InstaFriday

A view of our week as captured through my phone, 

though not necessarily "instagrammed" shots.

 After living in our neighborhood for almost 9 years, we just discovered there was a trail behind our house.  Hiking time!

 He found a tree that had fallen and the base was moss-covered.  Of course, a mossy berm with nooks and crannies must have fairies inside!

 His first theater movie! Awesome afternoon date with my little man!
He was most impressed that the ticket lady knew exactly what room to send us to and that the rooms where all numbered.  Kids notice all those little things we take for granted!

 When I put his sister down for her naps, I typically find him reading in his room.
It always makes me so happy to curl up next to him and read whichever story he's been browsing.
It's usually a Richard Scarry book.  They're the coolest.

 I made a scrub for my pans and he jumped right in, scrubbing away!  I love a little helper.

 Making chicken pot pie.  

He says "Mom, I cut carrots like a ninja!"

 L.O.V.E.

Who can resist a sleeping baby with her rump in the air?
And those delicious thighs...

There's our week as viewed through my phone.  Hope yours was beautiful, too!

Linking up with:

 

Shoot!  I forgot it was canned food drive week for InstaFriday...

Does it count that my husband bought a food drive donation bag at Safeway last night?!

Chillin'

From the moment we brought home this bean bag, she has claimed it as hers.  She climbs it, rolls off of it, reads her books in it, and just plain chills.

Aren't those slippers the cutest?  They're locally made by Wooly Baby from upcycled felted wool.  They are the softest things ever and the soles are non-skid, which is essential for an ever-wobbly toddler.

For the record: she does NOT play X-Box.  She simply has a love for all things remove control and snags it from the remote box on a regular basis.

Project Simplify: 2012

Starting today, there's a new Project Simplify challenge.  YAY!  I heart organizing.  I'm so ready... Bring it on, Simple Mom.

I did last year's Project Simplify and powered through my closet, countertop, and fridge/pantry, but bombed out on the kid's stuff assignment and the final week, which was choose-your-own.

This year's hot spots are the same and to be done one per week.  Week One: Kids Stuff.  I jumped on board a little early over the weekend and started to slowly begin going through the kid's stuff.  It's so overwhelming...  I began by totally gutting Bug's room of toys several days ago and putting it all in the basement with the rest of the toys that have been "out of rotation."  Right now, there's only stuffed animals, books, and his trampoline in his room.  I think I might like the idea of no toys in the bedroom.  Since clearing it out, he really gravitates toward the bookshelf and I've found him quietly reading on his bed several times.  It's pretty awesome.

Anyway, on Friday night after the kids were in bed (because when else can you go through toys?), I started to sort everything.  I began with three bins for the toys to keep in rotation, a throw away pile, a bin for my sister, a bin for our nephew in GA, and a bin for our friends in DC (everything loud and annoying comin' back at ya, dear! He he he.)  I hardly made a dent, but at least the ball is in motion and I can take it in small bites over the week.  This is a project that has been hanging over my head since I ignored it during last year's project simplify and it was made even worse by a bombastic toy explosion this past birthday/Christmas season.  I feel such a sense of relief that I'm finally ready to tackle this beast.

 The basement storage room. (My apologies for the blown highlights.  I took this with my phone.)

 The first round of sorting.  Baby steps...

So They Say...

Bug: "Congratulations, Mom! You have a big belly for another baby!"  Um, nope.  Not having another baby, but thanks?

Bug: "Do Chinese people call Chinese food 'Chinese'?"  Great question, little thinker!

Button: "Pree!!" Pointing to all things sparkly, colorful, or lit up... Pretty!

Bug:  "When I grow up, I want to be a traffic director, a tree cutter, and a garage man.  No, not a garbage man, a recycle man!" 

Button: (As she folds in half and peaks at her bottom) "poooo"  He he!
 

InstaFriday

A view of our week as captured through my phone, though not necessarily "instagrammed" shots.

 Another afternoon trip to Terrain.  They had a blast playing in the stones.

 And I had a blast daydreaming of Spring and gardening!

 He found a fairy garden.

 Sunday breakfast.

 Love in a cup.

 Experimenting with coloring.

 She's so impressed with his bulging biceps.

 He asked for a cruise ship.  Mom delivered.

 Horsey joins us for dinner.

 Beauty in the everyday.

Hope you had a great week!

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Wheeee!!