Water Logged

We're back...

I'm not really going to say I miss the water park.

I don't miss the swarms of people.

I don't miss wearing a swimsuit.
I do miss being away with just the 6 of us.

I do miss the jacuzzi in the condo.

I do miss time to just be.

I do miss the people-watching.

It doesn't get much better than at a water park.

Just saying!

This week starts a very busy season,

and it doesn't really slow down until the end of June.

This boy starts track today!

Looking forward to warm days and track meets!

TGIF

Phew, what a LONG and busy week this has been!

Today I'm really excited to be featured by Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. I've been reading lots of decorating and mom blogs these days, and this is one of my favorites. Kristin has an amazing home, and a wonderful style. Her kitchen will be featured in an upcoming issue of Better Homes and Gardens!

Every Friday is "Feature Friday" on Kristin's blog. She shares a before and after project from one of her readers...and mine is featured today. Take a click over and check it out.

I'll leave you with a teaser of why I've been missing in blogland this week. I've been buried in a huge project....a few large paintings for church. I'm hoping to finish and hang the pieces on Saturday.

The kids started Spring break yesterday, and I'm looking forward to a week of fun and exploring in L.A. No trip to California in the works....L.A. is "the Local Area!" We're lucky to be near a metra train, and an hour from downtown Chicago.Enjoy your weekend!

I think it's finally time to put the skis away....Happy Spring!

-Julie

Puddle Jumping

Time for the boots to come out again...

Mud, puddles, and rain are here to stay for awhile.

I know this isn't the prettiest boot.

It's muddy looking.

It's worn.

There's a ginormous (that's my word) hole in the front

....but I don't care.

I'll put it on the back of the powder room toilet,

and add some flowers from Trader Joe's,

just like I do every Spring.

The boot belongs to my little boy.

He had two pairs of these,

and wore them year round for two years.

They always made me smile,

and he was happy wearing them...

even on a hot sweaty day when he was 4,

scootering around our court.

My little boy doesn't wear bumble bee boots anymore.

He's 12..

He wears a size 11 shoe.

He is now taller than me...

Maybe it's time for this mom to get her own puddle jumping boots,

and wear them all Spring,

and not give a rip what anyone else thinks.

Polka dots?

Zebra?

Pink?

Leopard?

What do you think?

Do you have a pair?

They don't have bumble bee ones for me at Target,

or else I'd buy myself a pair.

Don't Try This At Home

My kids love after school snack time,

and I haven't come close to topping this one.

If you've been reading this for awhile,

you've learned that I'm a little quirky...

and I'm sure my children will remember me that way.

Hopefully they'll remember my sense of humor

and that I like to have a little fun....

and the time I let them stand on stools

and roast marshmallows

on a cold yucky day...

...and we didn't even burn the house down.

This chandelier has moved down to the art room,

so now I can paint and create to my heart's content,

and maybe even have a s'more.

Or maybe not, since I'm trying my hardest to stay away from

that white substance resembling crack,

....called sugar.

Still Here

"There are many ways of going forward,

but only one way of standing still."

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Izzy, April 2009

Photo taken by my dear friend Trish, Izzy's godmother.

Visit Trish's site and be inspired.

I'm moving forward,

plowing through puddles of little things,

and embracing this beautiful thing called life,

even in the rain and the mud.