Wednesday, July 25, 2012

My Birthday Gift

When C asked me what I might want for my birthday, I told him I thought I wanted a piano.

Let me explain…

Several months ago I saw this photo (yes, I admit I found it while perusing pinterest). So began my search for a piano and my research for painting a piano.

I told C that I wished that we had a piano that out nuggets could play and pound on…something that I wasn’t worried about getting ‘hurt’…simply something to provide their little hearts, hands and ears exposure to.

See, I often regret ever quitting my own piano lessons... Yes, I can remember the days of feeling like I was in a ball and chains expected to be practicing when I felt like all my neighborhood friends were outside playing…but oh, how I wish that I had kept on and not talked my parents into letting me quit. I know I may be romancing slightly (well probably a lot)…but wouldn’t it be so neat to be able to sit down at any piano and simply be able to tap out a worship song…a Christmas song or even a little one’s favorite melody?

When C asked if I might play one if we had one, I mentioned trying to take ‘lessons’ from a friend’s 11 year old daughter who lives down the street and sort of re-learn so that I could teach our kiddos.

So for my birthday, C and the kiddos took me to Keys for Kids to look at pianos. We found one that needed some love…but seemed to have pretty good bones and fit our budget.

A few weeks later, the piano was delivered…Little A and B were thrilled to watch the truck pull into our driveway and watch the delivery men bring the large and heavy instrument into the house.

Both B & A were quick to try the black and white keys out…A stood on her tip toes as she tried to play alongside her brother. They giggled and giggled as they played…my heart melted as I realized that my ‘wish’ had come to fruition!

IMG_0665

A few days later, I set out to paint the well loved instrument to provide it with a little bit of a face-lift.

Before…

IMG_0666

Sanding…

IMG_0669

Taping…

IMG_0672

All finished…

IMG_0875

After the move and face-lift, one of the sharp keys is sticking.  We are hoping that that can be fixed/adjusted once we have it tuned…but other than that are so happy with how this little project came together.

My sincere hope is that our nuggets will take to the piano and that we’ll be looking to ‘upgrade’ in the years to come…if not, we haven’t invested too too much in this nugget-friendly instrument plus it’s a definite conversation piece that’s been added to our living room.

This gift goes down in the books as one of the more random and large gifts I’ve ever received…it is also one of the sweetest.

Happy playing.

Be blessed.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Seeing Double?

 

7-19-2006-011

IMG_8209

I’ll admit, I’m biased…but there seems to be a striking resemblance.

Be blessed.

Kanakuk Koffee Cake!

This past weekend, on a whim, my mom found the infamous Kanakuk Koffee Cake recipe!

For both nostalgia’s and our tummies’ sakes we put the recipe to the test. Though I shouldn’t say ‘we’…it was really more Gram and Mr. B with Little A cheering them on as she practiced her walking.

IMG_0825IMG_0824

IMG_0823

This famous breakfast cake has the ability to make kampers kiddy and counselors delighted as it is DELICIOUS!!!

The smell of it takes me back to summer mornings in the dinning hall at kamp and only heightens my dream of someday sending our little nuggets off to experience some of the greatness of Kanakuk.

Until then, we’ll be sure to enjoy the cake around our neck of the wood as I wouldn’t want to wish the next few summers away too quickly.

Be blessed.

Phone Fanatic

These photos may identify a need for me to talk on the phone less as this little one makes anything and everything into a phone by holding the particular item up to her ear and saying…

“Hi! Hi!”

Today it was the cash register!

IMG_0871IMG_0870IMG_0872IMG_0869

They are little sponges…they watch everything!

Be blessed.

p.s. Gigi…her dress is adorable…thank you!

Farmers Market

Last week we joined Gram for a little outing to the downtown farmer’s market.

B was quick to find the popcorn stand…and Gram graciously obliged!

IMG_0813

Then it was off to find some good fruit and vegetables to bring up to the ‘Cabin Home’…

IMG_0817

IMG_0816

B talked about wanting to eat all the food as we walked…funny how that didn’t translate into reality when it was prepared on his plate at the table Smile.

IMG_0814

Little A sampled blueberries from the comfort of her stroller…I really think one day this little one might turn into a blueberry, she ADORES them!

IMG_0819

The outing was a sweet (literal and figurative) memory…hopefully we’ll be back soon!

Be blessed.

Little Miss Walker!!!

Little A FINALLY started walking this past week and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

A’s steps came at almost she same time that Mr. B’s did…like brother like sister, I guess!

This photo captures his wobbly form almost to a tee…hands up at her sh0ulders in tight fists…little steps and a look of concentration that could hardly be distracted!

IMG_0821

So thankful (as are her knees) to see her accomplish this milestone of a feat…my heart is humbled as I watch such milestones come to pass, yes it’s a little bittersweet but it is incredible how both little nuggets (and all little ones) are so intricately woven together little walking miracles!

Happy walking!

Be blessed.

Sad Sad Day!

It seems that the time has come when Mr. B seems to think he doesn’t need and afternoon nap any longer!

A few months ago, we transitioned from calling naptime to F.O.B. time (flat on bed time)  in effort to encourage some quiet/down time where B could read, sing, talk to his stuffed animals (and yes, hopefully sleep). The name change worked for a bit, but who am I kidding to think that it would work forever.

This was just a few short days ago…

IMG_0801

In recent days (I have to give him credit for at least obeying and staying on his bed)…

IMG_0803

And this is the story as of this afternoon…IMG_0873

He was back and forth from the bathroom, asking for water, snacks, more books, less books….totally and blatantly disregarding our expectations for staying in bed and being quiet!!!

Seriously?!?

What is this momma to do? Naptime is when I get things done!!!!

As I begin to surrender the white flag of our current F.O.B strategy, I’d love suggestions as to how we might be able to ‘save’ quiet time…at least until Kindergarten so little A can get her rest and so I can tackle the piles of laundry!

Oh, how I desire to have a heart of patience…!!!

Be blessed.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Slip N’ Slide

The weather up in our neck of the wood has been unseasonably warm. So much so that Gram thought these two nuggets needed an early introduction to some slip n’ slide fun!

IMG_0699IMG_0678

IMG_0680

IMG_0684

IMG_0687IMG_0688IMG_0692IMG_0694

Here’s to sweet and sticky summer memories!

Be blessed.

Bike Buddies

The other night we packed the kiddos in the bike trailer and headed to the park for a picnic dinner.

IMG_0709

After dinner we enjoyed slushies from the General Store before returning to the park for a bit more play time…

IMG_0729

IMG_0721

IMG_0719IMG_0716

We all slept well after biking and playing our hearts out!

Be blessed.

Love!

Meeting this sweet little face each morning…

IMG_8214

oh, how she makes us melt!

Be blessed.

4th of July

We celebrated the 4th in one of my favorite spots this year.

As tradition would have, the lakeshore neighbors lit flares around the the lake’s perimeter on the eve of the 4th…

IMG_8487

We enjoyed watching the flares by fireside…even B stayed up to take it all in (though he wasn’t too enamored by armature firework presentations around the lake)…

IMG_8497

The next day was filled with family…fun and the continuation of what feels to be quite a looooonnng heat wave!

Ella was sure to find shade to stay cool…

IMG_0559

While other members of our family kept cool playing in the water, filling water balloons and running through the sprinkler.

Little A was Gram’s water balloon ‘helper’…she picked the balloons out of the cooler and dropped them on the ground faster than Gram could fill them up…

IMG_0565IMG_0562

IMG_0574

IMG_0568

B and his cousins, A & L enjoyed cooling off in the sprinkler…

IMG_0563IMG_0564

The rest of the group enjoyed the breeze of the porch fans while taking in the heat, kiddos a myriad of pinterest-suggested red white and blue treats and summer fun…

IMG_0570IMG_0580

After lunch, some of the brave folks enjoyed some time on the boat…

IMG_0578

And swimming to the raft…

IMG_0584

A & B were thrilled to be able to bypass their afternoon naps and enjoyed a ‘treasure hunt’ instead.

Treasure hunts are a tradition that my brothers and I enjoyed partaking in with our cousins when we were little. Typically a made to look tattered looking  map would float ashore and the group (parents included) would often head toward an island on the lake in search of whatever treasure had been left that summer. The treasures were usually in water-tight Tupperware containers (not as authentic looking as the maps) but always enjoyed by all of us as they were usually an assortment of sweet-candy goodness.

A & B seemed a little confused by the whole ‘map’ situation…but were gracious to go with it…

IMG_0588

B was adorable as he tried to read the map…

IMG_0589

As was his cousin, A…

IMG_0591

Little A simply sat and took it all in…

IMG_0590

After receiving some help the two sojourners headed off in search of their treasure…

IMG_0592

Again…they were ADORABLE!

IMG_0593IMG_0594

After finding the upside down boat on the map that had an ‘X’ marked on it…

IMG_0595

They got some help and…

IMG_0598

FOUND THE TREASURE!!!

IMG_0599

Neither really knew what to do…

IMG_0601

But gladly obliged to enjoying the treats once the treasure itself was opened…

IMG_0602IMG_0606

And then kindly shared their loot with the rest of our group!

IMG_0613

Here’s to making memories together as a group and watching kiddos enjoy continued traditions (despite how silly they may seem).

Happy Summer!

Be blessed