15 Fantastic Nurseries For Boys!

A couple of weeks ago I posted two photos of boys nurseries in honor of one of my best blog-commenters, Christina. Today, is her birthday!!

She posted a mood board of sorts over on her blog last week. But let's pretend like she is still looking for some inspiration and take a peak into the world of Baby Boy Bungalows.

Boys nurseries I love:

I think the colors in this nursery are fantastic. It never hurts my feelings if you throw in some chevron curtains too!

Stripes on the ceiling- very unique! I love it paired with the dark wall!

Another organe one! The clouds picture that looks like it was made on some sort of graph paper is calling my name. So is that funky lamp at the bottom right. Although I would like to see how long the things on the bench would last with "Ms. Grabby-Hands Gets-Into-Everything McGee."

So, it turns out that I am not a hater of stripes on the wall nor do I think orange stinks. But how could I possibly turn this nursery down with an awesome dog pillow like that?

A grouping of picture arrangements like the one above the changing table always makes me happy. And, as you may have guessed, I am digging the chevron stripes behind the crib.

Hey, Hey! The colors in this one remind me a bit of Cora's nursery! But I think their nursery took a left on Classy Circle and mine took a right on Funky Street.

Different sized stripes... clever!

What a fun and cozy nursery!

Another cool grouping of pictures! And I love that modern glider!

A blackboard and the name ROSS! Fantastic!

Funky and fun. Cora would have a ball hitting those paper lanterns instead of sleeping!

I love everything about it!

Another chalkboard and an amazing orange chair. Very diggable!

Stripes! Fantastic!

This one is way too traditional and classy for me but I still love it!

Well, there they are! People always complain that decorating boys rooms isn't as easy as girls. But according to the photos above, it can be done!

Happy Birthday, Chands!!!

photo taken from her blog, ApartmentFever

ps this really is not any sort of hint. I am not pregnant. I just thought this was a fun post in honor of Christina's birthday!

sources: Ross, blue and white stripe, chevron fan, circle chair, black and white chevron, orange rug, rocking horse, yellow and white, orange dog pillow  cloud picture, paper lanterns, yellow and white ceiling, orange and grey, big map, big stripe curtains, double yellow, orange chair, gray chair, gray and yellow

The Ridiculous Polaroid 3

Welcome back to another edition of 

The Ridiculous Polaroid.

It looks like Christina won again. Seriously, how could she not? Here are the past two photos that brought her to victory.

To level the playing field a bit I am going to take Christina out the the running this time. 

To her fans: don't worry. I promise you she will be back with a vengeance.

Without (much) further ado here are your 3 choices for most ridiculous photo. Please be sure to cast your vote in the comments section!

#1 They are patriotic. They have on shorts that are made of shower curtains. They're wearing super dorky socks. And one of them has on the world's largest hat. They are Kelly and Laura!

#2 My what tan legs you have! Nope, I'm wearing shimmery, super-tan panty hose. Those ridiculous pink gloves have come in handy when I need to dress 80s these days because, yes, I still have that entire outfit. And whooooo doesn't like a good jazz hands pose? That is what I want to know!

#3 An unlikely candidate enters the competition today, my friends. Jenny Rose is about as normal as they come. She was stylish when she was young and somehow she managed to avoid terrible bangs and glasses. Her downfall was that she spent way too much time with me. My sister and I weirded her up  the best we could. Here is a photo of me, Kelly, and Jenny Rose singing "I Wanna Be Rich" by Calloway. This is actually a screen shot from the video. The video is, by far, one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. This laser-backgrounded photo does not convey how weird we were.

It looks like someone (me!) is going to get a win no matter how you vote. I wan't trying to guarantee a win (although I did). I just wanted to make sure that all of the embarrassment doesn't fall on the very lovely shoulders of my lovely, lovely friends and family!

Who is it going to be?

#1 The patriotic duo
#2 Pinky McJazz-Hands
#3 The sunglass squad

 In case you missed the earlier episodes you can find them here and here.

One more thing before the WYR- don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight. If you go to bed at 9pm change your clock to 8pm just before you go to sleep.

My advice to those with babies or pets- don't try to get them ready for the time change. Just change the clocks like you are supposed to and soon enough they will get used to it.

I wish I could give you more advice on how to prepare your baby for the time change, but I can't. Last year, I consulted a number of people, spent a long time thinking about it, and practically wore out Google trying to figure out how I could change my clock little by little to prepare Cora for the time change. In the end, I changed her schedule by 15 minutes every few days. And guess what.... somehow this doofus managed to get Cora 2 hours off schedule instead of the 1 hours everyone else was off. Good luck with whatever method you choose!

Now, let's talk Would You Rathers!

WYR... 80s-looking lasers mysteriously showed up in the background of every photo you were in
or
every 4 hours (except while you're asleep) you had to stand up and sing the entire song, "I Wanna Be Rich"?

... come on people, I know these questions are ridiculous but you know you want to answer them! 

Entertaining A 14 Month Old Baby With... Leaves? Part 1

Let's get into Fall! And let's get into some baby entertaining!
How about we start with a little leaf stompin'.
That's the way we get into Fall around here!

Disclaimer: This post is a Cora overload. Grandparents, if it causes you to jump in the car and drive to see her I accept that.

One of the suggestions in my 365 Games Smart Babies Play book was a "leaf stomp." Leaf jumping and stomping was one of my favorite activities when I was little. Actually, I still love it. So, I was on board with that suggestion right away!

See all the craziness at the top? Someone around here brings this book with her to the gym. Then, she puts stickers and marks on the pages she wants to do next. The people at the gym think I'm normal.

I broke out a box we had from a recent Costco trip and filled it with leaves. Then, it was time to insert my babytoddler. She loves leaves! Loves them... maybe as much as me. But this little leaf stomp wasn't doing much for her. Don't get me wrong- she wasn't turning her nose up at it, but it just wasn't driving her wild.

She did, however, take the opportunity to taste a few leaves. By now, she should know what every single variety of leaf tastes like.

One of the reasons that she didn't fall in love with the leaf stomp may have been that earlier that day we did a for-real-leaf-stomp with no box restrictions.

Don't you worry- she didn't miss this opportunity to give the leaves a good bite.

If you are looking for other ways to entertain your baby or your babytoddler check out this post.

Dear Grandparents and Aunt Kelly, I know you have enjoyed the mayhem of Cora photos that the last two days have brought you. I will not be keeping this up. The good news is... I have one more Cora-filled post scheduled for tomorrow. The other good news is... Skype should be up and running by this weekend! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my awesome, house-decorating, had-the-best-time-driving-to-school-with-her-every-morning, doctor-tastic, friend, Becca:

Becca is obviously wearing a beautiful birthday crown!

One last thing before the WYR. Walgreens is offering another free photo. This time it is a photo collage! Just enter the coupon code COLLAGEFREE when you checkout from Walgreens and you get a free photo collage! You have to use it by the end of Saturday, 11-3! Thanks for the heads up, Kelly!

And now the Would You Rather Election Question of the day!

WYR... elect Clarissa (from Clarissa Explains It All)
or 
Punky Brewster as President of the USA?

Birthday Numero Uno! Part 1

I am 2 months late on this but let's talk birthdays!

Hard-to-believe-disclaimer: There are actually no photos of Cora in this post. This is part  1. I promise you will get some Cora photos in the other parts. Now, grandparents, relax and enjoy some creepy clown footage.

We decided to have a low-key birthday celebration for Cora. Actually, we decided to have 2 low-key birthday celebrations for Cora. We had one with family and one with friends.


I had my mind set that I was going to keep it simple. No creepy clowns who make the kids cry (like my parents had at my 3rd birthday party).

That's me sitting on my mom's lap sucking my thumb and holding my security blanket. The  "creepy clown" is hanging out to the far left of the photo. Rat-tail, billowing sleeves, a gold vest, and an Olympic medal (?) around his neck... everyone knows that's what clowns wear.

At least he has a huge leopard printed tie and face paint.
Can you tell by the backs of our heads that we are not impressed with Mr. "Clown"? Louise (in the middle)... I like that rat-tail you're working with. Just wait until the clown turns around so you can see that you're twins!

No above ground pool or Slip 'n' Slide would be present at Cora's celebration.

No chocolate pizza (sorry Mali)!

Here I am blowing out the candles on my chocolate pizza birthday cake (my mom's specialty).


No Twizzler straws

source

No gumdrop trees

source

There wouldn't even be any bad perms at this birthday extravaganza.

Christina (Stewey)- are you always going to be the bad hair culprit?

No bizarre eyeglasses. No jingle bell PJs that go down to your ankles in August.

There are her beautiful glasses hard at work again!

No sleeping bags covering the house for this birthday party.

I've ruined all the fun? Is that what I hear you say... no slip 'n' slide, no perms, no creepy clowns. 

Well, what did we have? A BIRTHDAY BANNER!!!!

Here I am with the birthday banner that my mom put up every year. Going along with that tradition I made Cora her own banner.

Next week I am going to show you the birthday banners (yes, TWO of them) that I made for Cora. I am going to show you her cake face photo. I'll let you in on the secret recipe we used for her cake. I will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Cora's first birthday.
Until that time, stay busy by answering my WYR of the day.

Would You Rather Question:
WYR... add an extra 15 minutes to your day every single day
or
never have to wait in line anywhere ever again and never have to deal with customer service phone calls or emails?

The Ridiculous Polaroid 2

Welcome back to another edition of the Ridiculous Polaroid. We will take a look at 3 foolish photos and decide on a winner.

Last time's winner: Christina and her glasses!
Congratulations, Christina! I know you are honored. Let's see if you can hold onto your title.



Today, we are introducing a new candidate into the running. My cousin, Sara. Sara is known for her bowl cuts, rat-tails, sassiness, hilariousness, and for being one of the best first grade teachers around.

Welcome, Sara! I hope you can make the cut.

1. Let's take a look at what Sara (aka Sizzay) has to offer. 
Sara, that is an excellent haircut. It is doing you a lot of favors. You lucked out by having Uncle Keith's mustache in the background. That sweet 'stache increased your odds dramatically.

Sara worked hard to grow that rat-tail out and turned into a beautiful lady:

2. The angry porta-potty girl photo. My dad is a prankster. I have inherited this lucky trait from him. This photo is from about 1998. My dad, Kelly, and I were on a road trip up the east coast. I think we had stopped at a park. Kelly had to go to the bathroom. So, she stepped into her bathroom of choice- a porta-potty. My dad (jokster that he is) encouraged me to hold the door so she couldn't get out and so he could have enough time to get the camera ready to capture her face. Me (being the sweeeeet sister that I am) complied.

You cannot fully appreciate our faces because this photo has been poorly scanned in. After a few "LET ME OUT" yells I finally opened the door and Kelly came EXPLODING out, full of rage. Meanwhile, I am giggling like a huge spaz behind the door.

I am sorry, Kelly. I hope you have accepted my apology by now. I am sure that having this photo on the internet will make you forgive me.

3. Last but NEVER LEAST is the beautiful Christina. She is a fierce softball player. You would think so from that expression anyway. Look at that tough cookie. She has got the glasses working for her once again!

Be sure to get your vote in. Who is it going to be this time?

1. Silly-haired Sara

2. The porta-potty sisters

3. Cutthroat Christina

October = Lots Of Leaves And Halloween

It is October. 

Boy Oh Boy how time flies! People are always saying it. And they sure are right!

In honor of my Fall-decorating, count-down-the-holidays-for-months-in-advance friend, Mary, I am going to kick off the Fall season with a little Halloween costume inspiration post.

Seriously, in August Mary starts talking about how Christmas is only about a month away. 

I am not a fall-decorating-fool like Mary. I can see myself headed in that direction but I am not there yet. I think the reason for my hesitation is the 4,000 boxes of holiday decorations that my mom had in our attic. 

Mary, the amount of decorations my mom had would send you running to The Holiday Haus! After growing up watching all of the energy my mom put into covering the house with Kwanza teddy bears, ceramic pumpkins, and Easter egg pillows I am in no rush to do it myself.

But what I do like is Halloween costumes! Especially, home-made ones. Here are some of my favorites:

• Pinata! How clever!

image from here

• Robot! What a sweet lil guy!

image from here

• Caterpillar. A fun and easy DIY.

image from here

• Ipod. Silly group costume.

image from here

• ICE CREAM MAN! This little cutie is a boy who is normally in a wheel chair. What an amazing idea to turn his wheel chair into the coolest ice cream truck I have ever seen!

photo from here

• Baby Carrying Man. Scott stumbled upon this video. The man is dressed up to look like a baby is actually carrying him. The best photos I could get are just a couple of screen shots. It is definitely the funniest baby costume I have ever seen!

• Shower Costume! Back in about 1989, my sister's best friend, Tiffany, made a Halloween costume just like the one below. I have a feeling that this guy copied her. I wish I had a photo of her costume. It was spectacular! What a clever 10 year old!

photo borrowed from here

• Owl City! Cute idea.

photo from here

• The Belly! I have a lot of pregnant friends right now. Ladies, bust out the non-toxic paints and get to work please.

image from here

image from here 

image from here

image from here

• Mario and Luigi. Christina "Stewey" Dorfler is getting a lot of love on the blog these days. She and her husband, Jeff, dressed up as Mario and Luigi a few years ago. They made the costumes themselves. I am in love.... not just with the wood paneling and their sassy stance, but with all of the cleverness below.

Within the next few weeks leading up to Halloween I hope to inspire you with some old costumes from yours truly.