Pretending to be Professional

Did I tell you I finally got a new camera? This is something I've been thinking about for quite some time since trips to professional photographers always result in disappointment. Every time I had cute outfits chosen, scheduled the shoot at just the right hour of day and envisioned stunning, tear jerking pictures in the end. HA that never happened, instead we left after a few short minutes, me sweating kids crying and somehow still spending a hundred dollars on pictures I didn't even like.



















I knew from the beginning this whole camera thing would be a battle with my husband and I needed to approach it fully armed. He just doesn't understand the photo memory thing especially when a lot of money is at stake. Another point against me was I already had a nice Kodak digital camera but the delay was driving me crazy! After a few weeks of research and gathering the facts to build my case I went to battle. As expected I was confronted with skepticism and strong push back.

























After more discussion and me closing with the argument that I would use Poplin money to purchase the camera he kind of gave up. For the next few weeks I worked hard earning enough money at Poplin Parties and through custom orders to buy the camera. With only a few days until Trexen's birthday party I clicked the confirm button and squealed with excitement.


















Now I am snapping pictures like crazy pretending to be all professional. Really I know nothing about photography but hope to learn someday soon. This weekend I had a fall photo shoot with my kiddos, in our backyard and no one left in tears or wiping sweat from their brow. I love love love my camera and the memories it is capturing. Part of this camera deal was that I need to do something with all these pictures so that is the next project...

Peter Pies and Farmer John

The boys anxiously awaited daddy's arrival home last night just as they do every day but yesterday was a bit more special. My husband is all about nature and living off the land, I say he should be Amish or something. He strives to be self sustaining, needs to know where his food comes from and although works in the technology field likes to "disconnect" when possible. He has been wanting chickens for quite sometime and as much as I dislike animals I've decided to let him explore this adventure.


















Construction on the chicken coop or chicken mansion as I like to call it began this summer and has yet to end. For not even knowing if our family is a chicken raising one he sure has spent lots of time and money on this coop but I'm staying out of it.














Pacey wanted those chicks!











Yesterday was the big day, six baby chicks came home in a tiny cardboard box chirping away. The boys were squealing with excitement, my husband looked like a kid in a candy store and I immediately regretted this decision. The fluffy, loud baby chicks were born yesterday morning, freshly hatched and all I could think about was now we have to keep these things alive. Don't get me wrong I am not some cold heartless soul I just don't have that animal connection or bond. My hands are full with two little boys, a part-time job, sewing business and a dog.



















In true mama fashion though I grabbed my camera and captured my three boys in their glory. Trexen has taken it upon himself to name our new pets, 5 Peter Pies and 1 Farmer John. They absolutely love these baby chicks so for now I bite my tongue, repress the annoyance of being the one home all day with these new pets and enjoy my boy's happiness.

Giving In

I am tempted quite often to give in to my body's desire for a nap. Each day I put the kids down at 1pm, Pacey goes down very easily and falls asleep quickly but Trex takes a little more effort. I lay in his super cool tractor bed, tell him one story (usually a snowmobile or bulldozer one, however today was a tractor story) and then tickle his back. I've tried numerous times to leave him before his peepers are closed and it never goes well and in the end takes much longer to get him to sleep. If I just lay there long enough for him to fall asleep it is smooth sailing, quiet time for mommy for at least an hour.



















Most days I fall asleep for a minute or two before I jolt awake coaxing myself to get up and accomplish something. Nap time is laundry time, dishes, Poplin crafting time, dinner making time and my time to think. It is extremely rare that I lay down and rest, not that my body doesn't beg to but I hate naps. Every time I wake up annoyed that I wasted my bit of silence sleeping; I feel so much better when I do something even if I'm dragging tired. Laying on the couch during nap time also makes me feel somewhat guilty, I mean my husband is sitting in his cubicle working away without any opportunity of shut eye.

















However today I gave in to the temptation. A load of laundry was switched, a few emails sent and now I'm planted comfortably on our long, cozy couch. My belly hasn't felt good the past few days and I just couldn't find an ounce of motivation to keep going this afternoon. I don't want to make this habit but let me tell you this feels good. I lay here looking at pictures scroll by on the computer screen and a smile fills my face, I love our new routine, this opportunity I've been blessed with to be home more and once in a while give in to nap time.

Outstanding Orchard

It was an outstanding morning at the Orchard. We gathered by the goats watching them climb, scrounge for food and make noise before we ventured out on the orchard walk. The terrain was a bit rough but the apples looked delicious and the sunflower maze was a highlight. The kids raced ducks, rocked on horses and played on the swing set while mamas chatted in the sun.



















Kim was a fantastic tour guide showing us their coolers and apple sorting process. Each little one got an apple to try and us mamas received a caramel apple (I will be enjoying my entire apple in peace during nap time). All the apples are handpicked and sorted for numerous farmer's markets, school districts and for the store. The Lapacek family works so incredibly hard and has an amazing orchard. We just may go back tomorrow morning for cider donuts.





































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One week until the big fishing party and my craft room is filled with bobbers, lures, a burlap banner, lots of glassware, some fishing decor and fish bowls. ***Friendly reminder... those of you who will be in attendance, live fish will be present and available to take home.*** My party planning style has become a bit more last minute these days as I've been so busy with my kiddos, Poplin business and preparing for my new gig as a substitute teacher. Hopefully it will all come together next week and the weather will cooperate!























For hot cocoa- so cute!

Happy Weekend

One of the side effects to being a stay-at-home mom I've learned is never knowing what day it is. Although in my mind each day very much has a feel. I mean Monday definitely has a feel, Wednesday has that hump day, half-way through thing going on where as Thursday night has the let's stay up late because it's almost the weekend mood. Despite all that I tend to loose track of days especially when it is go-go-go, one event to the next.

This weekend proved just that, I lost track of the day only focused on my list of priorities, next event and plan to make it all coordinate. Thursday and Friday were devoted to one of my best friends from high school. She married her now best friend, handsome hunk, love of her life outside in the gardens at Olbrich. I admit at times I'm discouraged and feel disconnected with my high school group, I am the only one with kids and married (until Friday) and it's difficult to relate. I can't drop everything to meet for a late night visit or mid-day coffee, am not still in school and not traveling the world but we are all still friends. My heart was happy Friday night being reunited with our group, clicking like old times and supporting each other on a memory making day.

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Saturday was filled with an abundance of fresh air, laundry and chicken coop construction. My hubby doesn't get much time to build this chicken mansion but good progress is being made. Pacey loves playing in the coop and in my mind I changed it into a life-size girly dollhouse, hopefully someday.

















































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The great outdoors and I generally don't mesh, I prefer an indoor controlled climate but today the weather for perfect making the first ever Craft-apple-Ar wonderful. I met new people, sold some Poplin goodies and purchased my first gallon of apple cider this season. A end to the a busy yet happy weekend.

Weekend Fun

No PB & J this week makes me sad but there still plenty of ways for you to have fun. Check out some of these events and enjoy time with your kiddos.


~Sassy Cow Ice Cream Social

~Craft-Apple-Ar! (I will be there all day selling my Poplin products so stop by and say hi)

~Good Neighbor Festival

~Orton Park Festival

Falling Apart

I'm 26 years old, in pretty good shape and no major health issues yet I feel as though I'm falling apart. My body has gone haywire, obviously angry about something. Three months ago I went off the "pill" and I think my body has decided that is a big dislike.

Most of you know I have a deep desire for a baby girl, this goes way beyond my obsession with the color pink and girly dresses. I have an amazing relationship with my mom and want the same thing with a daughter, I want to be a ballet mama, the fun mom who always says yes to sleepovers and paints nails. I want to show a little girl how to have confidence, be strong and not afraid to stand up for herself. I want to shop for prom dresses, answer uncomfortable questions and prepare her for life as a woman. I want to be the mother of the bride and the close grandma willing to drop everything for her daughter's kids.

With all that said back to my point, I went off the pill in hopes of a baby girl soon. (Yes I know it is a 50/50 chance) Since then my legs are covered in a red rash, the skin on my face has big itchy painful bumps, I went to the dentist and have a "weak" tooth way in the back and have a monthly cycle that is extremely unpredictable not helping the baby situation. Bodies are a lot of work to take care of and I am thankful beyond words to be healthy but some days it seems like I'm falling apart.

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In other news our trip to Eagle River was restful and relaxing. Jeff and Trexen caught a bunch of large fish while Pacey and I played in the sand. We sat around the campfire, went for afternoon swims and stayed up late playing dominoes. My sister-in-law let me use her nice camera and we even had a photo shoot with the boys which reminded me why we don't have professional pictures taken.



































We are back home now and it feels good, getting ready for my friend's wedding this weekend and the Craft-Apple-Ar! Very excited for all our upcoming activities and praying my body can even out.

Not so Smooth

PB & J Day did not go very smoothly, rather quite the opposite. For starters the weather channel got it wrong again, I looked right before I walked out the door and it said 72 degrees at 10am. Ok, jean capris and a tank would work perfect. As I lugged our lunch box, blanket, water bottle and diaper bag sweat rolled off my sticky skin. All the mamas and real little ones huddled under the slides in the one piece of shade while the older ones enjoyed the park.

Fifteen minutes into a conversation (well probably not the same conversation) one of the mamas told me Trex was having an issue. Surprisingly I am not a freak out mommy, I stay pretty calm and don't panic. So I waited for the screaming to get closer before I moved but quickly realized there was blood. That darn teeter totter, why do parks have them, they are always hazards. Trexen flung forward, hit his face on the bar and now was bleeding.

In the end we had to leave the park, he has a chipped tooth and I had an extended conversation with the pediatric dentist. He will be fine but what a bummer of a play date, no pictures were even snapped.

On the up side I finally finished a new Poplin product and will have some available next weekend at the Craft-Apple-Ar! I've planned our next Mama's Night Out, a Poplin Party at my house and found out another PB & J mama is expecting, that makes 3 new babes this winter.

Have a fantastic weekend, I will be in the north woods at Eagle River until next week.

Just for Me

About a year and a half ago with a colicky, tiny 2 week old I decided to find a hobby.






(a rare moment)







I've never really had a hobby other than working out/running which is what I filled my spare time with in college. However with it being December, freezing and snowy and our treadmill tucked in a dark basement corner running didn't appeal to me at the time. Paper has never been my thing so scrapbooking was out but I do like pretty, trendy fabrics. Yes, a sewing business, I could make baby items because we all know everyone always needs a unique baby gift, and I will call it Poplin because well it's a type of fabric and sounded cute.











Yesterday I was part of the Seventh Annual Summer Craftacular, it was my third craftacular and once again a success. I don't only mark success by sales but instead the experience. Crafting is a hobby I would love to grow and turn into an even more consistent source of income but it takes time. My booth yesterday was on the main level surrounded by serious crafters, they are hardcore with their own little shops and cool credit card machines that plug right into their cell phones. I definitely have improved since last year moving from downstairs to the main floor, sprucing up my display a LOT and ready with eco friendly white paper shopping bags. As I watched and listened to the other crafters I soaked it all in like a sponge, the learning continues.











At times I do feel selfish and guilty, last week the majority of time was spent on Poplin. My kids watched a bit too much tv, spent lots of time with Nama and our house a complete disaster with little Poplin piles and projects scattered. But it felt good yesterday and this week will be better, I am a wife and mom but also need this just for me. I want my kids to see me work hard, be committed and persistent while at the same time hopefully I can inspire other mamas to find something just for them. We all need time for ourselves and something to be proud of, whether it be a craft, cooking, reading, blogging, volunteering, whatever just something.











What is your "just for me"? If you don't have one try something, be confident and find the little successes.

***One commenter on this post will win a Poplin ring or flower pin (your choice). Tell us what your "just for me" is...

Winner will be chosen randomly Thursday evening.

Left at the Dump

Saturday was a sad day at our house filled with tears, anxiety and heart break. On Trexen's 1st birthday his "Oma" my mother-in-law gave him a ribbon blankie. He immediately was attached and has been sucking on the ribbons ever since. Despite numerous cleanings, hand washings and febreeze that blankie was disgusting. Holes lined the edges, most of the ribbons had been reattached several times and the white soft minky turned dark.

Honestly I didn't really have a problem with the blankie. It calmed Trexen, helped him sleep and shushed him in the car. My two children have my unconditional love, I couldn't imagine life without them but they are the most difficult kids ever. Someone is always worked up about something, from day one they were both colicky and never learned to self soothe so the blankie was my friend.

No one else felt this way though and I just got tired of it. My family thought it was disgusting, his Oma fights with him every Tuesday at her house to put it away and my husband can't stand to see it in his mouth. So I was out numbered and caved to the pressure. Friday Trexen dug through my fabric scraps and picked out his squares, sat on my lap helping me sew and was excited to see the finished product.











I let him sleep with both blankies Friday night but Saturday came all too quickly and it was dump day. 7:30am the four of us piled in the car with new blankie and yucky blankie. Trexen was all smiles not really realizing what was about to happen. Daddy dumped all the garbage and yucky blankie, the tears started to fall. He was so sad, truly sad and it broke my heart. He struggled all day to relax and couldn't nap. We stopped at all our family member's houses to show off the new blankie and he was happy but hesitant.



























2 nights down now, sleeping has not been great but that's expected. Every so often he says "I just want my yucky blankie so bad" and my heart aches but it is the first of many hardships.

Hope your weekend was wonderful! See you Friday; I am thinking playdate at my house as we have some new moms wanting to join us and it's always easier to chat at someone's house.