sometimes it just works...

i have a thing for thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales...and usually, i pick up things that i like, even if i have no purpose or place for them when i see them.

because of that, i've had these hats in my house for like 2 years...not sure what i ever thought i'd do with them...
recently, jaden discovered them and decided that she needed them to complete her dress-up wardrobe {which she actually enjoys sharing with her sister...probably because ashlyn is pretty much her life-size dress-up doll}

and this is monkey's new favorite face...{long story behind it...kind of had to be there}

heading north...

to a family reunion in michigan.
going with my mom and ashlyn...{jaden's staying home for a fun weekend with daddy}.

wanted to leave you with a few more of the pics i owe you...

camping at buck creek...jackson was in charge of smores.

we had a ferocious thunderstorm that terrified the girls. ashlyn was convinced the tent was going to blow over, so she wouldn't let go of it for anything. while we were in the tent, my mom-in-law "weathered the storm" to grill our hamburgers and corn for dinner. we all "smushed" into one tent to eat and hang out.

and this little girl LOVES her some corn!

the girls got to try fishing for the 1st time. didn't really go over all that well, as you can see neither was very interested in actually holding the pole.



got to spend a little time at the beach. water actually wasn't too bad, but the girls, once again, wanted to do their own thing...the sand was obviously much more appealing.



after buck creek, the girls convinced daddy to pull out the sprinkler.




{this was about the only way monkey would get wet. she'd run full-speed up to the sprinkler, and then cut around it at the last second.}





this is what the girls do for fun when it's either too hot or too rainy to go out.{look closely, there's a real monkey in there....wink, wink}


and, aparently, jaden wanted to make herself a note so as not to forget that this is her bed. or, perhaps she thinks her 2 year-old sister can read and will respect this note.{if you can't read it, it actually says "Jaden. this is your bed."}

are you kidding me?!??!?

i mentioned before that my labels will be featured in the august kit at Scarlet Lime...

well, they are also going to be featured in the august kit at Jenni Bowlin Studio!

oh, and if that wasn't exciting enough, i am creating a custom product for the september kit at Bad Girl's Kit Club...

woo-hooo!

{too bad my family won't see me for the next three weeks as i'll be spending all of my time filling these orders...lol!}

lots of...

scrappiness!

**some of the layouts i submitted to Hall of Fame
{i wasn't chosen, of course, but what's a girl gonna do?}:

jaden just being herself:

jackson and jaden playing dress-up and sharing secrets...isn't he a great guy?? i mean, who else would willingly wear the crown and earrings and let me photograph it?:
my sister and grandma...this was for the technique category. i used layers and layers of crystal lacquer and glitter to try and mimic the old glitter/lucite buttons:
jaden loves to watch america's next top model with me. this was her "photo shoot":

**and a few more recent layouts:

i have recently discovered that i really like cutting around patterns in the paper:

jaden's first dance recital...{not really thrilled with this one...}:

my momma...{and some vintage wallpaper}:

very simple...our 1st house. i still have to journal on this one...i think:

3 things...

i never thought i'd say...
{and probably wouldn't if i weren't a mom}

1. "no, no...we don't chew on rocks"

2. "you really don't have to show your sister the toilet every time you poop"

3. "where's the other half of your banana?"



{yup, it's been one of those weekends}

i promised you more...

jackson and jaden spent well over an hour discussing, planning, and building their castle:

the girls love swinging...{look closely at the 2nd shot...apparently you have to hold your tongue just right to swing properly}

and bubbles...what's summer without bubbles?

i've tried really hard to be a better mom lately...

i've had to motivate myself on more than one occasion...it's so easy when i'm on break to want to do just that: take a break, but my girls deserve more than that.

i want the girls to have fun, play outside, be creative...{and, i want to be more creative...you know, quit collecting the art/craft/scrappy stuff, and actually use it.}

so, the other day, the three of us went to hobby lobby and picked up a bunch of fun, creative, crafty things to do TOGETHER.

we've done one craft each day, and the girls are loving it!

in fact, when jaden got up this morning {at 6:45 a.m. - don't even get me started!}, the first thing she asked was "what craft project are we going to do today?"

{and, believe it or not, i still have more pics to share later!} :0)