And then there were 4...

Trevor
7 lbs 10 oz
Born on Tuesday, October 18th at 4:06pm

"I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach." Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Toddler bedroom gets a modern facelift

So lately I've been inspired to finish decorating some of the house, and re-decorating a few areas.

My project this weekend was to re-do Maddox's room from a baby-themed zoo room into something cute and gender neutral. I also wanted to make it more mature without getting too carried away by decorating with colors and patterns.

Most everything I used came from Target and cost around $200.

The bedding is new but I used his old bumper pad to save a little money. I was planning to paint but instead I decided to use a beautiful Queen size quilt in green as a wall hanging for added color and texture. It also saved a lot of time and can be easily changed. The curtains are actually tableclothes with a design I loved.

On his dresser are two color-coordinated placemats to protect the top from scratches. The wall clock is a matching green and was a steal at $3! For changing table, I bought a few baskets in brown and beige that were on sale. On the wall by his closet, I put some wall decals in nature themes. I also found a cute clothes hamper that fits in the corner and can be hidden behind the door. I hung his jackets on hooks to help open up closet space. Also behind the door is a dry erase board for chores.

Finally, I found a cute art deco picture of a dog that pulls from the room colors and I felt gives is a "boy" feel.

I'm very happy with the result.

Summer Kids Crafts: Pine cone bird feeders and personalized stepping stones

Spring and Summer are the perfect times of year to start an outdoor craft project. Kids love learning new things and creating usable crafts.

The following simple crafts are both inexpensive and perfect for young children. A little imagination can go a long way on a warm afternoon.

Pine Cone Bird Feeder 

Gather together:

Smooth peanut butter

1-2 Pine cones

String or twine

A pan of bird seed

A spoon for spreading

Line an outdoor table with newspaper and set out your supplies. Tie a 2 foot piece of string to the top of the pine cone. Let the kids slather the pine cone with peanut butter and roll it in the bird seed. Allow to dry for a few hours before hanging up for the birds to enjoy!

Stepping Stones

Stepping stone kit

Tiles, stones, beads

Thin wood dowel for writing

Handi-wipes for quick cleanup

Most craft stores sell inexpensive stepping stone kits. All you need to do is mix the cement according to directions (ours was slightly too moist so we let it sit for 30 minutes in the sun before decorating). Create your own designs with handprints, footprints, mosaics, glass stones, and beads. You can use a wood dowel to draw and write a name or spell it out in beads. Allow to dry one day before removing from the mold. Most kits come with enough mix to make more than one stepping stone.

Last summer Maddox and I made a stepping stone for the garden with his handprint and Henry's pawprint. The two buddies created a cherished momento we can enjoy for years to come.

Mission Knits: Adorable find for a great cause!

Late last year I discovered a cute little online store run by a pre-teen girl named Mady. Her store is called Mission Knits. Maddy makes and sells knit items that include toys, baby clothes, and wearables to help fund her mission trips.
These knit items are adorable, well-made and AFFORDABLE! Prices start at around $15. Sometimes there is a waiting list depending on how many orders Maddy is currently working on.
Here are a few more examples of what you will find from Mission Knits.

Maddox loves his Mom and Baby monster we had made in blue and brown. He stays entertained by taking the baby in and out of the momma's pocket and you never know where you'll find them.