Those Beans

Thanks so much for all of the comments and general sweetness yesterday.  I really wanted to see if there was anything you'd like me to do or any questions you'd like to ask.  And, instead...I just got so many compliments.  Thank you.  I wasn't seeking them, but I so appreciate them!  You are the best.

On to today...

So...maybe you shouldn't plant beans with people who don't understand how long they take to grow.  "Are the beans ready?" has been a question asked sometimes more than once/minute.  Maybe this is teaching them patience?  Maybe not.  I'm certain it is teaching me.  However, here's how it all went:

We got a little dirt in some solo cups, and Sophie helped me get everything set up.

I had some old pinto beans in the pantry.  I didn't read up on planting a bean, so if they're too old or if we should have done something to prep them, we didn't.  I guess we'll soon find out in there was any life left in them.

Someone thought they looked like they'd be fun to eat...

and quickly discovered she was wrong.

She went and got her brothers from the other room, and we got started.  We just added a touch of water.

Then, we used popsicle sticks to make a little hole.

And, we dropped the beans in!

Then, we thought we should name them.

They are: Rose, Hosse, Thunder and Papa.  Sorry for those people whose names didn't make the cut!

Now, we wait.  And wait.  And wait some more.

Valentine, You are a Blast!

Last week, while Elley had the kids, I took a valentine project over to work on with the boys.  I think Carter and Peter maybe made three and were done.  So, I put together the rest.  You know, that's typically happens with all of my mom-thinks-the-kids-will-love-this projects.  

But, we did get some Valentines made and a few sent, so here's what we did:

 We made rocket Valentines via an all-in-one package from Paper Source.

Sophie, Elley and sweet Aunt Sammie even put a few things together.

Carter was very specific as to where he wanted to put things.

And, Peter added a great big heart on his own.  On the back, there was a little place to put a treat. That day, it was their incentive to nap well.  I'll tell you someday if it worked.  

 The end result of theirs...

Then, a few days later, I brought out the glitter pens and let them go to town on the decorating...

Clearly, Dad's joke-telling was much more entertaining.

I think this creation of Peter's might be my favorite!

Whether you love or hate this little holiday, we hope you spend some time with or hear from those you love this weekend.  We love you :)

Pallet Book Shelves

I mentioned a month or so ago seeing a fun bookshelf idea on Ashley's blog.  I had heard about them and had seen them a bit on Pinterest, but when I saw them on Ashley's blog, I knew we needed to at least try it. What else were we going to do with the pallets we had in the barn?!

So, Jeremy got them built and sanded.  Then we stained them twice and gave them a couple of coats of varnish...

We quickly realized that they weren't going to necessarily stain evenly and the varnish wasn't going to perfectly coat every square inch.  But, that's what makes them unique.  

They're up in the playroom now!

 And, there are cracks here, and sand marks there...

...even a stamp on this side.

 They're a fun little rustic addition to the playroom and they keep a few of our go-to books!  I think it might even be fun to paint one for the boys' room eventually.  We'll see if that happens :)

If you're looking for something a little less traditional to house a few books, give this inexpensive option a try!

Christmas Ornaments

This weekend we had to get our minds off the bug, so we decided to make these ornaments.  I remember growing up with similar ornaments that my dad made when he was little, so we thought we would give it a try!

They just have three ingredients, so they were pretty simple...

^^^Carter cutting out shapes.  Think he might need to eat a bit more?

^^^We also wrote our Santa letters.  Carter is hoping for a Lightning McQueen bike!

^^^Peter just really wanted to eat the dough.

^^^Carter getting them ready to go in the oven.

 ^^^They cooked for two hours, so I painted them when they were finished to get them ready for the boys after naps.

 ^^^Then it was time to decorate with glitter glue!

 And, a sampling of the finished product (minus the string to hang them with)...

We had a blast doing it and can't wait to give them to others for Christmas!