Cutting Boards and Trains

We set up the trains in the playroom yesterday. Zach just loves to build a gigantic track (and often asks me for more track) but we don't have many hard surfaces upstairs so the track keeps breaking apart on our carpet.

So today I pondered what we owned that could suffice as a track until we can create something for him. I remembered that I had a pretty sturdy cardboard sewing cutting board. Since it hasn't had much use lately I thought it just couldn't hurt to try.

They absolutely love it! The track still breaks apart some at the cutting board seams, but it works much better than on the carpet plus they can move around the board and play very easily. In the picture above is Hannah and Zach feeding their goldfish crackers to the trains while the hot Texas sun blazes in from one of the skylights.

Kid Free Zone

Chad and I got an amazing treat this weekend. Around 5:00 Friday evening, we waved good-bye to the kids as they drove away with Grandmommy and Papa. We then let out an elated sigh as we did whatever we wanted on any schedule that suited us.

Friday night was packed with a stop to the sports store to pick up Chad's mended club, dinner at Outback (where we ran into two of our dear friends who were also on a date!), stops at Family Christian, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Lowe's and Walmart. We stayed up until after 11:00 because we knew we could sleep in the next morning!

Saturday dawned . . . and we buried into the covers. We leisurely ate breakfast then went garage sale shopping in our neighborhood. We bought some fun goodies, made new friends, and gabbed with old friends. Then we came back to the glorious air conditioning and I made a late brunch which even included homemade hash browns. Who says I don't remember how to use my Kitchen Aid attachments? At 1:00 we headed up to Cindy's School of Dance and signed Hannah up for her first dance class! Then we came back and enjoyed the afternoon doing whatever our little hearts desired. I cleaned up the entire upstairs and even washed all the bedding and organized my schoolroom bookcase with my newly purchased organizing items. We had a late supper and watched GI Joe which was very fun and very action packed!

Sunday arrived and even without the kids, we were somehow late! I think I dawdled too long thinking I had tons of time. We watched TV while eating lunch on TV trays (ah, those were the days) and then just had some relaxing time for the afternoon.

I will admit that I cranked up Enrique Iglesias and Abba while I worked in the playroom. I will also admit that after the floor was cleared, I used the entire space as a dance floor. Yes, I am a dancing Baptist and, yes, I do have rhythm. lol

So now I go to put my shoes on and head out to pick up the kids. It has been a very relaxing and very enjoyable weekend. I'm starting to miss the kids a little, but I really think I could go a few more days and be just fine! Thanks Bill and Susie for offering R&R to this Mommy & Daddy. You two rock!

Even more for sale!

China Doll with soft body $20

Shopping cart cover and changing pad $10 set

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stacking Action Blocks $3

Care Bear Musical Toy $3

Toy plays music and lights up when belly is pressed.

Little Einsteins Baby Neptune Activity Toy $8

Girls Shoes sizes 2/3 $20 for lot

Girls Shoes size 4 $15 for lot

More for sale

Boppy Nursing and Baby Pillow $10

This hard-to-find nursing pillow includes two pockets.



Graco Pack-n-Play $40

This was my mom's and only used for visiting grandbabies. Includes bassinet and mobile. Folds for easy storage. Instructions included.

Baby Einstein DVD's $2 each or $5 for set

Includes Animal Expedition, First Words-Around the House, and Music Festival.

Lamaze Chime Garden $10

This sweet little toy plays music in three different settings and lights up when the child presses on a flower. Instructions included.



Baby Lotion $10 for lot

We have a little one with hypersensative skin so none of these items ever got used.

Fisher-Price Barnyard Basics - Let's Go Bowling $8

The ball says "moooooo" as it rolls to knock the pins down! Original carry case and instructions included.

Baby Safe Feeder and replacement bags $8

An ingenious little contraption that allows you to give your teething child fruit and veggies to suck on without the fear of choking on pieces of food. The mesh bags are removable for washing or replacing as needed. Two feeders included.

Little Tikes Melody Beads Piano $10

This cute hard-to-find toy plays different types of music or animal sounds when the child touches a key or pulls on the colorful bars. Instructions included.

Smith Garage Sale

As the youngest Smith members have been growing, we have come to realize that it is time to let go of some of our infant equipment. I will be doing a few different posts with all the equipment and toys we are selling. If you would like to see a piece in person or ask any questions, feel free to call or email me.

Graco Duo Glider Double Stroller $75 - NOT recalled
Includes two snack trays, a parent tray with clock / temp, 5 or 3 point harness, large storage bin, full recline in rear seat, and rear seat holds most Graco infant car seats. Instructions included.

Graco Contempo High Chair $45

I bought this for my second high chair when I had two little ones and it has been used only as needed, usually just for guests. Stores at just 7 inches wide! Adjustable height. Instructions included.

Baby Trend Infant Car Seat w/base $8

This item was donated to our old MOPS group. It is missing the sun screen but is otherwise in terrific shape. Instructions and sun screen frame included.

Evenflo Triumph Car Seat $40

This was in my mom's car for a few years and then I used it very briefly. For children 5-40 pounds for rear or forward facing. Instructions included.

Evenflo Mega ExerSaucer Active Learning Center $25

Has three heights and includes all accessories shown. Instructions included.

Enspira / Eddie Bauer Deluxe Convertible Car Seat $40

For children 5-80 pounds. Includes detachable cup holder and two side pockets. For front or rear facing. Instructions included.

Happy Birthday John!

We were very excited to attend my step-dad's 50th birthday party today. There were loads of family members there and it was so nice to get to see Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim, who live down near Houston.

Look at this amazing cake that my awesome sissy made!

It was chocolate and she had even made tools all around it! Yes, my sister totally rocks.

The kids had fun playing at Mamaw and PawPaw's with some relatives they don't see too often.

Here's me and my handsome hubby. Man, am I really that short? lol

Cute Pic of Zach and Kittens

The Yellow House Closes

Many of you know that I have a home business called The Yellow House. I love working with arts & crafts and thought that might be a terrific outlet for my creativity.

Well, three young children, homeschooling, children's ministry, and various other duties have taken precedence over these hobbies.

I prayed over this for nearly two years. I know that I did not consult God on the opening of the business and it really has created problems for me since I chose to go out on this limb by myself. I could almost hear God's voice in my head this week as I was driving up my driveway. And I knew that it was time to be obedient.

Surprisingly, I was excited to call and close the business. It was like a weight lifting off my shoulders. That's just how obedience feels. Freedom - pure and simple.

My hope is that God will allow me to reopen the business one day. But this time I plan on praying about it first!

Changes

I attended a Girlfriends Unlimited event last week. They are always so much fun and I always learn something new. The sessions I chose to attend included how to make a t-shirt quilt and blogging basics.

The t-shirt quilt class was so cool. I wish I had time to learn to quilt. I know that my children will not be quite so demanding in just a few short years so I am trying to savor this season of life. Arts & crafts will always be around the learn, the sweet little faces of my growing babies will not. So I'll just add this nifty hobby to my list of things I would like to learn one day.

Next we had a keynote speaker who taught us how to pack more healthier lunches. This was so timely for me because I am trying to feed my family in a more healthy manner. So I learned tons of stuff from this plus learned about two books I need to read.

Finally I attended the blogging basics session. I obviously already blog, but I felt that it was kind of bland and could be spiced up a little. So you may note that I got a new background, picked a new family picture and I will work on adding some music when I get a little more spare time.

Sometimes change is very fun and very good!

It's a Boy, er, a Girl

We have two new darling kittens, Rocky and Candy. Candy appeared to have a UTI this morning, so I decided to take both of them in for initial check-ups, shots, etc.

Now, kittens are pretty tough to determine genders, even for vets. After a few weeks of inspections and observations,, I determined that Candy was a girl (and was named because Hannah loves candy) and the more feisty, daring, and slightly larger kitten was a boy (named Rocky because Zach loves rocks).

So imagine my shock when I learned that Rocky was, in fact, a very feisty, very daring, slightly larger GIRL! Oh dear. We are going to keep her name because it fits her all the same. Ha, ha!

Here is an older picture of her. No matter the gender, they are both very sweet, lovable and very playful. They have been a terrific addition to the family!