Angel Art

Angel and her Mommy!

More Mermaids!

It's Daddy!

Big Girl Bed!

Old bed (crib) left--new bed in the works--right

Fairy girl is sleeping at the foot of her bed. Why? Because Angel was upset that her new bed wasn't set up yet, so she got the bright idea of having a sleepover! Since we've never had twin beds before, they didn't realize there wasn't that much room for two people, even of the little variety. So, they got the bright idea that of giving themselves a bit more room by sleeping feet to feet! Sadly, their sleepover lasted about 10 minutes before I had to break their party up due to breaking the noice curphew!



And here's my sweet four year old Fairy Girl, finally out of her crib and into her big girl bed. We did attempt to buy a toddler bed earlier this year, but she wanted no part of it. And honestly when it arrived (ordered on the internet, we wanted solid wood)--we did not like the color, it was too dark. So, we sold it brand new and unused to a local children's resale shop for a whopping $25, taking an $80 hit! Well, the girls' new beds are custom-made log beds--made in the U.P. They even have these very distinctive worm markings all over the logs, giving them lots of character. J. spent the entire weekend last weekend sanding and sanding, as the logs were rough, and we didn't want the girls to get hurt--and then he varnished them. The beds were NOT cheap, but J's had his heart set on log beds for his little girls for years, so what can I say (except it is VERY difficult to change the sheets on these---crib sheets are a LOT easier to change! The logs are in the way!) And, on top of these high quality log beds, he wanted organic mattresses and box springs (which I agree with). So here are some interesting facts--the two beds combined, including the log beds, mattresses, and box springs came to about A LOT! Then I had to buy sheets (purchased the mattress pads last year==waterproof, breatheable, but NOT plastic!!) and dust ruffles. I like the sheets a lot, so I'll get two more sets (400 TC, from Amazon--and they were only in the $30 range each!). Not included in the price are two log side tables, which are not here yet. We can't afford the new dressers yet, as we had to somehow buy ourselves a new vehicle recently as well--but someday--for now we got these tall wood and whicker dressers from Aldi's--which works fine for now since their clothing is small:) And one more interesting fact! Take a wild guess at how much these beds weigh with the mattresses and box springs on (these are natural rubber with organic wool and cotton--much heavier than standard mattresses and box springs)--all together each bed with the mattress and box spring weighs somewhere between 400 and 500 pounds! Can you believe that?

Ok, regarding their artwork all over the walls (aka crayons)--we've done nothing so far, except purchase a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Regarding the crayon markings all over the wood floors--J quickly got it out with WD-40!

And We're Outta Here!

The girls found some maps I have lying around, and announced that they are going to Alaska, but going to go through Mexico on the way to get there. I wished them a safe trip on this VERY long journey:) Angel felt that my maps were way too big for their ATV's so she first went down to her art area and created a new map that was much more compact:) Safe travels girls! I suggested this time of the year Mexico might be more fun:)

I See the Writing on the Wall

And I don't like it! My dining room and living room has been loaded with the girls' new unassembled bedroom furniture, for a couple of weeks now (we've been waiting for everything to arrive). Once the mattresses and box springs arrived, the girls decided it would be fun to use them as their play ground (they are leaning on their sides)--not safe, and not good for VERY expensive organic mattresses. We recognize they will be used and abused once their beds are set up--but while they are leaning on their sides is not ok with me:) So after several times of asking and telling them to stop, I sent them to their rooms. They asked if they could go into one room together, and naive me said "yes." And above you see the results of two little girls, close in age, having a "time out" together in one bedroom. No they aren't twins, and I don't know what that's like, but I really don't think this is much different than what having twins (at this stage) would be like! My lesson has been learned--and J's too (for leaving crayons in Fairy's room!) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is waiting to get to work (and two days later, still waiting--this is going to take awhile:) I think we should get a couple of more and put the girls to work!

Basse's Pumpkin Farm

What can I say except I LOVE pumpkins:) The day started out very dreary and drizzly--I was just about to build a cozy campfire to cuddle up with my girls when the SUN CAME OUT! I decided to go outside and move the Sienna in anticipation of the Fed Ex delivery of the new organic mattresses and box springs for the girls' new log beds--and I was shocked to discover, not only was the sun out, but it was WARM too--like almost 70 degrees! Thankfully the delivery came just on time, because we thought, let's get outside and play. So what better to do than to hit the pumpkin farm--again:) This one is right by our house (in fact you can even see our doctors' office behind the farm in one of the pictures). The girls enjoyed the fun playground and the little barn they built for the kids, and most importantly--hay--lots and lots of hay:) After we got done playing for awhile we went into the little country store and bakery and purchased a snack to bring back outside (the girls picked out a pumpkin and lady bug sugar cookie--I just had popcorn--I've been getting sugared out with all of my baking as of late (I say this as I eat a hard boiled egg and a piece of my apple pie for lunch:). Anyway, fun beautiful day--now I better hurry and wash their new sheets and bed skirts so I can get them on the line--there's a nice breeze today too!

More Pumpkin Farms!!

What can I say, except I LOVE pumpkins:) It was 65 degrees and sunny today (we haven't seen a lot of sun as of late) so we decided to get outside and enjoy the spectacular fall weather and colors! We went to Culvers for a VERY LATE BREAKFAST (bad mommy)---and then we headed over to our local pumpin farm--they were closed! They close on Mondays, like restaurants I guess, that work all weekend. So we found not one, but two other pumpkin farms (one I knew about and the other I found just by driving and driving--great way to get to know the Sienna:). Since we already have our pumpkins, I bought apples--so tomorrow when it's raining again we'll make an apple pie and caramel apples!

Our Resident Ghost--boooooo!

Our Ghost arrived today! It's just not worth carving our pumpkins, as we're hoping they'll last until Thanksgiving--and we can't keep them outside, because they'll freeze and rot:) I just thought this was an adorable alternative--thanks Mom:)

Art Gallery

Ok, I know this doesn't look like much, but it's actually a really big deal! My daughter who just turned four, is a self-proclaimed non artist. I'm sure she could draw and color if she tried, but everytime I make a simple suggestion or even draw a picture for her to color she says "I can't, I only know how to scribble!" So even at her annual well-checks when they ask if she can draw a circle or a square, etc--I just say yes, because I think she's being stubborn and not doing it. Well, the photo below shows her usual two second attempts at artwork (she's just not interested in art at this point, that's all--she's my "atheletic" one:). But this one above, is her first real drawing! In case you don't recognize it, it's a kitty cat!






And then there's my non athelete--but totally artistic daughter--she's been making VERY detailed drawings since the age of two (I'm disappointed there wasn't room for us in the art class at Mt. Mary--she would have loved that--I'll have to do a self search). Anyway, the above two drawings are hers. I love her use of colors!

Harvest Home

Just having fun decorating for the harvest season:) All of my favorite warm colors!