five things friday

Today is my birthday. Thirty-three. Yikes! I am not weirded out by getting older I just don't know where the time has gone. The years are flying by and I would give anything to slow it down!

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My dear mother celebrates her birthday tomorrow. I have always liked sharing a birthday with my mom. Someday when I am rich I am going to take us on some fancy trip, just the two of us, to celebrate our birthdays. But I'm not rich yet so she is getting a tote bag, just like the rest of my family and friends. And it's not even done (let alone mailed across the country) so it will be late, just like the totes for the rest of my family and friends. Wah-wah. At least I am consistent! Happy birthday, Mom!

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I bought some cute second hand ballet flats for Sutton. She loves them but the elastic strap across the top of the shoe was digging in, so I cut them off. As I was tossing the cut-off elastic into the trash can Sutton said, "No, Mom! I can use those for something!" My little repurposing heart almost exploded with pride!

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Yesterday Liam said his first ever swear word. The D word. Exact quote, "I wish I didn't have so much d**n homework." (That kid seriously hates doing homework) It took all I had to not laugh out loud. I'm not proud of that but I am proud of the fact that he got to the age of eight (and a half!) before saying a swear! We had a little talk about bad words and being frustrated. A good reminder for me too because even though I do my best to not swear in front of the kids, you better believe I am thinking or saw bad words under my breath!

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I am really late in hearing this news but Pantone's 2012 color of the year is Tangerine Tango! That is the exact shade of orange as my bookcase. Who knew I was so trendy? Not me!

five things friday

It's been a while since I have done a Five Things Friday post. Lately I have felt I am living my life on a treadmill. I am always running but never actually get anywhere. Am I alone? Do you ever feel this way?


I am finishing a painting project heavily inspired by this. Okay, I didn't just use it as inspiration, I full on copied it! I love it and can't wait to share it with you next week.

 My oldest is home sick today. He was puking all night. I am praying that no one else catches it, especially Gemma!


I started playing Words With Friends (the app version of Scrabble) yesterday and I am totally addicted! I have like six games going on at once, which sounds more chaotic than it really is. Hours go by between turns and some games last days. It's very different than scrabble in that way. Do you play Words With Friends? My user name is: nirenirewordsonfire. Let's play!


We have the outside lights up and the tree decorated but the rest of my house looks cah-razy! The kids pulled everything out of the bins and placed the decorations haphazardly throughout the house. I haven't taken the time to right everything yet and make it look pretty.

five things friday: birthday pictures edition

My birthday boy with his birthday breakfast still on his face- pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and orange juice.

We took the family to a hot air balloon festival. 

The plan was to take a tethered ride in a balloon but that didn't pan out. We are hoping to go again next year.

Ezra demonstrating his additional year prior to opening his presents. 

CAKE! Please note the smoke coming off the candle to the left-- heart shaped-- how freaking awesome is that??

HAPPY WEEKEND, FRIENDS!

five things friday

Whew. What a week. Lot's of coughing and fevers and earaches going on here. Liam and Sutton are currently both on antibiotics. We've never had multiple people on antibiotics before. While their drug use is overlapping they weren't really sick at the same time. It was one after the other. Which means two trips to the doctors office and many days of bundling up a sick kid to drive to the school to drop off/pick up the healthy kid.

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I chopped off my hair. It's okay. Part of me loves it the other part feels like it's the mom version of Little Orphan Annie. Oh well, it's only hair. Plus it is way better than the alternative, which was using Michael's clippers to buzz my head. That's how frustrated I get when my hair gets too long and unmanageable.

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I have to tell you about a friends new blog, A BLOG ABOUT LOVE. Mara is one of my dearest friends. She has been through a lot of trials in recent years (infertility, divorce). She (and sometimes her husband, Danny) writes about her experiences and finding strength and faith that she didn't know she had. Mara has always been a beautiful, smart, inspiring woman but her trials have changed her, she has transformed into an even more beautiful (yes, you can actually see a difference in her countenance), smart, inspiring woman. She has a peaceful confidence that I really admire. Check it out. You will be inspired too, I promise.

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Today is October 21. Can you believe that I haven't even decorated for Halloween? I used to love to decorate for all the Holidays. I guess I still do, I just haven't had the time or energy. Let's just pretend that my house looks like this or this. Also, we are doing store bought costumes this year (gasp!). I end up spending about the same amount of money when I make costumes plus all the hours I spend and let's be honest don't kids always want the crappy store bought costumes? Mine do and I did when I was a kid.

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Last but certainly not least, tomorrow is Ezra's third birthday! I can't believe my baby boy is three. Ezra was my easiest baby and continues to be my easiest kid. He is so easy going and is always happy (unless he is super tired). Ezra is really into sports, something that is new for our family. Liam is more artistic than athletic. Sutton is pretty athletic but isn't intrigued by sports the way Ezra is. I love how different they all are! This weekend will be spent celebrating Ezra and all the things he loves.

Have a wonderful weekend!

five things friday

I am currently having a love affair with shrimp. I've never been a big fan of shrimp (probably has something to do with the shrimp I saw at my aunts house once- a sink full of whole shrimp. Tails, shells, eyes. It was all there and it was gross.) but suddenly I love it and can't get enough. Last weekend we added shrimp to quinoa and black beans. It. Was. So. Good.

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With the return of fall my obsession of all things pumpkin is back. So far we have had pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin bars. I think I will make the pumpkin bars again this weekend for a family dinner I am hosting.

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Last night Sutton and I went on a date to see Disney Princesses On Ice. Oh man, she was in heaven. She loved every second of the show. Her eyes were glued to the ice the entire time but at one point she leaned over to me and said "You're awesome Mom." Awwww.

not a great picture- she was so excited she could stand still- but i love her real smile

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I have made the switch to cloth diapers. I know, I am like eight years too late but the old adage, 'better late then never' certainly applies, right? I have always felt guilty about using disposable diapers. I am certain that having three kids in diapers for three years each plus Gemma's eight months of life has produced enough disposable diapers to fill one entire landfill. My neighbor uses cloth diapers so I got so see it in action and it didn't seem as intimidating as I had thought. After that realization I couldn't squash the guilty anymore and decided to give it a go. I ordered Flip diapers. They fit both Ezra and Gemma which is very convenient (hopefully Ez will exchange them for underwear soon!). Today is only our second day. So far, so good!

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Today I am going to IKEA with a friend. I don't have anything that I have to buy which is more dangerous than going into that store with a long list! Here's hoping that I can be prudent and not buy everything that catches my eye!


Have a fabulous weekend!!

five things friday

It's been a long time since I have found any furniture while trifting, the last item was my killer sideboard, but earlier this week I got lucky again! A mid-century modern desk, $35 and a mid century modern night stand, $18. I have been searching for a desk for years and had given up hope of ever finding one so I was way stoked!

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I am so excited for the return of TV. My favorite shows are Parenthood, The Middle, Modern Family, and How I Met Your Mother. I have/had high hopes for a few new shows; The New Girl, Up All Night, Suburgatory, Once Upon A Time. I have seen the first episodes of The New Girl and Up All Night and they were... meh. I didn't even finish the New Girl pilot but Up All Night did make me laugh a few times. Are you a TV watcher? What is your favorite show?

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Gemma is eight months old! She is crawling now and has two teeth. Gone are the bows secured with corn syrup her hair is just barely long enough for a little clip. Adorable but... why must they grow so fast?!?

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Now that Gemma is older she is only nursing three times a day and she's eating lots of solid food. I decided it's time to start eating quinoa again (I had to give it up because it made her very gassy and therefore very fussy). I have so missed it and can't wait to try out the many recipes I have had bookmarked for ages.

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I discovered that I have been tying my shoes wrong my entire life. Thanks Mom. Haha, kidding! About blaming my mom that is. I really have been tying my shoes wrong. Maybe you have too? Watch this video on TED to find out!


HAPPY WEEKEND!!

five things friday

In an effort to share more of me on this blog I am copying my SIL and countless others in doing a weekly "five things friday" post. Here goes!


Fall has hit Charlotte suddenly. Yesterday was in the mid-80's today's high was 61. The sky is overcast and the air feels crisp and clean. Finally time to break out the cardigans! Welcome Fall!

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I am baking sugared pecans to top a salad that I am taking to a friends for dinner tonight. Thanks to the  cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg it smells like Fall inside my house too!

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I have officially started my Christmas shopping. I bought vintage fashion plates off eBay. I had a set as a girl and LOVED it. Let's hope Sutton does too. I also bought a few stocking stuffers (books, flash cards, journals) at the dollar spot at Target. Everything I got was 70% off. Thirty cents a piece. Score!

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Tomorrow morning we are going apple picking. This is one of my favorite things to do with my family, I look forward to it all year!

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I am in a sewing/creative slump. I have so many projects in the works but just don't feel the motivation to work on any of them. Do you ever have the crafting blues? How do break out of it??

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Do you do 'five things friday'? Leave a link or your five things in the comments, I'd love to know what your up to too!


Happy Weekending!