Peek of the Week - July 6, 2012

What's Peek of the Week you ask? It's our semi-regular Friday feature where we hear all about what cool things you other crafty families and blogging types have been up to. Tell us about your projects, finished or in-progress, a funny kid moment, a personal accomplishment or just something that made you smile.

Each week I'll get the ball rolling by sharing a Peek from our week and then invite you to do the same by linking up to your own post.

Today's Peek: Stop. Motion.

I did a few projects this week and I decided to record the process. See?

This little project has helped with my recent desire to restructure our days. Since we got back from our N.C. trip ideas have been flying through my head. Things I want to do with the kiddos, things I want to do myself and ways I want to structure our days and weeks. And I wanted a visual way to organize all that. So, I made the new calendar and put it in grand central station - our kitchen.

But being me - I couldn't just throw a whiteboard up there. I had to make it pretty.

A few things I mustache you to do? I mean come on.
I love that I did not spend a dollar to do this project. I already had a white board and all these sheets of vinyl decal material laying around. And I love that I finished it in less than a day. Can't tarry around here. Gotta make time.

And thennnnnnnnn,
I wanted to spruce up our very very ugly door for summer. I had a spring wreath on there with a background that said, "Spring has sprung. Breathe Deep." But it's 107 degrees outside. Spring has long since sprung.

 

Fun! Fabric scraps, modpodge, and a few canvasses and viola. This one took one whole naptime and that was it - and without taking a photo between every scrap you could get it done licketysplit. 

What are you doing for summer? Do share...

You could get peeking in three easy steps:
1. Blog about your Peek of the Week - whatever it is. Whatever happened that made you proud, laugh, smile, inspired, excited, or just plain happy - now that's worth sharing.
2. Include a link to this blog or put the Peek of the Week button (on the sidebar) in your post.
3. Link your blog post using the InLinkz button below.

If you don't get a chance to get here on Friday, feel free to link your post up later.
The InLinkz button will be active for 5 days.

Weekending

What a fun filled weekend!

Early Saturday morning we set off to achieve a personal Mama goal.

See, I had these two New Years Resolutions.

One was the Flash Mob. Checked that one off here and again here.

The 2nd was to run.

It's not my 1st go at that one. I don't love to run. But whenever I come across anyone who got in good shape, what did they do? They ran.

Pooh.

So, from a place of good self-esteem and appreciation of my body, I decided to go for it. See, this body's been working hard the last 4 years growing, and housing, and feeding my 3 favorite people, so it's time I showed it a little love.

Thankfully, someone turned me on the the Couch to 5K plan, which takes you from non-runner to 5K runner in baby steps over 9 weeks (which is good because my plan was to get up every morning at 6:00 a.m. and just run - wonder how long that woulda lasted?).  And since I am nothing if not a rule follower and box checker-offer, I printed out that plan and got 'er done. Step by step, run by run, week by week.

And a few weeks ago, I was done. So it was time for my 5K.

So Saturday I ran a St. Patty's Day 5K and dare I say...it was kind of awesome.

I totally kicked my expectations in their hineys:

• First off - I liked it - didn't see that coming. 
• And I ran THE WHOLE TIME. Didn't need to walk at all. Even up that CRAZY HILL. I think everyone around me walked at some point or another. Not me. In fact at one point toward the end I was the only person near me still running. Not fast, mind you, but definitely running.
• I came in solidly not last. SOLIDLY.  Like cool down for 10 minutes and runners are still coming in. Not to mention the walkers. Totally shocked. 
• I came in minutes before North Carolina girl I met at packet pick-up and "I'm not lucky, I'm good." shirt wearing girl I saw in the parking lot. Now, you don't know these women. Neither do I really, but they're young fit looking ladies I noticed and assumed I'd never see again. But you know when I saw them? When I was running past them mid-race. Who saw that coming?
• I felt like a runner. 
• I actually want to do it again.

So take that, Couch! Me and my 571st finished kicked your behind. But don't be mad because I'm gonna want to sit on you later. I'm mean, I'm a bad ass now, but I still wanna be friends.

Hazel and I had our post-race priorities in order, boobies and free beer. In that order.

So, got that done and had the whole day ahead of us. We took the boys to see the Lorax. Eli was a fan:

 He came home wanting a costume pronto. The 'stash will have to do for now.

And I may have accidentally put tiny pigtails in Hazel's hair. Squeeee!

And then Eli sang in church yesterday, which I CAN. NOT. RESIST.
Enjoy:

I hope your weekend was full of fun, rest, and all manner of other good stuff.

It's Twins!

That's right.
Remember my baby, the Flash Mob?

Well, as of this morning, my baby, is twins.

You see, when I told our church's choir director, Frank, about the Valentine's Day Flash Mob, and played him the song, he made an astute observation. He noticed how nicely the words of the song "I've got everything that I need, right in front of me," coincided with our Lenten theme, Simple Living, Abundant Life -  a study on simplicity, community, and cutting down on waste and over consumption.

Genius.

So a few weeks back, Frank spoke cryptically to George, our minister who would be preaching this morning, the first Sunday in Lent. He wondered if George would be open to an interruption during his sermon, one that would highlight the theme of having everything we need. George, was totally game. He didn't want to know any more details. He wanted to be surprised. Bless him.

This morning, going only on that cryptic chat from a few weeks ago, for his sermon George told the story of young Yosef, child of a poor family, who wondered why he and his family couldn't have the fancy clothes and houses and stuff, that other people had. Repeatedly Yosef's parents reminded him that they had their home, plenty of food, plenty of clothing, and each other. They had everything that they needed.

Enter...the flash mobbers.




Pretty. Darn. Cool.

We rocked the house. Of God. 

First Plymouth folk, you are awesome. Frank, well done. George, nice work.
I was so happy to be part of this. Just brilliant.

Of, and Eli, you're the coolest 4 year old I know.  

Flash! Mob!

It came in a dream...

A month in the making...

Self doubt was tossed out and my inner choreographer was tapped into...

And now it is finished!

I present to you, the Official Video of the Valentine's Day Flash Mob organized by moi!

Just as I thought, Flash Mobbing is SO MUCH FUN! It went by incredibly fast. So fast that having worried about forgetting the moves was silly because there was no time to forget! And if you did, you had only a second to laugh at yourself and jump back in when you could. IT WAS AWESOME!

We had a bit of technical trouble and it was tricky getting good footage in such a crowded, compact, and angle-y space! But I love having a record of this very fun experience! And I love all the peeks of my little Eli mobbing right along beside.

Thanks to everyone who played a part! You litchrilly (channeling Chris Traeger, Parks and Recreation), made my dream come true.



Embracing the Video Camera today:

Peek of the Week - August 5, 2011

What's Peek of the Week, you ask? It's our Friday feature and it's all about you! I want to hear (and share with my readers) what wowed you this week. It could be a cool finished project, a work in progress, a personal accomplishment, a cute kid moment, or something that surprised you.

If we could peek into your week - what would you want to show us?

Each week I'll share my own Peek of the Week to get the ball rolling, and invite you to link to your blog post about your Peek of the Week. I know y'all are up to cool stuff - we wanna see it!

So, I'll start. I have a video Peek of the Week for you. And it's from the archives because let's face it, I'm tired.

This little gem is from Christmas decorating festivities circa November 2009.

Enjoy:


Man, that never gets old.

Alrighty, your turn!
You could get peeking in three easy steps:
1. Blog about your Peek of the Week - whatever it is. Whatever happened that made you proud, laugh, smile, inspired, excited, or just plain happy - now that's worth sharing.
2. Include a link to this blog or put the Peek of the Week button (on the sidebar) in your post.
3. Link your blog post using the InLinkz button below.

If you don't get a chance to get here on Friday, feel free to link your post up later.
The InLinkz button will be active for 5 days.

In Celebration of Amos

Today is for Amos.

He is about to be bumped from coveted baby spot. And he's in a funk this morning. So, I'm putting these happy shots out into the universe and hopefully they'll have a mood enhancing effect on him.
Amos is the sweetest second son.

Blonde curls and an easy smile - don't even try to resist this face.


Some Amos fun facts:
~He loves tractors, bulldozers, Jelly Mouse, and yes...walks on the beach.
~He loves bubbles especially when blown near the A.C. unit so they fly about as if a blizzard.
~He has the highest pitched, loudest, eardrum piercing squeal I have ever heard. I am not overstating this. While we were in N.C. he busted one out and completely silenced an entire restaurant. It is a squeal of joy or excitement, and you can never predict it's appearance. Just wear your earplugs in perpetuity.
~He is a total wiggle spazo - and has been since his in utero days. See:

Hence his nickname, Fidget.

~His in utero name was TB, short for Tummy Baby.
~He loves (and knows better how to use than me) all things i. iPhones. iPads. The Apple TV.
~Other favorites include dirt, sand, sandy dirt, and dirty sand. Loves to squish it through his fingers resulting in perpetual grimy fingernails. He also eats it by the fists full as though his very survival depends on it.
~He is the best baby brother and is about to knock our socks off with his debut as big brother. I just know it.

Love you Amos Mouse.

A Fabulous First

My mama heart almost exploded yesterday morning as my elder boy child participated in his first church performance. I figured they would just have the littlest kids come in for a cameo (I had only heard him practicing one song all week), but no, wee Eli and all his wee buddies were part of the whole VBS Sunday performance.

I burst.
He cheesed it up real good, and kept his eye on me most of the time, waving and blowing me kisses. I burst again.

Classic.

He and the little cutie beside him seemed to have made a pact not to move a muscle for large portions of the performance.

There's my boy.


And for your viewing enjoyment:

He had a little trouble migrating forward to center stage. A propensity for the spotlight, me thinks.

Some of his best moves:

Mama Loves.

He did amazingly well for being the youngest (I think, but for sure the shortest) VBS participant. And, to make his Mama extra proud he only flashed his full chest of tattoos 3 or 4 times, but once was during a prayer (I'm told), so that one doesn't count.

Just imagine - someday all three of my brood will be up there cutting monkey shines. The mind boggles.

It's Peek of the Week Time Again!

Our new Friday feature - the Peek of the Week - is all about you. I want to hear (and share with my readers) what wowed you this week. It could be a cool finished project, a work in progress, a personal accomplishment, a cute kid moment, or something that surprised you.

If we could peek into your week - what would you want to show us?

I'll start.

I really really wanted to do an April Fool's faux peek wherein I post an ultrasound picture of twins and totally fake you out! But the fella said it was too lame-o obvious.

So, instead, this week I give you a Video Peek!

Now, full disclosure, this video was not taken this week. But it still happens a lot like this.


How 'bout that for a sweet morning ritual. Man I love that boy.

Now, you go! Here's how it works:

1. Each Friday I'll post my peek of the week, and give you space to link us up to yours.
2. Blog about your Peek of the Week - whatever it is. Whatever happened that made you proud, laugh, smile, inspired, excited, or just plain happy - now that's worth sharing.
3. Include a link to this blog or put the Peek of the Week button (on the sidebar) in your post.
4. Link your blog post using the InLinkz button below.
5. Visit some of the other linked posts to see what folks are glowing about this week.
Leave them some comment love and expect some to be coming your way.

If you don't get a chance to get here on Friday, feel free to link your post up later.
The InLinkz button will be active for 5 days.

Gazing into the future...

Happy New Year everybody! Festivities around here were pretty low key. We celebrated a Very Kiddo New Year at a friend's house. The kiddos rang in the New Year with a count down, cider toasts, hugs and kisses and youtube fireworks around 6:00 p.m. - which is just about my speed these days. It was really delightful to watch them process the whole idea and to celebrate with cheerses and embraces. Boogie is now obsessed with cheersing.




Another current favorite activity is looking out, slobbering on, and making hand prints on the big picture window in our new living room. It's our main hang out spot and I can't help snapping photos of them there because they look so hopeful and dreamy.



So, I hope the dawning of 2011 has you staring hopefully out your window, dreaming of exciting possibilities, achievable goals, happy surprises and peaceful moments. Happy New Year!

Owl Gets a Name!

You know when you have to do something in teams and step one is to pick a team name? I hate step one. I never come up with anything clever and I start off the event feeling lame. So, next time I am roped into a team activity, I'm bringing you all with me because you are ALL SO CLEVER!

Thank you so much for the fabulous name suggestions! You gave me whimsical, funny, ironic, clever, and well researched names! I tried to avoid seeing who submitted each suggestions as they began flowing in. I have to admit, I knew the winner as soon as I read it. But I gave all the suggestions that came before and after it lots of consideration, to see if any more jumped out at me. It was so hard!

Here were the front runners:

Radar - sounded robotic and cool.

Dizzy - doubly appropriate for the head spinning and being close to "Dizzle".

Button - very cute! Buttons is also pretty cute.

Clementine - oh sweet Clementine. She's sassy and vintage and delicious. I've always seen this owl as a boy though, otherwise this might have been our winner.

Chandler or Ross - an homage to my Friends obsession. This suggestion lead me straight to another good one: GUNTHER!

Doogie or Bizzle - Fabulous idea! A combo of my Dizzle and Boogie - love it!

Fuzzhead - Fisher, you're a creative genius.

Thimble - Fabulous sewing reference and cute name.

But the winner, well...I knew it when I saw it, and even after extensive consideration I'm still smitten. It's precious (in a good way), references my craft, is reminiscent of owl physicality, and is something dear to my heart since it's one of Dizzle's favorite objects.

My friends, I'd like to introduce you to...

Bobbin!

Jenean - you're a genius! If you're the Jenean I think you are, or even if you're not, I'm not sure how to contact you. Could you contact me by leaving a comment, or emailing me, or messaging me on fb? We need to pow wow about your owl-y prize!

And now for the random winner!

Congratulations Carlo! I'll be in touch!

Many thanks to all who participated!!! Look for the continued antics of Bobbin in coming posts!

And the Towel Winner Is...

Ok folks, it took me an hour to fix up the flingin' flangin' video, but here is the winner of the End of Summer Hooded Towel Giveaway!!!

The entrants...
All lined up. Who will it be???

I love suspense.

The boys (including the fella) have been playing in a table tent all day. So this winner reveal is straight out da tent.


(Excuse all the grunting. The tent is low down and my hands were full - so I was trudging around on my elbows).

Boogie brokered a trade. Little slips of paper for goldfish crackers.

Congratulations to ILoveJonsBlueEyes - who I discovered through a little digging is a blast-from-the-past friend, Amber from highschool! Congratulations Amber! We traveled similar roads it seems, to start our families. We tried for nearly three years - and now look at us - we're nearly bursting at the seams! I'll be in touch to get your towel to you!

Poncho Towel Winner

Sorry guys. The fella let me sleep in. Ahhhhh.

Anyhoo - I know this is the dark ages way to pick a winner. But it's fun. And, you know I'm not cheating, because there's no way I could talk him into doing this twice.



Congratulations Deborah! Thanks for posting this on facebook. I'll be in touch!

Thanks for all the love folks! Sorry if you weren't the winner, but if you're itching to have one, check them out here. We could even customize it for ya for no extra charge!

Keep checking back for more giveaways. They're so fun!

Sandox fun.

We recently relocated the contraband sandbox (against apartment rules - psh) to the corner of our little porch area instead of right beside our door. Now it gets more shade and less sand comes inside. Win/win. Big E can be found here most of the day.
Little A is another story. He loves it. Looooovves it. As soon as I take the cover off he makes a b line. Trouble is, when he gets there, he eats sand by the fistfuls as if his very life depends on it. As if in a panic of starvation (perhaps because he knows I'm about to put the kibosh on it) he jams handful after fat little handful of sand down his gullet.

Can babies have Pica?

But sometimes, after I've taken him in and washed the sand out of his mouth, he will sit in it and play as nature intended - digging, throwing, making tracks with cars, wriggling fingers through, etc.
And a good time is had by all.

In other news - for some reason yesterday Amos was cracked up by Eli saying, "Pinch." Can't explain it. There was no physical pinching - play or otherwise. But this kid just howled with laughter.



Sorry for the poor video quality. I have a better one taken with the camera, but I've had very limited success uploading camera videos to blogger. Any suggestions?

Kisses and Winners

First, some good morning kisses...


Now - the winner!
Congratulations to Laura of WestFire Studio. Eight kooky owls are coming your way!