Happy Saint Patrick's Day

So, the trap didn't work...again.

Those sneaky Leprechaun's!

Camdyn told me they must have gotten spooked by a cat and dropped some of his gold from his pot of gold while running.

She's already making plans for a trap made out of wood for next year.

We made green playdoh this morning.
I used green food coloring, but my mom mentioned she always used green kool-aid.  So, it colors it and smells good!

It kept this little Irish girl busy for hours.  She's wearing her Cinderella glass slippers, because "they help me build, Mom!".

It didn't take long for other little Irish girls to join in on the fun.  Some Irish preteens have problems putting down their electronics.  God forbid.

My mom stopped out with a homemade card, key lime pie cupcakes, and homemade Irish soda bread.  Love her!

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Living room update.  Everything is finished, except for the grout on the fireplace.

A closer view...and a photo bomber.

And this little ditty arrived today.  We had originally planned on adding a water fountain in the basement.  Didn't happen.  So instead, I bought this.  Interested to see how it works!  Less dirty cups would be the bomb diggity.

MIA

It's true, I've been MIA.  Big time.

So, rather than a big post about how life gets crazy and priorities change, I'll just jump right into it. Kay? :)


Last weekend, my mom, my sister Meghan, and I went to Chicago for my sister's baby shower.  She's due in May with a baby girl...their first!  Can't wait!

On the drive to Chicago, Meghan and I made sure to give our mom a nice peaceful trip.

Okay, maybe not.

We get stupid, I mean outrageous.

At some point, while Meghan was driving, her gum "fell out" of her mouth.  3 feet, horizontally.  It conveniently landed on my window button.

We had so.much.fun.

For dinner, we went to The Melting Pot in downtown Chicago.  The meal was ridiculous.  So good!  

Meghan and Caitlin (cutest prego ever!)

Artichoke hearts, edamame, portobello mushrooms,

asparagus, spinach ravioli. 

My older sister, Kathleen, was gracious enough to host the baby shower.  My mom made little onesie decorations and candy favors. 

My mom saved a lot of our baby clothes...these were some of Caitlin's with her favorite bunny toy.  My mom used them for decorations for the party and then Caitlin took them home afterwards.

I polled my kids for name ideas and here is what they came up with:
Rowyn: Lily
Camdyn: Rachel
Cooper: Abby
Riley: Piper  

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Yesterday, we went to Davenport to visit Meghan.

For lunch, we ordered Jimmy John's.

This was how Clyde's sub was delivered.

Ha! 

We stopped at Marshall's and Gordman's to shop.

Meghan found these shoes...size 17.5!

This picture doesn't even do them justice.

They.were.huge!

Camdyn could hardly wait to start her annual Leprechaun trap.

She is convinced this will be the year she finally catches one. 

Her final project .

She told me if she catches a leprechaun, she gets three wishes.  When I asked what she would wish for, she told me:

1. A pot of gold

2. A 1-Year-Old female Golden Retriever

3. For Daddy to finally meet his Dad 

Oh my sweetness, that girl makes my heart melt.  She can certainly make me crazy on most days, but she truly has a heart of gold.  

We're still working on the house, but slowly and surely, things are coming together. 

The kids bathroom is pretty much finished, so is the half bath in the basement.  Now to finish the master bath and I'll be happy!

The gym is the hot spot of the house right now.  I'm not sure if I'm down there more or the kids!

It's not finished yet, but functional. 

Some House Pictures

I keep getting asked about pictures, so I've finally uploaded a few.  The living room, kitchen, and keeping room.

The living room and hall are light french gray from Sherwin Williams.  The kitchen and keeping room are Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams.

Obviously, the fire place isn't finished yet.  We finally picked out the stone for the surround and hope to get it some time next week.  The top will be framed out and a mantel will run the length it.

I love how the ceilings turned out...Clyde did a great job!

The kitchen is close to being finished.  We need to put the hardware on the cabinets, hang some shelves about the coffee station, and we're waiting on on cabinet side so we can finish the crown above the cabinets on the left.  The left cabinet on the far wall houses the microwave.


We didn't like the microwave in the island design you see pretty frequently...too much access for the kids and not easily accessible for adults.  So, we went with a garage style cabinet.  I love that it is hidden away when not in use.  

I'm on the lookout for an old buffet to paint and put on the wall to the left of the keeping room.  

The island is 5 foot by 8 foot and I absolutely love it!  We all fit around it nicely it gives us so much space to drop our junk on. ;)

The porch/deck are just out the french doors. 

So, definitely still a work in progress, but we're getting there.
I'm SO anxious to get the stonework done out front and get some grass!  

Summer

We spent a hot afternoon last week with our neighborhood friends.  The kids had a great time!  Everyone got along, no fighting, just loud kid fun.  I love when that happens.

 Rowyn and Sara before the big kid invasion.
 

Heide gets the pool out and kids show up from all over the neighborhood. Ha!  
 

While they had fun with buckets, Rowyn appears to be practicing her tumbling in the back. ;)
 

 

Camdyn waiting for her appointment at OT.  They are working with her because of some sensory issues she has.  I'm learning things we can do at home with her to help when she gets agitated and upset.  She's had a lot of changes this summer, including an all new med, so we've had some rough patches.  We're hoping to have everything settled before school starts.
 

Sidewalks are finally in and a permanent reminder of when they were little. 

Rowyn and the Bella's

So, Rodiggity is straight obsessed with Pitch Perfect.  No really.

The other day she performed for me, Riley's friend caught it on video. :)

 

Three in the loft

Three, the kitty, is nosy enough to climb into Rowyn's attic loft playroom.

And then tries to find the courage to get back down!
 

Rowyn is 5

Rowyn turned 5 yesterday. 
Seriously had a hard time with that.
We spent the day together, a Rowyn-Mommy day.

 When I told her what we were doing for her special day, she kind of geeked out. :)

 

 First stop...and her biggest wish...she got her ears pierced.
Girl was happy up until it came time to pierce her second ear, then the tears started.
Thankfully, we got through it and she does have them both pierced.  I was beginning to think she'd be 10 by the time she was brave enough to get the other pierced.

Then we did some shopping.  She was digging the heels at Gap and even did a little dance to entertain shoppers.
The world is her stage.
Seriously.

After shopping, we grabbed an afternoon snack.
Digs had a frosty and fries and Mommy had a caramel latte with almond milk from Jumble.  Good stuff!

Next stop, Moxxie Salon for a spa day!

My stylist, Rose Steffes, (who is AWESOME btw!) did her gorgeous little up-do.

Rowyn was loving it!

After it was finished, she announced she looked like Cinderella and that she wished Rose could do her hair everyday. :)

 Next stop, Mani!

Rowyn opted for green thumbs and purple fingers.

Next up...her first Pedi!

The salon was a major hit.
She loved all the pampering.
Such a fun day, she was out like a light once we got in the car.

After she recharged, we headed to Happy Joe's to celebrate with Grammy and Grandpa.

They blew the horn and announced it was her birthday and she not only stood up for everyone, but she waved to everyone.  
And I mean everyone.
I think her candle about disintegrated into the sundae.

She got a purse with makeup, a wallet, money, gum, and a whole bunch of goodies from Grammy and Grandpa.  
We were home about a nanosecond before she had Camdyn doing her makeup.  She ended up in her words, looking like a zombie princess.

We had a great day.
I hope she doesn't forget about it anytime soon, I know I won't.
Happy Birthday, Rowyn Camille, we love you!