A Glimpse of Spring

It's February and the flowers are in bloom. I took these photos today. 

We haven't had much of a Winter, but seeing flowers in bloom and the fairly warm temps, gets me in the mood for Spring.

Valentine Butterflies

Our project this year, to make 20 Valentine Butterflies to pass out to everyone in Katie's class during their Valentine party.  Each one has their own personality.  I think they turned out adorable. I got the idea from  Skip to My Lou.  You can get the template from the website.  I just printed them out on 8x10 scrapbook paper.  I had Katie decorate them.  I am in love with Glitter Markers.  It's the coolest thing ever.  We added antennas and eyes, it really gives them personality.  We had so much fun creating these.  I think the kids will like them.    

Katie came down sick yesterday, a 24 hour bug.  She's doing great now and so excited about her Valentine party tomorrow.  She loves the whole Valentine holiday.  I think it's because she loves hearts, the colors pink and red and fairytales.  I found the cutest thing for Katie's Valentine gift.  She is going to flip out.  She collects Lalaloopsy dolls.  Well, I found a mini-lalaloopsy set that is "Alice and Wonderland."  There are two dolls, Madhatter and Alice.  It also includes little accessories like the Cheshire Cat and teapot.  Soooo precious!  I can't wait for her to see it. 

Colton kind of found his gift and because mom and I were so involved in our project for the past couple of days, I let him go ahead and play with it.  It's a big plush Woody from "Toy Story."  To show you what a push over I am, he also got to play with one of his birthday presents.  Whell!  He knew that I put it in my bedroom.  He kept aggravating us about it.  It started out him just carrying around his Thor action figure still in the box.  All we heard for the next hour, "I AM THOR!  ANYONE WHO POSSES THE POWER OF THOR!"  (Blah Blah Blah)  Next thing you know, he was trying his best to crack it open.  Like any mother that buys toys well in advance of a child's birthday that he was with me when I bought it, I opened the stupid box and let the child play with his birthday present.  A month before his birthday.   Hey, we got our project done in two days because of it. 

Are You Ready For "Eclipse"?

Twilight Series: "Eclipse"

Today's the day Twilight fans! 

Twilight's third movie comes out at noon!  If you are the dedicated fan and plan on waiting in line to watch the movie, you've got to leave me a comment and let me know how good it was.  I really hope they stick with the books' storyline. 


The Carmike here in town are showing 5 matinees, 3 evenings and 1 late show at 11:20. I guess they want to be prepared.

Kids Story
Our diva's imagination has taken her through a cycle of possible career choices. For instance, a couple of weeks ago she was a teacher and swim coach.  This past week she's been a special agent. It's been fun watching her. She'll sneak around with her pretend glock looking for bad guys and clues. Bless her heart, the only thing is she can't stop smiling or giggling while on the job. LOL! Last night, her career choice changed once again. I thought I was going to fall out when I found her in the bed with daddy. Doug had this smirk on his face. Asked what was going on and he informed me that she was giving him a "Makeover". Oh really. I don't know where she got the word "makeover", but she oblivously knew what it meant. She fixed Doug's hair, trimmed his mustache and even brushed his chest hair. Poor Doug was trying to watch the baseball game, so he told Katie that she needed to help me. She gave me a full makeover with makeup and new do. I can't wait to see what she'll be today.

Doug and I wanted to get Flash a ball pit for Christmas last year, but never could find any to stay in the house.  As you know, all the stores are exploding with "Toy Story 3" toys and stuff.  Walmart had a few TS3 ball pits, I debated on getting it.  Then, I thought what if we decide we want to get it for him again.  So it ended up in our buggy some how.  It's so cute and the kids love it. 

I gave Katie a talking to about how she should take care of stuff and especially this ball pit.

and here I was worried about Katie tearing it up.

Colton sees it as a game . . . to attack Katie when she's in the ball pit

My beautiful Stargazer Lilies are in full bloom

They give out the sweetest smell all throughout the house.

April Blossoms

Well, I snuck out of the house this morning to check out some patio furniture at "Pattie's Patio." As I drove up in the parking lot, they had a sign on the window "Going Out of Business." I got a little excited, hoping I might get a good deal. Unfortunately, there was another smaller sign by the door that read "We're closed today for personal business." Ugh! I went ahead, looked through the store windows and outside where a lot of their patio furniture is located. I really didn't see anything that excited me.

On the way home, I wanted to check out this fairly new greenhouse nursery "Greenleaf." I guess they've been here for a year or so. I've never been there because one person told me that they were a little pricey. I've been tired of looking at the same plants at Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart (azaleas, rhododendron and gardenia bushes). I really wanted to see what else is out there for part sun to shady areas. I've always wanted a Camellia bush, but really haven't found one that either looked healthy or have a pretty bloom to it. I must say, I was impressed with Greenleaf. They had everything! I would really love to have a Lilac bush, but I don't have the sun to really reach it's potential. Oh, if we ever move to an area with some full sun in our yard, I'm going to purchase a Lemon tree. I saw one at the nursery and the white blooms on the tree are very fragrant. So sweet! They had some beautiful, healthy azaleas of all colors. I'm thinking about going back and getting one that had two tone bright pink blossoms. The container had to be close to 2 gallons for $24.99. I know when I purchased my azaleas in the front yard, they were a gallon and I think I paid around $10 each. So, I don't think $24.99 is too bad of a price for a healthy bush. I did go ahead and purchase a beautiful Camellia for $14.99. The color name is pearl. The picture looks like a light pink rose, not at all like some of the Camellias I've seen around. I planted it in the corner of the back yard, where I'm planning on making a flowerbed.

The Horticulturist, I spoke with at the nursery gave me lots of planting ideas and tips on the plants I purchased. She showed me a Campanula plant aka "Pink Octopus" and I immediately fell in love. She said they are shade lovers and very hardy. They are similar to Hostas because they spread out and can be separated. They have a danty little pink flower that looks like a pink Octopus tentacles. I think it's cute and very unique. The lady I was working with recommended Mushroom Compost for the plants along with a liquid plant root stimulator (to help on the shock) and powdered plant food that smelled just like a horse stable. Pe-ew!

Finally, I like to get some kind of annual flower to put in my flower pot out on the driveway. Normally, I plant Geraniums or Verbas because they do so well during the Summer months. Last year, Katie and I planted colorful Gerber Daisies. We had so many compliments on those and I loved them because they looked playful and happy. I don't know, daisies remind of happiness and joy. I was so undecided until I found this year's plant of the Mason's landscape. I've never seen a Regal Geraniums before today. I think that's what they are called or least that's what I was told. They are very pretty and different from the traditional Geraniums. The color name on the marker was "Elegant Purple Majesty." 

I also like to get a hanging basket for the shepard's hook that sports around in my flowerbed in the front yard. I've had good experiences with Mandevillas, but the ones I've purchased were the climbing. I've never seen them in hanging baskets, so I was pleased to see this one in a basket. I love the color! It's like a deep dark red. I got this Mandevilla at Lowe's. I'm excited to see if it will spread like the vines.

Just some pictures of my azaleas

Easter Weekend

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend. Ours was eventful, full of laughter, food and lots of Easter eggs to hunt.

A few shots of the kids looking through their Easter baskets, to see what the Easter bunny left them.

This is Katie's new Furreal Kitty "Lulu," she walks, meows, paws and purrs.  Katie seems to really like her.

First thing Colton grabs is the balls.  After awhile, he rolled his toy cars around on the floor.

A week of enjoying the Easter celebration by decorating the house and baking these goodies for everyone.

Red-Velvet Egg Bon-Bons

I thought these bunny cut out sugar cookies turned out cute.  I got the idea from "Tidy Mom". She has some of the neatest ideas, you'll have to check her out.

I found this Easter tree at Hobby Lobby for 50% off.  I've always wanted to have an Easter egg tree for inside the house.  I've never seen one like this one, it's so soft.

A few Easter Sunday pictures

The South has officially Sprung. I love the flowers blooming everywhere. It's so beautiful!

These butterflies were so gracious enough to allow me to get a picture of them.

Peggy & Millard's Easter Egg Tree all decked out

Flowering trees are showing off - Crabapple Tree

Easter Egg Hunt

Lots of Family Photo Ops