So Long and...

...bye, bye.
Diapers for P are now a thing of the past. Two days ago we officially stopped the last of the diaper wearing at nights and during naps and it is underwear all the way! Ah, the freedom of of only having to squeeze a box under the cart for Tommy. Since I am down to my last thing of formula, I decided I might as well start switching Tommy to whole milk. I have been adding 1/3 milk to his bottle and should have him completely off formula by the end of the week.

Now all that cold, hard cash I am saving can go towards our master bath repair. (Oh, did I mention that the only bathroom in the house that didn't need anything fixed now has a leaking sink?) I am having a heck of a time finding tile to replace the beautiful blue mosaic that is currently in the bottom of the shower. It turns out that blues, or any color for that matter, are no longer in style, so I have been offered only two choices. Neither are fantastic.

OCC Easter Party

That's right, back-to-back egg hunts this weekend! We had brunch at OCC, petted some animals, decorated some cookies, watched a little magic show, and then hunted for even more eggs. P had a blast, and Tommy behaved himself enough (with the help of Baba).

I loved these two white ducks. They were perfect gentlemen.

Tommy is only laughing because the Easter Bunny almost just dropped him and he thought it was fun.

Me and my partner in crime.

Nearly one and two steps yesterday!

Never ever, ever, never, "too many" sprinkles.

We're Going on an Egg Hunt...

Saturday we braved the cooler temps and headed for a quick stroll down the street to our neighborhood's Easter egg hunt. This was Patrick's first hunt (last year I was 39 weeks pregnant and not feeling up to the task), and the biggest surprise was his positive reaction to the Easter Bunny! This kid fears the mouse at Chuck-E-Cheeses and didn't want to get within 2 feet of Santa, but rabbits are O.K. in his book.

Tommy was less than thrilled that he was confined to his stroller.

This was one of my favorite pictures-Patrick was just about done because his basket was overflowing with eggs when he came across two more. He was trying to shove the two extra in his pockets but just couldn't quite manage the task on his own.

I Won!

Isn't winning great? And a little addicting?

I have become smitten with the boys line at Kelly's Kids-cute, simple, jon jons and rompers in great fabrics like seersucker for the summer. Very classic, and VERY expensive at $48/each. I am not a big E-Bayer (in fact, I had only bid on one thing before), but I discovered the beautiful smocked clothes and Kelly's Kid's rompers online for a third of the regular price or less, and I could not resist. I have won all my auctions thanks to my sister's single bidding tip-you wait until literally (and this is hard to do sometimes) the last 15 seconds of the auction. Swoop in and scoop up the item before the other bidders realize they have more competition.

Yesterday I beat out THIRTEEN bidders with this tip and scored a like new romper for $15 that I plan to have monogrammed. Two others I won have already arrived and are perfect, one still with tags on it.

Babies

A few weeks ago a neighbor/friend was telling me about Babies, a short movie/documentary that came out a few years ago. Remember seeing trailers for it ? (http://focusfeatures.com/babies). I thought it looked interesting, so I headed over to our library and rented it.

Too good for words. Four babies from four very different regions around the globe are followed from birth to their first birthday. When you look at the stark contrast between the American baby and the African baby, the STUFF that fills our homes seems ridiculous.

Like all this stuff:

and this stuff.

I LOVE my house. It is big, beautiful, and warm, and we are surrounded by friends.

But I complain about needing more space (for all our stuff),

wanting newer furniture,

coveting everything in the Pottery Barn store (have you seen the new vintage Hawaiian throw pillows or the seashell duvet cover?).

Several people have asked me about PINTEREST, and you'll notice I haven't blogged about it.

You see, I am afraid to join. I am fighting the urge and don't know how much longer I can hold out.

Because I know I will love it, become addicted to surfing it, and want everything.

I don't want to want more.

I really don't.

I should be more than satisfied with my life. God has provided for my family, and then some.

But I am not always content. I wish I could sew, embroider, smock, design, do carpentry, knit, needlepoint, draw, paint... Then I could have all those fantastic DIY projects I have found online.

Thank goodness I have a husband who loves me despite my inability to make my kids' Halloween costumes or needlepoint our Christmas stockings.

So what I am really trying to say is,

Rent the movie.

Good Excuses

I know, I know. My posts have been few and far between. But for good reasons. Lots of good, warm, sun-filled, reasons. I haven't blogged, because we have been living outside (practically). My house is in need of a cleaning, dishes piled up, laundry remains unfolded, all because we have taken this beautiful gift from God and run with it. Anyone from Pittsburgh knows that almost two weeks of 70 degree weather is unheard of - even record setting. So...

Little ones traded in carpet for grass.

A water table was fashioned from a lonely red bucket and a cup.

The swings were abused with hours of "higher, Mom, higher!"

Long lost friends were found again-Hello, sun.

Plain rocks became works of art.

Whew, we are a tired group over here and sleeping good. We woke up to rain this morning, but it was almost a welcome excuse to have a lazy morning in our pajamas. I sacrificed P's naps this past week so he and I could get outside without Tommy holding us back in our activities, but boy has he been cranky by bedtime. So glad my little big guy is still a good napper.

And as for Tommy...He has mastered the art of opening the pocket doors, so I have put up more roadblocks. Our house is looking like a mouse maze these days. Always on the move, always wiggling, always into something. Also, it turns out he is a biter. He got me good on the shoulder yesterday. I thought he was just going in for a good hug cuddle when he hit. Then he breaks my heart with his squinted up face and tears after I yell at him and put him on the floor. I am getting better at reading the warning signs, and at least he hasn't gotten Patrick yet.

YET.

My First Estate Sale

I went to my first estate sale this morning just up the street from my house. Not much to see, but this purse caught my eye. I picked it up, put it down, picked it up etc. It was $20

The embroidery and beading detail are perfect. Not a loose bead. I love, love the rhinestone row along the top. Since I love purses (especially clutches), I decided to splurge.

Tom hates it. He thinks an 80-year-old spinster should own it.

Once home, I googled the brand and found several near-identical matches to my purse up for auction, this one below being the closest. It is listed at $325! Most of the others ranged from $300 to $400, and I actually think the design is more detailed on mine than the one below. It was made in the 1930's/1940's. Not bad for my first estate buy. I now officially own a French designer purse. Now I need the perfect outfit to go with it for a dressy evening out...