On my phone

I don't use the camera on my phone very often, but the other day I shot a short video of Sassy pitching in one her games.  When I went through my camera roll the following day, I found some fun videos and pictures that will give you a small snapshot of what our summer has looked like so far:

A couple of Princesses feeding the ducks in our backyard:

Someone got their ears pierced!  

A morning at the cages

A eery quiet took over the house and I looked down from the landing to spy these three ~ each playing on a separate device,
but linked up to the same game

They snuck off with my phone and took some selfies

And we've been attending lots of softball and baseball games for the kiddos.  It is so fun to watch both Sassy and Action play.  Here is a snippet of Sassy pitching:

Oh and lets not forget this beauty ~ Smiley taking a singing selfie during one of Sassy's softball tournaments.  I had no idea she had created this masterpiece until I found it on my phone!  Enjoy her little Frozen medley.....

Gallery Wall

I have had this picture pinned forever.  I think it was one of my very first pins.

(VIA ~ Just Be Blogged)

And, Jennifer from Hope Studios recreated it in her space.

(VIA ~ Hope Studios)

I also pinned this wall gallery.

(VIA ~ Love Charla Anne)

As you can see, I like the uniform look of the picture layouts.  

Square pictures.  Equal spacing.

And I finally found some time to redo the wall in our basement.  

When we finished our basement (5 years ago), I quickly found 6 of my favorite pictures, had them printed in black and white and tossed them into some UBER CHEAP Walmart frames 

that I spray painted black.

Here is what I ended up with:

Blah, boring and none of Smiley!

Well, things have changed :) 

I started with a plan.  A plan for 9 new pictures.  

I knew I wanted them to be 12x12's and I didn't want big clunky frames (simple, almost frameless).  

I also didn't want to spend the money to make the into canvas' for two reasons.  One, the $$ and two, 

I like to change things up and wanted to be able to swap out pictures without having to create yet another canvas.

I began frame shopping and ended up finding some at Michaels that I liked.  (This one is not the exact one I purchased, but very similar!)  Luckily I found them during the Christmas shopping season and besides them being on sale , they also had additional 25% off coupons!  Oh yeah...... :)

Anyway, with Hubby's help (more like I assisted the Hubs) we measured and leveled 9 frames.  Put the pictures in them and hung them up.  

~ Voila ~ 

So much better!  

BUT...

I loved it so much, and the wall is so big, and there were so many more pictures I wanted to use, that we ended up purchasing and hanging 9 MORE frames.

That's right 18 pictures in all.

AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Details:

Frames ~ Michaels (similar to these)

Photos ~ 12x12 printed at Costco

** The only thing I don't like is that Costco only prints 12x12 prints in a glossy finish.  So, there is a bit a glare.  In the future, I may look for a printer that prints 12x12's reasonably in a matte finish.

Get your Craft on

Someday Crafts

These 3

These 3

 Are such a blessing!

 Their smiles and spirits are contagious

I am proud to be their mom and my heart overflows

Our week in Pictures

working on the couch

playing with her princesses

steeler jerseys in honor of Hines Ward's departure

(and let me add, Action got Smiley dressed ~ every thing she has on, he found in his room ~ those pants.... 

boys size 6, rolled at the waist about 5 times)

3 cases of pancake mix ~ donated and sent to my house for a fundraiser Hubby and I co-chair

SNOW DAY!

for the kids

 and for Me!

painting window trim

spelling city time

packing up

banana muffins (and 2 loaves of banana bread)

family tree project

lazy.

riveting game of chutes and ladders

AND, my favorite picture of the week 

Smiley ~ dressed and ready to go (although, I'm not sure where!)

Visiting the Jolly old Man and Santa... if you're reading this:

Last week, I mentioned we took the kids to see Santa.

It seems 2 of 3 kids have some high expectations this year.

Sassy asked for a nice camera "with lenses that can be changed and zoom in and out.  Like my mom's."
FYI, "mom's" camera is a Nikon D90.

(source)

TO SANTA ~ if your not to busy to read this:

Santa, here is my word of advice.  Sassy loves to take pictures.  She wants to be a photographer when she grows up.  However, I think it's a bit risky to give such a nice camera to a 10 year old.  Not that she wouldn't take care of it, or doesn't deserve it, because for the most part ☺ she is a really great girl.  Respectful, hardworking, honest, helpful.  Don't get me wrong, I get the sass now and again ~ that is her nickname ~ and she does bother her brother and sister from time to time.  But anyway, I just think that that camera may be a bit fancy to take on school field trips, to the lake, camping and places like that, which I know is where she wants to use it.  A camera perhaps, maybe just not that one :)


Action.  Action looked at Santa with his baby blues and LONG eye lashes.  Flashed his charming, dimpled smile and told Santa he really wants a puppy.

(source)

TO SANTA ~ 

Santa, you were right to tell him that you would only bring him a puppy if it was ok with Dad and Mom.  Because quite honestly, one dog in the house is quite enough.  He certainly was bummed that night.  But I'm glad you were honest with him.  I appreciate that.   Especially after the time he asked for a punching bag and you asked him, "isn't that what your sister is for?" I still haven't gotten over that one!  Besides a puppy though, I'm not quite sure what he wants for Christmas.  I hope you or your elves have been watching.  If you come up with any ideas I could use, please let me know.... my email is ordinarymol@hotmail.com.  Thanks!


Smiley was excited and nervous to see Santa. She had really been thinking hard about what she was going to ask for when she got on his lap and had her opportunity.    Lipstick.  Lipstick is all she could come up with when her time came.

(source)

SANTA ~ 

So little Smiley climbed on your lap with the help of her sister, smiled for a picture and then it was time.  Time to tell you all of the things she was hoping for.  And what did she tell you?  Lipstick.  And she does want lipstick, let me tell you.  But, if you do decide to go with that, please stick to a flavored kiddy chapstick.  I don't need anything drawn on with real lipstick :)  But besides that, the rest of the things she had on her mind to tell you, but just couldn't get out were this:

* princess panties (she ~ along with her mom! ~ is very excited about being potty trained and loves checking out all of the fancy panties at Target ~ she is especially fond of the princess ones :)
* beds for her doll house
*shoes
*and dress up clothes.

THANK YOU SANTA!

And because, what's a post without a bunch of pictures?  Here are the kids and Santa through the years (and yes, these are pictures of pictures, so they aren't the best quality, but you'll get the idea):

2001

 our first experience with visiting Santa with our kids ~ Sassy was 9 months old

2002

My ABSOLUTE favorite Santa picture 

Sassy was so excited to see him, but was terrified when it was actually her turn

2003

2004

Actions first experience with Santa

2005

2006

2007

2008

Wow ~ hard to believe Smiley was this little :(

2009

Another one of my favorites ~ love love LOVE Smiley's expression!

2010

Sassy was home sick (super sick) with the flu ~ very bummed she couldn't go

2011

Everyone was all smiles ~ this was before the puppy got denied :(

So, what's on your (or your kid's) Christmas list this year?