Monday, May 30, 2011

THANK YOU a hundred million-ba-jillion times.

My husband has a soft spot for elderly farmers. My daughter has a soft spot for animals.
I have a soft spot for soldiers.
More like a gut-wrenching, tear-inducing, heart-bursting, deep affection, for the kind of person it takes to pull off the job.
I spent my weekend fishing at the river, roasting weenies, and laughing with friends and neighbors. I also spent the weekend seeing stories on the news, pictures on the internet, and flags on our small town streets. All reminders of the heroes who have fought and continue to fight to help make our sweet and easy little lives possible.
Words stop short, but my gratitude is never ending.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Here, Fishy fishy fishy fishy...

Klehr family fun. River fishing.
Look how excited we are...

















Aren't they cute. And yes my husband is wet from the waist down (don't ask).

















I decided to take a break when my line got stuck in a tree (again, don't ask), and spent some time fulfilling my dream of becoming one of those sneaky, anonymous, street artists.

We took the scenic route back to the car, and one of us ended up hiking through the woods with only one shoe (listen, I've had enough of your questions). 

















We were happy to get home, and gathered around a bonfire, Sophie requested some ghost stories. Her daddy told an impressive story about a man who built a baseball diamond on his farm and played with baseball players that came out of the cornfield. Her mom caught on to this idea and told a watered down version about a writer and his family who took a vacation to a big old hotel which turned out to be haunted. Someday she'll realize how clever we aren't.

p.s. Since your so inquistive today, I know you're wondering... and the answer is NO. We did not catch any fish.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Happy Mama

THE best present I've ever gotten in my entire life for anything, EVER. My little freckled munchkin asked me for the stapler about a week ago. I let her bring it up to her room. She was working on a project. Turns out she was working on a book for me for Mothers Day. All by herself, nobody told her to do it, and nobody helped her.
I never used to believe Moms, including my own, when I heard them say that the homemade gifts are the best. Now I believe.





















The title is I Love You Mom, by Sophie Klehr.























You are the best mom. (insert welling eyes).






















You are in my heart mom (insert big fat falling tears).






















I love you Mommy (insert full blown sob).

If you need me I'll be scraping up my melted heart and putting it in the freezer so it is no longer in the form of a puddle.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Fab Foto Friday: Spwing has Spwung!
























Don't these ladies and gents look dashing in their spring attire?
It's been a looooong Minnesota winter, and I think we can officially say that the cold weather is over (well, for a few short months). Time to put away the heavy knit wool and bring out the light woven cotton. Trade in the cozy shearling for some floppy rubber. Instead of cold wind smacking in the face when you walk out the door, feel nothin' but warm sunshine kisses.
If you need me I'll be outside, dancing and prancing til October.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Practicing Parenthood.















My daughter? Oh she's the perfect child. Just like yours, I'm sure. And me? Yep, I'm the perfect parent. Just like you, right?

BAH-ha! Try saying that with a straight face! Now I'll tell you the truth...

My little lady really is a dream. She's always been easy. Good sleeper, good eater, adjusts easily, fast learner, well behaved, happy, smiling... I've had very few challenges and honestly no complaints.

But every now and then she throws me for a big fat loop. I can think of four times in her short life that really stand out, when she has had a melt down that is so extreme that I have no idea what to do and no time to think of an appropriate response. All four times my response has been 100% wrong. One or both of us end up crying. One or both of us end up angry. One of both of us end up totally embarrassed.

It's usually about three hours later that I finally come up with that appropriate response. Which is a little too late. Then I beat myself up for making such an obvious mistake. I convince myself that she will become a drug addict and that my lacking parenting skills are to blame.

Then after about 3 more hours (wide awake, in the middle of the night, hearing that creepy music from Intervention and envisioning the episode our family will be on in 10 years) I finally remember that no parent is perfect. I remind myself that making mistakes is how we learn, and that practice makes perfect. So I keep practicing. I remind myself of what a little gem I have, and I allow myself to take some credit for that.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Why you little stinker, Amy Butler

Whoa baby! These images from Amy Butler make me want to blow the dust off my Singer and start singin'.

I envisioned myself making this (free pattern!) but given my track record for sewing projects, the end result would be a bunch of circles cut out, sitting on my sewing table. The circles would eventually be moved to my fabric stash bin, never to be heard from again. It sure is stunning though, isn't it?

I'll take one of each, please.

 




















Mama lurves a ginor-mou bag. Just think of all things I could put in there.

Oh Missy Amy, I'm so inspired to buy one million yards of your fabric and make one of each of your exquisite projects. Guess that means you're doin' your job, Sister.