Yesterday was the big ultrasound day. So we’re proud (and a little surprised!) to announce:
We are thrilled!
{family} A Sister or a Mister?
{link list} 5.30.12 Edition
I love link lists.
There’s nothing better than word of mouth, so when a blogger recommends a
recipe, a new shop or a great read, I am all about it! Here are a few things
I’ve come across this week…
1. Summer temps are here and that means Popsicles in this house! These fruity ice pops look delicious. I need to order these ice pop molds ASAP!
2. Imagine if you were forced into isolation during menstruation. No school, no income…no access to hygiene for days. It’s seems so hard to imagine, but unfortunately, this is real life for many women around the globe. Enter Days for Girls International, whose idea was simple: get washable feminine hygiene kits into the hands of women who would otherwise go without. DFG is a really neat organization and takes in all sorts of donations. Be sure to check out their Facebook page too!
3. Looks like shoes are turning out to be a weekly topic! Check out this very informative article about Comfy Mom-Friendly Shoes. I think I need a pair of TOMS and (someday when I’m rich) Frye boots.
4. On my to-try list this week: Chewy Chocolate PB Cookies and Peach Crunch Cake. Oh yum.
5. Prepare to awe and wow your kids: make gigantic bubbles using sticks and cotton string! I know my boys would love this!
6. During a late night of insomnia-induced web browsing, I stumbled upon Gap Kids and oh my word, do they have some cute little dresses for baby girls. I love this one and this one and this one too. Today is the big ultrasound day, so I don’t have long to wait to see if these will be in my shopping cart!
7. Drowning in your attempts at becoming a super-mom? Be sure to read this “Real Chat” post from Anna. Everything she said was so honest and true. Definitely a must read, mammas!
8. Etsy find of the week: clothing by Sue Bradbury! This tank dress is super cute and I think I could pull off this maxi dress even pregnant. And this hoodie sweatshirt? So comfy!
{home} Getting Ready to Sell: Progress on the Dining Room
Today I’m starting a new series on the Big White Farmhouse: Getting Your House Ready to Sell!
As much as we adore our sweet little home, the time has come to get it ready to put on the market. One of the big changes I’ve been referring to lately is that my husband got a new job. An awesomely great job that he deserves. But like every awesome thing, it doesn’t come without challenges. And one of those challenges is moving in this horribly awful housing market. Perfect timing, right?
With Baby #4 in utero until October, we have decided to wait until the end of 2012/beginning of 2013 to put the house on the market. So that gives me 6ish months to whip this house into selling shape!
Now let me be the first to tell you that I have absolutely no qualifications when it comes to house selling and I don’t really know what I’m talking about. But I do look at a lot of pretty homes in magazines and on Pinterest and I do love to research, so I’m hoping we can all learn together!
So today: the dining room. Before I painted last weekend, this is what it looked like:
A whole lotta red. My husband loved it, I tolerated it. But we all know Rule #1 in the Home Selling Handbook is “paint neutral colors” so the red had to go. I used YOLO Colorhouse Paint in Stone .02 that I ordered through Amazon. A couple hours later, and we had this:
HUGE difference. The room instantly felt taller and larger. But I’m not done yet! Check out what’s left on my to-do list:
I’ll be back soon with updates! Until then, what about you? Have any tips for staging a dining room?
P.S. Don’t mind the fact that one of my sweet innocent children broke one of the drawers off my antique dresser/sideboard. Jury’s still out whether I can fix it.
P.P.S. That sweet innocent child is hiding under the table. Can you see him?
{family} A Little BWF Summer Camp
Summer is here. We’ve been finished with PreK for a few weeks now and one thing is definitely clear: my kids do not do well without some structure! Without a daily routine, there’s been more bickering, more “I’m Bored” whining, and just a general lack of peace. At this pace, I’d be a mad woman by August!
So I came up with a plan. The rules were:
1. It had to be easy to implement with very little prior planning.
2. I had to use books and supplies we already own…no extra spending. (Exception: weekend “field trips” with Daddy)
Without further ado, our Summer Camp Schedule! I included my whole plan (with links!) in the hope that it may help a fellow Mamma survive the summer with little ones too.
BIRDS: June 4-8
Book: Counting is for the Birds
Craft: Cheerios Bird Feeders
Craft: Birds Nests
Activity: Angry Birds coloring pages
Activity: Make our own version of Angry Birds with blocks and balls
Field Trip: Lowes for birdseed and a new feeder
ART: June 11-15
Craft: paint rocks
Craft: Introduce a new medium to work with (clay?)
Craft: Decorate an artist’s smock with fabric paint
Activity: sidewalk chalk
Activity: Hold an art exhibit at the end of the week with all of their creations/paintings/drawings
TRAINS: June 18-22
Book: Freight Train
Craft: Toilet Paper Tube Train
Craft: Printable Paintable Train
Activity: Set up train tracks around the living room
Field Trip: Ride the train at the mall
FISH/WATER: June 25-29
Book: Swimmy
Craft: Mosaic Fish
Craft: Paper Aquarium
Activity: Math review with Goldfish Counting Mats
Field trip: Picnic lunch at the beach
OUR TOWN: July 2-6
Books: Little People: Welcome to Our Town and What do People do All Day?
Craft: Build a town out of boxes (paint or cover with paper)
Craft: Draw a map of our neighborhood
Activity: Go for a walk and do a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Field trip: Visit our favorite places: library, bakery, etc.
Field trip: Find a park we’ve never visited before
ZOO ANIMALS: July 9-13
Books: TBD…we have a ton of animal books scattered around the house
Snack: animal crackers
Craft: Macaroni Lion
Craft: Paper Plate Elephant
Craft: Monkey Masks
Movie: Curious George
Field Trip: Visit the zoo
AIRPLANES: July 16-20
Book: The Little Airplane
Craft: Toilet Paper Tube Airplane
Craft: Popsicle Stick Airplane Scene
Activity: Make paper airplanes and have a flying contest