"I need to wash my hands."

James put Jonah to bed on Monday night and decided to lay in bed and read his newest book. I had decided to exercise so I headed to the basement for a good hour workout. While James was reading he heard Jonah go into the bathroom then go back to his room. Nothing out of the ordinary until Jonah comes into our bedroom and said he needed to clean his hands. As James turned his attention to Jonah, he noticed that his hands were covered in lotion. And his hands were not the only thing slathered in lotion - he had rubbed it into his hair as well.

Apparently when Jonah had wandered into the bathroom, he had taken the Cetaphil pump bottle of lotion off the counter and took it into his bed. James washed his hands and took him back to bed. He told Jonah that he would have to wash his hair in the morning.

When I was finally ready for bed, I walked into Jonah & McKenna's rooms to make sure they were covered and give them a final kiss. Both were sound asleep. As I walked into my bedroom, James asked me if I had tuck Jonah in. "Of course", I replied. Then he asked if I have noticed his hair. I immediately went back to Jonah's room and saw the clumps of matted hair and I started giggling. I must have giggled for about 5 minutes. I actually giggled so hard that I woke Jonah up and he told me, "Mommy, it's sleepy time".

The next morning I asked Jonah about the lotion. He said, "I was trying to put it on my cheeks but it got in my hair and on my bed. Mommy, we need to wash blankie because it's all over him too. And Daddy says I need to take a shower."

This is definitely a story that will make me smile whenever I recall it. If only I could keep the kids this little when they are so innocent and cute. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture but I did capture in my mind!

recycle. reuse. reduce

I'm a bit of extremist when it comes to recycling. It started when I had Jonah. I had this vision of a world filled with garbage and broken gadgets littered everywhere. So I pay Dekalb County to haul off my recycling. It's amazing how much less actual garage you have once you start pulling out the cardboard & plastic. Although I'm not the extremist when it came to diapers. There was no way I was going to wash poopy diapers. But I did get Jonah potty trained pretty fast and I'm working on Mck now :)

I will go to some lengths to avoid putting things in the trash. I typically like to donate or garage sale or consign. My favorite is thinking of ways to reuse the item -  particuarity in the case of making art. I have some pretty interesting and creative projects in my head. I've been stock piling old keys, CD's & other odds and ends. I got my sketches ready now I just need to carve out that quiet time. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm definitely no Howard Finster. You won't see an extremely large pile of old bicycles in my backyard. But he was on to something. We create stuff to only use to for a short amount time and then it goes to a landfill never to be seen again. Why not take that item and pass it on or make something that could last a lifetime in another form - or at the very least be a conversation piece.

Trash to treasure. . . 

personalized birthday gift

I created this painting for my niece's 2nd birthday. I'm hoping it will "grow" with her. I could have made it more kid-like but it would be nice if she could take it to college with her one day. Or even hang it in her first apartment. Plus I love to create things and it was the prefect excuse to get the paints out and get messy. Happy Birthday, Erin!

It's February already

When your young it seems like it's forever for a year to pass. Now, I can't believe how quickly the days fly by. It's 2011 and it's already February. So much has happened in the new year and so much more is going to take place - McKenna will be turning 2 & Jonah will be 4. I barely remember McKenna as a baby - thank goodness for pictures & my journal. Where did the time go? Why do kids have to go up so quickly? I do love the independence they get as they get older but I miss my little babies.

No play on a snow day

When I was little the thought of snow would just thrill me. I wanted to stay up all night and witness the first snowflakes. I prayed that school would be canceled but in Georgia it doesn't happen too often. Our recent snow days canceled school for a week and shut down the city. I honestly didn't leave the house for 5 days. Luckily, I hit the grocery store the evening before the snow so there was no shortage of milk or beer.

Going back to childhood memories of snow - I thought my children would be equally thrilled about the beautiful white blanket outside our house. I spent 10 minutes bundling and convincing Jonah & McKenna how much fun snow is. They didn't make it out of the garage. They didn't want to touch it and definitely didn't want to take pictures in it. Our fun "snow day" lasted about 5 minutes and mommy didn't try again to get them out of the house.

So this picture that I'm posting is from our "White Christmas". I'm not sure how I convinced then to stand in the snow for a picture that day. Apparently I didn't have the magic touch this time around.

This too shall pass. . .

Over the passed month, Jonah has been staying up long after we say "goodnight" and tuck him in. He typically stays in his room and plays with his cars or small race track. Sometimes he will call for us and ask for a specific car to be bought to him from the playroom. It's a simple request and we usually oblige instead of making a big ordeal about it. He'll literally stay up until around 10 or 11pm playing, talking to himself or singing songs. Then there will be silence.

As I stated earlier, he doesn't bother us and doesn't fight going to bed. So I have considered this stage shall pass like all the others. Really, what am I going to do? Make him go to bed? How is that possible? And why make a fight or argument about it.

There was a time that he HATED being in the bathtub and getting his hair wash. Were we not suppose to bathe him? No, he got a bath every night and we dealt with the whining and crying. At least this stage doesn't involve ear-piercing crying. I'll take staying up to 11pm any day over that.

McKenna on the other hand goes right to sleep after our kisses goodnight. The small differences between the two are so precious.