FLASHY MARK.

About a month ago, I made a long dream come true, and upgraded my camera. I had this grand plan to blog all about it, say good bye to my trusty old Rebel and show off my new flashy Mark. I was so excited, checking my tracking status with the mailman daily, to be sure I didn't miss it's anticipated arrival. But then it came. And it scared the begeebers out of me. It was big. And heavy. And all the buttons and dials were in new places, and I felt so small and that my minuscule knowledge of photography was not nearly enough to tackle Mark. But bound and determined, I lured my kids outside to play on the deck and began to snap away.

But my amateur status was confirmed when I realized too late that Mark was set to shoot in raw. Not the end of the world, but I didn't know how to access them. So there they sat, in a secret folder on my computer for almost a month. And I really didn't think much of them until today.

While chatting away with a new friend, cameras came up in our conversation, and low and behold, she knew how to help me! She emailed me step by step directions on how to open these gigantic files and wah-la, my gorgeous pics laid out before my very eyes.

Who knew that my rookie mistake would turn out to be an awesome learning opportunity. Turns out raw and Photoshop go pretty nifty together, opening all kids of doors I didn't even know existed.

While I sat here during nap time today figuring this all out, I realized something. I like learning. It makes me feel pretty badass to pursue my passion. I'm a badass. Mark's a badass. And I think we're going to get along swell.

FOR THE LOVE OF AN EGG.

I'm a traditions kind of gal, and look forward to the fun and excitement that each holiday brings. Traditions ground us in this ever busy, fast paced world. They make us slow down, stop time, enjoy the gifts that are right in front of us.

We didn't waste any time prepping for Easter this year. Nugget knew what was in store, and dyed some eggs like it was her J-O-B. And Brother? Well, he's still in training.

He faded out quickly, but Nugget stuck around for the long haul.

And I don't know if it was using farm fresh eggs this year, or the fact that I actually followed the directions on the box, but these are our brightest, most vibrant eggs yet. I like.

Too bad no one around here likes to eat hard boiled eggs. Happens every year. Normally they get lost somewhere in the dark places of our refrigerator, only to be discovered well past their prime. This year I tried to be proactive and whip em into delicious egg salad sandwiches, but turns out, no one likes those either.

But we do like the process, so we'll continue with it. It's all worth it to see this little love snuggle up her egg like its a baby kitty and smooch it and hug it and ask to sleep with it. I said no to the later, but we did compromise and she went to bed wearing the ears.

So, yeah, these traditions...I love em.

Oh yes, and I also love when I stumble upon one of Nugget's creative quests. Like when she decorated this house plant with plastic eggs. Crack a sister up. She's a funny one, my girl.

SNIPPETS.

A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders this week. I finally finished my course work to renew my teaching license. I actually got the bulk of it done weeks ago, but for whatever reason I was really procrastinating on one final piece. That's not like me really, and it was constantly on the back of my mind. So what finally kicked me in the bootay and made me finish it up? This:

My preordered copy of Bloom, written by my most favorite blogger, Kelle Hampton, is scheduled to be delivered today. I told myself I couldn't read it until my class was finished.

Looks like Bloom and I have a hot date for tonight. I can't wait.

Having that class off my conscience, I am able to sit back, relax, and enjoy my littles. They are quite fun little creatures.

He gets excited over little things, like planes and birds in the sky.

He isn't afraid to tackle life head first. I admire that.

She is creative and finds beauty in rainbow painted ceramic dolphins.

He looks adorable (and so grown up!) in plaid pants and a hoodie.

He is determined. Like the time when he wanted to wear sister's yellow polka-dotted flip flops so badly. He didn't give up til they were hanging loosely on his feet.

She is smart and sees things from a different perspective. She was playing with this thing of Nick's (I'm not even sure what it is), when she said "Look Mom, a q!" Do you see it? I do.

She thinks dandelions are the most beautiful flower in the world and insists I receive a fresh bouquet daily. I am proudly embracing this honor of motherhood.

I'm so glad they're mine. And that my coursework is completed. Yay!

OWL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.

I'm keeping good on my word, and have been thoroughly cleaning my house this week. It feels good. I like a clean house. It puts my mind at ease, and I like that feeling. Since I posted pictures of Nugget's room earlier this week, I saw it only fair that I share Brother's room as well. It's quite a bit smaller, so I didn't rearrange any part of it. Just tidied up and hung a few things on the wall, finally.

To be truthful, I actually took these pictures awhile back. Since then, we've hung a gallery wrap photo of my favorite newborn shot of Brother above his crib, and also completed his last set of footprints to finish off this footprint frame on the opposite wall.

Like sister, Brother also has a roomy walk in closet (although Nugget actually has two, one is her playroom and the other is her clothes closet). Brother's is a bit of a blank slate yet, we are waiting until he is a bit older to see what his interests are before making over his playroom. So far we've schemed up an ice house and a log cabin.

His room used to be Nugget's room, hence the purple storage baskets. I'm too cheap to replace them. Sorry Brother.

And for those of you who don't know me in 'real life', my husband owns his own painting and restoration company, hence our elaborate painting schemes throughout our house. He had been wanting to try this harlequin pattern for a few years, and Brother's room just so happened to be the perfect opportunity to try it out. I love it.

Maybe if I can keep on top of my game, I'll take pictures of the rest of my house and share. People are always curious about it. If for nothing else, I like the idea of documenting our house for my kids to remember someday.

Happy Easter to you and yours, and hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

REARRANGED.

I'm determined to take this week and give my house a proper spring cleaning. Tackling each room one by one, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, washing, and my favorite, purging. My motto this week is 'less is more'. It's kind of sickening how much stuff we have that we don't need. It feels good to box it up and pass it along.

I started with Nugget's room yesterday. Cleaning turned into rearranging, and I am just smitten with the fresh, new look of her room.

Here it is before. And yes, sometimes, okay, a lot of the time, it is that messy. I hope its not a precursor to her teen years...yikes!

And here it is after I was bit by the cleaning bug.

 A new addition, a spot for her library bag.

When you live in an old house, you are blessed with lots of fun nooks and crannies. My most favorite room in our house is Nugget's kitchen, a little playroom inside her bedroom. Perhaps it's my childhood dream, brought vicariously to life through her.

I made her this new curtain out of a dish towel last week. Isn't it cute?

And here's a closer look at the artwork in her bedroom. I have big plans for the empty wall. That will be my next project ;)

 I was too cheap to buy canvas wraps of these pics, so I tried making them myself. Not great. Now I see why it may have been worth the splurge. Oh well.

 Protect her. Love her. Keep her safe. Made by my friend Becky of Farmgirl Paints.

 Print from Etsy. I spray painted the frame white, and used scraps of paper to jazz up the mat.

Nugget's footprints at birth, six months, and one year old.

And there you have it! I tackled Brother's room this morning, and I'll share that next! 

BOOBIES.

I think this is my first words-only post ever, and honestly, it feels a bit funny. But Nugget and I had a hilarious conversation in the car this afternoon, and I just have to get it out before it fades from my memory.

We were driving home from Target... I've had a gross cough all week and am just plain tuckered out. Nugget senses my exhaustion, and wants to help.

Mama: I am so sleepy.
Nugget: You should rest on the couch and watch a Dora when we get home.
Mama: That sounds wonderful honey, but who is going to watch Brother?
Nugget: I will watch him for you, Mama.
Mama: Aww, that's sweet of you Nuggie. But I'll be alright.

small pause

Nugget: I wish I had big boobies like you.
Mama: (wtf? Did she just say that?) Why's that, Love?
Nugget: I want my little boobies to grow into big boobies.
Mama: (Still dumbfounded) What would you do if you had big boobies?
Nugget: I would feed Brother!
(ahh, now I get it. See....wanting to help Mama! I feel slightly more at ease with this conversation.)
Nugget: And when you have another girl baby, I will help feed her too.

I love her sweet innocence. And a disclaimer: I AM NOT PREGNANT. We would love to be,  maybe sooner than later. Nugget really hopes for a sister and talks about her 'girl baby' often.

On a semi-related side note...I finally found a milk that Brother will drink! Praise the Lord. After passing up whole milk, one percent, chocolate, and soy, he has finally settled on coconut milk. Let the weaning begin.