Elliot draws

Check it out! Elliot's second picture he drew of himself. His first one was for pre-school a couple weeks ago.

I'm pretty sure he drew himself better than I would!

On another note, I made these spinach and cheddar strata for lunch the last two days and love it.

I was just looking at recipes online and came across this recipe and started drooling so I put my iPad down and made it on the spot. Have you ever done that before? My ramekins are smaller than the ones in the post so I took out half a cup of milk and it worked out. You should make some!

a growing belly

I thought it was time to document another belly picture. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of these things when it's not your first. I'm at the point in pregnancy where each week I seem to gain another inch around my waist and have to put more "normal" clothing away for some time after baby comes. This dress is next. Have I ever mentioned how hilarious my boy can be? After Andrew took these belly pictures of me Elliot voluntarily posed like this:

Andrew and I are still laughing about it!

a hairy obsession

Hair has always been a hobby of mine. I love cutting and styling other people's hair. I've gone through quite a few styles myself over the past few years. I really should have gone to beauty school because I don't really know what I'm doing. Some of the time the hair styles and cuts I do look good, and some times not so much. Most of my hair experimenting was in high school. I was fortunate to have three younger sisters to practice on, although not always willingly.

I was looking through some old pictures and came across these of Ruth a couple years ago.

This is how I did her hair after watching this music video.

I'm not sure how much Ruth like it but it was just for fun! Since then I've done her hair really cute for dances. I also did Nora's for her wedding reception. I don't do my sisters' hair as often as I used to and I miss it! Avery's hair is so thin and slick -nothing stays. Mostly I just cut Andrew and Elliot's hair. As far as my hair I'm kind of in a frump. I never know what to do with it! It's so thick and bushy all the time and growing out my bangs is taking FOREVER! Do you ever feel like this? If you want me to style your hair give me a call. I can't promise it'll turn out but it will be a lot of fun!

Judging by this mess, can you tell what craft the kids and I did today?

If you guessed turkeys you are right!

Andrew is camping and I wanted to do something fun with the kids to help the time fly by.

It was a big mess but I love how our turkeys turned out.

Far from accurate but you get the idea.

We used materials that were already lying around the house such as feathers, card stock paper, Martha Stewart glitter, markers, elmers glue, and scissors.

Elliot really took his time coloring. Avery finished both of hers before he started gluing his first one.

Her face is hilarious here! It's like she's critiquing her own artwork

thinking she can do better next time.

I didn't want to miss out on all the fun so I styled my turkey with chevron stripes.

And here are the finished products.

I think we might make this a tradition and start making them every year

to get us in a Thanksgiving mood.

On a side note, Happy Bonfire Day!

Maybe we'll roast some marshmallows in our fire pit tonight to celebrate.

unique artists

I love how unique each individual is. Even babies!

Elliot and Avery express their individuality every day.

I gave them a piece of paper and three colors of paint: blue, yellow, and red

(with lotion mixed in for easy cleaning).

It's interesting to see what they came up with.

I have no artistic skills so seeing these pictures humbles me.

Elliot tried to make the color purple and Avery's picture has so many layers of colors.

I hope my kids always feel that who they are is special and they never need to be like someone else.

goodbye Halloween, hello Thanksgiving

Before Halloween is too far behind us I had to share our costumes.

I wish I had a better photo of all of us but you get the idea.

Although we didn't coordinate costumes somehow they all ended up matching.

Now I can move on! I am really excited for Thanksgiving.

I actually decorated a little bit this year.

Here is my front porch. Avery loves watering the flowers.

Apparently she takes her job seriously.

I always have those glass jars on my piano but I love the harvest look.

Speaking of harvest, I finished my sign we worked on the other day.

Do you like it?

Happy November!

jcrew mail

Don't you just love getting packages in the mail?!

With our England trip in mind I've been doing a lot of online window shopping for winter clothes.

I came across this swimsuit and since it was on sale I decided to snatch it as an early birthday present.

Now I look forward to swimming next summer in my post-natal body!