A Monday in the life

Monday is a pretty lazy day at our house. I work hard all weekend and Monday and Tuesday work out to be my "weekend". 

Calvin has developed diabetes after 14 years and is now living in a large dog kennel in our living room.  He seems pretty content and I am so happy to have my basement back (he had been peeing ALL over down there). I cleaned out his kennel and the girls get to snuggle while I was doing so. Lilly started brushing him. 

Pretty cute!

After nap is get ready for ECFE class. We left early so they could play in the snow (we haven't seen it much this year). Look how excited Lilly is!

Maren is so cute shoveling!

Lilly really wanted to make a snow angel like Maren did. The first time she tried to lay down she put her face in the snow and cried because it was so cold on her skin. When I helped lay her down she just lied there. Lol!

At ECFE (Early Childhood and Family Education) the kids get to play on an indoor playground and even ride trikes. So fun to go as a whole family. Matt meets us there on his way home from work.

(do you like Maren's outfit? She picked it all out on her own :) I made her add the sweater)

Then is the sensory table

Art project

(note the difference in painting styles)

Lillian's finished project:

and more play time

Then we separate for parent education. It is a very valuable program. I am very lucky that we are able to participate and do so as a family. 

Maybe I do need a separate blog

There are more pics I want to post so I can pin them on Pinterest. Things I am proud of. Things for Mommy. Follow my project at: http://easytoforgetwhoiam.blogspot.com/

Mustaches

Maren and Lillian got mustaches from Uncle Ryan and Auntie Darcie for Christmas this year, actually I think they were given to Matt but since he already has a real one we knew they were for the kids. Matt loves to put sticky mustaches on the girls. He saved them for when he's had a bad day - this really makes him laugh till he cries.

What a face!

More Mom stuff

No one commented on the separate blog question.

My mom said that all on one blog is fine. Then you can find all of our things on one blog, kids or mom.

Super excited that I accomplished this Pinterest project. 

Here is the before:

Maren and Lillian's dress up clothes were contained in this large Rubbermaid bin. When Maren wanted to get something all items were tossed, over shoulder style, onto the floor until the desired costume was completed. There was a lot of picking up involved in dressing up.

I saw this on project Pinterest and thought it would be great. The step by step example on Ana White's blog were amazing. I had to tackle it.  Isn't it cute?!?!

One trip to Menards (I would suggest leaving the kids at home for this step)

and a nap time later (with help from Matt of course)

I had gotten this far:

 I painted it after the kids went to bed and used my cricut and some Modge Podge to add the words DRESS UP. Then I was able to move everything out of that Rubbermaid bin and onto an easy access rack with hooks on the side and a bin below. Very cool! Too nice to be sitting in my drab basement.

The little joy for me this season

The big joy of course is spending the most joyful season of the year with my family. The girls loved every gift that they opened and smiled and squealed with delight.

My little joy was taking some time with my cricut. Scrapbooking really lifts my spirits. It is my outlet for my art. (It doesn't take as much time as creating a sofa sized multi media painting like I would really like to) So I decided to post a few of my favorites to share with you all.

 Here are a few of my felt ornaments that I've made. The owl is from this year.

Then this one I made as a gift for the Executive Chef at Cravings Wine Bar and Grill. He collects pigs.

Here are the final four stockings for our mantle. I made them. I think they turned out pretty good.

Honestly, Matt does most of the gift wrapping at this house but when nap time comes and there is wrapping to be done- watch out. I love the plain gold paper we have. It looks super here with an old Christmas card and a ribbon bow.

Any comments as to weather this post should be on its own blog? I have a few more crafting posts and am considering a secondary blog for them so that this one CAN remain for MAREN and LILLIAN the two greatest joys in my life.

New Hat

Maren and Lillian got cool new hats from the best babysitter ever for Christmas- 

here's Maren's:

oink oink oink

I guess you'll have to stay tuned for pics of Lillian in hers.

My Girls

I got these plastic animals for the girls for a Christmas present. They came in their own container. Apparently they get along well with My Little Ponies. 

I love to see Maren playing with them like this:

not like this:

 The girls love to wash dishes. I, however, am a control freak and this doesn't fit my bill. I can, sometimes let go. Forget staying dry - just embrace it.