Eye Boy to the Rescue!

Jake has come up with a new super hero...EYE BOY! He has created a whole story/world around this character, and now it's up to me, Super Mom, to create the perfect EYE BOY costume. What a challenge!

I had him describe the costume to me, and drew it for his approval. He's quite exacting. Really, I'm not sure how I'm going to make this, but I thought polar fleece would be the best bet, so I ordered all the pieces tonight, and will wing it once it comes. I think the fact that it won't be shiny is a little disappointing to him, but I persuaded him that a cozy super hero costume will be more comfortable to catch bad guys.

He has concocted a whole cast of bad guys. There's Horrible Head (who does really horrible things), Ugly Head (who does really terrible things), Christmas Tree Head (who steals all the Christmas decorations)...and these are just a few!

Stay tuned for future episodes of...EYE BOY!

P.S. Didn't Superman's aunt create his costume on Lois & Clark? Perhaps I really DO have the next super hero!

You're invited

Jake told me the other day he wanted to have a sleepover party. (He will be 4 in March). Mom! We'll have muffins! And popcorn! And mom! We'll decorate! With balloons! I can just see myself approaching the other mom's at his preschool..."You don't really know me, but my son is in your son/daughter's class, and we're having a sleepover party..."

I think we'll wait a couple years...the super hero party is still the top contender in my mind. I brought it up with him last night, and he seems to have forgotten about the sleepover idea (thank goodness!)

(Sleeping bag from Pottery Barn Kids)

Let's get organized

Lately I've been an organizing queen. At the beginning of the year (conveniently corresponding with New Year's resolutions) I began to feel the house was imploding on me...thus began my mission. I've been straightening out every drawer, shelf, and closet I can get my hands on in the free time I have, and it feels GOOD!

In the middle of this flurry, I've been toying with the idea of what to do with several boxes of old photos I have. They're organized, but later on, the names and places will be unknown to Jake if he ever decides to look through them. I came across this photo album/scrapbook concept by Becky Higgins that looks pretty tempting. The photo page inserts come with sections to include cute cards that you can write details about the photos. Seems easy, and like a great, complete package that would actually be fun to put together.

Although the binders she has are really cute, they're not my taste for long term. I'd prefer a more classic look, either covered in cloth, or leather. These binders from the new Martha Stewart line for Avery are really nice, and perhaps would be the same size? Anyway, must get the house together before I tackle this one!

How charming!

I've been toying around with some party ideas for Jake's upcoming birthday. I'd like to keep the party small, manageable, and preferably at home. Usually when I search for party ideas, I find decorating ideas. That I can come up with, but mild panic sets in when I try to think what to actually DO with all the little ones and keep them happy and somewhat chaos free for a couple of hours. If I could have the party outside, it would be great, but his birthday is in early March, so the weather is iffy at best.

During my searches, I came across this great little company called One Charming Party. Conveniently, they have a themed "Super Hero Party" which is right up our alley. They provide you with party ideas, activities, 3-D invites, super hero certificates, and a guide to all the party supplies for $25. I'll need to do a little more thinking about our party, but I'm definitely intrigued by this kit!

I also came across this pretty awesome Super Hero party ideas via Hostess with the Mostess. Don't you love the idea of the kids popping out of a phone booth in their costumes?

If you want to see more ideas I've found, visit this pintrest board I created...

Chores are Fun?

Last night, after we read a book about Fozzie Bear learning to do chores, Jake decided we should make a chore chart for him today. This morning, he remembered his plan, and dragged me to the computer so we could whip this up. He came up with all the chores himself. Now he's running around the house, earning stickers. Could it be this easy? We'll see how long this lasts!

Time to cut bait

(Print by Dekanimal via Etsy)

I've been slowly, but surely trying to beautify our guest bedroom. I fell in love with Caitlin Wilson's new line of textiles, and used the "Mustard Fleur Chinoise" fabric to make roman shades which are almost complete.

I wanted to use this color palette as a base to paint the room. The room has been daunting to tackle because it has yellow trim on the doors, windows, closets...ugh. And yellow beadboard. I'm really not a fan of colored trim. It's just a total pain in the neck.

I settled on a paint colors; Palladium Blue by Benjamin Moore for the top half, and White Dove by Benjamin Moore for the beadboard and trim. I had some unexpected free time over New Year's weekend and started to slowly paint the beadboard, and work my way around the room. I've been working on it here and there throughout the week. After taping up one of the windows to paint, I realized that with my limited time, completing this job was not going to happen anytime soon. So, I gave in and called our handyman. He'll come later this week, and it will be a relief to then be able to just install the roman shades I've made, and work on the fun part of decorating the room.

Now, who's going to be our first guest?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I haven't come up with any life altering resolutions this year, but I would like to try to write in Jake's diary more frequently. I messed up Jake's baby book when I started it way back when, and gave up pretty quickly. Instead, I started a diary for him, thinking I could always go back and enter the facts at a later date. In the beginning, I would record when he ate, slept, when, how much, how tall, how heavy, etc. But as he grew, so did our adventures, and the entries became more detailed. Now I jot down the fun things we've done, and the cute things he says, etc. I just ordered Jake's diary for the new year. I don't get to it every day...and I wish I could and would, but I've got a lot of his life recorded, and I'm grateful that I have. I think someday he's going to love looking back on his early years (or at least his wife will!). I also record mom advice for future years and keep little mementos throughout the year. What prevents me from writing sometimes is actually a LACK of space. When I get going, I find I have a lot to say. This year, after much searching, I ordered this Cavallini daily planner from Jenni Bick Bookbinding. I splurged, and got his name embossed on the front, and I let him chose the color, so of course, it will be pink this year!

So, how about you? Any great resolutions this year? If you need some inspiration, check out Marc and Angel Hack Life. Or, if you'd like an inspiring love story, read about Mara and Danny's adventures...you'll probably read the whole thing. And, if you'd like to declutter your life, take on the Clutterfat Challenge and see what happens!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!