Creative Thinking

Here are some of my latest creations. I am preparing for my first craft show. Let's hope somebody likes these enough to pay me for them!

Mason Jar Candles

sold individually or as a set of 3

Christmas Card Wreath

Keeps all those cards organized and on display!

Scripture Canvas

Proverbs 31:25

(Sold)

Scripture Canvas

Joshua 24:15

(Sold)

Christmas Canvas Art

"Tis the Season"

Dry Erase To Do Lists

(Sold)

Book Page Wreath

Medium

Large

(Sold)

Dry Erase "Grateful" Board

Keep a visual reminder of all that you are grateful for with this dry erase "grateful" board. When it gets too full simply wipe it clean and start again.

Tea Cup Pin Cushion

(Sold)

Coffee Cup Pin Cushion

Connor 33 months

He's nearly THREE! I can't believe it. Here are some recent pics of my biggest boy.

I have been doing a lot of crafting lately, preparing for my first craft show! And Connor really loves to do "projects" with me. How cute is my little artist?

He is starting to outgrow naps which makes me really sad but he hasn't outgrown them completely!

Every good Daddy needs a handy helper when it comes to yard work.

Like I said in a recent post, he is SOOO into dress up. This was last night. He has a sombrero, a strip of fabric and koozies on his feet. Can you guess what he is? A cowboy of course, and the arm of the couch is his horse!

I am still unsure as to this costume. He needed "sock arms" and had his lovee. (Daddy Long Legs for those of you who remember him.) He insisted on no other clothing.

This one I know the answer to. They were pirates in their boat and were fighting dragons in the water.

He still loves cuddly reading time at the end of the day.

And here is his tongue.

Connor-ism of the day

C: I have uh odea!

M: What's your idea?

C: I need a horsey!

M: Sure.

Book Review

I just finished the book 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son and I want to HIGHLY recommend it to any mother of boys. Author, Vicki Courtney takes a candid, heart felt approach to mothering boys. She is a mother of 2 sons and a daughter and an Austin native. She prioritizes the need for Godliness over goodness and lays out strategies for that in the 5 conversations. They are:

1) Don't define manhood by the culture's wimpy standards. It's OK to be a man!

2) What you don't learn to conquer may become your master.

3) Not everyone's doing it! (And other naked truths about sex you won't hear in the locker room.)

4) Boyhood is only for a season. P.S. It's time to grow up!

5) Godly men are in short supply. Dare to become one!

I found each of these conversations to be very relevant, realistic and even encouraging. I want to believe that as a mother of 2 boys I might have a shot at raising two Godly men. I want to hold onto the hope that my children will have a deep love for Christ and Courtney gave great insight and wisdom for pursuing that goal. There is no formula, so don't go looking for black and white answers here. Just a real mom who loves Jesus and raised kids who do too.

Have daughters and not sons? Not to worry, she also has 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter which was written first.

Play Room

I have moved the boys into a shared bedroom to create the space for a play room. Here it is!

Alphabet wall - because letters are important!

Polka dots are decals courtesy of Groupon reward bucks!

Reading corner and artwork display. Currently all artwork belongs to Connor, but Cam just eats paper and crayons right now. Give it some time.

Cam's Scrunchy Nose

Lately Cameron is making this silly face where he scrunches up his nose and it makes us laugh every time.

July Fun

Just a few pictures of our recent activities.

Cameron has learned to kiss, say hi & bye, wave and blow kisses. He is so stinkin' cute!

He also loves some good cuddle time, which is greatly appreciated since most of the time I am having to pull him down off of some high perch.

My parents got their first rain since January while we were visiting a few weeks ago. Since it is in such high demand, we set out buckets to catch and collect all that we could for the days ahead. Connor didn't mind helping position those buckets.

Connor got to attend his very first real-deal big kid birthday party. It was at a local gymnastics gym. He had a blast, as you can see.

For Christmas, Matt's aunt gave Connor a subscription to Highlights magazine. I was skeptical because the sample he opened on Christmas was of no interest to him. As a matter of fact, the first 3 months were of no interest to him. However, in March or April we turned a corner and I'll tell you what, this boy LOVES his "mazagine." He gets so excited when it comes in the mail. He will sit and read it for 15-20 minutes at a time. It was such a creative gift and I hope we continue to receive it year after year.

This child NEEDS some dress up clothing. He is getting so creative. That is a clear drum on his head that he wears around the house calling it his helmet. I also got the boys foam swords at Hobby Lobby recently, which Cameron proceeded to eat a good portion of on the drive home. Anyhow, Connor LOVES it. I really think it has done wonders for his imagination. He pretends he is slaying the dragon (although sometimes there are hippos that need slaying too) and he even rescues princesses.