tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34671394293846478162024-03-26T23:38:12.191-07:00O ChickadeeThings to love for moms and non-moms. Home ideas, design ideas, small and lovely trinkets, large and grand home furnishings, special things to covet...Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-91895815091549447002015-05-18T05:27:00.000-07:002015-05-18T05:27:41.693-07:00O Chickadee Has Moved!We did it! We've moved! O Chickadee is now live at our new (and easier to remember!) domain:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ochickadee.com/">www.ochickadee.com</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh how I hope you'll come visit me there, and stay awhile to see all the new things we've built for you. I promise- it's going to be fun!</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-67508890551007150132015-05-11T03:40:00.002-07:002015-05-11T03:40:45.651-07:00The Learning Tower by Little Partners<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWVQeYb_sW3V4crS4i3xKw9xiAChFqnPNoA5-YP6l1RkaDHWXsNEMHJgOk_y8FEec_LbWVnpGgea4PeNYmJ7HBkLUWvm6bvVrplTCkhEQM6NS0QUfCFJ7gMxMXXdn19ZMIgnC0Qprba0/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWVQeYb_sW3V4crS4i3xKw9xiAChFqnPNoA5-YP6l1RkaDHWXsNEMHJgOk_y8FEec_LbWVnpGgea4PeNYmJ7HBkLUWvm6bvVrplTCkhEQM6NS0QUfCFJ7gMxMXXdn19ZMIgnC0Qprba0/s400/IMG_5305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Did you have a wonderful weekend? I sure did. We are finally experiencing some beautiful weather, so we spent both days outside playing in the sprinkler. So much fun.<br />
<br />
Today I am excited to finally share with you something that I've been enjoying for a few years now. I hope you'll like it as much as we do.<br />
<br />
I am constantly being told that our boys are surprisingly good at cooking and food preparation overall. As a family, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and the boys are always right in the middle of the action. I love how this effects our family. The boys try new foods, learn how to prepare healthy food, and are tremendous bakers. We also find it helps their math skills too. And it means that when they want lunch, both boys are perfectly comfortable making their own sandwiches. A win for everyone.<br />
<br />
But a big part of what makes getting our kids involved in the kitchen is our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Partners-Adjustable-Construction-Satisfaction/dp/B001ECHXVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431340048&sr=8-1&keywords=learning+tower" target="_blank">Learning Tower, by Little Partners</a>. Basically, the Learning Tower helps our boys safely stand at counter height so they can cook with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2MNpYpAezYBIqDNvjpnuXUU8IZ-ud48ggFGoJOAfg811PmuyZvQTj31NBBgD621umysdAQpEfdEFKbDW6QNoEg9YeQSIUSgFO8Fbe0rHzyWa_IuwDkxzeUZles_N-ZiFTf1SO4PZx0g/s1600/IMG_5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2MNpYpAezYBIqDNvjpnuXUU8IZ-ud48ggFGoJOAfg811PmuyZvQTj31NBBgD621umysdAQpEfdEFKbDW6QNoEg9YeQSIUSgFO8Fbe0rHzyWa_IuwDkxzeUZles_N-ZiFTf1SO4PZx0g/s400/IMG_5306.JPG" width="266" /></a>\</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg7mxPj7rEvtHzMql2CMV5QRYEf5R-eKGBUyWfozuheCaG6oRYNFsY6rdv0kFcnjy8cmXk4Db89Jc6R6B-61whjjy_VqHogiQqEjWJ8agS3Zbbj3DdVemvKOm7CkfqfijYZE3fOFGeF4/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg7mxPj7rEvtHzMql2CMV5QRYEf5R-eKGBUyWfozuheCaG6oRYNFsY6rdv0kFcnjy8cmXk4Db89Jc6R6B-61whjjy_VqHogiQqEjWJ8agS3Zbbj3DdVemvKOm7CkfqfijYZE3fOFGeF4/s400/IMG_5302.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
It's easy for the boys to climb into, and it fits both of them comfortably. It is completely sturdy, so Zach and I don't have to worry about them tipping over the way we would with a stool or a chair.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy12kL9Wq_1Qiam-iXcyO-WK3dTIvMHajTSrY3EtvjZRRpByNZIGEF_milya2Mkgx6nf7pAswtmIwhk_JDheCFqD_kvwvmKy6yoDTKpx-t2q9x21O_pT-GRgmI-A4rwtEMw0s0ljoUpSc/s1600/IMG_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy12kL9Wq_1Qiam-iXcyO-WK3dTIvMHajTSrY3EtvjZRRpByNZIGEF_milya2Mkgx6nf7pAswtmIwhk_JDheCFqD_kvwvmKy6yoDTKpx-t2q9x21O_pT-GRgmI-A4rwtEMw0s0ljoUpSc/s400/IMG_5318.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
It does have some cons. It is big. Like really big. It doesn't fold up, so you're pretty much stuck with it. And it is not very easy to move. But in our opinion, it is still totally worth it, since it is such a big part of encouraging our boys to get involved in the kitchen. It is well-made and smartly designed.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in getting your little ones involved in the kitchen, check it out!<br />
<br />Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-89098749074073734172015-05-04T03:20:00.000-07:002015-05-04T03:20:05.091-07:00Mother's Day Gift Idea: Storypeople<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l4iZOdUXZ76YMyZ-WKkvsXOPW16aiUYVgraOG0yuYHtJS3nkwxRMNQRjf_KcmEH4d1V3bR_HV63oWIeBWwYmWKsI-7wS0ZaBfKZImeNdJLuSZijGPVZVA6V5EHGHdYXP98r-SVJ7ZqY/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l4iZOdUXZ76YMyZ-WKkvsXOPW16aiUYVgraOG0yuYHtJS3nkwxRMNQRjf_KcmEH4d1V3bR_HV63oWIeBWwYmWKsI-7wS0ZaBfKZImeNdJLuSZijGPVZVA6V5EHGHdYXP98r-SVJ7ZqY/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76zrT7GhEEUiFUujuK1LkJNtdSTL8Ru53oPMJVBeak0bl2KTEglPpoTQb5tlkP2dn5rR_W9eoKUl9K-HAVqRi2soQOPR_1fLBdkuCTvvaAxSDSZi3rkVxz0j6W-DM-0n4WZvqN4NGuyo/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76zrT7GhEEUiFUujuK1LkJNtdSTL8Ru53oPMJVBeak0bl2KTEglPpoTQb5tlkP2dn5rR_W9eoKUl9K-HAVqRi2soQOPR_1fLBdkuCTvvaAxSDSZi3rkVxz0j6W-DM-0n4WZvqN4NGuyo/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
Even though we've been home from our vacation for a week now, I still can't get enough of these sweet faces. Now that spring has sprung, I feel like I am getting to see them in a completely new environment, where their imaginations take them outside for hours, and they come home rosy and sweaty and flushed and dirty... exactly as happy little boys should be. Needless to say, it's been a good week of mothering my boys.<br />
<br />
Speaking of mothering, how is your Mother's Day shopping going? Any really special gifts out there?This week I'll be sharing a few of my favorite ideas for Mother's Day.<br />
<br />
And I'll start off by saying that it boggles my mind that in the five-ish years I've been blogging, I haven't once yet talked about <a href="http://www.storypeople.com/" target="_blank">Storypeople by Bryan Andreas</a>. Storypeople is yet another art company my sister, Lissa, introduced me to (way back in high school!), and it has been a stand-by ever since. <a href="http://shop.storypeople.com/collections/prints" target="_blank">Storypeople prints</a> were the gift I gave to my bridesmaids as a thank you when I got married, with a perfectly chosen story for each woman. I've sent <a href="http://shop.storypeople.com/collections/greeting-cards" target="_blank">Storypeople greeting cards</a>. And among the most beautiful gifts I've ever received from Zach is this <a href="http://shop.storypeople.com/collections/sculptures" target="_blank">Storypeople sculpture</a>, which hangs in our bedroom and makes me weepy every time I read it, because truly, Zach loves me so well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_y6IvvqH5rzNfG4zWBg053f0laANXBQiKwY872-NEKK16heXkObc8kRpw7Qj4bg202mqlWa-I38t8-s7io2VSRbNzeo9qo0SrY08mM64SzGgdd_4IvUbkgJBTHYLqZsIeWPrz_wRgEs/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_y6IvvqH5rzNfG4zWBg053f0laANXBQiKwY872-NEKK16heXkObc8kRpw7Qj4bg202mqlWa-I38t8-s7io2VSRbNzeo9qo0SrY08mM64SzGgdd_4IvUbkgJBTHYLqZsIeWPrz_wRgEs/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGpghz8cb7WJCYwHIY4jPy6w14DiiLUxSV7rDQV_bZCJknPIMDx1lwNfIPUiivtrgYUWOnWqMDZoSyi_yZec3sULdLMs0noxoSle3AlpNpHkPm8s8QQWgz-0L2qHhjm3K5SlIUE0S080/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGpghz8cb7WJCYwHIY4jPy6w14DiiLUxSV7rDQV_bZCJknPIMDx1lwNfIPUiivtrgYUWOnWqMDZoSyi_yZec3sULdLMs0noxoSle3AlpNpHkPm8s8QQWgz-0L2qHhjm3K5SlIUE0S080/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I even have a Storypeople print hanging in the boys' room, one that was gifted to Tate when he was a baby:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ea76CoqoIFEwlcl0A41bXh1UzBRCzRfnXc2h-Oj3Pto6BKPNDjNNpNTLFqTtst95EZmH6Yx6EnvZVG1-BU9y4Ber_jvOUQH9ZdiWU-Ak1gj4_rHhfimZu-2-79z31WL0Oa1zXFhd6kc/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ea76CoqoIFEwlcl0A41bXh1UzBRCzRfnXc2h-Oj3Pto6BKPNDjNNpNTLFqTtst95EZmH6Yx6EnvZVG1-BU9y4Ber_jvOUQH9ZdiWU-Ak1gj4_rHhfimZu-2-79z31WL0Oa1zXFhd6kc/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40WUebvC7zBdPglIH-kGM2coPgCgiSfwHrQLjEQCsw9pqRBrFlzIwXnKl0WaP-i_Y_Eb8P7K4h9KojUO_oPLhdK8wVDJyODW8hk_0gYl1-jiLTxqWntx12snvFBs_PotuzhJsoA97dpo/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40WUebvC7zBdPglIH-kGM2coPgCgiSfwHrQLjEQCsw9pqRBrFlzIwXnKl0WaP-i_Y_Eb8P7K4h9KojUO_oPLhdK8wVDJyODW8hk_0gYl1-jiLTxqWntx12snvFBs_PotuzhJsoA97dpo/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So here's the thing about the Storypeople stories. They aren't really stories, per se. They are more like short, beautiful sentiments that are evocative enough to tell an entire story. And they are beautiful.<br />
<br />
There are so many perfect stories for mothers. Here are a few I might choose for my mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, or other important women in my life:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpczHLfZWiylkhpWjJamPXgXe_6Q2eeXr03Tgtbn4LaglR926zwSngnwjdY7X3x6E1f9QOr0zDiOs9GvnZ2YWqJvOPR9AswTumMck61S5UDcJCSPKWluA-a8Pte7xSgISAr9G4fNv6o0/s1600/beingTogetherBubPrLg_3f48d4da-ddf8-492e-a11e-ff4f320f0ffb_1024x1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpczHLfZWiylkhpWjJamPXgXe_6Q2eeXr03Tgtbn4LaglR926zwSngnwjdY7X3x6E1f9QOr0zDiOs9GvnZ2YWqJvOPR9AswTumMck61S5UDcJCSPKWluA-a8Pte7xSgISAr9G4fNv6o0/s1600/beingTogetherBubPrLg_3f48d4da-ddf8-492e-a11e-ff4f320f0ffb_1024x1024.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I don't know who we'll become in the days ahead. I only know the quiet voice in my heart that says we'll become it together.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwevpeF8iWhV7f-Cb1E6HIRHKXlxVGX9ST9Q1LeH7C8sXvWamfOsEzlzRlvoRhMk_DSNhGfBFD2Gp3lgny5y6SYvolGyP-xEZhjznyJrby0DiML-LlqNn5kG4DKlLq7d2Yoh4dvDSxuY/s1600/perfectWorldYou11x14_1024x1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwevpeF8iWhV7f-Cb1E6HIRHKXlxVGX9ST9Q1LeH7C8sXvWamfOsEzlzRlvoRhMk_DSNhGfBFD2Gp3lgny5y6SYvolGyP-xEZhjznyJrby0DiML-LlqNn5kG4DKlLq7d2Yoh4dvDSxuY/s1600/perfectWorldYou11x14_1024x1024.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I will always remember the way you'd laugh & clap your hands watching us play & then later, before bed, you'd gather in your arms & whisper, Have you ever seen a world so perfect?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELNTkWpB33r9nyvcG09LTjZVf_CSsUj4z0U6IZ7wHV7Ulk48kDL8BT8hWe35xdDmmTa7n9sUwYIl395vQ0rw8Ihxvq38NhOgnUOSN8hCzw_kgA1xWOBqc7uuM6j4u5o-Ilwv3y1csItA/s1600/reasonWhyReLG_1024x1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELNTkWpB33r9nyvcG09LTjZVf_CSsUj4z0U6IZ7wHV7Ulk48kDL8BT8hWe35xdDmmTa7n9sUwYIl395vQ0rw8Ihxvq38NhOgnUOSN8hCzw_kgA1xWOBqc7uuM6j4u5o-Ilwv3y1csItA/s1600/reasonWhyReLG_1024x1024.jpeg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>because you remind me of everything there is in this world to love</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kM-QeiOQjVSOXdmo1egFNbrtzVkH3mKpmeuWuAy5ZXQVE58cVVDq4pVs02lLMTEmOIIH2S_51XeVwtqztQp7d3urPE9sWkFZe8uDTuDf4ZWgD9aJNhO38QdQbtjy5pp-oTB9al7_Gas/s1600/trueMapShLg_1024x1024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kM-QeiOQjVSOXdmo1egFNbrtzVkH3mKpmeuWuAy5ZXQVE58cVVDq4pVs02lLMTEmOIIH2S_51XeVwtqztQp7d3urPE9sWkFZe8uDTuDf4ZWgD9aJNhO38QdQbtjy5pp-oTB9al7_Gas/s1600/trueMapShLg_1024x1024.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There is no one who comes here that does not know this is a true map of the world, with you there in the center, making home for us all.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't you think these are all such beautiful sentiments? And one of the great things about the Storypeople website is that they make it so easy to find the perfect story- you can search by keyword, by celebration, by event or theme... all helping ensure you find the perfect gift that reflects your own story, and those of the people you love.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">photos #7-#10 from <a href="http://shop.storypeople.com/" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
<br />Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-66622537992553318102015-04-27T18:54:00.001-07:002015-04-27T18:54:25.223-07:00Rave: THE Best Bathing Suit for Moms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwt4qGw7172ldkFrVdZ2toPudoIVCGr8l6qjUbnSOlEAm0LuMm7dpoiB2pj_UNf8GbnlBHzWB6gkCYrqUPXQ5iVC2qHmHyWB1T5gL1406QxoTQpGB6MI2Yqy7kESsTETtNYD9GHZdTf8/s1600/23716723_041_b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwt4qGw7172ldkFrVdZ2toPudoIVCGr8l6qjUbnSOlEAm0LuMm7dpoiB2pj_UNf8GbnlBHzWB6gkCYrqUPXQ5iVC2qHmHyWB1T5gL1406QxoTQpGB6MI2Yqy7kESsTETtNYD9GHZdTf8/s1600/23716723_041_b1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Well, I've done it so you don't have to. I spent an entire week in Jamaica snorkeling, swimming, and being lazy around the pool, and I can assure you that I endured this (really, suffering, I assure you) and can report back that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seafolly-Womens-Goddess-Boyleg-Swimsuit/dp/B007GB55N8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430184608&sr=8-1&keywords=seafolly+boyleg+maillot" target="_blank">Seafolly Boyleg Maillot bathing suit</a> really <i>is </i>the perfect bathing suit for moms whose bodies haven't quite bounced back from baby (or baby #2, as is my case).<br />
<br />
Did you read Drew Barrymore's recent quote about post-baby bodies. She said, "You feel like a kangaroo with a giant pouch; everything's saggy and weird." Ha! As if I couldn't love her anymore, she then says something equal parts hilarious and true.<br />
<br />
In particular, I've found that trying to lose weight and get in shape has been significantly more difficult the second time around. Not only does the weight seem harder to lose (and the pouch a little, well, <i>flabbier</i>), but I also feel like I have less time, less money, and significantly less inclination for working out. Combined with the terrible winter that never ended, and I have actually gained weight over the last 6 months. Sigh.<br />
<br />
So the idea of spending a week in a bathing suit, while appealing, did bring about some nerves. What would I possibly wear?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxbxUeDUi-mvZd_UvwWqTKdRzbGFLJnHTQB5McNNLoa5HIAOg5-c6z_EnhQOS3f1ducOOTAvjaZn_8WEAJZ9CIMiT0OK4jHnyeTBbDLMMDTZ2CT9PGeM_BPmZ_is-61MI1FEKYgj2A9Y/s1600/30124143_009_b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxbxUeDUi-mvZd_UvwWqTKdRzbGFLJnHTQB5McNNLoa5HIAOg5-c6z_EnhQOS3f1ducOOTAvjaZn_8WEAJZ9CIMiT0OK4jHnyeTBbDLMMDTZ2CT9PGeM_BPmZ_is-61MI1FEKYgj2A9Y/s1600/30124143_009_b1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Cue the <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/30124143.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS#/" target="_blank">Seafolly</a>. This bathing suit was made for me and my less-than-perfect body. There are so many reasons why I love it.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>It has the perfect boycut bottom. Not so long as to be matronly or too much like shorts, but enough to give you a little bit of butt coverage. (Also, not to overshare, but if you don't do an impeccable job of personal grooming in all your nether regions every day of your vacation, this design element was incredibly forgiving. Good news all around.)</li>
<li>It it made of super-soft and very high-quality fabric. It held me in and smoothed me out in all the right places, but wasn't overly tight or constricting. I never felt like it was sucking itself to my body, but always felt like it was molding my body (in a good way).</li>
<li>The ruching and seaming made the whole suit totally flattering. </li>
<li>The cups of the bra were actually real cups, not just inserts. I loved this design element because it felt like I was simultaneously lifted and shaped and yet still tucked in.</li>
<li>There was a slight retro-quality to the whole design, with the halter tie and the boyleg. This made me feel curvy and sexy instead of matronly, a hard job when you're wearing a one-piece in Jamaica.</li>
<li>The lining was black. I think this bears mentioning because I hate it when I'm wearing a dark bathing suit and it has a light lining so anytime a little bit of lining shows, it is totally obvious. The black lining prevented that from happening.</li>
</ol>
<div>
The price tag is a little high (just under $150) but I genuinely felt like it was totally worth it. And it comes in a variety of fun prints too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtjfT5D7e-z2ne88YqNvN01MCVlNXbKugOWKWHNw9sgJkP4HMeVEqoxKyg3A8Dekb7mSb9hfCTbESic0hduGE3x9jGwp6vUyh7tM52CT8xD91w12JBnpEY331I-YF7GkJERJ8phzrW8/s1600/29296753_009_b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtjfT5D7e-z2ne88YqNvN01MCVlNXbKugOWKWHNw9sgJkP4HMeVEqoxKyg3A8Dekb7mSb9hfCTbESic0hduGE3x9jGwp6vUyh7tM52CT8xD91w12JBnpEY331I-YF7GkJERJ8phzrW8/s1600/29296753_009_b1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSX7Pcxx1YZcGigkkxuleP00NSbl0YBpVuNjfrz3k0I8Bba8Se1LLmPWp_KBwsI4Swm08rhERaubp2MPbBA7aXBZ5ZjnG5o7C5DdwdIbWL5kicHnyp4XQlNkPdRRjb83O29NnR-XUqCQ/s1600/35071380_049_b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSX7Pcxx1YZcGigkkxuleP00NSbl0YBpVuNjfrz3k0I8Bba8Se1LLmPWp_KBwsI4Swm08rhERaubp2MPbBA7aXBZ5ZjnG5o7C5DdwdIbWL5kicHnyp4XQlNkPdRRjb83O29NnR-XUqCQ/s1600/35071380_049_b3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div>
Now go book a trip to the Caribbean and see for yourself!</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-80410698345312727992015-04-20T05:17:00.001-07:002015-04-20T05:17:50.489-07:00On Choosing a Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OiN53GI2cfYs9wp0eXKGjfx-9Yz1ZPpLb-TdFe85StQTG8vlgoqcBbJTRZwf6yCb1ToObVFJnHmGkLnWUtQsp5oGKXjyoobccUJ24AbYQTm2ywEhcEfHLawGABBo7sFbt-u-WdHtjJo/s1600/IMG_5448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OiN53GI2cfYs9wp0eXKGjfx-9Yz1ZPpLb-TdFe85StQTG8vlgoqcBbJTRZwf6yCb1ToObVFJnHmGkLnWUtQsp5oGKXjyoobccUJ24AbYQTm2ywEhcEfHLawGABBo7sFbt-u-WdHtjJo/s1600/IMG_5448.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
Now this is a view I could get used.<br />
<br />
Zach and I are in Jamaica. Have you been <a href="https://instagram.com/o_chickadee/" target="_blank">following along</a>? It's been a wonderful two days so far, made even more wonderful knowing that the boys are in the best possible hands- my mom flew in from California to watch them and spoil them by taking them to the park every day and letting them pack picnics and walking them to the ice-cream store. Needless to say, they are having a great time.<br />
<br />
So are Zach and I! We got massages yesterday and are drinking cucumber water and eating papaya and enjoying cocktails that are fresh and delicious. We have been getting 10+ hours of sleep a night (!!!!) and swimming in the most crystal-clear blue water you've ever seen and putting our feet in warm sand... all around, its been lovely. Especially after the winter we've had.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPKjsid9Q2ouL3uPujJTGuZx-RtiVTByZ4gmGfs7x1jzRHV50nA0cLd-YyuD6ddXaErUWlCv_V9OCuXeNzzdGAQyhyba1988imnmjZ_h7h6N_mY6m0AbFucQBwGjQb9tioUyS3duO77c/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPKjsid9Q2ouL3uPujJTGuZx-RtiVTByZ4gmGfs7x1jzRHV50nA0cLd-YyuD6ddXaErUWlCv_V9OCuXeNzzdGAQyhyba1988imnmjZ_h7h6N_mY6m0AbFucQBwGjQb9tioUyS3duO77c/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
But here's the thing. Deciding on this trip was really, really hard. Because we don't go on "big" vacations like this often (we really only go every 5 years, as a part of our anniversary celebration), there was a lot of pressure to choose the "perfect" vacation. It tooks us months (and months and months and months!) before we finally settled on Jamaica, because in many ways, this vacation does not feel like a vacation we would typically take.<br />
<br />
We're at a beautiful resort, but its a resort. Typically, when we travel, we like to stay in boutique hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts.<br />
<br />
We're in a different country, but in many ways, not- our plan is to stay mostly on the resort property, versus exploring the nooks and crannies and genuinely local culture of the place we're visiting.<br />
<br />
We're eating good food and drinking delicious drinks- but I had a burger for lunch yesterday, surely not a Jamaican specialty. And while the food is delicious, it is not central to our trip, which is typically the case for us.<br />
<br />
So Zach and I had to really think about what we wanted when we booked our trip. Did we want to go back to Spain, enjoying all it had to offer with amazing tapas and beautiful museums? Italy? Greece? All of these were on the table. But ultimately, we looked at each other and decided that what we most wanted was to relax. And to be warm. And that led us in a different direction. That led us to a resort in Jamaica where relaxation and warm weather are at the very center of our vacation.<br />
<br />
We spent some time talking about how this is the perfect trip for this point in our marriage. How, when we look back, we'll remember that we had just survived the longest winter. That between the two boys, neither of us had seen 10 hours of sleep a night in years. How lazily sitting around on our balcony, listening to the ocean and getting to talk, gave us opportunities to connect.<br />
<br />
All of which made us realize that like everything else in life, maybe vacations too should reflect the season of life we're in. I suspect that 5 years from now, when we plan our big trip for our 15th anniversary, we probably won't be celebrating it at a resort in Jamaica. But for right now, for this season of our life, this was the perfect trip, the perfect way to celebrate 10 years and settle in for another 40 or 50 more. With our toes in the sand.Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-48069157051269056012015-04-16T12:44:00.002-07:002015-04-16T12:44:43.115-07:00The Best Boys Shoes: See Kai Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k2Z14_CszupDbCF7vjvAZrSCMvn-PUq5y4SfrbjsPXnrsEpD5lvH-swIEM6vNR0BJQ72oIy1C-_PWHzzrKpp8o9VLnusKI84kLAUv0HEqZ-4VQypwm_LBW0Klih_5HhyphenhyphenoFHhGBBYX64/s1600/IMG_5429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k2Z14_CszupDbCF7vjvAZrSCMvn-PUq5y4SfrbjsPXnrsEpD5lvH-swIEM6vNR0BJQ72oIy1C-_PWHzzrKpp8o9VLnusKI84kLAUv0HEqZ-4VQypwm_LBW0Klih_5HhyphenhyphenoFHhGBBYX64/s1600/IMG_5429.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
This week has been so, so great. Not only is my mom here, but the weather has finally turned, and we've had two (two!) days above 70 degrees. The boys have been playing outside... the daffodils are in bloom... and life just feels easier and better and happier and brighter. Coming home on a sunny day to a glass of chilled white wine and sitting on the stoop watching your little ones play in the front yard is quite possibly the best way to spend an evening. It's been very happy-making.<br />
<br />
Add to this that Zach and I leave for Jamaica tomorrow (what? I haven't told you we're taking a trip to Jamaica?), and the anticipation of having uninterrupted alone time, long stretches of beach, rum-based cocktails and big feathery beds, all with endless opportunities to have long conversations, and I am one happy camper.<br />
<br />
As the weather has turned, it became quite obvious that my boys were in need of some new shoes. But the truth is this: My boys have wide feet. Wide enough that it can be very, very challenging to find shoes to fit them. Which is why I am always on the lookout for good-looking shoes that fit.<br />
<br />
Since Tate was little, I've been a huge fan of <a href="http://www.seekairun.com/" target="_blank">See Kai Run</a>. I find their shoes to be adorably boyish with great-looking details, bright colors, and best of all- they are wide!<br />
<br />
This weekend, we bought Ames the most adorable pair of bright red <a href="http://www.seekairun.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CODYS15RED" target="_blank">See Kai Run</a> sneakers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN2WWBy-6qvaoCR9TyIBBo7AxGrX1Ixei-m7ZawY57_yZJrxOs9tQZy9x9eWu5EXsRmNGlGkvlyFDSUXcQij2NnqldymUrr-99TMOd2tOgIiePfKVUTiCxaCQ4YeywgYrbd6t8Nrf1lk/s1600/IMG_5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN2WWBy-6qvaoCR9TyIBBo7AxGrX1Ixei-m7ZawY57_yZJrxOs9tQZy9x9eWu5EXsRmNGlGkvlyFDSUXcQij2NnqldymUrr-99TMOd2tOgIiePfKVUTiCxaCQ4YeywgYrbd6t8Nrf1lk/s1600/IMG_5407.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I love the striped lining and the gray accents, the wide and rounded rubber toe. I normally don't love the look of velcro shoes, but I think these are designed so well. Don't they look cute on Ames? His little feet and chubby ankles are just too much, aren't they?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabZgBZyyOwl7cDpVSq3fUIhYq7znkQyie0ymsemJXbhTE93Zo5h0ClPV1ZaomwEg4PnmUSwVF6heYozRCRs8vJk9hyphenhyphenjMc8oIY3Dj5KTmw-s_gzoe0ev2V8r9Icpc-0PL30RjZI-eEX4s/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabZgBZyyOwl7cDpVSq3fUIhYq7znkQyie0ymsemJXbhTE93Zo5h0ClPV1ZaomwEg4PnmUSwVF6heYozRCRs8vJk9hyphenhyphenjMc8oIY3Dj5KTmw-s_gzoe0ev2V8r9Icpc-0PL30RjZI-eEX4s/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhD4UWN4Do1JYFVwmVgOrEkSKopahVgNJq6trs17tGEvShpCV_mo314e23Qsc4DQtVBCJt7_DVPALizmJ9U9oTcnhvDiaUz7YoHjNPPU53AwdEE3CSzyq0-9ZE886t0I3qj6rDPEJWc/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhD4UWN4Do1JYFVwmVgOrEkSKopahVgNJq6trs17tGEvShpCV_mo314e23Qsc4DQtVBCJt7_DVPALizmJ9U9oTcnhvDiaUz7YoHjNPPU53AwdEE3CSzyq0-9ZE886t0I3qj6rDPEJWc/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
We also bought him a pair of the <a href="http://www.seekairun.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=JUDES15BROWN" target="_blank">brown Jude sandals</a>, perfect for more sunny days to come.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil04oXg1mFbMkMf2qwYxrEoWKiYGnqGsQ9ELzcZQ4TGvc-3DrN5FGEJKbDIhEkJWNf8Xl8Ie0BwdJV3Hl6H7uADERJzlhgkc7aEZFDaxT9EgFmoY6o4IXV7HrIwvppSY3C_IM746jgWDo/s1600/JUDES15BROWN_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil04oXg1mFbMkMf2qwYxrEoWKiYGnqGsQ9ELzcZQ4TGvc-3DrN5FGEJKbDIhEkJWNf8Xl8Ie0BwdJV3Hl6H7uADERJzlhgkc7aEZFDaxT9EgFmoY6o4IXV7HrIwvppSY3C_IM746jgWDo/s1600/JUDES15BROWN_1.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
I have a few things planned to share with you next week while we're in Jamaica, and will be sharing our trip on <a href="https://instagram.com/o_chickadee/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>- be sure to follow along for photos of white beaches and blue water!Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-63693664027526201702015-04-15T03:09:00.000-07:002015-04-15T03:09:24.522-07:00Hannah Bergen Heirlooms<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrytbH1p7iqHyepzS8kWzRQuaMxEFvShBCcxHTr4q8_oufvvdIXNFc5ZD4bj7X10UuZKYmIStk1KinPCNzWnwVgqW31R0tEvl4ozamJ1JHTCJcmC0O1yxhVSdhVZjHoLE4eaOgcaNAX8/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrytbH1p7iqHyepzS8kWzRQuaMxEFvShBCcxHTr4q8_oufvvdIXNFc5ZD4bj7X10UuZKYmIStk1KinPCNzWnwVgqW31R0tEvl4ozamJ1JHTCJcmC0O1yxhVSdhVZjHoLE4eaOgcaNAX8/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Growing up, every year I made the Christmas cookies with my Grandma and Papa. Grandma and I would make the pecan-based Italian wedding cookies, rolling them in confectioner's sugar twice, once hot right out of the oven, and again when cooled for a perfect, creamy, sweet finish. We'd make the spicy ginger cookies we called "Leah's cookies", although I never knew (and still don't know) exactly who Leah was. We made classic peanut butter blossoms, heating them up in the microwave for just a few seconds the next day to make the kiss melty all over again. Finally, after Grandma and I were finished, Papa and I would make a double-batch of the Italian biscotti, anise-flavored, twice-baked, and draped in a sweet anise-flavored glaze.<br />
<br />
By the end of our baking day, our feet would ache, but we would have stocked all my Grandma's cookie tins to the very brim. It is a wonderful memory.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DTOiG04aViG9S3zDzT0_UH0t9U_PWJaFU2dH8GLfCO-aWzYBT0bhJiczrMSHAwG-YEhXHMyRPGzk6nzGSucMVDW5_ot3SnmjUEyDdctt-DGS3msNBKDor4rp2Fltw41LvojIpvgDD6Q/s1600/IMG_5446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DTOiG04aViG9S3zDzT0_UH0t9U_PWJaFU2dH8GLfCO-aWzYBT0bhJiczrMSHAwG-YEhXHMyRPGzk6nzGSucMVDW5_ot3SnmjUEyDdctt-DGS3msNBKDor4rp2Fltw41LvojIpvgDD6Q/s1600/IMG_5446.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been thinking about these kinds of memories a lot lately, especially now that my Grandma has gotten older and we've all begun worrying more about her health. Which is why every time I see my antique nut grinder in my cupboard, the same one Grandma and I used over and over on our Christmas cookie baking days, I smile. Because this little nut grinder represents so many memories.<br />
<br />
So you can imagine how much I love <a href="http://hannahbergen.com/shop/kit/" target="_blank">Hannah Bergen's Heirloom Kit</a>. I think the idea of the kit is so beautiful. As the company puts it, the kit "holds everything you will need to record and save your family heirloom stories." This includes gorgeous heirloom tags that you can write the memories of your heirloom items on, Italian cotton ribbon to tie your tag to your most important heirlooms, and other items to inspire you to take your precious items and add your memories and stories.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ON_Hv27nCPemakcwvl57gKF_airBMQKPoFnDA0-MjZRfiNhmil1HLWRHVMNnCeBJryvD3I6XStdFoboyMiIkv4Ic98-qI8dQqeS2IGyZjzYRELAaL8YeYtYdXa8Dk0ImYwhDPeXkcYI/s1600/HB_Shop_Kit_Product_01-1p6iiqmp13svnly4wu2x2jlqlco3i1l1an7phu1hmhk4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ON_Hv27nCPemakcwvl57gKF_airBMQKPoFnDA0-MjZRfiNhmil1HLWRHVMNnCeBJryvD3I6XStdFoboyMiIkv4Ic98-qI8dQqeS2IGyZjzYRELAaL8YeYtYdXa8Dk0ImYwhDPeXkcYI/s1600/HB_Shop_Kit_Product_01-1p6iiqmp13svnly4wu2x2jlqlco3i1l1an7phu1hmhk4.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTjIt9H1vXYSZQEI_lbZALWpIz5PnwURtald9oJwn_3mf-_O105xw8X9JpQK99VVggFh3d-zOy2j74wMOA1FtcRt8Sn5ub0DYAJDDkiu5GZrpPL76X04cZnQHAd9FmTS00xZu3LapPd8/s1600/HannahBergen-Heirloom-1p6iix5ookdtc8gnkpwhsuyftuzx9hwy6visvt7t7a04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTjIt9H1vXYSZQEI_lbZALWpIz5PnwURtald9oJwn_3mf-_O105xw8X9JpQK99VVggFh3d-zOy2j74wMOA1FtcRt8Sn5ub0DYAJDDkiu5GZrpPL76X04cZnQHAd9FmTS00xZu3LapPd8/s1600/HannahBergen-Heirloom-1p6iix5ookdtc8gnkpwhsuyftuzx9hwy6visvt7t7a04.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LGwJ0b1ZTLs79TFkxHELE7JG2Q_ZvPHk87hhFk5-yNSQPzamR-mklOlJX6KcB-IEAZ2ZIdORsDwpn966MrW_7sxXdQvKxHF4Zh_MEqa7aVgDC7e6YgocFzEW1c5lC4pCFbhn1BGg7i8/s1600/HannahBergen-21-1p6iiwfkpyjhlhyli2d7hxp10wylyg3mjalki9b3wyuc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LGwJ0b1ZTLs79TFkxHELE7JG2Q_ZvPHk87hhFk5-yNSQPzamR-mklOlJX6KcB-IEAZ2ZIdORsDwpn966MrW_7sxXdQvKxHF4Zh_MEqa7aVgDC7e6YgocFzEW1c5lC4pCFbhn1BGg7i8/s1600/HannahBergen-21-1p6iiwfkpyjhlhyli2d7hxp10wylyg3mjalki9b3wyuc.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
I love the idea of asking Grandma to write (in her beautiful cursive handwriting!) a story of our baking together and attaching it to my nut grinder. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisJVh_gZL9kWHJUmZqwKjz2Tkq89hb9MmodiUNppRODHCr-pYI1yp-fiO0sh10OrBOUMVtxDRx45YrM8uHNAQrwzw-LlIBV2Ef2Lrg_AkVYUuOciZ-48zWzVVvBnLGWyHSisXz_PPqo8/s1600/IMG_5447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisJVh_gZL9kWHJUmZqwKjz2Tkq89hb9MmodiUNppRODHCr-pYI1yp-fiO0sh10OrBOUMVtxDRx45YrM8uHNAQrwzw-LlIBV2Ef2Lrg_AkVYUuOciZ-48zWzVVvBnLGWyHSisXz_PPqo8/s1600/IMG_5447.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
I can also imagine doing this with Zach's grandfather's pocketwatch, the cufflinks Zach wore at our wedding, and other important and meaningful items in our family. Part of the gift of this heirloom kit is, I think, in simply reminding us that items <i>do </i>have importance and meaning, and it is worthwhile to memorialize the stories that go along with them.Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-40213135093955820442015-04-14T03:49:00.002-07:002015-04-14T03:49:36.008-07:00Tate is Five: The Activities (Part Two)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKY9p9BlJWlZR3AwzUQAhu6AnwYm3HsHgGSsWVmDH0RaxYE4TktqGDKZLP0O34FTqFR2BTVdYPl2WEeEsIt1c6vhViwiPQ2nDHZsbZUTUwT6fkYL2hNq6uhJGpflxD2esd0hMTtkC2CM/s1600/IMG_5385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKY9p9BlJWlZR3AwzUQAhu6AnwYm3HsHgGSsWVmDH0RaxYE4TktqGDKZLP0O34FTqFR2BTVdYPl2WEeEsIt1c6vhViwiPQ2nDHZsbZUTUwT6fkYL2hNq6uhJGpflxD2esd0hMTtkC2CM/s1600/IMG_5385.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We left off yesterday with a handful of happy butterflies. In addition to decorating their masks, I wanted a few other hands-on activities that would add structure to the party and be a lot of fun for a group of pre-schoolers.<br />
<br />
Next on the list was decorating butterfly cookies. I set up a table with butterfly cookies, sprinkles, mini M&M's, and disposable piping bags filled with frosting. I thought that the set-up table looked so pretty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPHl5MX0QFOL9H9HIFCnCh1ymtnO3g4KNoZirJgsIJKU6yeqb0bgtVslm4Li97_44fZw9Vr1bVEjQSZngA5LX3bM2mYOjdjzrbNVS0upFtW4X2eW6tehYonqIYBH7NNm6CN96P_Gd3Xw/s1600/IMG_5337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPHl5MX0QFOL9H9HIFCnCh1ymtnO3g4KNoZirJgsIJKU6yeqb0bgtVslm4Li97_44fZw9Vr1bVEjQSZngA5LX3bM2mYOjdjzrbNVS0upFtW4X2eW6tehYonqIYBH7NNm6CN96P_Gd3Xw/s1600/IMG_5337.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MIYpEYdchkg6zExjW2WL6zlydokVi7_dFV8seBioLflNkyBxvO6OtDlR9Nwx8FyjInDLFAAJ1ml277lzRikyf1yPzmkVOe5LgHF9J8lgvDn2uQMAuIyd4CcyAyA0x9ygXMot8YThqIY/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MIYpEYdchkg6zExjW2WL6zlydokVi7_dFV8seBioLflNkyBxvO6OtDlR9Nwx8FyjInDLFAAJ1ml277lzRikyf1yPzmkVOe5LgHF9J8lgvDn2uQMAuIyd4CcyAyA0x9ygXMot8YThqIY/s1600/IMG_5339.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wzYBo0Rl-V2ICpaScz6dzgAHXXvTI65MIs0IsAJBHM_QEuPndGE5Fryhm8ypsJMMMmynfOs23uTxvjDv3B611BH00zfmq_W9bjhA8qjzJ6DjwTRyRM7T14M0mdi5ssRZh0OYTGMrFeg/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wzYBo0Rl-V2ICpaScz6dzgAHXXvTI65MIs0IsAJBHM_QEuPndGE5Fryhm8ypsJMMMmynfOs23uTxvjDv3B611BH00zfmq_W9bjhA8qjzJ6DjwTRyRM7T14M0mdi5ssRZh0OYTGMrFeg/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I made the cookies the night before. One great pro tip: If you're doing art or cookie stations like I did, set everything up on individual paper plates. It not only helps the kids figure out where to sit, but it also gives them a vehicle for taking their treats home, and for artwork to dry on. You can even write their name on the plate when they sit down so no one loses track of which cookie is theirs.<br />
<br />
The kids made a huge mess with this activity (and consumed a ton of frosting), but it was really fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wbKdL3Y8NVzQXZYrMP4XUaeSsPNwA2ou0ff8t3FjoLsG81ysSIeTrZ1LUwlfUS2HxFB7LTPmhxagRYr2M0a78MyYlTkgHvNF55kV5kLlYX4z5fB9clmQo1jE9NRez53hbQ1-F-DWyPU/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wbKdL3Y8NVzQXZYrMP4XUaeSsPNwA2ou0ff8t3FjoLsG81ysSIeTrZ1LUwlfUS2HxFB7LTPmhxagRYr2M0a78MyYlTkgHvNF55kV5kLlYX4z5fB9clmQo1jE9NRez53hbQ1-F-DWyPU/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH5IU-M119ElVybdx5qhS6Np1WhsjgI8RVz8PazR7Sx_ISa2MiqD6zISYFXko422F_buHWe2lM7aKu4f83cyBI3N174CNOljlIP0kX1LIaGd25BNy9FSTxuTLB-d9jTf1Hj1M_rMW3UU/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH5IU-M119ElVybdx5qhS6Np1WhsjgI8RVz8PazR7Sx_ISa2MiqD6zISYFXko422F_buHWe2lM7aKu4f83cyBI3N174CNOljlIP0kX1LIaGd25BNy9FSTxuTLB-d9jTf1Hj1M_rMW3UU/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Even Ames got in on the fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesWJ5yAFsSpDYGf5kUeCHbR1jYizaADpeUn3_KqV98Zdd99xf6nE5YinZo9qS0YnLYq5dbC4t4qRKJHE9S6w4bZnQzoXQ2Y-fp5_5uW69a8QK9edZJEzmtVJOSyzLlD5241dLw8RxHq0/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesWJ5yAFsSpDYGf5kUeCHbR1jYizaADpeUn3_KqV98Zdd99xf6nE5YinZo9qS0YnLYq5dbC4t4qRKJHE9S6w4bZnQzoXQ2Y-fp5_5uW69a8QK9edZJEzmtVJOSyzLlD5241dLw8RxHq0/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Another good tip- once the piping bags are filled, use a rubberband to close them up. This will help prevent little hands from squeezing frosting through the top of the piping bag, making even more of a mess.<br />
<br />
The last activity was a really sweet one as well. We gave each child a flower pot (again, all set up on a paper plate), and set the table up with paints and brushes. Each child painted his or her own pot, planted a flower, and added a butterfly. It was beautiful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWByg-G7COql9AAKnLkpStaZtRznfQSsIyAQCIiWg8iSnGdB3apih6DVqIeIhzqs5ex_Kfekf42ntOewT4O3BNuAP0Ucbm-fzSl1yBZ3Ouf7IFAC58JHUKCMSg-HiENskf-WG4KzABIbs/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWByg-G7COql9AAKnLkpStaZtRznfQSsIyAQCIiWg8iSnGdB3apih6DVqIeIhzqs5ex_Kfekf42ntOewT4O3BNuAP0Ucbm-fzSl1yBZ3Ouf7IFAC58JHUKCMSg-HiENskf-WG4KzABIbs/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9FS2XFZ6dkl9omxLvEm17vmoyI23qhfC1KbUSU2ckYN2M2F1nwd-Z2dDPmxwvxARYy-wIAlJG7zA5eZE68qvOiZA-1GTWp1rKFvevtUdZL__zOUHkrVp2NCOTQ_hyphenhyphenqGtR9bvBFgiT0c/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9FS2XFZ6dkl9omxLvEm17vmoyI23qhfC1KbUSU2ckYN2M2F1nwd-Z2dDPmxwvxARYy-wIAlJG7zA5eZE68qvOiZA-1GTWp1rKFvevtUdZL__zOUHkrVp2NCOTQ_hyphenhyphenqGtR9bvBFgiT0c/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9dE6EJUlzDkgbjEe3wqHh6uVWzHTAKQFP8x7sPQCtDF7XWZPQdeiyv4M-mEzBxXwG9SCnfgurwUATCKbBNdfZBMaFOhSQ1XrKkkROjOOF3GLvxqz9jQqMpzZOpYgvyZ8ON_WUqT1YrE/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9dE6EJUlzDkgbjEe3wqHh6uVWzHTAKQFP8x7sPQCtDF7XWZPQdeiyv4M-mEzBxXwG9SCnfgurwUATCKbBNdfZBMaFOhSQ1XrKkkROjOOF3GLvxqz9jQqMpzZOpYgvyZ8ON_WUqT1YrE/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcEFpgFE-1omrsUSdrQ-lBfETd55uDsYKT02Zn-pBr2tnDcyksKlgtj_XTJuziSXZ_Vi8TrbEajIRE202Ku0Jl7D1ppuAbKW-DqN_r2ZEdHQb9QQA0_BsMtEWIdQbfFyR3Qo9NaHdM88/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcEFpgFE-1omrsUSdrQ-lBfETd55uDsYKT02Zn-pBr2tnDcyksKlgtj_XTJuziSXZ_Vi8TrbEajIRE202Ku0Jl7D1ppuAbKW-DqN_r2ZEdHQb9QQA0_BsMtEWIdQbfFyR3Qo9NaHdM88/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmdXg-Vl9QS_sKD6TvybfMkrDw6yXbY0bcCRqDQ8QNpvrlA0SHOtv9Nd3lwxbECnZM2wP9XVPWpaZA7lPDv8oQXgWzHm2U45qHCWPIQAaeNL-JmVdippiVX_woOWCDWFwaZIil9UDxBY/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmdXg-Vl9QS_sKD6TvybfMkrDw6yXbY0bcCRqDQ8QNpvrlA0SHOtv9Nd3lwxbECnZM2wP9XVPWpaZA7lPDv8oQXgWzHm2U45qHCWPIQAaeNL-JmVdippiVX_woOWCDWFwaZIil9UDxBY/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSinbeIVCSFJgE8mZexKTCbQkpdGAMge4ilyz9N68FN8URSgi5J1VFjdTbf0jdEKFH712pntHHTsWMgede7f_ExgwOagNaQysn5uB5E2NAlRUiyVHaC_saci_MXj8H_mf6pc2QpsEE0/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSinbeIVCSFJgE8mZexKTCbQkpdGAMge4ilyz9N68FN8URSgi5J1VFjdTbf0jdEKFH712pntHHTsWMgede7f_ExgwOagNaQysn5uB5E2NAlRUiyVHaC_saci_MXj8H_mf6pc2QpsEE0/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Following the activities, the kids ate lunch, we opened presents, ate cake (with a raucous rendition of "Happy Birthday", of course) and then the kids spent the next 20 minutes racing around. The entire party was just over 2 hours, which felt perfect. And each child walked out with a butterfly mask, potted plant, and frosted cookie in lieu of a goody bag. So much fun!<br />
<br />
I mentioned yesterday that I think this kind of party, with planned activities, can be inexpensive and easy. All told, I spent about $2.50/child/activity. And the kids had a blast. Another benefit was that the parents had something to do- they helped their children with each activity, getting them involved and providing an opportunity for them to connect with their child.<br />
<br />
I feel so lucky that I have such a curious, tender-hearted boy as Tate, one who would see the beauty in butterflies and who would invite his friends to share his happy day with him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQDkueOtVHovuPP-aueE2Ut4LW-3VQhwvv0-0FuFNNqobBgoeegmUCb6tJfbQHIUvCY7F3fsjxhyyCiQxYEHztUmf1YHA59pjOvbyOdwgaikK7KirvJZgHeRR2w9lRzYfsA1R2zlyTEI/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQDkueOtVHovuPP-aueE2Ut4LW-3VQhwvv0-0FuFNNqobBgoeegmUCb6tJfbQHIUvCY7F3fsjxhyyCiQxYEHztUmf1YHA59pjOvbyOdwgaikK7KirvJZgHeRR2w9lRzYfsA1R2zlyTEI/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-54367895892105580892015-04-13T18:04:00.001-07:002015-04-13T18:04:06.340-07:00Tate is Five: The Activities (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vSaGvvNrZP07KY7EEa8_Q7iMnzkWtmWwrZtx1v_J5j0buQzYhQiiCeK01TV3rIEyXdhmilu8eWMRAFeh_8ucJe9mCHxiajjllNhyphenhyphennuyVzd02mj-WlG44ik-sjDwyQRnANGcjOgkhZVs/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vSaGvvNrZP07KY7EEa8_Q7iMnzkWtmWwrZtx1v_J5j0buQzYhQiiCeK01TV3rIEyXdhmilu8eWMRAFeh_8ucJe9mCHxiajjllNhyphenhyphennuyVzd02mj-WlG44ik-sjDwyQRnANGcjOgkhZVs/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Oh my goodness, things have been so busy! Work and Tate's birthday and party planning and baking and picking up my mom from the airport... whew! But I am so excited to tell you about Tate's birthday party! We had such a great time. I loved getting to see him with all his friends, and celebrating the amazing little boy he has become.<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I really struggled with how to plan this party effectively. We don't have a large house or playroom, and the weather in April in Western Mass is iffy, so an outdoor party was not an option. With Tate's requested butterfly theme, something like a gymnastics party or something hosted at a local play area wouldn't work. Ultimately, I rented a room through the local Parks and Rec. It came with tables and chairs and that was pretty much it.<br />
<br />
In considering the schedule, I decided to model the party after Tate's pre-school's annual Harvest party. This consisted of three individual art activities that were all set up on separate tables plus one table for food and drink. It looked like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lvs71a9OfOfCSj54XnirsyLSDLk1N5HQ_mnSybQV-OheHRI8vj4d-EQt6153QSh3JWpO30ZDjgCB1WyEzy9HN2oPCbCbLVOHyelZyyh2lky4QpswibPoqHXRb__Z4SkOchplVn5piqY/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lvs71a9OfOfCSj54XnirsyLSDLk1N5HQ_mnSybQV-OheHRI8vj4d-EQt6153QSh3JWpO30ZDjgCB1WyEzy9HN2oPCbCbLVOHyelZyyh2lky4QpswibPoqHXRb__Z4SkOchplVn5piqY/s1600/IMG_5345.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I decided not to use table linens for a couple reasons. First, table linens (even cheap ones) are so expensive. And in my opinion, cheap ones never look very good. Also, they felt overly formal for this kind of party. So I ordered two rolls of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AZ9RJY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">this brown kraft paper</a> (although one roll was more than enough to cover six 8-foot tables) and we covered the tables in it instead. I think it looked great, and struck just the right note. (Bonus- the kids had a great time drawing on it!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmOgfVELYj6bl_Ng28X0eUPRBqr-YP86xPueGTDufVwlRjZPsCwJwIOl4d0Wa4WXoW6jmV1feMffgt5w9Lbp3-OaRxzp50QKrj-AJAHVtgQj1L2Po12d6g0PkndvhgBGJrWcGjsCzXhw/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmOgfVELYj6bl_Ng28X0eUPRBqr-YP86xPueGTDufVwlRjZPsCwJwIOl4d0Wa4WXoW6jmV1feMffgt5w9Lbp3-OaRxzp50QKrj-AJAHVtgQj1L2Po12d6g0PkndvhgBGJrWcGjsCzXhw/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
For the centerpieces of the food table, I ordered 1<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX55Y74/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">2 monarch butterflies on wire</a>, which I added to the <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-went-to-ikea-for-no-reason-here-is.html" target="_blank">grass and pots I had bought at IKEA</a>. I added white paper plates, happy yellow napkins, and juice boxes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hqCkskHsP5FPjBCM9GGMqT52Xzqqk_z_4C0Y_yRagMQyeCvBh91Lvgqb36q81oAS-Ph6xtEm8OUMCmSSrVNrdB7yl66l_5YCct31ATc-IvOD-HRAiDK08EDUBv-RPJtRc-RTRX_6BN8/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hqCkskHsP5FPjBCM9GGMqT52Xzqqk_z_4C0Y_yRagMQyeCvBh91Lvgqb36q81oAS-Ph6xtEm8OUMCmSSrVNrdB7yl66l_5YCct31ATc-IvOD-HRAiDK08EDUBv-RPJtRc-RTRX_6BN8/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
For the first activity, I purchased butterfly masks from Michael's for just $1.00 each. With three $1.00 sets of markers (from the Dollar Store) presented in glass jelly jars, and a few stick-on gems, it was a lot of fun and probably my favorite activity of the day. Seeing the creativity of each child was great.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchzw7rlhlbFdIT13vATkqgVmo-RfDi8RQ_OZNrmLthaIKVyTzMP89-MdAKIGRh-Sa2oEHEw3yn15MyQzgIZY1KjZJJY9SIfvm2ftC5mBlDmsS05-tE_xnLOfQ3j3uXaJohKMTiNAVdFg/s1600/IMG_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchzw7rlhlbFdIT13vATkqgVmo-RfDi8RQ_OZNrmLthaIKVyTzMP89-MdAKIGRh-Sa2oEHEw3yn15MyQzgIZY1KjZJJY9SIfvm2ftC5mBlDmsS05-tE_xnLOfQ3j3uXaJohKMTiNAVdFg/s1600/IMG_5340.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7pyq9n9kVLiJBJELeMFnJANipBqFtqeZIvl2hOHxRqKM5wrQBc6p27vLJ0Z2EacPJlJ-KGW8PsKnIjA8dm0Tlo9k2HOQfoFE9Eob2gt_8szO4orWhqJYBzxnHTgfwphfCncbiRZnUdY/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7pyq9n9kVLiJBJELeMFnJANipBqFtqeZIvl2hOHxRqKM5wrQBc6p27vLJ0Z2EacPJlJ-KGW8PsKnIjA8dm0Tlo9k2HOQfoFE9Eob2gt_8szO4orWhqJYBzxnHTgfwphfCncbiRZnUdY/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkl0CDoJ6fJaNSmMK0YJNYYm_cq8fGe_Xy_iy6nJ1O63HzlEGSQMko6JsIxEEYytem4f8wC2rkczcn8dhZW4Zibi1e5ynaHleccv8KLQF5y5HQu_3-25QgVgIxguZIDWPBJNM-2JFmRM/s1600/IMG_5349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkl0CDoJ6fJaNSmMK0YJNYYm_cq8fGe_Xy_iy6nJ1O63HzlEGSQMko6JsIxEEYytem4f8wC2rkczcn8dhZW4Zibi1e5ynaHleccv8KLQF5y5HQu_3-25QgVgIxguZIDWPBJNM-2JFmRM/s1600/IMG_5349.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvCnxCv3QMHfFz9jF9NxVqL9c-oD_WYOjuICnb-tHGOA8BRsE0UcfZ0W98Kbs3JqAUoJ_noZ9n3YAmLoOABrsIsdnevHO-iKLyS_73Vak9psw9zdlfFg2E8W4mWWzSxQlTty_2bHZ8co/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvCnxCv3QMHfFz9jF9NxVqL9c-oD_WYOjuICnb-tHGOA8BRsE0UcfZ0W98Kbs3JqAUoJ_noZ9n3YAmLoOABrsIsdnevHO-iKLyS_73Vak9psw9zdlfFg2E8W4mWWzSxQlTty_2bHZ8co/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYtQeEN9rSoYWXwu8QWCvuTOSc8SOZvG9I9d3I5MKmrzT7wDfloFeLVQUbXnWxgzw9Bo9BlDLjHXbzl3F5NiYe9ea9QmlpI8IrG7MBg_cI_b7_YNyIvp4T3_nG93fjg8pcCd5BHaOX3Q/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYtQeEN9rSoYWXwu8QWCvuTOSc8SOZvG9I9d3I5MKmrzT7wDfloFeLVQUbXnWxgzw9Bo9BlDLjHXbzl3F5NiYe9ea9QmlpI8IrG7MBg_cI_b7_YNyIvp4T3_nG93fjg8pcCd5BHaOX3Q/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR25ecLqZ6zwPuvzuCxx-1SagSRoD88RO5z0HMAplGiXRijyBcAI4-cIlT3RvehYsRLrKJD88BkxR1XYglYDfjiXaomFuzYJdfoAknnBn2tX0J0CrRquNwv6LqIFH5us4H27LYhudHiEw/s1600/IMG_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR25ecLqZ6zwPuvzuCxx-1SagSRoD88RO5z0HMAplGiXRijyBcAI4-cIlT3RvehYsRLrKJD88BkxR1XYglYDfjiXaomFuzYJdfoAknnBn2tX0J0CrRquNwv6LqIFH5us4H27LYhudHiEw/s1600/IMG_5361.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4q9b5Q_PpBvJIOxshYhSdXtCDCB1OabeqtRTq_DAbLn2niGJTTDnbITdWPTCMCuS90fivI9fu1zqgmHej0SVYFTMm8Sbeqt34Y3CB3d6HZkWJQW1YV1YQ_Ikal6jkaB8tKM3bFKCA-w/s1600/IMG_5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4q9b5Q_PpBvJIOxshYhSdXtCDCB1OabeqtRTq_DAbLn2niGJTTDnbITdWPTCMCuS90fivI9fu1zqgmHej0SVYFTMm8Sbeqt34Y3CB3d6HZkWJQW1YV1YQ_Ikal6jkaB8tKM3bFKCA-w/s1600/IMG_5370.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Aren't they sweet? A whole flock of butterflies.<br />
<br />
Tune in tomorrow for the remainder of the activities, and how I think this kind of party can be cheaper and easier than a traditional one (no goody bags needed!)Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-62843456230243665862015-04-07T19:12:00.001-07:002015-04-07T19:12:19.966-07:00Tate's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9PB3Y7zGuy029yV1pjuAoNqAKulzoj8rSF0OwWjJjYVRZB79YbgTptbDac-dvn5pf0RjJtl31uIJMifvW6dnHGzd1SqrxCXUs7J7rDCTBEHYhz7Icgq4-Nq-lYPQ-br7BDzbmKn7XKI/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9PB3Y7zGuy029yV1pjuAoNqAKulzoj8rSF0OwWjJjYVRZB79YbgTptbDac-dvn5pf0RjJtl31uIJMifvW6dnHGzd1SqrxCXUs7J7rDCTBEHYhz7Icgq4-Nq-lYPQ-br7BDzbmKn7XKI/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I feel like April is the beginning of this intense and crazy cycle of celebrations. This starts with a scramble to get Easter baskets packed and eggs dyed, and somehow Tate's birthday inevitably sneaks up on me. Add to that some crazy work-related stresses, and the past week has been intense.<br />
<br />
But luckily, and most importantly, and with no reservations and a great deal of excitement, we got to celebrate this kid yesterday:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike5BPJL3MyPsHMWbGc-Pc1d_-Kwsn4OeiY_QxJw0KuhfaSeaQIfHsIU4sriHXLTMhz0Yn4UdypHYYE-FsP-W6963GysspFUO9KIHjrw1a5IvzIoj6jh7de8HjxAqD3TtRZp2yZNMSzvI/s1600/IMG_0326+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike5BPJL3MyPsHMWbGc-Pc1d_-Kwsn4OeiY_QxJw0KuhfaSeaQIfHsIU4sriHXLTMhz0Yn4UdypHYYE-FsP-W6963GysspFUO9KIHjrw1a5IvzIoj6jh7de8HjxAqD3TtRZp2yZNMSzvI/s1600/IMG_0326+(1).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Who is FIVE. Five! Can you believe it? He is completely, totally, officially a kid. Not a little boy. A kid.<br />
<br />
He's a kid who is incredibly tender-hearted and loving. Possibly the best big brother ever. He is a kid who asked for "chicken and rice" for his birthday dinner, and who wanted to take a long ride on his bike as part of his birthday celebration. He orders for himself at Starbucks and knows what a mammal is and teaches me about the important of kindness literally every day.<br />
<br />
Oh Tate. How we love you so.Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-3944135701753699192015-04-01T05:45:00.002-07:002015-04-01T05:45:57.487-07:00More Coming Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCBm945o6QXQJdQGQjqxTRHqgiHD_5NqdG6WnnQzSBxcoWFdJjESsfJ4zHrPPC4-i_YFyS9Om36uMKKViIPUqBwYPQPgldMdYLbrK_u7gtesWpOOmq5_qrOYp2F8hiOc0oIzhei9DaGc/s1600/150329-074617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCBm945o6QXQJdQGQjqxTRHqgiHD_5NqdG6WnnQzSBxcoWFdJjESsfJ4zHrPPC4-i_YFyS9Om36uMKKViIPUqBwYPQPgldMdYLbrK_u7gtesWpOOmq5_qrOYp2F8hiOc0oIzhei9DaGc/s1600/150329-074617.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Phew! So much happening behind the scenes. Thanks for hanging in there with me over the last week. We've been hard at work putting the finishing touches on the blog redesign. I can't wait to share it with you! I know you'll love it.<br />
<br />
I'll be back to my regular posting schedule Monday of next week with some great ideas, and hopefully a whole new look and feel (with some exciting new content)! In the meantime, for those of you celebrating Easter, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday jam-packed with chocolate Easter bunnies, jellybeans, and tulips. I'll be sharing the boys Easter baskets and our celebration on <a href="https://instagram.com/o_chickadee/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>if you want to follow along!<br />
<br />
<i>P.S. Love the photo? Consider it a sneak peek- the boys and I took some fun selfies for the new blog!</i>Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-46689199168196985782015-03-24T04:32:00.000-07:002015-03-24T04:32:11.949-07:00Tate is Five: The Invitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgvmOvpm3jl__3q1O1GWx2_4WSrlvkmYfQE2LlmqnICYKujocGi1MOWbq2ndDJciD0YvDjvv_nmvrPJrB7C31FgVFjqNU6czWKAm7euLm5cJ7pL6V_ne7_0ZgTvbKdX9MGeBLZh9RwUQ/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgvmOvpm3jl__3q1O1GWx2_4WSrlvkmYfQE2LlmqnICYKujocGi1MOWbq2ndDJciD0YvDjvv_nmvrPJrB7C31FgVFjqNU6czWKAm7euLm5cJ7pL6V_ne7_0ZgTvbKdX9MGeBLZh9RwUQ/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">It's hard to believe that Tate is turning five in less than a month! Remember <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2010/04/welcome-to-world-tate.html" target="_blank">when he arrived</a>? Such a sweet bundle. The years have whizzed by.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other than <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2011/04/tate-is-one-setting-scene.html" target="_blank">his first birthday</a>, we haven't thrown Tate a birthday party. We typically do something as a family instead. For example, last year we went to the Bronx Zoo. But over the last three years, Tate has been going to the same pre-school with the same friends, and next year, when he (and all his friends) go to kindergarten, they won't see each other much anymore. Because we all live in different school districts, not a single one of Tate's friends from pre-school will be in his kindergarten class. So I thought that this was the perfect year for a birthday party.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBbmJckxODtYBz02kkoUUlVOqkil2YXt2u_HVJJi6FF_dn7-0TK-5AnTycMQUI65iSSEBcNl_CfvkKYYJt222tqa7oG77a3LQX5WmIdyBTZvIYYILUwS0HYNNRXnTYNnLBjJ6l3_k0og/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBbmJckxODtYBz02kkoUUlVOqkil2YXt2u_HVJJi6FF_dn7-0TK-5AnTycMQUI65iSSEBcNl_CfvkKYYJt222tqa7oG77a3LQX5WmIdyBTZvIYYILUwS0HYNNRXnTYNnLBjJ6l3_k0og/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We had lots of discussion about what kind of party Tate wanted. He threw out the ideas of a space party or a dinosaur party. But ultimately, he settled on a butterfly party! Isn't that sweet? I have to admit, the idea of coming up with a butterfly-themed party for a little boy stumped me at first, but now that I am well into the planning, I am having a great time.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">minted</a>, and think the quality of their invitations is fantastic. Knowing that I wanted to focus on monarch butterflies specifically, I was excited when I found the <i><a href="http://www.minted.com/product/mitzvah-invitations/MIN-Q69-MTZ/fly-butterfly?org=title" target="_blank">butterfly mitzvah</a> </i>design. This is one of the best things about <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">minted</a>; even though this design was for a more formal (and feminine) party, I was able to adapt it with more boy-ish fonts to fit the feel of our event.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vY2CgQQ54Yu2pFjq5KhEGfELTBYh_frWnrt9WZRwVh15wPFUWZD1Qm8K3wOPbRT7QHog4-Olz3OegE3bOVMgogILZq8MjYGrsMOHP3SwMaXxq3uHa_p7KF3TDjHL7RAivXNaWDjrNAM/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vY2CgQQ54Yu2pFjq5KhEGfELTBYh_frWnrt9WZRwVh15wPFUWZD1Qm8K3wOPbRT7QHog4-Olz3OegE3bOVMgogILZq8MjYGrsMOHP3SwMaXxq3uHa_p7KF3TDjHL7RAivXNaWDjrNAM/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSUw4DEZgbYRrcmsDctOvqcNhfd-51ALH50Wuq1zm7N1uh-eXtb8dcsf5uEWlYKXUzwz9NE1cCx_cm8ulX4bFFIFIctdqdW6AcB8sBeAgcDMiiWJcVOb-Z5GQJDvrKDsEbYWvpHIEfVk/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSUw4DEZgbYRrcmsDctOvqcNhfd-51ALH50Wuq1zm7N1uh-eXtb8dcsf5uEWlYKXUzwz9NE1cCx_cm8ulX4bFFIFIctdqdW6AcB8sBeAgcDMiiWJcVOb-Z5GQJDvrKDsEbYWvpHIEfVk/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another thing I love about <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">minted</a>? You can print on the back of the invitations. I loved the idea of a subtle nod to both the butterfly theme and Tate's evolution:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcozV_qDYTwxExy3-aWxJj8Pghp-3lNrEHuZsBehv09Rw7QrW2zEwAHBeDcNbwVVy67olpTIM2mXU8tOisQiOY7_uVAkCH5sNfrpPEGVTVVQ1RZoz7gX6x5pER3TXL_KDbiThiwLGWgv4/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcozV_qDYTwxExy3-aWxJj8Pghp-3lNrEHuZsBehv09Rw7QrW2zEwAHBeDcNbwVVy67olpTIM2mXU8tOisQiOY7_uVAkCH5sNfrpPEGVTVVQ1RZoz7gX6x5pER3TXL_KDbiThiwLGWgv4/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yet another great thing about <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_blank">minted</a>? You can choose your envelope! I chose the brown kraft envelope to further add to the casual feel of the invitations. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Overall, the invitations make me so happy and Tate absolutely loves them. He diligently wrote all his friends names on the fronts of the envelopes and even mailed a few to loved ones far away. I can't wait for the party!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeXzjA8wBs0JrLAt4hOZ9Ags9rLb_IxOGVKCc1Bys5FQsv7Ck6jcfzsolnqP2IuNNmUGNqyUheZDwWXCuoqw6wTW10R-o8YHSji82VFZ-mfqTV0IjY_v7QveIyEpYQCKwj5zedMhYggY/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeXzjA8wBs0JrLAt4hOZ9Ags9rLb_IxOGVKCc1Bys5FQsv7Ck6jcfzsolnqP2IuNNmUGNqyUheZDwWXCuoqw6wTW10R-o8YHSji82VFZ-mfqTV0IjY_v7QveIyEpYQCKwj5zedMhYggY/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-32738146460380072802015-03-23T03:30:00.002-07:002015-03-23T03:30:36.586-07:00Guest Post: Dawn Alley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdx9zJaR_YOq-o7yR134AhXhxvsGAwlcY4Eem6eDCZRJqVyLltTylE24LI6_ZEcQhgR2i70PgUWufNDZp2mQM9xt1XYQ0s1lAG6clzymAn2OGSM0JN6f63mZjK_9Qi2RAD1oIgJKjUag/s1600/6a0120a8a0d6ac970b019b037b262b970c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdx9zJaR_YOq-o7yR134AhXhxvsGAwlcY4Eem6eDCZRJqVyLltTylE24LI6_ZEcQhgR2i70PgUWufNDZp2mQM9xt1XYQ0s1lAG6clzymAn2OGSM0JN6f63mZjK_9Qi2RAD1oIgJKjUag/s1600/6a0120a8a0d6ac970b019b037b262b970c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Friends, meet <a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/" target="_blank">Dawn Alley</a>. She is the smart and talented woman behind the blog <a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/" target="_blank">Idle Hands</a>, which focuses on knitting and creating and is based out of Washington, D.C. She is a connoisseur of <a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/2014/05/christmas-balls.html" target="_blank">knitted Christmas balls</a>, an expert gift-giver, world traveler, and overall lovely person. She also welcomed her first child, l<a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/2014/11/introducing-joshua.html" target="_blank">ittle Joshua</a>, just last year. Joshua is quite possibly the r<a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-happy-blanket-for-joshua.html" target="_blank">olliest, happiest, smiliest baby</a>, a true reflection of his happy parents. I know you will enjoy hearing from her. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Welcome, Dawn!</i><br />
<i>--</i><br />
I love O Chickadee's focus on celebrating good design that makes every day more joyful. I've come to appreciate this even more since welcoming our little boy to the world. Babies can come with so much stuff, and it's hard to know what you really need. Here are a few of the things that have made our house happier.<br />
<br />
1. Triangle bibs. Here's the thing: Joshua drools. A lot. Before I had a baby, I thought bibs were for food. Now I realize that they can also be for drool -- and man, do we go through a lot of them (3 or more per day). If your objective is just to keep your baby dry, you don't really need a full bib. Also, if your baby is wearing bibs basically all the time, you want them to be cute and to wash well. Enter <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zippy-Bandana-Babies-Toddlers-Nautical/dp/B00KIDSL8M/ref=sr_1_4?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1426962953&sr=1-4&keywords=zippy+bibs" target="_blank">zippy bibs</a>. I love these things. They are super soft and absorbent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilVE_oKUJicEkxhe4AKJD0OLmv6t0GqvMakfQiucP4pxXaZymPgOldqBY7TUOobsvBVV6ewHN06lttd_QSb4fraqfRtuvl5O66aD23gIzneXPlHM1IWQkkivVrRZIkk4H5O3HtSx2OPU/s1600/zippy+bib+(Small).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilVE_oKUJicEkxhe4AKJD0OLmv6t0GqvMakfQiucP4pxXaZymPgOldqBY7TUOobsvBVV6ewHN06lttd_QSb4fraqfRtuvl5O66aD23gIzneXPlHM1IWQkkivVrRZIkk4H5O3HtSx2OPU/s1600/zippy+bib+(Small).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
2. Portable crib. My husband Nick and I travel a lot, and I am happy to say that that has continued since Joshua's arrival. Of course, it's a great comfort to know your baby has a safe place to sleep when you're on the road, but traditional Pack N Plays seem like something I would never actually pack, related to the fact that they are giant and heavy. Not so for the travel crib from <a href="https://philandteds.com/us" target="_blank">Phil and Ted's</a> -- at 7 lbs, it is lighter than your baby, and it is compact and easy to carry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoehuwVp1IQaCVyCHEGZ4kMQkmJ0HW2uveAEm4oWw_P7HfG6u4Lrimhp4jOtNfHS6AQpNlkvD_TKp_wmbp4yRGNYGaBd93Agz-BQ5zKsFJV-bemA48BnnLyMkSbuhoCjjn8otYbDG88A/s1600/phil+&+ted+travel+crib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoehuwVp1IQaCVyCHEGZ4kMQkmJ0HW2uveAEm4oWw_P7HfG6u4Lrimhp4jOtNfHS6AQpNlkvD_TKp_wmbp4yRGNYGaBd93Agz-BQ5zKsFJV-bemA48BnnLyMkSbuhoCjjn8otYbDG88A/s1600/phil+&+ted+travel+crib.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Djeco-Nature-Animal-Blocks-Stacking/dp/B000UL99AQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1427046539&sr=1-1&keywords=djeco+nesting" target="_blank">Djeco nesting blocks. </a> These nesting blocks are the perfect gift for anyone with a baby in a small space. I love the fun, bright artwork, and I love that they are so compact. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdU8pD56zevJflsz2F32QrfsPETpvJk5B-B01E5OYKc5U4_Cx8DA9vcVfZ6WTEtkKGg5DKFA0sfyrko_03NjjqTJ0TusORfL3_xEmRPgO11rghZ6sEI6OJKSpBkFmjkuoFh5j4YShT5g/s1600/djeco+nesting+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdU8pD56zevJflsz2F32QrfsPETpvJk5B-B01E5OYKc5U4_Cx8DA9vcVfZ6WTEtkKGg5DKFA0sfyrko_03NjjqTJ0TusORfL3_xEmRPgO11rghZ6sEI6OJKSpBkFmjkuoFh5j4YShT5g/s1600/djeco+nesting+blocks.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<i></i><br />
Joshua is also a big fan.<br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN3_vf71_qoBt-q18OiZmXuYVuwFpeXW2uuIK7bg1s_kdSQ2vYpEaOxk1zfj-ceg5n23fKJ35_co0dwa-cXlPWvPA3ZVnREXDUiZLdWp3vkOHuFP2ajzOwATHXproFacGceORhI_zfUc/s1600/joshua+w+blocks+(Small).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN3_vf71_qoBt-q18OiZmXuYVuwFpeXW2uuIK7bg1s_kdSQ2vYpEaOxk1zfj-ceg5n23fKJ35_co0dwa-cXlPWvPA3ZVnREXDUiZLdWp3vkOHuFP2ajzOwATHXproFacGceORhI_zfUc/s1600/joshua+w+blocks+(Small).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
What are your favorite kid gifts to give or get?<br />
--<br />
<i>Thank you, Dawn! Your description of Joshua's excessive drool took me back to the baby days with both our boys- they were champion droolers! Remember when we were talking about <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2010/11/really.html" target="_blank">baby ascots</a>? Ha!</i>Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-59716000552434035482015-03-20T09:18:00.002-07:002015-03-20T11:24:41.073-07:00Being Springy When It Feels Like Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAiwJjB0FYEgEQsr_REQ-Uno7XfrwEeH8tUKo7oblPP29sg7PCHKOYedE8hg-ylpr1g5Jh63epvKugmQpK-VkVrGfXQribomiMSuVBFe9DtyuUz-iPEzmmw33Z0II2by4SirSdobVAdU/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAiwJjB0FYEgEQsr_REQ-Uno7XfrwEeH8tUKo7oblPP29sg7PCHKOYedE8hg-ylpr1g5Jh63epvKugmQpK-VkVrGfXQribomiMSuVBFe9DtyuUz-iPEzmmw33Z0II2by4SirSdobVAdU/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>"Winter returns to welcome spring".</i> That's what the weatherman on the local news said this morning, when he told me that we were going to get a few inches of snow today. On the first day of spring. Sigh.<br />
<br />
Is it springy where you are? If not, here's an idea that worked really well for me this week. Bring spring inside.<br />
<br />
Remember the $.49 pots I bought at IKEA, and how I said I had a plan for them? Here's how I ended using them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjPJWo-QguE-06cliDlDe05JL29G4EaAEFkHR9PKn6W_Xucs0K3wAPSk1Y_h9yQQCkgCbNfwQ0x9oe04JSMFYZbDYPKzXDiZA0OGAOPhPoq-UynIewGdMREHiiWEoHpA2G0TZgyLk8Y/s1600/IMG_5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPjPJWo-QguE-06cliDlDe05JL29G4EaAEFkHR9PKn6W_Xucs0K3wAPSk1Y_h9yQQCkgCbNfwQ0x9oe04JSMFYZbDYPKzXDiZA0OGAOPhPoq-UynIewGdMREHiiWEoHpA2G0TZgyLk8Y/s1600/IMG_5265.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the help of Tate, we planted each pot with a sunny, happy jonquil plant (those are jonquils, right? The little baby daffodils?)! I love spacing them out across the entire length of the dining room table- when I walk in the front door, they shout such a cheerful greeting. The boys have really loved them too. We see how much they grow, and count the number of blooms. Just having them in the house has initiated spring-like conversations about bulbs and growing and bees and allergies. It's so nice having something so bright and lively inside, despite the gray cold outside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqk6vHVSsp_NicPOH6IqDC9qMrdiOnlPNSw8TU5B4URdiNq66rnJkW5pnok5YvMzVMxzQwryZ92-7OZgHwj8-GhNRJdmYxiC4v_7_OTLn8Kiw-_uiKiwmCe0WQZL_rfFNu7t0AbtoJVc/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqk6vHVSsp_NicPOH6IqDC9qMrdiOnlPNSw8TU5B4URdiNq66rnJkW5pnok5YvMzVMxzQwryZ92-7OZgHwj8-GhNRJdmYxiC4v_7_OTLn8Kiw-_uiKiwmCe0WQZL_rfFNu7t0AbtoJVc/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another trick for feeling springy when it feels like winter? Cocktails! Zach and I have been enjoying various rum and citrus based cocktails over the past few weeks. Trust me- taking a sip of a drink that's heavy on the pineapple will have you feeling like sunny weather is just around the corner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-91794141844365062822015-03-18T03:34:00.002-07:002015-03-18T03:34:51.448-07:00I Went to IKEA for No Reason. Here's What I Bought.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwPRTY_bjtp_rx0iCfxE-H4j_1gMxoirkmWjGfEbYtjzjlbrH6uhFbQEcD3CcWSo_7Iv2N9R-XDcddVOTCynLfRv7cdfMBwWLlBkTNTD4YjYAUg9lZ6-kheGt9M76WF7fGoNX0uLwJ-g/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwPRTY_bjtp_rx0iCfxE-H4j_1gMxoirkmWjGfEbYtjzjlbrH6uhFbQEcD3CcWSo_7Iv2N9R-XDcddVOTCynLfRv7cdfMBwWLlBkTNTD4YjYAUg9lZ6-kheGt9M76WF7fGoNX0uLwJ-g/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A friend and I made the trek to IKEA last weekend, a random trip when I had nothing in particular I needed. I walked out with a half dozen items or so that are making me feel really happy.</div>
<br />
Here's what I bought:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsVhGsskds-WJNfTe28nV0pTtlHMuuZz6Q2BBlEkDjAwdyQ8G4xXp7IDN9XnGyAcnDAjefCNdcAsvk-44d84Gal6bPZyG8Oh2Lq2HXTCkCWtSCyqyMMCx_-KQ3ruaZkhrij0DR5Fu-qg/s1600/IMG_5242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsVhGsskds-WJNfTe28nV0pTtlHMuuZz6Q2BBlEkDjAwdyQ8G4xXp7IDN9XnGyAcnDAjefCNdcAsvk-44d84Gal6bPZyG8Oh2Lq2HXTCkCWtSCyqyMMCx_-KQ3ruaZkhrij0DR5Fu-qg/s1600/IMG_5242.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Let's dive in, shall we?<br />
<br />
Most notably, I bought seven white pots and seven pots of fake grass. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsgyhk4k8DWCrgNDesrmK76_ZduEsFDKxn-tQYI0FKOS-sovNU-_9bX9PMDGKI4MqT_4BaMUv2vSI-0VG2RmVKgDUBClKX3CGL2unzOj1eimcM-Ee-PcMGRDE65mJBN1eN2vMAPxh0Zg/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsgyhk4k8DWCrgNDesrmK76_ZduEsFDKxn-tQYI0FKOS-sovNU-_9bX9PMDGKI4MqT_4BaMUv2vSI-0VG2RmVKgDUBClKX3CGL2unzOj1eimcM-Ee-PcMGRDE65mJBN1eN2vMAPxh0Zg/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't fully fleshed out how I intend to use these yet, but with both Easter so close and Tate's birthday party, I feel like they are going to have a good life as both home and party decor. In the meantime, they've been sitting on my buffet, and they are so happy-making! A pop of bright color in the midst of our never-ending winter (have I mentioned yet that it feels like 5 degrees out there this morning?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next up? These packages of napkins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_xs7Dz0vQ4nDrjy6x1qNR08CNm-KQiZVklr98vU3wcT9PkFqfAEulnT6YwwIW5ebWAlRSrNsTkzIFUbR5FBtIVPz8vPOLGzI7-uI_g20jRP00FeO_CqMx7xDbVY0pzg2I71aMTGgnhg/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_xs7Dz0vQ4nDrjy6x1qNR08CNm-KQiZVklr98vU3wcT9PkFqfAEulnT6YwwIW5ebWAlRSrNsTkzIFUbR5FBtIVPz8vPOLGzI7-uI_g20jRP00FeO_CqMx7xDbVY0pzg2I71aMTGgnhg/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I do realize that this is a lot of papper napkins, but I am working on a craft that uses white napkins heavily, plus I find the colors of IKEA's paper napkins really great. I thought the yellow and purple would be pretty for Easter brunch, maybe with some sunny vases of yellow tulips in the center of the table?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrrnlM8iBhsDM7EcCZRzN7ee1Di1MlbwE_Ngs_vl-WsQnyVecUmyotGsONufLp9zr6BN7LxNX0isE7I7_Nm1zCSFkJeXGDsI5tTsS1HdV0dDIz6OZWJxmHZTzo4QCZ2wJXQ5h8xTl-94/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrrnlM8iBhsDM7EcCZRzN7ee1Di1MlbwE_Ngs_vl-WsQnyVecUmyotGsONufLp9zr6BN7LxNX0isE7I7_Nm1zCSFkJeXGDsI5tTsS1HdV0dDIz6OZWJxmHZTzo4QCZ2wJXQ5h8xTl-94/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speaking of Easter, I bought two of these awesome hollow eggs for the boys' Easter baskets. They come apart at the seam and are just perfect for filling with candy, small cars, and other fun. In truth, I actually bought three of these, but I already sent one stuffed with Easter goodies to my sweet niece Margot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These pots were only $.49 each! I couldn't pass them up. They are an earthy, taupe-y color. I have a little project in mind with them to help bring spring indoors, despite today's "high in the low 30"s.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8BCpixg0zPmqGNqHgn_mhFn-XBs2bge4cvIEhRy17SeXKHdsUVI7FjeHBHxN8QEV9LtaALyvLVHT9IGzO9aQs1dGnVzm6ryQ5E984ldkEflspRprlrQhhTnnwfOCZzP02YMh72c_MxE/s1600/IMG_5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8BCpixg0zPmqGNqHgn_mhFn-XBs2bge4cvIEhRy17SeXKHdsUVI7FjeHBHxN8QEV9LtaALyvLVHT9IGzO9aQs1dGnVzm6ryQ5E984ldkEflspRprlrQhhTnnwfOCZzP02YMh72c_MxE/s1600/IMG_5252.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
And lastly, I bought this great wrapping paper. I had no idea IKEA has wrapping paper and other party supplies, and almost went a little crazy in this aisle. I ended up buying two rolls of this wrapping paper, which I have already used for a few gifts and which looks great whether the gift recipient is a girl or a boy. I especially love the finish of it- it's very matte and almost soft to the touch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DOpVdVgWIDS6jkRK_fFtxV-wXuCIfFWlepO1QSFaXouam6ua1NwLRl8bNpSdAOHuyCRkqpR18owHWbsdcMjDXb7La64fdPEjD-Ga_uyj0sxQK03oP85ZYduPjAx7gyAQ2nDvYnpulns/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DOpVdVgWIDS6jkRK_fFtxV-wXuCIfFWlepO1QSFaXouam6ua1NwLRl8bNpSdAOHuyCRkqpR18owHWbsdcMjDXb7La64fdPEjD-Ga_uyj0sxQK03oP85ZYduPjAx7gyAQ2nDvYnpulns/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7sWbJ66PkTlWc9O6J3PTEZZ0B8vkUqa-nt55JvK7daudpj0bnnUOvfO95_EYKYBS8sUNFuKmNVGe6hb6BN8uNh4Nt7zWUPgiQAISdNEvaspSWss-ZzSE1AmXvrtr9ngr73B3Decxa-g/s1600/IMG_5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7sWbJ66PkTlWc9O6J3PTEZZ0B8vkUqa-nt55JvK7daudpj0bnnUOvfO95_EYKYBS8sUNFuKmNVGe6hb6BN8uNh4Nt7zWUPgiQAISdNEvaspSWss-ZzSE1AmXvrtr9ngr73B3Decxa-g/s1600/IMG_5254.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzcP6BGJTq-wu6_xg4rANcqE0DHCgvtNcSPAGFd0vxTKuwOrp-qlRjxaenq8q7V0rSES9_OUVJlNjwTtbmvY8Upg0BbTDHoVtSh52L84Idlbda2T_s4_FlPuaT1bdzSkwBzj4EfWIXMk/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzcP6BGJTq-wu6_xg4rANcqE0DHCgvtNcSPAGFd0vxTKuwOrp-qlRjxaenq8q7V0rSES9_OUVJlNjwTtbmvY8Upg0BbTDHoVtSh52L84Idlbda2T_s4_FlPuaT1bdzSkwBzj4EfWIXMk/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
That's it! All less than $60 and not a single meatball was consumed! Do you ever find yourself at IKEA or Target for no reason, randomly tossing things into your cart? Sometimes I end up walking out with nothing, since the sheer vastness of the options overwhelms me. Other times, like this time, I get a modest number of items I really like. Occasionally, I go nuts and buy things I never even remotely needed.<br />
<br />
One other thing- while I was at IKEA, I noted their new line of unfinished wood furniture. This summer, I refinished our Pottery Barn coffee table and was really, really happy with how it turned out. I found an unfinished cabinet that I think would be perfect for the entryway at IKEA, so I think a return trip to actually buy it and finish it is up next.Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-90023607097818890412015-03-16T03:43:00.005-07:002015-03-16T03:43:58.790-07:00A Big Move: Maintaining Your Hobbies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBNeVtd0s6YLUVFYIl3OaF_7mIdv2ypo22rJwiXybmcvKCfoQE4HLcsKZ_Xmrx4E8Q2mTcjqbV-vXC0wJJpRWf_F6dmEkIIvYyyy6Sda1T0ODYmEgNn4eJ201bJxQwJ_qz0g-04N9M6k/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBNeVtd0s6YLUVFYIl3OaF_7mIdv2ypo22rJwiXybmcvKCfoQE4HLcsKZ_Xmrx4E8Q2mTcjqbV-vXC0wJJpRWf_F6dmEkIIvYyyy6Sda1T0ODYmEgNn4eJ201bJxQwJ_qz0g-04N9M6k/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we moved, one of the first thing that seemed to disappear for both Zach and I was our commitment to our hobbies. While we both struggled to establish some sense of normalcy (and adjust to having two boys), the personal things that we found joy in seemed to disappear. This was really hard and strange. So many of the things that defined us before we moved were now gone, and I think this added to our overall sense of "who are we?" in this new place.</div>
<br />
Which is why, if you're facing a big move, I think it is so, so important that you do your best to hang onto your hobbies. Sometimes that means that you need support in a way you never expected.<br />
<br />
Here's our example. When we lived in Oregon, Zach home-brewed <i>a lot</i>. Probably once or twice a month. It was not only something he enjoyed but part of his identity. But when we got here, things were so stressful and busy and crazed that he just didn't brew. And over time, years passed. And I could tell that he felt sad about it- that he was beginning to think of himself as someone who <i>used</i> to home-brew versus someone who <i>was</i> a home-brewer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDo1yc2ODZPuhlLTen1w6yXMU_c6Fsobsh3kRc9vzUvgGHOQOIWU6olPbaq_GIsPRj3Ayw_iO031bw2e1UN1yqPlq6BzsGVlitvmwViRUf4AzYlUi_es4fhfGjTRusysNLgWvps5UeiU/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDo1yc2ODZPuhlLTen1w6yXMU_c6Fsobsh3kRc9vzUvgGHOQOIWU6olPbaq_GIsPRj3Ayw_iO031bw2e1UN1yqPlq6BzsGVlitvmwViRUf4AzYlUi_es4fhfGjTRusysNLgWvps5UeiU/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
It's not that Zach didn't try. He even went to a few home-brew stores out here. But in many ways, they failed to meet his expectations, and that left him feeling more discouraged. So it took a push to get him back into it.<br />
<br />
That push came in the form of me. Isn't that the best part of marriage? How sometimes, when we aren't capable of doing something ourselves, our spouse does it for us? And so it was with brewing beer again. I asked- no, I <i>told</i>- Zach that we were doing this. Together. And we researched online brewing shops and wrote a recipe and ordered supplies online from <a href="http://www.northernbrewer.com/?gclid=CKeMyMPEq8QCFbPm7Aodli0ASQ" target="_blank">Northern Brewer</a> (cruddy Western Mass brew shops be damned!) and we did it.<br />
<br />
We brewed Zach's first beer in 3 years. And we did it together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv-y8qKQCP1UwerYQ2_dur-h_-Zomr6vv3t4X9iBDJU0gV0fWnLGOhhteaBsmsTWRsq5cmow-vf9XLBx_3yYda_9g97j1kM3pauECumQFXccjTssJcnQiigzT6ZlEki-WdRRZLzb1S9c/s1600/IMG_5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv-y8qKQCP1UwerYQ2_dur-h_-Zomr6vv3t4X9iBDJU0gV0fWnLGOhhteaBsmsTWRsq5cmow-vf9XLBx_3yYda_9g97j1kM3pauECumQFXccjTssJcnQiigzT6ZlEki-WdRRZLzb1S9c/s1600/IMG_5022.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DivhzuYjQ-IBrJI3yFUabUd-Gk9l5dnruOMojLt0Qs6J4lYp_HWH5h5zvl0wC8glsGOjBkTJ_SO_RJMEKO_ju2JVM2bx1FY3Xl6DqlHW_AHqel6K8jdqdWDMyXfOpt4m0z7IF3W4Cts/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DivhzuYjQ-IBrJI3yFUabUd-Gk9l5dnruOMojLt0Qs6J4lYp_HWH5h5zvl0wC8glsGOjBkTJ_SO_RJMEKO_ju2JVM2bx1FY3Xl6DqlHW_AHqel6K8jdqdWDMyXfOpt4m0z7IF3W4Cts/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" height="400" width="230" /></a></div>
Our beer was finally ready to drink this weekend! And it was not only delicious but more importantly, so, so satisfying for both of us to get to enjoy the results of our hard work. For me, it was powerful to see how happy Zach was that this part of himself had been reinvigorated. For Zach, I think he felt like he got a tiny bit of himself back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjZTohXYm7wrFzUfoR_nAXe7TVxbxWt4A1wAqhEM-bTAJFC3TLG8d_Enc5Vk6U5am2jXyjrgJpzDnT1_SM5VeZt5mZsM7YYMzXb9KSuVvCqsPh7VLvD22HbMPVtY0Ljg3XVc82iyi49E/s1600/IMG_5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjZTohXYm7wrFzUfoR_nAXe7TVxbxWt4A1wAqhEM-bTAJFC3TLG8d_Enc5Vk6U5am2jXyjrgJpzDnT1_SM5VeZt5mZsM7YYMzXb9KSuVvCqsPh7VLvD22HbMPVtY0Ljg3XVc82iyi49E/s1600/IMG_5230.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think that during a big move, the more you can hold onto your hobbies, the better off you will be. So much feels new when you've made a big new- finding ways to keep the familiar is so important.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And to that, I raise my beer glass and say "cheers!"</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-76246197912146443122015-03-13T12:48:00.003-07:002015-03-13T13:00:33.340-07:00What Sick Day? Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAhePAnz_nVGihBckIkaHrjZPzORmEjXkIuVSD0nE-yzZyMii6T7u_UIBP1kPylSH38DebNu-MDWoxwrKAPemqR9lV8I6B7CmUspT0M31XZYcU-pH8zkvqq9SEHicymTyOwjW_Y3NbWs/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAhePAnz_nVGihBckIkaHrjZPzORmEjXkIuVSD0nE-yzZyMii6T7u_UIBP1kPylSH38DebNu-MDWoxwrKAPemqR9lV8I6B7CmUspT0M31XZYcU-pH8zkvqq9SEHicymTyOwjW_Y3NbWs/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
I'm sick. Like bury-my-head-in-the-pillow-and-wish-I-could-die-before-my-head-explodes sick. I stayed home sick from work today with every intention of cleaning the house and doing the laundry, but instead found myself burying myself in bed upstairs, completely ignoring what can only be called a total disaster downstairs.<br />
<br />
After I woke up from a life-granting four hour (four hour!) nap, I looked outside and noticed the looming clouds. Clouds that the weather channel tells me will become a "wintry mix" of "snow and freezing rain" over the next 48 hours. And I'll tell you what- I figuratively started stomping my feet and shaking my fists. No no no no no! I want a warm weekend! A healthy weekend! A weekend that feels a little tiny bit like a celebration.<br />
<br />
Well, weather be damned. Instead of cleaning or doing laundry or finishing any of the responsible things that a real, grown-up adult would do, I pulled out the mixer. I've had my eye on this totally decadent <a href="http://www.butterandbrioche.com/salted-chocolate-chunk-cookie-layer-cake/" target="_blank">salted chocolate chip cookie cake</a> over at <a href="http://www.butterandbrioche.com/" target="_blank">Butter and Brioche</a> for a few weeks now. Today seemed like the perfect day to dive in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NeeTIuNIbgWMRYS1KQLEZ5fXHFVUIy9vQZlc0T2_vUgAP0Dbovj2W4XdpHiLVj196mX0UebmCiXqengRanHuQKXMXFDV2voEDwtY149C0nqWwswDj90EcL2yNYlymL0isH3DZHIGPPI/s1600/IMG_5215.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NeeTIuNIbgWMRYS1KQLEZ5fXHFVUIy9vQZlc0T2_vUgAP0Dbovj2W4XdpHiLVj196mX0UebmCiXqengRanHuQKXMXFDV2voEDwtY149C0nqWwswDj90EcL2yNYlymL0isH3DZHIGPPI/s1600/IMG_5215.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I made a few changes, notably leaving out the alcohol in the ganache to make it kid-friendly, and alternating the thick, rich dark chocolate ganache with a barely sweetened whipped cream in order to make it a little bit less rich (yes, I understand the irony of using whipped cream to make something <i>less</i> rich). I also realized after baking the first three cookies that I should have flattened them a little more, so my version is not as symmetrical as I would have liked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWxjZq4nZwtU7zdshe-ip47R-dH_JzOSLoxsnGMbWT_YYGaZc_BMpsmeZAE6wRWIoevfjm_bhoTi-jtQML9ArYf-OQcGGHXTjsq6RxMTyRJUOapiS6ZlhK9e5hmauhhLnscU29jL1o0I/s1600/IMG_5220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWxjZq4nZwtU7zdshe-ip47R-dH_JzOSLoxsnGMbWT_YYGaZc_BMpsmeZAE6wRWIoevfjm_bhoTi-jtQML9ArYf-OQcGGHXTjsq6RxMTyRJUOapiS6ZlhK9e5hmauhhLnscU29jL1o0I/s1600/IMG_5220.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
But I don't really care. Because when my boys get home, I know that this is going to make them deliriously happy. And that will make me happy. And this weekend, which feels like its off to a pretty rotten start, is starting to feel a little bit better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOvDyVr8nah0AXLFgcNRii2ivI2064b49RiPWGbf3cUM6bRoSAQDygskEqxsib49vGWajJ1J57DNtxvbvskPDdSom9Lr9WFwKndngWykBt0rRjGWyid29DhJg5DDIVeNs_at4oOwE0ug/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOvDyVr8nah0AXLFgcNRii2ivI2064b49RiPWGbf3cUM6bRoSAQDygskEqxsib49vGWajJ1J57DNtxvbvskPDdSom9Lr9WFwKndngWykBt0rRjGWyid29DhJg5DDIVeNs_at4oOwE0ug/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-88131934071464930812015-03-12T08:49:00.002-07:002015-03-12T08:49:32.740-07:00Feiyue: Cool Sneakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAClkY52pW9cmZpCiC9GMKgi9ilkZ0fr3UuVumetHumT5Ql9abrMGwEksF_E0Ph_zDTf2ujUi98hnyOg_ewvZ5tv0QmaS4O5J3ofNYstKfVa35rbR9f5b1_5tZlqhFg2Ic40MLvnnMZrA/s1600/336746d071448c44346b3c51f1b034da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAClkY52pW9cmZpCiC9GMKgi9ilkZ0fr3UuVumetHumT5Ql9abrMGwEksF_E0Ph_zDTf2ujUi98hnyOg_ewvZ5tv0QmaS4O5J3ofNYstKfVa35rbR9f5b1_5tZlqhFg2Ic40MLvnnMZrA/s1600/336746d071448c44346b3c51f1b034da.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
This week has been hard. It is a really intense period at work and we have topped this off with a sickness that the boys and I just can't get rid of. It is weeks like this where I feel so alone out here. Today I had an important meeting I had to be at, so instead of staying in bed (where I probably belonged), I ended up dragging a sick Tate with me to work. Poor guy. He had a fever so he wasn't allowed to go to pre-school and we don't have any sitters out here, so he got swept along and had to sit in my office for 3 hours while I (barely) navigated important meetings. He did great.<br />
<br />
One of the real bummers about being so sick is that this week we had our first gorgeous spring day. Over 50 degrees! Sunny! Blue skies! To bundle up on the couch with boxes of tissues felt wrong. I did however get some online shopping done.<br />
<br />
So here's the thing. I am in desperate need of a pair of sneakers. I officially only own work shoes and work-out shoes. I need that perfect in-between.<br />
<br />
Coincidentally, Tate is also in need of new sneakers. I was looking around for kids' sneakers online and Tate picked out <a href="http://feiyue-shoes.com/en-us/kids/fe_lo_classic_white_navy_gum" target="_blank">these</a> (he said they were "very cool" because of their "speed arrows" in a grave and serious voice):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH25X3l0it1Ns-hxw2Z8ySwCjgQhaj1ueV81G_5trnpOw3as4Pr1suPyZVu8P_sQip4L04lyVW2uk8o7BFZ4ssYNidaYDBV5fYZy98L2Ry5zWsAHGbgE_fQN4weFN9aVUgEGaZWk9K-sk/s1600/F30010-MAS~P~3~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH25X3l0it1Ns-hxw2Z8ySwCjgQhaj1ueV81G_5trnpOw3as4Pr1suPyZVu8P_sQip4L04lyVW2uk8o7BFZ4ssYNidaYDBV5fYZy98L2Ry5zWsAHGbgE_fQN4weFN9aVUgEGaZWk9K-sk/s1600/F30010-MAS~P~3~3.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
I seriously love the sneakers he picked out. So I started looking into <a href="http://feiyue-shoes.com/en-us" target="_blank">Feiyue</a>'s adult sneakers. Oh man. There are so many good ones. Not just the gold ones above (but come on, right? how awesome are those?) but also some more standard ones that would look great with jeans for running errands around town:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSO8pj8vbrF-Hi28qO_tik8UGk4nMbQTdkKj50jt5cx0iXt1e9XCLJvuTUXKjDeLX5O7vsOcI1IBbJGa4m9A3pv-_eW-H6vXu-w7XLaXfAfiA9W1TkhEjJlr5Ft8QSmM_AzNkCnqyias/s1600/1f2b60a22b71af171f051eb1dc83bd8f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSO8pj8vbrF-Hi28qO_tik8UGk4nMbQTdkKj50jt5cx0iXt1e9XCLJvuTUXKjDeLX5O7vsOcI1IBbJGa4m9A3pv-_eW-H6vXu-w7XLaXfAfiA9W1TkhEjJlr5Ft8QSmM_AzNkCnqyias/s1600/1f2b60a22b71af171f051eb1dc83bd8f.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFsX-LQAb82Plw4pabRQtXYyIDYC384TGsNBfS4uJQ-r7N46KCdEuT4vPU1VGzBlVcCXUi-RjjGYxYaWe_6uDByJOwwhnS_yAK4WZohJD70ibWGwoBb8WkKCW5fsqoe0y9Z2hKDepWvY/s1600/6b67af241178bfce3c7725eb2c00f1ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFsX-LQAb82Plw4pabRQtXYyIDYC384TGsNBfS4uJQ-r7N46KCdEuT4vPU1VGzBlVcCXUi-RjjGYxYaWe_6uDByJOwwhnS_yAK4WZohJD70ibWGwoBb8WkKCW5fsqoe0y9Z2hKDepWvY/s1600/6b67af241178bfce3c7725eb2c00f1ab.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeXisrNeICbFJvIMGHy5deDsbQem0HDGUBcMp9e3ejvYhdVe9PSNPx5KTA___NgDr-9GTThyjgcfVt5NFrGcV8-lTG1EXV_GSLvH6S_r-KA8_tByD_Eobdhkvi0bViVVZjYLT0R_FxBQ/s1600/245d997250a3a68167fdd0a15b4ca2f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeXisrNeICbFJvIMGHy5deDsbQem0HDGUBcMp9e3ejvYhdVe9PSNPx5KTA___NgDr-9GTThyjgcfVt5NFrGcV8-lTG1EXV_GSLvH6S_r-KA8_tByD_Eobdhkvi0bViVVZjYLT0R_FxBQ/s1600/245d997250a3a68167fdd0a15b4ca2f1.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They do have a tendency to go a little wacky, especially with the kids sneakers. How wild are <a href="http://feiyue-shoes.com/en-us/kids/delta_mid_animal_elephant" target="_blank">these</a>? But I find the design so simultaneously modern and retro. I really want a pair. (And yes, Tate's are on order. He'll be the coolest kid around.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
photos via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/feiyueofficial/collection/" target="_blank">Feiyue's Pinterest page here</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-87804446218031387162015-03-10T03:20:00.000-07:002015-03-10T03:20:40.696-07:00Gold Sugar Cocktails: Dell Cove Spices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDddecTe40W5RnVnOGlLhvbu9nVa_Lcw2u_G3lrKdmDLVeQRLGhkFFaff5Pn6dbWsUz-jcr9L3w7BM93nfGZ5GXMTqoVsytCwOVuOC4sd3H_s_cjQPGkbZM7Wqu3mSGS1IoFP2svsXwEU/s1600/il_570xN.480312727_q3t1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDddecTe40W5RnVnOGlLhvbu9nVa_Lcw2u_G3lrKdmDLVeQRLGhkFFaff5Pn6dbWsUz-jcr9L3w7BM93nfGZ5GXMTqoVsytCwOVuOC4sd3H_s_cjQPGkbZM7Wqu3mSGS1IoFP2svsXwEU/s1600/il_570xN.480312727_q3t1.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think that small details at a party can make such an impact. I've been thinking about having some girlfriends over for champagne and dessert, and I wanted to add a few special touches without going over the top for a casual get-together. I love the idea of using this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/71125218/gold-cocktail-rimming-sugar-gold-sugar?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=gold%2Bsugar" target="_blank">gorgeous gold sugar</a> from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/dellcovespices?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Dell Cove Spices</a> to rim the champagne glasses. Isn't it fancy?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9EQO56FtdkMq1I3tMVRO1D-61HB_FMEoZDIcGU-vQ2kKu_exAmZUrlm69cENrWPgjK12exb_oMCKmDdBOL3tYQtWT77YzpuLrVaA7EpSBaPWcoRyMqtaCcF08Vxco4yaye6i_z_Rkkg/s1600/il_570xN.480312979_oud3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9EQO56FtdkMq1I3tMVRO1D-61HB_FMEoZDIcGU-vQ2kKu_exAmZUrlm69cENrWPgjK12exb_oMCKmDdBOL3tYQtWT77YzpuLrVaA7EpSBaPWcoRyMqtaCcF08Vxco4yaye6i_z_Rkkg/s1600/il_570xN.480312979_oud3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9f3lv8jS_AsudJ6schUt2JVZudyXC0GLD5KmzqJqHnoL_sd-H87zD0gE5NJILTjqPltw6xbobn6Q0mw_vnmF85OrAZtypWXR8qfqUIQBMwUgwuNvz4YoiifjiYWbAba7Vkub_Q-Lf4Q/s1600/il_570xN.480280562_4t5w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9f3lv8jS_AsudJ6schUt2JVZudyXC0GLD5KmzqJqHnoL_sd-H87zD0gE5NJILTjqPltw6xbobn6Q0mw_vnmF85OrAZtypWXR8qfqUIQBMwUgwuNvz4YoiifjiYWbAba7Vkub_Q-Lf4Q/s1600/il_570xN.480280562_4t5w.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Such a small investment of time and money (less than $5 for up to 20 champagne flutes!) for such a big impact. I think this would be extra-special at a bridal shower or a Mother's Day brunch.<br />
<br />
Want an even shinier shimmer? They also sell <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/177621564/metallic-gold-cocktail-rimming-sugar" target="_blank">metallic gold sugar</a> for an even more intense effect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORWS1kZ7HUrh6jd1JgjaSrry5bOrF7cFngOTB21tfW3NHKU6TmLmvv7s-yP-EWLZYPylXxVvOkjOej8_eTDuIIJnDiUKbhrEvfb3sLWqY4KLgc6dkaIiS8l-XYJ1j4inwp88nEI3Nyk/s1600/il_570xN.557821711_bdt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPORWS1kZ7HUrh6jd1JgjaSrry5bOrF7cFngOTB21tfW3NHKU6TmLmvv7s-yP-EWLZYPylXxVvOkjOej8_eTDuIIJnDiUKbhrEvfb3sLWqY4KLgc6dkaIiS8l-XYJ1j4inwp88nEI3Nyk/s1600/il_570xN.557821711_bdt1.jpg" height="400" width="288" /></a></div>
<i>P.S. Not sure how to add a sugar rim to your cocktail? Check <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orv1qXbhAqg" target="_blank">this</a> out.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photos from the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/dellcovespices?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Dell Cove Spices website</a>, all available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/dellcovespices?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">here</a></span>Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-56079364375529847702015-03-09T05:53:00.000-07:002015-03-09T05:53:16.972-07:00HappyOwl Glassworks: A Happy Night Lite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51JzS59q4CVApXJAovRCzdMri_0NYoWiAunX0Isb5aWxkYSWusWe88SkxE2slpGNNGSJLUjVKwKUgqrDv6pSK34Ss_983-Tvs5bTgHVl5bZ7zvdsEmskuJzB6PPvygvLCER8_d-9VNqM/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51JzS59q4CVApXJAovRCzdMri_0NYoWiAunX0Isb5aWxkYSWusWe88SkxE2slpGNNGSJLUjVKwKUgqrDv6pSK34Ss_983-Tvs5bTgHVl5bZ7zvdsEmskuJzB6PPvygvLCER8_d-9VNqM/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Happy Monday! Did you have a wonderful and restful weekend? I spent part of my weekend reading <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/exhaustion-is-not-a-status-symbol/2012/10/02/19d27aa8-0cba-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_story.html" target="_blank">this article</a>, which makes the point that exhaustion is not a status symbol- such a great reminder, isn't it? I loved that interview so much I sent it to my entire staff.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In other news, Tate is four (five in less than a month!), and he has recently begun getting scared in the night. I am not entirely sure if he is really, truly scared or has simply figured out that the likelihood of getting to crawl into our bed goes up if he claims to be scared, but there we have it. Monsters. Noises. Shadow-shapes. All end up making him a little afraid.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ultimately this led to him asking, of his own accord, for a nightlight. Because the boys share a room, we wanted something that was pretty dim but that would still help reassure Tate. I wasn't sure if we would find something I really liked, since nightlights have never been something I've particularly loved, so when I stumbled across <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyOwl?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">HappyOwl Glassworks</a>, I was thrilled. HappyOwl creates hand-painted nightlights of really realistic animals, in really great colors. We chose the highlighter yellow meerkat. Isn't he a friendly little guy?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf15FffYd3aE552jqP9m3c_o5ONUsFD4wj0y9pzBmIMFBUqxx6AzVVuVlQEC9Ul5OQBW7685WAPwDZGikZ0OI4z2K8iFbFer0XakEHtm8rIn8SyZEGXg23YHiLa5FC3iyAq3ySkYLMas/s1600/IMG_5181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf15FffYd3aE552jqP9m3c_o5ONUsFD4wj0y9pzBmIMFBUqxx6AzVVuVlQEC9Ul5OQBW7685WAPwDZGikZ0OI4z2K8iFbFer0XakEHtm8rIn8SyZEGXg23YHiLa5FC3iyAq3ySkYLMas/s1600/IMG_5181.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPcoD_nVvE1Jt5exyDjyr1Jg3FnF9yWMHytMqJ0mKxWSFzigDTaCTfTwx5IhlRmCyVQldFAjjy2XEVKgo5wYvlEK9O50dQZTkP-Ufb4UZTZwbcjfocyd6JXBG6wucOrjihVfPtnC-rmc/s1600/IMG_5182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPcoD_nVvE1Jt5exyDjyr1Jg3FnF9yWMHytMqJ0mKxWSFzigDTaCTfTwx5IhlRmCyVQldFAjjy2XEVKgo5wYvlEK9O50dQZTkP-Ufb4UZTZwbcjfocyd6JXBG6wucOrjihVfPtnC-rmc/s1600/IMG_5182.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
There were a few others we loved too. This octopus was great:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6j9YlGreRzvoV33WBsJqdMs4cZnjStmEuX-wuCWg96uPpb-_Qx3pZ0eXwmPien2m3ol10pM3XwOpNPuq-6kWVTkZmplID0w0Crn1dRBwKG_aftCs5bKshmx70Zb-dgzbLtudKGp1oZk/s1600/il_570xN.639427953_329v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6j9YlGreRzvoV33WBsJqdMs4cZnjStmEuX-wuCWg96uPpb-_Qx3pZ0eXwmPien2m3ol10pM3XwOpNPuq-6kWVTkZmplID0w0Crn1dRBwKG_aftCs5bKshmx70Zb-dgzbLtudKGp1oZk/s1600/il_570xN.639427953_329v.jpg" height="355" width="400" /></a></div>
I don't think that the trio of baby owls could be any cuter:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY99uPdkkjQ52GFWxoVbxlP9wJxwthEapVFL0LolezCvuTDksEdMnHSgY0sggXijXs3eSwb_f1w3ZvWRzX6JGzgRycLjc3SmWAcPEZ4BkYcMqXN2b8YfS9LJkfSlimVelyPJTGEfiKI8/s1600/il_570xN.654542658_p9db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY99uPdkkjQ52GFWxoVbxlP9wJxwthEapVFL0LolezCvuTDksEdMnHSgY0sggXijXs3eSwb_f1w3ZvWRzX6JGzgRycLjc3SmWAcPEZ4BkYcMqXN2b8YfS9LJkfSlimVelyPJTGEfiKI8/s1600/il_570xN.654542658_p9db.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
And I find the whale super-calming...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7xy7yKRISI97gqR8W67czd01tLiCYYjqbxdT7JnlhuOKJrYVw6U7rmuGyBUlc2vCaWtu6a8JuFDhyphenhyphengOST1zMGoA8-JFBhDz7XtEN0hkQMzBvRJ3eg5OwSqEaUwslRvLoEEdDK9R9aM4/s1600/il_570xN.414869465_7tnl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7xy7yKRISI97gqR8W67czd01tLiCYYjqbxdT7JnlhuOKJrYVw6U7rmuGyBUlc2vCaWtu6a8JuFDhyphenhyphengOST1zMGoA8-JFBhDz7XtEN0hkQMzBvRJ3eg5OwSqEaUwslRvLoEEdDK9R9aM4/s1600/il_570xN.414869465_7tnl.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
I love that they are based out of Boston so I felt like my money was supporting a local craftsman. I also felt really great about the price- $42 seemed totally worth it.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, Tate now insists that his nighlight stay on all night. Who knew meerkat's could be such great protectors?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>first three photos taken by me. others found <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/199667870/octopus-nightlight-nautical-night-light?ref=shop_home_active_22" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/94478520/baby-owls-nightlight-owls-on-lavender?ref=shop_home_active_13" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/114425587/whale-nightlight-nautical-night-light-in?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">here</a> </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-74155081271747809882015-03-06T09:07:00.004-08:002015-03-06T09:07:44.042-08:00Rave: Bumble and Bumble Styling CreamMy hair is flat. I have a lot of it, but it is flat. It is also very slippery. And I like big hair. The bigger the better. And I like texture and I like things like bobby pins and hair bands to actually, you know, <i>stay</i> in my hair instead of slipping out. Imagine that.<br />
<br />
Trying to accomplish all of this- give my hair texture and body- without making it feel greasy or weighing it down is a challenge. But it's so hard to feel pretty on days when my hair doesn't look good, you know?<br />
<br />
So thank goodness for <a href="http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/product/74/214/Products/Styling/Structure/styling-creme/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Bumble and Bumble's Styling Creme</a>. To be honest, I don't actually know what this creme is. It's not mousse, its not gel... but somehow it makes my hair just the right amount of full and texturey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzEFJnUIotS3NjLgyinzLR__TDJeRFyGIArJH_SmJFxRdm2gf1z8Z3Wm8FPcZn9qkPO99WR-jM-_M8QeRLRNqZg8MU8DHr6iIR4RZc09amlofNBT4OtMsFkQJ2GcJsVJonBizFUwwoeI/s1600/B01M_250x430.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzEFJnUIotS3NjLgyinzLR__TDJeRFyGIArJH_SmJFxRdm2gf1z8Z3Wm8FPcZn9qkPO99WR-jM-_M8QeRLRNqZg8MU8DHr6iIR4RZc09amlofNBT4OtMsFkQJ2GcJsVJonBizFUwwoeI/s1600/B01M_250x430.png" height="400" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I use about a quarter-sized amount and then blow-dry. I use it literally every day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think the reason I decided to share it with you today is because I've been out for the last week and my hair has been a disaster! I always have a hard time feeling pretty and pulled together if my hair is a mess. Isn't it funny how just one little product can make such a big difference in how you feel? Luckily, my new bottle arrived yesterday so today I am feeling great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you have any favorite products you can't live without? Do you use them every day, or just on special occasions? Do you use them on weekends? I think one of the reasons I go through the Styling Creme so quickly is because I use it every day (I've even been know to pack squirts of it in old contact cases so I can get it through security when I'm not checking luggage, Ha!)</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-31317343254583182722015-03-05T10:10:00.002-08:002015-03-05T12:46:15.157-08:00Rylee+Cru<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgAjLPWXxUf9NR74Qr_RQM-XcWLltmBYB-KA02_aGegiu52wymU9TKQWHDS4ukAJFV08vMfWIt-dExoN35nu0BjQl6n1nDmKRUfU9wcuJ18N1EZLNpsQgtnjhIK-fBGy3ZOMgnz12lTmGwkQ1EfPFTwbBQkr4LdxnL2JoudHyExLmM=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ryleeandcru.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/14-copy.jpg" height="400" width="314" /></a></div>
Phew! What a week. We successfully registered Tate for kindergarten this week <i>and</i> booked the location for his upcoming fifth birthday party (more details to come on that soon). Zach and I both looked at each other across the packing-popcorn-strewn living room floor (possibly the world's cheapest and messiest toy) this morning and asked "is it Friday yet"? How has your week been going? Are you feeling the same sense of "why isn't it the weekend yet?" that we are?<br />
<br />
I am excited with what I have to share with you today as I'm such a fan. Have you seen <a href="http://www.ryleeandcru.com/" target="_blank">Rylee+Cru </a>yet? I am just loving this new line of children's clothes, accessories, and prints. (Confession? I also have a serious style crush on <a href="http://www.ryleeandcru.com/" target="_blank">Rylee+Cru</a> founder and illustrator, <a href="http://www.kellimurray.com/about/" target="_blank">Kelli Murray</a>. Check out <a href="http://www.kellimurray.com/blog/" target="_blank">her blog</a> to see what I mean).<br />
<br />
I keep thinking about all the small babes in my life who would look utterly adorable in Kelli's charming designs. They are soft and fresh and wholesome. I love the natural colors and the easiness of the fit. And many of these styles would accommodate even the rolliest of thighs, something I always had to look out for when dressing my boys.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-EokPXfuI3_ILiJ9ZrLRqZdeFvIuA0p_ZMrr4XFQWqyD_pVXwtXTowARa_0VPj0sOS0TDXAjjPAZBv2rIBDxcLfCnpDzXn75Dat6E6yvYB39__UJyVpeymHbGiMYd9VlMLHu4IFfMYE/s1600/onsie_eyes_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-EokPXfuI3_ILiJ9ZrLRqZdeFvIuA0p_ZMrr4XFQWqyD_pVXwtXTowARa_0VPj0sOS0TDXAjjPAZBv2rIBDxcLfCnpDzXn75Dat6E6yvYB39__UJyVpeymHbGiMYd9VlMLHu4IFfMYE/s1600/onsie_eyes_grande.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I am particularly tempted by the sweet onesies. So effortless. I also love that the clothes are made here in the United States, in California specifically, and hand-dyed. I think that kind of attention-to-detail and commitment to quality really shows through, don't you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeJPar_6UpTvsgNtDBPT6voxhGtLraBIeJLxEN8eT6ZW-BH0JkPAqWgifhE2le_0t8zEHJg3h1pQm5lc7ngHf-SD1Slf9JaRdS4xdE0p-0Y2m_g3shkXAYbIrvKDgdExtuIQlhRfh3wU/s1600/onsie_swan_c5d6ad5d-b9de-475f-ba5b-8f34534344f2_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeJPar_6UpTvsgNtDBPT6voxhGtLraBIeJLxEN8eT6ZW-BH0JkPAqWgifhE2le_0t8zEHJg3h1pQm5lc7ngHf-SD1Slf9JaRdS4xdE0p-0Y2m_g3shkXAYbIrvKDgdExtuIQlhRfh3wU/s1600/onsie_swan_c5d6ad5d-b9de-475f-ba5b-8f34534344f2_grande.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT-QSoSVjUlVGzMas7rceUBH97EAIK53BCfhpMCgCnyzD8QTmT_YMgFkbyPvNvGS-F_MyL5TT9NHNT4P1voTapuMjcbSDwFD90a1TMTIiHjCILTatImXbCErrQ-HWfr3gj5noAO8DqCE/s1600/jumpsuit_adventure_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT-QSoSVjUlVGzMas7rceUBH97EAIK53BCfhpMCgCnyzD8QTmT_YMgFkbyPvNvGS-F_MyL5TT9NHNT4P1voTapuMjcbSDwFD90a1TMTIiHjCILTatImXbCErrQ-HWfr3gj5noAO8DqCE/s1600/jumpsuit_adventure_grande.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kelli also makes illustrations that I think would be perfect in a nursery. I am particularly partial to this guy:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiVPX7WwhigT_TI5j-rsC1RwJWBM5h9bLHzCPlYjJjfHYqrHaMtJNZjfextjPQPKIGfHgALpERxSv78SloT2PIgDUlAtrup5g2v0un4uzbPEKpRFkRifK8BungIrKhe9rM_EhJChXPKQ/s1600/art_print_fox_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiVPX7WwhigT_TI5j-rsC1RwJWBM5h9bLHzCPlYjJjfHYqrHaMtJNZjfextjPQPKIGfHgALpERxSv78SloT2PIgDUlAtrup5g2v0un4uzbPEKpRFkRifK8BungIrKhe9rM_EhJChXPKQ/s1600/art_print_fox_grande.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ryleeandcru.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F08%2F14-copy.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgAjLPWXxUf9NR74Qr_RQM-XcWLltmBYB-KA02_aGegiu52wymU9TKQWHDS4ukAJFV08vMfWIt-dExoN35nu0BjQl6n1nDmKRUfU9wcuJ18N1EZLNpsQgtnjhIK-fBGy3ZOMgnz12lTmGwkQ1EfPFTwbBQkr4LdxnL2JoudHyExLmM=" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgAjLPWXxUf9NR74Qr_RQM-XcWLltmBYB-KA02_aGegiu52wymU9TKQWHDS4ukAJFV08vMfWIt-dExoN35nu0BjQl6n1nDmKRUfU9wcuJ18N1EZLNpsQgtnjhIK-fBGy3ZOMgnz12lTmGwkQ1EfPFTwbBQkr4LdxnL2JoudHyExLmM=" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgAjLPWXxUf9NR74Qr_RQM-XcWLltmBYB-KA02_aGegiu52wymU9TKQWHDS4ukAJFV08vMfWIt-dExoN35nu0BjQl6n1nDmKRUfU9wcuJ18N1EZLNpsQgtnjhIK-fBGy3ZOMgnz12lTmGwkQ1EfPFTwbBQkr4LdxnL2JoudHyExLmM=" -->Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-71447912164103308162015-03-03T03:20:00.000-08:002015-03-03T03:24:07.675-08:00A Happy Blanket for Joshua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_P6Uc6q3jX7CzsVfAHgGJ9AsIwaiHOMmoo2agaRhc5-Sp5ieZBkfWz9a2NxvFfRUPJNJywbSdU924hFZcAf0gkTdFen4WSFzDvR_K1lG5SODZBGl0a1ZtMeY4sZoU02xgazTBOFZo3E/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_P6Uc6q3jX7CzsVfAHgGJ9AsIwaiHOMmoo2agaRhc5-Sp5ieZBkfWz9a2NxvFfRUPJNJywbSdU924hFZcAf0gkTdFen4WSFzDvR_K1lG5SODZBGl0a1ZtMeY4sZoU02xgazTBOFZo3E/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">I think we have established by now that I am not crafty. I don't quilt. Or knit. Or cross-stitch. Or crochet. But (and here's the secret to always giving handmade gifts), I know some people. Some super-talented crafters who blow my mind with their talent.</span><br />
<br />
Among the very best crafters I know is <a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/" target="_blank">Dawn Alley</a>. She's the talent behind the blog <a href="http://www.idlehandsdc.com/" target="_blank">Idle Hands</a>, and she has contributed so much awesomeness to O Chickadee. Remember her <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2011/04/mothers-day-silhouette-art.html" target="_blank">Mother's Day silhouette</a>? Her amazing <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2010/08/e-street-shrimp-boil.html" target="_blank">annual Shrimp Boil</a>? Her <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2010/12/gift-wrapping.html" target="_blank">thoughtful gift wrapping</a>? And Dawn always gives the most lovely handmade baby gifts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So when Dawn got pregnant with her first child, the stakes were high. I wanted her to have something beautiful, an heirloom that would remind her of the happy early days of her life with her child. This was complicated by the fact that she and her husband had decided to wait to find out the baby's gender until he was born. Also complicated by the aforementioned fact that... well, I don't craft.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happily, my mom does. Remember all <a href="http://ochickadee.blogspot.com/2010/03/handmade-with-love-part-ii.html" target="_blank">her handmade gifts</a>? So I enlisted her help in making Dawn's gift. I wanted something sunny, gender-neutral, and cozy. When I saw this blanket over at <a href="http://dada4you.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-sunny-blanket-for-my-son.html" target="_blank">Dada's Place</a>, I knew that this was it. I love how it came out!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR01P3eRdCo9WhT5l2-6mckGXz63ssMYx_yz4Wbz2F9LICvVpydYF3oYd-uIAzjIESi8OchgUmCvbCRSsUgSdi7jwfSCTv3C8ZdWTff_5WOZCimxLYwourMBNufCEJxTtBTD5RXSd0Gc/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR01P3eRdCo9WhT5l2-6mckGXz63ssMYx_yz4Wbz2F9LICvVpydYF3oYd-uIAzjIESi8OchgUmCvbCRSsUgSdi7jwfSCTv3C8ZdWTff_5WOZCimxLYwourMBNufCEJxTtBTD5RXSd0Gc/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTmrtqMPA0FOuGnjdboW-I-PVh_clSPHc_XatBz1j6nrZW3hOxVbKzZ3_byD1YGVVWRPjC8zHAiYNHn-HoE2bxP0OJqM-2j_dSXezXfAJTo6gfunezaRneehQGZxbmY-QmrQfGW0tPVw/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTmrtqMPA0FOuGnjdboW-I-PVh_clSPHc_XatBz1j6nrZW3hOxVbKzZ3_byD1YGVVWRPjC8zHAiYNHn-HoE2bxP0OJqM-2j_dSXezXfAJTo6gfunezaRneehQGZxbmY-QmrQfGW0tPVw/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I wanted the blanket to be washable and cozy, so we used 100% cotton yarn. I loved the rich colors of the <a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/webs-knitting-yarns-tahki-yarns-cotton-classic/" target="_blank">Tahki Cotton Classic yarn</a>. For this blanket, we used about 9 skeins of white, and I bought three shades of each of the other colors- for example, one light blue, one dark blue, one medium blue. After a bunch of trial and error, we found that the brighter colors really helped the blanket sparkle. Doesn't it look great in Joshua's nursery?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6zqt2O20ZwzAOEPUgE9XHylpdky_NJdwCaZxseR8qub5KEdwV0Yu95prmt7uuy5_xlp6oSQHToFEIOed4958FiE42QTTLBbYrzBubbuYCiZmyaTei0t_Bj7q9b1KkDdtecyLDtg9AeA/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6zqt2O20ZwzAOEPUgE9XHylpdky_NJdwCaZxseR8qub5KEdwV0Yu95prmt7uuy5_xlp6oSQHToFEIOed4958FiE42QTTLBbYrzBubbuYCiZmyaTei0t_Bj7q9b1KkDdtecyLDtg9AeA/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And of course, this adorable little one certainly adds to its charm!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwftTm0FY0_pMCaFAHSL_6IXVEg0rbFQbGB3bAYpqvsAikAHqtaAEHFH-FpgGN5C0uAzKSSdcBO_G1sJ8yQ62dx0XaSGcrpdR4zBiw6dy1JS8Vzk2-1x95jDZGuC-q3lwC-Z3SUZSwIXM/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwftTm0FY0_pMCaFAHSL_6IXVEg0rbFQbGB3bAYpqvsAikAHqtaAEHFH-FpgGN5C0uAzKSSdcBO_G1sJ8yQ62dx0XaSGcrpdR4zBiw6dy1JS8Vzk2-1x95jDZGuC-q3lwC-Z3SUZSwIXM/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just because you aren't crafty yourself doesn't mean you can't give beautiful handmade gifts. I love partnering up with crafty experts, where I buy the supplies and they lend their talents to, together, create something special.</div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-27237828537388207822015-03-02T18:33:00.004-08:002015-03-02T18:33:55.937-08:00Madewell at Nordstom?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="introducing Madewell" height="289" src="https://static.cdn.responsys.net/i5/responsysimages/nordstrom/contentlibrary/fls/2015/03/02/20150302_mar_wk_1_2015_monday_email_2_301189/20150302_Mar_WK_1_2015_Monday_Email_2_301189/images/104651_hero1_1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What? <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/tbd-meet-madewell?cm_sp=merch-_-wap_0302madwell_2481-_-catheader1upmed_guide" target="_blank">Madewell now at Nordstrom</a>? Love love love this. Two of my favorites now in one!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/tbd-madewell?origin=leftnav?campaign=03em104651&cm_mmc=EMAIL-_-030215-_-301189-_-104651_hero1_cta1&cm_em=15910326" target="_blank">Time for shopping!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo from <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/tbd-meet-madewell?cm_sp=merch-_-wap_0302madwell_2481-_-catheader1upmed_guide" target="_blank">here</a></span></i></div>
Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467139429384647816.post-36362652899502090782015-03-02T10:46:00.002-08:002015-03-06T16:20:52.488-08:00Cheap and Easy: Blocking Toys from Getting Under the Couch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nzUG4O3zs431e5OsZIEutZrn8znlaLM_tLFfy_mxuf7f-CjrIHkrfyolg7pX2GcIHQ3YZ2vJBfcUcubmMfhCqMEREpPjSG2Za8VL9pxtGSP3u1CfV5mAcqn332x466N3iY1Gwl3ozW4/s1600/IMG_5200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nzUG4O3zs431e5OsZIEutZrn8znlaLM_tLFfy_mxuf7f-CjrIHkrfyolg7pX2GcIHQ3YZ2vJBfcUcubmMfhCqMEREpPjSG2Za8VL9pxtGSP3u1CfV5mAcqn332x466N3iY1Gwl3ozW4/s1600/IMG_5200.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Happy Monday! Did you have a good weekend? Ours was once again snow-filled, so we were stuck indoors again and then Zach and I had to shovel at 5:30 this morning. Why did we move East again?<br />
<br />
Anyway, being stuck indoors reminds me of how quickly two boys with lots of energy can destroy a long day of cleaning. It also reminded me of all those little spots that somehow seem to attract clutter. For us, it is under the sofa.<br />
<br />
Are you like us? Do you find copious amounts of dog hair, dog toys, and kids' toys under the couch? If so, I imagine you too experience my bi-monthly ritual. You know the one. Where you lift up the entire couch only to find toys you had forgotten existed. Last month's Happy Meal toy, random tiny board books, often small cars or other vehicles... add into that Mesa's dog-hair, and our couch is a veritable graveyard of lost things. Or should I say <i>was. </i>Because a few months ago I stumbled upon this genius solution and it has been so great.<br />
<br />
I wish I could remember where I first saw this idea so I could give appropriate credit. But whoever you are- <i>thank you!!</i> Seriously, thank you for helping me manage my under-the-couch chaos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphwR3U2pxNfGeohMMWYYXuxcuNZLpLEAck9r41qxGd_ORAN6mAW9nC7DsTFx3soXU4cf-pb9yx0GRZDIb4dbCuy-Bar_K3IA0vYx2CDQFaxqkHvLJMBEizXeqbrF0QM6be-YtVvpwz1o/s1600/IMG_5192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphwR3U2pxNfGeohMMWYYXuxcuNZLpLEAck9r41qxGd_ORAN6mAW9nC7DsTFx3soXU4cf-pb9yx0GRZDIb4dbCuy-Bar_K3IA0vYx2CDQFaxqkHvLJMBEizXeqbrF0QM6be-YtVvpwz1o/s1600/IMG_5192.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's the deal. Go to Home Depot. Spend $5 on plumbing insulation (I know. Plumbing insulation. Who would have thought, right?). Install said insulation under your sofa. This will likely require cutting a whole in the insulation to fit around your sofa feet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrrGDWk2VpdOM0x1GbdrOIydANraAdvVk33q_CpAVO1mhzeNuCfoJywGCAtclk0CFVfwkUdU0lk3P8uoc8rm3OM2FnShS_uHHvK1H7EuVk1TWC82RvaMUbvEQdbQFW0fG677G2w6Jbro/s1600/IMG_5193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrrGDWk2VpdOM0x1GbdrOIydANraAdvVk33q_CpAVO1mhzeNuCfoJywGCAtclk0CFVfwkUdU0lk3P8uoc8rm3OM2FnShS_uHHvK1H7EuVk1TWC82RvaMUbvEQdbQFW0fG677G2w6Jbro/s1600/IMG_5193.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29G6krkpUW8WZcMSpc-2mvA_rHV1iYiIcjd9o0yvAxM7GZoPYMqrOuDue0slmFqz0vbKN5C8YcTtm4c2fyc7BfZuPNJQbeNij0A_hJ7QpQf82HxX91nq_wTkGYSTF_6p3A6IvVC4Hoz8/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29G6krkpUW8WZcMSpc-2mvA_rHV1iYiIcjd9o0yvAxM7GZoPYMqrOuDue0slmFqz0vbKN5C8YcTtm4c2fyc7BfZuPNJQbeNij0A_hJ7QpQf82HxX91nq_wTkGYSTF_6p3A6IvVC4Hoz8/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
It may require copious amounts of tape to connect lengths of insulation, depending on how long your couch is...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuLyexUo_AWVrHenqSAlMJxIQtOaHkctJsePo8XQ5oU3SUPMiZlxSyC0o0i3761WDHsyYzDluvsn_dbwOEGFGmrBN2gPfblUg41VzLIwuwTMJeE1t5nqJObyeQaf1kGrC6bUViTZc1LQ/s1600/IMG_5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuLyexUo_AWVrHenqSAlMJxIQtOaHkctJsePo8XQ5oU3SUPMiZlxSyC0o0i3761WDHsyYzDluvsn_dbwOEGFGmrBN2gPfblUg41VzLIwuwTMJeE1t5nqJObyeQaf1kGrC6bUViTZc1LQ/s1600/IMG_5197.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
But in the end...tada! Once installed, this is the perfect way to keep small toys, dog hair, and other miscellaneous items from getting under the couch. It totally works. Once I set the sofa down, you can't see the insulation at all because of its dark color. And it keeps all sorts of debris from sliding under the sofa more than an inch or two.<br />
<br />
Genius, right?Janelle Holmboehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02697804237034435208noreply@blogger.com0