The Wonders of Value Village

How do I love thee, Value Village? Let me count the ways!

(1) "Take Off" - a board game I had as a child and have been wanting for a long time but couldn't remember the name of... it made me quite happy.

(2) Old Navy denim skirt...long enough...and it fits...for $3

(2) The brown velvet dress that I'd seen last week at Fred Meyers for about $50. I *really* wanted it, but couldn't afford it or justify any reason to buy a brown velvet dress. But when I saw it for $10 at Value Village... Well, lets just say I'm looking for somewhere fancy to go!

I walked out of there with 2 dresses, 2 skirts, and 2 board games...for $35! I love thrift stores!!!

A Project for them Both

Tabby loves art, but Zeal...not so much. I'm always searching for projects I can do with both of them that they both will enjoy and participate in. So tonight, I brought a bit of 'boy' into the project. Tonight was phase 1 of birthday gifts for Daddy and Grandpa Ron. I handed each kid a pile of seashells and a hammer and let them go at it! While they banged away, I squirted paint into baggies. The kids then dropped shells into the bags and squished to coat them. Here is a pic of the painted shells...in a few days we will glue them onto wooden picture frames for the finished product!

Its the Little Things...

Ok, so this is silly. But I love little things like this... the kids and I made cupcakes tonight, for the sole reason so that we could have cake batter for dessert tonight. That would have been enough in and of itself! Then I remembered that I had silicone bear cupcake molds that I hadn't used yet - and so I just HAD to give them a try. And the results made me smile! Logically I know the cupcake won't taste any different than it would in a plain white paper liner, but just the sight of seeing these little chubby bear cupcake tummies...I somehow know they are gunna be nummier in my tummy too!

Sprintime in a Jar

Today the sun was out, and all was good. No, things did not run perfectly. I did not have a perfectly behaved child. I did not gain extra hours to clean the house (or a maid to do it for me!). I did not wake up totally refreshed, or at no point get frustrated. But for some reason the sun just puts a spin on things.

Springtime gives a sense of hope, of renewal, of new beginnings and fresh starts. Springtime makes my soul feel excited, like its twirling in circles inside of me. Springtimes makes me believe in the power of love and the kindness of humanity. Springtime makes me grateful for my blessings, and makes me appreciate the little things.

There were many little things I noticed and appreciated today...the new sprouts on my rose bush out front, a daffodil blooming in the back yard, my daughter's outgoing and spirted nature, the taste of good coffee in the morning, sewing with my back door open. And yes, this...sun tea...a bit of springtime in a jar...

T-Shirt Dress, Take 2

So, here is my second take on the dress. This is SO easy, and I completed it in about an hour or hour and a half. Super, super easy, and fun to make! As you can see, this one is a little more "sophisticated" than the last one. I like it better, but I'm pretty sure Tabs prefers the other one. I did run into one problem though, which I probably should have forseen. (No, I DID forsee...I was just hoping it would work.) I used wired ribbon for the waistline because it was all I could find in the right color and texture. It kinda makes the waist...poof. Its fine for a play dress, though. And hey, with everything I sew I'm learning more tricks!

I've really gotten on a sewing kick lately, and just bought a new sewing book today that has a whole bunch of different projects to do with a yard or less of fabric. And always, I've been scouring the blogs! Stay tuned for more projects!

T-Shirt Dress

I have gotten back into sewing lately, and have been totally inspired by other people's blogs to find fun and simple sewing project. I saw this dress tutorial at The Cottage Home and just had to try it for Tabby!

I took one of Tabby's 'play' shirts and fancied it up. I altered Lindsay's idea slightly, making a ribbon belt (mine doesn't tie in the back) and using premade trim. I knew Tabby would love the pom-pom finish, as it is fancy, and Tabby loves anything that is even remotely fancy! (Her personal hero is Fancy Nancy.)

I love the way the dress turned out, and it was SO easy and fast to make. I have material to make another one out of a little scotty dog t-shirt, so stay tuned for pics of that one later!

Valentines Day Date with Myself

The YMCA had a 'date night' thing tonight for Valentines Day where the kids got to play, do crafts, eat pizza, etc. while Mom and Dad got to go out for a romantic evening.

Being unattached (my first unmarried Valentines Day in quite some time), I didn't think this was any reason for me not to participate! So I dropped the kids off and headed out on a date with myself...

Valentines Day Date:
* White Citrus travel size bubble bath for later tonight - $3.50
* Manicure, complete with fancy little rhinestones and flowers - $16.00
* Triple Chocolate Meltdown from Applebees while reading "The Lost Symbol" - $4.99
* Not having to shave my legs - PRICELESS

When Life Gives You Crumbs...

I had grand plans this morning, and got up and immediately started baking. I'd gotten zucchini in my Full Circle Farms box this week, and my kids won't eat it unless I totally disguise it.

So, I decided to make some Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread. I mean, come on, tomorrow is Valentines Day, and what girl doesn't want some chocolate for Valentines Day?!

The house smelled amazing as the bread baked. I was so excited because I was going to give one loaf to a friend whose daughter turns 8 tomorrow.

When I took the bread out of the pan, however... well... a substancial amount stuck to the bottom. It had been quite some time since I'd made this recipe, and I'd forgotten that unfortunate part.

Being married to a Marine for 6 year taught me something though (well, it taught me lots of things, but that's a whole seperate blog). Improvise, adapt, and overcome!

So, I cut off the bottom of the bread to make it pretty and flat, and the left over crumbs and bottom of the bread? We'll be getting some ice cream tonight and using it as toppings.

As for the loaf for my friend's daughter, I made a homemade heart template with some extra cardstock I had, and decorated it with some powdered sugar. I hope she likes it!

Thinking Like a Blogger

I have never really understood the blog scene until recently I started searching for activities to do with my kids and crafts to get out some of my creative energy. I discovered a blog, which linked to another blog, which linked to another, and so on. Next thing you know, I'm an addict. I'm checking my favorite ones a couple times a week and looking forward to the kids going to bed so I can jump online and look for new great ones.

I've realized that I've started thinking like a blogger, too. Never before would I have taken pictures of my baking gone bad, or the step-by-step process to sew my placemats. I find myself thinking, "Ooh! That would be fun to share with people!" when I do projects with my kids.

So, I'm breaking down and starting a blog of my own. Welcome to Modern Day Super Mommy!Because who else can do the dishes, fold the laundry, sew a dress, talk on the phone, and break up sibling rivalry all in one bound?