An Instagram Easter

 So I've had the Instagram app on my phone for who knows how long, but it wasn't until this past weekend that I became super addicted.  Come follow me, okay?  You'll get to see lots of behind the scenes action that doesn't make it to this blog - babies, cats, works in progress, my messy house, etc.  You can find me under Emmmylizzzy, of course!

My weekend started off with me getting super sick for a good 24 hours.  Thank goodness my parents were already here for the Easter weekend so they could watch the kiddos, since I pretty much didn't move from my bed for an entire day.  At one point, Phoebe brought me this daffodil and said "Here Momma, I brought you a present to make you feel better".  This cute moment was followed promptly by her grabbing it out of my hands and saying "Actually...., it's mine".

Thankfully I felt much better the next day for some Easter egg fun.

Due to being sick, I didn't end up making any fancy ones like in years past.....

.....but Phoebe rocked out some pretty awesome ones by mixing her own concoction of colors together.

Odin decided to keep an eye out for the Easter bunny all night.....

.....but must have missed him, because he had time to deliver waaaay too many goodies. (I think I get more excited about Easter than any other holiday)

After church and a lovely brunch in downtown Ann Arbor with the family, we headed home to hunt for eggs and relax the rest of the day.

Hope your holiday was just as great!

Weekend Snapshots

We've been experiencing some crazy weather here in the midwest (mid 80s four days straight!), and spring has been exploding everywhere!

The same weeping cherry tree that I posted about last May is in full bloom....

....and the tulips and daffodils have also made an early appearance.

And we've been taking full advantage of the lovely weather as well.

This weekend also was the first time that Phoebe finally agreed to hold Penelope (with the bribe of 20 bunny marshmallows).  

And just so you don't get the wrong idea about my idyllic little group of pictures, I decided not to include the photos of the piles of laundry, messy house, crying babies, and countless tantrums :) 

Craft supplies from the produce section

First of all - if you are my mom, mother-in-law, or grandma - STOP READING!!!  We just mailed your cards yesterday and you've probably not gotten them yet.

But for everyone else who is still scrambling around for a cute handmade Mother's Day card idea that is fun to do with toddlers or kids of any age - you're welcome to keep reading :)

First off, I cannot take credit for this sweet idea. I saw this pin on Pinterest a couple weeks back (are you as obsessed with Pinterest as I am yet?!) and stashed it away on my board of kid crafts, knowing that it would be perfect for Mother's Day.

You start off with a bunch of celery, and chop off all of the stalks, leaving the end hunk about 3 or 4 inches tall.

See how it kind of makes the outline of a rose?  Well there you go - instant stamp!

I set Phoebe to work stamping away.  Press....

.....and lift.

And voila!

I'll be interested to see what my mother's day card looks like this year.  Last year I didn't actually get a card, but instead came home to a husband and a baby who both had stained red hands, a paint covered highchair, and the apology that "crafts are hard!".

Toddler Crafting

I've never really been into Valentine's day.  I've always found it a bit forced, with people buying expensive gifts and going overboard trying to do something romantic, just because it's Valentine's Day, and that's what is expected.  I always pass over the red and pink aisles in the store that appear before Christmas even comes, and roll my eyes at all the jewelry commercials.  My husband and I don't exchange gifts or go out to a fancy dinner - just a simple I love you suffices. 

Well, that all changed now that I have a daughter.  My husband and I still don't make a big deal out of the day, but I think it's a really fun holiday for kids.  You can dress them up all cute, make fun, heart-shaped food, and let's face it - there is no shortage of valentine crafts.

I've been waiting very patiently for Phoebe to get old enough to start actively participating in doing crafts.  She's just getting to that age now where she really likes to complete simple tasks and has the attention span of more than two minutes.

We invited Phoebe's good friend EB over today (yes, Phoebe & EB) and made first toddler craft project!

This is a really simple one that has been floating all over the web.  You basically collect a bunch of crayon shaving (I couldn't find a pencil sharpener, so I used my potato peeler :)

Cut out two identical shapes from waxed paper.  We went with hearts for Valentine's Day, of course.

Then the kiddos get to sprinkle the crayon shavings all over the shape.

I was so incredibly excited and proud at how Phoebe got so into this.  She was sitting there, so serious in her big girl chair, taking little handfuls of shavings and delicately sprinkling them all over her heart. 

Then put the second piece of waxed paper on top of the first and place between a few sheets of newspaper.  Press with a warm iron for a few seconds.

Finally, peel back the newspaper to reveal your stained glass creation!

I ended up hanging these in the window with some fishing line, and they really do look pretty with the sunlight streaming through.  She kept coming in the kitchen the rest of the night to point them out and was super excited to show them to daddy when he got home.

It gives me high hopes for our crafting future together :)