Skeptical

So the week of February 14th is an obvious craft week, right? And we have been busy. Craft making with my children (especially Olivia) is always...insightful, frustrating, a textbook study in family dynamics. So, when I came across this blog the other day (in search for some Valentine craft ideas) where the the woman had posted pictures from the past four years of crafts she had made with her children, I was curious. For example, when they were 1 and 3 years old they did this, and 2 and 4 they did this, and 3 and 5 this.

Now, I don't want to call someone I don't know a liar...but...well, the cards were cut out perfectly and the stamps were right in the middle of the paper (with no smudges) and the stickers were cutely positioned in rational spots on the card. Do you see our cards below? It is like the glitter sticks barfed every where and there is no rhyme or reason (in my mind) to anything on there. Blue?! I couldn't convince her that blue wasn't really a valentine color. And yet blue is her favorite color...so why wouldn't she want to share her favorite with her valentines? I had visions or orderly valentines...they spewed love all over pink and red construction paper. The result is far sweeter than the battle of wills we could have gotten into and I would still be recovering from.
Our valentine bouquet. I thought of it myself. We cut out hearts glued on tissue paper and then taped on popsicle sticks.

Overcoming selfishness

You might be thinking this is going to be a thoughtful post about fighting that stinky beast - the selfish self. Sorry to disappoint, but this is really a plug for a fantastic giveaway (actually several) over at Simple Living Media (simplelivingmedia.com) It is a group of blogs devoted to simple living in all areas of life - home, parenting, schooling, cooking/eating, organics. I have found them to be a great resource over the past months.

I get an additional chance to win their fantastic giveaways by posting here to let you know about them. That may sound selfish, however; part of me didn't want to let you know at all - because then you would be competition for the prizes! So, I am choosing to see this as a victory!

Hope you (share with me if you) win!

Thank you...

...to Karl, Annika, Lauren, Audrey, Samantha, and Grandma and Grandpa Pollack. Who knew it would take so many people to deliver such a blessing.

Lou Lou cuts one

Ever since her Aunt Lisa visited a few weeks ago, the Dr. kit has turned into a hairdresser kit.

Announcement

Olivia has asked Joseph to marry her and he has accepted - upon the condition that she gives him time to become a fireman first. I was surprised he accepted after the golf club incident a few weeks ago. Details forthcoming...

(How do I explain to her that even though her mother is from East Tennessee she still can't marry her brother??)