Command Center!

Now that little Emma-bean is in Kindergarten...papers and homework have been piling up and taking over my life. Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but not by much.

SO, I started pinning interesting organizational tools from my new favorite place to hang out...Pinterest! Woo....wooot!

AND...I went for it...purchasing some SERIOUS heavy duty command strips and file trays...and VOILA!  It's a thing of beauty!  I'm very pleased!  Don't worry...those leapfrog number/letter fridge toys are now on the front...in their own rectangular boundary on the freezer side!  HA!

Organization makes me SO happy...I feel so...in COMMAND...now that I have a command center!  Hehehe!

If you're searching for TREASURE...

...this is the cutest crew I've seen about.  They even built their own boat!  If you step out of the boat the sharks get you...just so you know!

They know just what to pack! 

They even have a map...with pacific instructions!  Ships Ahoy!  ARRR!

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

Matthew 6:20-21

How to make Pickle Stew!

Artist in Training...

She's going to be an artist...so she practices...alot.

Sometimes...like when I'm taking pictures...she even shares with her brother. 

She's great at hearts and sunshines....

...she's learning new things every day. 

Messy Crafts!!

We learned to make tie-dyed bookmarks at the Children's Museum a few weeks back. So, we decided to try it at home. The first Messy Craft of the year!

You start by "frosting" your paper plate with shaving cream!  Use a Popsicle stick!

Then, you squeeze several drops of various colors of food coloring on your frosted plate.

Next, you use a toothpick to swirl and lightly blend your colors. 

Finally, you squish a bookmark shaped paper flat on top of the colored shaving cream.

Peal it off...and scrap off the excess shaving cream with the Popsicle stick.  And....

VOILA!  A beautiful, tie-dyed bookmark for your reading pleasure!

This was great fun...even to the sick boy!

He refused to open his eyes for the picture...said the flash hurt his eyes.  Sheesh!  HA!

He's feeling much better today.  Phew!

They only take a few minutes to dry!  All around a very fun craft.  Now, why do I wait to do these messy crafts right AFTER I mop my floor??  Oh well, at least we had fun and the clean up was pretty easy.  It wasn't mud or sand...ick!

Snuggly Sickies & Shel Silverstein

Today, Lubby is home sick...with the awful, croupy cold his sister had during vacation. She is off to school...and we are all snugly here...reading! Here's one of my favorites...

The Little Boy and the Old Man by Shel Silverstein

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."

Said the old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems

Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.

"I know what you mean," said the little old man.