My Little Loves

Down by the riverside...

The other day I took both the kids in the bike trailer to a creek about a mile away from our home.  I thought I was in decent shape until I had to work my way up this big hill on the way back....oh man....pulling over 75lbs almost killed me!  But they had fun playing in the mud and throwing rocks into the water....

Every kid needs a cool pair of chuck taylors (or imitation ones)...

Boden's favorite shirt.  He calls it his 'ga-tar shirt".  When he puts it on he proudly proclaims "mama rock!"

Nissa shared some of her shoe flair with Boden...

I am loving Nissa's daily outfits.  Lately she has been putting on her eyeshadow, lip gloss and sparkle powder (way more than she should be applying but it doesn't bother me) and fancy clothes.  The other day I was in the bathroom curling my hair (which I do almost everyday because otherwise it looks way too frizzy) and Nissa asked me "Why are you always so fancy?"  I told her that it's always better to be over dressed than under-dressed.  Seriously....I'm not that fancy but compared to many I suppose I appear to be.  I said would you rather your mom look like she climbed out of a garbage can....and she said "mom...you could never look like that!"  I guess she doesn't look at me too closely after I wake up in the morning...

Two and Six...

This weekend we celebrated both Nissa and Boden's birthdays because they are back to back.  Nissa had a sleepover with two girlfriends on Friday night and then we had a big BBQ with family, friends and neighbors....it was so much fun!

I now have a two year old on my hands...

and a six year old...

Picture of Boden's cake...I whipped this baby up last minute because I am such a procrastinator....I'm talking frosting it an hour before people came...I'm bad...so bad I first wrote Happy 1st Birthday.  It is supposed to be a train going up the mountain.  It kinda looked like a boob on top of a cake.  My theme was helped along by putting some trees on top which came from the basket of bath toys from a dinosaur set....yes the were clean. 

Nissa decorated her own cake...thank goodness!  She called it a flower sandwich with polka dots.  She has more talent then me at least...

Here is a great picture of the girls who came to the sleepover party...

Nissa said they only slept one hour....it was more like six....but to them staying up til midnight was living on the edge.  Come to think of it...I'm living on the edge if I stay up that late..

The Nugget...

I've been looking through my pictures over the past few months and can't believe how big Boden is getting.  He'll be two next month...it's crazy to think about.  I know I haven't posted pictures of him in awhile (let alone much else) so here's a few of my favorites shots....

"want one?"....

He loves Dora....

"What do ya see there little guy?".....

Oh...ewww!  Don't worry...we got rid of them.  It's safe to come over now...

Chillin'......

See, I even let my big sister sit by me every once in a while....

I cannot wait until this semester is over.  I'm drowning in homework, family, housework, and my wanting to just play.  My plan is to take the summer off from classes and enjoy the kids.  There is a lot of fun stuff I want to do with them and I can't wait to get started!!

Me and my girl.....

having a silly time today....

It's beginning to look...

a lot like Christmas around here....

 

See that Santa in the lower right corner.  I made him for my grandma when I was a kid.  She gave it back to me this year because she is at that age where she just wants stuff out of her house.  Every time you go there and mention you like something she asks "Do you want it?"  It's pretty funny actually.  Whenever Nissa goes there she knows she's coming back with something.

Yesterday Nissa and I went to decorate a gingerbread house at the local library.  We did this last year with much success.  You just bring a few bags of candy to share and the icing and house are waiting for you.  No mess, no need to buy too much candy and you are done in an hour.  Here's the results...

Today I came down the stairs, walked around the corner and spotted this hanging on the door and had to laugh...

Photo christmas cards arrived today...hooray!   These aren't the pictures but just a few scenes from the shoot.....

I couldn't get one good picture of the two of them together.  Boden wasn't having any of that.  He is not a snuggly boy so anytime Nissa tries to hug him or get near him, well....

Elf on the shelf...

This little guy is going to be making his first appearance in our home this year....

Have you heard about the Elf on the Shelf?  The story behind this guy is that at the start of the holidays, he magically appears (well, you put him out) on the shelf/mantle etc.  His sole responsibility is to watch your kids to see how they are behaving......and then every night he flies back to Santa to report what they have been up to.  Kinda like big brother watching you.  Hey, if this little guy might help my kids be a little nicer to each other around the holidays, what's wrong with that?  Anyways, every morning he returns back to our home in a new location and the kids have to try and find him.  The only thing is that they can't touch him or he loses his magic. 

So I picked up the elf kit that contains the doll and the story at Barnes and Nobles a few weeks ago.  As soon as I got home I opened the box to get a good look at him.  What I really like about him is his 50's panache, long and thin felt body and all around good looks.  Nissa likes how he looks like he has to go to the bathroom real bad.  But then I got a closer look....

Can you not tell me that you don't think this little elf might have had a few problems in his life?  Look at his neck....was he a bad elf and Santa tried to knock him off?  I was a bit sad to see his poor bloody neck and told Nissa that I wanted to exchange him for one with....well, a less 'suicidal' look.....but she told me not to so I guess he's staying with us.  Actually it's pretty funny and I bet it might prove to be a fun trait of his to exploit over the years.

Self portrait Sunday...

 I think we all feel like this sometimes....

Airstream (click to play)

Sometimes I wish I lived in an Airstream
Homemade curtains, lived just like a gypsy
Break a heart, roll out of town
‘Cause gypsies never get tied down

Sometimes I wish I lived on a mountain
Drank from a stream instead of a fountain
I’d stay there, top of the world
But I was born a red dirt girl

Unbridled or tethered and tied
The safety of the fence or the danger of the ride
I’ll always be unsatisfied

Sometimes I wish I lived by a pier
In a lighthouse with a chandelier
I’d watch everybody’s ships come in
And then I’d sail away with them

Unanchored in the storm
Or safely on the shore
If this is all I need, why do I want more

Sometimes I wish I lived in an airstream

Homemade curtains, lived just like a gypsy

(Song by Miranda Lambert)

(airstream photo by prawnpie ....photo-shopped myself in....yes, I know I need practice)

Self portrait Sunday...

Self portrait Sunday...

Self portrait Sunday...

I decided I want to be more creative with my photography and to do that I am going to do a series of self portraits every Sunday.  Why of myself?...because I have no other willing participants that are breathing.  The pictures might include my face or perhaps just a hand, arm, or some other body part.  I'm trying to be creative here so bear with me...

Hello!....