Paint in My Hair

The Land of Sunshine and Jelly Bean Trails

Why does Luke have an orange beard?  Ask the Easter Bunny.  A trail of jelly beans was found last Sunday morning from each child's bed.  Luke sweetly drooled jelly beans on Isaac and Heather's carpet. (He kept finding the darn things all day)  The others managed to keep them in their mouths. 

It was an almost perfect Easter (All except Dave's absence).  We started with a frenzy of Easter baskets, a pancake breakfast, and getting children clean and dressed--All in time for 8am church.  Well, OK,  "in time"  might be a slight exaggeration.   

We ended with a scrumptious dinner at Heather's mom's.  We sat outside and glutted ourselves with her beloved cheesy potatoes and strawberry pretzel dessert.  Ahhh.....It was nice to be in Arizona.

How did I manage this lovely escape to the land of perpetual summer.  Easy, I duped my friend Melanie into flying me out to help decorate her house.  Not only did I convince her that she couldn't manage without me, I also convinced her it was her own idea.  Wow, I am good.

Here's our first makeover.  After a mere 45 trips to TJ Max and 35 to Tuesday Morning, we came up with this. (I've included a before picture)  I did the painting above her bed.  I think we were a pretty good team and I'll be asking her to talk me into flying her out here next. 

Three for One

This will be like 3 posts in one.   I've been running around like a crazy lady, doing too many fun things at once.  Tomorrow Lily, Luke and I head for sunny Arizona.

Real quick, just to fill you in on Lily's reaction to my last post.  She was thrilled.  She dragged Teddy around that day with even fiercer affection, breaking into little bursts of unexplained giggles .  He, of course, will be coming to AZ with us.  Who knows what sort of trouble will come of it.

Post one:  I love Flickr

Have you ever seen anything prettier?  I'm in charge of the invitations for this big church dance for the youth.   The theme is Neverland.  I needed something "undisney" and found this enchanting photograph by Jay Patel on flickr.   Doesn't it scream Neverland?    All of his photography is amazing.  He was a pleasure to work with.  And the invitations are done!  Hallelujah!

Post 2:  Good things come to those who wait.

I just finished this dogwood painting for Collette.  I brought it over, made her put the nails in the wall, and then promptly told her my publisher wants it for prints.  So this morning I will steal it back from her for a few weeks.  Meanwhile, she'll have a blank wall (except for the nails.)

Post 3:  $29

My friends, Kim and Patti, did a smashing job putting together this "birthday party"  for our women's organization at church.  For any of you who have tried to decorate a gymnasium, you know how hard it is to make a space like that warm and inviting.  But they did it.  And they did it for $29!!!  I thought these ideas would also be great for a birthday party at home.

1. Plastic table cloths in various bright colors
2. Giant "confetti" cut from construction paper
3. Cakes ready for the guests to decorate
4. Streamers and homemade paper lanterns

Well, I'm off.  Time to drag out the summer clothes. The next time you here from me I will have defrosted a bit. 

One O'clock Nap

Before Lily rushed off to school this morning she left me some very detailed instructions for Teddy.   It's not the first time she's given me instructions for him, but in the past it's been something like, "Mom, can you sew Teddy's head back on?" 

So as proof that I accomplished something today I have photographed Teddy at his various activities.  Lily is going to flip out when I show her these.  I expect that she will lay awake tonight, day dreaming of all the things Teddy needs to do tomorrow.   His schedule will undoubtedly tighten. Poor Teddy.

My schedule may even be tighter than Teddy's, with church stuff, and kid
stuff, and oh so many paintings to finish, all before my upcoming trip
to Arizona.  Yikes!   I'd better get to work before Teddy wakes up from his  nap.