My Little Fisherman...And Other Faces From The Day

Today's fishing trip was inspired by one of Joshua's favourite books, "The Little Fish That Got Away," by Bernadine Cook.  "We need to dig up some worms and get a basket for the fish we're going to eat after we catch them," he said.  For weeks, he has been asking us to find a place where he can fish.  One of our neighbors has a bunch of fishing slogans and fish decals on the back of his pick-up truck, so John asked him if he knew of a good place to take a four-year-old.  He recommended what turned out be little more than a pond that supposedly has small fish.  We didn't catch anything to prove it, but that could be the fake bait we used because Walmart was fresh out of wormies.  We're going back tomorrow morning with fresh-from-the-garden worms and we're hoping that the fish are hungry for breakfast.  Catch or not, Joshua loved fishing and I think we'll be doing a lot of it over the next few months.

He tried sitting like the boy in the book.  He also tried lying down to take a nap (I can't remember if that part was from the book, too), but in the end he decided that he'd do a thing or two like Joshua G, and that meant standing, squirming, walking about and reeling in the line faster than a fish could possibly chomp on the hook (until we explained the necessity of patience).

Learning to cast.

Project #3: Make A Wreath For the Door {March}

This is the first time I've tried to make a wreath.  I had no idea what I was doing.  I suspect it's tacky, but I stared at it for so long, wiring and gluing and snipping, that I can't be sure whether it turned out or not.  Maybe in a few days I will gain perspective and be able to tell how successful I was...or wasn't.  Either way, it's not the last time I'll make one, because I found it quite enjoyable.

( Fourteen hours later: The word "hideous" comes to mind!!  Must find a how-to guide. =P )

Project #2: Cross-Stitch {February}

Still in the making....

Project #1: Make My Own Notebooks {January}

Ironically, this was NOT a Pinterest-inspired project after all my browsing and filing away of homemade goodies, but I found the idea for these notebooks here several years ago.  Stamping the pages was my favourite little detail, and I've since been stamping everything made of paper, including shopping and to-do lists.  It's just so fun.  I know, serious thrill issues here.  I can admit it.

The page dividers before I assembled the first notebook:

Notebook #1 (also happens to be my favourite):

I only stamped every third page in this one, and I used the same "Life Is Good" stamp in each one.  FYI the stamps came from Michael's for a dollar a piece.

Notebook #2:

I sent them to my mom, but I think I'm going to have to make a few more, because they are simply lovely.  And thanks to the binder rings, they are refillable.  

Happy Birthday Joshua

This little man can't wait to wake up in just a few short hours and start celebrating his birthday.  And this mama can't believe he's four years old.

My Little Man-Child

Joshua likes to shave with John.  John slathers shaving cream on Joshua's face, caps his razor, and 'shaves.'  When he's done, Joshua runs to me, excited.  "Mommy, Mommy!!  Smell me!!"  I smell his soft, chubby cheeks.  Then he lifts his chin and I smell there, too.  "Did you shave?" I exclaim.  "You smell so handsome, just like Daddy."  He glows with pride.

Now Joshua has his own child-razor.  And he keeps those cheeks, and his chin...and his nose...smelling fresh and clean.

He takes this part of personal grooming very seriously.

KITCHEN: before & after

It's finally done.  And we are happy.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I'd be remiss if I didn't make room for my new clock.  It was love at first sight:

The dining room got some love, too.

BEFORE: (not a recent picture, but if you try to envision all the trim-work painted white, it's close enough I think)

AFTER:

We owe BIG thanks to Derek, who did the majority of the work.  And to my parents who put down the floor and the backsplash.  It was a huge undertaking but so worth it.