Post 210: Flashback Friday!

Soo, I come from a large family. Growing up for the longest time it was just my sister and I. When I was in middle school my dad remarried and while I was in high school my first little brother, Eli, came a long (followed by 2 sisters and one more brother!). Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool having this little guy around and once I left for college I tried to spoil him as much as I cold. This picture was from the weekend that the husband and I, (we were only dating at the time) took him to MOKAN Raceway. Eli was 4 or 5.

We all wore cowboy hats and obnoxious sunglasses and listened to The Killers on the way there. I remember this because Eli, who had never heard The Killers, said "Aw man guys this is my favorite band! Rock and Roll!!" and proceeded to play his version of the air guitar which looked more like dinosaur claws playing a piano.

Take note of the green bowl...Being young at the time I didn't consider pumping a 5 year old full of sugar and nachos then letting him jump on the moonwalk = vomit. Well, it did. He was a good sport. He just lost a shirt, no harm.

That day is one of my fondest memories with the little guy. While we were at the t-shirt stand buying ourselves obnoxious neon car shirts Eli grabbed my hand and turns to me and says "Mandi, this has been the best day of my life!" (happy tear)

Here is Eli now. He is 10 (and about as tall as me!) and has been an awesome uncle to my baby Lucas. I know one of these days he will be making memories with Lucas as I have with him. I love my family!

Post 209: Slow Progress

I was going to straighten the living room up and hang a few pictures before taking any pictures but then I thought "Lets not kid ourselves Mandi." Yeah, I talk to myself....a lot.

The living room has been like this for a few weeks now. I am really the queen of procrastination and unfinished projects. Just about every room in my house is in the middle of something. I have been tripping over loose boards and half empty paint cans for weeks...months even. (I was standing on a wobbly box of flooring and a paint can to get this picture thus the poor quality)

BUT Lucas is now on the verge of crawling. We know what that means. Trouble.

Here is what it looked like a few weeks ago:

I really need to find the pictures of this place with green walls and green shag carpet...but time to get to work for now!

Post 208: I Heart: Bunting!

I have a bit of an obsession with bunting...I love it. Everywhere. Everyday should be celebrated with bunting!

I want it all!

Necklace by Peapod Treasures

Carry All by New Duds

Coasters by Mable Mae

Personalized Zipper Pouch by A.E. Wilder

Embroidery by The Wind Hover

Embroidered Shirt by Imago Drift

Post 207: Circus Love!

In four days the baby will be 9 months. I have no idea where the time has gone. He may as well be turning 30. I feel like the moments slip by so quickly! So, with that said, this means it is time for me to start planing his first birthday!

Being a lover of elephants, popcorn...

striped straws, apothecary jars full of colorful candy...and bunting...i LOVE bunting...and just all things cute, bright and colorful, naturally I MUST go with a circus theme... (I am going to pretend that my current obsession with the novel Water for Elephants has nothing to do with it...)How cute is that??? Just a little Google image search has tons of inspiration. I just have to find a way to make everything baby friendly since all of his "friends" are about the same age. Anyone have any great party favor/food ideas for a bunch of babies??

Post 206: Random.

My blog has been dead lately...and for good reason. The baby is learning a million things a minute, the house renovation is starting to fall behind...not to mention the piles and piles...and piles of laundry I have been avoiding. One of these days I will get back in to the blog groove. Although, I do not know when that will be.

I need to know the mommy bloggers secret. How do you manage to find the time, energy or motivation to keep up!?! Well...time...time might not be such a huge issue if I didnt find myself browsing Etsy, reading Facebook updates, or burying my nose in books. Motivation. Thats the real issue.

Speaking of books, I have become a total bookworm these last few months. I don't think my husband knows what my face looks like anymore. Once Baby is asleep, I am hiding in a corner of my dismembered house with a book. I think I was born with the traveler gene. I have never stayed on one place as long as I have been in this town and it makes me itch. Books seem to scratch that itch for now.