Easter skirts

This year, we were all about the blues! I made ruffle skirts for the girls to wear on Easter.

(my picture aren't great...)

Tim even consented to a coordinating tie!

Turkey shirts

Wouldn't your kids look cute all decked out for Thanksgiving in these? You have a few days left to order in time to get them by Thanksgiving! Order by Thursday, Nov. 15th if you need it shipped, by Saturday, Nov 17th if you are local!

Leave me a comment here or on Facebook or send me an email to order.

 Long sleeve tees are $12, Short sleeve (dark brown) and onesies are $10. Shipping is $6 for 1-4 shirts.

Wild Turkeys

Plaid & Pastel option...  

The girls are helping me make these to earn some Christmas money. Thanks for ordering!!!

When facebook just isn't enough...

Do you ever think in facebook updates? If not, that question probably made no sense.

I'm sure I spend too much time facebooking. One piece of evidence: When I do or see or hear something, I think how I would describe it in a few sentences on facebook. Today I have all these little tidbits going through my brain. Rather than torture my facebook friends, I'll just write them all here and be done.

And then I'll probably share this post (or the link) on facebook, for good measure. Since I learned about the joys of bit.ly at PTA convention, I can easily tweet it too. How's that!

*I don't know if it's because I'm reading Banana Split by Josi Kilpack, or the commercials with the cute little babies and how part of the proceeds provide diapers for bare-bottomed babies, but I couldn't resist the Hawaiian print Huggies today. And the wipes, for good measure.

*I am really looking forward to summer vacation for my kids. Main reason: They can wear swimming suits all day, every day. My laundry pile is rejoicing already!!

*Sometimes, a fish taco from Del Taco sounds like a good idea. It rarely is.

*I may or may not sign up to help with PTA solely for the opportunity to go to PTA convention. It is that good! You should come- see you there, next May!

*Have you seen the show "My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding?" Holy train wreck! I'm intrigued that girls who dress (and dance) like such hoochies are seriously still "pure." Can't hold hands or kiss a guy until your wedding, but go ahead and dance in an electric dress that barely covers anything. What!! I can't believe crap like that is on TV, while I'm still pining for "ER." A travesty!

*I love yard sales. I love my neighborhood. The neighborhood-wide yard sale over the weekend made my head spin! We pretty much got Jenna a whole new (cuter than I normally buy) wardrobe for about $30. Seriously! The funny thing is that the items are way nicer than what I could have found in our old yard sale haunts, for about half the price. I feel so blessed! We might be able to keep her clothes AND pay for the braces after all!

*I love my new sewing machine. That will {hopefully} have its own post someday.

*The Race for Reading 5K and Family Fun Run have taken over our lives for the time being. I'm hoping things will settle down after June 9th.

*I know that there is no way things will settle down after June 9th. My projects will just be different ones. More on that to come.

*I call Tim about once a day with a "Random Moment of the Day" call. He knows there are millions of random thoughts going through my brain at any given moment. Now you do too.

*My kids haven't had a break from school that was longer than 3 weeks since July/August of 2010. They had a 6 week break then. That doesn't even really count, since 3 of those 6 weeks, I was HUGELY pregnant and the other 3 of those weeks I was mostly dead. (See Eliza's birth story for the gory details.)

*I have 8 lbs of strawberries in my fridge that need me to make them into jam today so they can fill the measure of their creation. I'd better go see where we packed the canning supplies...

Since we're being random, here are some random pictures of that summer I don't remember- 2010

Jenna's first day of 3rd grade, Aub's first day of 1st grade- tiny Eliza

Lydia's first day of preschool- apropos, since today was her last.

Teeny tiny Eliza

Race for Reading

Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's all register for the Race for Reading 5K & Family Fun Run!!

It is Saturday, June 9th in Saratoga Springs & all the money raised goes to the Saratoga Springs Literacy Center! The Center provides tutoring free of charge

You can find more information at saratogasprings5k.blogspot.com.

Even more amazing- have your company help sponsor the race!!

Let me know if you have questions!

Free-ninety-nine

How cool is my back window? Thanks, Kelli!

While out cruising the neighborhood in my trusty van the other day, I happened upon a miraculous blessing. I was driving past the house we first tried to buy in this neighborhood (we were outbid) and saw a moving truck at the house next door. On the other side of the moving truck was a large pile of furniture with a FREE sign on it. My favorite price!!!

 The first item in was this console table. I have been looking for a table to go in the entry way of our new home. I am cheap, so I've been looking at the DI, but no luck. I was looking there so I can paint it the way i want it and won't feel bad if I change it again in a few months.

 These two don't necessarily have a home yet, but I'm excited to see what happens. The basket/tray thing is about 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall. It'll get a coat of spray paint very soon. What color? My first reaction is cream or white. Maybe it's time to take the turquoise leap.

We left our giant computer hutch at our old house when we moved, so I've been hunting for a little desk where the girls can work on the desk-top computer. (I don't like them playing games on my laptop. That's what was happening when it crashed last year. I'm suspicious.)

Anyway, I've been combing the DI & ksl.com classifieds for something. Who knew it was waiting for me right here. The desk needs some touching up, but the chair is perfect!

I feel blessed to find these things for my home. Now that we've bought our new house, we've got some decorating to do- on a tight budget. I'm excited for the challenge.  I see lots of fun upcycled projects on my friends' blogs {and Pinterest, of course} and I am inspired to use my resources and creativity. Besides the things you see here, I still need to finish the giant doll house & toy chest I found at the DI last year.  Look for follow-up posts to come.

Random house project

Long, long ago I always resented those hideous porch lights! They blended into the light-colored brick & were so blah. Since we were going to move, I didn't want to bother with new lights, so I tried something else. I wiped them down with a baby wipe (very professional) and then carefully painted them by hand with some copper-colored craft paint. $1.49 at Wal-Mart, 10 cent foam brush from Michaels Craft long ago.

Can you tell a difference? From the sidewalk, the whole front looked so much better!

I painted the doorbell and the storm door handle to match- for good measure.

Go Utes!

Rivalry week came way early this year! I usually wear red or U of U attire every day during the week they play BYU, which is usually toward the end of November. That lets me use my hoodies in the line up. It's a bit warm for that & I'm considerable smaller than I was last year during football season. Thus, new U of U attire was needed.

Being incredibly cheap, I didn't want to spend $20 for a tshirt.

Enter the clearance section at WalMart.

$3 shirt (white, since there were no red ones left) + iron-on letters from the craft department = instant team spirit. Go Utes!

Presenting Playhouse Prestwich, Session One

Want a few hours to yourself while your child is having fun and learning new things in a fun, safe, loving environment? I have just the thing for you!

Playhouse Prestwich! Children ages 3-6 (potty trained, please) are invited to come for a 2 1/2 hour experience. Each session will have a theme based on the season or upcoming holiday and will also have a character trait theme. Here's what they'll be doing:

-Music time: We will explore music, movement and rhythm, learn new songs including ASL and Spanish, and experience different musical instruments.
-Story time: We will enjoy fun stories relating to our theme and character traits from a variety of authors, as well as work on building vocabulary and encouraging literacy.
-Art project or science project: We will do at least one art or science project each session that includes our theme, season, weather, animals, insects, etc.
-Snack time: a healthy snack will be provided and incorporated into our learning.

With all of these activities comes the opportunity for socialization and making new friends.

By way of information, I have worked with young children my whole life. I am the oldest of four children, so I helped with my younger sisters all the time. I babysat extensively throughout my teen years and taught at Bengal Paw Preschool at Brighton High.
 I have an Associate of Arts degree from Dixie College, where my studies included Child Development, Children's Literature and American Sign Language. While living in St. George, I was hired as an assistant at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind preschool/ kindergarten. When the main teacher went on maternity leave, I took over her position. After college, I learned Spanish as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I have four children of my own and I help in their schools. Education is very important to me. I love to learn and I want to help children love to learn too! I love books and reading and did a monthly author spotlight at the elementary school to share my love of books!

Music is also an important part of my life. I participated in school choirs starting in elementary school and continued through high school as a member of the Brighton High A Capella choir. I also performed with Sunshine Generation for many years.
I am also happy to provide you with references upon request.

I look forward to your kids participating in Playhouse Prestwich! It will be $10 per session, $8 for additional children from the same family. If you refer a friend, you get $1 off for each child you refer. Class size is limited, so sign up early. I will open additional sessions as needed.

Our first session, Fall Ball, will be Wednesday, September 28th from 9:30 am- 12:00 noon. To register, call me at 801-965-1521 or email beanandtim(at )yahoo (dot)com. (Pet free, smoke free home, FYI)

First class send-off!

Here's a look at what we ended up giving Aubrey's teacher from her FIRST CLASS. 

Thanks for all the great suggestions! It turned out great!

The kids all put a hand print on this lovely travel blanket from Target. I found a cute carry-on style bag. It was filled with candy, gum, cookies, granola bars, bottled water, lotions, hand wipes, lip balm, and eye mask & ear plug, nail polish, tissues, a travel journal and more.

 Don't forget the peanuts & a magazine!

 Here's my version of a homemade airplane ticket.

I hope she loved it- we have sure loved having her for Aubrey's teacher! Thanks Miss Barfuss!