Loving Sunday Art Time

As I have mentioned before, art has taken a back seat since we put the non-sellable house on the market. I have been feeling horrible because I have only been encouraging non-messy art. Well, really, that isn't any fun. So this morning, I asked B if she wanted to do some art and she said she wanted to do water colors (and proceeded to pull out every bottle of water color we have). Charley pulled out the shaving cream and this is what ensued....







B quickly jumped on board. This is her work in progress.


No more photos because Charley saw fit to potty on the splat mat. She was whisked post haste into the bath. I love art - HA!

Labor Day Weekend - 2011

Wait, what happened? Didn't I vow to post more? Truth be told, we haven't been doing anything too interesting. Why take another picture of the kids running down the sidewalk? Plus, Charley has been all over the board sleep wise. Bed late, up early, weird nap schedule. Plus, there was/is the runny nose. Not the cold I thought it was, because she still has it a week later. Maybe her 2 year molars? Anyway, Labor Day weekend saw us doing very little. Oakbrook for Tinker Bell wings, Johanna's house for dinner (where a tired Charley piddled on Johanna's dining room chairs, plus my thank you note it tardy (sorry Johanna and Jason)). Sunday was LobsterFest at my sister's and Cathie P's birthday celebration. Monday? What did we do? It was cold. I know I got dressed, what did we do? Played in the neighbor's sandbox and did fairy stuff with B. Wow, that is it? We are boring, boring, boring. Oh, and I obsessed about my lack of creativity.

How does one become creative? I know I am trying to foster it in the kids, trying never to shoot down their ideas and letting them (B anyway) act on her whims. I haven't really been a good foster-er this summer. With trying to sell the unsellable house, I haven't wanted to make a mess. I am not even sewing as much as I would like. Every time I take out the sewing machine, we get a showing (for them to love our house, but you know, it only has 1.5 baths). Seriously, every time. No exaggeration.

Anyway, We'll get back on the arty wagon - starting with B's birthday party. Art activities with a rainbow theme. I have the invites made, I just need to print them. I have to get to work on the decor and the activities. And think good thoughts that we have a nice day. The thought of a billion kids in my little house makes my hackles rise. See, we were supposed to be in the Brady house for B's party. Oh well.

Enough of my jabber, on to the pictures.

The Tinker Bell Costume is complete.

Well, B's is. Charley still needs wings and shoes.
I didn't buy them because she had no interest
when we were at the Disney Store. Back to Oakbrook I go.

Playing with Cousin Jeana at Lobster Fest.

The only place Charley will eat raspberries. Right
out of Dick's garden.

My sister will hate me for this, but how cute does she look.
Almost as cute as....

B.

B wanted to keep the antenna for her collection.
I convinced her a picture will do. Can you imagine stinky
lobster sitting around the house. YUCK!

We also celebrated Cathie P's 60th birthday. Grandma
Mary looks as good as the day I met her 20 years ago. Crap. I am
the old one. I was in college when Lee moved to Gurnee.

Trampoline time. Charley was exhausted
that night. Still didn't sleep that well. Imagine that!

This is on Labor Day. Notice the long sleeves. Brrr...
And B's Tinker Bell shoes. Must get
Charley a pair that fits.

B's fairy house, complements of Cathie P. I glued
the stuff on. B hates the glue gun. Wonder why?
Aren't the canoe and oars cute? B's design.

Sandbox time.

Do I need to get this kid her own Tinker Bell stuff or what?

Lastly, a bath before bed. Getting off all the weekend grime.

I have another day in the life post to do. Of course, I took the photos on Tuesday and here it is Thursday and I am still working on the post from the weekend. (While I am supposed to be shopping at the green market for food and going to pick up birthday present and going to the endodontist. Plus, I have the Charley's Tinker Bell Dress to finish. Other dresses that are almost done, Shadow and Isabel to the vet, Charley to speech, laundry, dishes, etc, etc. And I am sitting here trying to entertain you. OK, better get a move on!

First Day of School - August 24th, 2011

I know, I know, the kids have been in school all summer. But really, that was more like camp. Playing in the kiddie pool, field trips every other week, lots of time outside, no Spanish. Yesterday, it was game on! Thank God! I love school, even if my kids don't (see Charley down below).

No special outfits. Really, I kind of forgot. But they each have a pouf in their hair, whether it matches (or even looks good) or not. Charley had to wear the green one - probably because B had the pink. Oh, I better get more poufs.













B went straight outside. She hits the ground running, that one. Charley on the other hand.... She wasn't crying when I picked up up after school. That's good, right?

August is Almost Over - Can You Believe it? August 18th - 22nd

I used to hate summer. The heat, the humidity, the sun. But, three summers ago (when I was pregnant with Charley, I threw sunscreen to the wind (the shame, I know) and laid in the sun. And while my skin looks worse for it, those sunny days made me love summer. I know, of all the seasons to like, why chose the shortest. (Because in the midwest, there is only winter and summer. Fall and spring don't happen. 90 degrees with 100% humidity or 28 degrees with no snow, only dampness and clouds.) But, the pools, the fruit, the tacos. I love it. It is also so easy to go out with the kids. No coats, no boots (or shoes), sometimes no shirt. Dinner alfresco (something we don't do enough) and lemonade. I love it all.

So, needless to say, I am sad summer is coming to a close. School started to day (I have some pictures to come) and we didn't go to the splash park at all! Of course, it is 91 today, and are we going to the pool? No. Too many things going on, including a napping Charley and a serger class for me!

OK, enough with my jabber, here are some shots from the past couple of days.

This is play time from last Wednesday. The little one doesn't look sick.

This was last Thursday. We went to the Green Market.
We didn't do a lot on the kids week off from school.
Charley had a sick stomach, so we stayed close to home.
But isn't my oldest just a doll in that skirt?

Those are bread crisps they are eating.
The only thing Charley ate for a couple of days.
(Damn vaccine and Monkey Bizness.
Low immunity + kiddie germ pool = sick Charley

Like the hair chatch? That little pony tail thing
is from a mermaid Barbie.

They girls were checking on the fairy house before
we went to the fairy store.

Walking up town.

This is after we visited the Pink Hippo.
Puffs all around.

By Friday, Charley was feeling better so we met a friend at the zoo.
First stop, the butterfly house. So cool. Great butterflies.

Next stop, the carousel. Charley wasn't so sure,
so she rode with B.

We saw some animals (You all know what a giraffe looks
like, so I won't waste your time.) Next stop before we left?
The carousel. This time, Charley rode herself.

There may have been a small (or huge) breakdown on the way out.
Charley was crying and kicking and screaming. Egocentric B asked
if we could visit the gift shop. Really B? Did it really seem like
a good time to shop?
We made it to the front of the zoo, had some milky (aahh..
the power of the milky) and a snack. All was better.

Saturday came and with it a storm. It left some good mud at the
end of the walk (you know, where the city dug all around for the new
side walks and hasn't been back to seed or grade or anything. Just left it
a dirty muddy mess) for B to play.

Isn't it wonderful I buy her nice clothes?

A bath was in order. We went to a my cousin Barb's
granddaughter's first birthday that evening and
mud did not make an attractive accessory.

Sunday was a great day and Lee invited us up to swim
and eat ribs. B didn't think it was necessary to change out of
her jammies.

Charley was still celebrating Ellie's birthday.

And then the swimming commenced.

Notice I am not in the pool.
Too cold for this wimpy girl.

Charley jumped on the trampoline, swam, at
berries out of Dick's garden, then promptly
fell asleep on cousin Jeana. Was she tired or was she
bored of the movie Shark Tales?

Not to worry, she didn't sleep long. It was time for more cousin time.
Another reason summer ending is sad. All the cousins
go to school.

Monday was beautiful, so after swim
lessons, we went outside for art.

And some bike riding.

What? Everyone doesn't play and paint in flippers?

Next up I think I have some back to school pictures.