::painted flower pot::

I would love to take credit for this one, but Lily actually brought it home from kindergarten.  I LOVE the finger print bugs.  They made it with paint and sharpies.  I love her teacher.  She is so clever. 

::perfect shot::

Emma took this picture.  We were all dressed for Easter and I wanted one picture with Josh.  I have two pictures in the past year that I like of myself and this is one of them (my profile picture is the other one).  I love that we are sitting on our crazy huge deck that Josh built, with our tree we look at when we lay in bed (you can see the top from our window on the other side of the house),  with the dog houses, the tire swing, the homemade wind chime, and the upside down bucket for kids to hang from the tree handles.  It just captures the eccentric life we love.  Nerd love.

::garden beds set::

The beds are set and ready for plants.  I sprayed the pathways with weed killer today and plan to mulch them soon.  The bad news is I have decided to give up on square foot gardening.  I used it last year and I think it is a great idea for people who need to save space, but space is not the issue.  Now I just have to re-plan my bed plants.  FUN!  I love a good list that requires multiple books for reference.  Why is a good list so calming?  

By the way, this is my first all manual picture since college.  The kids were at their grandma's and I spent a few good hours (after I woke up at 9am!!!!!!!!) refreshing my brain to the concept of ISO, F-stops, and shutter speeds.  It came back pretty quick but I still have TONS to learn.

::schaefer doings::

Josh - Poor Joshy his "honey-do" list is very long.  He had been a really good sport about building all my projects (still want that outdoor chicken run) but I promised to repay him by helping organize his  barn.

Brooke - thinking of really cool spots (and some uncool ones) for two little 6 month old friends that are coming over this month for photo shoots.  EXCITED!  and scared

Emma - has her first tennis game next week.  How stinking cute!

Lily - she and Emma had a little sleepover on the couches the other day and when I came to tuck them in she said, "We can only wake you up if we have a heart attack, a ski-zure, or a broken leg."  I have no idea were that came from.    

     

Max - his verbal skills are taking off and starting to catch up.  If he wants a drink he says, "Apple juice!" It doesn't have to actually be apple juice, any drink will do but he at least gets the idea that words mean something.  Can't always figure out what he means by some of them but it is a work in progress.  

LAST - Lily and I are making a totem pole out of tin cans.  Does anyone use those really big ones, or kind of big ones?

::potbelly mystery pig::

We had a spotting of the mystery pig that lives in the neighborhood.  This little oinker shows up every now and then.  One time Josh and I spent a good hour trying to catch him.  I was having dreams of him being my pet and loving me forever, but that little pig could not be caught.  I have seen him sniffing around other peoples yards too.  I'm not even sure that he has an owner, but with his smart little pig brain he has figured out a way to survive.  Maybe he was a pet that got dumped out here?  Who knows but I think he needs a name.  Maybe Henry?  

::layton shoot::

The other day I got the chance to live a little dream of mine.  I am sort of embarrassed about it, because it is really making art and putting it out there to be judged.  But I secretly want to be a photographer.  My dearest love Megan started a little side business in our nursing unit as the units family photographer.  She is so amazingly talented and I lived vicariously through her.  Her images are stunning.  Check them out.  When she moved away recently (tear) I missed not only her but her art.  She had done all of our mutual friend Shelly’s pictures for her.  Shelly’s son Layton was turning one and she was out a photographer.  I asked her if I could try it.  Here is the result.  

I’m not sure how I feel about how it turned out.  I think that some of them have potential.  None of them are heart stopping like I really wanted, but I did learn a great deal in this shoot.  I got to go through them with my Dad who is a hobby photographer and got some good tips.  I learned about using my flash even in the sun so that I get less face shadows.  But I want to learn more.  I need honest advice and insight so I can improve.  Throw it out.  Be straight.  

And Shells - thanks for letting me start somewhere

  

::kids art supplies::

I love the look of kid art supplies.  All those glorious colors all together and looking so stimulating.  They are art themselves.  But if you want a perfectly organized cabinet than you are in the wrong place.  The point of this shelf is to let the kids use it freely, not to have them scared of getting in trouble for not keeping it perfectly organized.  Ideally it would be in a cabinet with doors, but ideally I would have a walk in closet too.  

When Lily was a toddler I started gathering this stuff and I never had to lock it up.  She always understood that markers were for art not for walls.  But due to Max’s appearance on the scene, paints had to have restrictions put on them and must be put out of reach and sometimes sight.  Also markers and crayons have been moved to the top shelf.  

Here is a look at the constantly changing and evolving list of things I keep on hand for them.  All must be washable except crayons – bless the magic eraser.

List of must haves

Markers

Crayon

White paper

Construction paper

Kid scissors

Tape

Glue sticks

Brown paper lunch bags

Coloring books

Empty notebooks

Idea books

Colored masking tape

Pencils and sharpener

Watercolor paint

Finger paint

Stamp paint

List of bonus items

Old pictures for them to cut up

Pot holder weaver

Feathers

Glitter glue

Sequins

Popsicle sticks

Cotton balls

Coffee filters

Ink pads and stamps

Pipe cleaners

Wax paper

Pompoms

Stickers

Tissue paper

Puffy stickers

Card stock

Ribbon

Twine

Finger ink pads

Tracer light

Hot glue gun (with adult help)

Since many of these things are not very expensive I tell Santa and his cohorts that they make great smaller gifts and stocking stuffers

I store it all in a book case I had in college and about three times a year I go through and throw away the broken stuff. 

I thrive on the art that they bring me.  Sometimes we have a set craft we work on together but usually they just go in and start creating.    

:: disney tips ~ Epcot top restaurants::

Two kids to grandma's - great excitement

The following recommendations are a combination of my experiences and my friend Blythe’s experiences.  She is the only other person I have ever met that loves Disney and gets the opportunity to go as much as I do.  

Brooke:

Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada – fun steak house place that is in the cellar of the castle in Canada.  Try the chocolate mousse.  You will not be disappointed.  I think the food is so good and the environment is done like only Disney can do.  

Disney Summary:

"Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion offers refuge to red meat lovers beneath the bustle of Epcot theme park in a setting inspired by the wine cellars of the grandest Canadian château-style hotels: Le Château Frontenac and Fairmont Château Laurier.

At Le Cellier Steakhouse, feast on regional cuisine based on recipes from the provinces of Canada. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant features succulent prime rib and filet mignon from aged corn-fed beef, and pan-seared seafood, along with its signature dish, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. The extensive children's menu aims to please the picky eater."

My Dad overly happy about his hat

Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco – great place for large groups to gather.  Great family style dinning, and the kids loved the belly dancer.  Josh didn't love this place for some crazy reason but I thought it was such good fun and the food is wonderful.

Emma saving baby Lily from fall in a fountain at Morocco

Disney Summary

"Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot theme park serves fragrant Moroccan cuisine delicacies for lunch and dinner, such as roast lamb, shish kebab, couscous and brochette of chicken, as well as a vegetarian selection and a kid-friendly menu.

This North Mediterranean oasis for culinary adventurers offers the undecided the Taste of Morocco: Royal Feast, which includes everything from Harira soup to Moroccan pastries—all on one platter. From the full bar, select such specialties as the Casablanca Sunset, the Sahara Splash and the Marrakesh Express.

Yet there is more to this fabulous restaurant than its savory cuisine: In the splendor of a sultan's palace, belly dancers entertain you with their sinuous movements to the percussive music of this exotic country."

Tokyo Dining in Japan – nice place for a couples romantic sushi dinner.  But even if your kids don't like sushi like my little weirdo do, there is plenty of family friendly fair.  I haven't taken my kids there because Lily would order enough sushi to cost me 4K.

Disney Summary

"Tokyo Dining is a modern Japanese restaurant at Epcot Theme Park with a fabulous menu for lunch and dinner including sushi, sashimi, tempura and grilled steaks and chicken.

Perfect for connoisseurs and those who like new and exciting tastes, Tokyo Dining provides the finest in flavorful Japanese cuisine with fresh fish and vegetables and high-quality meats offered in a modern setting. Celebrate the excitement of modern Tokyo mixed in a harmonious union with the traditional food culture of ancient Edo."

FOR KIDS:  Take them to the breakfast to the Princess Storybook in Norway.  It is a princess breakfast with all the princesses except Cinderella, and as a one point place on the dinning plan you can’t beat the price.   (Cinderella's castle is a two pointer.)

Disney Summary

"Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, part of the Norway Pavilion within Epcot theme parkWorld Showcase, provides a Disney Princess Storybook Dining experience in a medieval castle-themed restaurant. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall showcases American cuisine for breakfast and authentic Norwegian cuisine for lunch and dinner."

Blythe:

Lily in england :)

Rose and Crown in England – great place to watch 

Illuminations from

Disney Summary

"The Rose & Crown Pub Dining Room is in the United Kingdom Pavilion of the World Showcase in Epcot theme park. For lunch and dinner, find favorites from Great Britain, such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and vegetable curry. Delicious desserts include Chocolate Scotch cake, apple crumble and Sticky toffee pudding."

make your own sundae

Garden Grill in The Land pavillon -

 Restaurant revolves and has great food.  Very cute and has a Character meet a greet at certain meals.

   Disney Summary

"The Garden Grill Restaurant is a rotating restaurant with Character Dining featuring Chip 'n' Dale in the Future World   area at Epcot theme park.

Generous all-you-care-to-eat, family-style dinners include such delicious favorites as grilled steak, roast turkey, and sustainable fish of the day.

While you eat, look out the windows of this rotating restaurant to enjoy scenes from the Living with the Land attraction. Some of your food might even be grown in the Land greenhouse! And make sure you save some room for the special desserts."

Coral Reef in The Sea - One entire wall is glass so  you can view the ocean life.  Slightly over priced for food quality but can't beat that sea turtle swimming by.  

Disney Summary

"Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot theme park serves scrumptious seafood for lunch and dinner surrounded by stunning underwater views of The Living Sea coral reef.

Dine on grilled mahi mahi, pan-seared flounder and other seafood favorites, as well as New York strip steak, grilled chicken and vegetable strudel. All the while, look out on the largest inland saltwater environment ever built— containing 85 different species of tropical fish."