Monday Muddle

Wow!  Where did the weekend go?  I feel like the days are flying by and I don't even have enough time to grab ahold and hang on.  This past week, my kids finished up their fall semester gymnastic and did a performance.  Could I really pass up a chance to show how cute they are?

Lydia, in particular, has really come a long ways this year.  She was in a much older class and held her own.  And got a little braver as well.

This past Saturday, we went home for a memorial service for my uncle.  It was very private with just family, but very much so needed.  We had a family picnic at his place, with the kids running around and the rest of us enjoying each other's company.  Before we were done, we scattered my cousin and uncle's ashes and the kids let balloons go with messages for both of them.  It was sweet.

So while we mourn, life marches on.  Christmas is fast approaching and we have a birthday party to plan as well.  I'm twisting my brain in knots trying to keep it all straight.  Lydia and I started her pinata today. Messy work, but hilarious with a three year old.  Excuse me... almost four year old.  Before I sign off for now, here's a few things you should know:

The Mixed Bag Designs Giveaway ends today.  Hurry to get your entry in!

Our Menu this Week:

Breakfasts:
Yogurt and fruit
Oatmeal
Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
Gingerbread Waffles

Lunches:
Peanut butter and jelly sammies
Green salads
Leftovers
String cheese, fruit, carrots

Dinners:
Monday: Baked Potato Bar
Tuesday: Beans and cornbread
Wednesday: Tortellini and salad
Thursday: Tomato Soup and grilled cheese
Friday: Parm Fish, cabbage salad, and broccoli
Saturday: Pizza and salad
Sunday: Pasta e Fagoili for lunch, Pumpkin Pie cake for dinner potluck

Extras:
Molasses cookies
Dipped pretzels

Projects I'm working on this week:
Parenting prayer cards
Finishing 6 hair bow sets
Strawberry Pinata

What's going on in your world?

Lee's To Do List

First Sunday of the Month: It's Party Time!

Hope you find something here that inspires you!

Rapunzel's Golden Hair Birthday Party

50's Sock Hop Birthday

Nature Themed Little Birdie Party

Pirate Party

Anniversary Garden Party

Snow Candle {Tutorial}

Who doesn't love to walk into a home with candles burning?  Scented or not, a burning candle just signifies warmth and hospitality.  They're calming and homey.  And these snow candles are also very cute.  Better yet, inexpensive.

Materials:
A glass container (canning jar, vase, large candle holder)
Epsom salt
Twine
Small jingle bells
Votive candle
Hot glue gun

Apply a little hot glue to the rim of your container and start wrapping your twine.  I like the beginning of my twine to be in the back in case I don't get it lined up correctly.  Add a little hot glue ever so far to keep the twine in place.  You can thread or glue your bells.  I had a terrible time threading mine so I just added a few dots of glue and tucked them in.  Fill your jar to your desired level with epsom salt.  I think I have a little too much in mine, but I would just advise to keep your candle lower than the twine.  Nestle your votive candle into the salt and you're done.  Cute, inexpensive candle for the holidays.  Enjoy!

Week of Giveaways!

First, don't forget to check out the giveaway we have going on here from Mixed Bag Designs.  You could win a $75 certificate towards anything in the shop.  Great for Christmas presents!

Also there are several chances to win $100, $200, even $300 certificates from Vision Forum.  These have several Christian Books I'd like to read.  For more details, check out:

Generation Cedar

Raising Olives

Life in a Shoe

Smockity Frocks

The Modest Mom

A Wise Woman

(In)courage is also giving away a beautiful hurricane nativity.

And Parenting.com is giving away a Leap Pad!

Good luck!

Another Member of the Family

There's another member of the family you might not have met yet.  She's a cuddler, cries for attention, needs to be fed, sleeps most of the day, and is up most of the night.  No, we didn't have another baby.  Well, in some ways, I suppose she is our baby.

This is Annie.  She's been a part of the family since 2002 and isn't afraid to let the kids know she was here before them.  She's also Mama's baby.

About a year after we got married, my husband caved and agreed to let me get a kitten.  We had a family in our church giving away little ones so we decided to take one.  When we got there, there was only two left.  I immediately fell in love with this beautiful tabby we later named Danny.  But my husband's heart broke when he realized we'd be leaving one behind all by herself.  He picked up this skranny little swirl of color.  She was pitifully ugly with that big orange splotch on her head.  And he asked how I could possibly leave her by herself.

Needless to say, we went for one and came home with two.

It was fun raising Annie and Danny together.   They were always running around the house playing together.  And at night, we'd find them curled up together, one big blob of color, not sure where one ended and the other began.  After we had Noah, they became inseparable.  It was almost as if it was them against the infant invader.  And spoiled they were.  Danny slept on my pillow while Annie curled up near my husband's feet.

We lost Danny not long after Lydia was born.  And Annie quickly attached herself to me.  She learned right away that nursing time meant I'd be sitting still and have a free hand to pet her.  As the kids have gotten older, we've seen her mellow out a lot.  Even to the point of occasionally playing dress-up with Lydia.  The picture above was taken the day Lydia decided she needed to throw Annie a birthday party.

Although she's loosened up a lot with the kids, she's still my baby.  When my husband's working needs, she comes in the bedroom and snuggles down under the covers.  Always content to just be close by.  Sassy, sweet, and loving, she's wormed her way into our hearts and embedded herself in our lives.  And we love her!

*Linked to Writer's Workshop and these Parties.