Thank you History Channel...

We weren't sure we'd be able to take one this summer. A vacation, that is.

We finally juggled a few things around and the Hubs has decided he's fit for travel...for a few days, at least.

So we tossed ideas back and forth, the Hubs, my Dad and I...even the Bubs got in on the vacay brainstorming process. Everything from local attractions, to the state zoo were possible ideas. The trick is to find something that will be fun/interesting for all of us. Nothing was really striking the right chord for all of us, though.

Then, out of the blue, an idea struck.

From the History Channel. That's right, the History Channel!

The Hubs was watching a special on the Library of Congress. One conversation led to another and he began talking about some of the sights he saw on his last trip through D.C., and then it hit me. Why don't we visit our nation's capital? It would be fun and educational at the same time (hopefully!).

So that's where we're going sometime this summer. I'm already looking forward to seeing a different view for a few days and the chance to hang with my family. And, of course, taking ridiculous amounts of photos wherever they'll let me!

No photos...and that's okay with me!

I have not one picture for y'all to see in this post.

Nope.

Not a one.

And I'm happy about that.

Ridiculously so, in fact.

Why?

One simply cannot get a camera near a pool filled with water.

Especially when one is in the pool splashing her boys and laughing in gleeful abandon.

Woohoo!

Mono Monday: Father's Day

These photos aren't from yesterday.

Nope.

Between cooking, guests and chasing young'ns, the camera stayed in its bag.

*sigh*

I did, however, have plenty of photos to choose from to display the Hubby's love and affection for the boys.

It was surprising for me to note that, considering how much his arms/shoulders bother him, there were quite a few photos in which he's holding, hugging or tickling the boys. All of which I know for a fact aggravate his shoulders.

But he did those things anyway.

Because he loves his boys.

A daddy's love.

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."

~Author Unknown

Paint With Me: Smear

I almost didn't finish this, but I was determined. Especially since I've missed out on my fave link ups lately (Mono Monday and Sweet Shot Tuesday).

Heather's theme for this week's challenge was "Smear". Hmmmm....after I got the image of myself smearing glorious amounts of paint on a giant canvas (and wouldn't that be fun!) I decided that maybe something smaller would be better. Y'know cause the neighbors may not enjoy the sight of me cavorting, paint-covered and giggling madly as I fling paint at a canvas in my driveway. My studio isn't big enough for a large canvas, you see. There is a smidge of method to my madness after all...just in case y'all were wondering.

Anyway...

Everything on this canvas board is either smeared or spattered....well, almost everything. I only used a brush for the swirls in the star's wake and a pen to outline the star a bit. This was a lot of fun and I loved that the challenge was a little outside the box. Thanks, Heather!

Have a wonderful Thurday!

Summer Vacation = Boredom and Teething?

When I was a kid in school, I used to look forward to summer vacation. I could sleep in, no homework, maybe take a vacation trip, trips to the beach, hanging out with friends...I'm sure most of you remember how it felt to be free for a couple months!

Now that I'm a parent, the meaning of summer vacation has changed. It means that I now have both boys at home all day. Two active boys. Two boys who want mommy's undivided attention. All. The. Time.

Of course, they want the attention for two entirely different reasons. The Bubs, who is used to having a scheduled day, wants to be entertained and given activities to do. I don't mind doing that for a while, but since I can't magically split myself into multiples, I have to insist that he find something to occupy himself while I tend to E-man/Hubby/the house. Perish the thought!

E-man wants to be cuddled and entertained most of the time because he's cutting 4 or more teeth at the same time (yikes!) and that makes him a bit crabby. I'd be crabby, too.

So what's a overwhelmed mommy to do? Give us time to adjust to a new routine, plan a few activities for all of us.....and set up the new little inflatable pool that Poppi bought the boys and have some fun.

It's summer vacation, after all!

Mono Monday: Happy

A boy and his buddies....

HAPPY.

*Taken at the Bubs' field day event at school. The day was overcast, windy and a little chilly...not ideal conditions for a day of outdoor games and fun. But the kids didn't care and they're excitement was infectious. The Bubs' class had just gotten done with a relay event and when I turned around, there the boys were...how could I resist this shot? They were so cute and happy.

Paint with Me Thursday ~ Buttons

My cousin Lisa from Boondock Ramblings joined a weekly link up challenge that involves ART! I'm in love, y'all! Heather from Simply Feather is the genius behind the Paint with Me challenge and she graciously invites all artists to join in the creative fun...no matter their preferred medium or skill level. I love that. Thanks Heather!



This week's challenge was about buttons. I heart buttons. I have a stash of vintage buttons left over from my great-grandmother's sewing business years ago. I had visions of doing something more elaborate than what I came up with, but sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do when you're a mom...and your Hubby just had shoulder surgery! Besides, I kinda dig the results...



















This piece is made up of odds-n-ends from around my little studio....

• old hard back book cover - painted


• painted vintage sheet music heart - fixed on the cover with heavy matte medium


• faux pearl beads from a local thrift store sewn on the heart


• "imagine" embellishment from my leftover scrapbook stash


• vintage button also sewn on the heart


• scrap of ribbon


• straw (yes, a straw!) taped to the back to string the ribbon through for a hanger

Now I just have to find it a home in the house...maybe the mantle in our kitchen?

The Frustration Phase

There he is. Our little E-man. His latest faves are lids, straws and containers (hence the straw and lid fascination pictured above). I never thought my plastic storage containers would be such a source of entertainment! He's running now, almost able to turn door knobs and likes Yo Gabba Gabba. His newest phase, as far as development goes, centers around frustration.

Yep. Frustration.

He tries so hard to communicate with us. Pointing, clapping and even dancing are all in his tiny bag of tricks when it comes to his efforts to tell us what he wants or needs. Sometimes though, these just don't work. He knows what he wants to say but he can't say it because he's a little over a year old and his vocabulary isn't keeping pace with his desire to speak.

So what's a little guy to do when he has somethin' to say and he can't say it? He screams.

Lately, we've heard screams, squeels, groans and moans emanate from his tiny mouth...and for two confused and worn out parents, it feels like he does it almost all day long!

I'm not worried, though. The Bubs went through this same stage and then one day, to our delight, he was able to express himself with more than groans of pure frustration. Hallelujah!

So I know that E-man will get there...in his own time.