Disney Progress - Part 9

 

Isn't this tee adorable?! I found it in the Disney store on line and it was on sale so I had to order it! I paired it with some inexpensive khaki shorts and with those red low top Chuck Taylor's it will be adorable, I think! Again like with the other outfit, if I can get the boys and the weather to cooperate, I will try to post pictures of the boys wearing this outfit so you can see how absolutely adorable it is!

 

-erin-

Doll Progress - Part 7

Look at this fabric! It's so cute!

 



 

Anyway, here is my progress so far. I know it doesn't look like much but it is all the pieces I need to make SIX doll jumpers and SIX pair of panties! 

 

In my opinion the dolls I make look ADORABLE in corduroy with cute little patterns. So I can't wait to get these all sewn up!

 

Once sewn, one will be put on a doll and the other five will be set aside for future projects.

I know this isn't a super fun and interesting update but it's part of the process and it's progress!

-erin-

A Book Review

This is my latest read. I just finished it up. The back reads:

For as long as anyone can remember, tourists have flocked to the quaint town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where Amish buggies are as common as shops selling hand-crafted goods. But to attorney Julia Spencer, this town is anything but a paradise. Raised in foster homes, Julia has succeeded in life only through steely determination and independence. The close knit Amish people are a mystery to her. But local veterinarian Simon Thomas knows them well and is fiercely protective of their simple ways, which are increasingly threatened by the outside world. When Julia agrees to defend a local teenager charged in a case involving an amish boy, she and Simon find themselves on opposite sides of an intense and emotional legal battle. Just when it all seems they will never understand one another, God has something to teach them both about the power of forgiveness...and the joys to be found in Paradise.

I would give this book an seven out of ten stars (and that's only because I reserve the higher awards for only the best of the best of the best!)

This book (by Loree Lough) was cute but there wasn't anything in it that really grabbed me or jumped out at me or spoke to me. I felt like the storyline was actually a little different than what the back of the book describes but was still cute. I just didn't feel there was anything extra special about it.

-erin-

Disney Progress - Part 8

It's no secret that my boys and I are all Disney fanatics! Seth has been saving any change he finds along with birthday and Christmas money for the last 4 years already! The other boys have added here and there as well but not quite as diligently. Well we have finally set a general time frame (not exact dates but the month and year that we want to go) so I have started adding money to the fund as I can as well!

I am a HUGE planner type person! So once we set the general time frame I sat down and made this binder. There's all kinds of information in here. There are packing lists, and financial papers to keep track of our saving progress and menus to a couple of the restaurants that we hope to eat at while there.

 

Every two weeks I count up how much we are adding to the fund and record it on a sheet in the Disney planning binder. April 23rd we were able to add $233.10 into our fund! That puts us $956.07 cents ahead of schedule!!! (Hopefully we can keep up this momentum and wont have any pay periods where we have to not add anything or not add what I planned to add) If we keep it up we might get to go earlier than I had originally planned!

WE ARE OVER 1/4 OF THE WAY THERE!!!

As an update for the boy's jars:

Isaac- $2.01

Seth- $2.08

Ethan- $2.26

They started adding the change they find in there as well. LOL!

Under Disney Progress Tuesdays I wont always be posting about money deposits but I also have plans to make some items to take on our trip and I will be purchasing a few items as well so I will post about them as I am able.

I'm also so OCD in my planning that I will plan out the outfits we will wear and what day we will wear them so I will photograph and post those as well.

-erin-

Doll Progress - Part 6

Look at this fabric! It's so cute!



 

Anyway, here is my progress so far. I know it doesn't look like much but it is all the pieces I need to make SIX doll dresses and SIX pair of panties! 

 

In my opinion the dolls I make look ADORABLE in corduroy with cute little patterns. So I can't wait to get these all sewn up!

 

Once sewn, one will be put on a doll and the other five will be set aside for future projects.

I know this isn't a super fun and interesting update but it's part of the process and it's progress!

-erin-

2/365 - Part 2

So for Seth's birthday cupcakes I just used a boxed white cake mix. (A little boring, yes I know.) But then I bought those frosting flavoring packets.

 

Seth chose the blue which is cotton candy flavored and then we stirred it into the frosting (which is specially made for the flavoring packets). I thought the blue was a little pale so I used frosting dye and made it a little more vibrant.

 

 

We also made "push pops" for Seth to take to his class as a treat.

 

 

They loved them!

 

 

Not exactly a new treat but new to us and kinda fun! Thanks for stopping by!

 

-erin-

 



Seth Andrew Turns Six Today!

You are the peanut to my butter...

 

 

...glaze on my donut...

 

 

...the flip to my flop...

 

 

...the milk to my cookie...

 

 

...the cheese to my macaroni...

 

 

...the spring in my step...

 

 

...the twinkle in my eye...

 



 

...the cherry on my sundae...

 



 

...the sweet in my dreams...

 



 

...the adventure in my life...

 



 

...the beat of my heart...

 



 

...the love of my life!

 

Love you buddy! It's been an adventure!

 

-erin-

Remodel - Part 2

So it still doesn't look like much but we did get two of the walls up and drywalled. We didn't build the other walls yet because we wanted to make sure the bathtub would fit in.

 

We did end up getting the bathtub in as well. It's smaller than standard. 27 x 54. And we had to ask someone special to find it for us, but we did get it! 



This is a view from outside of the bathroom. Mom isn't actually leaving the cabinet there but it keeps it out of the way for now. 

 

Well that's it for progress for now. I'll keep you posted!

 

-erin-



Disney Progress - Part 7

 

In my opinion, no Disney packing list is complete without the classic gray Disney tee with Mickey in the middle. And lucky for me I found a pair of plaid shorts that just look so cute with this tee. I think I would like to find some red low top Chuck Taylor's (or look alikes) to wear with this. (My boys don't care for sandals and they tend to blister easily with them). If I can get the boys (and the weather) to cooperate I will post some pics of the boys actually wearing this adorable outfit so you can better see my vision.

 

-erin-

Doll Progress - Part 5

Look at this fabric! It's so cute!



Anyway, here is my progress so far. I know it doesn't look like much but it is all the pieces I need to make SIX doll vests! 

 

In my opinion the dolls I make look ADORABLE in corduroy with cute little patterns. So I can't wait to get these all sewn up!

Once sewn, one will be put on a doll and the other five will be set aside for future projects.

I know this isn't a super fun and interesting update but it's part of the process and it's progress!

-erin-

96/365 - Part 1

One of the things on our Project 100/365 list is to try a new recipe.

 

 

Today we made these Root Beer Float Cupcakes! They were so yummy!

 

Here's the recipe:

1 package 2-layer-size yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup root beer

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 1/2 teaspoons root beer flavoring

2 teaspoons root beer flavoring

1 12-16 ounce container rich and creamy buttercream frosting

22-24 root beer flavor hard candy barrels

24 bendable straws (optional)

 

1. Line 22-24 2 1/2 inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside.

 

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, root beer, oil and the 4 1/2 teaspoons root beer flavoring on low speed until combined. Beat on medium to high speed for 2 minutes more (batter will be thick).

 

3. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling cups two-thirds full.

 

4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.

 

5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir the 2 teaspoons root beer flavoring into the buttercream frosting.

 

6. To make frosting look like ice cream (I didn't do this step) chill to firm slightly, then scoop a small amount onto each cupcake. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. (At this point, cupcakes can be stored up to three days chilled in an airtight container).

 

7. Just before serving, top each cupcake with a root beer flavored candy or crush candies and sprinkle over cupcakes. Cut straws in half; discard bottom (straight) halves. Garnish with a bent straw half. Makes 22 to 24 cupcakes.

 

I found this recipe in a Midwest Living magazine and it just sounded so good; and fortunalely they taste better than they sound! Go ahead and whip up a batch soon! Unless you're one of those weirdos that doesn't like root beer! ; )

 

-erin-



A Book Review

 

Another book down! Love Finds You In Miracle Kentucky. The back reads:

 

Anything can happen when you live in a place called Miracle. Meg Jorgensen wants a fresh start, miles away from the city and a failed relationship. She takes a teaching position in the tiny town of Miracle, Kentucky, and vows to steer clear of smooth talking men. Before long, Meg is smitten, but its eight-year-old Cammy Bayer who wins her heart. The young girl has spent much of her life in a wheelchair but firmly believes that God will heal her someday. Cammy's widowed father, Vance, has devoted his life to caring for his young daughter, and he is delighted by the attention she receives from her new teacher. But will Meg and Vance see eye-to-eye when it comes to an experimental procedure that may grant Cammy the use of her legs? Will they open their minds to the miracle of healing, and their hearts to the miracle of love?

 

I'll be honest. This book was so cute despite some of the story being "told" by an eight year old which normally drives me nuts! I give it seven out of ten stars (and that's only because I reserve the higher awards for only the best of the best of the best!)

This book was one that grabbed my attention immediately. It was refreshing to read a story about a woman that although she had made some bad choices in her past; is working to make better choices and to mend her reputation.

 

-erin-

Snack Time @ Disney

When the boys and I first started planning a trip to Disney World I immediately started making each of them a scrapbook to record their memories. I am making each of the pages the same, leaving spaces for photos and journaling. Then after we get back from the trip each of them will be able to go through all of the pictures taken and choose their favorites to go into their book.

Today's page is Snack Time @ Disney!

 

And isn't this paper cute? I thought it was perfect for this project. (And as I live in "Podunk" Illinois, all of my paper comes from JoAnn's unless otherwise noted).

 

All the letters were made with my Cricut cartridge. Aren't they cute?

 

It is a fun project. Another way for me to "plan" and "organize" for the trip. It's keeping me excited about it as well. And it's such a unique souvenir for them! They haven't seen the books (at least not most of the pages anyway) and I plan to surprise them with the scrapbooks while on vacation! Stay tuned to see more pages that make it into the Disney scrapbook!

-erin-

Remodel Update - Part 1

Well I completely forgot to take before shots and what we have gotten done up to this point really doesn't look like much, however, it will soon morph into a bathroom for my boys and I!

 

We removed approximately 5 rows by 7 rows of ceramic tile (ugh! we hate that stuff. So pretty but uber slippery and so painful to walk on all day!) and there was laminate crap underneath that! 

Then there was a butt load of staples, screws and nails in very random and unnecessary places that had to be removed as well. The boys had a blast helping! Ethan actually cried when the job was done because he "didn't get to help enough!"



 

Then it was hot and late (I had to get up for work the next day) so we swept up and called it a day!

 

-erin-



Disney Progress - Part 6

It's no secret that my boys and I are all Disney fanatics! Seth has been saving any change he finds along with birthday and Christmas money for the last 4 years already! The other boys have added here and there as well but not quite as diligently. Well we have finally set a general time frame (not exact dates but the month and year that we want to go) so I have started adding money to the fund as I can as well!

I am a HUGE planner type person! So once we set the general time frame I sat down and made this binder. There's all kinds of information in here. There are packing lists, and financial papers to keep track of our saving progress and menus to a couple of the restaurants that we hope to eat at while there.

 

Every two weeks I count up how much we are adding to the fund and record it on a sheet in the Disney planning binder. April 9th we were able to add $246.15 into our fund! That puts us $956.07 cents ahead of schedule!!! (Hopefully we can keep up this momentum and wont have any pay periods where we have to not add anything or not add what I planned to add) If we keep it up we might get to go earlier than I had originally planned!

WE ARE OVER 1/4 OF THE WAY THERE!!!

 

 

As an update for the boy's jars:

Isaac- $2.01

Seth- $2.08

Ethan- $2.26

They started adding the change they find in there as well. LOL!

 

Under Disney Progress Tuesdays I wont always be posting about money deposits but I also have plans to make some items to take on our trip and I will be purchasing a few items as well so I will post about them as I am able.

I'm also so OCD in my planning that I will plan out the outfits we will wear and what day we will wear them so I will photograph and post those as well.

-erin-

Doll Progress - Part 4

Look at this fabric! It's so cute!



Anyway, here is my progress so far. I know it doesn't look like much but it is all the pieces I need to make SIX doll pleated skirts and SIX pair of panties! 

 

In my opinion the dolls I make look ADORABLE in corduroy with cute little patterns. So I can't wait to get these all sewn up!

 

Once sewn, one will be put on a doll and the other five will be set aside for future projects.

I know this isn't a super fun and interesting update but it's part of the process and it's progress!

-erin-

Project 100/365

For those of you who are not familiar with my project 100/365, I'll let you know. Every year around December the boys and I sit down and decide on a list of 100 things that we would like to do in the upcoming year. Some of the things are simple and free such as taking a walk or bike ride. Other things are more complex and take little money, like going to see a movie; or in some cases quite a bit of money, like redoing their bedroom. I don't have the list typed up or posted yet this year but if you are interested, that is something I would be happy to do.

 

Well, here's our official list:

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

-erin-