Classroom Class

I've been getting my room ready and thanks to Pinterest I'm well on my way there.

First off is just a poster about revision and editing. I see these all over on Pinterest as anchor charts.  I laminated mine to keep up all year. It's a nice addition to my new writing program.

And secondly, with a little help from Claire, I made a sign for my door. I found this on Pinterest as well.  I used burlap and paint, as I deduced from the picture. I cut my burlap into 10x3 strips and folded them in half to be 5x3.  I had claire paint my paper pieces white, and after they dried I added the lines with sharpies and a light hand.  

Then I painted on the letters.  The pencil I cut the bottom to be a triangle and filled in the tip with a sharpie. We painted the body with yellow. I didn't opt for erasers, way too much work for a three year old.

The last step was threading through some white yarn to hang my banner. I glued the pieces in half with hot glue with this in mind and left the top bend unglued to form a whole for the yarn.

I hope these additions make for a fun and educational year!

Tales from the Gnome Home

Claire and I have been at no loss for adventures this summer. We spend our weeks doing various outdoor activities, working on our handwriting and letters, and of course crafts!

This craft project took several days to complete, but I think it turned out nicely. I saw several of these concepts on Pinterest, with links to buy your kits but we thought to just make our own.

I took charge of the glue gun and glued together the door and window frames and shutters using craft popsicle sticks and hot glue.  Claire did all the painting. I originally thought to make curtains but loved the way this yellow fabric made the windows look like they were glowing so I just glued it on the back.

I sealed the projects with multiple coats of Mod Podge then sprayed everything with a sealant including the gnomes.

Claire helped me search for flat rocks, sticks, and bark for our finishing touches. She even found these cute split acorn shells I put by the door.  We really want to add pinecones,  but our searches have been fruitless. Or pineconeless,  if you will.

I hot glued all the things to the tree.  I couldn't find one good website to describe how to attach these things and I wasn't keen on drilling or putting nails into the tree.

Looks pretty good now! Don't know how long it will last, but it sure was fun and Claire loved finding all the parts. Now we have a whimsical addition to our front yard! The gnomes sure seem thrilled!

China Rebellion

My very favorite thing in my kitchen is my fancy china. Everyone needs some. I got a cabinet to display it properly, but it just isn't the prettiest...

I saw a cool and easy project on Pinterest that required no altering of the cabinet itself. Sure painting furniture sounds fun (no... it doesn't ) but I don't want to hurt the cabinet. So here is what I did!

I used removable double sided tape for scrapbooking and simple wrapping paper. If I had it to do again, maybe I would have invested in something like wallpaper, but that's not nearly so cheap.

Then I added the china and some flowers for accent. What do you think?  I think it looks a lot more sharp and makes the china look happy

Doors shut, apologies for glare.

Head on view, doors open. Also the light is making the paper look a little crinkled. It's barely noticeable with the doors shut. Darn this camera phone. 

What do you think? Was it an improvement?

The Dishwasher Disaster

So my dishwasher has looked hideous for about a year. Since we realized we were stuck with a monkey. A monkey? You ask. Yes.

Have you ever seen those cute magnetic pictures they sell at the dollar store? Well it's my mom's favorite place to find stuff for Claire and she got this Valentines Day monkey for her. Claire had a lot of fun sticking it together. She stuck it to the white, magnetic expanse of the dishwasher and we thought nothing of it. Until we tried to take it off. It melted onto the dishwasher! I panicked and thought it could just stay. Except it wasn't put together so it was a disembodied monkey. So we tried everything to get it off and save the surface, giving up before it scratched the surface.

Today I'd had enough. I wanted to get it off, so I scratched it off, along with the pretty white surface.

I saw a pin on Pinterest about putting stuff over the dishwasher. I decided chalkboard vinyl would allow claire to still play while covering my disaster. I saw other ideas with bead board and metal tiles, but nothing truly matched our kitchen. So chalkboard it is!

Overall I like the look. Anything is better than the monkey. Unfortunately it's not the best writing surface, but it's still fun to play with. If I did it again I don't know if I'd buy this particular product. I got this decal from Target. It was smaller than promised online and seems really delicate for something that is intended to be removable. Still... anything is better than that monkey... and for that I'm thankful!

Hello There...

I have taken nearly a year off from blogging. I'm not sure 100% why other than life got in the way and I didn't feel much like celebrating life or projects or general nonsense. 

So have I done anything at all this whole year?  Well, I made a quilt:

This is for Claire's bed. I made it larger than a twin size so it could upgrade to a larger size some day but also right now cover the fact I'm too lazy to make a bed skirt. 

I made a Halloween costume for Claire, too:

I made a full black dress out of jersey fabric. It was just a self done pattern based on a shirt of hers that I studied. But of course, for Claire, we still have to keep all the tulle makers in business so I made an over skirt of black and purple tulle. I also sewed tulle to her sleeves and her hat. I didn't make the hat, I just made it better. 

So those are my two severely crafty items that I can think of that you missed. I didn't use patterns or anything to share. Just my brain and a calculator. So that's not real exciting if you want to do it too, unless you're willing to hang out with me and borrow my brain for awhile.

 I plan on getting back into the blogging mode soon. I'm testing the waters. I miss writing. I do. I just don't know yet about celebration. That's what this was all about and right now I'm still hesitant to feel thrilled about the everyday. I'm trying though. This is my first step. 

52:47:Learn

Claire was my date for an evening of basketball.  Unfortunately it was our "Silent Night" game which doesn't mean much to a toddler who loves yelling and cheerleaders.  Once the popcorn ran out, we were out of entertainment!  Here is Claire checking out my classroom, watching some Elmo's World, and COLORING.  Thank goodness for ample coloring supplies.  I realized after this, if a situation ever arose where I had to get Claire and bring her back to school while in session, she'd do just fine.  She commanded those desks, sat in all the chairs, sat on the couch, and drew some masterpieces for me. 

On a side note, now when we drive by the school every day on the way home she tells me how I changed her diapers there, that there are games there, and she suggests we go color.  Mind like a steal trap on this one!

52:46:Dine

Claire had the honor of gracing the "kid's" table this Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, she did not get along too well with her dinner companion.  I had to laugh out loud at this picture because they looked like a little adult couple as he's talking to her and gesturing and she's trying to watch him while also dig into her meal.  Luckily after some fights over pointing and one table-stealing episode, they got along well enough to finish eating all the yummy Thanksgiving goodness!

52:45:Investigate

For Claire's year two pictures we went to the Governor's Gardens and downtown Jefferson City.  One thing we really haven't done is taken Claire to see the trains.  A train pulled up while we were there and she was super interested.  I thought this was cute.  She ran right up and peeped through to see what all the ruckus was about.  Too cute!!

52:44:Wish

I've been so behind on my photo editing!  Great reason, of course--I have so many pictures and so many awesome Claire events!  I've just unloaded 200+ pictures that are all birthday and year two related.  I'm going through to pick pictures for our house--we are going to have to start putting pictures in the bathroom or something.  I've also been working on Claire's Year Two photo album (which by this time last year I was FINISHED with Year One's album, so I'm freaking out a little).  Not all of these pictures have been touched up, but here's a recap of Claire's awesome birthday!

The Cake.  Not as happy with this one as the last one--I tried the "fluffy" decorating instructions.  THIS is why I like to make a tester cake... ugh.

Easy to decorate for Sesame Street when we have so much Sesame Street stuff all over the house anyway!

What wonderful gifts!  We were so blessed!

Only two-year-old on earth who marvels over clothing gifts

Digging through the stash

RIP Burt.  He's not been played with since this photo... poor Burt.

Trying on her snow outfit.  Not even kidding.  She loves clothes.

Trying to put on her snow boots. Seriously, there are toys unwrapped at this point.  But shoes are awesome.

THE backpack.

Claire pushing her new baby in her new stroller using her new backpack for a diaper bag.  Where are they going?  "To the DOCTOR" is the most popular destination.  This kid.

A tricycle for a girl on the go

We are so blessed to have such great family and friends.  Of course Auntie Anne attended (thank you for the puzzles and backpack!).  Claire's little friend Clare also attended with her sweet parents (thank you for the coloring supplies!  We color non-stop!).  And of course grandparents and all your generous gifts! 

Claire had a great second birthday!  It reminds me I don't need to go "all out" when she's still more excited about sticking bows on people and ripping off tags.  We are just so lucky to have this sweet little girl and all these wonderful people to share her with.  We are blessed!

November Birchbox

From left to right...

• The Chuao Chocolatier Assorted ChocoPod (7 pack for $7.95)--won't lie, they had tastier sounding flavors like plain salted chocolate and honeycomb and chocolate.  I got the chocolate covered potato chip.  It was a really thick piece of high quality chocolate--couldn't even tell there was a potato chip in there except it gave a little crunch, like a pricey and better quality Crunch bar.  I won't lie, if I didn't have to risk the other weird flavors (bacon), I'd probably buy a box.
• Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture and Volume Spray ($11.00)--I was on the fence about trying this.  I'm trying to avoid all drying, sulfate, silicone (well, the bad ones), paraben, whatevers on my hair.  I read through the ingredients and since I was wearing my hair straight today, I figured I'd give it a whirl.  Bad.  So bad.  It was like a magic spray that turned my hair into magic straw.  It didn't create "beachy waves" or any magical "texture" unless by texture you  mean heavy and sticky.  I was going to save this bottle for the beach next summer to recreate beachy waves.  Anyone else want to try it?  It's not for my hair type AT ALL!
• Miracle Skin Transformer Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector ($58)--I was excited to try this product.  I've been in the market for a make-up primer with the reasoning that it would moisturize plus make my foundation look even better.  I do like this and misread the card thinking it was much cheaper... for this price though, I expected more from the product. AND I got a blemish... which I can't totally blame on this, but I have reasonably clear skin, so I've got to point a finger somewhere.
• Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer Try-Me-Set ($22--for three different colors)--I got the yellowish color of this (obviously).  I was really excited to try a "luminizer" or highlighting product with all those pictures floating around on Pinterest about how to mix this with bronzer to really contour your face.  I'm still working with it, but I was impressed with the blending of the product--it smooths right in and looks like a subtle glow.  For the price, I think it would be an interesting product choice to pick up.  Don't think anyone would be unhappy with it.  I also don't see how you could EVER use up all three (I'm thinking this sample will last a year as is).  But if you're interested in that type of thing, this is for you... the best they've sent me!
• Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Petite Cologne Absolue ($75)--The product notes say they were on the look for an unconventional rose scent--it's smoky and rosy and straight up old lady.  It also claims everyone will ask what I'm wearing.  I'm pretty sure everyone will just ask if a dead relative left me her perfume from the 1950s.  This stuff is strong, perfumy, and not at all romantic as it claims.  It's got the "bold" part nailed though.

I won't lie, my Birchboxes are starting to wear me thin.  I've got a lot of samples that are stacking up that I don't end up liking... then samples I LOVE are way too expensive.  I'm thinking of cutting out now after using up my $20 worth of bonus points.  I hate to, because I love the thrill of samples.  And yet... I've bought tea, a BB cream, and two gifts for my husband from Birchbox using my points so far.  Might just get that luminizer set?   I'd have luminizer to last through the apocalypse.  I'll be buried at 80 with that on my face... maybe not then, huh?

Hair Revolution: Wen vs. Hair One

Disclaimer: No one pays me to review their products.  Oh how I wish they would.  Oh how I wish Chaz Dean would knock on my door, get down on one knee, offer me a 32 oz bottle of Fig Wen, and ask me to be his Wen Girl.  But no, no one is doing that.  I just have a lot of time on my hands.

I've finally had a chance to test out and compare Wen to Hair One.  Both are cleansing conditioners.  I started out with Hair One, so I might have a fondness for it because it came first, but thanks to a good friend I got to borrow some Wen and now I have a fairly good idea what sets them apart.

Price:  If price is your issue, go with Hair One.  A 12 oz bottle of Hair One will cost you $11.99.  You can purchase a kit from Wen for $29.95 that includes (I think) a 12 oz conditioning cleanser plus the deep conditioner, texture balm, styling creme, and a comb for $29.95.  For just the Wen cleanser, a 16 oz on QVC will cost you $29, and on Chaz Dean's website you'll pay $32 for a 16 oz.  Just something to think about, when I get the 12 oz of Hair one, I go through it in about three weeks (if you imagine half the bottle is just shampoo, half is conditioner--so six ounces of each, you'll get an idea of how much you use.  I have a lot of hair.)

I've decided through research I need to try the Fig Wen.  I have no idea what it smells like.  Fingers crossed for Fig Newtons?

Quality: Product wise, they feel about the same.  I like the texture of Hair One because to me Wen feels a little thinner, however, I think Hair One sometimes can leave residue if you don't rinse well enough, but Wen didn't seem to do that.  I've only tested two scents of Wen and two scents of Hair One.  Hands down, I like Hair One's sweet almond better than Wen's sweet almond mint.  However, Wen's pomegranate has pretty much the rest of Hair One's line beat.  I'm using Hair One's argan oil right now, and it smells like a man's cologne. 

Hands down best smell.  So tempted to just start buying two of these instead of one 30 oz. of the others... why isn't there a 30 oz of this at my Sally??

Results:  I feel like the results are pretty similar.  If you're on the fence, try Hair One (it even comes in 6 oz bottles if you're afraid to get that much product).  That way you can tell if a cleansing conditioner is something you're even interested in.  My hair is softer, easier to manage, no tangles, my scalp is not oily, nor does it itch.  My very wiry section of hair is way calmed down and feels very soft.  I do think it might be a little lighter and not weighed down as much when I use Wen.

Accessories:  Wen has a styling creme, finishing creme, deep moisture mask, texturizing balm, and refreshing spray.  These products are designed to work with your cleanser, so whatever you put in will wash clean.  Hair One has a volumizing spray (I don't need volume) and some oils, but nothing else.  If you use a lot of product, you have to be careful to find stuff that doesn't cause build up.  That's why I love the fact Wen has accessories--same scent, all meant to work together, and washes clean.

The $29.95 kit.  I always liked accessories... hmmm....

Actual Feelings:  If I had the money, I'd be a Wen girl.  For my money, getting all their products and using them exclusively would be the easiest choice to keep things simple.  However, I don't have that kind of money just to drop exclusively on Wen.  In a perfect world, I'd catch Wen sales on QVC (this friday, fyi!!) and switch out Wen and Hair One to make the good stuff last. I'd be happy to stick with just Hair One, especially if I find a good balance of gentle styling products that don't build up.  I'm a big Hair One fan.

Either way, if you're having hair problems--lifeless and flat?  Frizzy and out of control?  Maybe it's not you, maybe it's not your hair, maybe it's just your shampoo.  I ran the gamut of shampoos (a future post) and I'm quite pleased using a cleansing conditioner.  Please don't judge my day-to-day looks as I'm still trying to find the best styling techniques.  What you should judge is my CLEAN hair.  Come touch it.  I'll let you touch my "kitchen" even (if you ask real nice, of course).  You'll see.  My hair is plenty clean and I've shampooed... twice... three times maybe... in the last month.  Every day without shampoo is helping your hair.  Trust me, whether you invest in Wen or run out to Sally (and I've got a discount card, if you want company and a few bucks off your purchase), I think you'll be impressed with cleansing conditioner.  No suds in 2013!!

52.43.Trick-or-Treat

Claire celebrated her first real Halloween this year.  She knows all about candy and peacocks, so we knew this day was going to probably be a hit.

We went to Grandma's neighborhood for real trick-or-treating.  Claire loved running around the neighborhood, and once she realized knocking on doors resulted in rewards of candy, well, there was no stopping her!

Sweet Baby

Momma trying to keep up

Scoping out houses

Peacock visitor

Candy break.  Could.Not.Get.Enough.Suckers.

Auntie Anne taking a turn

Grandma on trick-or-treat duty

Princess Peacock taking a ride in the wagon

So thankful for great family to help us on our very first trick-or-treating adventure!  And so thankful Claire likes to share candy, because she got TONS! Happy Halloween!

52:42:Carve

Claire loves pumpkins.  Every day it's a race to get up to the front of the house to hug the pumpkins or say hi to the pumpkins.  I thought for sure it would be really traumatic for her to see them cut open this year, but she was too excited to reach inside and grab the goop.  Until Mommy started dropping the goop from the other pumpkin right on to the newspaper-covered floor.  Then Claire started to scream about how messy this was and had to clean up the mess for us.  What kind of monster have I raised?

Claire and Mommy, getting down to business.

We carved an Elmo pumpkin and a Hello Kitty pumpkin.  Elmo didn't make it a whole three days until Halloween, unfortunately, but Hello Kitty stayed awesome.  My hand, however, suffered some major blisters plus I pulled away the skin around my finger nail with all my intricate carving.  Whoever thought pumpkin carving kits and stupid patterns with little tiny pieces to cut out was a good thing deserves to have a pumpkin thrown at them.  Seriously.  What were they thinking?

Hello Kitty, whose whiskers and broom were almost too much for me to handle.

Elmo--who looks completely sturdy, sure, but somehow still managed to cave in almost immediately.  Ugh.

I'm really a sucker for seeing Claire excited, though.  These pumpkins definitely produced great responses from her.  I'm so glad that she can be excited about things now and recognize things.  Nothing made my heart happier than hearing her yell "Elmo!" as soon as she saw the first pumpkin.  Of course, she called Hello Kitty a witch, and if you've ever heard a toddler say "witch"... well... I'm glad we have exposed her to Hello Kitty enough where she also said "Hello Kitty witch"... so you didn't automatically assume she was calling me another word that sounds an awful lot like it... ;) Happy Halloween!

52:41:Design

 

We are getting ready for Halloween around here.  I had to measure Claire to make sure I made the right costume decisions, but Claire decided that she knew how to do it better, so she proceeded to design her own costume from my yards of tulle.  She knows what she is going to be--she will tell you what it is.  However, I'm having a hard time seeing the final result in her dramatic costume interpretation above.  Can't wait to reveal the final product!