Decent progress....

I joined a Facebook group with some friends for motivation to lose weight and shape up. We did our measurements and took a swimsuit picture (scary!!) about a month ago, so today I redid them. I'm down 4" total. Not bad...thought it would be more. But, it's a good start. Sadly, the picture seemed the same to me.

January in South Texas...

Jake has been working to earn cards at school for "handling his disappointment appropriately" (as his teacher puts it!!). Basically keeping his anger in check...which he's done a lot better at...until this morning when I took him and he was a puddle of tears and screaming on the hallway floor.

Anyhow...he gets a reward at 10 and something a little bigger at 15. Yesterday he made it to 10, so I brought out this snowman cupcake kit that I had found at Penney's for $2. The kids were thrilled. They look like snowmen...right??? I thought so!

And...as you can see...perfect snowman making weather! Got to love Texas winters!

Thoughts for the day...

I was watching Oprah from a couple days ago and she made the comment "Be cute for yourself."
Hmmm...good point. It was part of a conversation about stay at home moms getting up, dressed and looking 1/2 way (or even 1/4 way) put together. Good point Oprah!!

And...if you're in need of prayer ideas, I'll share Sophia's from last night (all on her own):

Dear God,
Thank you for a nice day. Help my cough to feel better. Please help Jake use his manners.
Amen

Toddler Gone Wild...

Joshua has been fussy lately....and by that...I mean TERRIBLE!!!!! He's been so hard to deal with. I think it's a combination of teeth and possible ears. I keep thinking I might take him in, but decide to wait one more day.

Yesterday afternoon was no exception. He threw fit after fit about cereal in a bowl. So, being the good mom that I am, instead of trying to intervene and calm him down...I grab the video camera.

This is about 4 different little clips of the tantrum all put together. While you watch...don't feel sorry for the little guy. Sophia was fairly justified in her reaction!! And notice how she says "madness!!!" Hmmm....wonder where she got that from??? The last part is when I put him in his crib. Figured at least I could contain the madness to one room then!!

Kitchen decor...

I saw this idea on this blog: http://www.joyshope.com/

So I tried it today. Super cheap decoration. I used scraps that I already had. The canvas board was $5 at JoAnn's. I was trying to think of a word to use...and since we say this to the kids about 100 times a day...I figured it was a good one to use!!!

I think it turned out pretty cute. Needs a little tweaking for next time. The

fabric gets a little pulled when you stitch around it. And then it's hard to get it "just right" when you staple it onto the board. But, I think it has great potential for kids rooms, gifts....etc!

What I've Been Working On..

I've been doing some sewing....and got it finished today. A birthday and Valentine outfit for Sophia. A Valentine outfit for a friends' little girl. And a birthday shirt for Grant. Sorry Mary...I just didn't know how to "cute it up" more. The 4 on Sophia's shirt is hard to see.

All 3 girl shirts were on sale at Target for $3.50 each. All 3 leggings were brand new that I had bought for Sophia and she didn't like (shocking!!!). So...some very inexpensive outfits!!!! I realize they'll probably only be worn a couple times...so it's a good thing they're cheap!!

I'll be taking orders for outfits now. How much are you willing to pay???

Conversations that make you go "hmmm...."

We walked out the back door this morning to go to school, and the neighbors have a new dog (NOT good news) and it had one of those satellite dish things on (so they won't scratch).

Me: "Hmm..wonder what that dog is wearing."
Sophia: "a tutu"
Me: "Why would a dog wear a tutu?"
Sophia" "Well, he wanted to look pretty."

Yes...of course...why didn't I think of that?

Then...walking over to school, she found a pine cone. It's her show and tell day and she had taken a plastic ring. But, I told her she should show this pine cone instead. She said (very excited) "Yeah, this is WAY better than the ring!" Too cute!