It was fun guest blogging over at The Girl Creative on Tuesday, but I'm sorry to report that I'm still at 4 "followers" on my blog. Pretty pathetic. Traffic did pick up a LOT on Tuesday with visits from Diana's site, but I guess I need to keep working on my content to achieve real popularity. And isn't that interesting that popularity still matters at age 38? ha. I guess it really doesn't. It's more about documenting who I am for my kids and documenting their childhood in my voice. Thanks to Diana for giving me the opportunity - I felt honored.

Ok - on to a new topic. Have you been over to Poppies at Play? She has the most AMAZING thing going on right now - a Parade of Homes! I am in love with this idea! And in awe the amazing housekeepers and DECORATORS posting their homes! My idea file is growing by the second! Go check it out! SO FUN!

I'm A Girl Creative!
My blog is featured over at The Creative Girl today!!!!! If you haven't been over to visit her before - you MUST! SOOOOOOO many cool things! I have been dubbed A Girl Creative!!! Now GO! What are you waiting for? Go check out her site!

I'm so excited!!!

DIY Didn't I Think Of This Sooner?!

Hi! This is Jodi over at "All About The Mom of 'Em." I hope you enjoy my Quick & EASY tutorial where I turn a $2.50 garage sale find into a cute and useful scrapbook/sewing organization tool.

Yesterday the kids and I went garage-saling (Thursday sales are da-bomb!). I didn't find much, but I did score this baby for $2.50.

Now, it might not look like much...yucky oak...and greasy/stained spice lids, but I had a vision. Let me show you the step-by-step:

1. Not much to look at.

2. Dishwasher for all removable parts and anti-bacterial Windex to clean up the rest.

3. Spray paint! (Only Krylon, people...trust me. I found mine at Hobby Lobby for $3.99). Now because I didn't sand first or prime..the paint didn't take well everywhere..but no worries! It's the distressed look the EASY way!

4. Find coordinating scrapbook paper in a color that "goes" with the spray paint color

5. Trace around upside-down lids

6. Cut out your circles

7. MOD PODGE, baby!

8. Let dry

9. Fill with whatever (I plan to fill with brads, eyelets, scrap ribbon, etc.)

10. Enjoy! She's a BEAUT for $2.50 and some supplies I had on-hand, don't ya think?

Saturday was a busy day! First we had Lauren's dance pictures. Hair in a bun, pale pink blush applied, sequins adorned....she was ready...AND excited!

Then I met someone from Craigslist to complete a sale. I've sold quite a few things last week and need to post more today. It is a wonderful feeling to get rid of things you don't need or use!

Home for a quick bite to eat and then off we went for Bailey's solo contest. She was AMAZING! She scored a "I" rating...but honestly it wouldn't have mattered. She sang her heart out and I couldn't have been more proud of not only her talent, but the manner in which she conducts herself. I'm a lucky Mom.

Back home again for a marathon afternoon of laundry and another Craigslist sale. Ah...it was a great weekend.

And now it's Monday again and here's my to-do list:

* Plant lily bulbs

* Spray tulips/iris/lilies with more deer/rabbit repellent (dumb rabbits)

* Menu-plan!

* More laundry (I can ALMOST see the end..which is as close to done as it ever gets)

* List more items on Craigslist

* Strip beds/wash sheets (I can already predict this one won't happen)

* Vacuum!!

* Unload/load dishwasher

* Return Redbox movie

* Plan out raised flower bed

* Clean out fridge

* Buy bread/milk

Exciting stuff...I know. Have a great Monday!

It's Spring!

(my new Magnolia tree...planted last summer. Should have taken a pic last week!)

The craziness on the family calendar proves it's Spring! Track meets, dance recitals, end-of-year banquets and programs - sooo much going on! Another way I can tell it's Spring - the sounds of laughter and joyful screams from kids in the neighborhood playing outside are heard through the window! Finally - OUTSIDE time!

We have a big backyard, but we really lacked something for the kids to do. They'd try to play outside but after running after a ball for 2 minutes, they were bored. There are no trees big enough to leave sticks - so they don't even have sticks to play with out there! So I've been keeping my eyes out for swingsets on Craigslist - but they are either worn out or too pricey. Then one day my friend found a listing for a FREE wooden play house. We agreed to take it sight-unseen! Boy were we surprised when we drove over to see it - AMAZING! Especially given the price tag! Vinyl siding, a front porch w/kid-sized benches built-in, shutters with heart cut-outs, window boxes for flowers, dry erase board interior walls, shingled roof.....absolutely adorable!

And so began the dilemma of how to get this thing to our house. It is HEAVY! I'm sure it weighs at least 700 lbs if not more. After discussions involving hiring teenage boys, renting a forklift (NOT), or calling every friend we knew...we decided to hire the job done. I'm sooo glad we did. So much faster!

After "Grandparent's Day" at Lauren's preschool, we surprised the kids with the new play house.

Truthfully, Grant saw it before Lauren was home..he kept pumping his fists and saying "YES! YES! I LOVE MY TINY HOUSE!

The kids had a FANTASTIC time today!

And since it was a no-school day, lots of neighborhood kids over to check it out. They ran around the house, in and out of the house, took each other's lunch/snack orders from the windows w/shutters...sooo cute! The kids ate lunch on the front porch

even Bailey requested her lunch out there. =-) When it was time to come in tonight, Grant had a rip-roarin' fit. Once inside (still screaming and crying), he kept pointing to our celings and screaming "I don't like a big house...I want to go to tiny house!" ha! Glad they love it.

I think Grandma loves it too...she crawled right in there and played w/the kids.

It really does bring out the kid in you...I had fun in there too!

HAPPY EASTER!!!