Magic House...

This was Jake's first visit. I feel like a terrible mother. I can't believe it took 4 1/2 years to get him there. I didn't do it on purpose. It just really slipped my mind. We were planning on the zoo today, but it got much colder and cloudy. I knew we needed to get out of the house, so this idea popped in my head. I'm so glad it did. He had SO much fun. In fact...I'm thinking a membership is in order.

My boy who loves coins and flat money was obsessed with the donation boxes.

He enjoyed the magnets and the music...

and the doorbells!

There were plenty of slides and tunnels.

He spent lots of time fishing with magnets.

His other focus was the garage and working on the car.

He told us recently that when he's older he wants a black BMW. ;)  He is definitely a car guy like his Daddy. He's very good at identifying lots of cars.  He even remembers cars we've rented on vacations and can pick out similar makes and models.

He got to sit inside a hockey net. Hockey has been on his mind ever since we took him to the Blues game. We got tickets for another game in February.

We have to make souvenir pennies whenever we see a machine. Kate was really into these when she was little, too. In fact, I am pretty sure she still has her collection. She better keep it out of sight, or her brother might try to take it over!

We almost missed the construction area. I'm so glad I noticed it through a window. Jake loved it!

That top shot was so cute that I had to crop it in.

We get asked the question in the picture above all the time. I was so excited that he got to see this. I'm always a little worried that he'll take a hammer to one of my walls someday to find out for himself.  Let me just tell you...in 20 years I don't think Kate has ever asked me what's behind our walls. ;) 

We have another first on the agenda for tomorrow!!!  That's all I will say for now.

This weather is crazy...

Where is my winter? Where is my snow?

In the meantime, we play baseball in short sleeves.

I wish I had a Project Life page to share. I expected my kit last week, but I still haven't received it. My friend, Steph (Happy Birthday!!), offered to send some page protectors (backordered item).  So I won't have to wait until February for the backorder. I should be able to start this week. :)  I'm busy printing pictures and keeping things organized.

Fun day...

Jake had TONS of fun today. The plan was to head to the zoo, but we never made it there. The weather was incredible. I can't even believe it's January. It was 70 degrees. I actually painted my toenails which I never do in January!

Jake started out in the shower. He had a big allergy attack when he woke up. That's the big problem with this weather for us. Jake hasn't really had a break from his fall allergies yet. Normally he doesn't even need a antihistamine in the winter months. After giving him his antihistamine and a decongestant, I suggested he get in a warm shower to help clear out his head.  I made it fun by letting him take in a can of Dan's shaving cream.

The shower helped quite a bit. Despite the allergies, I can't keep this boy inside on such a beautiful day! Our neighbors were outside playing, so we joined them. I got a call from another neighbor and asked her to join us. Pretty soon we had 6 little boys running around having fun. We let them play for a couple of hours. Jake and I then headed home for lunch.

After lunch I promised him that we would make our own snow, since we've hardly had any here this winter. I saw a recipe on pinterest.com for playdough. The suggestion was to then add silver glitter for snow. Unfortunately I didn't have white food coloring, so my snow is a little yellow. Jake didn't care, he had lots of fun with it.

After playdough time, Jake spent another hour or so in our backyard digging in the rocks and dirt. I would say it was a good day.

So proud...

I was very proud of my little man today. He is very lucky and finds money all the time...coins. Today he found $20 in our yard! He was so excited. We talked about it and realized it probably belonged to our neighbor. He willingly took it over to their house and gave it back. Daddy gave him some money for his piggy bank as a reward.

Kate and Tom asked me do take some studio shots when he was in town. I don't think I ever shared them here...just on Facebook. Kate is so happy with them. I actually have a few more to edit, but these are her favorites.

Caroline

My niece has been patiently waiting for her aunt to edit these pictures that were taken a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for your patience, Caroline! I just love these fun and vibrant shots. She's become a beautiful young woman and is beautiful on the inside as well. She's a delight!

Here are my 365 shots from the last two days.

I hate it when the lights come down.

We were almost out of coffee this morning, so Dan ran to our favorite coffee place.

Now that I've decided to work on Project Life, waiting for my kit has been frustrating. I ordered my first set of pictures and did jot a few notes that I wanted to remember to include. Unfortunately the page protectors I really want...Design A...are out of stock until early February. I guess I'm just going to have to hang on to everything, keep it organized, and keep good notes until the page protectors arrive. I can't wait to get started!

January 2, 2012

Yesterday was joy...today not so much. I did cave and take him outside to ride his bike when it was 33 degrees. Who can resist that face?

Boxed numbers and The Monthly 12x12 by Cathy Zielske available at DesignerDigitals.com.

Done Deal.

I ordered my holiday book late last night...right before we rang in the New Year. :)

Here is my cover:

I am so excited to have it finished. I can't even believe it! Kate Pertiet's templates made it SO easy. Check her out at DesignerDigitals.com or leave a comment if you need more information.

I've made a big decision. I was a bit influenced by some friends...namely Mary, Gina, and Jodi. Hey, girls! ;)  I'm going to do both Project 365 and Project Life. I really think it will actually simplify things for me. Project Life is not necessarily a daily thing, and it's very simple. I just need all the products to come back in stock at Amazon, so I can order and get started! I think the method I was using previously to turn my blog into a book and make a separate book for 365 were a lot more complicated. The book templates were not easy to manipulate.  For 365 I'm going to print my pictures as 4x6's and use the Urban Outfitters album I ordered. I will print at my lab once a month, and filling in the journaling should be a breeze.

To get started, I decided to take Jake on a little visit to a new local park. It's actually a dog park, but I noticed an amazing red barn there. I didn't really get the shots I wanted, because it was much colder and windier than I expected once we got there. We had to move fast! Terri will back me up on this one! I did get a few SWEET shots...notice the blowing hair. The boy is a trooper!  I wanted to start my 365 album with Jake. That boy oozes JOY.  How did we get this lucky?

Boxed numbers by Cathy Zielske available at DesignerDigitals.com.