Firmoo Giveaway!

Summertime is here and who doesn't love a new pair of sunglasses for the season??  Firmoo is offering several lucky readers a $20 credit towards the purchase of a new pair of glasses (sunglasses or prescription glasses).  Some frames are even under $20!  (Note: the $20 may not be used toward the cost of shipping.)  To enter, simply view the classic series of frames here and find a pair you like (I'm looking at these or these!), then come back here and comment telling me what pair you like best.  

I was lucky enough to receive my first pair of firmoo glasses a few months ago.  They arrived quickly, are lightweight, and well-made.  Firmoo's online store makes purchasing new glasses both easy and affordable.  They also offer a free pair of glasses to first time customers!  (See here for more information.)  Go find your favorite pair!  

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Giveaway winners will be announced next Tuesday, July 9!  

Throwback Thursday

Kickin' it with Cari today for Theme Thursday: "Black and White."

I have a few favorite black and white pictures of my kids (these both just happen to be of my girls).

I love this one of Ellen on the deck at the OBX in 2011.  

(Picture by my sister-in-law Rosemary.)

And these of Clare way back when...  She was just learning to walk and standing up at the window was a favorite activity.  Things were much quieter and days were a lot slower then! 

Happy Thursday! 

My College Students

Ruff-Ruffman fan club

But these kiddos are 7 and 5.  They are eating me out of house and home and the back of my car currently resembles a dorm room.  Desperate for snacks around 1:30 the other afternoon (approximately 45 minutes after lunch) they feasted on the last 5 large marshmallows found in the waaaaay back of the pantry.  Then consumed American cheese, bananas, and granola bars together.  Their hunger knows no bounds.  

The third row of seats in my car is their domain.  (I don't usually venture back their without a vacuum in hand.)  From what I can see from my seat, their territory currently houses several library books, 3-D glasses, transformers, and goggles.  

But at the moment these are the two that get along the best.  Splitting the 5th marsmallow and sharing the library of books in the backseat.  They have also been collaborating on a road construction project this week, swimming in the "deep end" together, and enjoy a game of trying to get their sibling to laugh.

Life is good at this university!  

    

T-Shirt Redesign

Clare and Jude participated in "Bible Camp" at our parish last week.  As a souvenir for the week, they each received a Bible Camp T-Shirt.  Clare and I decided to "reinvent" her T-Shirt to be a little bit more unique than a regular T-Shirt.  (I was fine with this idea since most of our freebie T-Shirts get shoved into the kids' pajama drawers.)  We settled on fringing the bottom of the shirt.  (She wanted to do the sleeves as well, but I drew the line at that thinking it would look a bit ragamuffin-ish on a 7 year-old.)

Here's what we did...

(pretty much following this video.)

Start with any T-Shirt laid out flat.  

I cut about 6 inches of "fringe" to the bottom of the shirt, cutting the front and back separately.    

Knot two pieces together.  

Then knot the next two strands together.

Then take a strand from each of the new knots and tie them into a knot...like so.

Continue this pattern all the way around the shirt.  

Finished product!

Modeling our work of art.

Clare felt like Aunt Margaret (fashion school grad!) since we "made" her shirt.  This was a fun project for us to work on together and kept us busy while Michael took a TWO HOUR nap one afternoon!  Win-win-win!

In researching how to re-make Clare's shirt I came across this website with several other T-Shirt "hack" ideas:
http://skyturtle.net/11-t-shirt-hacks-totry/
I especially liked the ruffle ideas!

Five Favorites

It's Wednesday and that means time for Five Favorites...

1.  Healthy Kids!  

We had a bit of a stomach bug here and I'm happy to report that everyone is currently in good health (knock on wood)!  Until the next aliment comes our way...

2.  The Magic School Bus.  

Since we were cooped up the past 48 hours I found a new favorite show on Netflix that 3 out of 3 kids over the age of 2 enjoy.  Who doesn't love Ms. Frizzle??!?!?!

3. Greek yogurt with chia seeds.  

I've been trying to eat high protein with lots of fruits and veggies now that Michael is 3 months old and bathing suit season is here.  Obviously greek yogurt has a ton of protein.  And chia seeds in said yogurt are actually a non-issue.  I like it.  

4. Vacation Bible School.  

Clare and Jude are both enrolled at Vacation Bible School at our parish this week and enjoying it very much!  I'm very much looking forward to my weekly grocery shopping with half of my offspring in tow! 

5.

My new chairs.

Cheating and repeating what I said yesterday...

Head over to Hallie's for more!

A Tale of 2 Chairs...

Every so often I run through our local Goodwill.  It's always hit or miss, but several months ago I came across two club-style chairs.  And they were orange.  Very orange.  They were, however, in good condition (despite being orange) and I knew they were the perfect size and shape for our family room.  And even better, they were $9 each!  Fast forward several months and I finally had them slipcovered.

Before!

ORANGE!

After!

A nice green ticking stripe.  The place I had these done really exceeded my expectations, I am one happy customer!

Linking here.  

The Things He Says...

On a recent stay at my parents' house, their front porch was being rebuilt and the men working on it told Jude they were also firefighters.  When they asked what job his dad does, Jude told them:

"My dad makes money."

Clare, Jude, and Ellen are occupied with paint sets.  Jude eagerly tells us what he has made:

"I'm painting throw up!"

I hold up a pair of camouflage cargo shorts (i.e. not elastic-waist/drawstring athletic shorts) for Jude to wear.  His response:

"Those pants are too church-able."

Public service announcement by Jude while I'm making dinner using crescent rolls:

"When dough is dry it's called crust." 

He definitely keeps us on our toes!

Happy Monday!

Five Favorites

Linking it up over at Hallie's with my five favorites right now...

1. Michael's new baby blanket.  It was a gift for his baptism and has become his "tummy time" blanket.  Of course the handsome lad on the blanket is also a favorite of mine. :) 

2.  Granola.  I was in a breakfast funk and granola has been my cure.  I made this homemade granola last week and it was really good.  (Thanks McSisters!)  And surprisingly enough a store brand's "granola with almonds" has also been really good.  Clare and Jude have also joined the granola bandwagon.

3.  Dry shampoo.  Why I've only just tried this stuff out is beyond me.  I blow dry my curly hair and once the summer heat kicks in (which it has!) it's never fun to be standing under the hair dryer for 15 minutes.  

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4.  The pool.  As I mentioned summer temps are here and the pool keeps us all sane.  And wears us all out! 

I'm talking about the real pool, but couldn't resist this throw back of Clare!

5.  Arts and crafts.  Clare, Jude, and Ellen have been keeping themselves busy the past few days with paints, crayons, markers, "fun" scissors, and stamps.  I always enjoy seeing what they create!

Head over to Hallie's for more...

It's the Little Things

Clare brought home her 1st grade journal during the last week of school.  Each Monday during the school year she wrote about what she did over the weekend.  The first few entries were a bit rough to read, but as the year progressed her writing did as well.  I noticed a constant theme in her journal throughout the whole school year.  It was the simplest things that she often chose to write about.  (Granted our weekends never amount to much!)  A trip to the park, drinking root beer, flying a toy airplane, reading...  It was so sweet to see the joy she sees in the little things.  And a good reminder to me to stop and enjoy the simple joys life so often brings.

Simple Saturday

Joining Iris for her new Simple Saturday link-up...

Clare and Jude entertained themselves for about 2 hours one morning with a large stack of paper and markers.  I enjoyed the fruits of their labor very much!   

"Clare" by Jude

"Jude" by Clare

3 Months

Michael is 3 months old today!  

Or future linebacker?!?

Ticklish: under his chin(s).

Disposition: very pleasant.

New talent: playing the Little Tikes piano.

Recent accomplishment: holding his head up well.

Still not a fan of: tummy time!  

It takes a lot of hard work to acquire this many rolls!

Baby cankles.

We love our little buddy! 

Theme Thursday

Joining Cari today for "Theme Thursday."  The theme this week is "girls."  

I'm sharing a new favorite picture of one of my favorite girls...

Happy Thursday!

Book Review {Catholic Family Gifts}

Summer is in full swing here.  School is out and the kids are home full-time which means I need to be on my "A" game every day.  Taking time for myself helps me be a better mom.  If I take care of myself, I can take care of them.  One way to fulfill this is to have some quiet time and do some spiritual reading.

Catholic Family Gifts was kind enough to recently send me a copy of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, written by Lisa Hendey.

I have only had this book for a few weeks, but I am really enjoying it and looking forward to using it throughout the year!  Each of the 52 chapters contains the story of a saint, from the well-known Blessed Mother to lesser known holy men and women like Josephine Bakhita.  Then goes on to share lessons and wisdom that can be learned from their life.  Scripture verses are given for the week, as well as activities for both you and your children for the week.  Each chapter has a specific prayer to pray asking for the intercession of the saint and then closes with some food for thought for the week.  I have been inspired in my quiet time by these holy men and women!

To purchase A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms and other spiritual reading materials, go to catholicfamilygifts.com.  Catholic Family Gifts offers beautiful religious goods for any occasion, from sacramental gifts to devotional seasonal items.  They are a family business that is run out of Illinois and are committed to helping you "Bring the Faith Home."

Use the coupon code W1306SWA for 10% off your order at Catholic Family Gifts.  Offer expires 6/30/13.

Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas

We tried a new Mexican dish the other night....and it was something I could make before the dinner hour!  (That alone makes me a fan!)  I thought they were going to be waaay spicy, but these had just the right amount of kick to them.  However, I also did not top these with the picante sauce and cheese.  So technically they weren't enchiladas, but we enjoyed them nonetheless!  

Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas

1 medium onion

1 1/2 cups shredded chicken

1 1/2 cups picante sauce (divided)

3 oz. cream cheese (cubed)

1 tsp. cumin

2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese

8 flour tortillas

Cook onion in butter about 2 minutes.  Add chicken, 1/4 cup picante sauce, cream cheese, and cumin.  Heat thoroughly.  Stir in half of shredded cheddar cheese.  Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla   Place seam down in greased baking dish.  Top with remaining picante sauce and cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.