Friday Funnies

While visiting in the home of some church friends, Mr C was enjoying some friendly banter with the husband. Mr. D.R., a former Marine, is pretty close to slick on top and Mr C was really interested in his head. At one point, he said "Your hair is skinny on top." That was a funny way to put it, but I guess it's kinda accurate!
Upon leaving, was worried we might not be invited back again. "Maybe we should invite them over. That would be appropriate, don't you think Mama?"

Welcome Summer!

I really need to get back in to this blogging thing. Wow - almost two months since my last post! Today was the first day of summer vacation. It's a little bittersweet because Mr. C will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Because of that, I want the summer to stretch out but I know that instead August will come rushing up to me.
But enough of that sappy stuff - on to welcoming summer!

 A few months ago, I bought a Groupon for a one half hour carriage ride around the base of the Arch. Today's weather was perfect for the outing. A mild 78 degrees, with sun and a slight breeze. Add two silly children and an "aunt" and the day was complete!

I think Mr. C's favorite part was sitting on the banks of the river and throwing driftwood in! We also enjoyed watching a few boats on the water and the tour helicopter as well. A stop by Jilly's Cupcakes for an afternoon sugar rush and the day one of summer was pretty much in the books.

Goodwill Outlet

 

On a recent trip to the Goodwill Outlet, we snagged several items including: 

• Clue Jr. Game (missing one piece, but we can still make the game work just fine)
• plastic Easter eggs (which I will wash and donate to our church egg hunt)
• stainless steel bowl
• 8 cupcake themed party invitations and matching thank you cards, with envelopes
• NIB party garland
• NIB "Backwords" game
• pink chiffon type wired ribbon
• 2 small kid themed reusable bags (I like to tuck these into our Operation Christmas Child boxes)
• brand new black leggings for Miss M
• turquoise scarf 
• orange Aeropostale shirt for me
• penguin mug that Mr C just had to have!
• pair of pants for Mr. C
• pink tutu onesie for the little girl of a friend who teaches dance
• Grouchy Ladybug board book in perfect condition (also for the dance teacher friend)
• Christmas tree cake pan
• pink American Girl type purse for Miss M
• NWT snowflake dish
• mosaic game from Discovery Toys
• 8 thank you cards with envelopes
• medium sized ball for Mr C (not pictured)
• vintage round table cloth in excellent shape (not pictured)
• in box, with all pieces and directions - Pampered Chef Ice Shaver (not pictured)

But the best find was this Cardinal wind jacket. It was pretty dirty and I wasn't sure it would come clean. After a soak in Tide Stain Release and a run through the wash, every spot came out and it looks brand new. Sadly, it's the wrong size for anyone in our house, but it made a perfect surprise for a special friend.

So our grand total? A whopping $12.00 for everything!!  With the exception of books and glassware, everything else is $0.39 per pound. The other two categories are priced per pound as well, but I don't remember how much.

Goodwill Outlet shopping is not for the fainthearted or those new to thrifting. It's dirty and noisy and crowded even on a weekday and you can find some really odd things, but the kids and I had a great time with my mom and SIL. Plus I think you will agree that we found some great items for not much money.

Friday Funnies

Overheard at my house this week....

Mr. C put a hat backwards on a lego person and told Miss M "This guy is a CJ."

A what?

"You know....the guy who plays the music at weddings."

Oh yeah....a DJ!

This picture is not related to the post, but it was a fun time at Super Hero Night at Chick-fil-A!

Friday Funnies

Cheese balls are a rare occurrence in our household. So much in fact that Miss M decided to show me just how the treat makes her feel.....

 

Thankful it doesn't take much to make my kids smile these days.

Cozumel!!

A friend recently pointed out that I never showed her any pictures from our trip to Cozumel last June. I thought I better get some posted before our trip down again this summer!

 a tired traveler.....ready for some food and fun!

 me, Miss M, Cupcake Nana, and Aunt K

 the view from one of our 3 balconies!

 Nana & Miss M enjoying some music on the balcony

 towel animals every day, just like on a cruise

 The outdoor bed on the largest balcony. I just needed mosquito netting and I would have slept outside most nights! It was a fun spot for cards and taking a nap though.

 Me and my SIL with some of the Native American dancers from one of the shows we saw.

 Aunt J was brave to hold this big guy. Smaller iguanas were everywhere; kinda like squirrels are in my neighborhood.

 Mr C on an excursion to the other side of the island

 Miss M was usually in her swimsuit and had a red tongue from strawberry daiquiris.

 She was really excited about the braids and left them in for over a week after we got home.

 The view at night from our room.....

 Two "tour guides" showing the giant tiki type roof on the lobby.

 Enjoying one of 3 pools....

 Another strawberry drink!!

 I took this shot in the ocean to show how crystal clear the water was - almost more so than the pool itself! I enjoyed snorkeling a little each day. My dad and brother are the only two divers in the group.

 Another night view.....

 Last drink and stroll around the property before leaving the next morning.

 The waiters got to know my children well and started a carafe of hot chocolate with a dish of whipped cream each morning when we walked in.

Time to leave paradise.....we are looking forward to heading back again this June!

Christmas Coffee & Cute Cupcakes!!

Last year, I started hosting a come and go Christmas coffee for some special friends. For me, it's easier than a full fledged party at that time of year.

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Kids are welcome, some friends bring something tasty to share, I provide coffee, tea, & spiced cider plus a few yummies. We talk, and eat, and laugh.....and repeat for about 2 hours. It's a little crowded and sometimes a lot noisy, but so fun to catch up with friends I see every week and some I only see once or twice a year.

I also started the tradition of making an ornament for my attendees. Last year it was rather last minute - salt dough "teapots" painted red and decorated with a white paint pen. This year I got a little fancier, but it was even faster and easier than last year!

You just need a glue gun, mini ornaments (mine were shades of pink), mini foil cupcake liners, red berries, white paint and glitter or snow. I actually used a product called "snow paint" that has been in my stash for years! There's no tutorial - I think you can see how to do it. I'd show the blog where I first saw this, but I can't find it now!

A bounty of cupcakes in thrifted (of course!) milk glass!