{twelve} years old

::what makes you happiest?
cuddled up inside with a thunderstorm going on - bella, my one and only lap cat, for now, on my lap - while reading a nice, good book.

::one thing you'd like to try this year?
finish crocheting my blanket and learn how to crochet a flower.

::favorite food?
mom's lasagna, sweet potato french fries, whole sweet potatoes, homemade pizza, turkey bacon, sweet cream ice cream with white chocolate chips @ marble slab, and raw almonds with 86% dark chocolate. 

::the one food you hope never to eat again?
if i could, i would choose vegetable juice. {insert much laughter from mom} 


::favorite game?
in a box: apples to apples, jr.
video: kit mystery - ds game

::favorite place?
being home is my favorite place in the world, my granny's home, and theater.

::favorite outfit?
my school uniform! {pajamas} *giggle* including my new soccer slippers!


::favorite animal?
my cat, bella.

::favorite song?
these are a few of my favorite things {sound of music}.

::favorite book?
mother-daughter book club series, american girl series, and a little princess... so far. 


::favorite thing about school?
that reading is a subject.

::what would you like to be when you grow up?
mostly a teacher, but it's always changing.  the one that stays in my head the most is teacher. 


::where in the world would you like to go?
even before we studied rome, i've always wanted to see the roman colosseum and the leaning tower of pisa.  also, washington dc - i've always wanted to see a lot of things there.  and one day, i want to go to new york.

"A daughter is, a joy bringer, a heart warmer, a memory maker; a daughter is love." ~unknown  

   "A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart." ~unknown

march~week 13/366 {recovery, birthday, and a video)

if you think i'm kidding when i tell you mama needed some recovery time - post girlie bedroom makeovers - you'd be mistaken.  for several days, it felt like my very bones were bruised.  forget gripping anything.  even my burt's bees lip balm was a challenge.  don't laugh.  okay, go ahead... i can't hear you.

week 13 started with us picking up the girls.  a 10+ hour round-trip.  

while soaking up some sofa time upon return {while homeschooling, of course. *ehem*}, i took advantage of the free, full viewing of hungry for change.  a must-see if you are into healthy-nutty stuff.  and maybe even if you're not. ;)



nator has an important piano event coming up soon... these flowers are from her teacher's home.  beautiful, yes?

there's also lots of script rehearsal happening in the car.  mama is all about efficiency, you know.

and my sweet nator.  she turned 12 this week.  when i started this blog, she was just turning 9.  excuse me while i go sob myself in and out of a sentimental, slightly hormonal tizzy. 

on the up side, she made cupcakes all on her own for theater friends.  no help at all from mom and dad.  she was far too proud of herself to take any assistance offered.  something she can check off the bucket list.

we took her to a favorite mexican restaurant - her choice.  before dad had to leave town for the weekend.  wait... i'm sensing more tears.  *sniff*sniff*  i think i'm okay now.

we'd already agreed there would be no ice cream... you know, since she would be sharing ice cream with a friend, bday cake, cupcakes... how much sugar does a 10 and 12 y.o. need?  but daddy is sneaky.  he informed the waiter without us knowing, so all 3 of us gals jumped a foot when they came around the corner, singing happy birthday!  it aged mama a year, too, i'm sure.  and only a few bites were eaten altogether.



this week, there were gifts, pizzas, balloons, and time spent with a special friend. 

there was stress given to mama by a certain 10 y.o. who thinks she's going on 18.   not much recovery time in motherhood, you know.   totally not for wimps.  especially when you're outnumbered and hubs has to go out of town.  just sayin'.  good thing she has her father's dimple.  one of my many weaknesses.

and there was a panera date with the hubster before leaving town. 30 minutes is better than nothing, right?



frozen frames are always flattering, yes?

okay, i'm off to give pets a flea check.  the insanity continues...

bedroom makeover: nator edition

what shall i say about this young lady?  she is an old soul. lover of purple and blue. her temperament is classical.  her perfect day would be described as curling up with a good book or movie, while crocheting, on a rainy day.  of course, a lap-cat would be involved, too.

today is her birthday.  she looked up to the heavens and thanked god.  surely the rain must be a personal gift to her.  i think so.

she's now twelve.  and while i'm still trying to wrap my thoughts around that, my gracie {10 yrs old} decided to wear makeup to theater today... and had her first "stage" kiss.  if i'm being completely honest, my heart sank.  and other than in my computer, you will find me sobbing myself into a puddle.  at least on the inside.  {it's not a real kiss, hmama.  he's only kissing his thumbs. *repeat to self*}

i digress.

while nator {again, we never call her by that name} is quite easy to please, she has a specific taste.  it's not the obvious-flashy-girlie items on the shelf you'd expect a young lady to gravitate toward.  she repeatedly said that she would love a purple {secret} garden themed room.  i pinned things on pinterest, but my mind was reeling in place. 

gracie likes decor that pops and blings.  nator appreciates a calming purple.  i have to admit... purple has not always been my favorite color, but her new room has me thinking otherwise.

and as with gracie's room, you really can't appreciate the after until you've taken a gander at the before mess.  {she asked if i was going to embarrass her on the world wide web.  no, me?    then said - at least you have after pictures to show. *giggle*}  here goes...



keyboard next to the window. surrounded by stuff.  unmade queen-size bed.  surrounded by stuff.  many times piled high with clothes mom washed.  a free-standing mirror from my childhood.  surrounded by stuff.



bookshelf she once pulled books from as a baby.  surrounded by stuff.  several hand-painted canvases.  random wall art.  dresser from my childhood, housing an old tv - surrounded by... you guessed it, stuff.  noticing a theme here?  all enclosed in a faint lavender purple, topped with a glitter glaze.

since nator's room is 10x11, it housed the larger bed.  she is always the sweet hostess who gives up her room {that had to be cleaned beforehand} when guests from out-of-town sleep over.  but let's face it... that only happens once or twice a year.  it was really unfair to build gracie a loft bed and not nator... as much as she loves to play legos and paper-dolls on the floor.

so... after much deliberation, here is nator's room...

choosing from the olympic brand paints at lowe's, i went with palisade orchid.  the girls' ceilings are painted in blue silk, with white to help create clouds. 

under her loft, i gave my old desk {which was in gracie's room} a facelift, by replacing knobs, giving it a fresh coat of paint & poly, and re-covering the seat in a material adorned with birds and cages.  she loves birds.  

greenery {hobby lobby} to help with the garden theme.
turquoise sheet {wally-world} to create a tent underneath.


deep purple comforter {bed, bath and beyond}.  sheets {wally-world}.  bedside lamp {ikea}.  chandelier {ikea} - still needs shades.



*edit*  forgot to add the words i wrote on nator's wall -
i'll love you forever...
recognize that?  
i'll like you for always.
as long as i'm living my baby you'll be.

something we sing to each other.


she can use the seat at her desk, or turn it around to practice bach.

the shelves {ikea} are a work in progress, but give her plenty of room to add to her needlework, and book collection. plastic shelves {already owned} give her plenty of organization for legos.  she can slide these babies out onto the floor when she's ready to play with them.  have i mentioned my love of organization?  everything having a place?  hahhh...


she has always dreamed of having a library as big as belle's in the story of beauty and the beast - her favorite princess. i'd say we're off to a good start. 

 

piecing her lamp together {wally-world}, i decided to gift her the bird she swooned over in my bedroom.  it matched perfectly.  

as did the magnetic board {hobby lobby}, housing three little bird magnets.  the cutest!  dad built her a shelf to display her american girl dolls, as well.  her desk is the perfect hiding spot for all of her doll clothes, accessories, and smash book supplies.



her walls are adorned with a wonderful certificate from her first year participating in the music guild.  we plan to add to that.  

butterflies {from the garden section at hobby lobby} and framed book covers {printed at home}. {frames from tar-jet}



the opposite wall houses her dresser - another piece of mine when little.  it was given new knobs, fresh paint, & poly.



the wall is embellished with a small, whimsical tree, hand-painted in a darker shade.  vinyl birds {already owned} in turquoise, tying in the sheet hanging on the bed. 

there's an updated tv nator likes to watch, while playing legos and paper dolls. flowers, compliments of hobby lobby's half-off sale.

this afternoon, nator enjoyed lounging in her bed, listening to the rain, while watching a movie. this + theater = a perfect birthday, in her words.  there's no school on birthdays.  one of the many perks of homeschool.



as we continue to make our way around the room, we have a much more organized closet, our {already owned} room darkening curtain {bed, bath and beyond}, and bean bag.

oh, and a little sister... who enjoys waltzing in big sister's room at her leisure.  that's free.

the new rule: if you get something new, you have to get rid of something fairly equal in size.  "but does easter, birthday, and christmas count??"  and so it begins... ;)

hope you enjoyed the tour!  if you missed gracie's room, you can see it here.  if you are able to use any ideas from our rooms, be sure to let us know. we'd love to see your room reveals.

have a great weekend!

jan~week 5/366 {birthday, movie nights, and a beau}

we had a birthday.  of mega proportions.  my baby is double digits.  how does that happen?  i mean... i felt i was in the young mom category {interpret as... a mom with young kids} so long as i had a baby in single digits. kleenex?

i've just spent the last hour clicking pictures and home movies on an old hard drive. maybe i'll share them with you soon.  provided i can do it without sobbing.  uncontrollably.  kleenex?  please don't remind me that it only gets worse as they get even older. *sob*




for gracie's birthday, she wanted a day with her best friend and her family.  we love this family, so that was easy.  kids play.  adults talk.  it's a gift to everyone, really. ;)

note to self:  marshmallow cream makes a good frosting for cupcakes, but not barbie's dress.  unless you plan to eat it within 53 seconds.  otherwise, gravity takes over.  it's also flammable.  the end. 



did you know jason gray has a speech impediment? 
gracie loves oranges.  {11th birthday possibilities? i'm sure she'd love that.  a parent can dream.}
flowers in winter.  why not?
hubs was between LA and TN this week. maybe it was harder because we saw him in-between... long enough to say goodbye at the airport.
that called for a girls' movie night with my 'little miss sunshines' and my beau.  he looks thrilled, yes?
we watched the shunning. it was a good movie, in that it gave us plenty to discuss, but we were a tad disappointed with the way they left the ending.  really?



homeschool on the go.  gracie catching up on american girl, while nator is in piano lesson.  
one of my favorite memories... singing. squirting whipped cream. eating strawberries.  dancing.  fun in the kitchen.  with my girlies.  *sigh*
when beau suckles in his sleep, his tongue stays out.  it's the funniest sight.  really.
we were thankful to have hubs home on the weekend!  we're thankful for a hubs who isn't afraid to brave the grocery store crowds, day before super-bowl!  go giants!!  woot-woot!!

seriously.  is there anything funnier?

we got word that beau's brother was adopted this weekend from the rescue organization we used for beau.  yeah!!  because if i'm being completely honest... it crossed my mind to go back and get his brother, too.  mostly, because i felt bad leaving his sibling alone.  hubs already had a cute name picked out for him.  so glad he has a forever home now, too.

how was your week?  or week 4?  or maybe you've already blogged about week 5?  it's been a busy day.  mama is tired.  and may or may not look like beau at the moment.  only he looks cuter.  i'm gonna hit 'publish' now and hope this post makes sense.  mkay?  pushing it... now.

jan~week 4/366 {an eclectic hodgepodge}

it's not even the end of january and i've nearly lost my photo challenge {february is already posted if you want to join} momentum already.  this might be why i don't set resolutions for resolutions sake.

lemme just tell ya a little bit of the family team home front news...



enjoying home.  taking a break from theater has allowed some down time.  thankyoujesus.  if we're not counting piano lessons, dance lessons, and trips to the air port {hubs had to catch a plane to memphis, tn}.  i really like the 'home' in homeschool.  but there is value in theater, too.

my new addiction.  carb conscious supreme protein. caramel nut chocolate - resembles a chocolate turtle, without the 500 grams of sugar.  valentine's day gift?  check. ;) 

the peanut butter is pretty good, too.  num-num.  {thank you again, lisa, for this new addiction.} ;)



we've been sharing a certain lil' gracie's 10th birthday fun with friends.  bringing cupcakes to dance class.


mama made a new wreath for the front door, turning down the $99 options pre-made at hobby lobby.  crazy.

more birthday fun.  thanks to hubs, a second batch of balloons. a wind gust stole the first one.  the new my little pony is all the rage now.  marble slab.  doodling birthday t-shirts.  all at birthday girl's request.

see the hubby and beau feet?  then there's jasmine... they were all snoozin'.  do you know how hard it is to stay awake, being serenaded by snoozes and purrs?

we're trying to get back on track by incorporating science into our routine again.  history is next. oi.  i'm having the girls read and fill in workbook work together.  why does mom have to do all the reading, right? ;)

{can you just stay focused, hmama?  one topic per post. 
sorry.  not how my brain works.  ask hubs.}

among other things, gracie likes to hang like a monkey, while waiting on sis during piano lessons.  we throw in a little art, too.  doodling is art, right?



gracie wore a poncho.  mom made zucchini and squash boats.  life on the go in this season of life requires phineas and ferb cups of snack mix.  notice the temperature setting... winter in texas.  dear cold weather, please feel free to visit us any. time.

jazzy wants to play with the cat in the bag.  nator's sign attached to her bedroom door.  maybe a gift to her lil' sis for her birthday?  speaking of which... nator helped set up the gifts outside gracie's bedroom door... after she was tucked in.  nator said, 'now i know how santa feels.'  she was a tad giddy. too cute.



then there's life with the new kitty... beau.  we love this feisty, cuddly ball of fur.  the end.

oh, but wait!  there's more... now that february is here {how did that happen?}, december's video is finished.  who says i'm not on top of things? ;)


{please watch with the knowledge that this was made at 2 am.  mama was deliriously tired, which may account for any mispeltings.  or other things.}

jan {i}photo challenge: week 3/366

hello, y'all.  how are ya?  enjoying these unusual winter temps?  personally, i want my winter back!  crazy, i know.  but we remember how hot these texas summers are... totally. getting. gypped. a true texas winter. ;)  

continuing the #janphotoaday challenge... it's never too late to join!



15. happiness.  a list made by a certain 9 yo of birthday gift possibilities.  "american girl doll.  shopping spree at justice.  room make over!"  check one.  she's happy.  mama is close to tears.  my BABY will be double digits.  ten.  sigh.

16. morning.  we've been a little under the weather, so school has been a lil' lax.  drive thru history dvds require sleeping bags when you're warming up for a friend's slumber party.  all while listening to the construction very near our back yard.  grrrr...

17. water.  hot tea starts my morning, in my favorite $1 store stainless-steel mug. watching bella observe phoenix, our new fish. kitty hdtv. quite entertaining.



18. something you bought. a haircut. nator's donation to locks of love.  so proud of her!!


19. sweet. starting the next level in math.  meeting new friends at a sleepover.  piano teachers.  webkinz to help with math.



20. someone you love. family {sporting a new haircut} & friends. how can you name just one? ;)

21. reflection. i know it's a stretch, but i thought i'd share this lil' goodie made by gracie using stopmotion.  there were many {many} more, but this is the one blog-approved by gracie.

 

if you follow us on instagram, you already know the news of our latest addition to the family team.  looking forward to sharing those pictures with you here. ;)

evolution of birthdays

it's funny, you know.  the evolution of celebrating birthdays.  when growing up, one can live in a child-like bubble of knowing there's a 'big deal' to be made out of the whole day. 

while all of my childhood memories wouldn't give warm fuzzies, i do remember a time or two when mom would check us out of school early on our special day {or on the last day of school}.  oh, how i loved hearing the intercom buzz my teacher with instructions to send "hmama" to the office for check-out.  being free from that stuffy place was the. best. gift. ever.  even if it was only 15 minutes earlier than the rest of the class.

i remember a relay race with two lines of friends.  it was our goal to throw adult clothes on top of our kid clothes, run around the yard and be back to pass the adult clothes to the next person in line.

i remember a surprise-sweet-16 birthday.  mom had arranged all of my friends from church to be at our house when i returned from a shopping trip with a friend.  completely unexpected.

mom always did a great job pulling something special together for our birthdays.  my brother's birthday the day before mine.  her's, the day after.  yet, our days somehow managed to feel... individual.

i remember re-enacting the wire hanger scene from mommy dearest with my mother for all of my slumber party friends.  so scary, it was downright funny.  they loved it.  i think my mom liked it, too. ;) 

mom has always had a flair for the dramatic.  i think that's part of what made her so good at pulling gatherings together, during a season of my childhood. 

i'm not a party mom.  i wish i were.  sometimes, i feel like it's just not in my personality to play hostess to a house, filled with other people's lil' children.  please tell me i'm not alone in this.  it will make me feel better, anyway.  and it is my birthday today.  no pressure. 

we usually tell our girls they can have a big party, or a big gift.  big parties are hosted at other locations.  that, i can do.  woot.  most times, they want the gift and one on one time with a friend.  i can do that, too.  woot-woot.  aaaaand, we take a day off of school for birthdays.  including mom's.  woots all around!

years later, ladies from the institutional church we served would take me out to dinner on my special day.  they took great joy in seeing the restaurant do their birthday production, at my expense. it was all in fun. time would tell me that many of those ladies were not true friends.  difficult times have a way of separating the girls from the women. i'm better for it, really.

hubby, bless his heart, is much more gifted at this birthday planning gig than i am.  last year, he had arranged for our best friends to meet us for a wonderful evening on the boardwalk.

today, life has been filled with getting things ready for an online class the girls are taking... about the victorian christmas era. dance class. dress rehearsal at theater.  i really wanted to go to the chiropractor.  mama is hurtin'. age talkin'. sorry.

now that i'm all grown up {hold your laughter}, expectations are not what they used to be.  i no longer live in a bubble.  i realize, often times, the celebration comes from within.  you create your own party.  even if that is stirring a heart of thankfulness by remembering the real blessings in life.

you know... when your kids and hubby sing happy birthday to you. hubs whispers sweet nothings into your ear before he leaves for work... "i changed the litter-box for you."  gets me every time.  sets birthday cards on the table and then starts the dishwasher, too.  

love deposits. ;)
those are the best gifts of all.

oh... and there's nothing wrong with tossin' the adult clothes for kid clothes every once in a while.  metaphorically speaking.  i plan to do that, too.  hubs owes me a date night, yes? ;)

if you need me, look for the lady walking with a crook in the neck, wearing the #1 MOM! pin.  because my kids think i could totally rock a presidency.  you gotta love the cuteness in that.

we interrupt this alaskan series to bring you a {real} post

and by real, i mean... keepin' it real.
since we've been back in town, i've had a little trouble picking up where i left off.

hubs was out of town this week.
he left on his birthday.
good thing we ate at marble slab the night before.

we celebrated last night.
three days later.

outback.
yummo.
we normally like to make a week out of birthdays, anyway.

yes, this is breakfast.  yes, the clock is right.
that's how we've been rolling lately.



we are sloooowly wrapping up some loose ends in school.
initially, i wanted to school year-round this year.
you know, the full sha-bang.
we took june off due to summer activities.
i'm only committing to finishing up our last chapters in science and history in july.
and ummmm...
i guess we can count this as art, too.
the full sha-bang will resume in august.
that's year-round, right?

it's schooling for me, too.
i'm learning to relax in our schedule.
learning is more than a lesson plan.
if you make those, that is.
i don't.



i had to have a talkin' to a little girl who was being mean-spirited to one of my girls, and her friend.  this girl was at the same inflatable-fun-room we attended.
only she came with a karate camp.
that could spell trouble.
we've had a bully issue before... even in a christian homeschool group.
so i'm quicker to act when issues arise.
by the time we left, the young lady was nice enough to apologize for her actions.

this is an apron hubs gifted me for valentine's day.
even though it was something i really wanted,
i used it for the first time this week.
now i'm officially addicted to aprons.
especially cute ones.

my girls are, too.
but we are window shopping for now.
window shopping helps save money.
my girls have saved more than they ever have before...
since i have started making them 'think a night on it' before they buy.

i'm not a fan of the dentist.
we need them, i know.
and i bring my girls to all of their check-ups and more,
but i'm waaaay overdue a check-up. 

my girls were eager to work the concession stand at one of our dance fundraisers, a community concert...  of course, that means mom gets to, as well.  it's 102 degrees.

hubs was at a baseball game with co-workers.

i may have complained a time or two that i was ready to go back to alaska.

and that's all i'm confessin' for now.

except for the fact that the family is waiting on me to get dressed so we can go to the store.
i'm still in my pajamas.

to the best{est} granny ever

my granny
this is my granny's special day
i hope she feels special as i say
she is sweet, and very kind
there is nothing that makes me leave her behind

her birthday makes me think
of a very special drink
it is sweet and sour at the same time
my granny is like this
minus the sour in this rhyme

since the spring has gone away
there is one thing i got to say
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
GRANNY!!!
~nator, age 11

things that make {this} eleven year old

She starts with gluten-free pancakes and organic eggs.
When in season, fresh, organic strawberries are the perfect compliment.
Sometimes, books or legos beckon before she exits her room...
but they are no match when the smell of turkey bacon hits the air.

Her perfect day would be described as...
"sitting on the beach, under an umbrella, listening to the waves, reading a book, with Bella in her lap."  *giggle*

Or "snuggled in Daddy's recliner, next to a fireplace, with Bella, book and blanket."
*grin*

Other things that make this lil' lady...


American Girl dolls, bistro, book series {including mysteries}, paper-dolls, clothes, and accessories.
The Sound of Music.
The smell of lavender.  



Hazel eyes.  One half brown.
Piano.
Brain POP.
Peas, tostadas, and lasagna.
Browsing book stores.



Belle's library.
Abraham Lincoln.
Friends.
S'mores and cheesecake.
Birthdays celebrations.



Smoothie King dates.
Penguins and Owls.
Almost any bird will do.
60 and 70 degree temperatures.
Dark chocolate and raw almonds.



Braids.
Tap class.
Little Women.
Fancy dresses people used to wear.
History and Science.
Butterflies.
"Can I have a hug?"
And lots of them.
Geometry. 
NASA.
Space in general.
Tinkerbell.
Jasmine.
Purple.
Cats.  Especially Bella.  And her cute meow.
But purple cats would be 'plain creepy'.

Turquoise.
Fetch with Ruff Ruffman.
Time with Granny.
Painting.
Girl movie nights.
Tangled.  The movie.
Phineas and Ferb.
Sleeping with Mommy.
Swimming.
Playing in the water-hose.
Homeschool.
Uniform of pj's.
Kissing your mom whenever you like.



And last but not least...
No school on your birthday.

Oh... and she has a few dislikes, as well:  baby pink, justin bieber, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, unhealthy things {they taste so good but in my mind, i know they're gonna make me sick}, bella throwup, guns, camping {without electicity}, harry potter, bella's meow at 5:00 am outside bedroom door, hip-hop, the noise my sister makes with your throat, waking up early for gracie's dance competitions...

Her eleventh March twenty-nine was filled with books, paper-dolls, legos, Ruthie, a smoothie, and movies {Tinkerbell, Up, Little Women, and Wall-E} echoing in the background during play.  Just as she requested.  A perfect 11 year old birthday.