find joy in the journey

2 going on 5

All day as people have asked Anna how old she is now, her immediate answer was, "five."

She's also been singing "happy birthday dear Anna . . . happy birthday dear Anna" all day long.

I'm not sure if I have ever seen a child more in love with their birthday than this little girl.  She has been floating on cloud nine all day . . . dancing about in her pink tutu . . . spreading cuteness everywhere she goes.

 

It all began this morning when we all went into her bedroom to sing Happy Birthday.  At the end of our serenade she groaned, "I'm too tired."  Oh come on Anna, it's your birthday.  "It's not my birthday.  In 5 minutes."  She finally pulled herself out of bed and down the stairs to find streamers decorating the family room & kitchen and a pile of presents on the kitchen island.  "Wow, thank you guys!"  She probably repeated this 10 times.

 

What does it take to create a blissfully happy birthday for a 3-year-old?  How about . . . . one present to open in the morning (a new birthday outfit), an episode of Dora, music & dancing & playing at wee-bop class, three pink balloons, lunch at the park, pink cupcakes, and more presents.

  Especially when one or two or three of those presents are covered with pictures of Disney princesses.  She got a lot of fun things.  Several princess items, a couple new outfits for her bitty baby, a game, and a Fancy Nancy doll & book.

I'm so glad I had the video camera rolling during the unwrapping because it was a hoot.  The boys were in charge of brining the gifts over to Anna one by one.  She'd open a present and then, "Conner, it's your turn.  Go for it!  Give it to me!"  The present was opened and then immediately, "Payton, it's your turn.  Go for it!  Give it to me!"

 

Anna requested pink cupcakes for her birthday.  She actually calls them pancakes or muffins.  For dinner it was pizza.

At the end of the day she said, "Thank you guys for happy birthday to Anna."  Over and over again. 

 

We love this little girl!  She is daring, dainty, goofy, independent, sweet, spunky, energetic, surprisingly athletic, outgoing, full of personality, a singer, a chicken, a talker, an absolute joy to be around . . . . . our Anna.  Happy birthday girly!

weekend delights

A Week in the Life with Ali.  Starting tomorrow.  Excited for this!  In 2005 I took this album track from her at CKU-Provo.  It was such a cool project and I had planned to do it again -- maybe 5 years later, to see how life has changed.  But with her nudging this week is definitely it.

Picture People.

• Anna was such a model -- telling the photographer how she wanted to pose:  "let's do this.  Now let's do this.  Now I do a chicken."
• some cool changes at the PP made this a grrreat experience.  All digital means you wait 15 minutes for pictures (instead of 1 hour) and you get to choose from 30 pictures (instead of 5).

Hot dog on a stick.  And cheese on a stick.  And cherry lemonade.

A very cool carnival birthday party.  Made me wish I was 5!

• Anna was in complete ***heaven*** with the kittens and bunnies.  Oh, my.

Warm, sunny days.

A break from soccer games.

General Relief Society broadcast.

• spotted Lisa Bearnson in the choir.
• Elder Uchtdorf's comments: 
• • Two principles to help you find a path to peace & joy:  creating things and being compassionate.  Compare this to God's greatest happiness - immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). 
  • As daughters of God, happiness is your heritage. 

dazed

Have you ever watched the TLC program called Moving Up?  Basically it lets former homeowners take a step inside their old homes to see what the new people have done with it.  The reactions are often quite passionate - on both sides (the old & new homeowners).  I've always thought that an opportunity like that would be interesting.

Well, today I got a little dose of Moving Up.

A friend e-mailed me a link that contained pictures of our old house.  The new lady there has set up a day-care in our/her home.  During the selling process we heard she planned to take on a few daycare kids.  But I had no idea she was going to turn the house & yard into a full-on daycare center. 

The colors are still the same.  (my colors).  The flooring is still the same.  Our curtains are still hanging in the dining room - the curtains that I made.  

And there are toys and bookcases and posters all over the place.

After viewing the pics, I'm just a little bit dazed.  And my heart aches just a teeny bit.  Now, I'm by no means anywhere near the fits of anger or tears that people on that show display.  But I just have to admit that it is an interesting feeling. 

I would post the link to the photos, but I don't want my blog address appearing on her website stats over & over again.  So if you really want to see it, mention it in your comment and be sure to leave your e-mail address.

*Oh, and if you need a refresher, here's what the house looked like when we lived there.

a little bit ticked

I bit into a semi-cold grape today and felt a ZING on one of my back teeth.

This is one that got a major filling in February.

And it has never felt quite right since.

It's still buzzing.

And I'm a little bit ticked.

UPDATE:  the tooth was fine on wednesday, and it's fine today (thursday).  I think I'm just ultra-sensitive after the root canal trauma of 2007.  Any little thing sets me off and I go into panic mode.

Q&A - part 3

During your years at home with your parents did you always get along with them? (Nicole - one fit chick)

Let's just say I was an oldest child who thought she knew everything, all the time.  That contributed to friction from time to time.  :)  And my parents were way too nice to let me get away with some of that "talk".  But for the most part I think I did what they wanted me to do.  I obeyed the rules.  Just threw in some sass every once in a while for good measure.

Do you prefer tights or pantyhose?  Heels or flats?  Where is your favorite place to buy accessories?  (Jenn - chicken farmer)

Pantyhose.  I haven't worn tights in a looooong time.  Although I think they can be so totally cute with the right outfit.  Heels or flats - I love them both!  I just got this really cute pair of long trouser jeans - thekind that require heels - and had so much fun with that on a date.  I seem to be purchasing my accessories at Ann Taylor Loft - I just get sucked in.

What is in your food storage?  (Ily - just canned a load of pears & tomatoes herself)

LOL.

Where do you find your inspiration for decorating your house, and how do you choose fun paint colors for your rooms?  (Rochelle - new blogging friend)

Pottery Barn magazine.  Also learning about design rules (through scrapbooking) has also helped me in decorating.  By paying attention to things like balance, repetition, rule of thirds, etc. you can make just about anything visually pleasing.  I also have a pretty good idea of what kind of colors I like, that make me happy (fresh, vibrant, clean colors) so it isn't too difficult for me nowadays to pick a color for a room.  The blue in my scrap room actually came from a magazine ad in a scrapbook magazine.  The photo in the ad was a scrapbook room with all white furniture/shelves and this dreamy blue.  So I just copied it. 

That's it!  That's the end of my 29th birthday Q&A.  Are you worn out?  I sure am.  :)  I loved all the questions that were submitted and the variety of topics.  Some were difficult for me to answer, but I guess I opened the door, right?  Thanks again.  I think I'll retreat back into real-life for a while.

Q&A - part 2

Monday got a little busy . . . . Here goes round 2.  I'm limiting these posts to a max of 10 questions, so it looks like there are a few that will spill into tomorrow.

My question is a little selfish.  Since becoming a mom I feel like I lack the ability to make goals for myself.  My big goal was always to get married and have kids.  Now I am married and have kids and realize I forgot an after goal.  So, what are some goals you have for your future?  (Tamra - clogging queen)

Good question.  I think many LDS moms have that same realization.  I guess my goals now include things like getting my boys on missions and having Anna get married in the temple.  While those are choices that they will make for themselves, I work now to teach them and raise them up with those goals in sight. 

I think for me, as a mom, most of my goals now are short term ones.  Things like organization, making sure to carve out play-time with my kids, etc.  I have also really enjoyed Ali Edwards' one-word approach.  At the beginning of the year choose just one word that highlights something you want to focus on or improve on and keep that word in your mind throughout the year.  Last year my word was Play -- I wanted to be more playful, open to people & experiences, laugh more with my kids, etc..  This year it was Organize -- we moved into a new house and there were a lot of things I wanted/needed to get under control (still working on that one, though).   

I think this is a good approach -- it's low-stress, it's short-term, something you can easily keep in the front of your mind.  And yet it is a great way to work on "you" and improve yourself bit by bit each day.

Where do you get your creative ideas for lessons?  Book reference, pure inspiration or a little of both?!  (Marie - makes an amazing chicken pasta salad)

Well, thanks for thinking my lessons are "creative."  :)  My first reference is always LDS.org.  I peruse through the conference talks as I gather my thoughts on the topic and "hope" for a light-bulb to go on.  And I guess I kinda approach writing a talk or lesson like writing a college paper:  come up with an intro that is engaging & fresh, then supporting ideas, and a conclusion that ties it all together.  Sometimes it works, other times it's enhhh.  I also *hope* for the inspiration to come along the way to steer me in the right direction.

In my current calling as Primary chorister there are a couple websites that I am just loooving for inspiration and ideas.  Sugardoodle and Julie's Singing Time.  Check 'em out.

If you weren't a mom . . . . what would your ideal job/profession be?  (Jodi - with an avocado in the oven)

Honestly, the very thought of having to go out into the work force makes me a little ill!  {The nervous kind of sick.}  I've never been a job/career minded kind of gal.  Even in college I had no goals or plans in that direction.  Thankfully we have been blessed enough to allow me to stay at home.

But if I had to pick . . . . . okay, I've been thinking about this for a looooong time and I can't come up with anything!  Totally lame, I know.  Scott has asked me once or twice if I'd want to go to work after the kids leave home and I tell him, "heck no!"  So there you have it - that's me.

What is your favorite game to play with a group?  (Tiffini - goat herder)

Ooooo, so many choices!  I always have a hard time picking just one.  Taboo -- I love the fun energy and the shouting that inevitably comes as you're trying to get your point across.  I did Apples to Apples just once with a group and it was a total hoot -- lots of good laughs.  And Bunco for the socialization factor.

Did you ever have any regrets about going to college so young?  (Lisa - energizer bunny)

No.  It was a good experience.  Maybe you'll have to ask my parents if they regret sending me there so soon! :)

What was your impression of the first time you were around all the Brown boys at one time? (Lisa - energizer bunny / sister-in-law)

The first time I met the whole Brown family (minus Kevin - he was still on his mission) Scott and I had driven up to Twin Falls late one night after his shift at the MTC.  It was late so we just said hi and went to bed.  The next morning I remember everyone converging on the green leather sectional in the basement, all in our pajamas, and talking.  The conversation consisted mostly of the boys talking, laughing, quoting movies, and quoting even more movies, and inside jokes and whole lot of stuff I had no clue about.  I remember thinking, "wow, they really have a good time together."  And also thinking it was a bit odd that I was never let in on any of the jokes - that they just carried on with their party like I wasn't even there.  Just feeling a bit out of the loop.  But that's okay.  I still don't get all of their inside jokes.  And they still have a good time together. 

Do you wish you had a sister? (Lisa - energizer bunny)

Sometimes.  Especially when I see other sisters that have a close bond.  Being able to share the adventures of growing up, college, dating, marriage, and motherhood together.

What is your favorite line of make-up and skin care products?  (Shannon - great photographer)

I'm a grocery store make-up kind of girl.  Usually it's Maybelline.  I have a few Mary Kay items (lipstick, eyeliner, concealer) and Clinique (eyeliner, lip gloss).  For skin care I have liked and used Mary Kay TimeWise in the past.  But I'm currently using AcneFree to get my breakouts under control.  It's nice that I was able to go through my teen years without experiencing all that.  I'm just wondering why it had to hit me now!

What is your favorite thing about being a mom? (Becca - not expecting)

Just having these munchkins who absolutely love you more than anyone else in the world.  That's pretty awesome.  And I love watching them grow, learn new things, love to hear the funny things they say, squish their cheeks, the list goes on and on . . . .

Do you have any regrets in life? (Nicole - one fit chick)

Not really.  Maybe a few choices I wish I had done differently.  Maybe could have been nicer to my parents & brothers growing up.  Sorry Sam for making fun of you with the fanny pack.  :)  But for me, I don't really dwell on the past.  I don't sit around wondering, "if only . . . "  I hope this doesn't sound too weird, but I'm pretty good at forgiving myself -- don't let guilt bog me down.  Life is too short.  Scott has a good quote:  "Feel, deal, and heal." 

 

{at my birthday Bunco - using a really big knife to cut into the Coldstone ice cream cake.  Be very afraid.} 

Q&A - part 1

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along with my birthday q&a request!  I got some really good submissions.  I'm going to break this up into 2 blog posts {one today, one tomorrow} so it doesn't get too lengthy.  This also gives you the chance to submit a question if you haven't done so already.  Thought you missed the deadline, didn't you?  You're welcome.  ;)

So here goes!

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If you had 24 hours and access to a sitter that whole time, how would you spend the time?(Paige - also known as Pagina)

I've thought about this one for a long time.  There are so many possibilities!  But after thinking about myself right now, and what I would truly honestly want with all that free time, it would go something like this. 

Sitter would arrive first thing in the morning.  I'm off for a bit of shopping:  Container Store (I have a list), the mall (new shoes & jamba juice), and a bookstore for a new read (one of the classics - Wuthering Heights or Sense & Sensibility).  Then a really great salad for lunch somewhere on NW 23rd.  Stop in at Dosha for a massage (maybe with hot stones) and a haircut.  Check in to the downtown Westin, melt into the Heavenly Bed and begin reading my book until Scott is able to join me after work.  Order room service, watch pay per view movies, eat peanut M&M's, and just relax . . . . .  Next morning when my 24 hours is up, go home to relieve the baby-sitter.

ahhhh, I wonder where I can fit this on the calendar?

What was the best gift you were ever given?  (Kelli - master cake decorator)

. . . . my children.  As far as tangible gifts . . . I have a treasure chest and a bracelet with pink & white "diamonds" that are very dear to me.  Someday I'll post about those.

How did you get to graduate so young?!?!?  That is great. (Katie @ creole wisdom)

Well, there are a few contributing factors.

1. In California (at least the area where we lived) you only had to turn 5 by the end of the calendar year to start Kindergarten.  So with a September birthday I started school when I was 4.  If I had lived here, then I would've been 5 (almost 6) when starting school.
2. I was a good student. I think my parents saw me being bored and unchallenged at school.  During my 7th grade year they spoke to the principal about advancing me.  That year I went home for Christmas break as a 7th grader, and returned in January as an 8th grader.  I stayed in some of my 7th grade classes (math, science) and did work on my own out of the textbook.  My schedule was also shifted around so that I went into class with the 8th graders (english, history).  So that's basically how it worked.  I finished 8th grade when I was 12, and then high school when I was 16.

Do you see anything big in the future, like kids or a move?  Sorry if that is too personal. (Katie @ creole wisdom)

It's okay.  I'll answer, but not with so much detail & length -- that's for my personal journal.

Kids - We had hoped for a fourth.  But after an entire year of being unsuccessful, and some very unexpected but very clear promptings, we are choosing to be content with the family that we have.  It's been an interesting few months as I've been coming to terms with that and beginning to embrace the next stage of our family life.

A move - no plans there.

Anything else big in the future - well, on November 21st this awesome movie called "Twilight" is coming out!

What is your favorite part of Church?  (Katie @ creole wisdom)

Hmmm, a few things . . . .

I like serving in a calling.  As much as it might sound nice to go to church without having to worry about lessons, announcements, setting something up, etc. and just be able to sit in all 3 hours of meetings and not have to do anything . . . I find more joy, satisfaction, fulfillment when I actually have a responsibility.  Knowing that I am connected to a group of people . . . . having it on my mind to smile, talk to, or be more aware of them, finding ways to lift them up, getting to know them, etc. 

I like the feeling of being there.  I usually become more aware of this feeling when I have been absent. The peace, the calmness, the good feeling of knowing I am just where I'm supposed to be.

And favorite dessert?(Katie @ creolewisdom)

At Coldstone it's sweet cream ice cream mixed with brownies, hot fudge, and caramel.  At Cheesecake Factory I love the Strawberry Shortcake.  At home it's Chocolate Caramel Goodness or Better Than . . . Cake or a bowl of ice cream.

Pie or cake?  (Michelle - mother of all boys)

Pie!  I'm not a big frosting fan so that usually steers me away from cake.  I do love a nice warm slice of apple, or peach, or berry pie a la mode.

What made you fall in love with Scott? (Heidi - made of sugar)

His sense of humor & playfulness - somehow he could turn anything into a party.  His ambition.  Knowing he came from a grounded family that was strong in the church.  His genes - I wanted blonde haired / blue eyed kids. ;) 

The comfort and joy I felt around him - which is exactly what my patriarchal blessing told me I would experience when I found the one I would marry. 

Did you ever tattle on friends that went to school wearing one outfit, and then changed into another, i.e. short-shorts?  :)  (Leigh - from high school)

Honestly, I can't remember.  But I'm not sure that I would've tattled on someone wearing short shorts as I can recall that I had a few pairs of short shorts in my wardrobe.  It was the style I guess (although that isn't much of an excuse) -- long before capris and bermuda shorts were cute on girls.

What the one thing you did, that you don't want your parents to know you did?  {just kidding you don't have to answer that}. (Mom - mother of almost all boys)

Well, I will give you one tidbit to ease your curious mind. :)  Here's a case of bad judgment.  Bernie, Tamra, and I wanted to get together a little group date to eat pizza & watch movies at Bernie's parents' housein American Fork.  There were six of us.  And I was the only one with a car.  A small car.  A 1989 Nissan 240SX.  It barely fit four people.  Somehow we crammed all 6 of us into that little car and drove the 11 miles from Provo to American Fork.  On the freeway too.  In February/March.  I look back and think that could have been pretty disastrous if something had happened.  Six people in a tiny car, with a 17 year old driver, at night -- not a good idea.

Stay tuned for Q&A - part 2, coming tomorrow.

29 years ago / & a request

29 years ago at 5:15pm, in Modesto, California . . . . . . I was born!

 

My parents raced along the country roads to the hospital which was 45 minutes away.  At one point my dad took a little hill a bit too fast and all 4 tires of the truck caught air, and my mom ended up on the floor of the truck when it landed.  But all was well.  They made it to the hospital in time, I came into the world, and the rest is history.

So far, it has been a fabulous day.  Pedicures.  Lunch with friends.  Kids just came downstairs with an armful of gifts.  And Bunco tonight.  Yes, I'm hosting Bunco on my birthday.  I figured it was a great excuse throw a party.

a request

As for my birthday post . . . . I feel like I have already shared so much of myself on this blog.  100 things, a dozen or so tags, and just random posts about my life & thoughts.  So, I'm going to turn this birthday post over to YOU.  We're going to try a little Q&A session.  Katie did this over on her blog last month, and I thought it was great. I loved the variety of questions & topics that people covered.  So . . . . .

Here's what you do:  in the comments section, post a question. 

Here's what I'll do:  on Sunday I will answer your questions.

Pretty easy, right?  Now ask away! 

first week of school

Kindergarten, in his words:

• how was your day? - "It was great!!"  "It was awesome!!"
• "Mr. A. drew a picture of himself with his tongue sticking out and it made us laugh."
• "aaaa, aaaa, tree, aaaa, puppydog!"
•  the rules: "Raise your hand.  No running"
• what was the best part of the day?  "Recess."
• what was the worst part of the day? (on a different day)  "We had to play inside the gym instead of recess." 
• "Nobody would push me on the swings."
• "We played vampires and I screamed and ran away from the girl!"  Apparently the girl was the vampire.
• "I saw Conner at recess and gave him a high-five."
• "I was sooo starving!"

What I'm loving:  his adorable grin at dismissal; his eagerness to show me his papers.  After 3 unsuccessful days of trying to get him to tell me the name of the girl he sits by, I bribed him with chocolate.  The first thing he told me at dismissal was, "Her name is Madison."  As you can tell from his quotes the highlight of his day is recess - and I'm sure it will continue to be for the rest of the year.  Payton is doing really well, he seems to really like school.  He's happy in the morning, he's happy in the afternoon, and he's proud to show off what he learned in school. 

 

 Second grade, in his words:

• "Mrs. O. is my favorite teacher."
• "Nobody thought my sandwich was yucky."  He makes his own sandwich for lunch and it's practically dripping with mustard (just the way he likes it).  I told him, jokingly, that everyone at school is going to think his sandwich is yucky.  Guess I was wrong.
• classmate Abby to Conner at the end of Wednesday:  "Congratulations Conner for getting your stitches out."
• "Today we read Fantastic Mr. Fox and the farmer cut his tail off."
• "At 2 o'clock we got to draw a self-portrait."  I'm mildly nervous because last year's self-portrait became a topic of discussion at parent-teacher conferences.
• "I love second recess because we get to play with the 4th graders."
• "Mrs. O. sets the temperature to 67 degrees and I love putting my face in front of the air."
• "We get to use markers this year!"

Conner took right to school & the routines with no problem.  He knows all his classmates, he knows his teacher (he went to her for math last year), and the teachers all follow the same teaching method so there wasn't much of an adjustment.  He was able to just dive right in.

Here's to a good school year!

points for Payton

I was just going through pictures on my computer when this one popped up.

 

Payton's face lights up:

"oooo, nice!  That should be my girlfriend."

me, enjoying his enthrallment with the photo:  Really?

"ya, where does she live?" 

That's me, silly boy!

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oh, my sweet Payton . . . . I love you!

eating my words

It seems like I was just talking to a group of moms at the park about broken bones & stitches & kids. 

"We've never had any stitches," I remarked thoughtfully.

On Friday, Conner made me eat my words.

1:30pm friday afternoon.  Anna, Payton, and I are cleaning up the flowerbeds in the front yard.  Conner is riding his bike to the end of the culdesac and back.  Now, I should mention that both of the boys learned to ride their bikes without training wheels this summer.  And Conner is quite enjoying this new-found source of speed.

I hear a cry.  And look to see Conner at the very end of the culdesac.  And he continues to cry so I know that something is wrong.  Payton, Anna, and I run to find him crouched over his bike, hand under his chin holding a puddle of blood.  I didn't take the time to inspect too much, just held his hand and led everybody home. 

Once the chin was covered with a towel I carried him in to the exam table / kitchen island.  Wash the blood off his hand.  Check.  Quickly clean and bandage the hamburger knee.  Check.  Okay, time to look at the chin.  He pulled the towel away and . . . . "yep, we're going to the doctor.  Everybody get their shoes on."

the chin: pre-medical attention.  Not for the faint of heart.  But mostly for my brothers. :)

  

I was a little nervous at the thought of dragging everyone to urgent care, but it ended up being just fine.  We were in and out in just over an hour.  I had the forethought to grab a handful of fruit snacks and stuff it into my purse.  The nurse gave the kids coloring pages & crayons.  And I threatened severe punishment if they even thought about climbing off of their chair. 

Conner was great.  Even during the worst part (the injections of numbing medication) he didn't make a sound.  In fact, once they hooked him up with that stuff he was a total chatterbox.  I soooo wish I had recorded the conversation between him and the doctor.  I was just cracking up inside.  He covered everything from the Crakers, to his longing desire to be named Cut-in-Half, to his love for cold things (the shot included), and much much more.

 

Other notable items:

• As soon as we arrived Anna announced that she had an owie on her finger and needed to see the doctor.  She made sure to tell all the nurses too.
• When the doctor unwrapped her tools, etc. on the tray . . . . Payton, standing in his chair to see, said, "ooo, is Conner going to get a shot?!" - and loud, because Payton is unable to control the volume of his voice.  I turned to him, gave him the evil eye, and silently pressed my finger to my lips.  His eyes got all big as he quietly melted down into his seat.  He shut up after that.  :)

The end result:  { 6 stitches }

And bragging rights on the first day of school.

Now that we've got check marks for a broken bone and stitches, I think I'll be happy to stop right there.    

this month is such a special one

I love September.  And for the last (almost) 3 years I have had 2 reasons to love September. 

I love birthdays -- I love the excuse to celebrate, to decorate, and to just generally be happy!  I'm thinking that I may have to adopt Jodi's philosophy and stretch the celebrating all month long!  I've got a few ideas, traditions in mind . . . . we'll see how it goes. 

I started a little early last Saturday by enjoying a Saturday shopping day with just Anna and I.  We went to Deseret Book, Pottery Barn, Costco, lunch at McDonald's and to Pigtails and Crewcuts for her first non-mom haircut.  I cut her hair a few months ago and the badly uneven ends have been bugging me for some time.  Thankfully her hair has a nice curl/wave to it at the ends, so it was very forgiving.

The before shot:

I sat Anna in the airplane seat (her choice), the hair dresser put on the cape, Anna's hands latched onto the steering wheel and she never let go.  Once the haircut began she turned into a statue -- totally frozen in place, expressionless, she wouldn't respond to my questions . . . . . it was all very very strange.  Maybe it was partly due to her fixation on the tv screen playing Toy Story directly in front of her.  Maybe.  But at least she was good!

The after shot:  the hair-dresser did have to agree with me.  Anna's hair just likes to do it's own thing.  One side flips out and one side flips in.  Before church on Sunday we did a little more playing than usual and I even pulled out the curling iron to help gain some control (I think I need to get a skinnier one now).  And here's our little beauty.

Her hair like this totally reminds me of a picture of me somewhere. I'll have to dig it up and compare. 

I also loved Lisa's recent post about Lily's Great Day and may have to do the whole hair & nails sha-bang when Anna is a bit older. 

little white box

When it comes to gift wrapping I like to keep it simple.  Most times the simplest arrangement can make the greatest impact. 

I also believe that you can apply the simple treatment to just about anything (a rice krispie treat, a package of seeds, or salt water taffy) and suddenly transform it into something truly special.

I like to keep a stash of a few simple elements on hand so I can create something whenever the occasion arises.  And all or most of these elements work together nicely so it is low-stress and low-fuss.

3 things:  enjoy the rest of summer

the little white box:  This is my favorite size, I think.  3x3x3.  You can buy them in bulk here.  And like I said, they are perfect to have on hand for anything or everything.  A single cupcake or muffin would nestle in nicely.

ribbon:  lots of lots of ribbon.  This is where I add the color, the punch to my packages.  These 50 yard rolls of wire-edged ribbon from Costco are great.  You'll be seeing these colors popping up on my gifts for a long time to come!  :)

scallop scissors:  I love creating little tags on my computer and using these scissors to cut them out.  It adds the perfect touch.

other items on hand:

• white paper lunch bags
• white & kraft gift bags
• dry wax bags -- perfect for a cute cookie delivery 

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.  -Aesop