School

Cocoa Puff started pre-school this year. (tears)

She LOVES it! (big smile - because as sad as I am that she is one year closer to the big "K", I am thrilled that she loves school)

Being the mom that I am, I didn't get to take before school photos (of course I was running late). So, I just took after school photos!

I tried the traditional "in front of the front door" photo....didn't really work.

Cocoa Puff just wanted to pose and be silly. And I ended up getting distracted by a pretty plant.







Then I tried the artsy photo...I took it in our bedroom standing on the bed looking down. And it's cute, but doesn't show all of Cocoa Puff...*sigh*



So, I just told her to stand next to the wall...I am not crazy about the photo, but it'll do until next year. Let's not talk about next year...




She was so excited that she had homework....she couldn't wait to do it.



Of course, Cheerio wanted to do homework too! I just might change her nickname to copycat! They are too funny. (And YES...I realize her hair is covering her eyes...she will not keep a ponytail in all day...The Great Aunt Patty will be cutting it soon enough!)




I am hoping to get more posting done this week. I am so far behind. Fingers crossed!

Flapjack Friday - Florida Edition!

Well, hello! I feel like I've fallen off the face of the blogging planet....I'm trying to get back into the blogging frame of mind. And this week I have had help. The girlies and I are in Florida with the Nanny and the Papa. Nanny said she wanted me to spend lots of time blogging :-) So, here is my first post from Florida:

Flapjack Friday actually happened on Thursday this week because Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch spent the night on Wednesday night and was here for breakfast.

My normal job of flapjack flipping was taken from me....Papa decided to flip the flapjacks - it was really okay with me especially when I tasted melt in your mouth pancakes with crispy edges.



Hmmm? I know what you're thinking...."Crispy edges?"

I thought the same thing...but seriously - you should have Papa make you some pancakes with crispy edges. I'm going to have to have him make them again so that I can figure out how!

Photo shoot

June was not a good month for blogging...but hopefully I'm back! I had a request today for more photos...so here you are Mommom! I thought I would start with some recents photos that were taken at Portrait Innovations. The girls had a great time getting their picture taken and being the center of attention!

Enjoy :-)



























More words next time...tired tonight! Have a wonderful Friday!

Aargh!

No - I have not turned into a pirate.

I'm frustrated because I have been without a computer for over two weeks. I didn't post for two weeks before that because Cap'N Crunches parents were in town (amazing visit...but more on that later). Some of you were worried that I was too busy cleaning...okay just one person, Halley, but that's so not the case. Thanks for the concern Halley...love you!

I have three hundred and ninety-two ideas for posts that I have wanted to post...but without a computer it's pretty impossible. And I suppose I could have gone the the library...but I'm not on speaking terms with the library right now (who knew that they like to charge late fees when you don't turn books and stuff in on time - sheesh!)

So, I just wanted to post quickly, while the computer is working...don't get too excited - it could "break" tomorrow, but hopefully it won't and I will be able to get caught up...as overwhelming as that is.

I have really missed my blogging....a much needed stress reliever.

Just in case you have forgotten what my cereal looks like...here are a few photos.

Motivation...Found!

So, the other day, on this post, I was wishing for a jar of motivation.

Poof....wish granted.

Okay, so maybe it didn't quite "poof" but it clicked in my head that I had a jar of motivation all along...

I just had to open it.

Would you like to know what is in my jar of motivation? Well, of course you do :)

My family and friends. I am so blessed with a wonderful group of family and friends. And they are my motivation.

In May, Cap N'Crunches' parents are visiting for Cocoa Puff's 4th birthday. And don't cha know I want my house to be sparkly for that...well and we're having the party at our house - so I would like it to be pretty for the party! We are SO excited to have Gramma and Grampa visiting us...Shh - don't tell Cocoa Puff - it's a surprise!

In June, Nanny is coming to town....for Miss Cocoa Puff's dance recital - Aunt Molly and Mommom will be in attendance also. Of course the house needs to spic and span for the visit.

In July, Keith's sister, her husband and their son will be paying us a visit. We are just tickled that all these people are visiting. And it gives us the motivation to get our projects done...or at least mostly done.

Notice we don't have any visitors in August....would you like to visit our cereal bunch? We would love to have you...the house will be sparkling and all improved by then! The weather here in August is WoDeRfUL...hee hee a little joke.

Here are a few photos of what we've been doing to get ready for the first wave of visitors....

The garage before (and a cute little helper)

I was trying to be thrifty with this project and not spend any money buying paint. So I dug through our old paint colors to see what we had. These were the options:

#1

#2

#3

I was not crazy about the first two. The third one was okay, but I didn't have nearly enough to cover the whole garage...so I dumped all the colors together (minus that snot-colored one). And presto-changeo.....

The new garage wall color. I felt a little bit like an artist.

Isn't it beautiful and it was free. Well, okay I purchased it way back when while I was attempting to find the perfect color for our living room, but for this project it was free.

I even had an assistant and she works for free :) She is pretty fun to work with!

These shelves used to be yucky. I wanted to go buy new ones, but I challenged myself to stick with my budget (nothing). I painted the support thingies and cut some new shelves from materials we had from previous projects(okay, so Cap'N Crunch actually did the cutting - have to give credit where credit is due), painted them....I think they turned out very nicely, don't you?

I have a hard time putting things on them. Cap'N Crunch made fun of me. I think I might have a little OCD...or something.


Next up is a chair I purchased at Goodwill for a whopping $10 :) We had been needing one for our office, but I was not going to spend hundreds of dollars for a chair from Pottery Barn, but I didn't want to get a cheap-o chair either. So, I just kept looking and looking. One day I was inspired to go to Goodwill in search of something else, which I still haven't found yet, and I found this lovely chair. The color was not so lovely though.

My handsome husband, Cap'N Crunch getting ready to sand the chair. Don't you just love his getup?

Cocoa Puff decorating the driveway with rainbows. Cheerio was sleeping....Cocoa Puff is boycotting naps at the moment.



Well, that's all for today. The girlies should be waking up any moment. Have a great week.

Five question Friday

It's been quite some time since I've participated in Five question Friday...so I thought I would play along this week....it helps that I'm not having a garage sale like I did last weekend.



Here we go:

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?


I really have fond memories of high school.


But I don't like the idea of going backwards....ya know?


If I could go back and tell myself to be more confident and let loose more, I would, but I've learned all that the hard way....is there any other way to learn stuff? :) I'm sure I heard it plenty of times from adults who had been there/done that...but I didn't listen.


2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (no saying "more wishes"!)


I would ask for a publishing deal...so that I could have my wish of getting a book published fufilled. That would be awesome. And it would help with money so two birds with one stone kind of thing!

Next I would wish for a jar of motivation for those days when I'm just not motivated to: a) get stuff done; b) watch what I eat; c) exercise; d) blog :)

Wouldn't you love a jar of motivation? I am currently working on a motivation board...putting photos on display that will keep me motivated?...we'll see if it works.

3. What kids show do you secretly like?

Imagination Movers...they are cute. And they sing. And they are goofy...something we know about in our house :)

4. What is your beverage of choice?

Ugh...Three weeks ago I would have been able to say: Coca-Cola! And I would tell you that I had three or four a day some days :(

I know, not great.

So, today my answer is: WATER!

I'm learning to like it more and more everyday. I still have serious cravings for a coke, but I have something to show for it...and that makes it a little easier. See the next answer....

5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?

Outwardly...I am working on sheding a few pounds. Maybe saying a few in an understatment, but it makes it seem like not such a long road...one day at a time.

Inwardly...I am working on being a better person...for me! I'm not exactly sure what that means...but opportunities appear before me everyday...and some days I think I succeed and other days I fall flat on my face and fail.

So, there you have it...Five questions on Friday! If you want to answer these questions or read more answers - head over to Mama M's Little Life blog. She is great!

Happy, Happy!

Happy, Happy Anniversary to Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties :)

About a year ago (okay, so I'm late...better late right? Right?!!) I traveled with my cereal bunch (we hadn't turned into cereal yet though) to Mexico for my sister's destination wedding. It was almost like getting married again....but I was just able to enjoy myself instead of all the stress that came with my own wedding. My sister was the most beautiful bride.

FYI - The photo of the four of us - in the upper right hand corner - was taken while we were in Mexico.

Okay, back to the wedding - here are some photos and the real reason for the post: a video of Miss Cocoa Puff singing a song for her aunt and uncle. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch had the most adorable flower girl.

Papa and Cocoa Puff aka Flower Girl

Sleepy Flower Girl

My sweet Cheerio

(I'm loving looking back at these photos - she has changed so much!)

Cap'N Crunch is practicing his Father Daughter Dance with Cheerio


Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties

Isn't this a great photo? (I would love to take credit...but I can't. I don't have a nice camera...remember? Don't get me started :) !)

Cocoa Puff with her aunt and uncle on the way to the pool

Now...I did take these photos! Aren't they amazing?!

Cheerio and I got up early on the last morning and went down to the beach...I was a little sad we were leaving!

Footprints in the sand!

Cap'N Crunch and I have had this song in our heads for the last week or so...maybe she has a future in the songwriting business?

Happy Anniversary to Aunt Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Uncle Wheaties....and to Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jerry (I haven't decided on your cereal names yet.)

Happy Monday.