we dropped off the kids at their grandparents
and we were off duty for 3 whole days!
we drove to chicago for a very quick & very fun weekend away.
we were busy every minute and had a blast!
we don't have this in kansas.
can you see what we got?
wood hangers for our new closet.
we are total dorks…drive to illinois to buy hangers??
we stopped by to see my great aunt.
she is 97.
she was happy to see us but had to leave after 40 minutes.
she didn't want to miss her bridge game. (HA)
and oh boy did she load me up with craft supplies.
felt and velvet, sequins and beads…all vintage.
and her bouquet of beaded flowers i've been eyeing for years!
i am super grateful.
it was wonderful to see her again.
she was sitting there talking to me and i just took her picture.
she was a bit annoyed but i said
"this is my memory, you on that couch & me on this one, talking like always."
i wanted to capture it.
while i was at the flea market craig was at the cubs game!
they won and he got to sing the song? i don't know that song.
we stayed with friends who live in the boonies by wisconsin.
the ulrich hotel was as lush as ever.
thanks jim and lisa.
and we stayed with dave & jen…who have a Wii.
they made me play.
guess what…i stink at it….no surprise there.
thank you for your hospitality hill's…it was too fun.
even if had to feed your kids breakfast, play legos and watch mythbusters.
this is the best picture of us from our 14th wedding anniversary trip!
but you know what… i love it.
craig is about to say something funny (that's always his look before a joke)
and i am licking my teeth to make sure there's no food on them.
and i am about to laugh.
he is so funny and our friends are too.
our yearly dinner…5 years strong with our best friends we left behind.
more food than necessary, apple-tini's, pedro our waiter,
and picking up right where we left off as if we'd never been gone.
dinner with THE BEST potato salad & yummy pie with our Illinois "family".
i miss that house.
i miss all those memories there.
and later some Sequence with neil diamond, guns & roses, and tom jones.
jenny – we rock.
we won 3 games in a row.
without jokers.
i just don't want the guys to forget that.
it was a great weekend.
it's so good for your marriage getting away together.
at least i sure think so.
we have so much fun just hanging out and not being "mom & dad" for awhile.
enjoying the quiet, talking with no interruptions
and quoting tv and movie lines the whole time.
it was too short.
thanks again deanne, mom and dad.
Beverly - These are just gorgeous. I am going to have to try this. Thanks for the idea.
Beverly - These are just gorgeous. I am going to have to try this. Thanks for the idea.
Monica - Miniature golf, haven’t done that in a while. I feel inspired to go now!
I love the idea of using marbles for art!
This is my first time here BTW. I saw your link on Steph’s blog.
kell - coffee and chocolate have gotten me through this summer too!
Sandra - What a great idea! Three of my granddaughters are coming for a few days next week. We’ll definitely try this out.
Peggy Rice - Great idea! I think I will let my kids do this project so that I don’t lose mine.
Julie K. - Super gorgeous! That would cheer me up too!! You are such an inspiration.
Wish you had a whole week here so we could connect – I haven’t been to the flea market in a couple of years believe it or not – it’s too depressing to go with no money. So, until I have an extra $20 – I remain content because I don’t know what I’m missing out on! :o) Next time when you have more than 3 days in Chicago we’ll have to do a morning coffee at the minimum to connect. In the meantime – I’ll keep checking your blog! :o)
xo~julie
Nancy - What a cool project! Thanks for the idea and I hope you plan to frame those.
Stacey - Fun project! I may have to have my kiddos try it.
And staying inside with two kids drives me nuts, let alone five! I feel your pain. Thank goodness school starts next week. 🙂
The Mama's - That looks like so much fun! I have to try that.
Deb - I’m checking blogs in order to avoid chocolate. Lol. Love the paints!
Art Cant Hurt - Looks like your kids had a blast!
Glad you had a chance to try it out!
It’s so easy…so fun…and so much color!
Now get some mats to put them in and hang ’em up!
Take care!
Lanny Stanard - Okay are these masterpieces for sale? they are so cool, when do the kiddies go back to school? have a great rest of the week!
Lanny:)
meleea - that looks like a great idea! my daughter would love that! we will have to give it a try.
cynthia - i am so doing this!
Staci - Too cool! I was having that day today…I think it’s a good thing school starts next Wednesday or people might be hearing about me on the news!!! (Of course, I kid!) I’m gonna do this with my kids tomorrow!! As long as Meg posts all her fun creative things she’s doin’ with HER kids…my kids are sure to stay alive another week 🙂
Stephanie - I love to marble paint – I think it is time we do the same! We just got back from camping and 8-9 loads of laundry later. Probably more, but I stopped counting!
Anna - Love this one…always have. Great fun for just about any elementary grade…however, the younger ones seem to appreciate it a little more 😉 Glad you all had fun doing it!
emily - love this . . . can’t wait to try it with my 3 girls!
Holly - What a great idea, and much cheaper than a therapist. I am in awe of your patience and how lovely your house is.
meg duerksen - HA!
these are books i would need to read….not write.
i am not thin.
not organized.
the house is soooo not clean.
and i doubt i am sane anymore.
but i think it’s funny that you all might think these about me.
do you have books for me about these things? 🙂
PamperingBeki - Chiming in with other ideas for your book.
– How to stay thin while consuming large amounts of chocolate and coffee.
– How to stay sane when the kids are out of school.
– How to keep a clean house with 7 people in it.
– How to keep an ORGANIZED house with 7 people in it.
Seriously. 🙂 No really.
Pleasant Drive - I do this with my class when I teach “how to” writing. Fun stuff, once again!
Mod Girl - “and i was happy just seeing the colors.”
I agree.
lorilee - AHHH one of my pre-school students’ favorite art projects! They also love dabbing paint and folding the paper in half. We often do this with butterfly shapes. In the fall,we use numerous drops of food coloring mixed in just a little water, dabbed onto a coffee filter to make fall leaves. These are really pretty in a window!
Happy Creating!
Lorilee
Aby - Too cool! We’ve got to try it before school gets started again! The girls would love it and I could definitely use some therapy!!
Amanda Jo - You have the best ideas for things to do with families! If you haven’t already, you should write a book!!! I’m serious.
Thanks for another great idea to add to my “to-do” list!