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CafeMom home tour {and other Ashley randomness}

AshleyAnn — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:27:01 +0000

As I write this I have slept 3 of the last 36 hours….my sister has slept less. My niece is here. She is scrumptious. She is amazing. She is beauty. She will make her blog appearance tomorrow because I can’t keep my eyes open long enough to go through pictures. Until then here’s a few things to keep you busy (like you are all sitting around bored or something):

1. The bright square cards you all asked about yesterday are a Charley Harper Memory game. They were a gift and I have debated long and hard what to do with them…I am pretty stoked with the end result, but you have to wait for it. Yeah, I am making you wait a lot today! You can buy the game here.

2. Have you visited the Sweetest Occasion? If you are a bride to be or planning any type of party, consider this your warning INSPIRATION OVERLOAD. I could spend all day looking through posts and dreaming of parties to host. Yesterday my sister’s shower was featured, which was fun since we had a big baby day.

3. And this worked out nicely…since I have no brain cells left to share a normal post you can visit CafeMom for a little tour of my home today. I’ve heard it said that the spoken word has power, so I tried that out in the question about my personal creative space.

And by the way, I do read every comment. I don’t always have time to respond to each question and comment, but know that I read them all. Sometimes 4 little people just come before answering blog questions…which is the way it should be. Thanks for understanding that. Thank you to all of you that leave comments….they make me very happy and a play a big motivator for me to blog. Thank you. A more rested me will be back tomorrow….with a little of this action:

I told her I have given birth 4 times, that totally gives me enough street credit to deliver her baby. Lesley opted to wait for her doctor. I totally could have done it. I have used ‘totally’ way too many times in this post, I guess I like revert to like the 80s when I am sleep deprived. Like totally.

Boredom Buster {ABC photo hunt}

AshleyAnn — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:00:48 +0000

UPDATE: Contest is now closed. Sarah D. had the last counting comment.

Last week Marci left the comment, “I bet your kids love their lives!! I would if I were them!!” I would now like to tell them daily…”if you were Marci you would love your life not grumble and complain.” I don’t think they care though. Maybe I will frame that comment for them to read. I could hang it in their room to look at when they are in time out…but only one of them can read. Oh well.

It has been too hot to be outside during the afternoon so I’ve been working on random things to entertain the kids. This week we did a Photo Hunt for the ABC’s. My youngest son was asleep, but he would have liked it too. The 6 year old had to look for words that started with the different letters. The four year old had to find words that started with the letter or just find the letter. They both had cameras and I followed them around – yes, we have a lot of cameras in this house.

They started in the ‘work in progress’ playroom with their sister. I don’t think I have to point out how much she enjoyed their complete attention on her.

We went from room to room searching for our letters. I was impressed with what all the boys came up with.

Once we made it downstairs and found a box of Legos the remaining R-Z became creations out of Legos. The whole point was to stay busy, so I didn’t really care. I was surprised with the deep thinking that went into Biggest Brother’s items. I can’t find the cord to download his pictures onto my computer, which is a bummer. He had some really creative stuff.

The boys had a lot of fun with this and it reinforced learning – which I am a bit partial to. Their favorite was photographing their sister. I can’t blame them. If you noticed the “B is for Beautiful” onesie she is wearing…yes that was intentional. I am doing a Reader Etsy Store giveaway today! The onesie is from the store Jig. The only drawback to this store is that there are WAY too many options to choose from (check out this one for twins…hilarious). I especially appreciate some of the boy designs. It is hard to find boy stuff that isn’t corny, Jig has some GREAT options. I am pretty sure I am going to have to order a certain one I keep thinking about for my 4 year old. Here is FireCracker in her jig duds. When you look at the store…ask to see ALL the design options…they aren’t all shown in the store.

Giveaway Details:

Contest ends Monday, July 19th 9:30pm US Central

One winner chosen at random

One entry per person

Prize is: Winner’s choice of 2 onesies or 2 tshirts or 1 onesie & 1 tshirt

To enter: Leave a comment on this post with 3 letters and how they describe you (for example: A is for Ashley, C is for crazy, F is for fried brain)

A girl needs her dog

AshleyAnn — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:30:22 +0000

To answer yesterday’s question…”Do you ever have a bad day?” I have four kids ages 6 and under OF COURSE I HAVE BAD DAYS. I also have bad moments in good days. I have good moments in bad days. Maybe one day I’ll post about a bad day…those just aren’t as fun write!

Before I get into the meat of this post I feel the need to point out a couple of things, before anyone passes judgment on my eating habits!

1. I make my own baby food. Always have. I think I’ve bought maybe 10 jars of baby food ever. My daughter drinks milk and water. No juice. No junk. I recently yelled at my grandpa when he tried to give her a taste of ice cream. Sorry about that Grandpa.

2. Healthy eating is important to me.

3. I garden. During the growing season we eat what we grow…which is a lot.

If you are a vegan, vegetarian, or have an dislike toward meat you should stop reading now…..

Now to the meat of this post.

I am big on hot dogs…coneys to be exact. Not just I like them when I am camping or every now in then. But, I REALLY like them. If you are in Tulsa there are two places I recommend for great hot dogs.

1. Jim’s Coney Island and Greek food. My family’s favorite. My dad has gone there since we was 13. He knew “Jim” before Jim returned to Greece. I like Jim’s because the meat is small…not like a huge sausage. When I say it is a favorite…I am serious about that. When Chris and I lived in Hawaii my dad brought us over coneys on dry ice. DRY ICE CONEY DELIVERY. Told you I like hot dogs. If you go, get the squeeze cheese.

2. The Dog House. My sister and brother-in-law recently introduced us to this. The stand is usually set up inside the BOK for events, but you can find him around downtown too. Soon the website will be updating locations. We went to a concert at Cains and I just emailed to ask if he’d be out. When you go try the Tulsa Dog. It sounds gross, but its a party on your tastebuds. Here’s what it has on it: All beef frank, steamed bun, cream cheese, jalepeno sauce, onions, bacon bites, Head n Country BBQ sauce (I think that is everything). It is amazing.

And on a totally different note, 6th Street Design School is doing a feature on the boy’s room today….check out her amazing design blog.

Happy Weekend!

Lovely Clusters {blogger list}

AshleyAnn — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:00:46 +0000

* all red type leads to a corresponding link

A few months ago you all voted for me…and I won my first (by vote) blog award: The Lovelies, Blog Photography.

Well The Lovely Clusters blog is now featuring several incredible blogs. It has been wonderful to meet several of the other bloggers on The Lovelies site and I am looking forward to joining The Lovely Blogger list. To do this I need to make a little intro post for those that visit my site from The Lovely Clusters blog….so following their outline, here you go!

Who am I? Married to my best friend. Mom to four amazing kids (boys 2, 4, 6 and a 10 month old girl). Buried in Legos, dirt and Mod Podge. I write a blog. Created to live on a tropical island, but somehow ended up in Oklahoma. Passionate about raising my kids to celebrate how unique God made each of them and how that uniqueness can impact their world. Wish I could get all my daily vitamins from Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiatos.

What do I create? Babies. Random DIY projects. Messes. Lovely Spaces. Memories. Photographs.

Babies. (all red type leads to a corresponding link)

Random DIY Projects

Messes.

Lovely Spaces.

Memories.

Photographs.

Where can you find me? On my blog. No twitter. No MySpace. No etsy store….though you can find lots of my diy projects in other peoples etsy stores (which to me is a huge compliment). No Facebook. You can find me at Target, the park and local flea markets….just look for the babysitter with 4 kids, but don’t say to her, “you sure have your hands full! (remember: all red type leads to a corresponding link)

You should go check out some of the other bloggers on the Lovely Clusters blog. You can search by location, which is pretty cool.

The inadvertent farmer {kinder gardens}

AshleyAnn — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:46:01 +0000

SIMPLY CREATE GIVEAWAY IS STILL GOING ON….SCROLL DOWN FOR THE POST

I used to try to get some alone time in the morning before anyone else woke up…Big Brother never lets that happen. Instead of being grumpy about it (which I was) I am learning to enjoy our early mornings together. Often we are out in the field as the sun rises – watering the garden. I know one day he’ll be gone and I’ll be up with the sun watering the garden and I’ll miss my little morning buddy. I wonder if he’ll always be an early riser? Will he water the garden with me as a teenager? I think I would surely love that.

Gardening has become a family activity and joy for us. The boys love digging and planting…and eating. I love all that the boys have learned from gardening…lessons beyond how a seed becomes a plant.

Have you heard about Kim’s Kinder Gardens? It is a gardening contest with kids!

This is what Kim wrote about it:

“This contest will be a way for us to purposely plan a way to involve kids in the garden. Whether it be giving kids their own raised bed to plant or helping them to grow a sunflower house. You can design for your own kids, your grand kids or even a garden space for the neighborhood children…any kids that would love to learn to garden with a caring adult!

So start thinking about some creative ways to include children in the garden. Make it fun, make it edible, make it all theirs, and get ready to share!”

Isn’t that a great idea! I am so honored and thrilled to be serving as one of the judges.

You don’t need a garden to participate…visit Kim’s blog & the Kinder Gardens Contest Details to find out more and to see what others are doing!

On a side note, Kim has a llama – I am not sure why that is so funny and cool to me. At least visit her blog to see that!

Kim just reminded me about her camel…how did I forget that? A Camel and llama…she takes some super funny pictures of the camel…go see him too!

SisterCousin’s (aka my niece) blog debut

AshleyAnn — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:30:18 +0000

UPDATE: Contest is now over. The last counting comment is Dawn Maries, “Loving her hair. So pretty. I love the photo shoot.”

my little sister

Well it is her semi-debut. While at my house the other day my sis and I snuck outside and grabbed a few maternity shots. Isn’t she a cute, tiny little pregnant thing?!

I never understood why people wanted to rub my belly when I was pregnant, but I get it now. I just want to rub her little bump…my niece!

(FYI:I don’t rub it…don’t ever touch a pregnant woman’s tummy unless she asks you to….just don’t do it)

Are you loving the wrap she is wearing? It is mine and it is lovely. It is from one of my reader’s etsy store, kove. And…you guessed it…there is a giveaway today. Here’s a glimpse at some of her other items. I am amazed by those that can knit and crochet…it just looks so hard to me! Visit the kove store, blog, facebook or twitter.

Contest Details:

Prize is one $50.00 store credit to kove

One entry per person

Contest ends Saturday, April 3rd 9:00pm US central time

1 winner chosen at random

How to enter: Leave a comment on this post (a message to my sister, what kove item you love, where in the world is Carmen San Diego, or whatever else!)

kove is also offering a 10% discount to my readers. Just leave a message in the “notes to seller” mentioning this blog when you check out. The 10% will be refunded via PayPal after your purchase. Have fun shopping.

UPDATE: Lesley & I look more alike when our hair is the same length. We go to the same wonderful woman to cut our hair…Leslie Gosslin (918-742-5223). If you live in the Tulsa area you should go to her. She’s fun. She does a good job. When I cut all my hair off last summer I walked in and just said, “cut it all off”…no picture, nothing. She’s good like that. Tell her I sent you and maybe I can convince her to read my blog sometime

my working buttons!

AshleyAnn — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:17:57 +0000

Well my computer never went flying through the window nor did I throw it at any humans living with me. I did, however, get the buttons to work. So I think. You have to access them from the tab on the left side of the blog. Once I got them working Chris informed me that the text is much too small. Thanks hon, that advice would have been nice before I saved and uploaded them all. Maybe one day I’ll get around to making more with larger text. Until then hopefully the pictures are enticing enough

I’d love to know if you put one on your blog and which ones are your favorite….please leave a comment letting me know!

Also on the likely chance they don’t work…let me know that too!

etsy front page!

AshleyAnn — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Jill emailed me to let me know Baby Sister’s feet made it to the front page of etsy this morning! How I missed it, I am not sure….etsy is my homepage.

She is modeling her sweet Gracious May shoes.

shopping in your pjs {my reader’s stores}

AshleyAnn — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:40:52 +0000

So I had this idea that I would make a page on my blog dedicated to the etsy stores of my readers….I had NO IDEA there were so many of you talented readers with etsy stores! I had fun looking through your stores. Below is an image of what the new etsy store page looks like. You can find it under the “info” tab as the page titled “shopping in your pjs“. Once on the page, just click on the store banner to be taken to that store.

I also want to feature an item from each of the stores. Etsy will only let me create one of these for 25 items, so it will take me a while to get through all the stores. I plan on updating this once a week until I have featured them all.

If you are a reader and would like to be included, leave a link to your store in the comment section.

If you store currently does not have a banner, I just listed those at the end of the page. Once you get a banner, let me know. Enjoy shopping!

baby’s got a new blanket {LeytonSmiles}

AshleyAnn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:30:46 +0000

UPDATE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. The last counting comment is Allison’s.

Baby Sister loved to be swaddled.

I saw this ADORABLE swaddle blanket and thought we’d give it a try again. The blanket was just so soft and cute.

She didn’t like it. Good thing it’s not for her. It’s for her SisterCousin. What you ask is a SisterCousin? It is a sister you get to grow up with but doesn’t live in your house so you don’t have to worry about her messing with your stuff. In other words…MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY!

MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY GIRL!

MY NIECE AND DAUGHTER WILL BE A YEAR APART!

MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY GIRL!

I can’t even begin to put into words how excited I am. I am giddy. I can’t wait. I am beaming as I type this. I hope I get to babysit all the time. I wonder if my mom will babysit my kids so I can watch my niece. Probably not. I just can’t wait….I am seriously beyond gone with anticipation and excitement. I’ve been told that “Aunt Ashley” is too hard to say. So right now I am leaning towards, “Most Beautiful Princess of Awesomeness”. I think it will roll off her tongue quite nicely.

Since it is always fun to give something away too…the etsy seller, LeytonSmiles, that made my neice’s blanket is giving one away to you too!

Contest Details:

Prize: 1 swaddle blanket from Leyton Smiles

Contest ends Saturday, March 6th, 2010 9:30pm US Central

Winner chosen at random

Enter by: Tell me something fun you did with your aunt growing up, something you do as an aunt now or offer a suggestion for what my niece could call me….or just leave a general comment.