Meet and Greet with,

                                                                            The Sea Princess.

She is from Oceania (pronounced (O-she-ann-uh for those of us who don't speak sea creature)  and she lives in a castle under the sea. Her favorite thing is to sing like Ariel and swim. She said her native  tongue is hard to understand but she will teach me later. BIG SMILES!

                                          Now on to how we came to create this masterpiece this morning.

Step 1:  I took an empty toilet paper roll, cut it in half and taped it to make it slimmer. I trimmed off a bit from the end to make it shorter and then rolled it in her hair at the crown. That was our first wave. Next, I took the sides, teased them out a bit, and wrapped them around the edges of the wave and pinned them.

For the back, I teased a section of hair and tucked it under the roll and then pinned it too. Then I added 4 small braids for a "waterfall" as per Little Miss.

Step 2:  was going outside. I covered her clothes and sprayed the blue into her hair. We used Jerome Russell in Bengal Blue from the B Wild collection. She loved that part and loved the vibrant color. I do too. SO cool!

Step 3: we added the crown and the seagulls and there she is. All done. She dressed in all blue to represent the sea. I told her that her white shoes could be the sea caps. Side note, do not try and explain sea caps to a 4 year old. It's almost impossible.


                                                        

For asoceries, we added a blue sequin bracelet and then I made her a necklace using the whale from the first batch of sea creatures we bought. She chose the whale since it was blue. And VIOLA'! A very beautiful sea Princess if I do say so myself.


We did Mr. Little as well. He didn't want ot be left out! Funny thing is, that's his normal hair in the morning so really all I did was sray the front blue. He felt like such a big boy when we took his big sister to school and he fit right in.

Little Miss said she had the best hair at school and her Teacher, Mrs. Peterson, agreed saying that little girl was a hit.

Little Miss said she loved her hair the best. That...made me smile.

It's called chalking for hair

It should be called "the biggest headache ever"! I swear it didn't work for us. I got instructions from here. I soaked the chalk for almost an hour. The water looked like this.

Umm, I thought it was supposed to be tinted but mine still looked clear. Oh boy. Reading on, the next step was to color on her hair. So I did. A small section since this was our test. Oh brother. Not too vibrant is it?

Once it was dry it got even worse. Her hair looked like this. Not so much color. It reminds me of those old ladies with the blue tint in their grey hair. Not so cool for a little girl wanting to go as the sea. I think it's safe to say we will be passing on the chalking for tomorrow.

OH! And the first round of sea creatures didn't want to stay. They were plastic and soft and not one ounce of texture so the glue wouldn't grab onto anything. So I went to the Dollar store AGAIN and got the first pack we found. The ones I liked better anyway. So I glued those on in a pattern and also added some doves, aka seagulls, to fill in. They were on sale for 50 cent so I splurged.

Not too shabby huh?

I made a few bobby pins too just to add encase we need them. Seagulls and a starfish.

I have to be honest. What was to be a simple and easy project turned into a nightmare. I had to go get new glue since the first sticks weren't low temp and wouldn't melt. Then the dang things fell off so we had to get new ones. PLUS, I had to get blue hairspray so her hair can be blue since chalk didn't work. UGH! Oh well, she's gonna rock it tomorrow.

OH and by the way, if you chalk your hair, I want to give you some advice. Take the chalk after it's soaked and scrap it and make a paste. Works better. AND once your hair is dyed and dry use hairspray to help set the color on your hair. It poufs off if you don't. Think, shutting an old book and dust flinging off. That's what your hair will do. Also, it shows better on lighter colored hair.

So there ya go. A bot random in my writing tonight but I'm exhausted and I have to get up a bit earlier than normal tomorrow to get all Little Miss's school stuff packed and ready before I wake her up and attempt a fab hairdo. WISH ME LUCK!

Oh. My. Gosh. Becky! Look at her....

                                                                  

                                         HAIR!!



So Monday is Crazy hair day at Little Miss' school and we just HAD to go all out. I gave her 2 choices.

Choice #1: A pair of cupcakes. Complete with cupcake wrapper, pink icing and cherries on top. She would wear a pink shirt with a cupcake on it to match and some fun shorts.

or

Choice #2: A sea theme with blue hair teased and sprayed all kinds of crazy with a mermaid and some fish. She would wear a blue tunnic style shirt dress with capri pants.

She chose 2.


Well, I got to work thinking on how to execute this look and headed to the Dollar Store with both Littles in tow. Little Miss picked from 2 bags of sea animals and then between a few hairbands. She went with a light blue that you can bend the sides out so you don't get that nasty headache from wearing it all day. I had to agree with her on that one. The sea animals she picked were not my choice but hey, this is her hairdo and she's sporting it so she gets the choice. Here they are. Her "friends". I don't know about those fish. The yellow has some crazy eyes that makes me think he's on something and then he green one looks like he got his lips stuck inside a vaccum cleaner.

 

ANYWAY, when we got home we dug out an old mermaid she had in her toybox. I glued that little blonde haired beauty in on the left. Little girl said left so left it was.

After she was stuck on there we added the sea creatures. I put it on her head and stood back to admire our creation. Not too shabby.

                                                                                    Left

                                                                                    Right

                                                                                       Back

Now all I need to do is dye her hair. I found a chalk "recipe" to dye hair in a non toxic, easy to wash out way. I bought a big pack of chalk from the Dollar store today too so I plan on doing a dry run for the color. AFTER church of course. Cross your fingers! I'll post later on how it goes.

Happy Birthday Bud!

Just a few short years ago my Newphew Christian was born. He is now 14 today and though he's not lived in the same town as me for a long time, I still see him as that little chubby boy he was, once upon a time.


He's grown into a tall boy. Dark hair and very pretty blue eyes like his Mom. They live in Colorado and I get the pleasure of seeing them in February 2012. Christian is a very loving child. He always wants to please and if he isn't giving you random hugs or driveby kisses he has his face inside his Nintendo DS defeating rogue aliens or something of the sort.


This year when my Sis sent me the email that contained his birthday wishlist I wasn't too surprised to see about 6-7 games on it. What I was surprised to see was the last entry. A pocket watch. One with a chain and if it has a hunter theme on it then he would be set. Hmm, a pocket watch? Really? For a 14 yr old? I talked to Christian about his list and asked why the watch. He just stated he liked them. Has for years and thinks they are cool. Well, how coluld I argue with that? My Grandfather had a pocket watch and I hear stories of how he was a wonderful guy, salt of the earth and would literally give you the shirt off his back. SO, my mind was set. Gotta find a pocket watch. Now, since the boy is on ly 14 I knew it wouldn't be uber expensive or crazy so I went to Amazon and found one without too much of a fuss.

It's got the chain and the theme and it comes in a wooden box. The price was perfect and so I ordered it and sent it on it's way. I'm excited for him to get it and I can't wait to hear what he thinks. Sis says it's perfect and he'll love it and Christian being Christian he will. He loves anything people give him. That's him. It's just his way.

The more and more I think about this whole pocket watch thing I get emotional. I feel like it ties him to our Grandfather Charlie. Something they can have in common. I hope one day Christian grows old and celebrates his life with his Wife and children by his side. I hope he walks his Daughter down the isle and gives his son that watch on a special occasion. Say, the birth of his Grandson. How wonderful of a tradition to pass along.



                                      Hmmm, Maybe I should I have gone with the $100 watch.

Gadanke

I know you looked at that and said it in your mind a few times thinking "How do you say that" and to be honest, I'm not sure. What I am sure of though is this:

#1 They are totally cool and their products are very, very sweet
#2 The owner, Katie, is darling
#3 I gained too much weight in the past 2 weeks

Ok, granted #3 is a sad thing to share but it's true so it really is something I'm sure of.

Anyway, I learned about this awesome site from Centsational Girl. She is a blogger that I have read for quite some time now and she was hosting a fab giveaway featuring Gadanke. I entered, crossed my fingers and toes and low and behold I won the sucker! So me and 2 other very happy, lucky people were able to go to the website, pick out a journal and get it for FREE! Well, I knew right away that I wanted the lilac fields Saving Grace journal. I loved so many of her products but that one spoke to me on a personal level so I asked for it and not 3 days later got it in the mail! EEK! I was so happy to have something other than bills and junk mail in my box.

I rushed in, tore open the package and this is what I saw!

Oh. My. Dasies!

And if that wasn't enough to make you keel over and die right there I flipped it open and...

Did you die? Are you with me? Pick yourself up and listen to this! This adorable journal is made with 100% recycled, graphing and Italian papers and pockets. IT'S HANDMADE!!!! I love anything handmade and the fact that this guy is gonna be so personal as well is just, well, touching.

Check out the tag she has her tag line on. Your story matters. That hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm not a journal-er. I kept a diary for about 3 months when I was 14 and then that sucker bit the dust so you can only go "What the hay bells" when I said I was uber happy to get this journal. I plan on doing it every. single. day.

I hope I can look back on it and read things I wrote and prayed about/for. I also hope that when this one is full, I can get a new one in a new color and keep this up from here on out. How awesome would it be to have these for my kiddos one day to read? To go "wow, Mom was nuts." or maybe "Wow. Mom was right about sooo much".

Do me a favor. Go check out Katie and see what she's about. After touring her site and chatting with her via email, I think she has tons to offer and I think anyone can find a journal for themselves or maybe someone else they know. You won't be disappointed.

And tell her Aleigh sent ya!

It's fall Y'all

It's time for...

I am so in the mood for Fall it isn't funny. Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING, not to mention cooler weather and a few reasons to celebrate. Umm, hello Halloween and Thansgiving. I am soooo ready to see you! There are a TON of reasons I'm super excited about this time of year. For one, the style. Ah yes, style. There's fun and layered looks with cute sweaters and jackets worn with heels or mary janes.


PLUS, I get sport my new boots and walk around smelling cider and spice. Ahhhh.

Doesn't that look yummy? I can picture myself sitting in my den by a cozy fire sipping that and watching the kiddos play in the floor with their building blocks.

My Mom is gonna fly out here from NC and spend the first holiday of the season with us...Halloween! I can't wait. We are gonna do all things crafty. Carve pumpkins, decorate the walkway and entry and go trick or treating together. This will be the first year that Mom will be able to do this with the littles. I'm also gonna dress up this year and I'm excited about that. Little Miss asked me to so I said yes. It only took me a split second to figure out what I wanted to be. GRACE KELLY! She is my Hero. What a Lady. Such poise and manners. I adore her style and she always looked so happy and carefree. Even on her wedding day she looked as calm as the sea after a storm. Anyway, I am counting down the days and gathering the materials we need to have a fun filled craft week. I'm not gonna tell ya what we'll be doing but boy, I can't wait to show ya!

Noah's rule of life #5

When in doubt, wear glasses. They make you look smarter than you really are.

Obsession Confession

Since the Pinterest Challenge hosted by a small group of lovely and talented women, I have been obsessed with the site. I find everything from recipies (I've already made one and am making the 2nd tonight) to decorating and photography tips. Even cool inventions such as this one.
Are you serious? I need these. My children would celebrate me and call me awesome!

So in my midnight stupor of pinning, I have had a light go off. An idea of magnitude. LUNCH! Since Miss. Little is now attending Preschool she needs good and healthy lunches. We have done the traditional PB and J. Well, actually Sunbutter since regular, old fashioned peanut butter is now banned. An outlaw in schools due to it's allergy causing issues. We do pepper strips dipped in ranch, cherry tomatoes and hummus with pita chips. She also has gogurt and my little pony fruit snacks. But I found a pin that linked to a blog with lunch ideas for your children. This is it if you're interested.

So I took Miss Little with me to the grocery. List in hand we grabbed apples, raisins, cucumber, red pepper, baby carrots and some other healthy choices. Her next lunch? I'm thinking garden veggie cream cheese with cucumber slices on wheat, carrots and peppers dipped in ranch, mandarian oranges and then a sweet snack like chocolate covered pretzels. She can have 2. Afterall, she's my Daughter and if it's sweet, she's all over it.

Picture Day!

Oh my I could have died from all the cuteness! Today was picture day at Little Miss's school and she looked so darn adorable I couldn't help but tear up. Yes, I am that corny.

When we got to her class they were all standing in a line. She took her place behind her friend, Finly, and placed her hands on her sholders so the train was complete. Once this was done, off they marched to take pictures. I was so glad they were first. Anyone with children or anyone that knows us, knows that after 2 minutes of being dressed and hair in perfect order, Little Miss looks like she just wrestled with an alligator and lost. I don't know how she does it but she has mastered it. A trait she has inherited, apparently, from her Mother. Sorry Mom. I now see what you were talking about with me.

So knowing my darling cupcake, I took a few pictures before we left so I could cherish her clean shirt, nicely done hair and spotless face.

Apparently this is how she likes to pose. Don't ask. I have no answer.

SO CUTE!!! I love this one. It's her. That smile makes me melt.

And just 'cause. I did 2 topsy turvy knots in her hair. This way it was out of her face but down. I thought for a few days on what I wanted to do with her hair for picture day and all in all I went for a look that screamed Little Miss. This is her and she is very much my Tomboy Princess!

Tossing "wishes" into a jar

Last night I promised my Daughter that we would make her a new piggy bank. Her first one, shaped like a hippo, is full and since I can't be bothered to roll tons of change, I found it easier to make the promise and more fun too. So this morning after our breakfast I gathered up a few things I had on hand here at the house. An old pasta sauce jar, ribbon, stickers, scissors and mod podge. OH and not pictured is a scrap of paper I had.

Once all items were ready and waiting, I called Miss Little over and off we set Mod Podging our paper to our glass jar. Once that was all dried, she started applying her princess stickers wherever she deemed fit.

Then I asked the Hubs to lend a hand with the lid and make a slit so the moola could pass through and into the jar. He came through, like he always does, but I found it ugly. AND SHARP!

Sooo, taking out the leftover fabric I had from my 1970's lamp redo, I covered the lid and tied the ribbon around to dress it up a bit.

She wanted a heart between the Prince and Princess so I had to oblidge with a sharpie. hehehe Overall, is it fantastic? AB-SO-LUTE-LY!!! She loves her work and so do I. She dropped in her money calling them wishes. She gets this from the fountain tradition of tossing in loose change. You've seen it. Think malls and large shopping centers.

Here's to many more wishes Peanut Butter! May they all come true.

Humph!

Ever have those days (or in my case weeks) where you're in a funk and don't know why? Well, that's me right now. I mean, even my fruit is "off"

For whatever reason I can not find the energy to do much. Maybe it's the slew of birthdays and parties we just had in the last 2 weeks. Maybe it's the heat that we have here in AZ and the 108 degree temps. Either way, my floors are dirty and so is my kitchen. Sometimes, ya just gotta let it go and say hey, I brushed my teeth. That counts for something right?