Sunday Pins

Yes, I am addicted to Pinterest... but look at all the cool things I found!!!

                      Source: photojojo.com via Connie on Pinterest

Photoshop Magnets!!!!!

                                               Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Connie on Pinterest

Cute side-table ideas

                                                                  Source: sleekidentity.com via Connie on Pinterest

Road Tape!

                                         Source: iamthegirlanachronism.tumblr.com via Connie on Pinterest

Love this quote!

                                                    Source: keikolynn.com via Connie on Pinterest

Hmmm... Hallloween for Klint and I?

                                                                Source: comicsfornerds.net via Connie on Pinterest

Can't forget a costume for Moira!

                                              Source: stylemepretty.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

          Love this hairstyle...

See... now wasn't that fun?!

Clothespin Dolls!

This is what I have been up to the last couple of days and I am loving the results! 

They are little dolls painted on no-roll clothespins that are about 3 3/4'' tall.

I love their cute pointed toes and of course we had to make a few ballerinas from the bunch, lol.

The clothespins are really cheap and you can let your imagination run wild-

I made a fancy lady, some chilling dolls with hoodies, a few ballerinas, some chic chicks with heels...

seriously, it was more fun for me to create the outfits I think at times!

AJ is really loving the dolls and is working on making a juice container into their home. =)

I have heard that there are even bigger clothespins out there, 7 1/4'' tall!!!
Hopefully I can get my hands on some and make some even cuter dolls for the girls.
I am already putting cute outfit ideas together... lol.

I love simple crafts like this that the girls love to play with!

(if you love the dolls but don't want to paint your own you can buy some here from this wonderful Etsian! 

She is a great artist and has BIG dolls too!)

Some Tuesday Luvin'

Hi all! How is everyone doing this fine Tuesday? We have had a great day of cleaning and gardening, plus some new fun developments in Miss Moira's growth. She has discovered the stairs, the toilet, and how to take off her diaper! I seriously can't take my eyes off of her... she is so fast and the poor thing bumps her head or falls down tons everyday in her quest to walk.

Anyhow, here are some cool things that I have found, tried, or heard about:

How to make a book cover bunting

Easy DIY magazine art

The 7-day toy cure for busy parents

One of the coolest A-B-Sea posters I have ever seen!

Buy one here!

I love cool kids lunch ideas... here's a whole collection of cuteness!

If you noticed at the bottom of my blog there is a new widget which is our library... 

I am still adding to it but it is a really cool thing to have to keep track of what you have read, 

want to read, or are currently reading!

It is powered by Library Thing and super easy to use... 

Speaking of reading, here is a whole collection of great book lists 

if you are looking for something new to read!

                                                                                Source: lushusa.com via Connie on Pinterest

Finally, here is my new crush from LUSH- Toothy Tabs.
Did you know that over 1 billion toothpaste tubes end up in landfills each year?
I thought that we were being eco-friendly using Tom's toothpaste,
but here is an even greener alternative.
There are a couple different flavors and I was left with clean teeth and no weirdo after taste.
(Plus at $4 for a box of 60, you can't go wrong with the price!)

 

Here are some other random links that you may enjoy:

S'more Cookie Bars

Yummy Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Create a Sunken Trampoline

and finally...

One of my favorite Pinterest finds so far...

Crayon Canvas

So remember this craft?

It is flying all over Pinterest and the web and I HAD to try it.

Here is what I used:

• 18x 24 canvas ($7)
• Box of 120 Crayola Crayons ($5)
• Glue Gun
• Blow Dryer

Here's how I did it:

1. Draw a straight line (lightly) across the top of the canvas

2. Figure out how many crayons you need to go across the top of the canvas

3. Arrange your crayons in whatever order you want

4. Use a hot clue gun to attach the crayons, I used a dot toward the top of the crayon and the middle. 

5. Now the fun.... Use your blow dryer on its hottest setting and on high to begin to melt the crayons

BUT here is my best advice: point it straight down or else wax will fly everywhere! 

Also, it is best to switch to low once the melting gets going, you have more control. 

6. Once it looks how you like it, admire your new artwork for only $12!

How We Roll

Don't mind the messy playroom in the background!

Klint brought out his old video game system and introduced the girls to old school gaming, lol.

The played Donkey Kong, Ninja Turtles, and so much more...

Even Moira got a controller of her own and would glance at the TV

to see what was keeping her sisters so entertained. 

Both Gabby and AJ loooooove games, they ask for our phones all the time,

and have a DS to play on as well as the Play Station....

we are all novice gamers!

Just another day at Casa de Krebs!

Our Week...

We played, we cleaned, we cried, we laughed...

we watched our newest member of the house play with his fellow felines,

we worried over Miss Moira's mysterious allergy,

we slept in and stayed up late.

It was an interesting week!

Baby Medical Mystery

So I am calling out today to all you mamas with kids with allergies, mamas who have some experience with mysterious skin issues, namely-hives:

This is what it looks like at first, then they get bigger and redder, then they fade out...

 Poor Miss Moira has been getting hives very randomly for the last 5 days. We can't figure out a common trigger and there is no rhyme or reason to the time or severity. It is driving me NUTS!
They don't seem to bother her at all and most of the time disappear as fast as they come. What is crazy is that nothing in our daily life or diet has changed. No new foods, no new household products... nada. And it has happened when we were out at a museum, at the park, 10 mins after nursing, after playing on the floor, etc.... I thought at first that she got bit my something but there are no bites, just lots of hives. They usually start on her legs, then the arms, and face- never any on her stomach or back or under her hair.

I thought that maybe it was a reaction to me eating a ton of cherries and her eating cherry puffs, but I stopped that days ago to see if the hives would stop and they keep on coming strong.... AHHHHH!!!!
Poor kiddo looks like she has the plague when they are full force!

So..... any thoughts on how to figure out what is the root cause? I have been writing down every episode and there is no pattern to the hives, no linking factor. Help!!

Sorry for the bad pics, it was late and photo composition was definitely NOT on my mind!

Wednesday Lovings

Hello all! Just popping by to share some quick links and such that I am loving these days, enjoy!!

Did you know that you can borrow free dissection alternative kits? Yay for exploring animals without having to kill any in the name of science!

Here is a great article on how to talk to little girls. (Hint: ask them what is their favorite book!)

There are a still a few days of summer left... here are 10 things you must do before it is over!

And when it is over, here is an easy science experiment to get you started if formal learning is on your agenda.

I gave my reasons why we homeschool a couple of days ago, but this article says it even better!

Here is my crafty fix that even serves as an awesome new mom present: make a portable beautiful growth chart... lovely!

Well, that's all for now... I am off to enjoy a wonderful day with my girls. Have a wonderful day yourself!

Happy 7th Birthday My Gabba!

 Happy Birthday my Gabba Raba Ding Dong!

(Yes, that is her nickname!)

Today you turn 7 years old,

my oldest daughter. 

7 years ago you came into this world and made me a mommy,

and since then you have shared all these firsts with me,

paving the way for your sisters to follow.

You are a joy, a challenge, a mystery, and an adventure for me.

You make me try hard to be a better mom,

and make me smile with your creativity and spunk.

But there is such a sensitivity to you...

all of our friends comment on your sweetness.

I love your drawings, your passion for the animal world, and your deep thoughts.

My Gabriella Rae, you are a wonderful daughter whom we love so very much.

Thank you for all you do and all you are. 

I can't wait to journey into 2nd grade homeschooling with you,

watch you discover all that there is out in this world for you,

and be there for you, no matter what. 

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Some Tuesday Luvin'

How is everyone this hot, sweaty, humid day? We woke up this morning to no power thanks to the powerful storms that swept through last night. Not a good day to be without air conditioning! I don't know about you all, but I was not made for any temps above 80... ick!

Anyhow, here are some cool things that I have seen and want to make... enjoy and stay cool! =P

* I can't wait for the cooler temps so I can wear stuff like this again!

Source: polyvore.com via Connie on Pinterest

*I am already getting the itch to get another tattoo... 

I am thinking maybe a girlie version of Klint's Tree of Life one?

Source: weheartit.com via Connie on Pinterest

* I love simple things that have lots of meaning... 

these penny charms would be a great addition to my keyring!

Source: etsy.com via Connie on Pinterest

* Nothing says summer more to me than fresh veggies and dip! 

Doesn't this look yummy?!

Source: eatingoutloud.com via Connie on Pinterest

* This photo reminded me of the new Winnie the Pooh movie that is coming out.
I can't wait to take the girls to see it!

Source: flickr.com via Connie on Pinterest

*Speaking of which, have you heard the song from the trailer?
I am in love with it!




*Finally, this is everything I am trying to channel...
gentle parenting is getting easier and more of a habit every day!

Source: jennyanddukefamily.blogspot.com via Connie on Pinterest

Where were we?

Now that the rant is over, where were we? Oh yeah... fun stuff I do with the kids and cute pictures of the baby. =)

Yesterday the girls and I ventured wayyyy out of our neighborhood to go to Amish Country in southern Ohio. I, having always been a city girl, thought that they were only in really rural parts of PA until I met Klint, who grew up next to them. Let me tell you how funny I thought it was when I saw a buggy hitched to the Ashland Walmart?! Anyhow, I wanted to learn more about them and knew a friend who adores a farm there. So off to Yoder's Amish Farm we went!

The day was perfect, not too hot and the girls were delighted with all the baby animals running around. From beagle pups to kittens, ducklings, and foals... this was heaven for them! We walked around a real Amish home and school, took a buggy ride, ate a picnic, and played hard. Afterwards we even went to get some yummy ice cream with Grandma Jan (our wonderful friend) and plays an excited game of Eye Spy in the store, lol!

It was so much fun to see how differently other cultures live as well as to walk around and watch the girls explore freely. I really enjoyed learning about the homemaking of an Amish woman and definitely cam home thankful for all the modern tools to make my day easier! I can't wait to go again and have Klint along to take more photos... it wasn't very easy getting good shots with Miss Moira in the sling, grabbing the strap!