movie binder

This was nothing extraordinary, but I did take about 30 minutes this evening and copied the front of each of Ben's movies, put them in page protectors, put them in a binder, and then moved the movies to a shelf that is completely out of reach for Ben.  

I came across this little idea in my most recent issue of Parents magazine in one of the sections where readers send in ideas.  When I first read it I thought it sounded a little over the top, but lately Ben has been pulling out DVDs and making quite a mess.  I want to make sure they are taken care of, especially since some are borrowed, but I also want to make it so he can't just grab one and tell me he wants to watch it.  

previous location of toddler movies

new location - middle shelf of bookcase

(just crammed three shelves of our books in the top two)

color copies

 copies in placed in page protectors and then in binder

the finished product

(I actually had all the supplies needed on hand)

   after - with the flash and without

(lighting isn't too great in our living room at night)

We really try to limit TV time, and maybe the "out of sight, out of mind" idea will help with this. We've also placed the movie binder out of reach too.  Hopefully a little reorganizing will keep things in better shape and help reduce some of the "wants".  We'll see!

what a wednesday!

so far today I ...

• struggled with my toddler for almost 30 minutes to get jeans and a shirt on to run errands
•  discovered my sister-in-law's birthday gift (which is now almost a month late) is lost in mail - even though it has a tracking number (sorry Lindsey!)
• had to stand in line for way too long at the grocery store for just a few items
• got spaghetti sauce on my white shirt
• have still managed to ignore the mess of dirty pots and pans that really need to be washed sitting on the kitchen counter
• have a sick husband asleep in our bedroom - not sure if we'll even see him today

But on the bright side, guess I still have about half of the day left for things to improve.
And I feel much better after getting that all off my chest.  :)

Hope you are having a good Wednesday!

the library & apple dumplings

Recently Jake was home from work during the week and I was able to escape to the library by myself during nap time.  This may not sound exciting to you, but I was thrilled.  I LOVE the library! In fact, I'm there every week on Tuesdays - for Toddler Story Time.  And even though I really enjoy sharing story time with Ben, it doesn't really give me time to go browsing through books for myself.

  I think I spent about 30 minutes just wandering and looking.  I found myself looking at books about everything from sewing to making skin care products at home.  It was great!  I eventually found myself with a pile of cookbooks and a couple of novels.  Did I mention I also love the library because it's FREE???  This causes me to checkout a large amount of books because I know that even if I don't finish them I can always recheck them, and if I don't like them I just return them.  Perfect - no hassle, no risk, and great for someone who can tend to be indecisive.

Little did I know this cookbook from my recent library visit

would be a common topic over the weekend.

It was pretty surprising when Jake's cousin and aunt brought this dessert to lunch at Grandma's house on Sunday.  It was delicious!  We also talked about the cookbook and The Pioneer Woman.  It was fun!  The Apple Dumpling Recipe is not in the book, but you can find it on The Pioneer Woman.  I have started reading through the book and it looks like all the recipes will be just as tasty.  Hope to try one of them soon!

weekend happenings

Today was the most beautiful fall day that we've had yet - and Ben and I were stuck inside!  It was pretty frustrating to miss out on such a beautiful day, but we seem to have some kind of a cold going through our house.  It started with Ben over the weekend, then me last night, and now Jake.  Ben has seemed pretty much like himself today though, so I think that is a good sign.  Hopefully this is out of our house in a couple of days.  Until then it's hot tea, juice, and kleenex!

I really wanted to write all about our busy weekend last night, but I just wasn't up for it.  So here's a quick look at our eventful weekend...

Friday afternoon garage sale - pile of clothes for Ben for $5!

keeping occupied while Mom cooks breakfast for dinner Friday evening

biscuits, bacon and scrambled eggs with peppers (from our garden), onion and cheese

a quick trip to the playground after dinner

early Saturday morning we joined in local fun for National Hunting and Fishing Day

(that's Jake in the canoe)

first time fishing - we sat with friends and enjoyed the new experience

the worms were a big hit with the little guys - not so sure what Ben thought about the fish though

relaxing

  

flowers for Jake's Grandma - in the car on our way to visit

The flowers are the only thing I took a picture of on Sunday, and I am not sure why.  I took my camera along, we were seeing family that we haven't seen in years, celebrating Grandma's 91st birthday, and the Kansas landscape was beautiful, but I have zero pics.  Guess we had such a good afternoon that taking pictures didn't even cross my mind.  We stopped at my Mom's for dinner on the way home (it was about half way in our three hour drive) and a quick stretch before we completed the rest of the drive.

The weekend flew by, but it was fun.  

I don't think we could have packed much more in it than we did! :)

Once again, I want to say how much I appreciate all the comments and emails I receive from all of you - old friends, new friends, and family members.  It's so nice to know you're out there.  Enjoy the rest of the week!

something new

I just finished a new project!

Here's a little look...

This one is a gift, but I hope to add a variety of these to my shop later this fall.

Enjoy the weekend!

a little inspiration

Sometimes I see a half empty glass, and lose optimism in my hopes and dreams.

Tonight was a good example.

I started working on my sewing projects for my shop again.  

It's been almost two weeks since I've done anything shop related, and I found myself unmotivated and unproductive.

Then I glanced at a bulletin board by my cutting table and saw this...

along with a few fun, fabric pieces (and Christmas ornaments) there is a piece of paper my mother gave to me with this printed on it...

A dream is a path to the future,

a quiet belief in the heart,

A small, secret wish nurtured

deep in the spirit, where all

great accomplishments start.

A dream is an endless horizon

that only the dreamer can see,

A dream is a challenge to all

that you are...

a promise of all you can be.

-Amanda Bradley

Just what I needed tonight.

My glass is half full and I am optimistic.

more birthday...

the cake

• it was super simple and fun to make
• my husband thought of using the red licorice and graham crackers for train tracks - great idea!
• we also made cupcakes to share with friends

 

 the decorations

• these were also simple and cost very little
• fabric banners - made with yellow and blue fabrics I already had in my fabric stash - they were really easy to make and didn't cost me a thing
• balloons - the one thing I did purchase, but they were worth it!
• Happy Birthday Benjamin banner - I actually made this last year (paper, poster board, and markers) for his 1st Birthday
• presents - placing the presents around the room (preferably out of his reach) helped add some color and they worked like extra decorations 

We decorated after Ben was asleep Friday night, and the look on his face was priceless when he saw it for the first time on Saturday morning - at least that's what we hear from Grandma and Grandpa who were sleeping in the living room.  

 

One of the top moments of the weekend was when he was sitting in his chair at breakfast Friday morning, and said,"I SO EXCITED!"

 

the presents

happy birthday!

exhausted

 more presents

backyard camping

• our new tent was put together for the first time
• we ate hotdogs, potato chips and smores - yum!
• cooked over an open fire (our weber grill)
• we went back inside and slept in our own beds

 

one more time

It's been a great birthday and we've enjoyed every minute.

We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful son!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Love, Mom & Dad