Girly Nails!

GGirl has a streak of girly-girl. I may have encouraged that when the reward for good potty training days a couple years ago was painted toe nails. I very rarely do my fingernails because it doesn't last long and it's messy. My toes usually get their "summer painting" in the late spring. More recently I've become aware of all the unnecessary toxins in our world, so I'm trying to kick those out where ever I can. Recently I was introduced to nail wraps. I'm so out of the loop on new beauty trends, but I like this one! A direct sales company called Jamberrysells nail wraps that are heat and pressure activated finger/toe nail stickers. The are billed as non-toxic: bonus! I put a sample wrap on at the party and gave it a few days of dishes, bath times, batch cooking, diapers, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when it stayed on and looked good the whole time. No chipping! So, I order some French Tips and swirly summer fun wraps for me and GGirl picked out ladybug wraps. GGirl'swraps went on over an episode of Neverland Pirates (including a no-complaint nail trimming!) and mine took about a half hour. We'll let you know how they hold up. There are tomatos to be planted, laundry to be hung, dishes, cooking, playing in the dirt and so much more to test these pretty nails out. (If you're intrigued and interested in ordering let me know, I'm thinking about doing a catalog/online party.)

The Cookie Dough Conflict

The other day GGirl and I made cookies.  It had been a while and she was very excited.  She was particularly antsy to lick the beater off (surprise, surprise.)  So, she stood at the sink licking off the beater while I portioned dough for the oven and the freezer.  When the bowl was empty, I took the spatula and started in on the dregs of dough in the bowl.  GGirl,  with her tongue still twisted up in the beater headed over to get her mits on the bowl too.  I kindly explained that she got to lick the beater and I get to lick the bowl.  She continued to try to weasel her little fingers into the dough saying something about how much she "loved special treats".  As I pulled the bowl away from her grabby little fingers for the third time I muttered, under my breath,  something along the lines of "I'll special treat you."  To which she replied without missing a beat and with an inflection of attitude that she is way too young to be demonstrating:  "Any day! Any time!"

After picked my jaw up off the floor, I asked her what she meant.  Her tone back to the happy four-year-old: "Special treats any day any time mommy, 'cuz I just love special treats!"

Ok.  Got it.  Phew.

Book Review: Wildflowers from Winter

Wildflowers from Winter is the the first book in a series by Katie Ganshert.  I mistakenly read the second book, Wishing on Willows,  first.  I enjoyed it. When I had a chance to review the first book, I took the opportunity.

Wildflowers from Winter is the story of Bethany Quinn.  Bethany is a strong, determined woman.  She left her hometown of Peaks in rural Iowa after high school, determined to succeed in professional life,  determined to do it on her own, and determined to never return to her life in Peaks.  When a family emergency brings her back to the small town, Bethany is faced with reconciling her successful present with her painful past.  Throughout this story of reconciliation, her relationships are challenged, life choices are analyzed and the positions of new and reconciled relationships must find a place in Bethany's future.  

Katie Ganshert draws the reader into the lives of her characters through threads of realistic circumstances.  The final tapestry created by those threads is a wonderful story of reconciliation and redemption.

Disclaimers: I received a complementary advanced reading copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of the Blogging for Books program. The opinions and thoughts of this are my own and are not influenced in any way. This post contains affiliate links. 

Still Smilin'

In spite of fever, molars cutting through, super snotty nose - and those are only the symptoms we can see - MMan still gave me one sparkling smile today.  Some days, it's the little things.

11 Months Old

MMan is officially 11 months old.  [Insert all cliches about how fast time goes by here.]  He's sporting 8 front teeth and working on a couple of molars.  The baby-face is slowly shifting to the face of a toddler and I'm alreading seeing glimpses of mischief in this little guy.  If he's awake, he's on the move.  He is a master crawler and with the introduction of shorts in the last couple of weeks, he has taken to the "hands and feet" bearcrawl method.  He gets around quickly on foot too as long as there is a piece of furniture or cabinet to hover his hand over as he goes.  If he's asleep, he's out for 3 to 5 hours at a time.  This makes for great naptimes, and not so great nights.  His giggles are just about the greatest thing and when GGirl gets him laughing, any of the frustrations of the day melt away.

He got to take his first airplane rides when we went to Colorado and travelled like a champ - even if he didn't sleep a wink on the way out there.  I think he may have the early stages of FOMSS (fear of missing something syndrome) manifesting.  I'm told it runs in the family.

Every day is an adventure and I'm having fun seeing the adventures with my little man.

Budding Florist

GGirl is enjoying all of the flowers of spring and expressing some creativity.

The Back Porch Office

This is my favorite day of the spring/summer: the day my office moves to the back porch and I work while GGirl plays in the yard and MMan naps upstairs. Sun shining. Birds singing. Hours worked. Once again such a blessing to be able to work from home!

World's Apart

We've spent the last two weeks in a home-of-my-heart: Southwest Colorado.  Friends who loved us, before HandyMan and I were an "us" and certainly before we even entertained thoughts of children pulled our children into the rivers of friendship that run deep and the swells of joy, laughter and camaraderie. Over two weeks we embraced the thinner, clearer air.  We soaked up the sunshine.  We absorbed the presence of friends who we only see once every few years.  Our feet walked paths of memories through trails of our past.  Face-to-face time with 'co-workers' who I talk to almost every day, but haven't seen since I started the job almost 3 years ago.  I watched GGirl run around the grounds at camp, fascinated by all the space, campfires, golf carts.  Time with my parents in a home-of-my-heart.

It is such an amazing blessing to step back in stride with friends who we've been apart from.  It was a very blessed two weeks.  Photos and stories to come.

Little Hikers

What's a trip to the mountains without a little hiking?  GGirl was a trooper and did great, up and down some pretty steep hills.  MMan took his first nap in the back pack.  A beautiful morning out with friends!

Chalkin' it Up

The fun of new environments is new activities.  GGirl has been introduced to sidewalk chalk this week.  As our hostess arrived home from work, she was greeted with GGirl's charming face asking "Will you come outside snd chalk with me?"  She has charmed help from most of the grown-ups and there is quite a mural out on the driveway!