What's Tutti Frutti Pink, Black and Zebra All Over?

Why, it's Teagan's new bedroom of course! Now that she's almost 9 it was time to update her room. The room was still the same as when we moved in; minus a few minor cosmetic changes. In the planning stages we discussed quite a few colors. Should we paint each wall a different color? If so, pink, teal, purple and green got the thumbs up. What if we did ALL the walls pink? Would it be too much?

Then inspiration hit! In the size of a sleep eye covering Teagan decided that pink, black and zebra would be absolutely perfect. Hmmmmm, black?! I then turned to Google and searched "Pink and Black Zebra Bedroom" and I found a perfect match. We found a room online that gave me (as mom) the confidence that a black wall wouldn't be too bad!

First stop, Ace True Value to rent a steamer. We had to empty the room and get that stubborn wallpaper border off first.

Then it was time to get that Tutti Frutti and black on the walls! It was a weekend project but so much fun to do with Ryan. I did some edging while Ryan was the paint roller extraordinaire!

Here are the two colors coming together. Not too bad!

And now it's time to put the room back together. SHHHHH - Teagan is sleeping in Nolan's room and won't see it until morning.

She loves it!  And to think an eyepatch was all it took for this inspiration!

I love your new room, baby my growing girl! I hope you continue to have the sweetest dreams each and every night. And remember, I love you to the moon and back!

And onto us a Fish was Born!

Time flies when you're having fun! First of all I cannot believe that my little boy is knocking on the door of turning three. In some respects he's such a big boy and has learned so much and in other ways he's still my little cuddle bug boy. He still grabs me in a big bear hug and in the most caring voice says 'I LOVE you!' It's the most heart-warming moment for me as a mom.

Another special moment happened just last weekend. This little guy is now in swim class all by himself. An adult (Ryan) no longer needs to be in the pool with him. This is what I love about this little guy - he has a GO FOR IT attitude and has the confidence to plop himself down in the pool and show exactly what he can do. Take a look...

Way to go Nolan! You're a rock star in the pool and I love you to the moon and back!

WANTED...One Giant Bubble

Today's headlines:

Deadly Flu Charging Across the Nation

Had a flu shot? You'll be OK - Maybe

Flu: Saving your child's life

Flu deaths increasing in children

How does a parent NOT panic when all you hear are these headlines? You really have to dig deep to finally come up with a few that provide some, not much, but some comfort.

Cases down in some areas

But for me, it's just not comforting enough so I am here to admit....

I am THAT mom.

My headline wasn't a joke. If they sold bubbles I'd likely be one of the first few in line. I know there are others worse than I am but I have resorted to even having Teagan skip gymnastics and other sports where the facilities are just a bit too close for comfort. And this weekend? Yup, we're having a stay at home weekend! No playdates and limited shopping excursions. See? Told you I was THAT mom. :)

It seems to be such a fine line between just a cold or mild flu to the full blown flu curse. All the news stories talk of the quick attack and demise of the immune system. So I'm on alert and armed with lots of vitamin C, Zinc gummy bears, hand sanitizer and Clorox Wipes.

We will stay healthy! We will stay healthy!

Cheers to you and your health! 

a votre santé

Happy New Year!

So, it's 2013 - aren't we supposed to be riding in hover crafts by now? Geez technology - keep up, will ya!

Now that I have that off my chest I think I'm back to blogging for 2013. In 2012 my project was a picture per day on Facebook (366). It was a picture that represented our day. It did start to get a bit repetitive after the first month but I finished my project and now I need a new one. While I liked the picture a day, I much prefer being able to tell a story to go along with it; so, I'm back here.

My Mission:

I've decided to blog at least once per week. I still feel like it's a great place to leave our family legacy. I do need to spruce it up a bit though. I don't have many followers....hellooooooo out there? Hellooooo out there?

echo, echo, echo.....

I can and I WILL do this and as I spruce up our family blog I will start to invite family and friends to check us out. So, if you are stopping by to read this - leave us a note. We'd love to know you were here!!

I hope 2013 is an amazing year for us and for YOU! And when you get the chance to sit it out, or dance...I Hope you Dance!

-Danielle

Ode to Santa

Christmas had come and gone and we spent weeks singing Christmas songs with Nolan and Teagan. We also told so many Christmas stories, but it wasn't until after Christmas that Nolan sat in his carseat and whispered his little poem about Santa. It was so precious I had him repeat it over and over. I finally was able to get it on video although he didn't do all the hand motions - it still warms my heart!!
When Santa comes to my house
I like to take a peek.
But he will never come again,
Until I'm fast asleep.

See, told you it was cute!

Posted with Blogsy

Trick or Treat Disney Style!

Wooooohoooo!!! Guess what time it is? If you guess MEA week, you'd be right! But if you also guessed it was time to go to Disney you'd be SOOOOOOOO right!

We're ready! Baggage....check!

Sand and surf.....check!

Army men and broken elevators....check!

Popcorn with Gaston....check!



And tons of Mickey's Not so Scary FUN....check!

We had a great trip with Grammy and Grampy! You can check the rest of the MILLIONS of pictures here:

http://www.phanfare.com/rss/media/1177437_1_5803459_cbfaf0cf


We can't wait to go back! Trick or Treating is one of our most favorite times to go! Nolan loved every minutes of it and you can tell that he's really getting bigger. He can ride more rides, he knows the characters and he is totally a Disney fan. Just more proof that God knew what he was doing when he gave us this little dude. Teagan, of course is a Disney Pro and she loved slaying the villians in the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game. She was so good she made it to gold level during this trip. My kids ROCK!

We can't wait to go back in May! See you real soon!

Teagan's first day of 3rd grade!

It was a beautiful day in Minnesota! The sun was shining, the birds where chirping and all over the neighborhood you heard kids grumbling about their alarms going off. We have to go where...?!

Yes, you guessed it - it's the first day of school. There were no grumblings in our house. Teagan was SO excited to get up and get going on this first day of third grade. Actually, Nolan grumbled a bit because he was going to miss having his big sister at daycare with him. They had a super fun summer together.

Anyway, this young lady was up and dressed almost before we were. She just couldn't wait!

I didn't realize how monsterous the flowers had gotten until I saw this picture. Really, she's growing...believe me when I say this!

Here are the annual pictures at the rock. Another year begins again...

We need to get pictures too. I wonder how long it will last that she still let's us take these pictures. I'm hoping for well into college years! :)  Who wants to place bets on that one?

Off we go - to Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science aka CBPA!

Grade 3
Mrs. Kim Entinger
Friends she knows in class: Jack Bickford and Mia Blanchette

I bet she'll make a bunch more friends by the time the year is through. Have a great year baby girl! When you get the chance to sit it out, or dance....we hope you dance!!