Naps in Nashville

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Interview with Natalie, Age 7

Here is the interview I did years ago with the girls. I decided to try it again now that they are older.
Here is Natalie, age 7.5 years

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
Me.

3. What makes mom sad?
When I throw temper tantrums.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
She tickles me.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
A very good girl.

6. How old is your mom?
36

7. How tall is your mom?
6 feet tall

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Play with me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Wait for me to come back.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Singing

11. What is your mom really good at?
Being an artist and drawing.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Nothing

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Teach preschool

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
crab

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Making Lainey

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?A blackberry because she is good at standing still. (obviously in a silly mood)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
We tickle each other.

18. How are you and your mom alike?
We both are girls. We both like to sing.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Mom is a grown up and I am a kid.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she tells me.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Noelle's New Room

Before

After

Before

After

Noelle at Play

Noelle's room was next on the agenda. It was originally a room with two dark green walls, one wall with pink and white stripes half way down, and one white with a painted tree on it wall. I wanted to continue my owl theme that I had already done in Noelle's room yet incorporate the vintage Fisher Price collection which gives it a retro feel. I decided on a different shade of green which I painted on two walls and the closet, and a fun happy yellow for the other two walls. Rather than paint over the dark brown tree, I painted yellow around it and then added wooden decoupaged leaves that can be changed with the seasons since they are attached with velcro. I was very excited to long pilgrimage to Ikea to buy two Expedit units. One holds the majority of the Fisher Price toys and additional plastic bins with various toy collections. The other Expedit was given legs and turned into a window seat. I bought a cushion online from Walmart for the seat and the piece also allows for lots of storage. The beds (both Natalie and Noelle's) are actually bunk beds divided up so that eventually the girls could room together if necessary. Their bureaus actually also match if ever need be to put them side by side. The desk was bought at Meijer. All the rest of the decor either was already in Noelle's previous room or bought from Target. While I still need to do a few touch ups with the tree, I am pretty happy about how Noelle's room has come together. I was so excited that I had to go online and get the ever-sought out Fisher Price vintage Play Castle. Hopefully this room will allow for years of imagination and fun play for Noelle.

Natalie's Room

I always get excited about redecorating the girls' new rooms when we move and lucky us, we have had many opportunities to move lately! Behold, Natalie's new drawing room. When we moved in, this room had been occupied by a boy and the walls were dark blue and orange. The chalkboard walls had already been painted on and that was a big attraction for our artsy Natalie. She was very concerned about how her room was painted in boy colors and had a SpongeBob Squarepants light plate. After Natalie began loudly voicing these concerns repeatedly, I decided to start on her room before any other room in the house.

Natalie and I discussed her room and decided to go with a subtle pale teal that we had in our play room in the last house. It is called Geyser by Olympic. Then we added a wall of Shy Violet by Olympic for a bit more of a girly feel. I also painted the closet violet. I found a great vinyl wall decal on etsy.com that was a carnival. Natalie has always been drawn to theme parks and the such and so we decided to make that a focal point. We bought a desk from Meyer and a bedspread from the thrift store. Also, the window treatments came from Lowes. All the other pieces, we already owned. While I haven't found the perfect pictures to put on that wall opposite the carnival decal, I am pretty happy with this room. Natalie loves drawing on her walls although, never seems to want to erase them and draw new things! I would still like to make a reading nook in Natalie's large closet near the window. For now it is a workable set up and I have a happy five year old!

Finding Our New Normal

Ballerinas in the Springtime

Okay, so I owe my dear readers an apology. It has been months since I have posted here. My weak excuses include adjustment time after our move and lots of nasty cold weather which results in a lack of productivity on my part. I am getting it together now though and as the weather improves, I will be upping my blog game once again.
   You may have noticed that the blog has a new title and look. We have entered a new chapter in our lives by moving to Central Illinois. The last few months have been filled with house projects, gym work outs, and getting the girls into activities. We now have a house in fairly good shape. I painted both girls' rooms and their bathroom, in addition to redecorating their spaces. After a few weeks without it, the men came and put up our playground once the ground thawed, and we will be getting a fence in the backyard in the next few weeks.
   I am happy to report that we live on a cozy little cul de sac with lots of very nice families. There are lots of little girls for Natalie and Noelle to play with. The girls are enrolled in preschool and ballet, and Mom and Dad have a new gym membership. We have found a nice church and of course have the wonderful Chatham Library to visit. The hubby's job is going well and he has more time to spend with family than he has in years. We have made a commitment to health and are working hard on our exercise and nutrition. Both of us have been wearing "the exerspy" which is a device on an arm band which is able to tell you exactly how many calories are burned per hour every day. It has been very nice knowing this information and modifying our work outs accordingly.
   We are all adjusting to the weather which can still be a challenge. The hardest part of the weather here for me is the cold wind. I now understand why they call Chicago "the windy city." I can get pretty darn windy around here and when it is already cold to start with, that wind really chills me to the bone! Now that Spring has sprung though, we have been outside riding the bikes a bit (with the training wheels for the kiddos) and pointing out every flowering tree and daffodil we spot in our day. Spring also means that a lot more events are happening around here. This last weekend, we went to the Gamma Phi Circus in Normal, Illinois and to the Cinderella Ballet here in town. We also stopped by Lincoln Memorial Gardens to run off some energy.

Seeing the Cinderella Ballet with Momma

A Rare Shot of Momma

Photos from Lincoln Memorial Gardens

With the sun and warmth comes renewed hope for some great new memories this spring and summer for our family. Can't wait to see what each new day brings.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saying Goodbye to Nashville

We moved to the Nashville area in May of 2009 from San Diego, California. I have nothing but fond memories of the people and places I have come into contact with here. When I think of Nashville, I think about fall festivals and sweet tea. I think about spotting deer at Radner Lake, watching the girls splash and grin at Maryland Farms Y, and hugging the sweet children at the school I was blessed to teach at in Franklin. I think about a multitude of fun play-dates with friends and letting the girls run endlessly at Warner Park Nature Center. I think of the original and quirky plays I took the girls to see at Belcourt Theater and the fun vibe in Hillsboro Village. I think of strolling past the quaint shops on Franklin's Main Street. I think of porch swings, farmer's markets, and summer concerts in the park. I think of the scarecrows at Cheekwood and community-made wooden playgrounds around town. I think of quality time spent with extended family in a family-friendly town. All these things I will miss and more.

We are starting a new chapter and moving from the South to the Midwest. My husband has found an amazing job in Springfield, Illinois. On Tuesday, the girls and I will be embarking on a road-trip to our new house in Springfield. I know it will take some time getting used to flat prairie land, corn fields, midwest cuisine, new schools, new friends, and a new church. The road ahead of us is filled with uncertainty, but also with promise and the possibility of new beginnings and new adventures. My Fellow Readers, hope you join us for the ride!

In the meantime, anyone have any new blog title suggestions??

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Drawing Updates

It has been a while since I posted anything. The winds of change are upon us! More all about this next time! Here are some updated photos of the girls and their drawings. Natalie still draws many cats but now she draws just as many princesses. Noelle's drawings have really come a long way in a very short time. She now draws people and animals with eyes, noses, and ears. Noelle's drawing here is a picture of Dada as a baby apparently.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

It's a Dickens of a Christmas in Franklin

Today I took the girls to Main Street Franklin for their annual Dickens of a Christmas event. Lots of people were dressed up in old fashioned period dresses and suits. We even saw Scrooge, Marley, and the rest of that lot. The girls loved tasting sugar plums and roasted chestnuts. The weather was chilly but we stayed dry. A magical time was had by all. As an additional unplanned perk, on our way to the event, we spotted Santa in our neighborhood taking photos with the neighborhood kids. He even gave the girls toys and donuts. That Santa, you never know where he is going to show up!

Nutcracker Magic

Last weekend we were very excited to go see the Mini Nutcracker back at Harpeth Hall this year. The girls were simply dazzled by the dancing, the beautiful colors, and the amazing music. Afterwards, they got their picture taken with the Sugar Plum fairy. Natalie whispered in her ear that she was a very pretty princess. Very sweet!