blow me up

...for continuing to clothe our naked walls.  staples does these awesome inexpensive blueprint photo enlargements, so you and your loved ones can fondly remember special moments by plastering them atop your fireplace.  actually, the husband wouldn't let me hang this one above the fireplace... something about it being pretentious to have a giant photo of yourselves on display or whatnot.  we relocated it to our room instead and put a whole family picture in the living room.  i love the way this photo came out sort of old timey looking with the black and white grainy effect.  currently it's hanging out in a poster frame, but eventually i'd like to make a fun custom frame.  too bad that me trying to use a jigsaw would probably mean the loss of at least one finger. 

camerabag

...for faking artsy.  one of my xmas presents from the husband was the camerabag photo editing program.  i imagine it's really similar to instagram, but i wouldn't know because i'm technologically challenged when it comes to apps or anything related to smartphones.  seriously, i have new found sympathy for my grandma's fear of our computer. 
anyways....
i've just begun playing around with it, and so far i really like it.  it's pretty user friendly, and has turned out some fun remixed pics so far.   and bonus, now my pink shoes look even cuter. 

pre christmas miracles

..for our own little charlie brown-esque christmas.  last week, i got home from work and found our little rosemary tree all set up and ready to live out her christmas destiny.  a few lights, garlands and ornaments (shout outs to santa gnome and the stanley cup) later, she was looking much more festive.  couple this with the onslaught of holiday films (and i use the term "film" loosely when referring to abc family's "the mistle tones") i've been watching and the fact that as of today, 99% of our gifts are wrapped and ready for delivery, and i am set to go for xmas.  bring it, santa.

pretty bird wall art

...for pinterest {again}.  i found this awesome tutorial back in september and was super pleased with how well my bird art turned out, especially since the branches are freehanded.  i had a vintage (read:  discarded and damaged) nancy drew book that provided the background for the birds, and the project cost me nothing because i repurposed the seating chart canvases from my wedding.  flash forward to a couple of weeks ago and me in a panic trying to hang various wall things up before my in laws came to see our new house for the first time (although they are much more tactful than my own mom's, "where is all your furniture?").  now, at least, our hallway is cute.  the extra bedroom, though, is still very much a work in progress.  new year's (spring 2013) resolution?

amy everyday

...that i'm not quitting my day job anytime soon.  sometimes, i like to pretend that i'm a fashion blogger and take silly self portraits in my bedroom.  i sent this pic to my sister to show her how much i'm loving the cute scarf she sent for my birthday (sooo soft).  i'll leave daily outfit postings to the experts, but i am very much enjoying cozy layers this winter.     

tattle chicken

clearly, crystal and alexis are an item.

{pushed me in soccer}  no pain, no gain.

 ...for how passionate little guys are about tattling.  a few weeks ago, i introduced the "tattle box" to try and combat the 863 daily complaints about sharing, turn taking, funny looks, etc.  it took them awhile to get the hang of it, but now i get a laugh at the end of each day when i check the box.  the rule is, if you or someone else is legitimately hurt, tell an adult.  otherwise, tell the box.  if this one didn't work, my next recourse was going to be joe the tattling chicken, as seen in a friend's second grade classroom.

"teacher, s/he's bothering me."
"go tell the chicken.  joe is a great listener."

splish splash

...that blogs are not smellovision equipped just yet.  for my birthday, i picked out a new yoga mat to replace my current one that is older than many elementary school children.  said bluebell is beautiful and super thick, but unfortunately also comes with directions to "let it air out" before first use.  translation:  smells yuck.  i feel like i'm harry potter taking a bath with his egg before the big tournament.  and by tournament, i mean yoga class.

making a wish

caramel cookie dough and churro with a side of melodrama

...for birthdays and getting old(er).  my actual birthday was sort of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day full of annoying classroom parents, 12 hour tension headaches and unpaid staying late at work time which made me miss my free bday yoga class.  by the time the husband got home and innocently wished me a happy birthday, i was in full meltdown mode.  next year, i'm taking the day off and celebrating inside with a nap. 
  
{taken from facebook once i'd calmed down}
thank you for the birthday wishes. they mean a lot to me ♥. i'm also happy that my husband chose only 1 candle for year 1 of married bdays, instead of 31 candles, which might have started a house fire.