Around the house

Hutch is now the proud owner of a pair of tubes. Thanks to everyone who called and emailed me to check on Hutch man. He is starting to feel much better. He took 2 two hour naps today...which is awesome! I really pray that he starts sleeping better at night. Poor thang. (*Sad Face*) Tess has been wanting to play "baby" a lot. She even likes to crawl on the floor with Hutch sometimes. It is pretty funny.
Tess and her friend Katelyn playing dress-up. No stopping for the camera! I love the shots of him pulling up with his booty facing the camera. There is something about those short lil' legs and big diaper booty- extremely cute to me.

BIGGER bows!!

WARNING: DO NOT READ this post if you are a "HAIRBOW HATER."

Okay....I confess I LOVE bows! If you have a little girl, I am sure you know what I mean. I have had a LOT of fun dressing Tess up and adding that special touch...a bow. Okay, now that everyone thinks I am silly...let's get down to the 411. Do you know how to make bows? Do you want to learn how to make bows? I have recently been working on trading all of Tess's regular size bows out and making TEXAS size bows (**excited face**). I think they look so cute on her! Anywho, isn't the BIGGER the bow the smarter you are! haha! (until you reach college..lol) So, I am keeping my promise (since I got some positive feedback :-) and continuing to post any random crafty tips I may have. If anyone wants to learn how to make bows email me at jfinton@sbcglobal.net and I will send you written instructions with step-by-step pics. Also, my latest obsession is http://www.youtube.com/ . You can learn anything you want off that site. Type in "how to make hair bows" and dozens of videos will come up. More than you will ever want! Good luck and happy bow making!!!
New bows vs. old bows
Old bow.
New bow.

Look who's pulling up...

"What, mom? I have to get tubes in my ears THIS Monday??? Yes, you sure do! Poor baby.
Today, I caught him looking for the Schawn man. :-)
Me and my Hutch man. I took lot's of pics of us together and he is smiling at the camera in almost all of them. It is so funny...he is pretty animated.
Hutch has been practicing the whole throw his sippy cup on the floor and let me pick it up ....over and over.

P.s. i love, love the way he looks at Tess. They have such a sweet relationship....
Here is Tess playing around outside on one of the nice days we had this week.

Note to Self....and bloggy readers

Let's make these next year for Valentine's day treats. Got to remember to think ahead at Christmas and store up on mini candy canes. Aren't they soooo cute? Love 'em and can't wait to make 'em next year.

Some of the candy canes are longer than others, but you shouldn't need to break any of them.Place them in a heart shape on a parchment/wax paper lined baking sheet. Melt your chocolate (white or dark) with peppermint extract...the grocery store close to their home was sold out of peppermint extract, so I used peppermint mocha coffeemate creamer. The chocolate should be thinned with a small bit of milk or creamer so that it's easier to pour, but not so thinned that it wont harden. Sprinkle candy or sprinkles/jimmies over the chocolate before it hardens too. (I borrowed this bit from this blog.http://wingmanforlife.blogspot.com/2008/12/sassy-canes.html

One Crawling Boy!

Here is Hutch in action. Look at him go! He is loving crawling around the house. I wonder if they make baby knee pads?

A lil' Green Mossy No#

This is our new front door decor . This idea was inspired by a similar design in the Better Homes and Garden Magazine ( I believe it was the December issue). You can make your very own, too! Here is how I made mine (not sure how they did it in the mag.- no instructions). P.s. Mine is hanging a little too low on our door- off to get a shorter hanger!)
Here is what you need.
1. piece of large foam core (cost is $1 at Micheals)
2. Green moss (whatever kind you like - my bag was ~ $2 at Micheals)
3. Various kinds of Ribbon (or not if you don't want to use ribbon)
4. Wire to hang
5. Gold spray paint- or gold craft paint (whatever, you have)- you may could color it with crayons???
Okay, this is so easy to do...a little time consuming, but not bad. First draw your Letter out on the foam core (I used my whole piece). Cut out with scissors or exacto knife...this part is the hardest part. Don't worry about jagged edges - the moss will cover them up.
6. I spray painted my "F' so that no white would show up (in case of any bare spots).
7. Spread glue (I used just plain Elmore's)- use lots of glue and spread with finger. Apply moss in small sections at a time and press down (do this over and over as you continue to cover your letter).
8. Poke holes (i used a nail to poke mine) and thread the wire though to make a hanger.
9. Attach ribbon in your own creative way.
Good luck! If you decide to make one....I would love to see pictures of yours!
I am going to do better at sharing any craft or decor ideas that I have. If you know me....that is what I love to do. I also love to share ideas and give advice on anything pertaining to either subject.

I recently was reminded that God blesses us with different talents, as well as spiritual gifts. Do you know yours?? Do you use yours? God delights in us when he sees us using our gifts. Can you run fast? Are you good with organizing? Are you a hard worker? Whatever you do, do it.....share it and feel God delight in you.

You are my Valentine!

Today, at our Mommy and Me Valentine party, I tried to sit Tess and Hutch together for a picture. Hutch was only interested in getting Tess's grapes off her plate. Tess thought this was hysterical!!! "Oooh, Hutchie!!!!" She kept saying over and over.....so sweet those two.
"Uh, Tess, you have to walk the cake walk not sit in the middle!"
Tess kept trying to get everybody to play "Duck, Duck, Goose!" Pretty funny.

Tonight, we celebrated Valentine's night with Tess. J got her Madagascar 2 and a few other fun things. This is Tess's reaction after seeing the movie (which she LOVES!)

8 months

Hutch is having a great/not so great month. He is having terrible ear infections- I think he is getting another one as we speak. We are problay headed toward tubes. Tess had only 1 ear infection, right before she got her tonsils out at the age of 3. On the sunnier side of things, Hutch is crawling everywhere and had his very first cracker today. He loves being outside sitting in the sunshine. Felt really terrible this morning.....I let him crawl around the deck yesterday while we sat out there and played. Today, I noticed these little read bumps ALL over his knees.....tiny splinters all in his legs. What was I THINKING???? I felt/feel sooo bad.


Picture of Tess entertaining us at the Super Bowl party.....who needs 3 million dollar commericals when Tess will sing for free. Me and Jay at the Carlise's house for Super Bowl Sunday.

You Color My World, Valentine!

This year for Tess's mother's day out class we turned to Family Fun Magazine for our treat idea. We made heart shaped crayons for all of Tess's friends. They turned out really cute and I think the kids loved them. Tess is a great helper and she loves doing crafts with me. Thanks Tess, I had fun making these with you. You would say "Mama, you the peeler and I'm the breaker!"(I did all the pealing of crayons and Tess loved to break them into small pieces). You could make these in any shape for any occasion. Happy coloring !!!!
Directions for making: (from Family Fun Mag.)
. Heat the oven to 250°.
2. Fill each mold with crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes. Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips.
3. Once they're cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.
Suggested messages:
You color my world
Valentine, you make my heart melt
Have a happy Valentine's Day, for "crayon" out loud!

I know, I am so behind on blogging. I have just been so covered up...plus I can't find my camera cord to download new pics to the blog. Sooner than later it is bound to show up. Hutch is 8 months old and has started crawling around everywhere. It started last week and this week he is all over the house. That little rascal! He is such a cutie. He is feeling much better after our 3rd attempt at antibiotics for a terrible double ear infection. Tess has been enjoying all the Valentine festivities and spent last weekend with her Granny and Pop in El Dorado. We sure missed our girl. Will post lots of new pics as soon as I can. Happy early Valentine's Day! Do sometihng sweet for your loved one. I cleaned J's truck on Sunday (washed the seats and everything)- I need some more ideas for the end of this week. Something creative.....