{Glimpse} Outings

Glimpse is my post where I share things that I want my kids to remember.  Wonderful memories about them as children.  A small glimpse in to what life was like when they were kids.  Glimpse is also a place for me to jot down things that I am thankful for.  When I am having a bad day, I am always thankful that I keep a blog.  It reminds me of what is good.

Today, this is what I want them to remember, and what I never want to forget.

We have good kids.

Recently we took them to a Travelers baseball game. 

We had such a great night hanging out downtown.

Anytime we go somewhere with four kids, we get lots of looks.

I am sure people’s first reaction is, I hope we are not sitting by them.

It never fails though; there is always at least one person that compliments us on our kids and their behavior.  That is music to a parents ears.

To our kids:

Most of the time, wherever we go; you are good.

We can go most any place, and you are on your best behavior.

Your dad and I are so thankful that we can take you places, and actually enjoy ourselves.  We enjoy using these opportunities to teach you manners and respect for others.

A dinner out with you is always enjoyable.

Movies in the theater; wonderful.

A trip to the ball park is a delight.

In fact, everyone with kids started leaving before or around the fifth inning.  We stayed until the last pitch was thrown, and the fireworks were lighting up the sky.

 

It was late, and there was not one meltdown.

It was a delight to be at the ball park with each of you.

Thank you for being the kind of kids that your parents want to hang out with.

Scrapbook Pages:

thanks to Jessica Sprague for her fun freebies they made great baseball pages.

Book Corner

I already teased you with a peak of our new book corner.

Are you ready to hear the details? (it was hard to get good pictures without any natural light source; I did the best I could)

This little space is in the hall right by my kids bedrooms.

First of all, do you all love Pinterest as much as I do?

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I found this idea there, pinned it, and just had to re-do it myself.

I used brackets that I found at walmart in the hardware section.  Then I attached books found at the good will to the top with a little hot glue.  And wa-la “book’ shelves (pun intended)

The jars on the shelves?  I can hear the voice in your head saying, “what is in those jars?”

1.   Gum:  the kids get to chew one piece of gum during reading time each day

2.  Beads:  They earn one bead per book or chapter that they read(depending on the length of the book)

3.  Bead bookmarks: using the string, the kids are starting their own bookmarks using the beads that they earn

Then I found this saying on Pinterest and knew I had to use it.

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I already had these canvases so I decided to make my own art.  I don’t have a silhouette so I had to improvise.

I used some rub-ons found in scrapbook stores for the smaller letters.

For the bigger letters:

1. Pick a font and size on your computer.

2. Print it out

3.  Flip the paper over and trace the letters on the back side.

4.  Place the paper down with the printed side face up just where you want it on the canvas.  Rub over the letters and the pencil that you traced on the back will rub off on to the canvas.

5.  Color it in with a black sharpie

I know it looks just like vinyl; and it was so easy.

I did the same thing for this one.

I used an ink pad, and some sand paper for a little texture.

I found this frame at the goodwill.  I just popped out the art, and painted it this fun blue color and added the print.  A little sanding always adds a little pop as well.

This print really makes a statement for this corner.

I printed the picture at mpix.com, my favorite printing site.  I had it mounted so that it fit the frame perfectly.

This bookshelf got a facelift too. 

Before:

see the bookshelf against the wall.  It is brown.

After:

Do you see the fun metal box on the bottom shelf?

Are you wondering what is inside?

Our summer journal project. I found this fun metal container at the goodwill.  It was $2.

And because every fun space needs a banner, I threw one together with some fabric scraps.

This little space cost me very little money, and very little time.

notice the print in the frame is missing. It hadn’t come when I took these pictures.  Oh well, you get the picture.

I love how colorful and inviting this space is.

Our kids have a space that reminds them of how important good books are in their life.

It is also a good little habit that we are creating this summer.  We all take a few minutes to read each afternoon. Check this out for more information on the importance of reading to your kids.

Who wouldn’t want to pick a book from this pretty little space.

I might make these next.  We are running out of room on our book shelf.

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Thank you pinterest for all the great ideas.  If you love it as much as I do, I would love you to follow me.  Then I can follow you back.

Keep on going to hear about part 2 of our summer vacation, you won’t want to miss these pictures.

Summer Vacation part 2 {Blackberries}

Krysta and I tried to take the kids to pick blackberries last year.  The berry patch that she knew of didn’t have any berries that were ready when I was there last May.  This summer we happened to be there just at the right time.

This was so much fun for the kids.  Even the littlest two enjoyed picking berries.  Ady enjoyed eating them as she picked them.  Tess just like the routine of putting something in her bucket.  Tess would hold them up to her lips, but never did put it in her mouth. 

The older kids tried to see who could put the most in their bucket which totally backfired for Krysta and I because we had to pay the bill. 

It ended up costing us a little more then we both had expected, but we ended up with a lot of berries.  Which we used to make a delicious cobbler, freeze for later, and make jam.(btw- $4.31 is not the total;that is just the beginning)

….but as you all know Krysta and I don’t really care about the berries.  It is all about the pictures for us.

 

Here are a few of my favorites:

taken by Krysta

Summer Vacation Part One

Just as school was letting out for the year, we decided to take a little trip.  It was time to visit our favorite place and people in Houston.  We had a great time.  Here is a little peak of what took place:

(some photos taken by Krysta, my BFF)

Lots of board games

Cat naps

Getting to know Ady a little better(boy, she is busy)  I got her to hold still long enough to paint her nails

Tessa and Ady getting to know each other, and deciding if they like each other

In-home shopping (the kids each set-up their own shop full of handmade items including; envelopes, bookmarks, and art)  This sign could be found in one of the local gift shops:

Fashion Show with a VIP dance party following

…...and the tooth fairy.

These are the little moments between this kids that I don’t want to forget.  They love each other so much.  I am thankful that my kids have someone close by(well seven hours away; the closest that we have) to call family.

Stayed tuned for part two; the blackberry patch