I Heart IKEA

We have a new IKEA in Charlotte...yippee! It is definitely a good spot for recessionista shopping. In fact, this week, I bought a new rug for the playroom. It is fun and spunky and only cost $39.99. Hooray for deals!

Prescription for Color

Yellow Painted Chandelier, originally uploaded by deardaisycottage.

I am in need of some color in my house...there are just way too many shades of brown, black and white and it is driving me crazy. I posted an update on facebook recently about having the urge to paint my kitchen chandelier a bright yellow. I'm sure there were several people squirming in their chair, but some said to go for it! I'm still thinking about it, but not set on the yellow...maybe even blue, who knows. Stay tuned.

Shoot Out

The Light Factory, a photography and film museum here in Charlotte, has an annual fundraiser called The Shoot Out. It works like this: you pay a fee, you get a portrait session with a top Charlotte photographer, they provide makeup if you need it, and they will shoot up to seven family members and also your pets. So, you get wonderful photographs and the money goes to the programs they sponsor at the museum. Fabulous, such a win-win deal! This is our first year participating and I am very excited! Our session is Mother's Day weekend, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Happy Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday. It has been a few weeks since we have all seen her, so we had to send her a video (you know I loved that!). The girls practiced for days and it was perfect in my book. Mom, I love you so much and am so thankful for our friendship. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, you deserve that and more.

(I tried to post the video, but am experiencing some minor technical confusion. sorry)

I need this

found here

My New Toy

I am over the moon with the recent purchase of my Flip video camera. It excites me to know that my girls will now have some live footage of their childhood because our other video camera has done nothing but collect dust. For instance, today I was able to film a few minutes of my daughter's field day at school and then slip it back into my pocket (it's that small). I love that I can have it with me wherever I go and it is not a huge nuisance size-wise. Then you just plug it into your computer and download the videos, it is easy as pie. It's also easy on the wallet which makes it even better. Can you tell I'm in love?

Cuba

Cuba-52.jpg, originally uploaded by Leo Caobelli.

If you asked my husband about one place that I have really wanted to visit, he would quickly say Cuba. He thinks I'm crazy, but that's not solely based on my desire to travel in Cuba..hehe. With the news of certain travel sanctions being lifted, I am hoping that Americans will be able to freely travel there soon. Do you have a place that you have always dreamt of seeing?

Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

We did! It was a beautiful weekend here and we spent most of it outside...more pics to come. I made this garland after seeing it here and it really added a festive touch to our kitchen.

Discovery Place

Luckily, we have a nice Children's Museum here in Charlotte. The Discovery Place currently has a circus exhibit that we recently checked out. The girls had so much fun!

In Mourning

You have been with me for the past 3 years and 10 months, mostly in the afternoon. Like clockwork, you would come and give me a couple of hours of quiet and rejuvenation. The darlins' did not always welcome your presence, but once they gave in to your touch they came out happier beings. Even though I know you will be back on occassion, I miss your daily visits. I guess it is the end of an era, a bittersweet reminder that the girls are growing up and just don't need you anymore. But don't be sad Mr. Sandman, you are welcome here anytime.

Blinders

Last night the girls were not wanting to go to sleep, so they typically think of anything possible to get me in their room. After the fourth time upstairs, I had closed the door and was on my way back down when I heard another, "Mommy!". So back I went and when I opened the door, Lil' Darlin' A asked, "What does God look like?" Oh my, I thought. So, I quickly diverted the question back asking them what they thought he looked like. I got all the typical qualities: arms, legs, hair, a brown chin. Then they said that God has a hiney, that he wears blinders at night, and he has a cat. I giggled to myself, kids really do say the darndest things! On that note, I went back downstairs never to hear a peep.

Making Me Happy Lately...

• Daffodils for $1.29 a bunch at Trader Joe's
  

• Finally recovering my chairs (not the material I really, really wanted, but had it lying around)

• Going to a fabulous party in honor of a friend that has commited to doing 40 races in his 40th year of life to raise $40,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Go Sean! What awesome dedication he has.
• Spring Break...although the weather is going to feel more like winter. I'm still looking forward to doing fun things with the kids and staying in our PJ's if we so desire.
• Carolina playing for the NCAA Championship tonight! Go Tarheels!