Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Friday, September 27, 2013

Mad Science

Let’s face it.  School is not all fun and games, especially if you are a nine year old boy.  Copying spelling words, drilling math facts, and practicing penmanship are just a few of the tasks that Ty despises.  I try my best to change things up to make even the most menial tasks a bit more interesting for him.

My most adventurous deviation from the teacher’s manual this year has definitely been the infamous Grasshopper Dissection. (Insert evil scientist laugh here.)

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The second chapter in our science book this year was all about insects.

Insect characteristics, insect body parts, insect social habits, blah, blah, blah.  Both Ty and I were good and tired of bugs by the time we made it through the chapter.

Of course there were adequate charts and illustrations in the textbook pointing out all the insect body parts, but I figured Ty was more likely to retain this information if he could see it up close and in real life.  So I had the “brilliant” idea to order some gi-normous grasshoppers and a dissection kit.  And when I say “gi-normous,” I ain’t kidding!

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I admit, I didn’t attempt to do this lesson on my own.  I waited until the Tool Man could be there to take charge assist. (Yeah, that’s it.  Assist.)  Actually, the smell alone was enough to keep this pregnant woman at a safe distance.  Thank heavens for the zoon lens on my camera!

While mom may have been a bit hesitant, Lucy was very eager to get her hands on some grasshoppers.  She enjoyed this project every bit as much as Ty did.

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Ty was a little nervous at first, but he soon warmed up to grasshoppers.

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I found a great dissection guide online, and we went down the list locating and examining the different parts of the grasshoppers.

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Hope these next few pics don’t gross y’all out!

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After we had talked about everything we were studying, the monkeys were dying to cut the grasshoppers open and take a look around.

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The look on Ty’s face gives you a pretty good idea about what he thought…

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Whew!  Glad that’s over!

I will say that grasshoppers weren’t the only things I ordered for Ty to dissect, but it’s still a couple of weeks before we’ll get to that.

The suspense is killing you, isn’t it?

Lindsey

P.S.  Still no baby.  Looking for her to arrive this week!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Nursery Reveal

As promised I’m coming to you today with a grand tour of the newly completed (almost) nursery.

The day I found out that I was having another girl, I began browsing the internet, particularly Pinterest, for nursery ideas. (Miss Lucy never did get a nursery, and her big girl room is still unfinished – insert sad face – so I was determined to get it right this time.)

Eventually, I found my way to fabric websites, searching through hundreds of designs for inspiration.  I never would have guessed I’d go for such a lively color palette, but I was soon attracted to this adorable red and aqua Red Riding Hood fabric by Riley Blake Designs.

The only problem with this fabric was that, apparently, a lot of other people were attracted to it as well.  Almost every website I checked was out of stock.  Finally, I found a little shop in Idaho with just enough yardage for me to work with, so I ordered it immediately.  The fabric accounted for the bulk of my decorating expenses.  I’m working on an extremely limited budget, so I had to get creative, filling the rest of the space with some treasured finds, handmade items, and sale pieces.

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I am using the same crib that both Ty and Lucy slept in.  If I had been brave enough, I would have painted it a glossy white, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  I think it works OK as is, though.  To dress the crib, I decided to make a layered, ruffled skirt – definitely the most labor intensive project of the whole nursery!  All those ruffles added up to a lot of work, but I think the results were worth it.  I wasn’t too worried about making bumper pads this time.  OK, maybe I was too lazy to worry about it.  They do make changing the crib sheet a murderous task.  Anyway, I opted to make just one monogrammed pad to go along the back rail.

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I searched online for several weeks for a rug to go in the nursery.  Nothing!  Well, nothing in my price range anyway.  But wouldn’t you know it, I was wondering through Target one day and found an aqua, shag rug on sale.  It was the perfect color, size, and price.  Woo hoo!

I knew I needed something substantial for the blank wall behind the crib.  A few months back, the Tool Man brought home some scraps of 1x12’s.  He knew I’d find a use for them.  Got to love a man who can see the potential in junk!  So I pulled the scraps out of the barn, knocked the dust off of them, and painted some images from the Red Riding Hood fabric on each one.  I thought it was a nice way to incorporate more of the theme into the room.

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Instead of a traditional mobile to hang over the crib, I opted for the more frugal, stylish, pompom “chandelier.”

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Did you notice the rocker in the corner?  It doesn’t really belong in the nursery, but I stuck it in here for the time being.  In the meantime, Lucy is using it for her babies.  She even remembered to set up her baby monitor nearby.  Such a little mama.

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Hands down, the greatest single baby item that I’ve ever owned is definitely my beloved Boppy.  Being a nursing mother, I don’t think I could make it without it.  I love this pillow! The Boppy covers that I used in the past were very worn, but rather than buying a new, generic one, I wanted to make a cover to coordinate with the nursery.   Luckily, I found a super easy tutorial online for a zippered Boppy cover, and I was able to whip this one out in less than an hour.  I chose this white, floral fabric for one side and a soft, red minky for the other.  I’m so happy with how it turned out.  Boppy and I will be spending many hours together over the next couple years.

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On my trip to Canton back in May, I picked up this metal “T” to use in the nursery.  I decided to kick it up a notch by pairing it with this chevron background made from repurposed pallets.  Thanks again, Tool Man, for bringing home junk!

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Here are a couple of more examples of the budget-minded décor.  The lamp was a clearance find at Hobby Lobby.  Originally, I intended to replace the shade, but the green actually coordinated rather well with the fabric, so I left it as is.  The table was absolutely free…a dumpster find.  Just some sandpaper and paint was all it took to transform it from trash to toadstool.  Definitely one my favorite pieces in the room!

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A pint-sized pillow with pompom trim cozies up the rocker.  I was so excited when I found this toadstool applique.  It’s perfect for the room.

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This is the one wall of the room that I would consider unfinished.  I plan on adding a few more items to the shelves and hanging a couple of things on the wall.

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I still have the changing table that I purchased with the crib, but it is such a uni-tasker.  I really needed something that would function not only as a changing table but would add a lot of storage to the space as well.  Luckily for me, my mom had an extra dresser that she didn’t need.  It was an awful, blonde wood with equally awful, brass drawer pulls.  A little sanding, a little painting, a changing pad, and voila!  An adorable, functional changing table.  Each and every one of the 14 drawers is crammed full of baby pretties.

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And for those of you who may not have heard, sweet girl does have a name already…

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My baby shoes…

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Another treasure from Canton…  I picked up this tin ceiling tile for only $2.  After receiving a makeover, it found a place in the nursery as a fun little chalkboard.

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Below the chalkboard a perfectly, polka dotted, bag waits to catch dirty laundry.

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The only things that’s missing in this room is Miss Tacy Mae.  And it looks like she’ll be here sooner than later!!!

Lindsey

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Fashion Show

Before I get in trouble again for not blogging, I thought I would share a couple of pictures of my little princess with y’all.  Miss Lucy absolutely loves to dress up, particularly in princess attire, and she doesn’t leave one inch of herself unadorned.  From the sequined headband, to the high-heel shoes, she knows how to glam it up.

This particular day we were headed to town for lunch with dad, and as usual, Lucy had her own ideas about what to wear.  Sometimes I decide what outfit she wears, but more often than not, I let her pick.  I mean, really, is it that big a crime for a 4-year-old to wear dress up clothes to eat pizza??  I think not!  She won’t be able to, nor will she want to, play dress up like this forever, so I say let her enjoy it while she can.

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Upon close inspection you may notice that I had given Lucy a gorgeous manicure using glue-on nails complete with cute, little, pink pandas.  She managed to keep the nails on a couple of days, but she’s far too active for them to hang on much longer than that. She’d wear them 24-7, but at $5 a box, Mama can’t afford it!

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Looks like this little drama queen has had enough photos for one afternoon.  I just love the poses she comes up with when the camera is clicking.

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Hopefully I will share the newly completed nursery with y’all in the next couple of days.  I took over 80 pics in there this afternoon, so I have a good bit of photo editing to do.  I’m so happy with the way the room turned out.  It’s as cute as a bug in a turquoise, shag rug. (Hint, hint.)  Can y’all believe sweet girl will be here in only 3 or 4 weeks!  I don’t know whether to jump for joy or hide in the corner and cry.  Lol.  Things are about to change around here……

Lindsey