My Latest Obsession

Although not gifted with the ability to draw, I have always considered myself to be artsy. I like papers and pens and putting things together on a page. Blame on it my days as a graphic designer, but I like balance, proportion and above all, a clean, simple good design. Once upon a time, I was a scrapbooker. I would go over to a friend's house and spend hours cutting, gluing, stickering and writing until finally I produced the cutest baby book for Chapel. However, scrapbooking is time consuming for a busy mom and I found that as more children followed, I could not keep up.

Fast forward! I have found the perfect hobby that allows me to continue my obsession but in a fashion that time allows. Brett bought me a Cricut for our anniversary in November. A Cricut, pronounced Cricket, cuts shapes and letters of all varieties. The creative part comes when you choose your papers, embellishments, and projects. My very first project was my niece's birthday packaging. I LOVE packaging, pretty packages show you really care, right? And although this particular package showed a lot of beginner's immaturity, I was proud none the less.

Christmas provided another reason to put some creative ideas to the test. I love how vintage wrapping looks, so I took that as my theme for this year's gift wrap. (Yes, I have a different theme each year! - Remember last year was black and white?)

This year I used the cricut to make my own tags and I was so excited with the results!

As Valentine's Day approaches, the kids and I have been brainstorming on what to make and they have come up with some awesome ideas. I can't wait to share them with you all when completed. Until then, you can see how much work we've already done getting ready. Chapel and her two friends, Annie and Mallory, made their Valentine boxes this week. Compared to scrapbooking, this craft obsession is kid approved so not only am I filling my own need to be artsy, it is an activity that I can enjoy with the little ones.

Let The Holidays Begin

With Christmas just around the corner, and me behind on my blogging, I decided to add this post before starting with the Christmas activities. This year we kicked off the beginning of the holidays by spending Thanksgiving with Brett's family in Conway. The first holiday without PaPa Ed was sad for all of us. Especially remembering how much he loved to be with his family and having all of us together. Eddie, Brett's older brother, made reservations for all of us at the Dunes Club for lunch. It was a beautiful day and the food was amazing (especially the desert table). Later that night, MaMa Anne cooked a huge meal and we gathered once again to eat!

Anne and Crystal at the Dunes Club.

After lunch we gathered outside and snapped a few pics.

Later that night, Robert and Brett and I decided to do a little midnight shopping. Actually it started at 9pm with Toys-R-Us. I seriously thought we'd be the only ones there. Was I wrong!

We stayed out until 2 in the morning bargain shopping and you would have thought it was early afternoon the way the roads, and even McDonald's, were hopping at that early hour.

The next day we shopped a little more, and the Wild West store had this interesting people pleaser out front. Of course, we could not resist. A camel at a Wild West store??? Only in Conway!

Holiday Performance Recap

Each of the kids showed off their hard work at their holiday performances right before school ended for the holiday's. Eli's school had a holiday singing. Here he is pre-performance, hanging out with the boys in his class.

And as you can see, his class his ALL boys! Nine of them are wonderfully managed each day by the sweet and lovely, Ms. Haynie (pictured to the right). I am so happy that Eli enjoys his school and his friends.

The assembled performers, Eli is right in the middle.

And my heart just melted when I saw my big man sing at the top of his lungs and do all the hand movements that went along with the songs. I couldn't believe this was the same little boy who used to stand still and look very uninterested in group participation.

Chapel had her dance club performance and was absolutely beautiful as a star. She has the most poise and grace - did not get that from her mama.

And finally, my babies showed off their hard work and talent at their Dance Moves recital. They go once a week and are always very eager to learn and show us what they've learned. Jude is the only boy in the class so of course he was a big ham during the recital.

October Catch-Up

Here we are at the beginning of December, and I am catching you all up on October! Time flies and with four growing kids, we are busier than ever. I wanted to share how cute they were on Halloween.

Chapel was a Diva Witch. She "pieced" together her outfit and was most proud.

Eli was a white ninja. He went back and forth on white ninja, blue ninja and black ninja before making up his mind. He is a most particular little man when it comes to choices like these.

Here he is manning his class booth at the Charleston Collegiate Carnival.

Conor and Jude really took Halloween seriously this year. They both enjoyed dressing up and were excited to show off their costumes to friends.

As is our tradition, we attended the Folly Beach Halloween carnival. Aunt KiKi joined this year - so nice to have a friend who likes to dress up as much as I do.

Robert also tagged along - here is our group shot. We have one under this same entryway since the year Chapel was born!

And the kids favorite part of it all? Emptying their pumpkins and counting the loot at the end of the night. (I remember that being my favorite part when I was a kid too!)

Recent Stats

Conor and Jude visited Dr. Hutton recently and showed off their comedic nature while getting the A-OK from the doc. They are both growing like little weeds.

Jude 291/2 pounds 25%
37 3/4 inched 50%

Conor
32 1/2 pounds 65%
38 1/2 inches 75%

One Venue, Two Very Different Shows

The North Charleston Colesium and Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of events and shows throughout the year. From ice capades to concerts to Cirque De Soleil - we have seen incredible shows at this venue. Within a week, we took the kids to see two very different, but equally fascinating performances. First, Disney On Ice. This was especially planned for Miss Conor Barker who has talked about Princesses on Ice since seeing the show at the tender age of 18 months. Girl doesn't forget a thing.... Brett promised her as soon as Disney On Ice was back in town, she'd be there. And boy was she there. Dressed up like a Princess, front row, and with genuine excitement on her face when one of her favorites skated past.

Chapel and Eli watching the Eifel tower go by during the It's A Small World Segment.


Conor giving a shout out! She was so cute I could have squeezed her!

Up close and personal with a real princess. Check out the huge grin on my princess.

Hanging with her Disney twin, Cinderella.

Only one short week later we were back at the Colesium, only this time our show was held at the Performing Arts side of the center. And for this event, A Flaming Lips concert, Brett and I took Chapel and Eli - leaving the little ones with the grandparents. The show was awesome, the kids were fun, and because it was Halloween weekend, the costumes were outrageous.


Chapel and Eli walking to the show from our hotel room. Yes, we made an entire night of the fun.

Inside - rocking the headphones.

My super cool guys.

Very bright and spectacular show. Maybe I should have put sunglasses on the kids in addition to their headphones.