Speaking of Goodwill

While at Goodwill searching for a costume befitting Robin Hood, I found this little gem. Obviously, I would have drooled had it been the real thing, but a replica will work for a $1.99.

Here's my plan. I'd like to use it in the kitchen, but my kitchen needs some color so the current color just won't do. My plan is to spray paint it and set it on a photo easel on top of my cabinets. I'm still deciding what color, but it will be in a shade of one of my Fiesta colors- orange, maybe??

My Very Own Robin Hood

Bub participated in a Star Wars stunt theater camp a couple of weeks ago and was instantly smitten. When he heard they were having a Robin Hood themed one complete with archery, the begging ensued. I have been waiting for him to find his "passion"; that thing that makes him wake up in the morning, and he looks forward to doing it every day. So, how could I say no when he finally found it? He's been doing a few extra chores around the house to help "pay" for his camp this week and I'm happy to report this one is just as good as Star Wars camp.

Today they were to dress as their favorite Robin Hood character. I was really not feeling in the sewing mood last night, so I decided to see what gems I could turn up at our Goodwill store before buying material. I was thrilled that I was able to produce an entire costume for him (minus the hat).

Sidenote: I found an awesome red velvet hat there, but it's a beret style for a woman and I just didn't have the creativeness in me last night to figure out how to re-style it short of ripping it all apart and re-sewing it.

His tunic is just a men's shirt I cut. His cape is a woman's blouse (trust me, it looks better as a cape) that I cut. He added the belt and sword and Robin Hood was born.

He even won the contest for best costume!

Daily Dose of Thing 1 and Thing 2

Apparently, thoroughly confused as to where he's at in this moment.

Ah, cups. We love cups!

Did I mention we love cups?

Okay, really. Just try to resist those adorable swim butts! Since we cloth diaper, we obviously wanted a re-useable swim diaper also. We found these great ones at Nifty Nappy. She has all kinds of cute material and patterns to choose from. We went with robots (on the r.) and Ooga Boogas (on the l.). And the best part is they're one size like our other diapers, so we don't have to buy new ones next summer.

Muffin Tin Monday

We had a baseball theme at our house today complete with everything you'd eat at a baseball game!

Bowl of peanuts, Hot Dogs with penant picks, ketchup to dip, pretzels, bat and glove cheese, and tomato cut like home plate.

Check out more muffin tins here.

Heritage

We are blessed to have two quilts lovingly made by S's Grandma B. As with many things passed down to us, I struggle with what to do with them. Part of me wants to keep them wrapped up tight, protected, to pass on to my future generations. The other part of me wants to pull it all out and use it and enjoy it with my family; as I'm guessing would be the wish of those we've inherited from.

So, while working on making my bed beautiful and cozy today, I decided to pull out one of Grandma B's quilts. I knew it was only made for a double bed, but during the summer, our quilts/comforters are only for show anyway ; ). I mean, when it's 98 with a heat index of 115, are you even using the sheets?

It's only a short term use as I'm in the process of looking for new "dressier" bedding. My ultimate goal would be to find a wrought iron quilt rack to hang both quilts on - I'm not really a wooden quilt rack kind of girl. I even have a spot just below my crosses to place it. So, if you happen upon a store that carries wrought iron quilt racks, let me know!

I am so happy I decided to use the quilt and hope Grandma B would be happy too. It instantly transformed our room and made the bed look so cozy and inviting. I would have laid down and rested immediately if I didn't have a long list of other chores to get done.

Just thinking about the work that went into each one of these circles makes me dizzy.

And, don't get me started on the trim that scallops all.the.way.around.the.quilt. I sew just enough to know just how much work went into just the trim.

Thanks Grandma B. We are blessed to have a piece of you in our home.

Muffin Tin Monday

We got to use some of our new goodies from our Muffin Tin swap today and Bub was very excited. I kept having to chase him out of the kitchen because I wanted a few things to be surprises.

We had a Lego theme for our muffin tin today complete with Cheese-Kabobs, Grape-Kabobs, Almonds, Lego Brick Sandwich, and crackers

I didn't get very creative with the sandwich, but it was supposed to be a Lego brick (obviously a Duplo).

Bub's Lego guys held signs letting him know what he was eating.

Bub made a tree so our almonds could be like coconuts that fell out of the tree.

Grocery Store Bingo

Most of the time Bub does a pretty good job in the grocery store, but we do have our moments. And these days, I'm trying to get through as quickly as possible with my caravan. Yeah, you should see us. Me pushing the double stroller with Thing 1 and Thing 2, then pulling the cart, and Bub trailing somewhere behind. Thankfully, we always go at the same time each week, so I can always get the same cashier and she gets me out of there as quickly as humanly possible. Last week she even went out of her way to help Bub find the sucker he was looking for in another aisle since I was trapped by a stroller and cart.

But tomorrow, I thought we'd add a little fun to our grocery trip with Grocery Bingo. I found it via Muffin Tin Mom. My goal is to get it into a sleeve protector tonight and use it with a dry erase marker. Anything to spice up HyVee, right?

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Ours was spent enjoying some relax time followed by a great day today with church, family photos, and a family reunion of sorts.

4th of July

Yep, it's mid July and I'm just now getting to posting pictures from the 4th. I guess that means we're just too busy having fun. It has been a busy month, Bub had Star Wars camp, my sister and brother-in-law are in town so we're trying to get with them as much as possible, my birthday, and S and I are preaching tomorrow. So, I'm hoping after this, things slow down a bit.

But here are some pics from our neighborhood 4th of July parade. They had a firetruck lead the parade, then the kids followed behind on bikes or scooters with parents pulling wagons or pushing strollers. We went through the neighborhood, and some of the residents sat out in their lawn chairs just like a real parade and clapped as the kids went by. I thought it was a lot of fun, and really great for the kids to be able to be in a "real" parade.

Bub's best buds just happen to live in our neighborhood too, so we went to the parade together. Growing up in the country, far from any friends, I think it is wonderful that the boys will grow up with close friends within walking distance.

I am happy to say we are training wheel free now!!! I wasn't sure the day would ever come...

I have more pics from the actual 4th with Bub and his Daddy and uncle blowing things up. But they're on the other camera, so I'll get them in later.

Muffin Tin Swap

We've been participating in Muffin Tin Mondays for a while now, so when Muffin Tin Mom suggested a Muffin Tin swap - we were in (I was trying to see how many times I could type Muffin Tin in one sentence).

Michelle (muffin tin mom) even took the initiative to set me up with another twin momma, Mariah. We got our package yesterday, and it was filled with all kinds of goodies that would delight any Lego loving boy!

We got a great silicone pan - our first! Look at the creative label she made for it.

Some great Spiderman cupcake liners and picks (we love picks).

And she made some awesome Lego themed picks. I think I might like them more than Bub.

She even made some R's for Bub. Thanks Mariah!! We can't wait for Monday to roll around.