Super Hero

This Super Hero cape is Forrest's FAVORITE item in our dress-up basket. He puts it on every day at least a few times. And when he's really lucky, I let him wear it while we run errands. Here he is this morning -- I can't get enough. 4 1/2 never looked so cute.

Summer's Bed

When I saw this bed I could feel it screaming at me...

"Make me pretty!"

The best part was that I was able to restore it... one of my very favorite things to do. I found the manufacturer's label on one of the side railings that printed this bed was made in 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska. I love that this has some history to bring into our home. These pictures were taken after the original veneer were removed from the headboard and footboard. The railings were beyond repairable that I had David build a new one.

I scored this bed for $55. After eight cans of primer, a good gallon of white paint and lots of wood filler, this bed is given a new life. I love the look of four poster beds in little girls' rooms... always have.

I kept Summer's quilt from when she was a baby, switched out the fitted sheets and duvet cover with some fun patterns. I love how everything ties together. Most importantly, Summer loves it too.

A Day at the Barn

Summer is most happy doing what she loves... riding horses. Ivan, in particular. On Christmas morning, after the kids had received all of their gifts and were playing with their toys, David and I asked Summer to go get something in the back of the christmas tree. We then saw her happy scream. She found an envelope with a card inside. The card said "you will have your first horse back riding lesson the following week". She was in heaven. She has lessons one Saturday a month and I was able to go with her today to take pictures. Forrest stood by my leg pretty much the entire time keeping a watchful eye on his big sister. It has turned out to be a great choice for Summer.

Happy Valentine's Day

We had a Valentine's Day dinner at our home last night. We had to do it a day early because David teaches a class on Tuesday nights. I cooked pretty much the whole day but it was fun. I tried to make it extra special and the kids LOVED eating with all of our fancy dishes. It was delicious (if I do say so myself) and I hope special for my family.

My Summer came home from school with a brown bag full of candy and cute love notes from her classmates. She's currently sitting on the kitchen floor counting her loot of chocolates, kisses and hearts. Happy Valentine's Day!

New Week

I am happy this marks the start of a new week. Last week was a rough one for me health and emotionally wise. Being a mom of 2 little ones and also being sick is rough. I am feeling better today and am so grateful.

I think my family is too!

The camellia tree that sits in a french antique pot on our front porch bloomed this week.  It is so pretty. Seeing them made me instantly feel better and then there's my Forrest. How cute is he. Gosh, I love him. His name suits him well, doesn't it? I have countless photos of him riding on his bike but truthfully that is his favorite thing to do. He would ride all day if I let him. I think it gives him a sense of freedom.

Forrest, you're adorable.

The Great Bicycle Ride

Forrest got his training wheels off (he is VERY excited) which means Summer and Forrest get to cruise on their bikes together (she too is VERY excited). On Saturday morning Forrest woke up at 6:30 am and begged to go outside and ride his bike.  I begged and bargained to have him stay inside to no avail.  He was just too excited. Guess who heard all the commotion and woke up? Summer. So by 6:45 am we were outside riding bikes. That's just wrong. I looked awesome in my pj's and uncombed hair cruising our neighborhood. The camera eventually came out and captured the whole thing. I'm just too tired tonight to look through all of my pictures but I did see this cute one of Forrest lookin' good on his new ride.

More to come...

Secret Hide-Out

Here's my sweet Summer. I love her so much. If I know she's sad and I can't find her this is the first place I look. She nuzzles in between the walls in her bedroom closet. It's "her secret hide-out". She was upset the morning I took this picture because Forrest was not being nice to her. I remember my secret hiding spot when I was little. We were living in California in that tiny condo. It was in my closet. I had a really large closet so half of it was also used for storage. I would use the boxes to climb my way up and then I would sit on the top shelf. I wish I had a picture of me sitting up there sulking. It would be pretty funny now. With a family of four in a tiny home you didn't have much privacy so that is where I would go. This is Summer's spot and even though she's sad there, I still think she looks pretty cute. I love you, sweet Summer.

Cousins

This past weekend we met up with my sister Hope and her family. Where did we meet...? In Raleigh of all places. I told Hope to "trust me" and I am so glad she did! We went to one of the most fun places... the Marbles Kids Museum and it is hands down awesome.

To name a few there were the wood workshop (Cole's favorite), doggy park (Summer's favorite), air hockey (Forrest's favorite) and pizza place (Brooke's favorite). This added together with my kids getting to be with their cousins = heaven. I also got to be with my sister, Hope, which was my favorite part.

It was one very happy weekend.

All Smiles

Forrest has frog rain boots. He loves them but was really, really excited about getting the frog umbrella.  Well, it came and he was all smiles. He said he did NOT want to wear the boots because the rain made his feet feel "tickely". And for the record, his smile under that umbrella was just as big as the one on top.

Happy New Year

I have a feeling the year 2012 is going to be a great one.

Happy New Year!