Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

The Junk Market was last weekend!

Here are just a sampling of photos from the marvelous junk heap in the Shabby Mamas tent.

Standing: Andrea, Kimber, Becki / Seated: Carrie and I.

Name tags, aprons, friends, and shabby chic home decor – a nice day all around.

Cheers for trying something new!

Love,

Jess

Yes, Bear

Don’t bears eat a lot, then go sleep for a good long while, say, all winter long? That is a bit of a reflection of my current lifestyle.

I try to grin despite all the sickness and the fatigue of this pregnancy but really I don’t hide it very well. I try not to be a bear with my attitude — my pregnancies have been been an emotional blessing — stable hormones I guess.

Hiding in a cave only lasts for so long, so through the muck, I still try to get out…

• The Macy’s Flower show was a nice way to get excited about Spring. My favorite part was eating soup and salad in a restaurant with a sky view of downtown.

• I gathered with my small group ladies to discuss the novel, The Shack (which I didn’t actually read because I have been under a rock for 9 weeks). Surprise, surprise my favorite part was the meal we shared…everything was lovingly prepared (by my friend) from the Barefoot Contessa.

• I finally checked out a little bakery with some MOPS friends. It was delightful. Good food, good talk. I am just a little cross about losing my French truffle due to a queasy tummy. But, this too shall pass!

Now I must log off to eat and sleep some more…then get up and do it all over again.

Merry Happenings

Thanksgiving kicked off an attitude of gratitude in my heart. I had no grand plan, daily read or assignment.

I am just keeping my eyes open and more importantly my heart open to contentment, peace and thankfulness.

Here are some of the little things that have helped make my season merry.

1. A handmade set knit by a friend just for my little guy that Ry absolutely adores.
2. A trip to Ikea that offered a close parking spot on a very bitter cold and dreary day followed by a kind woman in the Ikea cafeteria that cleared my tray for me because she’s “been there” and Molly discovering the free cookies while Ry played in Smal-land (Ikea’s play place). All of which led to the purchase of new bins and an organizing frenzy that suited my needs quite nicely.
3. Lunch and story time with a friend. Ry, Lucy, Becki and Molly.
4. Sharing the wonder of Advent season with Ryan. Every step of Christmas (Jesus’ birth) and Christmastime (snowmen, candy canes, etc.) seems to bring him overflowing joy for which I am very grateful.

Super Hero Party

Renovation blues draggin’ ya down? Why not have a drop off birthday party with 7 kids under the age of 5.

Shake off the sawdust and cover those outlets! Be sure to remove all table saws and 10″ screwdrivers from the play area. Or if you are like me you do this as guest arrive.

Plan to get behind on your scheduled projects and try to have fun. I really believe hospitality is an attitude not a state or condition of my home.

Here are some highlights from Ryan’s 4th birthday super hero party.

We used cardboard and pipe cleaners (yes I know they are chenille stems but I just can’t convert) to create a party sign for the front door. Placing a sign at the door before company is expected is a welcoming tradition that Ry has established.

Pre-party happy jitters.

I keep a stack of white lunch sacks on hand for parties. By decorating them myself I always have the ‘theme’ I need.

Contents: mini play-doh cans (purchased at 50% off in the Halloween area), candy and batman fruit snacks.

I bought only a few commercial items. The balloons were a gift from Ry's party helper Grammy Lu.

We made a Bat Cave from a washing machine box, Spider-Man and Friends Memory game pieces and tempera paint. We kept the top open a bit and cut out two eye spy holes on one side and a secret mail slot on the other side.

For this super hero party I gathered all the toys in the house that would work as party props. Featured here is singing Spider-man with steamers.

Each guest wore a custom painted Super shirt. They each used fabric markers to decorate their own capes (white flour sacks). The little guests 2 and under had capes (1/2 a flour sack) with Velcro tabs on their shoulders. The doorway shown in the upper left of this photo was draped in red streamers for decoration and fun!

Super Molly snacked on pretzels.

Super Colin goes for a ride without his cape!

My baker Sam made this cake for Ryan. You know Sam don't you? He has his own club and everything. Sam put in extra Spider-Man details since we were having a multi-hero party.

This picture speaks for itself.

Who wants a photo? We want CAKE!

Of course the nice part about not having any furnishings in the party area was freedom! We ran, played Spider-Man Hoops, Spider-Man Clothes Pin Drop and Super-Man Jump.

Of course you can't beat an after party, "I love you Mom!"