8/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: You love to paint and take it very seriously. It was a perfect morning for it with lot's of natural light splashing in through the windows. 

Gray: Every day you seem to start revealing more and more of yourself to us. Lately you make this really silly face when you laugh that we all get a huge kick out of. 

friendly places

Sometimes the best medicine for the winter blues is to plop down on a girlfriend's sofa with a stack of magazines a mile high...

with Gilmore Girls playing at just the right happy volume for background comfort...

and to be thoroughly amused by her quirky kitty...

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend! 

kitchen wrap up

I realize I left you hanging with the kitchen update but I kind of wanted to live with it for a while before I gave my review. We went with the butcher block counter top and I love it! They are made from Michigan hard maple, sealed with a clear top coat- no stain. They're even more beautiful in person and wipe up very nicely. I was warned by the contractor that they may not stay pristine forever but I assured him I'm down with a little patina over time. I love the story it tells. According to the manufacturer they are maintenance free meaning we don't have to keep resealing them a total plus in my book! We chose a classic subway tile in "french white" (slightly off white) and light gray grout.

The fire clay farm sink is a dream come true. I don't have a bad thing to say about it. It's huge and  makes doing the dishes so much easier. The faucet is by MOEN and we're really happy with it too. We looked at the bridge faucets as well and while they're so pretty, the cost and the thought of having to clean around it were deterrents. 

I can't believe how much lighter and brighter this side of the kitchen now seems. (before and after at the bottom) I can't wait to start thinking about doing the other side around this time next year. 

And just for the fun of side by side comparison...

Hope you're all having a beautiful week!

7/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: I still struggle with how much is too much with technology like the Ipad for such a little one but everything in moderation. She just loves the Curious George at the Zoo app. 

Gray: Is finally being allowed into the clubhouse by Lu. 

6/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: Wearing her birthday crown and new red jumper I knit her, while she makes a Birthday/Valentine/Get Well Card for her great-grandfather with whom she also happens to share a birthday with.
Gray: Turned 11 months this week. Age one is right around the corner and the thought of it is both exciting and sad all at once for this momma's heart.

Lucy's Party

Back when I was pregnant with Lucy my girlfriend who also happened to host my beautiful Tea Party Shower (hi Melissa!) gifted me with this print. I've always loved it so much and it still hangs in Lucy's room. I am now Belle and Boo obsessed. It was sort of where I got the idea for her third birthday party. I envisioned little boys in pirate hats and sweet girls fluttering about in fairy wings and teacups hanging from branches.

Her party was this past Saturday and it was pure magic. From the cupcakes to the pinata to the gifts Lucy was spoiled rotten by her friends and family. All of her little friends, neighbors, grandparents, Indiana cousins, aunts and uncles were there. I wish I would have gotten more photos but it went by so quickly.

Yesterday on her actual birthday we celebrated with a cake and her gifts from us. Needless to say she had a great day running around hopped up on excitement in her new space helmet and tutu.

Here is a sweet poem her Grandma Sandy wrote for her

Dear Little Lucy

With hair so blonde

It is you we are terribly fond

Three years old

Growing bigger every day

In our hearts you will always stay

Toy Story Three

Sofia the First

You love them so much

Your heart will burst

You love Disney

Horses and stuff

Tea parties and puppets

and little girl fluff

All of the princesses

and all of their curls

Aren't as wonderful as our little girl

Happy Birthday Lucy

Happy Birthday Sweet Lucy

I don't know why your turning three is so hard for me. I think it's because the past three years have gone by in such a flash that I'm afraid the next three will too, and the next and the next... you get the idea. You're such a sweet girl full of non stop energy and curiosity. You're willful never taking no for an answer which sometime lands you in timeout but is still endearing nonetheless. You love books so much that you fall asleep with a pile in your bed every night. I come in before I go to bed and take them all out one by one and turn off your flashlight. We bought you your table and chairs for your last birthday and I think you've had a tea party there every day since. You've taken to your new role the past year as big sister like a pro always handing me anything on the floor you don't think he should have and looking out for him. You also love to play doctor giving check-ups, paint pictures, and eat grill cheese with "mater" soup. You are the daughter I always dreamed of having and so much more.

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was really cute so we're going to give it a go. 

Starting at age 3, every year on their birthday you ask the same questions and see how their answers change over the years! 20 questions* : answered by Lucy

1. What is your favorite color? pink

2. What is your favorite toy? Coco

3. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon

4. What is your favorite TV show? mickey mouse

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? grill cheese and tomato soup

6. What is your favorite outfit? my doctor coat

7. What is your favorite game? hide and seek

8. What is your favorite snack? pirates booty

9. What is your favorite animal? Rex the dinosaur

10. What is your favorite song? Doc McStuffins song

11. What is your favorite book? Biscuit goes for a Checkup

12. Who is your best friend? Mimi

13. What is your favorite cereal? cheerios

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? swing

15. What is your favorite drink? water

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? books

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? eggs and toast

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Panera Mac n' Cheese (and to go inside and eat...very specific on that!)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? (she had no idea what I was asking her)

Happy Birthday Sweet Lucy! We're so lucky and proud to be your parents. ♥

5/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: Took advantage a cozy snowy morning to build a rocket ship on the love seat. The tutu on her head she said was her helmet for Mars, she's wearing her new super hero cape and the lego piece is her controller steering wheel. Her giant bear friend is her copilot that she had me tie a cape on as well. I hope she holds on to this rich imagination forever. 

Gray: Is almost 11 months old. Where does time go? He learned to clap last week and has been clapping nonstop ever since. I also gave him his first haircut this week. Just to "shape up" the back a bit. 

Super Hero Pillowcase Cape

I had had making Lucy a superhero cape on my to-do list for quite sometime. We woke up to the skies spitting snow Saturday and it felt like the perfect morning for making. I photographed the process so I could share with you step by step my process. It was so quick and easy and best of all I had everything I needed on hand already. 

Supplies

• pillowcase
• scissors
• sewing machine
• extra fabric remnants and trim for embellishing
• Velcro (optional)

Start by turning your pillowcase inside out and then cutting off about 2-3'' off the top of the "closed" end. 

Next fold the pillowcase in half length wise and cut out your neck line. 

Open it up then pin and sew together. Then turn right side out. 

No super hero cape is complete without a  sweet emblem for the back. 

And of course pompom trim...

Finish the cape off with some Velcro for closure or leave as is to tie. 

Needless to say this cape was a hit and led to endless fun all weekend long. 

Have a beautiful week