It was necessary...

There other day I had had it.

The consistent whining.

Having to ask not once, not twice, not even three times, but more like 5 or 6 times to do something.

The lack of general courtesy and manners had reached it all time high.

Lenny was watching my frustration.

And the next morning we woke up to this hanging over our kitchen table.

Listen I get that the shelf Elf is fun, cute and likes to get into funny things.

But he has a J.O.B.

And that morning he had my back.

Tis the season to dangle the fear of no gifts over your kids head.

No shame.

Happy Wednesday.

______________________

Thank you for the prayers for my family.

Please keep them coming, as we need them.

My MIL had surgery on Saturday to remove {a thank God, not cancerous} brain tumor.

But now we are on the long road to recovery.

So the extra prayers are WELCOME and APPRECIATED!

The Blankie Cape {DIY}

This Christmas I decided to participate in a little gift exchange for my kiddies.

It was world wide, so its pretty exciting.

The budget was $10 a gift.

We were paired up with two boys.

One 2 and one 5.

So my mind raced to come up with a handmade goodie

{that was not a requirement, but for me always make it that much more special}.

Then I thought what little kid
superhero wouldn't like a cape, but not just a cape but a blankie cape!

What you will need to make 2 capes-

- 1 yrd a minkie fabric {which is normally $14.99 I got for 50% off}

- 2 yrd regular fabric washed for shrinkage {which was $4.99 a yrd on sale for 50% off}

- some ribbon {about 6 in}

- fabric paint and paint brush

- card stock

For my pattern I took Buggies cape and shaped it with pins into a smaller version. And then I traced it on wrapping paper and cut out for my pattern. You can easily freehand the shape, my pattern was 24 ins across at the widest point, 27 inches from the tip of the neck to the bottom and the neck was 8 ins at its widest point.

Then I cut the pattern out of the fabric and the minkie.

Taking a piece of card stock I made a letter template. Then traced it with an invisible pen.

Then painted with the fabric paint. You could use freeze paper to make a stencil or if you are super cool you can use a silhouette machine, which I clearly am not.

Once the letter is dried I added a little lighting bolt.

Before pinning the fabric inside out together, add a small piece of ribbon to one of the neck strips.

Then pin the fabric, and sewed. When you sew the ribbon part, lift it bit so it makes a loop before sewing both sides down, this is where the other neck piece will go through to hold the cape on. Leaving a small opening to pull the cape through the hole so its right side out. Then sew the hole up.

Now you will have a blankie cape!

The ribbon loop acts as the perfect way to hold the cape on, but easily pulled off.

My little model loved it.

{and yes she was dressed as strawberry shortcake, we went with it..}

It clearly will help the little kid superhero leap from a single bound...

Or twirl through their enemies...

And when they are done saving the city, they can snuggle up for some rest before the next villain comes to town...

***I apologize for the lack of pics during the pinning and sewing process, please feel free to ask any questions you may have!"***

On a serious side note:

Please send prayers and healthy thoughts our way, we need all we can get as our family

deals with a serious health concern. Thank you so much!

A house full of magic.

Wednesday after school something BIG happened.

One of those milestones, that for sure is sealing the fact that my little Buggie is growing up.

She lost her first tooth!!!

I may or may not have aided in the losing of the tooth by feeding her an apple.

I may or may not have done this because I wanted her to loose it at home.

I may or may not have been a little jealous if this were to have happen at school and I was not there to witness it.

Then Wednesday night she tucked her tooth under her pillow and went to sleep.

And when she woke she found this...

Lenny our scout Elf and the Tooth Fairy had a hot chocolate date.

The Tooth Fairy even left behind a little bit of pixie dust with bum prints.

You should have heard the giggles from my little girl.

These moments are what I cherish, making my daughters childhood memories filled with wonder and magic.

And guess what the tooth next to it is super loose too!

I keep telling her she will get to sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Hum wonder what Lenny and the Tooth Fairy will get into next time she visits?!

Projects of Christmas Past

Just a look back on a few things I have done over the past two years...

Peppermint Marshmallows Stirs. {perfect gift topper}

Gift wrapping caddy

Doily Basket

Felt words to add a little Christmas flare.

Painted Ornaments

Happy crafting...

We play with our food.

I realized it has been awhile since I have shared on the blog any of the lunches I have made for the kids.

I think because I share on IG and Twitter, I forget.

Any who, there is a few plates as of late...

Yes this is made from pancakes. I will do a tutorial on it soon.

Hope these bring you some food fun inspiration!

Oh not only are our lunches fun, but we usually dress up for them too :)

_______________________________

Hey come visit me over on Anderson Crew today, I am sharing how to make these cuties.

Let us take a look, what's in your pocketbook? {Guest Starring Chelsey from The Paper Mama}

It's that time again.

First friday of month means a lookie into another bloggers bag.

This month the lovely Chelsey from The Paper Mama is gracing us with her presence.

I hate to admit it but I am relatively new follower of Chelsey's, but fell fast for her.

I love her candid look into her life, even the not so fun things like her birth story or her battle with postpartum depression. And her super creative side like her hair posts {girls got some hair to envy} and her shop. She is a momma to a beautiful little almost 2 yr old Rurai.

Seriously how freakin cute is she?

Ok now on to the "bag".

- Love backpack style bags, but never have bought one. Was that a strategic move after having Ruari? What do you look for in a bag?

Yes it was. When I went searching online for my bag.... I was specifically looking for a leather bag that doubles as a purse and a backpack. BUT, I didn't want it too big. I was finding I didn't need the huge diaper bag anymore since Ruari is now a toddler... and, this bag has been lovely! I usually randomly get a new idea about a bag I'd like... then, search EVERYWHERE for it. It must be under $35 (with shipping). If I find it thrift: that's a plus! I just cannot spend much on a purse... I change it so much!

- EEP, your iphone case, WANT. Spill the beans, Momma is in the market for a new case.

I love my case... and, it seems to be pretty darn sturdy. I've dropped my phone about 10 times. ;) It's a Cath Kidston case that I found used on eBay.

- I see you carry lipgloss. What are your fav makeup items to use just on the day to day to feel pretty?

Yeah, I have my lipgloss in there... only because when I DO go out it is the thing I always forget to put on. SO, I have it with me. :) I'm more of a chapstick girl normally. The makeup I love to help me feel pretty: just some mascara. It makes a world of difference when I put on just a little mascara. :)

- You are always posting beautiful images, do you carry your camera all the time? And is it cool enough to have its one digs?

I don't always carry my camera. I'm actually trying to carry it with me less. It does get in the way and I'm trying to BE a part of the moment... instead of the photographer of the moment. :)

- Love the fact that you carry a pair of earrings, how would you describe your style?

Yes, as a mama I always forget to put earrings on! Before I had Ruari I ALWAYS wore earrings. I would feel completely naked without them. These days I barely wear them. So, like my lip gloss, I carry them with me... just in case. I don't really know how to describe my style... I'm usually attracted to 50's ish and anything coral in color. ;)

Thank you so very much Chelsey for playing along with me!

The funny thing about these posts {I know this is only number two} but I feel I could go on and on asking questions. But I know these are busy Mommas so I find myself restraining from going on and on and on and on. But truth is I am a much more into asking people questions about their lives then talking about my boring one, ha.

Mom in the Shot {Dec 1st One for the Scrapbook}

You know the feeling of being all dressed nicely for a holiday and thinking,

"We MUST take a picture."

Last week at Thanksgiving dinner at my parents that happened.

It was one of those moments right before we all gathered, I had a crap we need to get a picture.

You know before sweet potatoes end up down the front of someone's shirt, OR red wine ends up on someone's lap, OR gravy works its way into the corners of your mouth, ok enough about Hubs :)

Then this happens...

And all in our little universe is right.

You know the deal...