Fun projects and other random updates

I recently put together some almost free projects for the kids with materials we mostly already had on hand.

I made the cute little clothespins with some Mod Podge and scrapbook paper.  The flashcards I found for free online, printed and attached to some colored paper.  We have 3 full sets of the alphabet and I think I'll make some cards with numbers too.  I figured it would be a fun way for Maddie to learn her letters and numbers.  I might even flip the clothespins over and attach some Christmas paper to the reverse side and use them to hang our Christmas cards this year :)

Oh, and we also recently hung the arrangement of frames above the fireplace to display our family photos.  I was so happy to see Isaac's newborn photo finally on display!  Even though I very carefully measured everything, somehow the arrangement ended up a little off center.  But I'm trying to get over everything having to be perfect so I'm leaving it as it is :)

And because we have more ribbon than I know what to do with, I made this fun little ribbon chandelier for Maddie's room.  She loves it!  I can't take credit for either of these cute ideas though since I borrowed both of them from Pinterest (or Pintopia as Quan likes to call it, hehe!).  I love Pinterest and have found so many great ideas on that site but it can also be a little too addicting!

And now for just a bunch of little random updates:

 Maddie modeling her escape proof jammies for the first time.  And they work pretty great too!  We have had no diaper removing episodes since we started using them.  Yay!

 Maddie sipping out of a "crazy straw" for the first time at lunch the other day.  She thought it was pretty fun :)

 

Relaxing with Maddie and Lucy after a long day at work!  I think it's hard enough having to work 2 days a month with little ones, I can't imagine what it's like for women that have to do it full time!

Awesome shirt from Memaw and Papa!  We got a whole box of fun stuff from them the other day :)

 Maddie coloring in her giant coloring book while I was away at work.

Trying out sidewalk chalk for the first time.  Quan watched the kids on Saturday so I could have a much needed afternoon to myself.  I spent the day at IKEA and even though it was pretty crowded, it was amazing to eat and shop all by myself for once!  Oh, and IKEA was pretty amazing too :)