Happy Leap Day 2012

This is the 2nd surprise from my sister.

He is helping us celebrate "Leap Day 2012".

Also, he is ready to leap into spring.

I love the title of the book he's reading!

Can you help me give him a name?

I love Surprises

I knew a package would be arriving from my sister, Susan, but I had forgotten about it until I saw a box on my doorstep late Monday afternoon.

After opening the package I was delighted with the surprise gift!

I first saw this cute handmade card.

I carefully unwrapped the first bundle.

Aren't they adorable?

When I called her to let her know the surprise had made it safely to my house,

she told me when she saw it in the store she knew it had my name on it.

They represent Emma & Ethan.

I love the fact he is reading a book to his little sister!

Perfect for this retired reading teacher!

Look at this sweet back view!

I love it!

precious faces . . .

Thank you, Susan, for the springtime surprise!

Y'all come back tomorrow to see another surprise that was in the package.

Here's a hint . . . 

it's perfect for "Leap Year"!

Birthday Fun & Party Plans

Ethan came by Saturday to have some birthday fun.

He was excited to see his gift with a birthday balloon attached.

showing off his new Toy Story shirt

patiently looking at his card

so happy to see a toy at the bottom of the bag 

A Spiderman race car . . . yes!  

Preparations are underway for the big party to celebrate 

both Ethan & Emma's birthdays on Saturday with friends & family.

While shopping at $ Tree I found some great things to make 

a birthday banner.

paper plates & letters.

I punched two holes at the top of each plate & used green curly ribbon to string them together.

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

I'm going to be busy all week taking down "Valentine Bling"

and cleaning house.

Friday, Kari & I will be decorating for the 

Sesame Street birthday bash.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Linking with . . .

Tabletop Tuesday 

Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party

Weekly Words To Live By #90

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,

 and where thieves break through and steal: 

 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and

where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

Matthew 6:19,20

Wishing you a Sunday filled with joy. . .

Linking with . . .
Spiritual Sundays 

3 Years Old

Happy Birthday

 to our Grandson, Ethan!

8 lbs 12 ounces

1 year old 

2 years old 

You are a joy, sweet boy!

Nana & Papaw,  love you so much!

Just For Fun

I thought it would be fun to have a reader's challenge today.

Here's the challenge . . .

if you read my blog today just leave a two word comment telling your city & state.

Of course if you like you may leave a longer comment than that.

So happy you came by today!

Have a wonderful weekend!

In The Pink

I'm really enjoying my new iPhone!

To protect my new toy I bought a silicone case

 at the Apple Store.

My choice was a Kate Spade hot pink case.

Now if I could get rid of this pesky cold

I'd really feel perky & in the pink!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window . . . It is bright & sunny.

I am thinking . . . about and praying for several folks who need healing and comfort.

I am thankful. . . for another day of living.

In the kitchen . . . I'm thinking about dinner for tonight, possibly just thawing out chicken tortilla soup.

I am wearing . . . black yoga pants, comfy grey shirt & grey New Balance shoes.  Thanks sister, Susan.  I have enjoyed these shoes so much.

I am creating . . . nothing at the moment, but making plans in my head for several projects.

I am going . . . nowhere today, just home sweet home.

I am wondering . . . if we're going to have any more winter weather.

I am reading . . . no books at the moment, just blogs.

I am hoping . . . I get over this head cold soon.

I am looking forward to . . . getting my normal voice back & being able to call my sisters to catch up.

I am learning . . . so many things on Pinterest.

Around the house . . . quiet except for the sounds of the washer & TV.

I am pondering . . . what birthday gifts to buy Ethan & Emma.

A favorite quote for today. . . You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have. ~Maya Angelou

One of my favorite things. . . a second or even a third cup of morning coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . shopping at Hobby Lobby and starting a birthday banner for the party.

A peek into my day. . . laundry & reorganizing the coat closet.

Through the lens . . .

my friend is waiting for me . . .

I hope your Wednesday is looking good!

Thoughts Of Spring

Yesterday I noticed some tulips coming up 

under our budding front yard tree.

I immediately got excited thinking green

 thoughts about spring.

Thoughts about . . .

daylight savings time starting on March 11th

St. Patrick's Day, March 17th

  first day of spring, March 20th

and Easter, April 8th.

I definitely have spring fever.

Since I'm thinking green I've started getting a lot of ideas for sprucing up the decor for the new season.

Of course I'm seeing lots of inspiration on Pinterest.

great chalkboard idea 

&

forsythia

robin eggs

Gerber daises 

decoupage eggs 

spring banner

I gathered up a few items from around the house that I want to use in my 'Spring Bling' decor.

I won't start major decorating for spring until

 after March 3rd.

We're having a birthday party here that day for the grandkids & the theme is Sesame Street.

It should be a lot of fun.

Do you have spring fever?

Linking with . . .
Wow Us Wednesdays

Green Monster Review

A few weeks ago I showed you a smoothie that I wanted to try on my Feb. 3rd post.

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

I decided to give it a try yesterday for lunch.

I used blueberry Greek yogurt & 2 % milk.

I was pleasantly surprised!

Delicious!

It was so filling & satisfying.

I could not drink it all!

I give this healthy concoction a thumbs up!

Try it . . . you may like it too!

I'm linking with . . .
Table Top Tuesday

Weekly Words To Live By #89

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2

Wishing you a day filled with His strength, comfort & light . . .

I'm linking with . . .
Spiritual Sundays

Saturday Snapshots

Our grandkids are growing up so fast!

Ethan will be 3 years old in a week and Emma will turn 1 year old one week later.

He loves playing with action figures. 

 He's all boy!

Emma is learning to ride the 'retro rocket'.

She's so proud of herself!

I'm not sure she likes big brother showing her what to do!

It's so much fun watching them interact with each other.

"If I'd known grandchildren were so much fun,
 I'd have had them first!"
author unknown

Friday Show and Tell

One of my goals for 2012 is to scan & store old photos.

I gave Hubby this scanner for Christmas.

(Confession . . . I knew I'd be using it alot!)

I saw it on QVC and was very impressed with the simple features.

You can feed the original photo for an easy scan.

You can also use the wand for scanning on a flat surface.

There is a card just like the one on my camera to insert in the computer for importing.

We practiced scanning a few family pictures.

Here's a practice scan of the instruction sheet.

I'm going to start scanning old photos from my childhood and then do Hubby's.

Don't you just love the pic of me with the toilet paper?

Potty training 1953 style.  

Eventually I will put the scanned pictures on DVD.