~la toilette~

I've had this project in my head for way too long and had the vinyl and ordered, ready to go mid-summer.  It only took a major party at my house to finally complete a few little crafty things around the house and clear my head admist crazy homemade Christmas season.  So I will call this my little Christmas present to myself!

My inspiration came from my most favorite little boutique...Dear Lizzie, in Highland, Utah.  It's one of my many dreams to open up a boutique/bistro like that one day--but I'm afraid I'll have to settle for queen of copycats.  I can't even remember what the sign said, but it was 'not your momma's' typical vinyl board.  It was blinged.  And if you know me, you know I {heart} bling in all its forms.  My guest bath has fleur-de-lis tiles and so after cutting/routing, I went with the theme and painted a parisian-style harlequin background, 'aged' it and then topped it all off with my signature bling.  LOVELY!   Even for 'la toilette.'  It's much, much prettier in person.

Happiness is Homemade ~ Crayon Pockets

Every year for Christmas I try to make at least one homemade thing for each of the kids.  This year has become a bit more of a homemade Christmas than usual...and if I would have just started back in August I wouldn't be burning the midnight oil so much!

My inspiration for this one came when I thought about all the drawing, coloring, scattered half-used computer paper, and missing crayons in our home, cars, and church bags.  It's such a large equation to the messes at our home-- among all ages. I've seen these crayon rolls all over blog land, but wanted something a bit more.  (Although I wish I would have taken a bigger cue from the link under 'these' above & used that cool iron-on vinyl--oh well...next time).  Then I found this activity bag.  Of course, I could have just paid the $20 x 3 and saved myself the wonderful pleasure of spending a day in my pj's, watching the house around me fall apart, having the girls keep busy watching umpteen princess movies, and trying to keep the iron away from little miss Vivie's precious hands while sewing away.  Why would I possibly want to save myself some sanity?

I understand completely the harmonious feeling when my mom was in 'her' element {sewing} and trying to concentrate with six kids and our demands surrounding her.  I try to do this kind of stuff late at night, but with Christmas fast approaching and my list a little longer than I'd like to admit...nights turn into days.  My head has not hit the pillow before 1 am for the last month. I worked hard for those bags under my eyes!  I made three (Lexie, Izzie, Vivie), and each one is uniquely it's own size (not on purpose...I'm a bit of a doofus) but I think the third one is a charm.  I can't wait to wrap them, and see the glee on Christmas morn.  {and there had better be glee--I worked hard on these!}

The crayon rolls in the links above would be much, much easier... but I couldn't resist these great all-in-one holders, especially for church (yes, I do let my little ones color in church) and outings in the car.  I love the easy tutorial at Skip to my Lou.

Happiness is homemade and I'm stickin' to it.

Glammed & Glittericious Girlfriends

I don't know what came over Malisa and me when we decided two weeks ago to host a girlfriend party in the midst of this crazy Christmas around the corner season.  Perhaps it's just that we needed something over-the-top, glamorous and glittericious just for the girls...something different than the cookie exchange I used to host in Utah.  Something that absolutely had NOTHING to do with Christmas itself.  Oh, and did we choose something different! Amusing to some, useful to others, super creative - and my house will forever be dusted with about eight colors of sparkly, sticky, hide in every crevice, nook & cranny glitter.   Oh, but it was worth all the hours of preparation--three nights 'til 2:30 am to be exact, inhaling gobs of mod podge, and all the money we spent on cups, glitter, lids, straws, ribbons galore, sparkly embellishments and SODA.  And {THANK YOU A million times over, Curt...for covering for me & supporting us in this crazy project!}

We charged $10 for those that RSVP'd to help put a dent in the cost of supplies--because it sure added up fast!  We instructed them to glam and glitter....some got it and participated and others either thought we were just crazy or childish...or just didn't feel like puttin' on the ritz...and that's okay too-we're just glad they came!

I made these cutest invitations (I know, I'm not being humble...c'mon, they were super duper cute!)  And of course, glittered them all up and added some mystery to our party by keeping everyone guessing.  Probably because if we said "we're making glitter cups" they'd look at us and run the other way.  Really, until you see them and get your hands on a glittered cup with all the embellishments, you just don't get it.  So we had to keep the mystery.

After we decided to host the party, Malisa found out from a girlfriend in Utah that has done these cups before what actually was involved and it wasn't as easy as one would think!  Not only did we have to buy industrial amounts of glitter, mod podge, & ribbon, but Malisa had to drive all the way to stinking HEMET to the nearest Sonic to get a couple sleeves of 44 oz and 32 oz cups.  They're heavy styrofoam so they won't sweat and they fit perfectly together so you can glitter the 44 oz and put the 32 oz. one inside, lidded with your drink of choice.

We had everyone bring an appetizer to share and their $10 'cover charge' along with an apron.  Each girlfriend took a number as they came, in order of arrival from 1 to 24.  We really wish we could have just invited EVERYONE...but really, we would not have slept even one hour in the last 72 had we done even one more cup!  It was a three-step and watch mod podge dry in between kind of thing.  So after appetizers, the girlfriend who arrived first got a great consolation prize of a tiara, glammed jewelry bobble, and glitter star stick.  Of course, no one still knew why these were of upmost importance!  Malisa unveiled the glitter cups and then it made a little more sense to everyone---and then we showed them our glammed up, glittered, and embellished cups to carry in style wherever we go.  They all got to choose their cups in the order they arrived (there were three base colors with several glitter colors in each for depth).  

And the girlfriend who glammed and glittered themselves for the party the best (as voted by the other girls) also got the little consolation prize.  

We modpodged scrapbook paper onto initials, tied gobs of ribbon and glued away to make our cups the most glittericious and fabulous!  It was so fun to see the creativity flow and the end results were fantasticly wonderful in every way!  Call us crazy, but truly, who knew glitter cups could be an addicting accessory? Or even an accessory at all! We have already started planning our next glammed up and glittericious girlfriend party.

Until next time.....

Your glammed up and glittericious girlfriend,

Glittericious....can the word that's really not even a word be overused?  hmmmmm.  I'm still lovin' it!

here's the link for the flickr photostream of ALL the photos from the evening:  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toushay/

Winter Spirit

In California in order to feel wintry and festive we have to pretend.  We have to ignore the fact that it's really 7o something amazing degrees outside with blue skies in December.  We have to overlook that the kids wear shorts to school most days and do not wear jackets 90% of the time.  In fact, we have to declare "winter spirit day" at our elementary school so that we can wear our hats, scarves, and gloves... during the middle of winter... in 7o something degrees... with our shorts... so that we look like a bunch of freaks.   

UPDATE:  Apparently I jinxed San Diego ...either that, or I just 

don't look at the weather report.  We are getting slammed today by wintry weather conditions.  55 degrees, pouring sheets, gloomy skies, wet, wet, wet.  We San Diegans are just not used to the rain.  Or driving in the rain.  We really don't know what to do with ourselves when the blue skies

disappear.  waaa waaa waaa.  But it is a nice refreshing change of pace.  See?  We actually do have seasons.   

So We Adopted!

When the kids got home from school today there was this cute little package on our porch that must have been magically left by Santa's Elf.  

Inside this package was this "Elf on a Shelf" picture book and little red elf to go with it as well a little note personally addressed to the kids giving instructions on what to do with this little creature.

 He sits up high in the tree or on a shelf and cannot be touched or he'll lose his magic....but the kids can talk to him until their hearts are content...  He watches them perform their good little deeds (and so does momma--LOVE IT) as well as their little noddy moments and outbursts (not so lovely).  He reports it all nightly to Santa and returns the next morning perched somewhere else for the kids to search him out as he watches and takes his notes. 

We registered our cute little Elf's name on the elf website and Santa sent us back a letter complete with adoption papers.

My dear friend, Allison, grew up with a little elf just like this.  Her cutest mom has

 had a little elf friend for almost 40 years now.  So Allison has had this tradition with her little kiddies since she was married.  I'm just trying to figure out why it took so long for Santa's little elves to make their way to our home.  Perhaps it's this adorable sign I put out this year inviting Santa to our home (new find at Taipan).  Or maybe it's because SIX kids and their noise levels are historically unmanageable this time of year...go figure.  Santa KNEW we needed some way to avoid coal in the stockings since he's a very merciful Santa?  So finally, we have a little elf of our own which the kids named 'Buddy' (I know, VERY original).

Izzie's name choice for him was 'elfant'....as in elephant.  We voted...I voted for Elfant.  Elfant lost.  Meet our new friend, "Buddy."  Hopefully he can help our 'mouthy' ones earn treats instead of coal this year.

My Valley Girls

Maybe they were meant for the 80's...or perhaps they'll start a new trend.

That would be SCARY.

Joe Joe's

 Joe-Joe's & me...well, a lovely pair for the tastebuds, but I wouldn't recommend it for those trying to watch the waistline.  One turns into ten.  And ten turns into almost a whole box in a couple of days.  Harmless (I mean harmful) little critters.  They're addicting.  

Consider yourself warned.

{I love my life}

And today I'm not even being facetious.  

I DO love my life.  I love it despite what I may say sometimes or how I may feel in 'a moment'.  

I love it that I am able to stay home during this season of raising our children and experience every moment with them.  

I love the occasional 'sleep' in.  Okay, it's really not sleep, and we're still talking 6:45 am, but I can cuddle in bed with my kids without having to rush off to work.  I love that.  

I love it that I can stay in my 'lounge' clothes, aka pajamas all day if I want to.  

I love it that my little girls will come into my room and watch 'their show' and sip chocolate milk.  

I love the numerous laughs during the day like when Vivie takes her diaper off, exposing her cute bum and makes me chase her around the house.  

Or the way Izzie dances across the room while singing her made-up songs about dancing across the room.  I love her!

And the way Izzie wants not only her back tickled, but her arm, the other arm, each leg, face, and then her tummy. 

I love the way Lexie is so literal...so bright & inquisitive and asks the deepest questions about her Heavenly Mother and how 'our existence' all works.  

I love it that she cannot even think about going to sleep without having rocked with me and I love the way she gives me the best butterfly kisses.  

I love it that Monson will come and give me cuddles and still wants to sit on my lap and is not afraid to give me kisses or hold my hand.  

I love it that McKenzie has an intelligent answer to every question we ask her--even when she's faking her answer, she makes it sound good.  

I love it that Kenz will just pitch in and help when she sees a need.  

I love it that Brayden will call me on his way home from school to tell me about his day and chat with me about his friends and just life in general.  

And I love it that Curt sees when I need a break and is here to relieve me to run  away--even if for an hour.  He's truly a partner in all things.  And he's a large part of why 

{I love my life}.

Christmas Glory

Are you 'normal'?  Do you manage to shower every single day?  If not, then you and me...we'd get along.  Lazy PJ days have become a norm during homemade Christmas season.   Maybe you don't suffer from this disease known as bloggingitis.  Chances are, if you're reading this, you do. That's me today, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. {if you haven't noticed I blog several at once and schedule them to post at later dates}.  At least my bed was made--thanks to Curt.  And this is a very justifiable disease as I try to right a wrong by documenting our family's happenings since historically, I stink at scrapbooking.

We are all decked out and ready for Christmas.  Curt had all five of our huge bins down from the rafters in the garage and in the house ready for me when I returned home from a movie with the kids on Saturday.  Trying to tell me something?  Probably not...just one step ahead of me with his little service to save my back from lifting.  Thank you. We had our ceremonious twice yearly (once to put up, once to take down) 20 foot climb up the ladder to adorn the top of the turret outside with lights.  My {afraid of heights} Curt even got on the roof for the 2nd year in a row to put them around the cupola.  I handle the 20 footer though.  This year, Bray even pitched in.

The stockings are hung---and there's not room for even one more.  Good thing.  

We even brought some snowflakes back from Utah last year to hang in our windows 

(the kids wish they were real--I'm glad they're not.  hehehe)

My favorite nativity is out (just displaying one this year...simplicity.  But if anyone has spotted a wonderful pewter set, please tell me where!  I'm on a hunt...)  

The lighted garland is dressing up the stairs (and half the lights are out & waiting to be fixed which seriously--who has time for that?)

My dining room tablescape is done.  I don't have to mention how important that element is.

And the tree, in all of its fake glory {came complete with lights}  is  b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l  this year.  (I'm partial).

I relented and let the kids go for it--only directing them a little bit (okay, a lot) and I think they did a great job.  Lexie & Izzie were super excited to direct everyone else and stick random things in the tree.  

Everyone loves looking at their homemade ornaments and pictures from years' past.  Man, there's a lot of Brayden and none of the little girls... hmmm, I think I need to get on it already.

The 'Scooby candy cane' has become legend around our home.  He was our golden retriever...Santa brought him as a new pup when Brayden was just 4 years old.   Scooby liked to chew on the tree ornaments when we'd let him in at night.  He was even on a chain and could always find the candy cane ornament (wood) and somehow reach it to teeth on it.  We've kept it in remembrance of Scooby.  Brayden had the honor (with a tear in his eye) of placing it this year...silly, I know...but despite their inabilities to take care of that dog, they did love him.   

Viviana especially enjoyed being a part of this festivity because it means that everything at eye level is up for grabs.  And ornaments are just her size... no matter the shape- if she can hold it, then she can throw it and pretend it's a ball.  This bell is her favorite---good thing we have a dozen or so.

I placed the ribbon and planted the star and my spruce candle is on its way...you know, to make everything smell all nice & Christmasy with my gorgeous Costco pre-lit tree.

And new for this year?  Darling letter blocks mod podged with kids pictures.  I've always had blocks hanging from the tree...but saw this blog post and decided to copy.  It saved me from doing 3" silhouettes of the kids and framing them to hang this year.  I'm running out of time with my mongo list.  

I covered each side of the block with scrap paper and skipped the diamond glaze part. Mod podge was good enough for me!  You could add words & paste them to each side and get real creative!  I still need a 'V' and two more 'M's to finish our initial ornaments, but it was fun, easy & free.  Great combination.  

Homemade ornaments are the best.

Fishing for Toys

Us moms wear many 'hats' in the course of life:  from nurterer/caregiver, to a tutor, taxi-driver, cheerleader, even a peacemaker, electrician, or perhaps a plumber.  When I am able to do something myself and learn a new 'skill' I will at least try before calling a professional for help (I did call my mom--she wears the plumber hat too.  Maybe this means it runs in the family because we're cheapskates when it comes to that kind of thing?)  Curt loves it.  He doesn't wear that do-it-yourself hat, but sees clearly how changing brakes, tires, painting 20ft. high walls & ceilings, electrical work, furniture refinishing, etc. pays off in the end.  It may take me a couple of weeks or even a month to urge myself to try, and as in the case of the clogged downstairs toilet.  Clogged toilet? No biggie.  Think again.  

A forceful plunge wouldn't budge it; the heaviest industrial chemicals wouldn't break it apart. And to make matters worse some unnamed kids ''forgot'' that bathroom was out of service and continued to use it...#1 only, thankfully.  I used a few latex gloves and disposable bowls to empty disgusting leftovers over the course of that month.  Some of the offenders even got to join in the fun.  I was just certain it was a sponge that was flushed by my soon-to-be-fired (cause they were lying about it..I just knew!) house help.  shame on me.  

I had the pleasure of lifting the toilet from its seal and trying to see if anything was in view from the bottom (I know you want the play-by-play).  Frustrating.  Couldn't see anything---and I really didn't want to pay a couple hundred for a new toilet.  I tried a wire hanger and just left marks in the bowl.  So back to HD, one of my favorite stores.  A 'snake' auger would most certainly do the trick!  It took an hour or so and lots of force to finally see the offending problem.  

HURRICANE NODDY (aka Viviana).  She loves toilets---I've written about her obsession before.  We should have figured.  A stinkin' (literally) cell phone.  No joke.  Okay, the play kind. 

But the size & shape is not meant to go through such holes.  I took a hammer & chisel to it as much as I could to try and pry it.  No luck.  The kids thought it was hilarious--just the sight of a toilet on it's side.  A few of them even wanted to put a glove on and try to grab it.  Still nothing.  So I shoved the auger down one more time and it twisted itself out of place enough for me to grab the sucker.  Seriously...cell phone.  

We're back in service again and I'm feeling pretty resourceful.  In the end I may have saved only a

few bucks, but I learned the skill of toilet fishing...for toys.  And hey, at least Monson enjoyed the thrill.  Plus what can replace the personal satisfaction of fixing my own toilet?  Yes, I'm a little crazy.  Don't be calling me over to your homes though to fish toys and other objects from your toilets--this is not an act of service I would like to perform for others.  I swear she knows exactly what she's up to....that hurricane noddy.  Love her to pieces anyway. 

Do you S'more?

There's nothing like hot chocolate in the winter...

to accompany our S'MORES!  We have this wonderful fireplace in our courtyard that gets used maybe once a year.  We just don't spend as much time out there as we should.  So the day after Thanksgiving, we bought some wood and made ourselves a cozy fire, and then roasted marshmallows to make delicious s'mores!  I wanted to go down to the beach and do it in one of their pits, but why when we can do the same thing minus the sandy marshmallows in our own backyard?!  YUM.  The Perfect holiday treat...