legend of the corduroy jacket

It lives on in Collin's Kindergarten portrait. All my boys have worn this Ralph Lauren blazer to Kindergarten picture day. Andrea has even called dibs on it for her boy. So it is kind of a big deal. Pretty great for a $5 thrift store score a decade ago!

Not sure if anybody realizes just how much of a cynic I am. I learned to curb it early on. (not everyone wants to visit the dark farm with me, go figure) But this boy. I tell you what, this boy is changing all that. He melts me. All those crusty bits where wounds haven't quite healed right, his delight in life chases them off. He is exhausting, to be sure, so I have to rest more. And I am learning that I am not so much a cynic as I am tired. Tiny wizard, that is what Collin is. A tiny wizard, pressing in on my heart in all the best ways. Plus that coat always puts a smile on my face.

switch-a-roo

Another house update. The dresser that was in our bedroom has relocated to the TV room. This is a great little space right out of our kitchen. It gets the most natural light in the house, which in Seattle is a BIG deal. We do most of our living in this room. Here's a look before we moved in.

And after the famous "A" made it onto the wall.

 Then we made the jump to a flat screen. And the dresser from our bedroom moved into the TV room. (Megan, I thought you'd be relieved to hear we repurposed it.)

Now we just need to stash those cords in the wall, kind of like this.

instagram ruined my blog

It is just too darn easy to document the everyday with Instagram whilst neglecting my blog, my real camera, and feeding my children. Just kidding, you see all that food up there? I mean, I have to make them something to eat... so that I can Instagram it ;)

This collage features the best thrifting score to date: 2 gold unicorns. Yahtzee!

Hilar.

 Collin tells me, " If I have twin boys, one will be Justin and the other, Bucket." This kid.

 On another funny note; I almost passed out soft porn valentines to kindergartners. Almost.

 We went with these instead.

Whew. That was a close one.

happy heart day

a good start

This is our bedroom on moving day.

 We found it fairly easy to set up our things like they were in the house we were renting before.

 So much stuff! And the dresser is really old and hard to maneuver.

Does anyone else's bedroom get neglected as you build a house into a home? Ours does. Even taking theses photos required cropping out piles and laundry. 

As we try to plan and envision something better suited for resting and well, you know ;) I have noticed a kind of thoughtless dumping ritual that happens. Company is over so I move a stack of papers from the kitchen counter to the nightstand. Or there is a school project due that one of the boys doesn't want ruined, so I stash it in the closet. So being short on storage in the first place, this room gets chaotic quick. 

Here is our first move in the right direction:

A functional dresser. No busted drawers or missing knobs. Great shape and size and quality. She has a few surface scratches but $129 at the local St. Vincent's had us hauling her home and I'll admit, swooning a bit.

I did a good wipe down inside and out with vinegar and we filled her up. Pairing down what we had that did not fit. (such a wonderful feeling)

I love the way she looks with nothing on top (why is this post full of weird innuendos?) But alas, I have a bunch of girl things that have to be stored there for now.

A way to go but what do you think? Find any thrifty treasures lately? Refer to any of your furniture as a "she"? Is your bedroom a black hole of clutter? Anyone?

3 terrors at the mall

 #1 This measly four feet of glass railings. Freaks me out every time. I totally envision being knocked over by some intense mall walker.

 #2 Completely cray cray outfit on this mannequin. I mean, I fancy myself fashion forward but come on!

#3 The kids play area. Enough said.

This post is brought to you by a Saturday morning last month wherein I thought a quick trip to the mall was a good idea. (in hopes that I will review it if ever that notion strikes again)

outsourcing

Last year Kaleb took a cooking class at the community center. He thoroughly enjoyed learning some basics and devouring all the delicious food they created in class. One of the favorites was fish tacos.

After the classes were over, I asked him to make the tacos for our family. Parker wanted in on it too, so they had a battle of the fish tacos. (not sure why this never made it on the blog)

 I was the judge for presentation, taste, and creativity. And so you know the class wasn't all about snacking, Kaleb won. (well really I won because my kids made me dinner and they were both so good!)

Now it is Parker's turn. He just attended his first cooking class. Let's just say I am looking to outsource some of my domestic responsibilities. Boom.

mini mancave

Parker has the other bedroom on the basement. It didn't start as foreboding as Aden's, but the wood paneling & gold-starred ceiling tile are hard on the eyes. Of course he loves it and doesn't want it painted. So I came up with a few changes he and I could live with.

 First off was a photo collage above his bed. It has room for a few more rows of pictures but for now it adds interest and personality to his space. (And it's not a NKOTB poster like I had as a teen)

Next up is this great picture my friend Mary took. Her blog, Fairly Candid, is full of amazing photography. I commented that this photo of hats would be the perfect poster in a boy's room and wouldn't ya know.... she emailed it to me! I had it printed through Mpix and found a frame the exact size at the Goodwill for $7. I also found those stars for a buck each. I think those will get spray painted in the colors of his favorite football team. Lord know there is enough brown in the room! And a shout out to Grandma Ellen for passing on her flatscreen TV to a thrilled grandson.

Of course, the sweet vintage couch is still in his room. (just in case you are keeping tabs)

Memphis!

Off we went, my mother and I, to Memphis. My cousin Michelle was getting married and many of my mom's side of the family was there. 

Grandma Beryl let us get her all dolled up for the wedding.

My wild Aunt Lisa who lets me steal perfume from her purse.

This was my suitcase. Apparently, I dig stripes.

Cruising around town. my mom drove the rental car and I navigated with Google Maps on my phone. Oh, technology, you sweetheart.

We did a few tourist stops like Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis made their names famous.

There is an old trolley we rode around the city. (until someone in the other car lost their lunch :/)

 Can you imagine a more perfect store front downtown? This place was available for rent.

And I was looking to move after lunch at Gus's. Life changing, folks. I totally get the fried chicken thing now. Also, we had fried green tomatoes, it seemed like the thing to do.

The Peabody Hotel has a fun tradition of marching the ducks that live in a rooftop pond down to the hotel fountain every morning through the hotel elevator. We visited at 5pm when they are marched back up to the roof for the night. But way more interesting than all that was this phone setup, to me anyhow.

My mom had a moment with the Maple Bacon magic at Gibson's Donuts. Light and the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

I thought their bathroom tile was noteworthy as well. (also, pink pants and gold bows on mah shoes!)

 We had a day to explore Little Rock, Arkansas before catching a flight home. The weather was perfect for the entire weekend. They had this glowing orb in the sky, I think they call it the sun? Anyhow, this Seattle-ite soaked it up.

After despairing that nothing would compare to Gus's, this shrimp flatbread did us right. Also, sweet potato fries and bread pudding!

 Rushing to catch our flight. We made it, our bags didn't.

They say the BBQ is divine, and it was. The fried chicken, though. GAME CHANGER.

And reason #103 why my dear arteries could not pack up and move to Tennessee; Honey Shortbread from Bluff City Coffee. Again with the sweet and salty. So good. ( I found out about this and the donuts from this guide.)

The trip was definitely bucket list worthy. Full of funny stories and how people are so strange no matter where you travel. I am grateful my momma was happy to do nothing but eat our way through town. Let's do some sit-ups and go somewhere else next year!

A huge thank you to Papa Ken and Matt for holding down the Man Cave. You two made it easy for us to enjoy our time away.