A Crawl, A Chair and Great bag!

What a weekend...Our youngest baby crawled today (really crawled, like across the room) ! He was so proud and of course so were we...even with a third, it was no less exciting! Our second baby was precious at her ballet class on observation day where us parents got to watch the twinkle dance and a "loose" rendition of Cinderella's Ball and a bear hunt! She is giddy with delight as she sees hereself in the mirror and adores here pink tutu, we adore you Charlotte and your sweet spirit is contageious!

Our weekend was busy with soccer, Cub Scouts, yard work, yada, yada, yada...and it was a jackpot weekend with tag sale finds! I bought an over sized, DOWN FILLED club chair AND ottoman for, are you ready?...$45!!! It is slip covered, remove the slip cover and it is a pristine ecru muslin fabric in mint condition - the slip cover actually looks pretty good in my scrap space, the colors work and if/when we move it elsewhere, I'll pull the cover off and use some toile pillows on it. I was also "eyeing" a great Savoy bag, perfect for Summer! My sweet neighbor GAVE it to me, free of charge, I came home and priced it on Ebay ($200 retail). All and all it was a great weekend, getting our Halloween decs out, transplanting my Hydrangea bushes to the front of the house, making Minestrone soup and Apple cupcakes. I love Fall, lots of nesting opportunities! What did you do?

Tiger Cub Cutie!

Is he not the cutest...?~ Campbell had his first Cub Scouts meeting this week, Bryan is his Den Leader, they both are having a ball! Campbell is most excited about "getting a knife"...I haven't had the heart to break it to him yet that it will be many years before that little cubbie sees a knife, a boy can dream though, huh? They had another outing today at the park and did a hike...he just is so handsome and we are so proud of him, he is taking his "duties" very seriously and is enjoying their motto - "seek, discover, share" ! Keep up the good work baby...and if I forgot to mention it, Bryan is the best Dad and our kids are so lucky! Thanks honey for stepping-up to be Den Leader after I volunteered you (in your absence), you rock!!!

Tag, I'm It

Tag, I'm It~
I was tagged by the sweet Molly's Mom, (http://2doggsandababy.com/ here goes...

1. I was born on my grandmother's birthday
2. My wisdom teeth just broke through, have to have them out
3. I never go to bed without fluffing the pillows
4. I LOVE to smell my daughter's "bunny honey" (blankie)...alot!!! (You can find me with it on my nose quite a bit - weird!)
5. My husband is also my uncle...just kidding,can't think of anything, but he his hot!
6. I iron my sheets and spray them almost nightly with lavender spray
7. I really wish Nick&Sharon would reunite...(Y&R people!!!!!) - I love my soap!

I tag:
http://www.livingthedream2000.blogspot.com/

http://www.3dreamweavers.blogspot.com/
Buzzings of a Queen Bee
Sandy Toes
Bless our Nest
PS - had some issues w/ the links, still learning!

Apple Picking

What a beautiful Fall day...I spent the morning at the Apple Orchard with Charlotte's preschool class, we picked a whole big bag of apples all for $1, yum! It was so fun to see Charlotte pulling the big juicy apples of the branches and giggling with delight as they toppled down around us. She thoughtfully picked one for each of her brothers...she found a teeny, tiny one that she thought would be perfect for "her" baby brother, that's our sweet girl! We came home and made a special apple pie for Daddy, it was delicious and we had such fun baking together. I feel so lucky that I get to experience these things, childhood is fleeting! We love you Charlotte Rose!

Ummm...

How do you forget to pick-up your first born (and buddy) at soccer practice, less than a week after you forgot your third born in a stroller, clear across the playground at your first born's school and not realize it until you see your hubby, first and second born and wonder where the third is?...???

Night Night Reading Shelf

The finished product...this is the 50cent book shelf I found (scroll down to see the original pics), I sanded and painted it and it is kind of fun I think. Campbell is enjoying having all his favorites close by, he adores reading! Its not PBK but its not bad for 50cents, huh?

Copper Cookie Cutters

I was so excited to find this bag of copper cookie cutters last week at a tag sale. I got them all for $1! Charlotte and I had fun today going through the bag...a rooster, star, Scottie dog, angel, Santa, fall leaf, heart, horse, reindeer and bunny. The woman who sold them said they were old, 25 years old! I love cookie cutters, especially copper ones. The kids and I enjoy making cut-outs and we are excited to use these later this week. Can't wait to show you our masterpieces soon! Isn't Fall the best time to start baking again after the long, hot Summer?

Have you been?

Where have I been...? I just visited a local Steve&Barry's...OMG! I cannot believe the price of their clothes. Sarah Jessica Parker's line "Bitten" is fab. A navy wool, 3/4 length dress coat - under $11, what? Cute tees for $8, great shoes and boots, all for around $12 and a velvet, strapless dress, perfect for all the upcoming Holiday parties - $10!!!!! The deals go on and on and the boys and guys tees are great - really fun. They have darling kids basics and a precious Holiday velvet dress for little girls with a big bow for $9...RUN, don't walk to Steve&Barry's! Happy shopping!

A Great Weekend!

This was a busy weekend spent with family and friends...enjoying the beautiful Fall weather. School Fun Fair was Friday, volunteering at our Junior League Thrift Shop early Saturday, our first soccer game...Campbell had a great breakaway but just missed the net, better luck next week buddy! Their team was victorious though. "Uncle Rob" (my bro) was visiting from CA and got to spend some time with us all and join us at a friend's "housewarming" party Saturday night...the live music and food was awesome, thanks Christie - may you and Ben enjoy every happiness in your beautiful home! Today we had our special friends from out of town for brunch, enjoyed each others company, every time you leave Mags, my heart breaks all over again. Can't wait to see you and your new digs in a few weeks - GIRLS TRIP, YEA!!!! We wrapped up the weekend by taking the kids to the Zoo, we had a ball!
My sweetie is suffering from a miserable sinus thing but still managed to "play" Goliath at church today and as always, was a big help with the kids this weekend. Love ya babe, feel better soon! Hope you all had a great weekend...what did you do?

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward~


HERE ARE THE RULES: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.
This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something cute and preppy to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on.Unfortunately, due to postage costs, I can only pay it forward within the United States.
If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment!
The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. Just a gift that will make the person smile.
If you'd like to join in, be one of the first 3 people to leave me a comment. You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog.
I hope people like this idea. It's a small way to bring a smile to someone's face!*I stole these rules from Molly's Mom blog. So, the first 3 people to leave a comment will get a lil something! Act quick!
*Please leave your email on the comment so I can contact you! Thanks.

PBK bookshelf...Not Really!

I have been wanting that book shelf in Potterybarn Kids for sometime now (that mounts on the wall )for next to Campbell's bed - he is an avid reader and adores going to bed with a big pile of books (just like his Mom except my pile is magazines...and cookbooks too!) we often find him asleep with his light and all his books spread across him! I found this magazine rack for like 50cents recently. I cleaned it, sanded it and sprayed it a glossy white, it hangs next to his bed now and is filled with all his night-night favs! A great, easy project! I'll post some pics tomorrow of the finished product so you can see the improvement. Hope your settling in with a good read and snuggling with the one you love...I love Fall! Sleep tight!

Window Mistreatment

Check out my new window "mistreatment" - I did it myself and I think it looks great...the picture is not great but the fringe is beautiful, chocolate brown and aqua blue! My little creative space is coming together! The lamp is so fun too...it was $89 marked down to $12.99 - love it! Visit www.nestingplacenc.blogspot.com to see what all the "Mistreatment" fuss is about! Have a great day!

Tuesday Tidbits

Happy to report our little ballerina did great! It was off to a rocky start but about half way through she decided to join in the make-believe Cinderella Ball, it was a great class and made me so happy to see her so happy!

In other fun family musings...little baby is sad...a bad cold and not sleeping well...but still managed some giggles and smiles today, he enjoyed a long walk this afternoon with me, it was great to see the sun after so much rain! Let there be light! OK, this is big news - we had all of our trees cut and trimmed and shaped and it made a huge difference in the amount of light we get in the house, this is huge! Never buy a house that faces North/South, there just is not alot of daylight and I NEED daylight. Exciting I know! Biggest baby is doing great in school, just started weekly speeling tests and is reading like crazy. Cub Scouts is about to start (Daddy is the Den Leader)and his first soccer game is this weekend. My brother Rob is coming to vist this weekend from CA, Mom and Dad will visit too. Our good friends who recently moved away are coming back for a party so I am excited to see them too. Miss ya Mags!

Busy getting the Fall decorations out, the kids are dying to get the Halloween stuff out - Oct. 1 kiddos, hang on....since I was on bed rest last year during the holidays I am just excited to be able to enjoy it all this year, can't believe it has almost been a year. Enjoy the pics and as always, thanks for visiting. Oh and don't miss MARTHA's show tomorrow all about BLOGS, love it!!!


Preppy Baby!!!


Preppy Baby's Big Brother and Big Sister


New BFF


Thrifting Treasures...Milk glass, Ironstone, Cloches, Birdcages, Baskets, oh, my!


Daddy, Daddy, He's Our Man...

Our Prima Ballerina

Ready for ballet...our first day at a new ballet school, after a tough summer with the Russians! Her BF Camryn and she tried a local school that was running a "fun little summer camp for first-time ballet students" - fun?!...notsamuch! More like screaming and crying, scared to go little summer camp. Too intense! So, after much ado, our prima ballerina is ready to try again. So, we'll be tying a class this morning that encourages more of the flying like butterflies and bugs variety - should be perfect!

A Rainy Saturday

A rainy Saturday morning...hubby is home safe and sound (cleaning the kitchen as we speak, I love him!!!), Dora's on and baby is down for a nap. Big Brother spent the night at a friend's. Coffee is hot and we are enjoying listening to the rain fall. Soccer is cancelled, our first game. A good day to tidy-up around here and do some Fall "nesting". Mom and I were headed to Chicago for The Renegade Art Fair ( read about it here...www.homecompanion.com) but too rainy, under a tornado watch all day too. Last night we had dinner in Nappanee, (Amish town) at Dutchman Essenhauss - the food was to die for, everything is homemade, the peanut butter, apple butter, bread, mashed potatoes, chicken and noodles, etc..yum!!! we ate dinner in an old Amish buggy that was converted to a booth - Charlotte enjoyed pretending it was Cinderella's carriage - "hurry, hurry, it is almost time for the ball, it is almost midnight, where is my glass slippers..." (you get the point) Christian was a little piggy and in heaven with all that yummy food, Bryan and I managed a few short exchanges between playing Cinderella and feeding little piggy. We were all home and in bed asleep by 8:30pm...we are crazy I know!
Oh, did I mention there was some killer shopping at the restaurant...I got this cute thingamijig to hang my little mini-albums on for $6.99 no less and if you look really close, you can see it is not only painted black (my fav!) but has an acorn as a topper - sooo cute!

So, what are you doing today?

September 11

God Bless those who died 7 years ago today...I was pregnant with our first baby, scared about the world he was being born into but hopeful that his precious new life would bring joy and promise! And did it ever...

A special prayer for my husband who will flying cross-country (on a United flight no less) to come home to us today..we can't wait to see you baby, the kids are missing you so (me too) !!

We love you!

Rockin The Two Wheel

We are proud to report that Campbell has finally rocked the two-wheeler!!!! Chuck E Cheese here we come!!!!! We are so proud, now all we need to perfect is the SHOES!!!

Late breaking ***UPDATE*** we have fallen and are scared to try, try again...we'll keep you posted~ Like the riding attire...PJs!!!

Pink Princess Preschool Celebration

The love is in the details...and boy do I love the details...ask anyone, I tend to make a big deal out of anything and everything... everything is an "occasion" in our home, that is how I show my family my love - I adore my babies and husband and feel so blessed that I am their Mother and his wife. I have always prepared a special "first day of school" breakfast for my Campbell and since this was Charlotte's first day of school...a breakfast fit for a Princess was in store! Heart shaped pancakes and strawberries were served on special dishes and OJ was sipped from pink crystal that was her Great-Grandmother's...how special and she loved every minute of it! A tiara and pink flowers were enjoyed by our little Princess! Charlotte, we love you, you are so special, the most precious and sweet little girl, a tender soul full of love and pure joy. My heart is overflowing with love for you... so cheers to you our sweet Charlotte Rose as you start Preschool!

Goodbye Summer...Hello Fall

A chill is in the air and its gray and rainy, feels like Fall, coupled with Charlotte starting preschool (she is off to a great start...see Mommy-Daughter MaryJanes') and Christian crawled this morning for the very first time...and wouldn't ya know I missed it? I stay home with my kids for this reason, I leave for an hour (thrifting no less) and he does it! UGH, at least Bryan got to see it and video-tapped it for me - thanks babe! ...I did get my wreath hung, I made it myself and it turned out great I think! I am loving my new Chalkboard that you can change the ribbon out in! I also bought some cool Halloween pumpkin lanterns and cool black crows at The Dollar Store (love that place!) check back closer to Halloween to see what I am gonna do with these guys on my front porch - I have big plans! See the cool finds from my "missed-crawling" shopping spree earlier today too, and lastly, let me know what you think about my arrangement I made in my urn, I am thinking it will look great on my mantle with some other Fall treasures, just in time for the big Notre Dame kick-off tomorrow, wish you were here to come by for some yummy munchies and festive spirits!- GO IRISH!

These babes are headed to school!

These babes are headed to school!

Why is Chralotte's pic like that? OK, I told you this blog stuff is new to me, I'll have to figure that out, you get the idea though - cutie pies!

Campbell is rockin the 1st grade...so far the highlights are recess, the library, recess and gym class, oh and recess.

Charlotte starts at Woodard tomorrow...(sniff, sniff!) These pics are of her attending our church's "Preview to Preschool" (our church rocks by the way!) last week. We made her bag together, ahhh! Christian and I will have our alone time every Thursday and Friday morning, yippee, (ie alone time for me while he naps, really yippee!)

And here is just a sweet pic of Christian or "baby bella baby boo" as his big sis so lovingly refers to him.!

Its late more tomorrow my...sweet dreams.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I love Fall...a new beginning, pumpkins, mums and the excitement of Halloween right around the corner, the kids have already changed their minds about their costumes ten times. We had a great Labor Day, went home to see the folks, ate our favorite Barones Pizza (the best!) and relaxed. Took the kids to a Splash Park, Mom and I had fun "junking" and Monday was spent at Lake Ellyn feeding the ducks, swimming, sliding and digging in the sand. We attempted some pics of the babies in their oh so cute matching outfits, and as you can see it was pretty hit or miss (after some donuts and a 6am wake-up call) - ahh, the grandparents house! Hope your Labor day was great!