Saturday, March 31, 2012

Mama Loves: Window Clings

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! I'm so thrilled that you stopped by!

Not sure what Mama Loves is? Check out the Mama Loves page for the scoop on what Mama Loves is all about.

Also---to see all the amazing ideas that have been shared here, check out the Mama Loves Pinterest page. So many crazy-good ideas there!
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This is a quick one. Mostly, because they speak for themselves! 

A couple weeks back the girls received some window clings from one of my dear friends.

One rainy day I decided to get them out.

My friend did warn me that they tear, but the texture is something that her child likes to explore, so she lets him. Honestly, the texture is pretty cool. I enjoyed exploring it as well!

The girls really enjoyed playing with them, especially the letters and numbers they can identify.



The best part about them---you can find them in the dollar bins at Target! Woo hoo! We are definitely going to be stocking up, because they are a hit around here!


 Can't wait to see what you're loving this week!


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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Funky

I've been behind on counting my gifts!

We've embraced this crazy spring, because all of this is definitely happening over a month early:

1156:
1157:

And, since all of that was happening. I decided to be very brave and plant half our garden. Kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and sweet corn all in! (1158) I also went ahead and planted zinnias and sunflowers too!


Did I mention that our neighbors gave us the raised flower beds graves at the end of our garden, so that we have even more room to plant things? (1159). 

The girls love to help their mama garden! (1160) They get their buckets and shovels, and haul rocks up and down the hill----it's serious business! They'll do this for a good 45 minutes. (1161)

They used those same buckets for an Easter egg hunt this past weekend. (1162)



The girls got sunglasses over the weekend. (1163). I love how kids with sunglasses look like they have attitude--cracks me up! (1164)


The girls also recently got new shoes, which they love, (1165) and Mama loves that you can just throw them in the washing machine! (1166)


Scrapes and bruises on little toddler legs---signs of being active and adventurous outside. (1167)

The girls have been mastering puzzles that I'd thought were too old for them (1168)---one in particular has helped them to recognize really obscure shapes like the quatrefoil and parallelogram. (1169)

We've really had a language explosion around here! The girls are saying all kinds of things. Probably my favorite new word of theirs is funky. (1170). 

Every night, a-la Goodnight Moon, we say goodnight to everything in the changing room. There are two cork boards in that room, with a cork that says: 


The girls point at the cork, and say goodnight to funky every night--hilarious! (1171)

Brad and I went out on dates---that's right, plural--twice last week. It felt good to get out of my yoga pants, and spend time with friends. (1172)

I enjoyed thinking about my core values this week, and getting some things written down.

We've had a rough week with teething, especially Hadley. I laughed as I read another person's core values one of them read, "I believe that teething is a major baby design flaw." (1173)

Linking with Ann.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Core Values

Last week I read my sweet friend Mandy's core values, and I've been thinking about what I would put on my list ever since.

Then, Amanda made it the question of the week, and I knew I needed to get my thoughts written down.

I think even after I've posted this I'll come up with some more---thank you so much for getting me thinking, ladies!
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I believe everyone has a story to tell.



I believe that our realities are shaped by our experiences.

I believe that love wins. 

I believe in taking your shoes off in the house.

I believe that being a parent is the hardest and most important thing that I've ever done.

I believe that it is completely possible to do hard things

I believe that playing in the dirt can be incredibly therapeutic.

I believe in fostering creativity in myself and in my children.



I believe that being beautiful starts on the inside. 

I believe in a good cup of coffee to start the day.

I believe in family time and family suppers.

I believe in reading my daughters stories every single day. 

I believe in eating sushi/Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese with chopsticks. 

I believe that a good glass of red wine makes everything just a little bit better.



I believe in honoring my children's schedule.

I believe in being respectful of other people's time.

I believe happiness is found by living fully and contentedly right where you are, regardless of the circumstances. 

I believe in experiencing life through exploration.

I believe in trying new things.  

I believe that my marriage is the closest and most important relationship I can have with a human.

I believe:



I believe that everything is a miracle

I believe in slathering my children in sunscreen and keeping them in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible.

I believe in being intentional.

I believe in doing things out of love, not obligation.

I believe in grace.

I believe Jesus is the answer. 

I believe in creating a culture of being active in our home.

I believe in being present with people.

I believe that it's important to take time to breathe.

I believe that we belong to each other. 
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What about you?