this week's happenings

little bel...

is feeling under the weather this week, so we did a lot of this...


mommy-daughter cuddle time. much of it spent with the gilmore girls and david copperfield - I don't want to wish sickness on my daughter, but I've sure had a fabulous week.

ryan's astute observation...

I wish I could bottle my husband's wit and charm - he makes me smile and laugh so often. (this is a ridiculous sign of the technological time that we live in and of how i communicate with my loved ones) I am always telling him - after I stop laughing hysterically - "oh that is so blog worthy". He's not a big fan of me blogging about him, but here's a charming little Ryan Anecdote from this week...

the other day Ryan filled the bird feeder in front of our house. when he came inside i was filling a massive canister with delectable chocolate animal crackers (mmmmmmmmmmm!) and ryan said...

"hmmm, bird feeder (looking out the window at the birds gathering instantly)...

girl feeder" (turning to me as my hand dove in to the newly filled snack jar)


how true it is - this quickly depleting snack has been a part of his girls' daily routine, (often coinciding with the afore mentioned WB drama series and Dicken's novel).


someone's brilliant version of scattering sunshine...

For any of you who have hung out with me for more than an hour at a time - it is likely that i have spontaneously burst into song or dance or made a statement of conversation into a song or something of the like. Some have even said, my life is a musical (strange since I am neither an accomplished singer or dancer- hmm). Well, I just had to share this amazing video since this is the materialization of a lifelong dream of mine - life as a musical. I love the faces of the bystanders (there is one gray haired lady in particular at about 1:20 that is probably as thrilled as I would have been, it just warms my heart to watch her). Just think of how many people this cheered up for at least a day - so cool!!



Last of all I just wanted to thank all of you who visit and leave comments. I was so thrilled when my creativity tag was redeemed within the evening (I'm looking forward to getting creative!) Ryan and I both love to hear what everyone has to say. It really makes my day to know what's baking in Boise and see who's holding hands in Mandy's back seat and what Henry said about his bogies and to be privy to your thoughts and ramblings and to see everyone's kids and adventures. Thanks for being a part of our lives and letting us peek into yours.

Before and After

More than 6 months ago at the general Relief Society meeting Elder Uchtdorf gave that fabulous talk entitled "Happiness, Your Heritage" with a section about the work of creation, in which he encouraged and invited everyone to create something. This excited me as I thought of the talents I should unbury and new things I should learn.

One invitation stuck out in particular, he said, "identify a space and beautify it". Immediately the front of our little house popped into my head and I thought, "shoo weee, space identified!" - I've been plotting my plan of attack for months and now the sun is out and planting is fair game so without further ado behold my little bit of beautification.

Before...

blah

notice that you can't see where the endless grass and weeds become the "flower bed"

During...

After...

Now side by side for my own satisfaction - ahhhhh - a sigh of fulfillment

I feel like I need to mention that this project was completed for less than $100 (excluding the child adorning the lawn - who was much more than that).

(Special thanks to the Millers for the digging fork that made this all possible and to my mama for letting me practice on her yard and getting me hooked on sweet potato vine)

And to end the inspiration where it began I turn again to Elder Uchtdorf

"As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

Today's Guest is ...

... the letter B!

So back in the days when I was watching Sesame Street they had a letter of the day (it would make sense that this only lasted for 26 episodes, since I'm not sure if they think letters or ideas are recyclable). Anyhow I have discovered a strange phenomenon in my daughter's life and it is that the letter B is the thematic guest of the day for Bel's entire life.

First things first - her name is Belén and here is a list of her favorite things :

(this one is not G rated - boobies - mine specifically, the first love of her life and with whom she spent hours and hours and hours of quality time - the rest will be G rated)

Brushes - of all kinds, hair brushes, toothbrushes, paint brushes, makeup brushes - if it's bristled she likes it

bubbles (thank you grandma cindy - hours of fun! Explanatory note: Cindy sent Bel a vile of "Touchable Bubbles" they have extra strong surface tension so they when they land on things they don't pop. the funny part is Bel - like her dad - doesn't like sticky things on her fingers - so when surrounded by all these bubbles on the floor she won't move UNTIL we arm her with a rag or paper towel, at which point she will commence wiping away all the bubbles in the house.

Check out this fantastic video - listen close at the end Bel says "bubbles"

Birds!

bananas

blueberries, berries in general & blueberry muffins

baby einstein

Buttons (mostly the kind you push)

blocks

balls

"breaking" things - she will track down our remotes and her new/my old cell phone and throw them on the floor because the backs come off and the batteries come out - huge thrill

Baths

books

being outside

binkie

and last but not least in fact most (since boobies are now out of the picture-yay) her Blankie

Now isn't that just amazing?!? I am certain that given hours of uninterrupted brainstorming time I would not be able to come up with a list this long starting with any other letter. And that is that. Thank goodness for my beloved Belén and the anything but boring letter B

creativity tag

This has taken me about 2 weeks to get the courage to post, but I'm in need of a good challenge and creative outlet so here goes...

The first five people to respond to this post will receive something made by me. HOMEMADE! The item will be my choice made just for you!
Restrictions and Limitations:
1. I have complete creative freedom (but feel free to make requests - not that I have a repertoire to request from - hmmm)
2. What I create will be just for you
3. It will be done within the next 6 months
4. You have no clue what it will be. It may be a personalized note cards. I might bake something. I might not think of anything until 6 months from now... The catch? Well this is supposed to be a tag but I just thinks it's a superb idea - you can post it if you want and if not - that's fine too.

The first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift from me!

Here's to creativity!

A Wonderful Weekend Visit

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get a visit from Ned and Cindy. I forget how much I miss being around family, until I get to be with them again. We had such a good time chatting and eating and hanging out. When the Millers come to visit they always leave the house in better condition and the fridge with more food in it than when they came - they are better than the tooth fairy!

(The only good thing about their departure is that Bel will let me hold her again - I am no competition with sweet grandma and grandpa.)

Bel bonded with both of them : One morning sweet Ned rescued Bel from Baby Einstein and fed her her traditional oatmeal and milk breakfast, then they played until her mother rolled out of bed at 8:30 (ahhh blessed sleep - thanks Ned!). And Cindy probably has stronger arms now, since she had to hold Bel during all her waking hours for 3 days straight - As soon as grandma walked into the room a certain little girl was at her feet or lunging from mom's arms toward grandma - so cute!

Not only did we take advantage of the free babysitting services for 2 movie nights (what a treat!!!), but they gave me a shiny new digging fork and just you wait till you see what I was able to do with it... (you'll have to check back for the next post to see before and after shots - i know the suspense is killing you)

Thanks so much for the visit - our house just isn't the same without your sweet company. All our love!!

the belén update

I feel like Bel is just blossoming in the last couple weeks - She is so fun! Here are a few videos I just can't resist and a little update of what she's up to these days...

-last week she worked hard to push through 3 more teeth - that's 7 total now! (4 on top, 3 on bottom)

-still takes 2 naps a day but really fights the afternoon nap

-jabbers a lot and says dada and mama really well (this still makes me smile every time)

-still loves her binkie and blankie

-loves being outside and will throw tantrums when I bring her in or won't take her out (which brings me to the next one...)

-throws occasional tantrums

-the army crawl is gone (so sad), conventional crawl is here and walking is great as long as both hands are securely held (sometimes we can distract her into a one hand walk)

-she likes graham crackers, sesame street and knocking down block towers

-has started drinking cow's milk (yay! I knew she'd come around eventually)

she's learning to feed herself (and yes, that dad of the year just ate Gerber style turkey vegetable dinner off his hand)

bel loves (i can't emphasize this enough) loves watching birds and other neighborhood wildlife.

This video is just a little sample of how she beckons the local creatures to come to her (very ineffective I might add - she's a loud predator clapping and hollering as she crawls toward her prey). Ryan and I often let her lead us where she wants to go and in the last 10 days we have spent hours following/chasing birds and cats around the neighborhood - it makes her so happy.

to sum up... our child rocks

(oh so funny - did you catch the pun there?)

my most recent fit of laughter

So Bel is pretty mobile these days crawling around, climbing up on things, tipping over garbage cans, splashing in the toilet, etc, etc.

Well today I had a good belly laugh at her explorations. I was doing my own thing and she crawled into the kitchen where we have an armoir to store our food. Apparently I had left the door open and she found the mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups on the bottom shelf. I always have my ear out for her and silence is often a sign of mischief - there was silence for a while broken by the crinkling of a foil wrapper (I know this sound all too well from my own snacking) - so I come around the corner and as soon as Bel sees me she knows her time is limited and she just starts shaking in her hurry to open this scrumptious piece of captured candy. Oh man - it was hilarious.

(I realize that this is one of those "had to be there" experiences, but I laughed so hard I just had to share it with all the other chocolate lovers out there)

Being the paranoid first time mom that I am - I couldn't let her eat a chunk of peanut butter, but I did reward her efforts with a piece of plain chocolate.