You are my Sunshine

How is it Thursday already??  For that matter... how in the world is it November? 

I do love this time of year...  it really should be a time of remembering and thankfulness.. to prepare us for the season to come.  It shouldn't be just a time to "get through".  I hope to use it that way.

Since I just finished up with writing daily for 31 days on  one topic (Pass IT On!), I decided against doing one of the 22 days of Thankfulness.. at least on the blog.  I am going to join Vanessa on instagram and post a thankful picture daily.  It seems a little less daunting at this time... maybe it's because I'm in a house of sick kids and fighting it myself.. but i just don't have the energy!  So follow along on instagram  .. it's so fun if you aren't on there ;)   follow me... amielgriffin   and while you are there, follow Vanessa (craftyvanessa) as well and the rest of the 22 Thankful Days posters!  #22thankfuldays

here is my pic today...

these windows will never be clean.. I don't try to fight it :)

Today I am thankful for the Sunshine... both the warm sun shining in the late afternoon and the beautiful one she just drew with about a million rays extending from it's center.  (it's hard to see but her sun is just below her drawing hand).

Addison is truly my sunshine, my only sunshine ... on days of grey i am happy.

..............................................and then there are days when the storm hits.  :) 

the Secret Bun

Today is Day 16 of Pass IT On!

This is the "Secret Bun" 

name bestowed by Addison

You know your little girl wants one of these :)   hahaha.. here's what I do.

pony tail it with a wrap that has a fun little thing on it

Take the pony and wrap it around

Stick a bobby pin in once it is wrapped

Then slip a soft pony tail wrap around it and work it back so it is close to the head

and ... Admire!

"no gifts" birthday gift

This is Day 11 of  Pass IT On!

Last weekend Addie had another birthday party for one of her new friends.  Her last gift for her friend was a big hit.. check it out here.  This time the invitation said specifically "no gifts please".  Since we don't know them well, I felt like I should honor the mom's request. (yes, you read that right.. if i know you well.. sorry! showing up with a gift for your kid! LOL).  But I still didn't want to show up with nothing.. and I knew Addie wouldn't have that.  So while Addie worked hard on another "most beautiful card", I made a few hair bows.  I figured we could just attach them to the card.. so still no a gift per say.. just a card :)

Hint:  The key is layering.  Use some ribbon of different prints and textures or some tule to add a layer between flowers.

A quick dimension: Fold one side of the ribbon over the other, keeping both right side up.  Put a dab of hot glue to hold it together.  Then add a dot of glue to the inner side and press together. 

Whimsical  Halloween Bow

We added the bows to the beautiful card Addie made.  

I was right.  She wasn't too happy about there not being a "wrapped present".  So she added inside the card what she thought the birthday girl would be wishing she would open.

"U WSHEN FOR A PRS" = "U wishing for a purse"  :)

kids... I can't make this stuff up!

Hope you are enjoying the Pass IT On series!!

Linking to 

Craft and Tell at cherished bliss

Dance Mom

I am a dance mom.

I sit and wait in the lobby while Addison takes her classes. First is jazz class. I look forward to her bouncing out to change her shoes and get a quick drink of water before returning for ballet.

I don't mind sitting.. (let me rephrase. If Matt makes it home in time to stay with the boys... i don't mind).   I love to hear the ballet music from the back room. I know when they are at the barre .. that music is distinct.  The older girls in the front room are working a modern routine.  Hearing the counting.. 5 6 7 8! And 1 2 3 4........ it brings back memories. I danced for a long time growing up. I tapped. I liked it, but I always wanted to try jazz and ballet. (Actually, I think I would love modern.. but that wasn't a "thing" then). 

It never worked in my favor to try jazz and formal ballet.  But the turns and leaps of both -so different- intrigue me, even today.  I love the emotion of ballet.. the poise, free and connected at the same time.  Jazz is so up and spot on.. the placement, exact.

If i weren't so chicken now i would sign up for an adult class... but alas.. I'm old, much heavier, and get dizzy when i spin! So instead I sit a few more minutes and wait for Addie to come out.. undoubtedly on her toes and wanting to show me something she learned. She'll say she loves her class and had so much fun. *sigh*
I'm a dance mom now.. and I'm joyful seeing my daughter dance because she wants to.

eh?

Today is... Day 9 of Pass IT On!

Today Addie told me she now sits at table one instead of table 2.  I knew it meant one of two things.
     1. the teacher moved everyone around
     2. Addie was talking too much

Which one do you think we are going to assume here?

I need to find out the true story.. Addie tends to tell stories within her rendition of what goes on.. so I'm not sure.  It's either that she was talking too much at table 2 or that she was talking too loudly at table 2 (my money is on both) and so she was switched to table 1.  She told me that table 1 was the super quiet table and she was too loud at table 2 so her teacher moved her.  hummmmmm.... 

"So there would be one loud person at table 1?' I asked.  "Yes! ME!" she said proudly.

Obviously not quite getting it here, we just talked about obeying the important rule of not speaking when someone else is talking, especially the teacher.  I'll wait to find out what the real story is and revisit this accordingly :)   She didn't move her clip down... so I'm guessing it was not that big a deal.  ?

Hearing this story told loudly by ms Addie, I realized that she has been increasing in volume lately.  And she has been asking "what?" a lot.  She's had a lot of ear issues... her tubes are out though for now.  One of  her biggest issues is that she has a lot of ear wax build up (yuck!)  This is what's going on now... can't see her ear drum at all per the doctor.  The doctor didn't want to irrigate her ears... it's not tolerated well by adults or kids alike .. which means Addie would scream very very loudly.  So option B.

and here's the tip :)
The doctor told me to put a few drops of baby oil in her ears while she's sleeping.  This would soften the wax and help it to work out easier.  We haven't tried this before.  We've tried drops called "Debrox" and that worked.. sort of.  We've also done the ear candling... which is pretty cool if you ask me!  I'm thinking it's probably time to do that again.. maybe after a few nights of the baby oil.  Combine both remedies and hopefully that will get Addie quieter at table 1 :)

Now for talking too much.... as Garrett said one time looking exasperated,  "Does she EVER stop talking?"

girlie bday gift with personality!

This is day 6 of Pass IT On!! 

Here's a quick girlie birthday gift for you with a little personality!

We are new to the area.. but that doesn't stop the birthday parties!  Addie especially has found her group of friends at school.  She says they are all "best friends"!  They are all girlie girls.. and I can only imagine what type of things their teacher hears about all day long... God bless her!   The very first day of school Addie came home and told me what the girls had on... it's been that way ever since!  This is, no doubt, how she befriends her girlfriends.  hummm.. we probably need to work on the whole beauty on the inside thing..

These fancy girls love playing dress up and making jewelry.. so it was only obvious that we would get her friend one of those jewelry making kits with about 8,000 beads in it.  I figured the least I could do was to get a container to keep it all in.  So Addie picked out the appropriate 8,000 piece set and i grabbed a clear container and took it home to wrap.  The container was just too boring though.. so i added a little no fuss extras.  Girls love when their names are on things.. boys too.  So i stenciled Addison's friend's name on top and then used my trusty hot glue gun (that is seeing some action again after a few months off!) and just glued some felt pieces from my stash.  So so easy.  Much Prettier :)

If it wasn't very close to the time of the party .. we could have blinged the container a little more.. but alas, we had to go.  and .. it didn't matter :)  The birthday girl really loved it!  (and the 8,000  beads!)

I had to include this... It's the heart felt card Addie made for her friend.  ... 

"I <heart> U. So happy to see you again at the birthday party."   

She cracks me up!!

Addison and one of her new besties, Aislynn.  Don't they look like they are perfect together!?

Wraps to Clips.. easy!

Day 4 of Passing IT On!

Addie has been requesting "piggie tails" a lot lately.  She loves how long they are and how they shake all over.  Seeing as how my sister and I used to use baby blankets for "long hair", i can totally understand and support her "swingy hair".

Today was one of those fun mornings where she knew exactly what she wanted .. and i could not make it happen to her satisfaction.  Cute dress ... check.  Cute piggie tail ribbions... check.  BUT the ribbons were hurting her as i tried to wrap them around her piggie tails.  We have a few pony tail wraps from Gymboree.. none of which are easy to use in her hair.  Due to my lack of coffee at this time in the morning, i was not at all willing to listen to whining or arguing.  So i did what any caffeine deprived DIYer would do.. I got out the glue gun, scissors, ribbon, and 2 alligator clips (though it's still horridly unorganized.. i love having a place for craft stuff under the stairs in a closet!).

I snipped the pony tail holder off the ribbons. Then cut a short piece of ribbon that would fit inside the alligator clip.  It doesn't really have to match.. you won't see it.

Put the ribbon piece in the alligator clip and put a strip of hot glue on it.  Then lay it on the back of the pony tail holder.  And... Poof!  Easy enough to make a caffeine starved mom and a tired princess .. Happy.

When it doesn't work for you... Make it! 

God decorated the beach!

We just got back inside (sadly) from our first Atlantic Ocean beach adventure. My poor memory recall skills are troubled already to remember all of the cute things Addie said while on the beach this morning.  She was literally overcome with awe. She was excited to find shells (west coast beaches lack in that respect).. but i don't think she was expecting so many shells!! She couldn't put them in her bucket fast enough.
"Momma I found another beautiful one!"
  "This is so so wonderful! "
"This is just beautiful."
  "I love the beach. I love the soft sand! I love the beautiful shells!"

It didn't take long for spinning and twirling to begin..
A song about the biggest sea shell was the happy tue for the dance.

Then.. the cutest:
"Momma, God decorated the beach with shells!!"  "That's right, Addie!" (Thinking, wow.. i really like that.)  "And He left them here for me to decorate my new room!!"
How cute is that?!

Micah wasn't too sure about the experience, he stayed in my arms.. which was nice in its own rite.

Garrett, who started the beach morning walking alone finding shells, had a million questions about why shells are here and not in San Diego, about how they are shaped, and the tide. (Oh my!) Finally he couldn't resist the waves and was beckoned in!!

Gosh I enjoyed watching them this morning!

Christmas in July Birthday!

July 30, 2012 ....  Addison Lynn is 5 years old!!

look out kindergarten.. here she comes!

Addie had been planning her "Ohio birthday" for a while.. which consisted of us all being mermaids and having cake with pink icing and strawberries ... Under Water!  So I had not figured out a way to make that happen and I was feeling some major guilt because none of her little friends would be her to celebrate.  ..... Addison however, was not experiencing any of these anxiety filled emotions.  She was ready to turn 5 and to party!!  She changed her mind and decided she wanted to have a Christmas Birthday Party.  I have no clue where she came up with that .. but .. it worked! 

Christmas Birthday in July!

let me just say that this was actually a really great idea.  It was a theme where we had everything already .. so it was so inexpensive.  Everybody got into it.  My sister was visiting and she and my mom drug out a lot of Christmas decor and out did themselves putting it about the outside of the house.  The Christmas flag was hung, garland and a wreath on the front door.. Festive!  The back porch and deck had a few trees, lights, carols... and a birthday banner above a tree waiting for presents! & yes, the presents appeared with Christmas paper.

Addie was very very happy.

"A Christmas Birthday party is the most beautiful party ever." -addison

The guilt I was feeling about her not having friends was erased when we went to pick out some goodies for the party.  It was clear she was having fun and that was all that mattered.  We picked out some red plates and napkins.. and a butterfly pinata (she said that was ok since there were no Christmas ones. lol.)  We got her a big chocolate chip cookie cake, carrots, grapes, and pizza... what a menu she planned! 

Addie and I had a date at Panera together for lunch.  What a sweet time with my girl. 

 It was hard to sit across the table and see a 5 year old girl... and not a little babe any more.  She's growing up.  I pray that she's fed with things to make her grow into a beautiful woman someday.. physically, mentally, and spiritually.   I pray for wisdom to be an example for her to follow and look up to.  I pray for grace for the times I am way less than what I desire for her.  I pray for her energetic spirit and her enthusiastic smile to touch many others.  I am proud of her.  and I love my little princess with all that I am.

 

I will do that...

Olympic fever is high with us.. watching prime time and tuning in at times during the day.  My phone ringer is even singing me that glorious theme song!

The kids have endless questions about the sports, the scores, the medals, and the teams. Addison decided there should be a purple team... hummm wouldn't they have to add a ring for that? ;)

I've realized there are some real teaching moments within these conversations .. today it was about building each other up.  Addie said that she wants to be a "gymnasticer" when she grows up. She was watching the gymnast on the tv flip on the beam. She looked impressed and then stated "I will do that." 

Earlier in the day Garrett was "air swimming" during a race.. he then said "Mom, I think I will do swimming in the Olympics."  I of course told him i would be there watching (even though I know my heart couldn't handle that.. )

So at this point both kids that can talk have declared themselves top athletes, bound for the Olympics. 

Addie started doing her tricks and started crying because she can only do cart wheels and rolls.. not the tricks she was watching. Garrett then told her she couldn't do tricks like that.. to which Addie said "I will do that." And again,G told her it wasn't going to happen. 
{Enter teachable moment}

At that point they got an earful about telling someone that they cannot do something.. and how if you hear it enough - well you know. 

My point is.. it was a good life lesson. And a chance to show them that cheering for each other takes everyone further than contradicting a dream or goal.  Pointing out how the athletes cheer for each other even when competing is easy.. so take the next two weeks to pick out some teachable moments and really cheer for each other.  *\o/*

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
~ romans 15:2

Colorful. Wonderful. Beautiful.

"Mommy this craft is Colorful, Wonderful, and Beautiful"  

... couldn't have said it better myself.  

Addie and i had lots of fun doing this one.  It took the span of a few days too because at the drying stops.. she of course was off to other things and we never got back to it till the next day.
It was really easy too, always a bonus!

You need:  *Craft Acrylic Paint
                  *Water
                  * Glue (we used Elmers Gliter Glue.. on pinterest it said to use Gel Glue, which  walmart didn't have 'shocker'.. so i thought this would be similar. I think the gel is suggested b/c it has a slight color to it so it's easy to see where to paint.  This of course was pink glitter.. so very easy to see.  I do think any Elmers would work!)
                  * Fabric to paint (we used a white dish towel.. came in a pack of two at walmart.  it was more like a cloth napkin though.. and worked perfect).

Ready to start! Found some items to outline with the glue to make fun shapes!

Making a Beautiful flower :)

Addie did a lot on her own, till her thumb hurt from squeezing the bottle! LOL.. so she directed me (a role she does well) in what to make and where to put the designs.

 *LET GLUE DRY*

*Dilute Paint with a little water for painting*

Let the painting begin!!

 *Let Dry*

looking good!

 *After it dries.. soak in hot water for 15 min.  This will not hurt the paint, it loosens the glue.

After 15 min I had to rub and scrape with my nails to get the glue to come off.. not hard at all.

Bonus for us... some glitter remained!

This is going to look fabulous in her new room!!

Colorful! Wonderful! Beautiful!.. don't you agree?

I found this on pinterest... on a board where i wanted to repin Everything! Jamie has so many great ideas pinned.. you can expect to see more here :)   Jamie has a wonderful blog that i've joined too called
"Hands On As We Grow"...  check her out!! Filled with greatness!
Obviously I'm not a big name in the blog world.. but all about sharing with my few readers some great ideas to use with your kids and your home!

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