Christmas Angel

I've tried to write this post multiple times in the last few days and keep struggling with the right words. There really are none. So instead I focused my energy on releasing some of my grief through another outlet. Supplies: DHD Spring Menagerie papers; Butterfly Kisses elements by Karen Funk; 2peas Dragonfly fo...

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Santa's Magic Key

I saw the idea of Santa's Magic Key last year on Pinterest and meant to make one. The poem is the part I really love as it combines the magic of Santa with the real meaning of Christmas (find it here from Michelle at The Picadilly Post). I don't recall ever questioning Santa getting into a home without a chimney when I was little. I certainly didn't expect my almost 2 and a half year old to question it last year when our home didn't have a fireplace...

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Giveaway: Blurb Custom Planner

Hopefully you saw my post earlier in the month about my 2013 Blurb Custom Planner. It is gorgeous and I'm looking forward to using it to help keep organized in the coming year as I juggle my family's new schedule now that I'm working again. Blurb was nice enough to not only share the opportunity with me to enjoy one of their planners, but one of my readers as well! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate...

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And the Curtains Were Hung

As the holidays approach, we are slowly checking off items from our "to do" list around the house. (Even emptied a few more boxes! Yes, we still have plenty of boxes.) One that has made the most impact in the space we spend the most time - curtains in our family room: We had curtains in every room in our last house. Partly because it was easy with the cats (oh how they loved to chew the mini blinds in our apartment once upon a time ago). All...

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[almost] Wordless Wednesday: Elf Fun

Day 4: hiding in Dickens' Village Day 5: looking down from cabinets in the kitchen Day 6: swinging from the dining room chandelier Day 7: leaving magnet messages on the fridge Day 8: playing with pinecones in the foyer Day 9: hanging out in the family room Day 10: reading to toy friends in the playroom Day 11: perched a top our Christmas tree Linking up to Wordless Wednesday and Sarah Halst...

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Holiday Express

A month or so ago Trent purchased tickets for the Holiday Express at Pullen Park. Our first time going and we all enjoyed it. Dylan participated in several crafts (his ornament received a spot on the tree the moment we got home!), we rode the train, saw Santa (Dylan was so excited until one of the kids in front of us screamed while his mom forced him to sit for a photo - then he was terrified), we watched part of the Grinch on a big screen, and looked...

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Friday Freebie: Santa Photo

Each year we've managed to join our playgroup for a photo with Santa. This year we had 4 of the 6 moms & kids and, once again, the boys didn't want to be "alone" with the man in red. Forget how excited they were moments before. ;) Although Dylan looks less than pleased in the photo, it's a favorite of his. Every time he sees the photo, he grins and exclaims "Santa!" Then names all of his friends. Maybe next year the boys will brave the photo...

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Blurb Custom Planner

I ordered my 2013 planner from Blurb just before Thanksgiving and was excited to find it on my doorstep late last week. I spent a good bit of time filling it with photos from previous years. Lots of good memories. The Blurb BookSmart software is free and very easy to use. I simply selected my photos, chose the page and added them. I also was able to add notes to specific dates in my calendar (ie, birthdays) that I wanted to remember. I selected...

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There's An Elf in our House

On Saturday a special package arrived for Dylan. Inside he found Christopher Pop-In-Kins! Dylan pulled him out before we realized that we aren't supposed to touch him (oops!) but we figured it must be okay this one time since Christopher needed to come out of the box. I set him up on the mantel where he could keep an eye on us and be safe from accidental touching. We don't want him to lose his magic! Then we cuddled up on the couch to read...

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New Beginnings

There was more to our trip to Great Wolf Lodge the other week than celebrating my birthday. We were also celebrating my new job and Dylan starting "school." Initially I'll be working 3 days a week with Dylan going to daycare those days. On Monday I took him for a 3 hour visit to acclimate him to the classroom, teachers and other students. He had joined right in when we were touring daycares and did not want to leave so I felt pretty confident...

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Fall Leaf Fun

A few photos I took of Dylan last week playing in the leaves in our backyard. I wanted a photo or two of him in his Christmas sweater and decided to let him play. From my journaling: "The result was a lot of silliness, a lot of laughter, a lot of fun action photos and one really good smile shot." So much fun. Supplies: The Last Warm Day mini kit by Agnes Biro; Framestatic by Juliana Kneipp; A Kind Word Vol. 3 by Deena Rutter; The Fiona kit...

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Vote 2012 - the layout

Each opportunity to vote, we take Dylan along with us to help expose him to this great privilege we have. Last month he & I went to an early voting site while Trent was at work. I snapped a quick photo of the two of us afterward using my iPhone. Supplies: Blossom, All American, and In Bloom kits by Karen Funk; Digi Essentials 4 by Karla Dudley; Recollect kit by Sara Schmutz; Cut It Out masks by Robyn Meierotto; Autumnal Bits + Pieces elements...

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Birthday Weekend

I had one request for my birthday this year - a trip to Charlotte to get a couple things for our new home from Ikea. Not only did Trent agree, but we had a few last minute changes to our plans that led to a bit of extra fun. We went to Great Wolf Lodge first to celebrate. I confess, I was probably as excited as Dylan especially once I realized that this was the first time I've ever had a birthday pool party. Trent booked a KidKamp suite which...

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Thankful Turkey

I remembered making version(s?) of toilet tube turkeys as a child and decided to try it with Dylan a couple weeks ago. Rather than just making the turkey, we talked about a few things we were thankful for and incorporated them into the design. A simple way to address this season of Thanksgiving with my 3 year old and remind us daily as we see it on our mantle just how blessed we are. Supplies toilet paper tube construction paper crayon or pencil...

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Wordless Wednesday: fall

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday and Sarah Halst...

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theatre & lunch

Last month our playgroup spent the morning in downtown Durham getting a little culture. We visited the Carolina Theatre to see Skippyjon Jones and had lunch at a local spot, Dame's Chicken & Waffles (the gingerbread waffles? One word - amazing). Supplies: Give Thanks papers by Sara Schmutz; Painted Textures by Robyn Meierotto; Autumnal Bits & Pieces by Erica Coombs; Album Cards by Karla Dudley; Just the Way You Are and Another Typewriter...

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Trick or Treat - the layout

Last year Dylan trick or treated with one of his playgroup friends. This year we drove over to our old neighborhood to meet up with one of his buddies there so they could go together. After one house, he said he was done. Thankfully, we were able to convince him to continue on with his friend and by the 2nd house he was hooked. He even helped hand out candy with his friend's father after we were done! Supplies: DHD November Blueprint template...

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Half Bath Hardware Revamp

We've been knee deep in home improvement projects from the moment we closed on our new house. Day 1 started with all sorts of fun from changing door hardware to toilet repair (sorry no pictures of that excitement! Seriously crazy when the bolts holding the tank to the bowl literally fall out with a touch due to rust. Oy.). Last week I tacked a little project that had been an eyesore to me from the beginning, but small enough it wasn't a high priority...

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NC State Fair 2012

Our visit to the Fair last month summed up in 16 photos ... Supplies: Neutral Cardstocks by Audrey Neal; Toolbox Mist v1 by Gennifer Bursett; Protectors Set 2 by Karla Dudley; Another Typewriter & Century Gothic fon...

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