Happiness is...

This moment happened spontaneously a few years ago as I was digging through fabrics at Joann's. I looked over my shoulder and found this:

 Eli giving Amos a big bunch of love, right there amongst the calicoes.

Fast forward two years. Same spot. Different progeny.

What is it about those calicoes?
I dunno but I like it.

Deja Vu

Remember this?

Today...we did this:

 

A year later this little photo shoot was much more challenging. It required the help of an assistant to dole out m&ms, involved much much silliness, and the subject is mobile now...so there's that. 

 But what a delight.

 Eli suggested he take over as subject.

 Good call Eli.

He insisted he wear only his skivvies like Hazey.

If Amos had not been in the middle of a miraculous and rare actual nap, I would have done him too.

I smell a tradition!

Advent in a Nutshell...

Well, more like a very small bell jar.

Found four of these little cuties from the clearance shelf at Pier 1. The fact that I bought four and I only have three children did not go unnoticed by myself or my husband. It's like back seven years or so ago when I came across some beautiful sale Christmas decorations and bought a tree skirt and tree trimmings and stockings for Eric and me, and three hypothetical children.

That worked out quite nicely.

Anyhoo, I got these little jars and they have made the sweetest little vessels for Advent treats.

Kid tested. Mother approved.

Happy Advent!

Beachy Love

Haven't done this in a while. Seems like a good time to Embrace the Camera with the Anderson Crew.

October was beach month. The fella was there the first two weeks by himself working tirelessly on the dissertation. Then we crashed his party for a family beach week. And then, THEN!, Eric took the boys home leaving Hazel and me for a week with my gal Selena. Holla!

And a good time was had by all.

Hey, in case you missed it, this crafty blog's last two posts were about actual crafting. Check it out.

Felt Christmas Tree for the Kiddos

Saw this gem of an idea on Pintrest.
It's my favorite kind of project. I had everything I needed already. It came together quick. The kids could and wanted to help make the pieces. And they ate it up. 

So easy. Cut a big felt Christmas tree and put it up at kiddo level. Then with their help make lots of ornaments and let them decorate.
And re-decorate.
And re-decorate. 

I think they did a mighty fine job and I can still foolishly believe that this will keep them from disassembling the three dimensional tree that will take up residence here in T minus 9 days. 

9 days!

Pop Art

Remember back when you just had one kid or even two and you had the time and attention span and forward thought enough to plan elaborate craft projects for yourself and for your kiddos and how amazing you thought you were and how all the other moms secretly hated you?

Well those days are clearly gone. Now I have mom-guilt for not engaging everybody in as many projects as I used to and now when we get into a project it's on the fly and we usually have to wing it with the wrong supplies and ingredients. 

And whereas I used to come up with all creative projects myself now I can't even remember to put on my pants unless somebody on Pintrest did it first. 

All that to say, crafts in the 3 child household happen a little differently, but they're happening, 

none the less. Ok, maybe a bit the less.

 

Exhibit A: 

Bubble painting.

Yes these were the wrong ingredients and the end result:

was cool but not amazing. But Amos love love loved the process and we all engaged in a crafty moment and that is something to celebrate.

Also something to celebrate: Hazel who has been barfing (on to me) for 24 hours is asleep and the boys are playing happily outside. The non-engaged moment is also an important part of the 3 child home. Believe it.

Election Day Fun

Time to pull these out from 2008. Good times! 

 

I wish on my resume I could put that I was the genius who came up with the idea of making paper dolls out of the most attractive family in America, then candidate Obama and his family. 

 Reeeeowwwww!

 Must make Decker-Smith family paper dolls!

Four years ago today the fella and I were canvassing door to door with baby Eli to get out the vote. And that evening I filled in the above graph and was able to celebrate the election of our first African American president. What a great thing to celebrate, whomever you're hoping will be victorious in today's election.

Happy voting!

Booo.

A few months back I got a vision of Hazel as Cindy Lou Who.

It did not disappoint. 

Halloween greetings from the blue ninja, Cindy Lou Who, and a racecar driver!

I don't really like dressed up adults but I LOVE Halloween and the glee it brings to these sweet kiddos. It's so fun to let them be creative and pick who they want to be and help them become that. 

The fella showed Eli all his ninja moves. Ok, just that one.

 I mean come on.

And...out.
That was actually a nap en route to the second party. Gotta rest up between candy fits, right?
Happy Halloween!