Gettin' Crafty!

Today, I practiced the age old art of trickery...

My cousin, Grace, is here for a long visit, and boy is she a plethora of inspiration!  I've been dying to put my sparkling new label maker to use ever since I got it on my birthday a few weeks ago. 

"Why not play a little practical joke on Dave and re-label his toiletries?"  Grace suggested.

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea.  And last night, while the kids were splashing around in the bath, I set my brain to thinking about clever little names for all of David's bathroom products.

This morning everybody adult-like was sleeping (either from staying up late or fevers) so I set about to take my little prank one step further and completely recover all of the little bottles before re-labeling.  I think it turned out pretty well.  But don't take my word for it--take a look at the pictures below and make up your own mind.  I'm pretty sure you'll come around to the same conclusion I have:  that's its the best, most awesome, and funny idea you've ever seen!

(Now taking orders and setting up free consultations on having your own bathroom products reupholstered and personalized)

My new P-Touch label maker (see brother.com for stores) (that I had been coveting ever since I read about it in February's issue of Domino Magazine) and some of my labels awaiting placement.

Some of David's products before their make-over.

Cutting up paper lunch bags and affixing them to the canisters and bottles.

The finished product!

We put our little gift basket back into place and waited...

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Grace, for taking the photos for me and giving me this wonderful idea, and also to David, whose reaction was worth every minute spent working on this little project, and last but not least, God, who has gifted me with these amazing talents to be able to accomplish something of this magnitude and importance.

You Know! That Time When We...

Got all packed up for the drive to the airport...

Got there early, so we stopped for a little snack....

Picked up Dad-- "Hi, Dad!"

Then we got our city on...  San Francisco style.

This was all on Thursday when we picked up our long last Daddy from the SF airport...  But then Friday he came down with a fever, so its kind of like he just got back today--Sunday.  Welcome home, Dad!

What's Not to Love?

This pretty much sums up my day today, my day yesterday, and my night last night.  I think I slept for maybe 3 hours total last night, but not all in one fell swoop.  It seems as though Caiden simply does not want to be happy.  She doesn't want me to comfort her, she doesn't want her pacifier, or her blanket, or a drink of water, or something to eat, or what Elliott is eating, or...

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galations 6:9

Amen to that!

How to Have A Technologically Advanced Child

1.)Always have the latest and greatest new thing technology can bring.

2.)Have a husband obsessed with having the latest and greatest new thing technology can bring.

3.)Have a husband that works somewhere where 1.) and 2.) are possible.

4.)Keep aforementioned technology easily accessible to said child.

5.)Encourage child to use aforementioned technology as much as possible.

6.)Praise child for each new development in learning new technology.

7.)Use the latest and greatest new technology to keep in contact with far off family to familiarize child with programs such as video chat and iChat.

8.)Use the latest and greatest new technology in every aspect of your life such as playing music, watching movies, talking on the phone, etc.

9.)Encourage child to use the technology for these things as well.

10.)Ooh and aah excessively in praise when child learns how to turn on new technology by his/her self.

11.)Likewise, ooh and aah excessively in praise when child learns how to use the mouse on your computer.

12.)Teach child how to operate and play games on new technology.

13.)Leave new technology with child to shut him/her up when you need to get something done around the house.

14.)Use new technology as a distraction to keep child quiet and occupied when out in public or out to dinner.

15.)Allow child regular access to electronics such as digital cameras and iPhones.

16.)Pull out your monster of a camera on a regular basis and take lots and lots of photos of child and then show him/her the images of him/her self after taking each shot to help him/her develop a love and respect for all things digital.

17.)Use small, but still good quality, pocket digital camera as a practice instrument for child.

If you do all of these things on a regular basis, you too can have a technologically advanced child who will be very interested in all things computerized, electronic, and devoid of old-fashioned imagination.  Good luck!

Orla Kiely

Organizing has never been more fun (or pretty for that matter) since the new Orla Kiely for Target Collection came out and I was so generously gifted to by my husband for my birthday... (There's more, too, I just didn't take photos of them yet.)

Go Corynne! It's your birthday!

Hello! It's David... I've hijacked Cryn's blog and wanted to share some things with you. Today, February 15th is Corynne's Birthday! I wanted to share this photo with you.

This is a simple photo that I shot on my iPhone. I used an application that lets you shoot in sepia tone (sorry about the technical photo jargon... however, if you enjoy technical photo jargon, I am not sorry and recommend you go here)

I wanted to shoot it in that style to convey a side of Corynne that I really enjoy. It looks old and dark, and distressed and any of you may not know, but Corynne enjoys old things... not old as in ghetto and shifty, but let's just say she has a passion for opera, singing in the rain (the movie), vintage items, old houses, etc. She is traditional and classic, you might even say timeless. She is like an awesome Grandma who bakes the best dessert ever, has good style in choosing old things, but she doesn't smell like old people, and knows how to use a computer!) I don't know if it could be any better. Although I am not well versed in these "old" things I wholeheartedly appreciate that she is and I enjoy that she enjoys these things. I thought you would enjoy that she enjoys them also and I wanted to share with you 1 of the many (1,429,389,092+) things I love about Corynne.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORYNNE!


Please leave Corynne some birthday love in the comments down below!!

The Winner is...

Watch the video to find out who won!

Sweet Dreams

"Thank you for Caiden (Jack-Jack). Please help her not to die.  Please help her to be nice and not to cry.  Keep her safe.  Help her to have good dreams.  Jesus name... Amen."  "Why do people just say, 'Amen', and not 'Jesus name, amen?'

Elliott gets really annoyed every time he finishes praying and David and I say a plain ol' 'amen' instead of 'Jesus name, amen' to echo what he just said.  He also takes it upon himself to be the one to pray.  We could have fifty-five people over at our house and as soon as somebody says the word 'pray' Elliott will commence into his dialogue with the Lord.  It is the sweetest thing.  Elliott can be a little shy at times and hide behind my legs.  But when it comes to talking to Jesus, that boy won't back down. 

After I prayed for Elliott tonight and tucked him into bed, he told me that he wanted to pray for Caiden and that's just what he did.  I wish I could remember every little bit of it, but those few phrases up top were all I could retain.  As soon as he started I had the urge to tell him to hold on, run into the other room, and grab a piece of paper and a pen to write it all down so I can remember it forever.  I've been doing that lately--writing down the things he says.  Things like, "...but, Dad, I'm cold.  I need my bajama downs..." when he wants some pajama bottoms.  You know, those types of things.  We think we'll remember, but we won't.  We'll forget.

Elliott took these last two photos of Caiden

P.S.  I've been really addicted to this love story, lately.  Couldn't put it down!  I highly recommend it...

Aargh!

We played pirates today...

Surprise!

Photos by David

{Make sure to read all the way through, there's a surprise in this for you, too!}

Gosh!  I got mail...  Can you believe it?  Usually its just the cutie-pie kids who get all of the fun packages...  But not today.  I was not even expecting this--in fact, I was expecting a package for the kids from David's mom--but after a quick chat with our mailman (Tim), I looked down and was surprised to see my name on the box.  I admit it, my heart leapt within me.  The package was from my dear friend, Liz, who was sending me a bunch of junk I left at her house on my last visit to Connecticut.  Inside of the happy package was my beanie, some baby tupperware, toys, the roses David sent to me for our 5th anniversary which transpired while I was visiting Liz (which roses she so thoughtfully dried for me!), and an odd assortment of other treasures that Liz hoped "would give [me] inspiration for writing [more blog posts]."  And you know what?  It has!

So here is my inspiration:  In the spirit of packages, I have decided that I will send out a mystery package to one of you.  Just leave a comment below and I will randomly pick a winner and send you a special treat from the Escalante home!  Isn't that exciting?  I think so.  So get on with it and write me a little love note!  I'll wait until Friday at which time I will somehow randomly select one of you, shoot you an email, get your address, and get on with this serious business.

Cryn Tip : Cleaning the Tub...the Easy Way

I have one of those plastic bathtub/shower shells and it is so hard to scrub that dark circle of grime off of the inside of the tub.  I dread bathroom cleaning day because I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I can never seem to get the tub all the way clean and that bothers me.  Not to mention the fact that you have to bend down and scrub from a really awkward angle which makes it difficult to get good leverage and force to scrub off the scum.

I just kept thinking that there must be an easier way.  And there is!  Use your mop.  Its that simple.  We have one of those braided rope mops and I decided to sanitize it one day with some comet while cleaning the tub and let me tell you, it made all of the difference in the world!  It gives you incredible leverage and force making the job of cleaning the tub a breeze.  Instead of bending down and trying to scrub at an awkward angle, just get your mop in there and while standing outside of the tub, you simply push the mop up and down and all over with ease. Try it.  You'll be hooked, I guarantee.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I was just this close to posting these photos from our day at the park yesterday followed by some witty remarks directed towards Punxsutawney Phil (ridiculing his forecast of six more weeks of winter), based on the fact that we have been having balmy, sunny weather for some time now.  And then, bam!, today hits cold and overcast.  So, I guess you may be justified in your forecast after all, Phil.

The lesson here, folks:  before you rush off to secretly or openly have a good guffaw at someone or something, wait a day or two to make sure it is still worth guffawing about...

So this was us yesterday--when it was warm.

You will also be pleased to know that Elliott conquered his fear and totally mastered the swirly-twirly vortex of terror--and found it quite enjoyable, too.  It was good for my heart to see him climbing around barefoot like little boys should.  Soon, soon, summer will be upon us, have no fear.

P.S.  Come back tomorrow for the video catching Elliott in action on the vortex... (video uploading is not my friend today)