{DIY} Easy Advent Calendar

This is super duper easy! I really wanted to do an advent calendar this year since Jacob is now aware of Christmas and Santa. I actually wanted a nice advent calendar made of felt or fabric, and I'd found a few, but I didn't have the time to make one. So, I made the next best thing. I found my lovely little advent calendar idea on Pinterest! Are you surprised? However, the blog I found them on had the directions for the calendar in Italian, so I just used her pictures to get an idea. For my calendar, I found a Santa face that I liked (Googled it) and I manipulated it in PSE 9. I enlarged Santa to the size I wanted, and I removed his existing beard. I then made my own U shaped beard and added in the numbers. Now, everyday, starting with December 1st, I'll cut off each corresponding number. And when Santa has no beard left it'll be Christmas!

 

Gobble! Gobble!

I hope everyone has a fab day filled with family, friends, food, and fun! This year, and every year, I'm thankful for my wonderful family and everything that I have. So let us not forget today, and everyday, to be thankful for ALL that we have in our lives.

{Click, Click} Photography Class

I've always wanted to take a photography class to learn my DSLR, but there was no way in heck I was going to pay more than $100! No, thanks. Well, come in Groupon. Yup, I bought a voucher for a beginner's photography class! And guess what?! It was only $50! (Regularly $130) It was through a vendor I highly respect, and love his work, so I was stoked, kind of. Thing is, the class was kind of far for me. A 40 minute drive, so I put off the class for a while. It took me a good 6 months to finally use it. But I'm so glad I finally did cause I really liked it. I would love to take the next level, but we'll see. Anywho, the class was made up of 8 students. The first hour was spent in studio with a lecture followed by a one hour field trip on location. The location we went to was an old theater. It was fun, but there was a lot of information to remember. The best part was the tips and tricks the instructor taught us. I feel that was more of what I needed. Where as the beginner class, was to learn the buttons of the camera. I know the buttons, and I know what they do, but I need to learn how to use them to get more desirable and interesting pictures. Like I said, I would love to go to another class!

Here are some of my pics...

 

Bella's 1st Manicure & A Weekend Recap

Over the weekend my niece wanted to paint Isabella's finger nails, but instead, I did it. Actually, what happened was, my niece held Bella while I painted her nails real quick before she could squirm, but I did such a bad job that my niece did them again. However, Isabella was fine with her nails being painted that my niece was able to do a way better job than me. They are a true pink! I think it's sooo cute, but Isabella is a true girly girl. She loves scarfs, purses, and chapstick (no lipstick just yet). And I think she'll love dress-up. I can't wait!

And I haven't done a weekend recap in ages! But I had a very fun weekend. It was a 3 dayer, Friday we stood home just relaxing since it was a cloudy day, and Saturday was our girls' night. I had so much fun, and I haven't laughed like that in a long time. My therapy. It was a small group and we had appetizers to munch on and dessert. Oh, and couldn't forget the wine. Yum. I love Moscato. A very good time was had by all. I can say that with assurance. Finally, Sunday, I attended a photography class, but more on that next time. And it looks like November is turning out to be a fun but busy month for me. Turkey day is around the corner and I can't wait!

{DIY} Play Kitchen Progress

I've started on the kids' play kitchen! I thought I might lag on it, but I've actually started. I do have to say it's slow going. I've only been working on it one day a week. But luckily, my dad and my hubby have been very helpful. So far, I've taken the drawers out and apart, and my hubby sanded it down for me. My dad help me make the hole for the sink, and now I'm waiting on the faucet. I actually had quite a few to choose from (thanks to my dad), but I want just the right one. It's actually coming from my sister's house. She's changing out a sink faucet and I want the old one! I'm kind of struggling on the colors. I thought I had it but I changed my mind, so I'm going to visit Joann's to see what kind of fabric they have and pull from that. I still have a color scheme in mind, but I hope I can find a fabric that will work. My other problem is that I want it to be unisex, so no flowers, hearts, or pink. But I'm so glad it's coming along. I will keep you updated, and at the end I will do one big summary including cost.

Here it is now...

Halloween 2011

This year I decided to coordinate the kids' costumes. At first, I wanted Isabella to be a ladybug, but I had no idea what Jacob was going to be. We started deciding in August, and I would ask him what he wanted to be. He had no clue. But around his birthday, he got really into Peter Pan and fell in love with Captain Hook, and the tic-toc (crocodile). Initially, he wanted to be a crocodile, but it was too close to what he was last year (dragon). So, we went with Captain Hook. And then it was only fitting that Bella be Tinker Bell. For Jacob's costume, we used a hand-me-down from my nephew who is now 15 years old. I bought the hat at the Disney Store and the hook from the Dollar Tree. With Bella, I searched high and low for a Tink costume I liked, but they were all so basic and simple, and each was around $25 and up. No thanks. So, I made hers. Well, my mom helped. I made the pink tutu and the poofs on her slippers. My mom made the green leaf skirt and the slippers. I picked up the wings at the Dollar Tree. I didn't mean for their costumes to be so inexpensive but hey, I can't complain. I think they came out cute!

This year for Halloween, we did the same thing we do every year. We trick or treated around our neighborhood. The kids lasted about an hour and a half. We got a decent haul, but the kids don't eat candy. So it's my haul? Jacob adored it ALL. He would walk up and in his little voice say, "Trick or treat!" And when they gave him candy he would tell them, "I'm Captain Hook!" It was so cute. Bella just enjoyed going along for the ride. It was perfect, but too bad it was on a Monday. Boo. I can't wait to see what they're going to be next year!

Lastly, we carved our pumpkins a week before Halloween. Big mistake. They were yucky for Halloween. Oh well. Next year, we need to do them a little closer to Halloween. And it was only fitting to carve a Captain Hook pumpkin and  Tink one. I think they came out okay.