Masterpiece

What in the world are you to do with every piece of artwork your child makes?! Kinsey's artwork drawer was over flowing and she's only 3. A friend had mentioned that I should just take a picture of everything then toss it, unless it was really special. So, with the help of Pinterest I created a Masterpiece board.  It's right inside the garage door, so we see it all the time. Kinsey is very proud to hang her work there. We started it in September 2011. Here are some of the pieces. The first photo being the an overview, if you will, and the following are more of a close up of some of the really special or fun pieces.  

First artworks to make the board. This was shortly after Indy's 1st birthday. The ladybug pages were from Indy's party. The Easter drawing is not time sensitive. I have no clue how we had an Easter page lying around.

This was one of, if not the first thing Kinsey brought home from Big school. She colored it on the easel and when Mrs. Felts asked her what she had drawn, she responded, "It's a whale! I'm giving him a bath." Doesn't that just make you smile?

Mrs. Felts asked her to draw lines. 

They learn about their names and why each persons name is special.

She did some painting at Big school, as well as learning about triangles.

"Kinsey, what did you draw?"
"Kinsey in her bed!"
Silly, Mrs. Felts. How could you not tell that? 

I'm super impressed with her ability to draw the line from Jesus to the lost sheep. Way to go, Kins!

At Big school, they talked about policemen and made hats and badges. She liked wearing hers.

The spiders were made at Little school.

Kinsey's coloring is becoming more controlled. There aren't just scribbles on a page here, these were made with purpose.

After carrying this paper around for about a week, she decided it was time to color it. "Sit Like a Dancer," it reads. Yes, she got this from dance class. 

Indy's spider!

There's a lot of stuff on this one!

The girls made us Christmas cards at Little school.  These fall into that "special don't toss" pile!

Made by Kinsey at Big school.

Made by Kinsey at Little school. 

I've lost it.

It seems I've lost my sense of humor. And it feels like I know exactly where I put it. I just can't seem to find it. It's just too dark in here right now. I guess, when you lose your balance because the world stopped turning there for a minute, that's what happens. I'm not sure I've regained my balance yet. Maybe, hopefully, when I do, I'll find my sense of humor, too.

Words by Indy

On Thursday, when we were at the doctor's office, the nurse asked if Indy could say 3-6 words yet.
Yes. Why, yes, she can.
•Dada (the most said)
•Momma
•Baby (complete with pointing to herself)
•Dog (sometimes "dog dog")
•Ball
•Hi
•Bye-bye
•Night-night
•Touchdown (with and without arms raised)
•Peek a boo
And there has been the occasional "sister" that sounds like sisser and she's working on "Kinsey." On more than one occasion I've heard her say "Rocket Dog," but not enough to include it in her can-dos.
She, also, is a big fan of shaking her yes and no when asked a question. Mostly no, but sometimes yes. She has a very large understanding of vocabulary even if hers is limited right now.
Other favorite tricks include showing off her belly button, usually when asked where it is, but sometimes just for fun. She takes every opportunity she gets to put her feet in your face so you can "smell her stinky feet," which she thinks is super funny. She can also point to her nose and ears, eyes and mouth are a work in progress.

Handy Man

Do you see this? How awesome is that? What is it? Oh, I'll tell you. Here's the story.
I'm trying to be more organized this year. I'm working a 52-step program. Organize one thing in your house each week. Last week was kitchen cabinets. Most of my organizing of cabinets I found pretty easy. Straighten and throw away. But this cabinet, while roomy and great, I hate. Baking sheets, roasting pans, muffin tins and cutting boards stacked and re-stacked in a maddening mess. Every time you need something out of there you were either going to a) wake up a kid or b) get barked at by the neighbors super annoying little yappy dog.
So I say, I'd like something "like a CD rack but bigger, you know" to have this mess be vertical instead of a pile. And this, (drum roll) is what I got. Look at all the extra room. It's also, quiet and easy to get anything out.
Thank you, Rusty!

Valentine's prep work

We've started early. One month early. With two kids, two "schools" and a separate Valentine's party upcoming, I did not want a repeat of the Christmas panic. And, since I'm not really a buy a box of Scooby Doo Valentine's kinda' girl...
So, we had some great Valentine's colored crayons left over from Indy's birthday party. Two shades of red, black and white. Great, right?! Let's melt them. I mean, seriously, what else are you going to do with 12 of the same colored crayons?

First, peel the labels of them all.

Then let mom chop them up so Kinsey can put them in heart shaped trays.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 200.

Color.

Add some card stock circles and place the new heart crayon on top. Voila.

Wrap with paper, because you can't find an envelope that fits and call it good. These will go with Indy to Little school and Kinsey to Big school.

And then there's these adorable little things! They'll go with Kinsey to Little school.  They have Hugs and Kisses in them.

These here are our teacher gifts! Super duper cute!! "I have a Crush on you! XOXOXO,  Kinsey & Indy"

New years resolution

I resolve to blog more. Maybe not as in depth. And I may limit my attempt to be funny. I'm quite likely going to be out of order as I look back and try to catch up. But, the thing is, this isn't about you, is it? It's about me. It's about me writing my history. Leaving highlights of our everyday and not so everyday lives. Something I can look back on and be reminded of those memories. Yes, a place to keep memories. I resolve to keep better track of my memories, my children's memories. Our happy little family memories.