Monday, March 28, 2016

The Wall

We have this big blank wall in the living room. It's always been a mystery to me what exactly to do with it. For some time now, I've had an idea swimming around in my brain and it finally came together and happened this weekend.


A clock was a necessity and we found this one on sale at Hobby Lobby. The white-framed picture is "Trust & Obey" written in calligraphy. The black-framed picture is a simple schematic of The USS Enterprise from Star Trek: The Original Series. And of course the little vase holds a white Gerber daisy. (I know the whole scene looks a bit off-center, but that's because there is normally a floor lamp in the corner. I had to move it aside to keep it from washing the picture out.) Anyway, it's a nice change from the blank expanse of gray and I'm sure it will evolve over time.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Sisters!

Lauryn is Selah's little shadow. It is absolutely adorable watching the two little girls playing together, using their imaginations and being silly.

You can't have a picnic without animal crackers, raisins and naked baby dolls.
The other day Selah received a grievous injury from a fall from a skateboard. After I nursed her back to health, Lauryn decided she needed a Band-Aid, too. In fact, she limped around behind Selah until I gave in and put one on her.

Here they are, comforting each other during their recovery period.


Monday, March 21, 2016

"Hush, Little Baby"

I have always had a routine with my babies of reading and singing to them at bedtime, whether it's a nap or at night. I don't do it every night, because bedtime is kind of a Daddy thing around here. (Usually because Mama is d.o.n.e. by then!)

Kaity was a voracious reader even as a baby. During her early toddlerhood, I would do the bedtime routine then give her a few board books. She'd read herself to sleep. Still does.

Joe loved reading, too, but not so much my singing. Once, when he was a small baby, I was singing a lullaby to him and he reached up to press his finger against my mouth. Through his pacifier, he said, "Shhh." Brutally honest, my boy.

Selah liked reading and singing, hated naps. In fact, by the time she was 18 months old, her older siblings had taught her how to climb out of her crib and I'm pretty sure she hasn't had a regular naptime since.

Now it's little Lauryn's turn. She has been my easiest baby to put down to sleep, but you have to go through every step of the routine. She prompts you at every step. "Binky." "Blankie." "Read a book." Then I go through the process of holding up books and she shakes her head until the right book appears. Nod, "Yes." Then she lays down. I read. "Again!" But once is enough. After being convinced of that, it's "Sing a song." I ask which song, though I already know: "Hush Baby. Fast!" And the faster I sing it, the more she giggles.

Now "Hush, Little Baby" is a traditional bedtime lullaby, but our house adds a twist. We sing Grandpa Rick's version, which starts out the same and goes wildly off the rails after the dog named Rover...

"If that dog named Rover runs away,
(Mama's) gonna buy you a Chevrolet.

If that Chevrolet won't run,
Mama's gonna buy you a BB gun.

If that BB gun won't shoot,
Mama's gonna buy you a bathing suit.

If that bathing suit won't fit,
Mama's gonna say, 'Doggone it, I quit.'"

I had long been an adult before I realized those weren't the real words to the song.


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Post Titles Are Hard.

Kaity has continued her creative streak by crocheting this adorable little Princess Leia.

Twinsies!


Joe continues to be ... Joe. Here he is, modeling my robe.

Continuing a long tradition of reading while eating, Lauryn sat down to her snack and essential book.

And here's a project I put together for my mother-in-law's birthday, which was St. Patrick's Day. Selah picked out the little bird to go in the cage.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

My Little Monkeys

I was pleasantly surprised to realize recently that we still had a couple of months left on our zoo membership. Last week we took advantage of that and of the stunning spring weather.

The kids were being silly, which is not unusual, considering who their mother is. 



Little ponytails!

Kaity wanted to ride on Daddy's shoulders, too!

Then they took a selfie ...

Then "it got weird". 
So pretty!

Because when you're a nerd you bring a book with you wherever you go.

Joe looking all sweet!
 And two silly little girls ...