Pedicure Please

Our friend Chris, who lives directly across the street from us, and his girl Jami came to our house to eat dinner with us last night.  He is always trying to get Cooper to eat his food. Every time Chris comes over, Cooper is usually wound up and excited that he's at our house, and is not interested in eating. But, Cooper REALLY is a good eater, when he wants to be! Ha! Really, one night my Mom had kept Cooper and Tristan. When I picked up the kids that night, she told me Cooper ate all of his Lasagna and all of Sissy's Lasagna. Then when we got home. Blake and I grilled filet's and Cooper ate the entire filet and mash potatoes. So, the boy can eat. Anyhoo, It's been a running joke for a few weeks now that, If Cooper eats all of his food. Then Tristan can paint Chris's toenails PINK! So, whenever Chris comes over, which is a lot. We try to get Cooper to finish his entire plate. It hasn't happened until...LAST NIGHT. We ordered Mexican Food. Cooper ate his Cheese Quesadilla and a plate of rice and beans. But, Chris said the deal was that he had to sit still and finish his plate. So, Chris said that they could paint only one foot.  Really, He is 5 yrs old. And he's a Boy! Not gonna sit still! Needless to say, Jami helped the kids paint Chris's toenails. It was pretty humorous.

We LOVE Chris's Girlfriend Jami by the way! Wink, Wink! For real though, we hope she stays around for the long haul! Even my little girl prays for "Chris and Jami" when we say our prayers at night. And that was no coaxing by me!~

It doesn't get much better than those hairy pink toes!

Drake's 5th Birthday Party

We left Hartselle and like I said before, "High-Tailed" it back to Birmingham, dropped off my Mom at her house and got Savannah, headed home, threw the kids in the tub, got dressed, wrapped a present, and let me mention all this in less than 30 minutes! We were on a mission to go to Cooper's bestie friend, Drake's 5th Birthday Party at the Birmingham Baron's Game. It was all very exciting. They got their Baseball Programs, had Hot Dogs and Cake, Bounced in Inflatables, Painted Harry Pottery Wands, and watched the Baseball game: Maybe a total of 3 minutes! Too much going on, Right? I can't believe how big these boys have gotten. It makes me sad to think that Sam and I had been pregnant together, waiting for their arrival, what seems like a second ago! Happy 5th Birthday, Drake!

HUGE SLIDE!

KEATON

THE BIRTHDAY BOY

MICAH, SAM, and DRAKE

KEATON, ELLIE, AND TRISTAN

DRAKE AND COOPER

GO BARONS!

Tristan and Dena

This weekend I had to go to Hartselle. My Mom came with me and kept the kids all day Friday. When I got back to my Aunt Dado's house, I asked my Mom if the kids had a good day. She said yes, they swam at Dena and Bart's, Played with their cousins, and my mom and Tristan went to visit with Mama Jean. My Mom also said that Tristan was going off their DIVING BOARD! Apparently, she has become a brave little swimmer when Mommy wasn't around. The next morning, we took the kids back to Dena and Bart's for Maddox's Birthday. Tristan didn't want anything to do with me! She wanted Dena! Dena got her to swim without her vest on and just wear her swimmies. Then she taught her to swim without her swimmies on the steps! I couldn't believe it. She was getting braver and braver. I have this all recorded on my camera phone, but can't seem to figure out how to email the video from my phone. Bummer.

Cooper saw Justin and Bart swim the length of the pool underwater back and forth (holding their breath of course). So, while Cooper thought no one was looking. He swam the WIDTH of the pool underwater without coming up for air! Yea Cooper. The kids enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball, Pizza, and Birthday Cake before "high-tailing" it back to Birmingham to make another birthday party! Whoo! I'm Exhausted!

Art Camp

Cooper had Art Camp for three days this week. The art teacher at his school, Ms. Kim, had put this art camp on at one of Cooper's Buddy's house. So, Cooper got to have fun with his good friend's from school and PAINT! Which he always enjoys because he sees his Momma paint.

This is a water bottle holder. You can't tell but it's insulated on the inside. He told me that the picture he drew was of Me(on the right) and him (on the left) holding hands. :)Makes my heart smile.

Craft for Kids

I printed these sketches that I created on Picnik. You are able to create your picture and download and print for free on this website.  I printed the pictures to use as coloring sheets.  The kids can color a picture of themselves and of Mommy and Daddy. They loved it. I got the idea from Carribbeanmissionarywife

blog.

You can do as many pictures as you would like. You could also make a whole coloring book out of family and friend pictures.

HOW TO:

Go to Picnik and upload your picture

Click on the CREATE tab

Click on EFFECTS

Scroll down to PENCIL SKETCH

(You can adjust the strength and radius to get the picture to your liking)

I used the ACTION JACKSON script, like she did. It is a good and hollow so the kids can color in the letters.

Click the SAVE and SHARE button and PRINT your photo.

In Love with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!

Once I purchased this Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I feel like 'Oh, My goodness, I can redecorate my whole house!' I had a few projects that I tackled this weekend-trying to play around with what all you can do with the paint. I still have not mastered AT ALL the dark wax. I know there is a technique and it seems so simple: wax on-wax off. But, it's not that easy to get the perfect look. I will be very excited once I take a class at the end of this month.

 

This is the before picture of a lamp that Blake has had since we got married. I thought it needed a little updating and a quick dust!

After!

A picture frame that I  painted using the Annie Sloan Provence color. I did use some of the dark wax on this frame.

This is a little table I had in Cooper's room for his night stand. But, I've rearranged his room and really didn't need it anymore. I painted this with the Annie Sloan Old White. If you only apply one coat of paint, you can sand it with a wet rag (which is way less messy) rather than using a sand tool.

Again, Love Love this paint! I will say, it seems pricey for these little cans, but it goes a LONG way! I purchased the Annie Sloan Old White, and Provence. The Old White I love, you can really do a lot with the color.