A Lovely Gift for Mother's Day

Last Mother's Day, my two sisters and I collaborated on this gift for our mom.

It's a glass jar filled with 101 slips of colored paper.

Each slip of paper contains a reason why we love our mom. (There's a different color for each sister: Red for me, green for Nichole and turquoise for Katie.)  

Here's a look at what I wrote on eight of the 34 strips.

Mom, I love you...

• Because you taught me the value of thank you notes.

• Because you made me beef broth in the elephant cup when I was sick.

•  Because you took us on airplane flights--many times flying all by yourself with two or three kids.

• Because you assembled lots of photo albums with pictures of us as kids.

• Because you embrace new technologies.  New iPhone? Bring it on. A new computer? Yes, please. A Kindle reader? Definitely.

• Because you love to read, and you passed that love onto me. I enjoy words + stories today, in large part because of you.  

• Because you reminded me to move my elbows off the dining room table.

• Because you exposed me to lots of different types of music and artists: James Taylor. Earth, Wind & Fire. Dan Fogelberg. Willie Nelson. The Beatles. I remember listening to some vinyl records from your collection, lots of cassette tapes, and of course, CDs as I got older. 

The Process | First, I brainstormed as many reasons as I could, trying to be as specific as possible. I typed up the reasons in a Word document, and then went back a few days later, and chose my favorite 34 and neatly wrote them on red paper. After cutting the paper into strips, I folded them in half and placed them in the jar, which I bought at Beverly's with a 40% off coupon.  Score!

My sisters sent me their strips as well, and into the jar they went. I added some ribbon and a handcrafted tag, and it was ready for mom.    

Inspiration | I found this idea on--where else?--Pinterest.  Here's the original link, which contains a few other Mother's Day gift ideas.

While this gift is intended for kids to make for their moms, I'd argue that it's an awesome idea for adult kids, too.  Because I think moms of any age--whether they are in their 30s, 60s or 80s--would love to receive a Mother's Day present like this.

I know our mom did!

Your turn: What handmade items have you created to honor your mom on Mother's Day?

Completed December Daily Album | 2013

I finally finished my December Daily album.  Woohoo!

Here's a look at the cover.  The photo of Noah and me was taken by Mindy Newton Photography.

This album size (6x12) worked well for me. (For more info on the album and insert pages, click here.)

As you'll see below, I used photo pages that hold 3-4x6s on each side.  Most days, I included an Ali Edwards' journaling card and two 4x6 photos, but some days I had additional photos I wanted to showcase.

I also included two 6x12 photos like the one of Noah (below) in his blue car.

In Photoshop, I created a 12x12 canvas and then dropped the two 6x12 photos onto it.  I ordered the 12x12 print from Costco (for $2.99), cut it in half, and slipped each photo into a 6x12 photo sleeve.


On the back of the 6x12 insert, I placed a drawing by our godson Tyler, who is quite the artist.  

I wrote my journaling out each December night using two black Project Life pens, which I received at the Click Retreat. In mid-January, I went back and added a piece of patterned paper as well as a sentiment sticker to the bottom left corner of each journaling card.

Here's a look at some of my journaling:

Dec. 15 | Two really cool things happened today: 1) We attended church , only to discover that the baby room speakers have been fixed. It's a Christmas miracle, I tell ya! 2) Our friends joined us for dinner tonight. It was so fun to see Noah play with Avery (20 months) and Chase (3.5 years old) and Tyler (7.5 years old). I feel really lucky to have good friends from high school living nearby who like to chat and play and eat.

Dec. 16 | I woke up this morning with the urge to go somewhere! Brian was at work, so Noah and I headed off to BusyKidz. We played for 2+ hours. Noah's favorite things to do? Ride a scooter, push the grocery cart, sing into the microphone (karaoke style), play with the hammer and drill and type on the typewriter. I loved watching Noah play! I also loved taking photographs with my Nikon and iPhone. Being a stay-at-home mom is the best.

Dec. 20 |  Earlier tonight, we had dinner (Pizza Factory pizza) with Scot and Jessie Yearwood at their home. They, along with Jen, gave Noah a cute blue car and firefighter jacket. Noah loves both, but is especially enamored with the car. After dinner and presents, we drove to a big lights neighborhood in Rocklin. Noah loved seeing all the inflatables and lights from his stroller. Snapping pics of lights and kids in the dark is tricky, but I did the best I could.

In the 6x12 photo, Noah is sitting on Adam Fink's bike.  (Adam is a motocross racer who lives in Oakley, just down the street from my aunt and uncle.)


Adam is currently racing on the 2014 Arenacross series, and he was kind enough to autograph a flyer for Noah, as well as let him sit on his bike.  Watching Adam make such high jumps was exciting!    

Dec. 22 | Confession: I'm cranky today. I'm feeling tired from two long (and social) days. So tired that when Noah went down for a nap, I took a (short) nap, too. That doesn't happen much anymore.  Still have a few more errands to run before Christmas and cleaning to do. I hope Noah's cold goes away before Christmas. He's been cranky today, too. Not only because of the cold, but also, I believe, because he's tired and inching closer and closer to two. Oy vey! 

Dec. 23 | Looking around the family room tonight, I see many things I treasure--most especially the scrapbooks and layouts I've made over the years. I see something that makes me laugh--our tree with ornaments on the top half only. I see something that I want to work on for next year--where, oh where, should we hang our stockings? And I see something that makes me smile--the baby Jesus, who was once lost (in the hamper), but is now found.

Dec. 24 | Noah and I spent the morning outside (it was beautiful with temp around 65 degrees and sunny) playing in the yard. After Noah's nap, we drove to the station for dinner with Brian, eight other firefighters, and their families. We brought Noah's trike, but he was more interested in riding the scooters and a bike (with the helmet, of course). Around and around the tables all the kids went, riding bikes, trikes, and scooters. It was a zoo, but a highly entertaining one at that.

Dec. 25 | Santa surprised Noah with a workbench, complete with hammer, hand saw, table saw, etc. We bought Noah a dog guitar, a book, and some pajamas. It was fun to hang out just the three of us in the morning and then later on, my mom and Brian's family joined us for more presents and lunch. Noah now has a kitchen (thanks to Mike and Kathleen), which he LOVES! We didn't make it to church this year (boo!), but I'm so thankful that God sent his son to Earth. Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

As I typed up the words on these journaling cards just now, I cringed a few times. Why?  Because this writing is so unpolished, so rough draft material; it's surely not my best work. But I'm going to let it go. It's what I could come up with in the five or ten minutes I had each night. And even though it's not pretty in some spots, it captures what I was thinking at that moment. Best of all, though, it's done. Smile.  

Thanks for letting me share my December days with you!

Favorite 2013 iPhone photos

Three weeks ago, I upgraded from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 5S.  Big smile.

For the record, I purchased said phone solely for the camera.  I'm serious!

For the record, I used gift cards to pay for it (a BIG thanks to Todaysmama.com and Blue Shield's Healthy Rewards program). Woohoo!

And for the record, I did a happy dance as I walked out of the Verizon store, clutching my new phone.

The night before I bought the iPhone 5S, I transferred the last of my iPhone 4 photos onto my computer.  And for some reason, after the upload was complete, I started viewing all of my old iPhone photos.  A trip down memory lane, if you will...

Some of them made me smile, others made me laugh out loud. Most of them reminded me that Noah is growing up so fast.

Since 2013 is rapidly coming to a close, I thought I'd share nine of my favorite iPhone photos--in this polaroid frames template I found online.  

If you follow me on Instagram (jharless), you've probably seen most of these photos already.  But a few of them (like Mr. Lion reading) never made it into the social media world--that is, until now.

Here is a little backstory on each. 

Left to right, top to bottom:

1 | February: First snow for Noah at our home.  It wasn't much of a snow storm--mainly freezing rain--but it was exciting nevertheless. 

2 | February: I took this shot in our master bedroom closet, while Noah cleared nearly every shoe off the shelves.

3 | September: We celebrated our first family birthday with dinner at BJ's. 

4 | August: The three of us spent the day at Meeks Bay in Lake Tahoe.  For me, it was one of the happiest days of the summer.

5 | February: The photographer/artist in me loves this shot.  Noah still loves to slide his blocks in the window track.

6 | November: I was cleaning up a few items off Noah's bedroom floor, when I looked over and saw Noah looking at a book on the chair with his Mr. Lion hat on backwards.  I thought, That's funny, and pulled out my iPhone to take this shot.

7 | October: Although you can't tell from this shot, Noah loved riding in this car at the grocery store.  In fact, the reason he looks so distressed is because I had stopped pushing the cart to take a picture.  I'm sure if he could talk, he would have said impatiently, Let's go, Mommy!

8 | March: This is one of my favorite iPhone photos of Noah.  I can't help but grin every time I look at it.

9 | September: The lighting was gorgeous that evening (it was during the magic hour), so I snapped this shot of Noah sporting his Notre Dame jersey and putting his arms up in touchdown fashion.

Christmas Letter | 2013

 Photo Credit: Mindy Newton Photography

Hi!

It’s Noah here, with an update on our family.

2013 has been a really fun year—for Dada, Mama, and especially me.

 Photo Credit: Mindy Newton Photography

The three of us went camping twice in our trailer—once near Foresthill where Dada spotted a bear in a tree—and the other time, in the Bodega Sand Dunes, where I played in the warm sand and the ocean. 

We also visited Lake Tahoe twice, once in the winter and once in the summer. In February, we snowshoed with our neighbors; their son’s name is Aaron and he’s about my age.  He calls me “Nona” and I love going for hikes with him. In August, we spent the day at Meeks Bay, but the water was so c-c-c-c-old that I didn’t want to go in. Dada buried the lower half of my body in the sand, and then drove a tractor around my feet.  I thought that was so funny!    

We also hit the zoo (where I loved watching the little monkeys), and the county fair (where I got to sit on a tractor), and a miniature indoor city called BusyKidz (where I vacuumed, weighed fruit, and talked on the telephone). 

About a month ago, I flew on an airplane to Texas. Auntie Katie (TT) and Uncle Preston got married, and Auntie TT looked so beautiful in her wedding dress. I wore a tuxedo, and everyone kept saying how cute I looked.  (Being cute is a good thing, right?) At the reception, there was a guy playing a guitar (gee-tar), and I sat down right in front of him and watched him play. Uncle Preston’s sister, Noelle, also played a guitar and sang really pretty.  

 Photo Credit: Mindy Newton Photography

Mama, Dada, and I have a lot of fun at home, too. Mama stays home with me, and in the mornings, we go to the library to play with puzzles or to gymnastics where I slide down into the foam pit (wee!) or to the park where I play in the sandbox and go down the slides (more weeing!).

Mama sings to me, and I sing along sometimes, too.  One of my favorite songs right now is "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."  You know that part where Santa says, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”?  I pretend to be Santa and sing those words.  

 Photo Credit: Mindy Newton Photography

Daddy works at the fire station and I miss him when he’s gone.  I say, “Dada?” and Mama tells me he is at the station. Then, I say, “Woo, woo?” and Mama responds, “Yes, Dada drives the fire engine.” When we visit Dada at the station, he hoists me up into the driver's seat and I hold on to the steering wheel.  It's the best!  I don't want to leave.  Ever.  When Mama says it’s time to go, I cry and cry. 

But then, when I hear Dada’s truck come up the driveway, I run to the window and Mama lifts me up onto the windowsill. Dada steps out of his truck and I wave and say “Hi! Hi! Hi!” with the biggest grin on my face.

Dada makes me the best shakes--always with frozen blueberries (my favorite)—and the best pancakes with oatmeal and bananas.  Dada also pushes me around on my outside trike, taking me for walks in the neighborhood. Going for rides in Dada’s truck is fun, too.      

My doggies, Lucy (Luce) and Rudy (D), are the best!  Lucy just turned 10 and Rudy is 8 now.  Mama and Dada give Luce two shots a day because she has diabetes (tees).  I sit on the rug nearby and watch.  Mama always says, “Good girl!” to Lucy when she’s done, and I say, “Good girl!” too.        

I also say "Oh, no!" a lot.  Like when I drop my fork off the dining room table.  Or when I put my foot in the dogs’ water bowl.  Or when I accidentally throw an iPhone into the bath tub.    

My other favorite words are: cool and okay and please (pwease) and thank you (ank-you) and football (b-ball) and helicopter (copter).  And, of course, guitar (gee-tar or tar).  I'm obsessed with guitars. In fact, I’m really hoping Santa will bring me one for Christmas! 

In addition to being a guitar nut, I have a thing for vehicles…you know, trains (choo-choo) and trucks and tractors.  Pretty much anything that goes.  Oh, and my trike.  I ride it as fast as I can around the house: Through the kitchen and around into the living room, then whizzing past the sofas in the family room and zooming into the dining room.  Dada calls them hot laps.  Don’t worry, though, I wear a big football hat (a gold Notre Dame helmet) when I ride to protect my brain (ain).   

Mama, Dada and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Noah

(Age: Almost 2)

Our Early Thanksgiving

This post is a tad late, with what it already December 9, but I really wanted to document what we were up to this past Thanksgiving.

Brian had to work on Thanksgiving Day (he was mandatoried two weeks before), so the three of us celebrated a day early with a feast at home. 

Brian and I collaborated on the menu. We wanted to include foods we ate growing up as well as dishes we've come to love as adults.  And the meal had to be fairly easy and quick to pull together, especially with a 22-month-old under foot.

Here's a look at our menu:

• Turkey | We had planned to buy a turkey breast, but opted for a whole turkey because they were just a few dollars more.  Before placing the turkey in the oven, Brian rubbed it down with butter, and sprinkled it with some salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.  

• Mashed potatoes | I love me some creamy mashed potatoes like my mom made growing up, but this year, we decided to go with sweet potatoes.  Because, you see, Brian makes the most delicious sweet mashed potatoes.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about them.    

• Gravy | I'm not a fan of gravy, but Brian loves it with his turkey.  For us, the canned variety was good enough. Easy peasy.  

• Stuffing | Stove Top all the way!   

• Cooked Carrots | We don't have cooked carrots very often (Brian is not a fan), so it was a real treat to have them.  Thanks to our friend, Scott, for sharing his yummy recipe.  The secret ingredient: Honey.

• Cranberry | Noah and I love cranberry (whole berry). Brian: Not so much.

• Biscuits | I tried these frozen biscuits at a friends' house a few months ago, and it was love at first bite.  Brian and Noah think they are scrumptious, too.

• Pumpkin Pecan Pie | Brian and I both love pumpkin pie AND pecan pie, and we couldn't decide which one we'd rather have. Enter this Pumpkin Pecan Pie.  While the pie cooked up just right, Brian and I both agreed that, in the future, we'd rather have pumpkin pie OR pecan pie, or both--just not in the same pie.

And the coolest part about preparing a Thanksgiving Eve feast at your house?  Leftovers. For days. 

Hello December Daily 2013

Welcome December!

And hello December Daily!

It's my third year participating in Ali Edwards' December Daily album project.

The first year (2010), I created a 6x8 album.  

Last year, I chose a 4x6 album.

And this year, I'm going with this 6x12 album.

 

It was not easy finding a 6x12 album.  I started by looking online, and had a dreadful time locating one.  Then, when I finally found a suitable album, the shipping was more than the item.

Luckily, I remembered I had a Hobby Lobby gift card in my wallet.  I called the store, and lo and behold, they had three different 6x12 albums.

Score!

Even better, all their albums (and plastic photo pages) were 50% off.

Double score! 

Here's a look at the inside of the album:



I purchased Ali Edwards' December Daily 4x6 journal cards, printed them out, and trimmed them down to size.

My goal is to write a little each day on a journal card, and then take at least two photos. 

But I'm sure there will be days where I snap a ton of photos, but don't have much to say, or don't have the energy or time to write.  On those days, I think I'll just place an overlay (with the date) right on my photo and then print it out.  

I can't wait to document our holiday and non-holiday stories in this album. 

Here's to snapping and writing and enjoying the magic of the Christmas season. 

2013 Summer List Update

Swim Lessons | Summer 2013

Even though summer isn't officially over, most kids are back in school, so it's time to share an update to my 2013 Summer List.

In case you missed my original list, I'm posting it here, along with a few thoughts about each activity.

1| Jump into swimming lessons | Noah really likes being in water, but he wasn't sure what to make of swim lessons.  Sure, being with mom and dad, singing songs, and playing with toys was fun, but he wasn't too keen on kicking his legs, scooping with his hands, or blowing bubbles.  Still, it was a good experience, and a few weeks after swim lessons, Noah started kicking his legs and blowing bubbles in the bathtub.  Smile. 
 
2| Spend a day at the zoo | We didn't make it to the zoo this summer, but we have free passes that are good through the end of 2013.  

3| Visit the children's museum | We planned an outing to the children's museum, but then learned they are closed on Mondays.  Plan B: A visit to BusyKidz, a little city for little ones, where Noah shopped for groceries, dined in a restaurant, vacuumed the carpet, and donned a fire helmet.    

4| Go camping | We went on a 2-night camping trip in May, but haven't been back out since.  Right now, the thought of not sleeping for several nights doesn't interest Brian or me, so we're taking a lot of day trips.  Smile.    

5| Play in the yard and at the park | Check and check!  Lately, we've been playing indoors more, though, due to the smoke from the American Fire.

6| Go for a hike | We completed several hikes this summer, including a 6.6 mile hike that borders a nearby country club.  It was quite a hike--with a whopping 24 switchbacks at one point. Brian and I were sore the next day, but we couldn't have asked for better weather or better company, and it was neat getting to check out some million dollar homes. Noah was a trooper, hanging out in the backpack for the 3-hour ride. He said "house" and "horse" and "water"--and towards the very end, "all done." 

7| Spend time with family + friends | Great times.  

8| Attend a county fair | We had fun at the Nevada County Fair. 

9| Visit a local farm stand | We bought fresh fruit and veggies from a new farm, just five minutes down the road.  I love supporting local farmers! 

10| Attend an open gym session at a local gymnastics center | We take Noah nearly every week to an open gym session, and he loves it.

11| Visit the library | We've checked out several batches of board books from the library.  Last week, we found an oversized Goodnight Moon board book and Noah enjoys reading it every night before bed.  
 
12| Complete Assignment #3 for my writing class | I submitted Assignment #3, a completely revised article about geocaching, and received positive feedback from my instructor.  

13| Create a photo wall in our family room | Almost done.  All of the photos are framed and ready to be hung.  I'll post a picture when it is finished.   

14| Sign up for a photography class or workshop | On Saturday, I attended a studio lighting workshop, where I learned more about the lighting options available for my mini-studio.

What have you been up to this summer? 

My Summer List



Resort at Squaw Creek | June 2013

With summer officially here, it's time to share my {2013} summer list.   

1| Jump into swimming lessons.

2| Spend a day at the zoo.

3| Visit the children's museum.

4| Go camping.

5| Play in the yard and at the park.

6| Go for a hike.

7| Spend time with family + friends.

8| Attend a county fair.

9| Visit a local farm stand. 

10| Attend an open gym session at a local gymnastics center.

11| Visit the library. 
 
12| Complete Assignment #3 for my writing class.

13| Create a photo wall in our family room.  

14| Sign up for a photography class or workshop. 

What is on {your} summer list?  

50 Fun Summer Ideas for Kids and Parents

Aquarium of the Bay | San Francisco

Hello, June.

Around here, the schools just let out for the summer.  

In anticipation of summer break, I've been assembling this list of 50 {FUN} things that kids (and parents) can do this summer.  Keep in mind, though, that I reside in Northern California, so some of the links I've included will be specific to the region in which I live. 

1. Have a picnic in the park. 

2. Visit Baskin Robbins on their one dollar scoop night.  (It's usually on Tuesday nights, but call your local Baskin Robbins for more information.) 

3. Attend movie night in the park.

4. Take swimming lessons.

5. Enjoy family time at your local pool.  (Most public pools have a reduced rate one night a week.  Where we live, it's only $1 per person to swim on Wednesday nights in the summer.  Check with your local recreation and park district.)

6. Visit a museum.  (Ideas: Children's museum, railroad museum, discovery museum.)

7. Go to the zoo. 

8. Cook a meal together. 

9. Enjoy SkyZone or another indoor trampoline park. 

10. Try geocaching with your family.  (You'll need a smart phone and a geocaching application to get started.  For more information, check out this website.)

11. Spend a day at a water park.

12. Visit an amusement park. 

13. Participate in a summer reading program at your local library.

14. Attend story time at the library. 

15. Do a good deed.  (Ideas: Pick up trash in your area, visit seniors in a nursing home, or write thank you letters to your mail carrier and garbage collector.) 

16. Go camping.

17. Take a day trip to a local lake.  

18. Spend a day at work with your mom or dad.

19. Document your day.  Take pictures and write about what you do all day long.  Then, create a mini scrapbook.

20. Take karate lessons.

21. Attend vacation bible school.

22. Play in the yard.  

23. Take a tour of your local fire station (Call ahead to confirm that you can take a tour.) 

24. Tour a local farm or ranch.  (I've heard great things about Slide Ranch, which is located in the Bay Area.)

25. Visit a farmer's market.

26. Take a walking tour of your town or city.   

27. Go on a hike. 

28. Attend a rodeo.

29. Ride your bike around the neighborhood.

30. Cheer on a friend who is running a half marathon or marathon.

31. Go kayaking, canoeing, or rafting.    

32. Go bowling.

33. Sleep in a tent in your backyard.

34. View a movie on an outdoor screen in your yard. 

35. Go to a drive-in movie theater.

36. See a movie in the theater. 

37. Go to an indoor play place like BusyKidz or Wacky Tacky.  

38. Make a craft at Home Depot. (The kids workshop is available the first Saturday of every month, 9:00-12:00.) 
39. Make a free art project at Lakeshore Learning.  (Available every Saturday from 11:00-3:00.  Click here to find a store near you.)  

40. Attend an "open gym" session at a gymnastics center.

41. Play cards or board games.

42. Visit John's Incredible Pizza  or Chuck E. Cheese.

43. Try indoor rock climbing.

44. Attend a county or state fair.

45. Watch a minor league or major league baseball game.

46. Host a neighborhood barbecue.    

47. Paint a piece of pottery. 

48. Visit a planetarium. 

49. Plant a garden.

50. Visit an aquarium.

Two final thoughts...

• If your child is still in school, I'd encourage you to ask his or her teacher for summer field trip suggestions.  Example parent-to-teacher question: Where would you recommend I take my daughter this summer to build on her learning in fourth grade or to prepare her for fifth grade? For instance, great field trip ideas for fourth graders studying California history include: California State Railroad Museum, Sonoma Mission, Sutter's Fort, and Marshall Gold Discovery SHP. 

• As I was doing research for this list, I came across these awesome summer learning calendars from Lakeshore.  There's one set for preK-K and one set for grades 1-3.  Just download and print!

Your turn: What would you add to this list?

Five Favorite Things

 As we say goodbye to May, I want to share my {five} favorite things.  

1. Favorite App: PicTapGo | An awesome photography editing application available for $1.99.

2.  Favorite Dessert: Reese's Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats | It's like a party in your mouth!

3. Favorite Country Song: Hey Pretty Girl by Kip Moore | Such a sweet tune.

4. Favorite Blog:  Photojojo | If you love photography, you'll adore this blog. 

5. Favorite Drink Mix: Crystal Light Peach Tea packets | Yum.

Your turn: What are your {five} favorite things?

Then and Now

May 4, 2010
OBSERVATIONS: Our family of four out for a walk in our new neighborhood.  I find it funny that I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt, vest, and jeans--while Brian is wearing a t-shirt and shorts.  (It's still that way--generally, I'm cold and he's hot.)  Photo taken with my Nikon D90.  

April 14, 2013
OBSERVATIONS: Nearly three years later.  Our family of five (Noah is 15 months old) out for a stroll before dinner.  Noah loves "driving" his blue car, honking the horn, and dropping the steering wheel out of the car.  This time, Brian, Noah and I were all on the same page, wearing short-sleeved shirts and blue jeans.  Photo taken with my Nikon D700.   

I'm looking forward to snapping more family photos--in this same place, at the same time of year--in the years to come. 

Easter 2013

This year, we enjoyed Easter festivities on both Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday, my family--my grandfather, my parents, my sister, and her two daughters--joined us for lunch, an Easter egg hunt, family photos, and a birthday celebration for 10-year-old (soon-to-be 11-year-old) McKayla.

On Sunday, Brian, Noah and I attended Mass at 8:00 am, followed by more family pictures before nap time.  (All three of us napped!)  In the afternoon, we drove down to Brian's parents' house for fun with the Harless clan.

Here is what I want to remember...


I want to remember how much fun I had creating this super simple Easter egg wreath--the inspiration for which came from Pinterest.  I know I will enjoy this wreath for years to come...and it only cost me $7.00 to make.


I want to remember holding these two precious little ones, Noah (15 months) and Zoey (5 months), who won't be little much longer.  

I want to remember how Zoey fell asleep in my arms.  There is nothing better than cradling a sleeping baby.

I want to remember the excitement on McKayla's face as she searched for Easter eggs in our yard.  Her bucket was loaded down with plastic eggs and chocolate; one egg--the prized golden one--even had money inside it.

I want to remember how Noah "dug" for his eggs in the sandbox.  It was Noah's first time playing in sand, and as you would expect, sand ended up everywhere...on the ground, in Noah's hair--even in Noah's mouth.  Eventually, Noah found his eggs and was rewarded with cereal and a bracelet.     


I want to remember how Noah rocked his "Chicks Dig Me" shirt.  Drool splotches and all.  (I think more molars are coming in!) 


I want to remember how McKayla smashed her face into her Irish flag birthday cake.  (McKayla loves the band, One Direction, and her favorite member is from Ireland.)

I want to remember how much I loved the Cool Whip frosting on McKayla's One Direction cupcakes.   
I want to remember McKayla saying, "I feel old!" as she gazed at her sister, Zoey, and cousin, Noah, lying on the floor.  

I want to remember receiving a sweet voice mail from my friend, Linda, wishing me a Happy Easter.  I miss seeing her on a regular basis.

I want to remember how the baby room at church was packed with families just like ours.  Moms and dads and little boys.  Interestingly, there weren't any little girls in the room.  And all of the boys--who were around Noah's age--carried their own "snack" bag with Cheerios or goldfish or raisins around the room as they played.  It was so cute!     


I want to remember how after church I took six shots of our little family using a tripod and my Nikon D90's self-timer.

I want to remember how I made four batches of Jello Jiggler eggs, but instead of taking all 24 eggs to our family get-together, I saved a few for our family.  I'm glad I did; turns out, Noah loves jello!

I want to remember how Noah found his blue egg in grandma and grandpa's backyard.  Inside, we found a Scratcher and some chocolate.  Noah didn't want anything to do with the chocolate or the Scratcher; he just wanted to hold the plastic egg.  More for Brian and me!

I want to remember how much I loved eating my first Buckeye.  And my second...and my third.  Those peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate are oh. so. good. And oh. so. addicting.  (Thanks, Leah & Alan!)

Hope you and your family had a beautiful Easter.