can you spot the changes?

In case you've been wondering whats been occupying my time lately, here's a little treat for you.

Yes we recently moved a few months ago into the grandparents house (may they both be resting in peace). And it has been my particular goal as of late to give the front a face lift.

Growing up I always enjoyed the pictures that you had to circle all the differences, so give it a go.

Here's the before:

And here's the after:A bit different wouldn't you agree? Couldn't be happier with it. So glad it was relatively painless.
But lets see how many differences you can spot.

Did you get 9ish?

01. Removed storm door.

02. New doorbell (I will forever love Restoration Hardware for their $10 amazing doorbells)

03. Removed scrolly ironwork in front of front window (while Bug was at school one night)

04. Removed extra scrolly ironwork around railings.

05. Made our own shutters. 7 in all.

06. Hung new lights (2) on the porch, (1) over the garage.

07. Painted the ironwork black.

08. spray painted the mailbox and added some vintage charm with some letters and numbers found at an antique store.

09. Painted side door to garage and garage door. (just painted the garage door this morning. Can't get over how much I love it)

...I think I have everything. We also removed the address #'s because they freaked me out, quite frankly. In their place I have a new one, waiting to be hung. So not pictured here. Guess you'll have to do a drive-by to take it all in.

Thank you to Bug for being the kinda guy that when I say "I want shutters." He says, "how deep of a groove would you like on each board?"

We've gotten sunburned, windblown, and snowed on. All in a matter of 3 weeks. Bushes still need to be manicured. And certain plants to be planted.

But for now: onto the kitchen.

the boy

For my friends that have boys, are going to have boys, or have girls and need some boy appreciation.

Lately I have been pondering the difference between boys v. girls.

Well, pondering makes it sound like I sit around thinking solemnly deep thoughts in a quiet spot for a few hours.

So lets scratch that.

Lately I have been briefly throwing my hands in the air in exasperation as Mr. B continues to prove he is very different than his older sister.


This guy turns everything into a racetrack. Everything. Like mom's arm. Or the family popcorn bowl filled with popcorn. It seems he is challenged by any surface to try and defy it. And don't get me started on how we can never leave the house without a set of wheels in his clutches. Or for that matter, how he manages to nab one from the nursery room each Sunday, squirreling it away until we get home. I think we owe them about 20 by now, and the kid hasn't even officially turned 18 months yet.


This guy was a late walker. But has made up for it. He would never wear shoes. He was a master at shedding them. I was so worried we would loose some here and there on our outings that I wouldn't even bother to put any on him.

And then the first steps came. Which he's never stopped since. And quickly the association began that shoes=going outside. If you happen to do a drive-by, you will see us out front. Mr. B will be walking the sidewalks. I will be right behind him. As soon as we get to the neighbors driveway on the east, I flip him around. We walk/run to the neighbors driveway on the west, I flip him around again. I feel like we play this game of human ping pong 70 times a day.

Shoes no longer stand a chance around here.

If I was going above and beyond, I'd pull out a pair of Miss A's shoes from this same era. They would not compare to what we have currently happening around here.

This guy still hasn't officially started talking, but he has a few patent growls, screams, and other "boy noises" well refined.

This guy l.o.v.e.s. to be outside. I really am thinking of erecting some small tarp in the backyard. Sure he would be fine for at least 4 or 5 months. So different than Miss A who has to come check in with me, bring me a flower, play around a bit and then eventually beg me to come out with her.

This guy also has me worried about keeping up on the trends of boy hair, boy clothes, boy activities. Growing up with all sisters has me worried.

But don't get me wrong. This guy is lots of fun. He pairs nicely with the older sis. Nothing better than giving him lots and lots of kisses.

Can't imagine life without the boy.

documenting

Sort of worried we are setting A up for disappointment. For some reason she is under the impression that whenever she sees something that strikes her fancy, "I'll get that for my birthday." (Which is still several months away.)

She'll come up when I am looking through a magazine and say, "okay, mom I'll show you what I want for my birthday."

We'll be cruising down the aisle at the store and she'll definitely pick more than one item out on each aisle of what she'll be getting for her birthday. (usually anything in a pink container or remotely princess related)

On Monday while driving her to preschool she was trying to tell me something, talking quietly. I finally had to turn off the radio and turn around in my seat to understand her. This was it:

"Mom I want braces for my birthday."

Do they even give braces to kids in the single digit age range? I asked her where she had seen braces, and she mentioned a name of a 14 year old girl we know. I can't really tell you if said girl even has braces, but apparently so for A to be talking about it.

And no, when her birthday rolls around she won't be getting braces. At least for this birthday.

this week

This week has been filled with lame-o colds. A huge positive is that it hasn't gotten to me. I KNOW! This chronic cough-er is one happy girl. Glad seeing all those specialists and popping all those pills has some affect.

However, for the first time in my life of not getting sick with everyone else (no exaggeration here), I found myself getting antsy watching every disney movie we own and not leaving the house for 4 days straight.

So on Friday I pretended Spring really was here for good and broke out the sidewalk chalk to the little ones happiness.

Here is A rockin the sunglasses. And this guy (mr. b) makes me feel like I am back working at the prison again. Instead of being the cool therapist though, I am the ornery warden. He makes a break for it. I chase him down. Deposit him back by the front door. He makes another break for it. Each time straight for the street. Thinking of putting a barbed wire fence around the perimeter of the yard. Maybe that'll hold him for a while.

Note the reassuring hand of big sister showing little guy how we play with chalk. (it was his first time)Waiting for Bug to get home.And here he is. You can't see it, but he also has in tow my favorite: a 1/2 pork salad from Costa Vida. Perfection. Especially when you've spent your week being coughed on and sneezed on.Also, crossing off my 30 before 30 list: yw reunion dinner. The picture is lame...way to dark to see much of anything. But proof I am slowly plugging away at my list. (and side note: love all these ladies. so good to see all of them) To wrap things up, Saturday we had one of those days. The one where you work like crazy sorting, cleaning, de-junking and project-crossing-off-the-list days. I was busy downstairs working on a project, when Bug came running downstairs shouting:

"Holli, grandma's scooter still has 80% power. Grab the kids!"

And then they spent the next hour plus doing this:

Yes, A is busy honking the horn and NEVER stopped. Welcome to the neighborhood. They had to zip around the circle across the street from us several times. One neighbor asked if they could zip up to Dan's and pick up some milk for him.

It still makes me laugh. Its sort of like a motorcycle, but seems so much more ridiculously anti-climatic how Bug is just sitting there. The kids loved it though. In fact, A wanted to ride it over to her Grandma's house for Sunday dinner. And Bug says it would be handy to zip over to the church building in a flash.

To our dear neighbors: you are welcome for raising the class level that much higher. Please take my word that I am feverishly working to find a new home more suitable for such a delightful item.

note to self

Hey Holli don't forget:

::to check out this blog {http://theredheadedhostess.com/} recommended by cute Emily.

::to tell all family & friends how much I adored Tale of Two Cities play at Hale. obsessed.

::to never remind Bug what songs I had to sing once upon a time when forced to take singing lessons as a girl.

::to cross of the items on 30 before 30 that have been completed.

::to buy more of the $3 apricot body scrub at Harmon's. Suddenly I can't take enough showers. Or stop rubbing my arms and legs. (sorta creepy)

::to enjoy one more week of painting class...and then get on the ball to start up my own class in my own studio.

::to mark William & Kate's wedding on my calendar. Bug says he doesn't get what all the fuss is about. I told him he's obviously not british. Neither am I. Still, didn't we all secretly dream of marrying this guy while growing up?

::to find perfect Easter outfits for the 2 kiddos. And check out some adorable new shoes for me recommended by neighbor.

::to go to be before 1:30/2:00 every night this week. Or at least once.

::to journal about the amazing trip to the temple this weekend & watching Bug's (step)sister get sealed to her family. Beautiful.

xoxo

fighting fire with fire

Its the battle of the wills at this point, folks. So sick of this snow I could scream. (alright, maybe I already have.)

So instead of rambling on about how I want to see spring blossoms, or want a seasonal change of wardrobe (or at least not have to pull a full on coat on every time I go out), I bring to you some of the snowiest of snowy pictures. What better than building your own snowman/woman in your front yard?


And to start off: a picture that always brings a smile. Bug clearly getting into it and having the most fun while A is borderline indifferent about our snowman's accessories.

Love how they are both standing so awkwardly as I take their picture.

I pulled out a childhood favorite (squirt bottle with a lot of water and 2-3 drops food coloring). Sent it out with Miss A saying "go give him some rosy cheeks." Came out later and learned I should have specified just which cheeks I meant.And here we have our final product. But seriously. I know this is Utah, and I know that we can potentially have it snow even up until June. But I still dislike it. So cut it out already.

Bring on the mild 50 degree weather already.

yesterday, today, tomorrow

Yesterday I pulled up in my car at a red light beside an 80-ish year old lady jamming along to her music. Seriously singing out. Wish her window was down so I could her what makes her groove. Made me smile like nothing else has lately.

Yesterday we went as a family to get hot fudge sundaes. A (for the life of her) couldn't pronounce it. The best she could do was "hodge fud somebodies."

Today we had the ward playgroup here. Nothing like having a bunch of 3 year old put goldfish crackers down your toilet. Suppose I should have been supervising more instead of gossiping gabbing.

Today we made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I think they are my most favorite cookie.

Today I spent sometime on my 30 before 30 list crossing things off. Good feelings all around.

Tomorrow I head south sans husband & children.

Today I feel the need to give thanks for having such a husband to allow all the GNOs I scramble off to quite regularly. I have been collecting surprises and activity ideas to keep them busy while I'm away. The one they most anticipate is throwing a birthday party for lion. Will sure to be a momentous occasion seeing as how all 4 of them (bug, A, B, & lion) know how to party.

Tomorrow I will be able to digest the stack of magazines that have been piling up unread, watch some classic BBC movies, eat at some favorite locations, shop like crazy, try not to bump into NASCAR and indulge. Can't wait.