Let the Games Begin!

I don't really know why, but my idea of family bonding includes playing games together. I guess it stems from the memories I have of playing Trivial Pursuit as a kid with my family. And when I say "my family" I mean myself, Jill, Lisa, and Mom on one team playing against my Dad and he STILL won! Any of you that know my dad are not surprised by that!
Anyway, with the age ranges of my kids (from 2 years to 9 years), unfortunately we've never done many game nights. Well, at least ones that were "successful." But last week, I just decided after supper that we were going to try it again. All the kids got bathed and we had about an hour before bedtime so we dug all our favorite games out of the front closet and began the family fun! Hunter was able to play "Hungry Frogs" and he really likes "Connect Four."

The girls and I mostly played a good game of "Chutes and Ladders." Avery and Meagan got bummed when they landed on a chute and had to go back, but that's part of playing a game, right?

All in all, I would say the night was great and I think the kids loved having our undivided attention. I see many more game nights in our future! Any suggestions for our age range of kids you think we might enjoy together?

Lovin' crafts

Well, I thought I'd share the girls' Valentine's Day creations with y'all. Better late than never, right?

Meagan had fun creating some special heart-shaped cards for all her friends at preschool. They were a big hit at the party.

For Avery's cards, we got a good deal more fancy. I cannot take credit for the ideas - they were from the Family Fun magazine. She loved doing them and her friends loved receiving them, too!

These owl cards were sent to our out of town family - pretty cute, huh?

A bouquet of sweet treats!

Ramshackle Reunion

Just wanted to post a few pics of a fun dinner we enjoyed with friends we don't get to see very often. My friend from High School, Shan was coming down from KY to FL for a vacation with her boyfriend and daughter and she got in touch with me and our other friend Summer and set up a dinner date. We had a great time catching up. Summer and her hubby Ryan and their daughter Carlyn live in Orlando but we still don't see each other much. Good friends, good food, and great time!

Summer and Ryan trying to decide what to order....
Me and Gus cheesin'

Carlyn and Hunter getting to know each other better....

Shan's daughter, Kirsten and Meagan. Kirsten was the flower girl in our wedding - wow, she sure has grown up!

The three of us - Me, Summer, and Shan. We haven't all been together in years, but we just picked up right where we left off. Until next time.....

Avery's New Room

So, as I promised, here are the pics of Avery's newly redecorated bedroom. All I can take credit for is picking out the bedding and repainting. Oh, and I did cover the lampshade and re-do the photo board with some extra fabric, but the rest of the credit must be given where it is due. And that would be to my uber-talented sister, Lisa . Seriously, if you haven't checked out her website, what are you waiting for??? Anyway, enough shameless publicity for my amazing sister, enjoy the pics:




I did pick up the blue and green flowers at Bealls Outlet hoping I could use them in the room and with Lisa's help (and adding another flower and some precious butterflies) here you have a very cool part of the room.

So happy we were able to fit the keyboard in a better place in her room.

I absolutely love this corner of Avery's bookcase, desk and alot of her artwork that we were able to display. My darling, pack-rat of a daughter has been strongly encouraged to keep it nice and neat!!

Okay, so last, but not least is my absolute favorite part of the re-do............THE CLOSET!!! I know it sounds weird, but we literally took everything out, got rid of a ton of crap and put it all back in a much more organized an functional manner. I am literally in love with the end result!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

It was alot of work, but so worth it in the end. Can't thank Lisa enough for all her hard work and passion she put into Avery's room. LOVE you, girlie!!

January Wrap-Up

This month started out COLD here in FLA! I'm not complaining - I actually enjoyed it and I love getting to bundle up the kids in their winter wear. Hunter does not like hats, but tolerated them when I made him wear them on some of those mornings when we were in the 20's and 30's.



A big milestone this month, was Whitney and John's 1st birthdays! We were able to visit with them some on their actual big day and also enjoy the big family/friend party that weekend. Can't believe how fast this year went by! Aren't they so stinkin' cute???

After putting away all of the Christmas decorations, Gus got the toddler bed frame down from the attic for Hunter. Gus thought he was ready. I was fine leaving him in his crib, but I agreed that I thought he'd do well in a toddler bed, too. Hunter had a good time getting out his tools and helping Daddy build his bed!

First night in his bed went fabulous! He was very excited about his bed and has been sleeping great since!

Sabrina, Ryan, Avery and I spent the other morning volunteering by making cards for hospital patients. It's part of the Disney campaign of "Give a day, Get a day". As in, get a FREE day at a Disney park! It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to spending another day at Disney with Avery later this year.

Hannah (well, Addie) got two kittens and I had to post a picture of Hunter loving on one of them the other day when we were at her house. He loved them and they were sweet enough to tolerate a two-year-old's affection.

On the calendar for February : I'm working a little extra, I'm in the middle of re-doing Avery's bedroom, looking forward to a mid-month visit from my parents and of course, Valentine's Day. Homeschool is going great - Avery started a PE and Art class in Ocala on Wednesdays and she loves it. I'll blog again with pics of Avery's new room as soon as I get it done!

Cultural GNO

As a (great) Christmas present, Sabrina bought tickets for her, myself and Hannah to see Phantom of The Opera in Orlando last night. We started off the evening with a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. I don't get to go there very often, but when I do I enjoy it so much! We thought ahead and brought a cooler so we could get our dessert (cheesecake, of course!) to go and bring it home. Okay, so Hannah and I broke into ours on the way home, but it was hard to resist!


Here's a picture of the three of us at before the show. I had actually seen the show several years ago with my mom, but Hannah and Sabrina had never seen it. It was AMAZING!!! Loved the costumes, the singing, - oh, I loved it ALL! I have been singing the songs all day in my head. We also got "team" bags and keychains to remember the event. Don't think any of us are likely to forget it anytime soon! Thanks again, Sabrina! I had a wonderful time!

Happy New Year!

Not too much excitement here last night, but just wanted to post a few cute pics anyway. Doesn't take much to impress Meagan - just a few horn blowers and some sparkling white grape juice in fancy cups. She said it was the "best party!" Gotta love the simplicity of kids sometimes, huh?

Hunter loved the "party" too...

Cheers!!!

Note: these pictures were taken around 9:30 and we were in bed by 10!
(Avery was at my in-law's house where they apparently did stay up til midnight- I'm sure she was glad she was there instead of here)

Hope you all have a blessed 2010!