Putting together my kitchen

I decided before we moved that it would be fun to have a coastal style kitchen; something bright and cheerful where I could display some of our beach finds as a reminder of our fun and relaxing trips. This first picture is similar (with the light wood cabinetry and gray countertops) to mine, and I love the refreshing blue and green accents.


So I knew that I wanted to use blues and greens, but with the layout of the house being so open, I feel like I need to tie in some red (since that is the dominant color in the front room). I like this color scheme.


I LOVE this table setting. I'm hoping to find a red, green, and blue stripe fabric and some fun colored dishes. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with shells sitting on the table uncontained though. . . they would end up in my little one's mouth. I'm thinking that an apothecary jar filled with shells would be a better way to go.

Or several jars like these! I do have sand, shells, and pebbles.

Then again jars might be better on a shelf. I have a little nook right above the microwave that I have been trying to figure out how to decorate. Maybe something like one of these shelves?
I can picture it all in my head, but it has been impossible to find the things I'm looking for in a store! If only wishing them here would do the trick I could have my kitchen done (not to mention the rest of my house)!

Daily with D

After dropping off the older two kids our morning goes something like this:

D: ur Da-deeee? (Where's daddy)
Me: at work
D: Oh. Ur Bah-beeee? (where's AJ)
Me: at school
D: Oh. Ur Ah-deeeee? (where's AP)
Me: at school
D: unt da-deeeee! (want daddy)
Me: I know. He's so fun, but he's at work.
D: oh. unt Bah-beeeeee!
Me: she's at school.
D: (big scowl) unt ah-deeeee!
Me: he's at school
D: ma-meeeee! (like it's my fault somehow)
Me: sorry bud. How about Caillou? (gotta distract him somehow!)
D: unt Cai-yooooooo! (want Caillou)
Me: Ok! Let's go!

so we do. He sits on my lap and watches while I catch up on computer stuff (thanks to the joys of youtube and split screens!) After the show is over we get to work!

and then it starts all over again. . . although we watch Kipper ("dog") or Thomas ("tins"). Or we read books, sort shapes ("chapes"), play with trains, duplos, etc (so we're not watching shows all day). He also REALLY likes to vacuum and sweep the floor and wipe the table. Well now Caillou is over so we're off to try some of those chores!

Wishing you [future] Happy New Years!

AP saw a history channel special about the world ending in 2012 that gave him nightmares. Nothing I could say could say helped him feel better, but when he got back to school his teacher handed out bracelets with the year 2016 on them. That was enough to convince him they were from the future and therefore proof the world would not end in 2012. He came up with this song and sang it to Grandpa and Grandma New Years morning:

Into the future what a surprise 2016 we'll still be alive Some people think the world will end 2012 maybe it's a trend but I say Into the future what a surprise 2016 we'll still be alive!

Nativity blooper

J's mom made us a set of nativity puppets, so AJ was excited to do a production for us. Unfortunately, as soon as the innkeeper refused Mary and Joseph room he lost his eye. . . we thought it was pretty funny (except AJ). But AP explained the innkeeper got what was coming to him; in fact they did more bloopers with Herod being done in by an earthquake, swallowed up by quicksand, and having the star fall on him. Hope we don't offend anyone by using creative license with the nativity story ;).

Backtracking

So as much as I want to "let it go" and not catch-up, this is my only way of keeping track of things these days. So I've got to get it down here before I forget what pictures happened when ;)

Be forewarned this is a whole month's worth of pictures and they are not in order!

D "undecorating" the tree (which AJ decorated for us)

"Best friends" sleepover

A couple in our ward does a nativity open house every Christmas. It was awesome!! Not only did they have nativities on display from all over the world they had all of the costumes for the kids to dress up in and get their pictures taken. We had a great time!

We found a recipe for cornstarch playdough in Family Fun magazine and (of course) had to try it out!! Probably the best GF playdough I have found.

Each of the kids got a cake mix in their stocking. AP used his to make Google a birthday cake.

They also each got a box of mac'n'cheese. Here AJ is making hers with Ashley. They are sporting the matching aprons Grandma made for them (Hannah Montana print).

Playing in the snow!!

Christmas cookies; we made a TON, but they didn't last long. So yummy! Oh and I have to mention the sugar/gingerbread man with the sad face is sad because he fell down playing and got covered in grass stains (thus the green). Each cookie had a story and they all cracked me up!

Christmas eve (one present each gets opened)

Christmas morning!

Just hangin out Sunday morning (yes I had to get him reading his scriptures on film!)

This is the bouncy ball maker they got for Christmas; they made the balls then gave them to D to play with

Help!

So tell me, how do you fit it all in?! Personal scripture time, scriptures with the kids, scripture study as a couple, prayers, one-on-one with the kids, one-on-one with your spouse . . . in addition to the daily grind of drop-off/pick-up, lessons here, scouts/activity days there, PTA, church responsibilities, working out . . . Not to mention time for fun things like books, movies/tv, etc. Aghhhh, I forgot to include house upkeep (LAUNDRY especially!) AND let's not forget sleep. Oh how I need my 8 hours. Seriously, I am one of those people that doesn't function well on less than that. So help a girl out: how do YOU make it work. Where do you find the hours in the day? Tell me your schedule, give me some ideas because I could use the HELP!!