Not so normal Wednesday

Ok, so I am a stay at home mom. And for some moms out in the world this means that they can wear their pajamas all day if they want. And to be real honest I am that way some days.The days of having to look presentable are pretty much gone. My kids could care less about what I wear or if my makeup is done. But most days I get my self out of bed and get dressed. I do my hair and make up like I used to when I worked a 40 hour work week in the corporate world.

Why? you may ask. Well mostly because I hate feeling frumpy and most of my lounging wear is just that, frumpy and loose. I just spent over 16 months losing all my post preggo weight and the last thing I want to do is make myself feel

less than put together. I actually like putting on makeup and doing my hair most days. Luckily I have started a small collection of hats that I love for those days where my hair is less responsive to what I am trying to tell it to do.

Part of my getting to my weight goal was that I had to maintain it for three months and then I got a shopping spree to update my wardrobe. Lucky for me, my hubby was more than willing to let me slowly buy somethings so I didn't feel like a skinny girl in clothes 2x to big. I have been spending a lot of time at the local thrift stores slowly adding cute jeans and tops to my collection. I have been having a blast buying things and mixing and matching things up in new ways to make new outfits. I have never considered myself a fashionista. I still don't either. But I am getting the hang of not caring so much if things look put together perfectly. So, today I decided not to wear my normal stay at home apparel, which usually includes a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans. I pushed myself to find something in my closet that I have never put together before and lo and behold, I feel like I struck a bit of fashion gold. The Skirt, I made three + years ago. I have never worn it, due to a very uneven hem job. SO my first dilemma was figuring out how to fix my major mess. About 7 safety pins later I had a pretty even hem and a funky skirt with multiple gathers throughout. Next was a polka dot halter top that I am not kidding, I have had for over 10 years! I have loved this top since I got it, and even thought it needs to be taken in, I just had a feeling it may work. The belt is just a simple black belt that came with a different top I own and the blue cardigan I just got this year at Target on sale for 15 bucks! The shoes are Anne Klein from a second hand store. I got them for $9 and the cute blue clutch was $2 at the same second hand store. The blue bead I am wearing as my bracelet is actually a very long necklace I purchased from the most amazing ministry called Amazima. To know that my $20 helped a women in Africa feed and clothe her family makes me very proud to wear it.

So my grand totally for my outfit $46. Not bad in my book. Not bad all.

My breakfast

Ah. Winter is apon us. Today it is actually drizzling here in Wisconsin. The last traces of the snow we had is pretty much gone and we are just left with the brown wet leaves and the matted tinged grass. The skys are cloudy and grey and the thing that has brightened my mood is my breakfast. The bright green Kiwi and the fresh rouge colored Pomegrante grace my plate with fresh creamy yogurt. Every bite is full of sunshine and warmth. So even though the weather is dank and dreary I am really enjoy a bit of the tropic sunshine today.

felt wine glass holder

I can't take credit for this amazing craft idea! I saw this in a past Country Living Magazine and just knew I had to try my hand at making them.

All you need is :
a wine glass
Felt( different colors)
scissors
sewing machine

First place your wine glass on the felt and draw a circle about 1/4 inch bigger than your wine glass bottom. repeat for a second piece.
Take one of your circles and cut and X slightly smaller that the diameter of the glass bottom.
Now sew the two pieces together (Maybe 1/8inch seam) and viola! you are done! SOOOOOOO EASY!!!!!
Now I can enjoy my glass of wine and I never have to guess which one is mine again! Plus its a built in coaster!

Many more craft and fun decor ideas will be coming soon! My crafting bug has nipped me again and I am having a ton of fun!
Tomorrow I will show you the cutest felt ornaments I am making for my family!

a girl, a boy and a pony

Well I can say it is official. We have two horse loving kids!!!!! Oh darn!
First last Sunday we went to Dustin's grandparents farm for a corn feed. YUM! While we were there we chatted with Jessie and Todd(Dustin's Uncle) about her horses. Since they only lived a mile and a half from G.pa and G.ma's she offered to let us go for a visit. Kyla was all for that!!!
So Jessie introduced us to her herd and Kyla was in heaven. She got to sit on almost all the horses.

Kyla sitting on Mustard at Jessie and Todd's farm.

The Second encounter was at Pine Lake Pastures in Baldwin, WI on Wednesday night. Cheri Invited us to come check out the farm and learn a bit more about her horses and her ministry. Kyla met Lilly( the lovely pony she spent the entire night with) at the St Croix County fair. She has been asking for a month when she was going to get to see Lilly again. So this was an opportunity we could NOT miss.
When we got to Pine Lake we were greeted by Cheri's three dogs who happily brought us to where Cheri and another family were hanging out in the barn with some of her horses. Kyla promptly asked for Lilly, to which Cheri replied that we could go get her! So get her we did.
Sorry the video is sideways. Dustin did not realize he had to hold my phone landscape for video. (it's fine for reviewing on my phone, just didn't translate when shifting it to the computer)


After getting Lilly, we brushed her, and that was all Dustin and I expected for the evening. NOPE!
Cheri got the bridle and saddle and got Lilly all ready for riding! Kyla again, was in heaven! Now this entire time Isaac has been shifted from Dustin to me a couple of times, but always within reach of Lilly. He wanted to touch the pony and brush the pony too! While Kyla was able to ride Lilly, Isaac was constantly shifting and making a bit of a fuss. He wanted a turn on Lilly too and he was being pretty patient for a 17 mo old. It was so precious to see him light up the moment he was placed on her back. He immediately started to bounce as if to say, Giddy UP!


Kyla very happily hanging out with Lilly.

Isaac happy to finally get a turn on Lilly too!

This girl was born to ride!

We see riding lessons in the near future for our little girl and I imagine that when Isaac is finally old enough he will get in on the action too!

school days!

Who's excited to start her home school Preschool????? Kyla is excited to start her home school Preschool!

It was my plan to start her off slow! So one day a week was what I expected.... Never did I think that Kyla would enjoy her first day which was Monday August 22nd, that she would ask to do more on Tuesday... OK kid!
I purchased the Horizons preschool curriculum which is a christian worldview based. I love how the bible is incorporated into every lesson! The fun games and songs too have been perfect ways to break up the day( and by day I mean 3 hours!). When I really started to thumb through the reference material that accompanies the program I was amazed at all the things Kyla will know by the time she is done. I am really not planning on rushing through this though. Gimme a break she is THREE! But that being said.... the girl already knows her alphabet, can count to ten perfect, knows her name by sight and can recite her address, I think that this three year old is ready for what she is doing.
We ended up doing 3 days and I think that was great.
Next week starts tomorrow and I need to prepare!