Easter Egg Decorating

Aren't those eggs exquisite?  I'm in charge of planning the egg decorating activity for the upcoming family Easter party, so I've been looking everywhere for ideas.  Unfortunately, the eggs above seem a bit too fancy for a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds, but one day....one day....

Temporary Tattoo Easter Eggs

Gather the following:

Temporary Tattoo Paper ($19.95 for five 8 1/2"W x 11"L sheets; decalpaper.com).

Eggs 

Step 1: Begin by downloading free images from graphicsfairy.blogspot.com and thevintagemoth.blogspot.com

Step 2: Arrange them in a Microsoft Word document, resizing each to fit on an egg.

Step 3: Print the images on tattoo paper, cut them out, and adhere to blown-out eggs, following package instructions.

image and concept from Country Living

Blog love

The Pied Paper gets another mention on a blog!  Check out Hardly Housewives and enter to win a free set of stationery!

The Pied Paper reopens

A few months ago, I put The Pied Paper on hold, due to my waning enthusiasm for making the cards.  But I was still getting inquiries about custom orders...so I decided to open it back up without marketing the store at all.  To my surprise, orders were still trickling in...and then the other day, someone asked to feature my store on her blog (more to come on that), so I think there is a demand out there.  I don't necessarily have any more energy than I did a few months ago, but hopefully that will change.  To mark my reopening, I've added a few more designs, some of which are shown here--what do you think?

National Zoo

We took our annual Spring trip to the National Zoo yesterday.  For the first time in my 20+ years of going to the zoo, all of the animals were out and front and center for us to see.  It probably had to do with the fact that the weather was overcast but pleasantly cool and that it was lunchtime.  I know I sound like a broken record, but we had a great time!  As tired as I am, life is good with the two munchkins.

My Chicken Nugget

I have to begin this post by admitting certain shameful things:

1) I let my kid eat chicken nuggets.  Fried chicken nuggets.  From a fast food joint.

2) I let her eat it in my bedroom, on  my bed.  Because this is where we chill on Fridays, before she takes her nap.

3) She eats it while watching cartoons on TV.  While I’m relaxing and surfing the net.

Alright—now that that’s all out of the way…enjoy these pics of my chicken nugget eating her nuggets!

Sophie at Ballet/Tap, Part II

Sophie at Ballet/Tap, Part I

Sunday Funday

We discovered a new playground today, one with lots and lots of donated toys.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous today and it was a perfect Sunday!

Tanning

Sophie got sick on her mattress the other night so we had to wash it and let it air dry outside.  Here’s what I found the girls doing while I was doing the dishes in the kitchen:

Birthday Brunch

Sophie and I spent most of the day together, just the two of us.  Among other things, we went to brunch to celebrate the birthday of one of my closest girlfriends.  Sophie had a great time with her friend, Addy. 

Sophie and Addy

My girlfriends - "The Ladies"

Happy Birthday, Heather!

The birthday girl and her daughter.

Tiny TOMS

Speaking of Spring wardrobe pieces...check out the Spring shoes I just bought for Gracie. Too cute...I couldn't resist.

Tiny TOMS "Marley", $29

Tender

A lazy Sunday morning - Sophie 4 years and Grace 19 months.

Once in a blue moon, between the fighting and the whining, they manage to snuggle up together and show some love.

Spring Wardrobe

I used to spend a lot of time buying clothes for Sophie. She was like a doll that I could dress up. But ever since she started going a preschool that required uniforms, I was not keeping up. I realized recently that we've been recycling the same two or three outfits for months, because I didn't really need regular clothes for her during the week. All of her clothes were too small and too tight.  So this past week, I've been getting her Spring wardrobe in order. Here are some cute things I've picked up...and thank goodness for MYHABIT, by the way! It's where I got a lot of the pieces from kicokids and Neige:

Darla blouse from Neige

Bensimon Tennis Elastique from Neige

Skirt from kicokids

Dress from Neige

Dress from Tea Company...how do you like Sophie's haircut, by the way?