Summer Schedule for the Wee Ones!

Okay, I know it's only Spring, but admit it - you are thinking of Summer already right!? Well, I am. I found this great, simple little schedule and wanted to share as I love it's ideas and meaningful activities that can be easily incorporated. Today being Thursday, it says to do something of service which my hubby and I have been talking about a lot lately. We want to find something of service that we can do as a family and will be a teaching opportunity for our girls.

Speaking of this, I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Toronto to watch Oprah's Life Lessons! My girlfriend and I had a few travel hiccups along the way (to say the least) but had one of the best experiences of our lives! Hope to post more on that soon.

Enjoy!

via www.somewhatsimple.com

Easter Love!

It was one of those weekends that you don't want to end! We went up to Whistler, BC and had a blast. My almost 4 year old rode the gondola and went tubing for the first time ever (she loved it), we cruised the village, hung out at the park, went to a community Easter Egg hunt and just generally had some good family time! We came home to hang out and eat (too much chocolate!) with family (and of course my hubby had to watch the Masters). It was a good one!

My Easter Bunnies (First matching dresses, I know - couldn't help myself!)

The Easter Bunny got it right this year!

Playroom Inspiration!

My mom wants to re-do what she calls the 'grandkids playroom' in her house. I'm so happy as I've been giving her the nudge to do this for a long time! It's mostly my little one's who use the room but she also needs it function for her pre-teen grandkids to watch TV and lounge. One of her other requests is she needs the couch to double as a bed for sleep overs. It's a small room that has to be kid friendly but also look good as it's just off her kitchen. I'm excited with the new inspiration. It's bright, fresh and young - perfect for kids! My mom is a tough critic so we'll see what she says today? Happy Easter weekend everyone! My little family is going away for a couple days together and I can't wait!! Enjoy...

I have included a daybed that turns into a double and the ottoman opens up for storage - great for all those toys!

Indigo - Yes!

Those who know me, know I have a bit of obsession with Homesense. I just find the greatest things there and love the prices. Well, I may have to share that obsession with one of my other new favourite spots for home decor - Indigo! Yes, the bookstore. The secret is out on this place for a while and all it's wonderful home accessories, but what is even more exciting is the amazing sales they have. Seriously, 75% off some fantastic items. I had to share a recent example. Here are a pair of pillows I picked up there for $5 each! Yes, people, it's true and get this - that included the insert! Below are my new pillows along with some other great Indigo items I'm lusting after right now. Hmm...might swing by there after preschool drop off this morning? Enjoy!

Gold, sparkly beauties :-)

Love

And the circles go with my 'circle motif' in the dining room - totally intentional (ya right!:-)

Okay, I think this is on sale for around $6 - come on!

That spot of colour is great, love this one

This one is $3 - yikes!

 So cute

Perfect with the yellow one above :-)

Wallpaper for Powder Room

I posted a while back how it was on my 2012 "to do" list to redo our main floor powder room. I really don't like anything about it - the floor is so dark, the vanity is so ugly, the taps are dated (can you tell I don't like it!). All that being said, I haven't taken much action to change it but I noticed that every time I have someone over and they use the powder room I think about all it's "ugliness"- a sign for change! I received a bunch of wallpaper samples - which is a must! Looking online and seeing one thing can be quite different once you see it in person. Anyway, this is the one I'm leaning toward. It's fresh and fun and will allow me to accent with any colour. What do you think? Enjoy...

Our Craft Room - Slowing getting there...

Feels like forever since I've posted. Maybe it's this crazy Vancouver weather we're having (rain, wind storms, snow) that is making me feel unmotivated? To satisfy my need for a creative outlet I have been working on a few things but completing them is a different story. Without any cleaning, organizing or staging I have decided to show the progress we have made on our new craft room. This idea came from my idol, Sarah Richardson. I love the idea of having a space my girls can use for crafts, projects, homework and play dates (not to mention a good spot for me to get a little crafty myself now and then). All the major stuff is there it just needs a wee bit of "sprucing." Here is a shot of how it was looking today. Once it's all pretty I'll share some more photos. This is now my motivation to get it in gear. I will say, it's been fantastic so far. My daughter loves it in there and even better - no paints, paper, crayons (aka - art mess) in the kitchen anymore! Enjoy...

As you can see, it's already looking well used. The tables with the rolls of papers have been the best thing ever!

What's a craft room without pipe cleaner!

Places for all the 'tools'

Art work hanging to dry and on display for all to see :-)

6 Month Love!

Lovin the 'Girls Trip!'

When my little Presley was born we were ecstatic to hear Isabella would have a sister! I'm pretty much a girly girl and one of my immediate thoughts to now having 2 daughters was all the fun "girl trips" we can do throughout the years. Dreaming of a little NYC, some San Fran, Seattle and going to plays, the ballet (you get the idea). Well, they are only 3 years old and 5 months but we had our first 'girl trip' to Palm Desert with their grandma (my mom). Honestly, travelling with 2 babes is a bit exhausting but they were both very good. We did lots of shopping, bird watching, swimming and even managed to get in a few happy hours! Here is a snapshot through Instagram (love that program!). Can't wait for many more "girl trips" in our future - my 3 year old is hooked on this idea! Enjoy...

Getting kids to both look? How is it done?

Grandma and Isabella enjoying the zoo

ahh again, they both are looking down :-) Beautiful sunshine and scenery - I miss it!!

All dolled up for dinner out. Thanks to my friend LD for the adorable dress!

Sitting in a stroller without carseat for first time. This was perfect for those 'happy hours!"

Lots of sister lovin! My 3 year old is an amazing big sis - I'm so proud

Kids Art - LOVE this idea!

Yesterday my girlfriend was over for a playdate with the little ones. Both our oldest kids are in preschool and we are amazed at all the "art" that is coming home - and were discussing what the heck to do with it all!? I'm in the midst of creating a craft room (more on that later) and have a couple ideas for all my beautiful kid art but nothing that was too exciting until I saw this idea! Designer Jan Eleni has done the most brilliant thing. She took pictures of all the art and then shrunk it down to fit in one large frame/piece of art. It looks so fresh and is a keepsake you could pass down to your children. Now, the logistics of it all I will have to work on but this is going on that long to do list of "projects." Here's how it looks. Fantastic heh! Enjoy...

Jan Eleni

Isabella's New Painting!

This past Christmas, Isabella and Presley's grandmother gave them paintings she had done. They are both beautiful. Isabella's is a horse and Presley's a bouquet of pink flowers. I thought about hanging them in their rooms but since they are both so young to really appreciate it yet, I decided to display them in the living room. Here is a shot of where Isabella's beloved horse has now found a home. Presley's is being hung on an art wall which I will post later (if I get around to actually hanging the pics this weekend!?). Enjoy...

This has nothing to do with my post but my first use of instagram. My girlies this past weekend.