Let's Make Play Dough!!!

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup white flour

1/4 cup salt

2 teaspoons food coloring

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 cup water

Medium Pot

Plastic Bags

Getting Ready:

1. Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium pot.

2. Add water, food coloring and oil.

Cooking: 

1. Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Don't worry if the mixture looks like a globby mess; it'll turn into dough! 

2. When the mixture forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn off the stove and let it cool. Then take it out of the pot and put it on a floured surface. Squish it and punch it around a bit.  

3. When you're done, put it in a plastic bag or airtight container and store it in the fridge. 

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Comments: Audrey really enjoyed making play dough together... That is, until she got hurt.

Naturally, I was constantly reminding her... don't touch, don't touch the pot, don't touch near the flame, be careful, you'll get burned, it's HOT!!!! 

She was listening. But, when she thought I wasn't looking, she just purposefully and quickly touched the flame. She was curious.  

Some serious ice and kisses helped... But, her pride in that homemade play dough was the best medicine!

love, kerry

Surprise!!!!

John,

Happy 30.5 Birthday!!!

It's too bad you were on call, but at least we were all together. Hope you enjoyed the little surprise party, especially for you!!!

You should know that Audrey's been really looking forward to your half birthday party. And, not only did Audrey paint your gift, but she also wanted to pick out the wrapping paper...

She really loves you. 

I thought the half, half-birthday cake was a hit. 

 Hope your half birthday wishes come whole true. 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

love, kerry

Do Over.

Just about six months ago, I totally dropped the ball. 

It was John's BIG 30th birthday, and I honestly did NOTHING to make it special. The poor guy didn't even get a card.

Sooooooooooo not me! I love birthdays, parties, planning, celebrating...And, drinking champagne....oh, and cake. 

You all probably know why I let his birthday come and go with zero effort or thoughtfulness on my part (and, if for some reason you don't, click here). The timing was... off, but still amazing and so wonderful for me personally and our family, but just off.

I needed a re-do. 

So, I scheduled one.

About five months and three weeks ago I marked my calendar:

July 11: Start planning John's surprise half birthday party.

July 15: Have you ordered John's half birthday presents?

August 1: Ready for John's half birthday party?

August 6th: Order John's half, half-birthday cake.

August 10: Decorate, wrap and cook. SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY by 4pm!

Can't wait for you to come home, babe!

love, kerry

Published!

WOW!!!!! So super excited that Audrey's doggie-themed-1st-birthday-party was PUBLISHED on one of the most chic, modern, international pet blogs- Pretty Fluffy. 

You've got to check it out! 

Click here!

love, kerry

Family Portraits

We're always coloring, painting, sticker-ing, stamping, marker-ing at home (although, not always on paper or mommy-approved materials), and it makes me really happy to know that it's still a big part of Audrey's day at school.

She brings us home at least two art projects a day! 

Isn't that wonderful?

Although, most of the time (at least at home) there's no direction or instruction. 

It's just- go to town baby girl! Be inspired and create! 

.

.

.

Well, let's be honest. I'm making us sound like better parents than we really are here because it actually comes from a place of- I'm sooooo tired, stressed, overworked, crazy right now baby girl- pretty please sit and color nicely by yourself so that we can just finish this one five items on the list. 

Still, her work is beautiful and I love it. 

But, for the first time ever, I wondered what she'd do differently (if anything) if I gave her a few, simple instructions to follow. 

"Audrey, draw Daddy here...."

Followed by 

Mommy

and Audrey 

and finally Jesse........

She's amazing. 

And, follows direction well. 

Audrey's First Family Drawing, 22 Months

love, kerry

On My Love List: THE Penny Sale

If you've ever been to my house, then you've seen first-hand my obsession with framed photos and personal art. (But if you haven't, you're welcome take a virtual tour here.)

I'd just SOOOOOOO much rather decorate clutter my walls with images of people and places that I love, and general "framable" tokens that mean something special. More personal, more fun. I truly enjoy looking at them, and reflecting on that moment EVERY SINGLE DAY. 

Side note: This is FOR SURE the best gift you could buy a new Mom... An all-time favorite of mine.  

However, I'll be honest, my love affair with frames and custom mattes can come between me and my organized family budget. 

But {John} it's ok, there's a solution... THE Aaron Brothers Annual Penny Sale!

I look forward to this shopping event more than Black Friday, more than Cyber Monday, and more {maybe} than even the holiday shopping season! Buy one frame, ANY ONE YOU'D LIKE, and get a second for just one cent! 

Makes cents to me. ;)

So, every July I take an inventory of items/photos I've filed for framing, make a list and hit the sale!

Today was the big day and although, to be honest, it wasn't the best (Audrey was more than a handful, the staff was less than friendly, they cut my custom matte incorrectly making me return to the store, etc) I'm still really excited about my new additions to this historical collection of framed amazingness...

Father's Day, 2012

From left to right:
Audrey's first-ever work of art. Learn more about it here.
A special note Audrey and I received last month from the bride-to-be, Amy. Learn more about it here. 

Now, where can I buy more wall space? 

love, kerry

Happy Father's Day!!!

Audrey, I couldn't agree more. 

Happy Father's Day!!!

love, kerry

Best. School. Ever.

REALLY enjoyed the Art Festival at Audrey's school this afternoon! 

It was so adorable. Art was on display by classroom, and parents had three little masterpieces to take home (for $10...worth every penny)!

 I'm loving Audrey's new school. 

love, kerry

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We actually celebrated Mother's Day on Friday night. It was very thoughtful of John to think ahead, knowing that this weekend would be tough... So many pros and cons to being on-call and at home. He showed up from work that night with dinner, flowers, and a very sweet card. I'm so loved and lucky.

 

But, actually he deserves even more credit for thinking ahead at least a couple of weeks to somehow steal Audrey away from me long enough (on one of his days off, no less) to create this Mother's Day Masterpiece-

Beautiful!!!!!

Since John had to stay home and work today (a lot), I had really good intensions to enjoy a mother-daughter girly day, shopping, playing, and laughing around Fashion Island... We'd each come home with a new outfit, splurge on some See's Candy and blast {Disney} music on the way home. 

And, we had a strong start, but after about 20 minutes in Anthropologie- we were both done. Maybe 10 years from now, but in the meantime, this is way more our pace...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the special moms out there, but especially my Mom, Kellie, and mother-in-law, Judy. 

love, kerry

DIY: Over the rainbow in love with you...

You'll need (the usuals):

Perfect baby fingertips and paints,

a bowl of water, 

paper towels,

sparkly stickers for gold,

markers,
black construction paper for the pot,

and puffy paint to outline a toddler's cloud.

Wishing you the luck of the Irish this weekend, and a nice cold Guinness (or two). 

Cheers!

love, kerry

Oh Christmas Tree

We went hunting today. 

It was a first for me.

Something I've always wanted to do, actually. 

Turns out, planning is everything. 

{as usual}

Ian's Map

And of course, teamwork and determination are critical to your success. 

We are coming to get YOU!!!!!!!!!!

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.

.

Once we identified our desired target, we went in for the kill... 

                           

      

Headed back to camp.

Our hunt was a success. 

.....................

We got the BIG one. 

The neighbors will be jealous. 

 And, Audrey learned a new word today:

TrEEEEEEEEE

Bonus!

Merry Christmas!!!!

love, kerry

DIY: Baby's Rudolph

You'll need:

white construction paper,

brown finger pain,

brown and red markers,

one goggly eye, 

a glue stick,

Christmas music.

All the best craft ideas (like this one) can be found at Pinterest.

I'm obsessed. 

love, kerry

Halls are decked...

I'll be honest, I was a little disappointed to learn that because of work Audrey and I would be spending the two weeks+ before Christmas in Reno. 

Bummed to be away from John for so long...

Bummed that it'd probably upset Audrey's routine a bit.

Bummed to be missing the OC holiday festivities (mostly parade of lights at the harbor in Long Beach)

And, bummed that I couldn't really justify decorating our house, or setting up the Christmas tree....

But, who cares about justification.

It's Christmas! 

I decorated anyway. 

I didn't go all out, and I {sadly} still ditched the tree idea (probably too tempting to Audrey anyway), but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

love, kerry