/HOCKEY CHIC/

Hockey Weekend in Toledo

2011-01-29T09:25:00.000-05:00

Ethan after his name has been announced.

Coach Dad

Ethan on the glass with his friends at the Toledo Walleye game that evening.

Beautiful Sunny Sunday

2011-01-16T13:56:00.000-05:00

Ethan & Carley woke up on a Beatiful Sunny Sunday and headed outside long before the rest of the neighborhood was awake!

Ethan & Carley

2011-01-13T08:56:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe that January is here and that Ethan & Carley are half way through the school year. Having a second grader and a kindergartener at home is pretty amazing.

Ethan's reading is expanding every day and he is especially enjoying his math work he brings home. He amazed us the other day when he completed his homework and his printed letters were written so neatly. Brian thinks he has been holding out on us! This year Ethan has been very motivated to learn and complete his homework so it has made our job fairly easy. His teacher tells us that he is quick to finish his work and follows directions well. She said that he is helpful in the classroom and courteous to his friends. Its so nice to know that when he steps out the doors of our home that he is understanding that being respectful of others matters most. He is such a patient little teacher to his little Carley. He reads her stories and will help her try to understand homework too. He works with her on the computer as well. At home Ethan loves building things. Most recently has liked playing Monopoly.

Carley Ann is quite the little girl. She has grown so much this year. Yes, not only one of the tallest in her class but very patient and attentive. She is following directions well and appreciates learning. Kinder Club makes her school days long but enables her to share the most favorite part of the day with her friends, LUNCH! At times she comes home and naps on those days that are long. She recently participated in Show & Share which the friends all shared a favorite gift. She proudly shared her new kitty she had gotten that morning for her birthday. Apparently she did well as the report that was sent home said she did great. Speaking in front of the entire class was never a favorite of her dad's or mom's so we say, Good for you Car, Way to go! Her favorite things at home to talk about are the funny things to her that are happening in school. Usually something that a friend has done or told that really makes her laugh. She is very excited when I tell her it's homework time. So much that I have to try to find stuff for her to work on when Ethan is busy doing his. Its really cute. At home Carley continues to love doing her favorite activities, CRAFTS! Give her pencils, paper, scissors and tape and she is set!

2011 Project

2011-01-13T08:25:00.003-05:00

Happy January. After searching all these absolutely lovely blogs I am really excited to start some fun projects this year. I can hardly believe Carley Ann is now six years old. I know she would love to help me pick out ideas for her room so that might be an area that I tackle this spring or summer. I think Carley happens to have one of the most beautiful rooms in our home. A bedroom certainly perfect for a growing little girl. Check out...

Carley's Bedroom

I think that there are a million ideas out there so this is just one cute idea...The dining room is honestly where I must begin. We love the space and really do use it on a daily basis. Not sure on the colors but here is what we would like to do...

Do you see my dining room looking something like this?

I love the molding around the doorway and would love to have this added to our dining room entry in our foyer.

This is the style of wainscotting I am interested in for the dining room.

Hockey Weekend for Mom

2011-01-09T13:57:00.001-05:00

I just finished an amazing weekend of hockey. This being my First hockey tourney probably made is more special but I have a feeling that there is equal fun to come. I finished four full games in less than 48 hours and feel awesome about it! It was really a great learning experience learning to work with others and follow directions from peers and a great get away. The fact that it was totally blizzard like conditions outside didn't really phase anyone. With it only being 2 months since I started skating again I really didn't think I would be able to compete but I think I proved myself wrong. It was really the hardest I had worked at doing anything in a really really long time. Playing outside teams that are really good made me want to do goo. For me it was about doing my best and I really am proud I can say I was at my best. I scored only once and it was THE most exciting hockey moment for me yet. Although there were no family or friends to cheer me on I had my new little team of friends cheering for me. It made me want to do even better for Ethan, Carley & Brian who were at home ill....They were my little bit of inspiration.

In the Kitchen Again with Carley

2010-12-28T09:26:00.000-05:00


LOOK GRANDMA, I MADE MUFFINS!

CARLEY MAKING THE MUFFINS FROM THE BAKING SET SHE RECEIVED FOR CHRISTMAS!

While dad and Ethan were at Ethan's hockey 3 on 3, Carley and Mom were busy in the kitchen.
One of Carley's favorite Christmas gifts was a basket filled with goodies. Cupcake Apron and all to make sweet treats! Thank you Grandma & Grandpap.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

2010-12-16T18:56:00.000-05:00

Peanut Butter Blossom's

Carley helping mom in the kitchen!

Popcorn Balls!

Our work is done!

He can play hockey and bake cookies too!

Yummy!

Tippecanoe Christmas Brunch

2010-12-12T10:10:00.003-05:00

Tippecanoe Place

"Cheers"

"Merry Christmas"

"Santa came to sit with us"!

"Mom & Brian"

"Hi Mom"!

"Being Silly"

"We loved looking at Christmas decorations with Grandpap".

Got Ice?

2010-12-11T12:08:00.001-05:00

The start of "Rink 2010".

Carley & I watched from the hot tub.

Recycled from Goodwill for a few bucks, just gave you a scarf!

Let it Snow!

Christmas in the Kitchen: Part One

2010-12-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

This has become my favorite pitcher mom-in-law picked out of our garage sale one year.

Loving my latest find last week at GoodWill. At 50% off and a few bucks later the red tree was mine!

At Home...magnets

2010-12-10T10:10:00.001-05:00

With the popularity of chalk/magnetic boards in the home I thought this craft would be fun. I found a bag of flat glass stones at Dollar Tree. I didn't use Modge Podge. I used clear tacky glue and my own scrapbook paper glued to the face. Once it dried I applied the magnet (got the pack for $7 at hobby lobby) and let it dry.

Ethan & Carley will be delivering these to their school librarian and bus driver. I have many more to make but don't be surprised if you find some in your stocking too.

CHINESE AT HOME

2010-12-09T09:46:00.001-05:00

Its not too often that the whole family loves what is at the dinner table. This has been a major score. YUM! need I say more... Add which ever veggies you chose a few minutes before you serve and top over brown rice.

2010-12-08T14:12:00.002-05:00

Brian dressed this little tree up with our grandparents vintage ornaments while I was at work last night. It was a sweet surprise when I went to open the blinds in our dining room this morning. So sweet of you Bri. Thank you. Oh yeah, love the cute little tree topper too!

2010-12-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

We will be using these cookie cutters from Mom M. soon!

Loving my kitchen island tree

Our Little Nutcracker

2010-12-06T19:07:00.000-05:00

This is what I do daddy when you and Ethan are at the rink and nobody's looking...I dance!

2010-12-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

Ethan & Carley loving the Gingerbread houses they made with Grandma & Grandpap!

2010-12-03T13:21:00.033-05:00

"We found our Christmas Tree"!

Merry Christmas!

The road to the tree farm.

Carley's turn...

God Bless the USA!

Our official day of Family Christmas Shopping begins. Today we spent the late afternoon tree hunting at Butler Tree Farm. We found a large White Pine reaching 12 ft. It easily stuck out among the trees as perfect for our Great Room. This one...will be fun to decorate!

2010-12-02T08:48:00.001-05:00

Love how these things turned out! Using up the rest of the black paint I bought for my new kitchen chair, I was excited to spruce up my brass and white shaded lamp that sits in our great room. My initial project was to include a drum shade to recover with fabric but I didn't find it the day I set out to do it so I bought this shade at WalMart for 10 bucks. The mirror in my foyer has been white for about ten years so I painted it black and have some touching up to do. With my large windows in my foyer wondering what piece of furniture would work. Wondering what my door in the foyer here would look like if I painted it next summer too ,lol. To be continued...

2010-12-02T08:21:00.006-05:00

My sweet 8 year old boy. We love you so very much. We are so Thankful for you!

Happy December....what I miss

2010-12-01T10:11:00.017-05:00

2010-12-01T09:47:00.005-05:00

After looking all over for a white fabric table cloth and not finding what I really wanted I discovered this white paper/ plastic lined cloth. Our Thanksgiving paints were put to good use and we were finally able to decorate our tablecloth. We painted our hands and made turkeys all around the cloth and it made for a beautiful dinner once we sat down in the dining room. It made us smile! What fun it will be again to use it next year and the years to come.

And so our Thanksgiving was a very quiet day. Our dinner was late so we spent the day listening to music and relaxing. I especially enjoyed Brian and I getting a chance to catch up on our thoughts together and the kids laughing and playing. Carley had lots of questions about the holidays and was excited to have Grandma & Grandpa over. I especially enjoyed making the cute 1/2 pint jar individual pies that was inspired from GOURMET MOM blog site. Ethan & Carley were excited to share their table with their parents and grandparents!

For Mom's Only

2010-12-01T09:22:00.005-05:00

Two years ago I found this chair at a yard sale for $10.00.

Finally was inspired enough to finish it. It was a great beginner project for me and only cost $25.00 in materials to finish. I chose a gloss black paint and am excited about my results. The following day TJ Maxx had the perfect desk on clearance for $25.oo. It required a bit of TLC and now I have the perfect mommy workstation in my kitchen. I think every mom needs a space of their own!

2010-11-30T21:32:00.003-05:00

I just spent the last thirteen hours doing very simple things. It hard to describe what I actually do all day at work but simply stating some of these moments puts my life as a nurse into perspective. I thank God everyday for what I am honored to do...
Saying Good Morning cheerfully so my patient knows what time of day it is, handing someone a comb so they can remember to comb their hair, putting a band aid on a dry bruised elderly arm, wiping up the wet floor, opening up a carton of milk, reading the newspaper, making a bed, holding someone up so they can wash their hands without falling, handing them puzzle pieces to sort by color to give their mind something to do, listening to their childhood stories, putting lotion on dry, sore feet, helping them dial their family on the phone & watching them smile when their families arrive.

2010-11-30T21:14:00.006-05:00

Our date night on Sunday was on the ice. One of my most favorite things to do with Bri...play hockey! It certainly has added a different dimension to our relationship. Who knew!?

2010-11-18T08:57:00.005-05:00

My Best Friend growing up, Amy, is coming to visit Sunday and I am so so excited. I get to see her little guys Cole & Chase and play catch up! Carley and Ethan will be quite excited to have house guest over so I found something cute for them to do together with the spirit of Thanksgiving in mind. They will be making the cutest little edible pilgrim hats. They include Fudge Stripe cookies which are one of Carley's favorite. I hope they are excited when I tell them!

Tooth Fairy

2010-11-10T08:41:00.002-05:00

It's FINALLY out and the Tooth Fairy arrived yesterday morning leaving Carley a $! bill under her pillow. This warranted Carley a special treat for the day. I went into her classroom and read one of her new favorite books (from Grandma M.), TOOTH FAIRY, just perfect for her and her kindergarten friends.

2010-11-07T20:54:00.001-05:00

Finally, the day has arrived. My first time on skates in over five months! Had a super wonderful evening skating with the kids and the bonus was little Carley skating by herself & loving it!***So proud of you Car!

2010-11-05T21:30:00.001-04:00

Today as the first snow fall of the season began we headed out to Lowe's in search of a new kitchen pantry door. I'm not quite sure why on a Friday night I felt compelled but I did indeed find my inspiration for a cute little addition to my kitchen. At this point this is to be continued...

2010-11-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

I love discovering the books the kids bring home from the school library. Yesterday Carley brought home the cutest book with a little recipe on the back for "Tricky Fox's Eat Your Hat Cookies". Today I spent the afternoon doing cute little cutout cookies with her. A super-sweet afternoon is was...

2010-10-31T22:00:00.001-04:00

Sidney Crosby & Supergirl

"Happy Halloween at Cindy & Denny's"

Supergirl finds Snow White (Delaney) on the way.

Sidney Crosby with a "Silly Band" (Brian).

There's Waldo at the Roberts' house

Happy 8th Birthday Ethan & Brian

2010-10-16T12:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday!

Christopher & Brian

Brooks!

Keenan, Payton, Jack & E!

Ready, Set, Go!

Go Cubs!

Go White Sox!

Go E!

Ethan celebrating his 8th Birthday at Harris Park with one of his Best Buds (Bri)! We could not have asked for a more beautiful birthday day. The kids enjoyed hot dogs, chips & took home some big league chew & baseball cards!

"OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL"

2010-08-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

OFF TO SECOND GRADE!

CARLEY VERY EXCITED FOR HER FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!