My Little Artists

Day 59: Master Artists!


For the last day of February on this chilly, yet sunny, morning, Mark made a donut run. After enjoying their sugar high, the kids started drawing on their easel with dry erase markers. Julian drew an awesome rocket ship and Vincent drew -- well -- you be the judge! Regardless, they had fun and were proud of their masterpieces! A fun way to start the weekend and end the month.

(Luckily, Vincent seems to be left-handed so his broken right thumb doesn't seem to bother him or hinder his artistic abilities!)

Another Broken Finger!!!

Back in the middle of December Julian crushed the entire tip of his finger. It was our first (and we thought, only) experience with broken bones. As unbelievable as it sounds, Vincent broke his thumb yesterday in an unfortunate encounter with a slammed door. It was stressful and painful, but he's taking it very well. The first picture was taken by me with my cell phone in the urgent care room last night as Vincent sat on my lap in between cries. The second photo was snapped by me today after a follow-up visit with the hand doc. My little cutie loves to show off his "owie".



Yesterday also happened to be our biggest snow storm of the year, another interview for Mark, and a visit to the dentist for the boys. Crazy day!


On Tuesday we went to Vincent's Montessori preschool in the evening for the "Night of Presentations". He got to show us one of his "works". He did a great job.


Now if the kids can just make it through the rest of their childhood without anymore broken bones! We seem to have bad luck with fingers around here!

The Weekend: A Night Out, Haircuts, Birthday, and Hawaii!

I don't yet have my photo to post from Friday because it was taken by a friend! We had "Mom's Night Out" and got a group photo. What a fun night!

Saturday was a big day over here. I took my boys to get much needed haircuts. Little Vincent got his usual cut, but Julian got a buzz cut for the first time ever because he has really thick, fast-growing hair that gets out of control. It was traumatic for him, though. He saw all the hair coming off when he looked in the mirror and he started to cry and get really upset because it was "too short!" I think he's getting used to it now.

Later that day we celebrated my father-in-law's 82nd birthday. Julian made a nice card for Grandpa and we had a nice gathering of family with pizza and chocolate cake and fun.

Today I didn't actually take a photo, but my mom just got back from her dream vacation to Hawaii so I'm using the photo she sent me on my cell phone when she first arrived there a week ago Friday. She just looks so happy!

Day 52: Haircuts and Birthday




Day 53: Mom in Hawaii!

Back to Reality

I'm home and finally getting back into the swing of things. My long scrapbooking retreat at The Paper Doll House was great, as always, and I'm so glad I got away before the baby arrives. I had an amazing time with friends, great food, a massage, naps, and lots of scrapbooking, of course. I'll post some of my layouts soon... In the meantime, here are the daily photos that I've taken since my last post:

Day 43: Lots of scrapping supplies for my long weekend!

Day 44 (photo 1): My scrapbooking retreat girlfriends

Day 44 (photo 2): The boys at home sleeping in the same room -- my hubby was brave while I was away!

Day 45 (photo 1): My Saturday vegetarian lunch at the retreat -- gotta love the placeholder!

Day 45 (photo 2): Homemade chocolate mousse for our nightly 10pm dessert -- a divine Valentine's Day treat!

Day 46: Squeezing in every ounce of scrapbooking before we leave later on Sunday...

Day 47: Uncle Nick with Julian and Vincent (my boys aren't into posing for the camera right now!) It was great to see my Marine brother again!

(And another photo of Vincent getting tickled!)

Day 48 (photo 1): Mark on his way to a job interview

Day 48 (photo 2): Julian's finished "100 Things" poster to celebrate the 100th day of school

Day 49: No photo today. I was having a big downer of a day, so instead I chose this quote for today by Mahatma Gandhi:

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."

Day 50: I got my haircut -- a shorter "do"!

Super Monkey Ball & Bugdom

So I'm totally enjoying doing this Project 365 and taking a photo a day -- a snapshot of my daily life. I think it will be so fun to look through the finished album at the end of the year. I think the best part of it all is the daily journaling. That will be great to read through in the coming years.

Today after school Mark let Julian play on his iPhone for a half hour before dinner. Julian's favorite games to play are Super Monkey Ball and Bugdom. And he's getting really good at them, too! He's not allowed to play video games often so he relishes those special privileges. (And of course complains when the time is up!)

Day 42: Julian playing on Daddy's iPhone

I'm off for a few days at a scrapbooking retreat so I'll take lots of pictures and post more on Monday. Have a great, long weekend!

Winter Ice Cream Cone

Day 41: Julian eating an ice cream waffle cone

What could be better to a 5-year-old than dark chocolate and M&M ice cream in a waffle cone at Cold Stone Creamery while wearing your winter coat?! It's actually in the 40's today, but very windy and rainy and dreary. But since I'm leaving town for a long weekend I thought I would surprise Julian with a special after school snack. Just mommy and son and an early Valentine treat since I won't be here. Yum!

Top Bunk

Tonight is a first. Julian wanted to sleep in the top bunk. If it works out, it's great timing because soon we need to move Vincent into Julian's room to make room for the new baby. Up until now, Julian's been too scared to try sleeping in the top bunk so we'll see if he lasts up there all night!

Day 40: Julian in the top bunk at bedtime

On an unrelated but crafty note, I just won these adorable valentines from Shabby Chic Crafts.


Aren't they the cutest?!

Bath Night

Day 39: Vincent after a bath

We usually give the kids a bath every other night before the bedtime routine. Tonight was bath night. Vincent looked so darn cute wrapped up in his "hoody" towel I just had to snap a picture and it became my photo for today.

Long Time, No Post!

Oops, I slipped up on posting lately. I'll try to get back into the daily posting. So here are the last several daily photos I've taken.

Day 34:Yummy crockpot dinner: Winter Squash, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

Day 35: Mark eating his "Cajun Breakfast" on his birthday

Day 36: Vincent enjoying the Elefun game at a playdate


Day 37: My brother Nick's Captain pinning ceremony





My younger brother was promoted to Captain in the United States Marine Corps and my dad was there to pin him during the ceremony. He's a Cobra helicopter pilot. Congratulations, Nick. I'm proud of you, little bro!

Day 38: Valentine crafting



Julian made his Valentine box for kindergarten today (I covered the shoe box in white paper first) and Vincent wanted to do some crafting, too, so he spent the time cutting construction paper into tiny bits all over the floor. Fun! Both boys were great about helping clean it all up when we were done.

Mr. Chippy!

Day 32: Mr. Chippy pancakes

This morning we met with family for breakfast at Country Kitchen to celebrate my hubby's upcoming birthday. Every time we meet Grandma and Grandpa there for breakfast, Julian looks forward to ordering "Mr. Chippy", which consists of two pancakes with a whipped cream smiley face and sprinkled with chocolate chips. What could be better???