Wildlife Experience

Stella calls it the Life Center.  (???) We love it either way.  It is not a close to the city so tends to be less crowded on the weekends and in general.  There is always the climate and different regions to walk through, but they have a new exhibit about every six months. They also have a small imax theater (we saw the original Grinch during Christmas there). Recently, a rain forest exhibit just opened and we just happened to have a buy one get one coupon (woo hoo!).

*all pics were taken with my 3Gs iphone and have been played with in instagram so they are little less than perfect

This girl cracks me up.  They had a bug display and she was so captivated that Stella was almost in tears trying to get her to move on.  Not sure why she needed the magnifying glass for the giant cockroach, but she loved it.

 Anything you can do, I can do...

 Stella loved the mini zip-line.  Funny, six months ago the Butterfly Pavilion, we couldn't get her to try it.

 I love the color.

Lamp Update

I have lots to share.  Just bare with me as I slowly post.  I am in the home stretch of third trimester and the stretch is a little too long.  I definitely have been taking pictures and completing small projects here and there;  getting them to the computer is another story.  Just like the laundry is getting done, but getting it up the stairs and put away sounds dreadful.  So when a spurt of energy graces me, I try to focus it on the girls or housework.

Oh, yes, I have a subject, my lamp, or lamp shade rather. Again, I am going to reference the fact that this is a temporary space for us.  I am trying to reuse and rethink creatively for the nursery until she has a more permanent room at least.  You know, so much of the layout of the room and lighting dictates how you envision the design.  I thought a small spunky investment would add a little personality to this little room.

First polka dot fabric...

 I am going for occasional splashes of bold and bright with neutral in this little white room.

 Existing lamp shade.  Cut strips from polka dot fabric.

 Knot and adhere for a little extra security.
You could do this with any fabric and even make it smooth and fitted.

 Finish the end with pom pom ribbon and hot glue.

Oh, hey now, don't look at the background in this room.  It has recently been a catch all/storage room.  It is a work in progress.  Isn't the lamp cute, though?

Be Mine

We hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day.  The girls and I were missing Ben.  He left in the morning for a work trip.  We had celebrated LOVE and our family the day before and over the weekend.  Still, strange not having him here.

 I love using these little holidays to give the girls things they sort of need...

 ...like new art supplies, coloring books, and also tooth brushes and bath sponges.  They still get super excited over it all AND it was already on my list to buy.

Esme MAY have drawn on eye brow, pretending it was make up.  It was a little red after I wiped it.

 A little art project found on Pinterest to complete the day.

 I decided not to spend money on a "heart puncher" and did it the old fashioned way.

 A little cutting over quiet time to save money.

Esme's Rainbow progress.

Stella's rainbow progress.  She is this meticulous on her own.  I was very surprised to see the hearts placed like this when I checked on her.  Very Cool.  

And just because this picture is LOVELY...

Yes I know, sooooo sweet.  You want to know what makes it sweeter?  The little book Stella is holding is stapled paper.  During her "quiet time"  she made a book for the new baby.  It has letters, numbers, and even a couple shapes.  All on her own, she decided the baby needed some books. 

 Then, she decided to read it to Esme.

Heart officially melted.

Absent

I know, I know.  I have been absent.  I think I will do another favorite things post this week.  Sound good?  It may explain my absence.  Wink, wink.
Unfortunately, it is not from any projects, but I do have some before and after pics to share.
We did have a giant snow storm a week and a half ago.  It was awesome.  It was on a Friday, so everyone, including Ben, had a snow day.  Then it was 40 the next day so perfect for playing!  Not so awesome was standing on the side lines.  Even if they do make maternity snow gear...I would not buy it.  When you have 18 inches of snow on the ground, snow boots are not even enough to keep your legs dry.

 Not finished yet, still falling.

 This is before Ben shoveled some of the patio.  She wasn't sure what to do at first.  Don't worry, it didn't take long.  Soon she was romping and burying her head in it.  She truly love it.

 Yes, there we go, the finished product.  A buried sand table.  In Kansas we would have packed this up (although maybe not this winter?).  But, it is so sunny and the winter has been so mild (minus this awesome storm), the girls have played quite a bit outside.  

 Stella tried to keep to paths already created by Callie.  She still have a little difficulty, but thought it was "fun."

 This is me trying to take pictures through a window.

 See that Ben and the girls kept to a doggie path.  Callie behind them, seems to be creating a new one.  Right after this, they started making snow balls.  Callie kept trying to catch them and find them.  Pretty funny.

Esme...yelling for "HELP."

Nothing like a good fire on a snow day.