BareBooks

Do you know about Bare books? If you don't, you should. They are awesome. My best friend, KP, told me about them a few years ago. They're super cheap, high quality empty books for kids to fill up with their stories and artwork. Certainly, the idea isn't original, but they are at such a fair price, like $1.50, they stand out as a favorite in our house. They also sell game boards you can customize, Francis has been on me about ordering one, so I'll post it when I do. Can't wait to see what game she comes up with. She is hilariously all about the rules. Don't ever play Chutes and Ladders with that girl... it takes FOREVER. I don't mean to say that I like to cheat, but people... when you land at the top of the slide for the 8th time...can't we just pretend it didn't happen? Nope. Not in this house.

Here are the front and back of the ocean themed books:

And the farm books:


I think my favorites are the completely blank books, but Francis likes the ones with the covers she can color. She likes having a "theme" for her books. She has a Farm animal book that she draws farm animals in and writes facts about them, etc. and George, well, he doesn't discriminate. He'll draw whatever, wherever. He's my free spirit. He doesn't need a themed cover...

Love is in the air.

Time for the annual Gulde tradition of creating a family Valentine box. If all goes according to plan, it gets decorated and put in a prominent place at the beginning of February. Valentines are made and dropped in the box for family members for two weeks. I do my best to write one thing I love about each of the kids everyday. On Valentines Day, we sit down at dinner and read them to each other. So fun.

I just wrapped a box with brown paper, put a slit at the top, and the kids glued paper doilies from the dollar store on it. So easy for little hands. Sometimes, okay...a lot of the time, I tend to want to get too complicated with them. It's such a great reminder that a glue stick and some doilies can be a legit craft. No need to pull out paints and all that craziness. ;)Francis taking her job very seriously. ;) George giving me one of his signature fake smiles. Don't let it fool you though...he loves crafting. Happy with their creation.

Creative Thursday: Kid Rocks

This week we painted rocks.

First, I had to find the rocks. Finding smooth rocks that are bigger than a quarter proved harder than I thought it would be. After looking in my yard, circling the block, and checking Target, I decided to seek a professional. And after just one trip to Elizabeth Anna's, our neighborhood nursery, my problem was solved. A big milk crate FULL of beautiful, smooth, perfectly sized rocks were mine for $10.

For whatever reason, George wasn't interested and played with his legos instead, but Francis and I worked on them for a couple of hours. We used acrylic paint and I have no idea if they will weather well or not. We also used circle stickers as stencils for eyes which turned out cute I thought.

The results:

My kid rocks (Francis, George and Sam):


Francis's Mommy and Daddy rocks:


Francis's "Boo and Sunshine"


Francis's "Grumpy"


And since it's *almost February, I painted this one and the kids named him "Lovey"


Francis's Ant hill rock called "Anty":


And this one. They named it "The Claw" because it looked like those little guys from Toy Story 3:


After we finished painting, George decided he finally wanted in on the fun and worked with us to make up a game called "Toss Rock." Each concentric circle is worth "x" points and whoever gets the most points, wins. Very complex. ;)


All in all, a great afternoon and it felt great to have a paintbrush in my hand.

For Posterity.

As I was editing photos tonight, I came across this one of Sam from earlier this week. I was taken back a bit because honestly, it's such an embarrassing rarity to see this kid without (a bunch of) crud on his face.

You always hear people joke about how different you raise your first child and then when you get to the third, fourth, fifth, etc... they just get progressively let off their "leashes." Did I just imply my child was a leashed animal? Never mind that. Anyway, but here I am, raising my third child and I'd be lying through my teeth if I told you I watched him every second and made sure his hands were clean before he ate. Folks, it just doesn't happen everyday.

I will say, for the record, I think I'm an organized person. I would also consider myself a bit of a neat freak. I have been known to file and stamp all my bills "paid" in a binder labeled by month, etc. I also likely have a file with your name on it if you've ever sent me a letter (with said letter in that folder), however, enter three children...and well, I'm just doing my best to kill the ants on the counter because I didn't get the dishes into the sink before the kids bedtime. Yes, that really did happen tonight.

Ah, big sigh. So, I keep hearing it's just a stage. That I'm in the "mom with small children" stage and that somehow magically when my youngest is enrolled in Kindergarten it will all fall back into place. Hmmm... but deep down, I'm thinking that's a big joke. I mean, really, do I really think that George is ever going to flush his own poops? No... probably not. Do I really think Francis is going to stop putting her dirty clothes BACK into her drawer of clean clothes? Hmm...maybe. And Sam...dear little filthy Sam, he's covered in dirt most of the time and I think he likes it. I would hate to make him change.

I think, life is evolving for me and ... even if my house is a disaster when you drop by, it's gonna be alright. As long as they keep smiling - everything will be just fine. Maybe even our own little version of perfect.

Oh, and since I'm editing photos...here's another one of Sam from this week... a more accurate window into his world. Playing on the deck in the rain... in his pajamas...around noon...

The Amazing Mr. Ed Emberley

My sister first introduced me to Ed Emberley's books a few years ago. She bought a handful for her son for Christmas and when I asked her what they were, she kept saying "You don't know about Ed Emberley? Seriously? He's awesome. You should know about these (repeat)," etc. And so, like a dutiful little sister, I took note. And when my oldest started showing signs of being able to sit at a table more than 60 seconds (for us, age 4), I went out and bought a couple. Since then, I have found myself preaching the Ed Emberley gospel. Seriously, folks... she was right. He's awesome.

For those of you who didn't grow up with his books in the 60's, here's a bio. He's an illustrator that made easy step by step drawing books for kids. It's great because more than once I've heard Francis say, "I can't draw that one, it's too hard" and then minutes later, she's all smiles because she ACTUALLY DID IT and BY HERSELF. Not only does it teach her how to draw her favorite animals, but she has gained so much confidence from it as well. It's perfect for that rather unfortunate stage of childhood when your kids evolve from drawing everything to thinking they can't draw anything "right." I hate that stupid rotten evolution. I am in constant battle with it myself.

Francis: Ladybug and Catepiller


Francis: Rollerskating Monkey


George: (unfinished) devil

Here are some of his books on Amazon. I actually bought mine at my local Barnes and Noble. And last week, we actually found another one at our local library so be sure to check that out. He also has a pretty nice website that has a bunch of free activities and games.

Happy Halloween!

Wonder Woman and Spiderman have taken over my home these days! The last few years I have made the kids costumes, and frankly, prefer to. (There's just nothing better than a homemade Halloween costume.) However, this year, I couldn't help from thinking how it would cost me so much more $$ and time to make them. So, I broke down and bought them at Walmart. I know, double crime. What can I say, it was easy and the kids have LOVED them. George has even been doing his best to sleep in it every night.

Dirty Boy

Georgie loves to play in the dirt. The other day I let him dig up our non-existent flower beds (MaryFran, where are you when I need you?) and this is what I ended up with: a happy boy with dirt filled pockets. Who can resist such happiness? Maybe I should go fill up my pockets...hmmm....

American Girl

Francis and I met up with some friends for brunch at the American Girl store on Michigan last week. You apparently have to make reservations at least a month in advance and if you want a window seat, overlooking Michigan Ave, you have to hold your breathe for 6 months. Insane. Nevermind, that we arrived moments after the doors opened at 10am and the store was already packed, nevermind that it was a whooping $20 a head for said brunch, nevermind that they sell doll eye glasses for as much as my husband just paid for his real glasses - it was still awesome. A madhouse of memories I will never forget. Francis loved it and I loved her loving it.

My sweet girl.

I took a walk with my daughter, Francis, after our morning at American Girl and for the first time she was such a ridiculous ham! Typically, she sees my camera and turns the other way. This time... it was different. I may have created a... monster. A really sweet adorable monster.

Whatcha thinkin' ?

This photo was taken at a five year old's birthday party last Sunday. I love the expressions in this. So darn cute. This house was not only full of excited 5 year old girls, but full of great artwork as well. So inspiring.

My Sweet Girl

This was taken at the Garfield Park Conservatory this past Monday. The light there is so beautiful and it's especially nice to run around without your coats on. If you live in the area and haven't been...it's time. Amidst our insane weather, it's an absolute literal breath of fresh air.