Being Crafty

I love being crafty.
I am not always a good crafter.
My things sometimes look like mess and they go right in the trash.
Other times I am IN LOVE with them.
I am also a short-cut crafter.
There are often steps I leave out because I don't have time or I think it's a useless step.
Sometimes it works...and sometimes it is a big fail!
This next one..it could be better, but it will do..
I was inspired buy a canvas I saw that was covered in fabric with the words "Be You" sewn on it.
I knew right away I wanted to make one with love or family. But before making one for our living or dining room that everyone would see I thought I would try one for Saylor Girl's room. I had a frame that I wasn't using and some fabric that goes perfectly with her room. So, this was FREE!!!! I like how it turned out and I will be making another one for sure. Next time I will...
1. use a canvas, it will give it more depth. This was a thin piece of wood.
2. Make sure the background material doesn't show through the words.Monogram P
This was a random thought I had while I was trying to sleep one night.
The next day I was in Walmart and picked up a cheap black frame.
Then while in Hobby Lobby I picked out 2 pieces of scrap book paper.
Came home, cut out a P and put it all together.
Easy.
Cheap.
And nice addition to my mantle that I am reworking!

Picture collage frames
I have had these pictures hanging in the playroom for a long time.
As you can see he is very young in these photos.
I didn't want to reorder large prints so I decided to change it up a bit.


I bought some material that goes with the wall color in our playroom and added it to the back of the frames.
I then picked out some photos and arranged them until it was just right.
Taped them down.
Put the glass back on.
And I was done!
Cost...about $5!!


I love how they turned out and I can't wait to hang them back up. Now Saylor won't feel so left out when she goes in the playroom!

Lemonade Stand {fundraiser for cancer}

A little over a year ago a young man I had as a 3rd grader was diagnosed with cancer.
He was the type of kid in class that everyone loved.
I always said, the girls loved him and the boys wanted to be him.
He was funny.
Smart.
Kind.
And as sarcastic as they come at that age.
I don't have favorites.
But..if I did he would be my favorite from that class.
One of my all time favorites.
When I got the email that the achiness in his leg was actually cancer, I sat and cried.
No one deserves to go through cancer.
Especially not a 10 year old.
So sad and such a helpless feeling.
Throughout the entire school year he was in an out of the hospital.
He went through chemo.
He lost weight.
Lost hair.
But didn't lose his spunkiness and sarcasm.
I loved that about him whenever he would wheel through the hallways at school.
I am lucky and my classroom overlooks the playground.
Whenever I happened to glance out my window during recess times I always noticed that if he was out there in his wheelchair, there was also a big group of girls around him.
Even during the hardest year of his life, he still found ways to charm the girls!
A couple weeks ago as I was reading his mom's online journal, I read that the cancer was back.
He just got the news it was gone and he was in remission and bam..it's back.
After much consideration and talks with doctors and family, they decided that the best choice would be to amputate his leg.
Wow, what a life changer.
But, in his normal ways he came through it all with his great character in tact.

And through all of this I would mention it to Dylan here and there. Hard thing to explain to a 5 year old.
At the same time Dylan had been begging me to have a lemonade stand.
So, a lemonade stand we had.
And to my surprise Dylan decided to give all the money to the "boy from my school that is sick and in a wheelchair".
Wow, really Dylan...that's awesome!

Getting our lemonade mixed and ready to serve.
Making our signs to advertise our sale.

Bringing in all the customers.

Loving every moment of his lemonade stand.

Not only did my little guy raise over $100 for this young man, but he also learned such a valuable lesson.

It was one of the most enjoyable afternoons we have had this summer.

Just the 2 of us.

Outside and enjoying each others company.

I loved every minute of our 3 hours together.

So proud of you Dylan Man!

Disney World: Day 1

Oh Disney World, how we love you!
We took Dylan to Disney World 2 years ago.
He was almost 3 years old.
We always told him we would go back when Saylor was 3 also.
Well, we couldn't wait!
Actually, Seth and I were planning a trip to Vegas and then a small trip with the kids.
We decided not to do Vegas and do Disney instead.
So happy we made that decision.
I love Vegas, but Disney World is so much better.
And since Saylor is only 1, she flew free and got in all the parks free.
She also isn't old enough to beg for toys and things, so that was nice!

We left bright and early Monday morning. The kids had fun hanging out in the airport.
We had a couple hours to kill and luckily these huge windows and airplanes kept them busy.
They are such sweet siblings, always hugging and giving kisses...we don't even have to ask them to do it, they just do it on there own!
Daddy and his babies! I am so lucky to have Seth. He did almost all of the diaper changes while at Disney World (the ladies line always had a long wait and no line on the mens side!!), held a sweaty baby in line for rides, and carried the stroller on and off the busses about 100 times!

Oh my Saylor Girl...you make me HAPPY! That is all I have to say!

Dylan was so into making funny faces on the trip. He did a real picture then a funny face picture. Such a funny kid!

Playing their games while waiting. What a nice big brother to let Saylor play his game.

And on the airplane..they did AWESOME!! Played, slept, and looked out the window.

Our hotel! We stayed at the Disney All Star Movie Resort, it was wonderful. We requested the Toy Story rooms and I am so happy we did. Every morning we walked out to a huge Toy Story play area. So fun for our kiddos!





Next up..Magic Kingdom!