, too. Nothing a little sticker peeling (Ev thought it was pretty cool that his name was on this chair), sanding and paint couldn't fix.

This is the table and chairs now. I love it. I painted the table with Martha Stewart's Seaglass (so pretty) and then painted the chairs a gunmetal gray. Now instead of having a table in the kitchen that we never use and collects junk, the kids have a place to do artwork, eat breakfast at, play cars on, etc.... (and collect junk). Fun.

While I was at it, I figured the rest of the kitchen could use a little face-lift. I painted the walls in Martha Stewart's Bedford Gray (so soothing), found some cheap accent pieces and even re-purposed a couple pictures. I am super happy with the change and it was just over 100 dollars to change (that's including the table and chairs!!). Awesome. 

A quiet morning at home

It was 70 degrees and sunny yesterday and it's snowing today. Good grief, only in the Midwest. So . . . this is how we're spending our day. It's lovely. 

I snuck up on Kate playing quietly in her room. She's really getting much better about entertaining herself. She's a sweet baby girl.

She's very interested in watching the snow fall.

Who needs a chair when you have a tote to sit in?

Pants are optional around here.

A sweet look from a sweet boy. I love these kids.

At the park with DADDY!

This past weekend we were lucky enough to have temperatures in the upper 50's! Goodness this has been a mild winter (not complaining)! J had to work so we met up with him at a park near his work when he got off. We had such a great time. We generally go to a park with a playground only, but this park had walking trails and LOTS of green space for us to play soccer, T-ball and let the kids run free. It was nice to get out and enjoy the weather, just the 5 of us.

Proof that I didn't spend the entire day behind the lens. : )

Play Kitchen

I've been wanting to buy a wood kitchen for Kate for some time, but they are generally too expensive and she's still young. BUT when my cousin called a couple of weeks ago to tell me she found a kitchen for 50 bucks, I couldn't pass it up! We can't afford this kitchen (nor would I pay that much), but I did want to use it as my inspiration. So . . . check out the pictures of my most recent project!

I think it's safe to say that they like it! Yeah for an affordable alternative and imaginative play!

Our sweet babes

With the weather warming up again we've been trying to get outside as much as possible. We busted out the bikes this week and the kids had a lot of fun. Luke hasn't rode his bike since Fall, so he was a little rusty but eventually got the hang of it. 

This sassy gal loved running around in the driveway and in the mud grass. She's even learning how to get on the little push/ride bike and scoot herself around. 

Ev is now a proficient scooter rider. He hasn't been on it since Fall either and it's amazing what few months can make in their gross motor development. 

Spring - we're ready for you to get here!!!

Sewing

Ok, so as I mentioned, my obsession  interest with sewing is back. I recently purchased a few patterns and have made Little Miss a few things. So much fun. Last night my cousin, Blair, came over after the kiddos went to bed and we got to sewing. I was very excited for a couple of reasons - obviously a chance to visit with my sweet cousin, but also to try out my new serger (thanks, Doug and Lin)  and see what it could do!!! 

All was going swimmingly until my newly loved serger decided to go berserk and stop working properly. Ah, I was beginning to stress . . . not cool. But about an hour or so (yes, seriously) later Blair and I figured the problem out! Note to self and others . . . you have to thread the silly thing in a certain order or it gets MAD (temperamental little thing). Anyway, all ended well and we both achieved our goal - a super cute sunsuit for our little gals (Blair's baby Hazel is due in June). 

 Ruffle goodness! Check out those serged edges!

 And . . .  always a plus - it fits!!!! I think she likes it. 

Oh goodness. I went to the store to do some grocery shopping (Wal-Mart) and just happened upon the fabric department. Could not pass up $1.50 a yard. Sigh, I guess I'll have to sew some more. Darn. : )

Wordless Wednesday {Valentine's Day Pictures}

2nd Field Trip!

Luke and I went on his second field trip last week. It was at a local nature center - so cool. The weather couldn't have been better. Thank goodness, since there was a good stretch of time when we were outside. 

They started off the morning by going over the seasons. (Proud mama moment - the woman leading the lesson asked what it was called when animals went to sleep during the winter - Luke chimed in "hibernation". It was sweet/cool to see). During the lesson each child was given something representing each season (Luke was given grass) so he helped lay it out during the changing of the season to Spring. It was neat to watch him in his "school" element. I always wonder what he's like when he's away from me and his siblings.

After that we headed out for our nature walk. They spotted some squirrels, birds, checked out some cool trees and stumps and just enjoyed running around.

Once we were finished outside they got to look at snakes, fish, turtles and other animals housed inside. And what better way to wrap up the morning than with a snack! What a fun morning. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with our kids and have amazing family to help with the other two munchkins at home so I can be on special trips such as this. Sigh.

Cousins

I watched my niece and nephew last week and it was great to see them. It's so fun living close to family. We get to see each other a lot more often now that we're home. Lil and Cole are so great with the kids. As they all get older, they are able to "play" together more. Which translates into L and C tolerating my kids and Luke and Ev aren't as "baby" as they used to be. It's pretty great. 

This lower right picture is so sweet. Cole and Kate were "missing" and I (always with camera in hand) went to find them and spotted them sitting together reading a book. Oh my, it melted me. Such a sweet moment. Cole was especially good with Kate that night. 

Game Time

Luke and I played a friendly game of Chutes and Ladders last night. It was a lot of fun. The last time we played he got a little ugly unhappy when Evan won, so it was pretty great that he won this time. He thought it was hysterical that I got nearly to the top only to slide all the way back down. It reminded me of a story from Justin's childhood - apparently Justin and his sister were playing the very same game with their Dad and Doug had to slide all the way to the bottom and got so frustrated that he "may have tossed the game". Ha, he denies this story. Very funny because I can totally relate to the frustration he was feeling. Anyway, it didn't come to that during our game - it was all in good fun. 

Such concentration on his face in the lower right picture. Chutes and Ladders is serious business. 

The celebratory picture and the posed "ha, I beat you, mom" pictures. Good times.