Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Sunday

Phew!  It was one heck of a week and especially weekend around here.  We were busy!  

Today felt especially short because #3 got some sort of stomach bug last night and puked on and off from 11:30pm - 5:00am.  I ended up moving #4 to #1's room so I could sleep in the same room with #3.  We didn't wake up until 9:00am!  Therefore, today felt really short.  Thank goodness she feels better now and will be able to go to school tomorrow.  But now comes the waiting...who else will come down with this crap?!

Anyway, I digress.  Let's get started! 

1.  We started the weekend off with a BANG!  We celebrated #3's birthday at Emerald City.  While I wasn't thrilled with the customer service (or complete lack thereof), the kids didn't seem to mind.  They ran around and played.  HARD.  We had a full room but the girls were so good!  Seriously.  

Did you count?  Let me help you out - 13 girls all 7 or younger.  (OK.  One sister was 9.)  The majority of kids were from her school but three of them are from her daycare.  How was awesome is that?  She still keeps in touch with three of those girls and they still play so well together.  I love that she will have friends beyond just her immediate school.  Because I always tell my kids you can never have too many friends! 

2.  You can hate me or talk about me behind my back but I did it.  I decorated for Christmas this weekend!  But hear me out on this...I absolutely LOVE to host Thanksgiving.  I think it's my favorite holiday to host.  But this year we're traveling to Omaha.  So there is really no reason to keep the fall decorations going since no one will be here to see them.  And Thanksgiving is so late this year that there's really only three weeks in between the two holidays so I wanted us to have time to enjoy the decorations.  Plus, it took me two full days to get it all done (in between errands and laundry) so I wouldn't have enough time next weekend since we're not coming home until Saturday.  So there.  My excuses.

But anyway, I won't really show you the final pictures since it's still too early but here's a few shots.  This is when we just started carrying everything up.  Trust me, it got much, much worse than this!

 

I broke down last year and bought a new tree (that I love very, very much).  But it's tall and requires a ladder:

It's pre-lit but I still have to put it together and fluff all the branches.  And then I weave my pretty colored green and chartreuse ribbon through it.  That takes time.  According to the kids it takes WAY TOO LONG!  They didn't enjoy waiting for me.  But I got it done.  And then they did this:

And yes, that shot is totally staged but who cares because it's so cute, right?  As you can see my niece and nephew were over so everyone got in on the action!

And no, I'm not going to lie and say that having six kids help (some more than others, duh) with the decorating didn't cause me to drink.  Red wine.  Two glasses.  Because it totally did.

3.  So I have been reading the Hollywood Housewife blog.  I love it.  She is from Oklahoma but now lives in California.  Anyway, she linked to this sweathsirt that I was dying over.  But the price tag was a little much to swallow.  And then today #1 and I were at Target and I found this (but not petite!) singing to me over the racks of holiday clothes.  And only $20?  Yes, please.  I can't wait to wear it!  I realize it's slightly obnoxious but that's totally OK with me.

4.  Tonight at dinner our oldest was at SOR (school of religion) because we ate late so someone else sat in her place:

I tried a new recipe (chicken stew with butternut squash and quinoa) which I liked but the hubby said it was just "eh".  The recipe calls for cooking half the squash until it's really, really done and then mashing it with a fork.  I think if I make it again I'll just put it in the food processor to make sure it's really smooth.  But the other half of the butternut squash calls for cooking just a little bit and leaving the chunks in the soup and I really liked it!

 

My thinking is the hubby missed out on the saltiness of the kalamata olives because he refuses to even look at an olive much less eat one.  And I loved the salty flavor!  

A recipe he does really like is this salad.  And I have to say, it's so, so good!  We've been eating it for the last two weeks without getting tired of it yet.

I have been trying to get creative with the girls' lunches the past few weeks.  It started when I told #1 I'd make her lunch if she limited her showers to 8 minutes or less.  She agreed.  Then #2 broke her wrist and had a hard time using her hand for the first week or so.  So I started making her lunch, too!  And I had been making #3's lunch all along - so now I have three lunches to make.  Sheesh.

My trick is to make their lunches the night before school.  It's the only way I stay sane.  So here are a few examples of what I've been doing, thanks to the blog, 100 Days of Real Food.  (I told you last week I like her but she is definitely a die-hard!  You've been warned.  Twice now.)

#1's lunch:

The medium sized square contains plain yogurt with a bit of real honey mixed in.  Then she can add the granola at school.  Pumpkin fluff (so, so good!) is in the green cupcake holder and she can dip the apples and pretzels in that.  It's not a big lunch but she's a slow eater and doesn't have a lot of time.  She is able to bring snacks to class with her during the day which is plans herself.  (Thank goodness.) 

#2's lunch:

She took spaghetti in the thermos.  (We only have one Thermos so the girls take turns bringing hot lunch which is a huge hit with them!).  She also had a caesar salad with the dressing on the side.  

#3's lunch:

I think this is her favorite - a smoothie!  I made a large batch one night and then froze 8 individual servings.  I just pull them out the night before and stick them in the fridge.  She also had apples and pretzels to dip in the pumpkin fluff.  And a peanut butter bar.  (I don't think this one was a Lara bar, which I started buying, but something I was trying to get rid of so we could move on to healthier alternatives.)

And there you have it!  And just think?  Next year I'll get to make FOUR!   

5.  My friend, Christi, and I signed up for the Ugly Christmas Sweater run in a couple weeks.  We got nervous that all the ugly Christmas sweaters would be gone so we ducked out over lunch last week to do a little shopping.  And we hit the jackpot at Savers!  Behold my beautiful Christmas sweater VEST:

Don't worry - I will show you the full ensemble after we run.  Because it will be GOOD.

6.  One last picture:

This is what #1 and I saw as we pulled into the garage today.  We laughed so hard!  #4 was outside playing on her sister's skateboard in the 25* weather.  Completely unfazed by the cold temperatures.  She was just entertaining herself since her sister and usual playmate was inside recuperating.

All right!  There you go - my six on Sunday.  I hope you all have a great week and a fabulous Thanksgiving.  If you are traveling this year, please be careful.   

 

 

Thrifty Thursday...How to make your own scrapbook shelf

Well hello!  It's been awhile since I've posted a project and I thought I should rectify the situation.  The project I am going to show you today is SUPER easy.  But it's one the hubby and I are thrilled to have completed!

It's a small shelf or ledge for my journal cards that I use for Project Life.  And it's AWESOME.

I showed you my scrapbook desk awhile back.

Everything was running smoothly until the hubby got a new job.  And started working from home about once or twice a week.  Not good.  Not that I don't like him being at home but that he was MESSING UP MY DESK!  And yes, I do claim BOTH desks in the office as mine:  one for work and one for projects.  Something needed to change.

I designed a simple little shelf with a groove cut out and now I can put all my journal cards up and off the desk.  Now he doesn't have to do anything but move my scrapbook out of the way.  

Much sleeker.  I like.

Here's how I did it.  And honestly, I gave the instructions to the hubby who ran the big piece of trim through the table saw to get the groove and then glued the wood pieces together.  The hardest part was painting it!

We literally just screwed this into the wall.  We found the studs and made sure the drill hit the stud and that was there was to it.  The journal cards hide the screws.

The box you see above was a Target find.  (duh.  Target.)  It's from their Threshold line that I love and I found it in the drawer organizer section.  It is perfect for my needs and corrals all my little tools together.

And one last shot for you:

Holler if you have any questions!  This project was truly super easy and best of all?  It was free!  We had all of the supplies just laying around.  I hope you enjoyed this one:)

 

Six on Sunday

Guys, I am sitting here at my computer blogging while the Chiefs are playing the Broncos and I had one heckuva weekend.  THAT...is dedication.  You're welcome:)

1.  Be preprared for iPhone picture overload!  You've been warned.

The hubby and I took our annual trip up to Lincoln, NE to watch the Huskers play this weekend.  Sadly, they lost but we did not let that dampen our spirits.  We had a GREAT weekend with our friends from college.  And just as it was in college, the hubby was just one of the girls - along for the ride.  As we were chatting this weekend, we realized we have now been friends for more than half our lives.  That either speaks to our friendship's longevity or the fact that we're now old.  I choose to believe the former and not the latter!

Most of you saw the facebook picture I posted of us Friday night.  This was just as we were leaving the hotel to head to the bars:

We met our friend, Angie, at YiaYia's for pizza and drinks.  We got a little crazy Friday night but nothing we couldn't handle with a little Ibuprofen and greasy breakfast the next day.

Saturday.  Game Day.  Bookstore stop and Husker gear reinforcements.  Bar time.  Bar time.  Bar time.  Game day.  Dinner.  So much FUN!!!  I can't tell you how awesome it is to have friends like these girls.  We may not see each other very often (once a year?) but every time we are together it is like not a day has passed.  I laugh more on these weekends than in a month of "normal" weekends.  And my "normal" weekends are pretty darn good so that is saying something.

Here we are at the bar in the Embassy Suites.  We scored couch seating which is why we parked it for a couple hours.

We headed to the game with a mission.  Score a Runza and Valentino's pizza.  

Our mission was accomplished straight away!  Then Vicki and I headed to the bathroom to mix up our Husker-Football-Special-Adult-Beverage:  Crown and Coke.  Can you tell who is the photographer and who isn't??

 

I'm pretty sure everyone around us loves us!

After the game it was dark and my phone was dead.  So sadly (or lucky for you) I am out of pictures.  Suffice it to say I can't wait for next year!  But I think we may be headed to Cabo or New Orleands or some other fantastic destination in Feb.  The 6th - 10th to be exact:)  

2.  While the hubby and I were away, the hubby's parents held down the fort.  They only had the three little girls and still managed a sleepover, an almost-sleepover, two birthday parties, birthday-girl shopping, and a movie night.  They are troopers!  And the girls had a blast and hardly missed us.  That is a total success in my mind!

3.  #1 had a swim meet in Columbia, MO this weekend.  One of her friends and their parents let #1 tag along.  I'm fairly certain she had a blast and she swam SO WELL.  She dropped time in every single event which is pretty awesome, to say the least.  Our paths have barely crossed for more than 60 seconds since she's been home so I haven't had time to talk to her very much but I'll get the scoop tomorrow.  I'm just so glad she had such an outstanding meet.  Of course this means she is now planning on traveling to Plano, TX for a swim meet in Feb.  I hope my wallet stops hemmoraging by then!

4.  This is where I tell you I am so NOT going to win any mother of the year awards.  We left for Lincoln the day #3 turned 7 years old.  Yes, it's true.  When the hubby picked the game weekend neither of us really paid attention to the date - just the team we played.  Oops!  

Since we couldn't celebrate that night, we had a special Dunkin Donuts breakfast.  We also let her open her presents at breakfast. 

  

It's a little hard to see, but she just lost her front tooth and oh man!  She looks so stinkin' cute!  The dentist actually pulled it out but the Tooth Fairy gave her $5 for her bravery so it was all good.

She is such a fun kid and in honor of her seventh birthday, here's seven things about her right now:

• She is so spunky and hilarious.  
• She sings or hums non-stop and we are constantly telling her to turn it down.  
• She loves playing with her little sister and they are truly best friends.  
• She also has a lot of other friends and seems to make friends very easily.  
• She is shy in new situations but with a little encouragement (perhaps a few tears) she comes through it with flying colors.
• She really likes to help around the house:  cleaning her room, setting the table, picking up the family room, you name it and she'll do it
• She is a good student but sometimes has a hard time not talking.  

5.  I've been trying to watch what we eat a little more closely.  And by that I mean buying food that isn't so highly processed. (5 ingredients or less.)  Do you know how hard that is?!  I can't find a decent loaf of bread except for at The Great Harvest Bread Co.  Don't get me wrong, their bread is awesome but it's a 20 minute drive to get there.  Not good.  I've also been trying to buy a little more organic, especially the "Dirty Dozen" - those fruits and vegetables that are fairly contaminated.  And truly, that is hard to do just at my regular grocery store.  But I don't have time every weekend to make several stops so I'm going to have to strategize.  

I've realized Whole Foods is good for some things but not others.  Same with my grocery store.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I'll let you know.  So for now the kid's choices of food and especially snacks is less than normal.  But they seem to be doing OK.  Like tonight #4 had cheese and crackers (Triscuits) for a snack and she was perfectly happy.  It's harder on me because it's not like I can hand her a block of cheese and a knife, but I guess that's my problem, right?  If I'm going to commit, I'm going to have do my part!

And another snack they really like is the homemade granola I talked about a couple weeks ago.  Throw that on some plain yogurt spiked with a little honey and it is so good!  I am going to try her Pumpkin Fluff this week.  It sounds like a little slice of heaven!

6.  We received our Flor tiles about two weeks ago but just "glued" them together today.  (Really, you just use stickers and it was so darn easy.)  I have to say, I'm in love with them.  They are smart and modern and just awesome!  And I know the hubby thinks they're really cool, too, which is just a bonus.

Here they are without the table on top so you can really get a feel for what they look like:

Cool, no?

And here's a shot with the table:  (Ignore the painters tape.  We're getting ready to paint the baseboards.  Gag.)

I'm just giddy looking at those pictures.  I am so happy with the Flor tiles and would order them again in a heartbeat.  Not to mention the company was awesome to work with.  I ordered five different colored samples at first but knew I would only need four colors.  And then (like a dummy) I ordered three colors I had tested and one different color.  Well, when they got here I hated the one I hadn't seen before.  So I called them to return and order a different color and they were so helpful and even paid for the return shipping which should have been on me.  All in all, it was a great experience.  And no, they aren't paying me to say that.  They have no idea who I am!

So there you have it.  Six on Sunday.  Now I need to go finish watching the Chiefs/Broncos game and make 1 kid breakfast, 3 kid lunches, and 2 adult lunches for tomorrow.  Don't be jealous.

Have a great week! 

 

Six on Sunday

I'm still getting used to this time change stuff.  It's only 7:15pm and yet it feels like about 10pm and I keep wondering why the girls are still up!  

1.  My weekend started off a little early with a Veterans Day celebration at the middles' school on Friday.  This is the fourth year my dad has participated so it has definitely become a tradition for our family.  I took the day off work and spent the morning at the school.  When the celebration was over my parents and I headed out for a delicious lunch at Spin.  It was a great way to spend the morning!

Since the event means so much to my family I joined the committee that puts on the celebration.  My part was small but still fun.  Of course I left these until the last minute and practically hot glued my fingers together but it all worked out!

And with that I'd like to thank all military personnel who may read this blog entry.  For those past and current veterans, thank you so much for everything you do for our country.  We are truly blessed here in the U.S.A.  

2.  Moving on...the weather this weekend was fabulous!  I'm talking low 60s yesterday and upper 50s today.  Even though I had two projects I was working on, I couldn't let the day get away from me.  So yesterday afternoon my four girls, their two cousins, and one neighborhood friend all walked up to Sonic for Happy Hour.  We must have looked like a circus but it was really fun!

3.  The Husker game yesterday.  What can I say?  Unexpectedly fantastic!  It was so fun to watch Nebraska win.  I only caught bits and pieces and the last 10 minutes but it was great!  You know what makes it even better?  The win yesterday got us a 2:30pm game next Saturday rather than the early 11am game.  And we are going to be there!!!!  Yeah, baby, we are headed to Lincoln next Friday afternoon.  I am so excited to see my girlfriends again I can hardly wait!  

Thank goodness for our parents.  The hubby's mom and dad are driving from Houston via Dallas to our house to watch the girls for the weekend.  We are so lucky to have such great parents who are willing to watch our kids!

4.  I started two projects this weekend because our weekend was FREE.  No soccer games, no swim meets, nothing.  I had a newborn photo shoot this morning but that was IT!  And my niece and nephew were here for the weekend but what are two extra kids when you already have four?!  Exactly.

I painted my china hutch about a year ago.  I used white chalk paint because everyone in the blogosphere rants and raves about it.  And I figured if I could get away without sanding the hutch, awesome!  Well, not so awesome.  After FOUR coats of paint, the stain still bled through.  When I called to ask about it the lady told me it doesn't work on some furniture made in the 1940s.  Not good.  I couldn't bear to paint it AGAIN so I just put it to use.  This weekend I decided to rectify the situation.  I primed it with shellac primer.  Now I need to paint it with my trusty Rustoleum glossy white.  I also made new shelves for the inside because the existing shelves bowed so badly.  I'm excited to finish it because I think it will look great!

I also decided to pull up the tops I had on my cabinets in the family room.  I made those cabinets years ago and put an MDF top on them.  The top was fine but I've been itching to upgrade for awhile.  I decided they would look great with a chunky, dark top.  So I cut 3 2x10s to length, screwed them together, and put them on top of each cabinet.  I've sanded them but I haven't stained them yet.  The hubby is very skeptical but what does he know?!  If he can't see a picture he doesn't like it.  He usually comes around.  I'm betting he will this time, too.  Here is a (crappy nighttime iPhone) progress shot:

While I'm staining the top I'll fix up the doors and caulk the seams.  I want it done in time for Christmas decorations.  I think it's going to look cool!

5.  I had a newborn photo shoot this morning.  Do you remember this wedding?  Well, Connor is their new baby boy!

Cute, yes?!

6.  I'm excited to watch The Good Wife tonight.  I love that show and Sunday night is the one night that I regularly take the time to sit down and watch a full hour of TV.  I also like Parenthood, Project Runway, and Nashville, but sometimes I forget to watch them.  We generally watch The Voice and The Biggest Loser as a family.  So all in all, not a ton of TV.

And that's it!  I hope you all have a great week. 

Project Life Weeks 35 and 36

Welcome to Project Life.  Of course I am still playing catch-up so I am going to feature two weeks again.

Week 35:  August 26 - September 1

Full spread:

Left side:

 

I couldn't help putting in this little snippet about my paint stash.  It's just so me!

And #3 was so proud of her Bucket Slip:

Right side:

Admittedly, the whole right side highighted our last trip to the lake for the season.  

I just kept it simple this week and feel like it's all good.  Sometimes I feel like playing around sometimes I don't!

Moving on to Week 36:  September 2 - 8

Full spread:

Left side:

It's really strange to be blogging about what happened on Labor Day here on the 6th day of November.  Clearly I need to get caught up.  ASAP.

Ahhhh...I can almost smell the chorine!  

 

Right side:

I included a cute little notecard I rec'd in the mail:

 

I enjoyed typing on the "white space" of the picture below.  Such an easy way to tell a small story.

And there you have it!  Two more weeks of Project Life.  

Six on Sunday

It's November!  And yes, I'm gearing up for Christmas already.  I can't wait.  But, enough chit chat.  Let's get started...

1.  #2 broke her wrist yesterday.  The exact same fracture her sister had two summers ago.  That's why I knew IMMEDIATELY it was broken.  

The second half of the first soccer game in the tournament had just started.  #2 plays defender - and rather aggressively, I might add.  She is not afraid of the soccer ball or other players.  She was racing the other team's forward to block the other girl from taking a shot.  Well, as happens, they both went after the ball and fell in a heep on the ground.  Typical.  Except #2 didn't get up right away.  Well, she did and then she took a knee.  I thought her hand had been stepped on so I wasn't too worried.  Except she didn't return to the game the whole second half.  Usually she can shake something off if she's hurt.  But she was injured.  Not good.  (Tangent:  Isn't that from a movie?  "Are you hurt or are you injured?!")  

Since the hubby and I had driven separate cars to the game, I gathered the littles and headed home.  The hubby and #2 were close behind.  As soon as she walked in the door and told me how she had fallen on her hand (her hand was bent back and then she fell on it), I knew.  It was broken.  We headed to Children's Mercy South ER (because last time we went to Urgent Care and it was a nightmare).  We were in and out in an hour and a half, tops, with a buckle fracture diagnosis.  And a massive splint and sling.

Bummer.  She LOVES soccer.  And she couldn't play the last two games.  Unfortunately, her great friend and teammate is also suffering a broken bone (foot) so they warmed the bench together for last night's game and this morning's game.  That left their poor teammates with only one sub.  One.  Uno.  That's rough.

But the girls were troopers and so were the parents and siblings.  Check out #3 and #4 from this morning's game:

Yep.  It was cold.

And that is the story of the broken wrist.  Thankfully, she's in good spirits, not much pain, and outdoor soccer is over for the season.  She'll miss a little futsol but she'll survive.  

2.  I told you #1 got braces last week but didn't have a good picture to show you.  I rectified the situation because I needed a photo for Project Life.  So here she is.  I think she looks cute!

(Her forehead really isn't that big.  The damn iPhone distorts images when close-up.)

3.  Today was fabulous.  The hubby took #1 to her swim meet this morning.  She had a great meet this weekend and dropped a lot of time.  I think she picked up another "A" time, too.  Sweet!  The best part about it?  She really doesn't even realize what she's accomplished.  

Meanwhile, I took the three girls to #2's soccer game, out for Dunkin Donuts, and then back home where my sister met us with her two kids.  Grant and Sydney hung out with us for the day.  And oh my goodness did the kids play hard.  They were outside nearly ALL DAY!  

Meanwhile, I cooked up a storm!  I made a chicken in the crockpot last night and then made chicken stock overnight.  I used that chicken stock to make homemade chicken noodle soup.  We had it for lunch and then I froze 6 individual servings (in pint jars) to re-heat for the girls' lunches.  I also made zucchini muffins from all natural ingredients which the kids devoured.  (I froze some for lunches, too.)  I made homemade granola that is DELICIOUS!  I mean seriously, to die for.  #1 is going to try it with milk tomorrow for breakfast.  It's that good.  I also made meatballs and spaghetti.  I gave some to my sister to heat up this week, we ate it for dinner, and I froze some sauce for the girls' lunch.  Can you believe it?!  That was a ton of work but I really enjoyed myself.  

I also managed to drop #4 off at a friend's house for a playdate and take #2 shopping for some elastic waisted pants.  Productive, no?!

4.  I can't get enough of the gorgeous fall leaves this year.  I don't remember the colors lasting for so long in years past?  I could just have a faulty memory but whatever - I love it!  I keep taking pictures of the leaves with my iPhone!

5.  Halloween.  I am so sad I wasn't able to capture a shot of my girls all at once, but it just didn't happen.  #2 had soccer practice from 4-5 and then went over to a friend's house for dinner and trick-or-treating.  Meanwhile, #1 had swim practice from 5-6 and then went trick-or-treating with a friend.  Meanwhile AGAIN, #3 and #4 went trick-or-treating with their friend down the street about 6:15.  So literally, the kids were not all in the house AND dressed up at the same time.  Sad...

BUT...they all had a blast!  And that makes it all worth it.

#1 was Flo, the Progressive lady.  Since it was dark out, I wasn't able to get a great shot but trust me.  She looked awesome!

#2, never one to shy away from a challenge, was half skeleton and half goth girl.  I don't know WHERE she comes up with this stuff!

Clearly I don't need to point out which one she was!

#3 was a Dark Countess and #4 was a princess.  They had so much fun trick-or-treating and stayed out until 8pm which I thought was really good!  It didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Since the little girls were already in bed when the big girls got home, they sorted and traded their candy on Friday night.  It was so fun watching the four of them!

I love watching the girls at these ages.  They are so fun and such great sisters to each other!

6.  Last Halloween couldn't have been any more of the polar opposite to this Halloween.  We were dealt a devestating blow that took the wind out of our sails and literally stopped us in our tracks.  But this Halloween?  That news (which is not mine to discuss) has not had the impact/effect we feared.  And right now life is so sweet and for that we are incredibly humbled and blessed.  May it continue...