Life with the Hinds'

Well, we can't afford Disney World... There are many other things topping our priority list right now... New House New Car New Camera New Diamond Earings...(since I currently only have one, and the other is MIA...don't tell Matt yet!!) But we do have the Mouse House!!! The closest thing in Illinois to Disney World...as far as I can tell. So where better to take a fellow Mouse Fanatic...AKA Kalee... She was in Mousy Heaven. It may have been the cutest thing ever. "Look Mommy!!  Mousy!!" "Come over here...you have to see this!!" "Mommy, there is Mousy EVERYWHERE!!" She was so happy. And really, is there anything better than getting to swim in a pool that has Mickey Mouse painted on the bottom? Really? Anything? OK, maybe there are better things, but imagine you are Kalee and you're 3... I asked her what her favorite Mousy was that she saw today...trust me, she saw a lot! She told me it was the big black one in the pool! OK, so maybe the bette...

It was almost pleasant outside today...if you stayed in the shade. So the girls put on their swimsuits and we headed out. I have been wanting to show them how to make sidewalk chalk paint. It's a bit messy...I recommend mixing and keeping it outside where you don't care if it gets dirty!! We brought out all the ingredients. You need... Corn Starch Water Food Coloring Cups or Bowls Stirring Utensils Measuring Cups Paintbrushes And... Two Cute Little Girls...Add swimsuits and they get cuter! (you can add as many little girls as you want.  I know some people only have one.  I think this would work for boys too...but I don't know much about them!) You measure equal parts corn starch and water.  We used half a cup of each and it made plenty! They squirted in their colors and we mixed them all up. (that's the random neighbor boy in the top right picture.  Sometimes I feel like I am running a free and very under appreciated babysitting service over at our house!  I s...

I found this on a Blog.  It kind of brought tears to my eyes.  (yes, I know I cry about everything, but still...)  I thought to myself, "what a great idea!"  I actually love looking back at old pictures and seeing what Mom and Dad looked like when I was little.  I plan on making this a priority for me, Matt (cuz they need to see Daddy too!!!) and the girls.  The below is written by Emilie Ahren (I don't know her...just came across a blog post about it): "She Left Proof" “Many scrapbookers knew Aleida Franklin. She was a wonderful wife and mother and a brilliant artist. I didn’t know Aleida personally, but she taught me something I will never forget. She emailed me last year to tell me she loved my blog and to ask if I liked my short hair-cut. This lead to a series of emails which eventually led me to remark that I really loved how often she posted pictures of herself with her children on her blog. And she replied to me, “Have you ever seen a photogr...

Update from Crafty Thursday... The girls were too excited to wait this morning to see how their shirts turned out. Yes, they are still in their pajamas. No, their hair has not been brushed. Yes, they probably have breakfast on their faces... So they peeled off the freezer paper... And this is what they look like!! I am very happy with them! I think they are super fun! I turned them inside out and ironed them again to set the paint. So an hour later... Bathed, brushed, and no more food on them... We stepped outside. It's 9:00 AM... Why am I now sweating and nasty? We were outside for 4 minutes. It's already HOT outside! Peyton in her shirt. (She picked out her skirt.  It matches the castle.  Also things you can't see...her purple and pink barrette, and her purple and pink rain boots.  She is quite the accessory girl.) Kalee...less than thrilled to be outside in the sun. It hurt her eyes. We apparently need to dig out one of the 12 pairs of sunglasses they have. But, in my...

We were feeling craft today. We decided to make our own decorated shirts. Kalee wasn't interested in the preparations... Peyton helped me cut out their designs with the Cricut. That's right, any reason to use my Cricut.  I love this thing! You start with freezer paper. The girls decided they wanted summer designs (Life's a Beach cartridge). Peyton picked a sandcastle. Kalee picked a Dolphin. You iron your stencil on the fabric. I bought them shirts the other day with this project in mind. (Picture by Peyton Mae!) Then you get out the paint. We used sponge brushes. Easy for little hands to manipulate! Dab on the paint... Now we are waiting impatiently for them to dry. I'll let you know how they turn out!

Spent some time downtown yesterday with the camera. Used Dell's as a bribery tool! Amazing what the girls will do in the heat for a little popcorn and candy!