Key inspiration words/phrases:
our lil' sweetie, daddy's princess, sweet pea, pretty in pink (and/or maybe lilac), whimsy, unexpected, dash of enchantment, mini, sweets for our sweet

Little girl eye candy:

Is anyone else out there craving a little jolt of color in their home?
The grey, winter, northeasterly skies always make me itch to see evidence of spring starting to bloom. Those shocks of new green shoots through the blankets of snow of impending blossoms.

The striking yellows of daffodils, blue & lilacs of hyacinths, ruby reds of tulips.... ahhh I can almost see them in my mind's eye.

This year I decided my only resolution would be to not make any. I know that sounds defeatist. But last year I beat myself up emotionally when I couldn't keep up with my resolutions.

This year I made myself vague goals instead:

1- work on healthier lifestyle changes (hoping to lose some weight & tone up... already some progress on that front... 15-20 lbs so far)

2- make significant progress on household projects (obviously out of need... but I also SOOOOO wanna be done with the open ended projects that abound at our home... I'm also craving ORGANIZATION in a big way)

3- get back to working with my hands in creative pursuits (some of this will naturally occur with the former goal... additionally I'd like to work at honing my photography skills more & get back to scrapbooking more regularly)

This way even modest progress will feel like significant accomplishment, instead of the reverse model of last year.
So here's to a healthier and productive 2011!

Hope you have the happiest #35 little brother!

Our lil J isn't so little anymore.

I'm starting to understand "simplify" on a whole new level. Living simply, means living in the moment more consistently and having an awareness that allows the days to linger a bit more. Slowing time and savoring the remaining days we have with our kiddos home is always a good idea!

Lil J is walking; saying ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba; waving hi, bye & night-night. She now giggles with an impish smile and continues with whatever she's told "no" to (not such a great thing, but I still find it funny, lil imp). She's into everything these days, ever curiouser. She lunges for her sibs when they arrive home from school or anywhere else and squeals with delight. She loves to be chased & chase (crawling). Still loves her game of peek-a-boo and raises the blankets over her head herself so well. Still does her "arms up" wave at the dinner table as well as any other time the urge strikes her fancy. Lil J has just started talking and playing with her lil glo-bear in her crib when she wakes in the morning. Love listening to those sweet sounds of her discovery & playing.

We worked hard to get her on a good schedule before DH and I headed out for a much needed mommy & daddy vacation. (More about that later...) Thankfully it worked and she did wonderfully while we were gone! She's a dream to put down for naps & bedtime these days. Such a wonderful blessing! This mommy really appreciates her beauty sleep and her Lil J.

N is all about video gaming and sports. He's all boy and always has been, but now he's on the cusp of those tween years at 10 1/2. He desires a more grown up space of sorts to fuel his passions and as a more private hang out for the occasional friend to join him in his gaming pursuits.

inspiration pics: