B-Bug’s got a brand new room…

constant ear fluid and pressure for over a year, hearing loss, 3 surgeries in one day followed by 12 LONG days of recovery…

… the poor kid deserved a little something.

 

Horsies are out.  She stills loves them… but with the help of Bindi Irwin… she has broadened her animal tastes to those that aren’t just found in a pasture behind our house.

Zebras are in... and leopards… and koalas.  Lily is excited about Heaven because somewhere she came to believe that Jesus will give her her very own zebra to ride there.  She loves all animals

… as long as they are babies

…. and wearing cute bows or tutus.

In efforts to make an animal bedroom for a very style conscious 4 year old…  we gave her what she calls a ‘Fashion-y  baby animal room’.

              

I HEART this ‘Paisley Pop’ bedding.  Although it was weird buying PB TEEN for my pre-schooler, it makes me happy every time I walk past the door and see it in an unmade, messy heap.  I also love these pillows that Maow sewed while she was here.  I can’t wait until life is not so hectic and I can make some fabric flowers for the pink one.

Note… even Lily’s American Girl doll is getting in on the action and  wearing a zebra shirt from Maow.

          

These are Lily’s 2 favorite animal t-shirts that I immortalized on canvas.  I wonder at what age she’ll stop thinking it is cool to have her mom make all of the art for her room…  not for a long time I hope.  I’ve decide that I love to paint.  I love it more than I loved making collage nursery art back when Laura and I were the only ones on Etsy selling it…. a lot more.

.

  I love this little book nook that we created in lieu of a night stand with lamp.  

The only problem is that I want to keep this nice display of animal themed books untouched… she can retrieve the ones she actually wants to read from the bookshelf across the room. 

 

She hasn’t  stuck with this plan.

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw a similar quatrefoil painting while watching  ‘Goodluck Charlie’ with my niece two Christmases ago… and it inspired my desire to persuade B-Bug to want to redecorate her room.  Super easy to make…  using a little 7th grade math, a compass, and drawer full of acrylic paint colors… luckily I had all three.

               

We had to set a 2 gumballs per day limit… to ensure that she has some teeth left on her 5th birthday.

My heart is really in the details.  Lily was able to help with these… like placing all of her bows on a dress form and picking out her favorite animals from these baby animal sound flashcards.  Surely Eli won’t miss these 6.

               

 

What fashion-y baby animal room is complete without a pink leopard piggy bank?

It is hard to believe that this is the silhouette I painted  of my sweet little Bug…

… who looked like this the first time I made one.

 

I hope she looks back on each phase of her little oasis and sees the love that went into creating it for her.

     

11 things I’m thankful for in 2011…

 

1. for a sovereign God and redeeming savior

2. for a husband that makes me laugh all day long

3. for sweet baby boys who love their paci, blankie and crib

4. for a smart little girl who loves learning to write new words

5. for Lily’s wonderful school and gifted teachers and God centered learning environment

6. for our  new VW Routan with dual dvd system…  how did I ever drive two kids in a toyota avalon?

7. for Kirby (or  Purr-vy) Puckett, the cat that knew we needed her and took up residence on our back porch… what excitement to wake up every morning and try to tell if she is pregnant or just eating at two houses.         **sidenote:  if you are in the market for a kitten… we might be the people to talk to in 6-8 weeks.

8. for a generous mom who lets me clean her house weekly for extra money.  Who else would let their maid bring along her pesky kids who polish off any cheetohs on the premises?  What started as a way to earn money for fun stuff while helping busy Nana with her chores…  turned into a weekly lesson for B-Bug (and myself) about giving . We talk about  and pray for “E”, the African girl that we sponsor through Compassion with our earnings,  while we are scrubbing Nana’s sinks and toilets together.   I' am thankful for an opportunity to make BEING a blessing  a part of her (and my) everyday life.

9. for Lily’s good health, restored hearing and that all needed surgeries are checked off the list now…  what are we going to do without the ‘her ears must be hurting’ excuse for her tantrums now?

10. God’s faithfulness to provide…   i.e. surgery/hospital costs that popped up right after a big, fat check was written to Walt Disney World

11.  for a family that loves, loves, loves being together… especially two little kids that can’t get enough of each other.  I had been worried about the brother/sister dynamics… but I don’t think their relationship could be any more special.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Last year’s list:

http://shauna-lynn.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

T- Swizzle…

 

Greatest night of her life to date.  No contest.  October 26, 2011.

Remember back on July 4th when Lily got Taylor Swift concert tickets for her golden birthday…

well we finally got to use them and the whole night was amazing.

-free, professional Taylor make up in the lobby

-fun with her friends Ava and Anna

-getting to be amongst her people (teenagers) for an entire evening as they told her she was cute and that they loved her sparkly dress and ruffle boots

-having an awesome view from our front row seats (in the upper deck) with her very own dance floor.

- knowing all of the words to every song… with exception of the nod to Austin- Jack Ingram and Shawn Colvin covers …naturally.

-taking a little, sweaty power nap in my lap during the slow part and clapping in her sleep only to wake up to fireworks.

-watching Taylor float by on cables mere feet  in front of us during ‘Love Story’ , scrunch up her nose a little, and give her a very special wave to say she saw her cute little fan on the first row…. INCREDIBLE, right!

The only thing that could have made it better is if I’d brought my real 400 pound camera.  My cell phone, although light and compact, took horrible, blurry pictures until it ceased to function just a few songs in… and was dead for surprise fly-by in the last song.  No photographic evidence of the personal wave… you’ll have to take mine and Lily’s word for it.  Ask for a demonstration the next time you see us.

Here is a horrible cell phonevideo of “Our Song”.  If you can get past the screaming at the beginning… at about 1 minute in you’ll get to glimpse Lily’s moves that she rocked through the entire show.  Ear hold. Dance. Finger points to the side. Hands in the shape of a heart to show T.Swift that she loves her.  Hips swinging. PRICELESS!

happy hawwoween…

 

We truly represented our dual state citizenship last night.  Eli was Joe Mauer and Lily was his cheerleader.   They were supposed to be Bindi Irwin, the wildlife warrior and a koala from her native homeland…. until Lily saw that the costume was tan polyester and she was suddenly vehemently opposed to the idea.   Thank goodness we had just received a Barbie cheerleader book from Scholastic and already had this Twins cheer dress… thanks to Aunt Je-Je.  

   

*** Thank you Scandinavian Olson genes for these beautiful BLUE eyed children. I mean, seriously, it’s ridiculous.

 

 

We had our 2nd annual trick or treat hayride party with our most favoritest little neighborhood kids… and had twice as much fun as last year.

Eli was hilarious and seemed genuinely surprised at EACH new door that they handed him candy.  He held it in his hands until dropping it to get the candy at the next house.

Being raised a non- Halloween celebrator…. I feel inclined to say that we give God ALL the glory for such a fun night of fellowship.