our unplanned plans

 

{Emerson and Ida dressed up for an early morning sandbox run.}

It seems to me that this was a very memorable Memorial day.

1.  Urban slept until 6:45 am.  Oh, sweet child of mine.  He knew it was a holiday.  I invite you, Urban, to repeat your experiment tonight.  And don't forget to listen to your mother.

2.  Daddy "flew" LOTS of airplanes all day and did awesome!  Certification in the near future, we are told.

3.  The kids hopped in the pool nice and early.  They returned for two more swims wearing their swimsuits and two more wearing their clothes.  I like to encourage them to keep their suits on between swims telling them the sun will dry them, but I'm not a very smart mom these days.  But, I'm doing laundry anyway, right?     

  

4.  We were loaded and excited to go to the parade but our car didn't want to.  The battery sucked itself dry in protest of something.  I think the heat.  We unloaded.

5.  We ran out of formula.  It sounds so irresponsible of me when I write it.  Mr. Downtown has been eating more rice cereal and formula lately and sucked us dry.  The plan has always been to do the grocery shopping Monday nights.  Walmart sells the formula for $3.84 each and we buy eight.  Eight has always lasted a week with one left ensuring we would always have enough formula.  My responsible mom side even asked the Walmart worker running the infant section to please have the shelf stocked each Monday with eight formulas because I will always be coming to buy them.  AND THEY HAVE BEEN!  Our little dude eats more now, and decided to change plans on a day our car is being very less obedient.  We squeezed it out and survived.  Daddy got some on his way home from work and just in time for Urban's feeding.



6.  I wore my hair in a high, big bun because it was hot.

7.  Emerson did laundry with me and read the word "Clorox."  I almost died because he is a kindergartner......and because it may be an omen that he will like bleach as much as I do!

8.  I grilled the chicken in the toaster oven because daddy's grill wasn't assembled yet.  It only took him two hours to get it up and running.  We are grilling every day this week, I promised Josh we could....we have waited for this grill for two years.

9.  The kids passed Urban back and forth.  They like having a more solid baby and made me pinkie swear they could hold him standing up when they are nine.  I promised they could. 

10.  Josh went grocery shopping.  It's Monday.

11.  I ate in-house grilled chicken at 9:55 p.m. and it was good.

Wallpaper Talk---Rid The Earth

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Thank you to all those who have protected our freedoms, past, present, and future!

GOD BLESS THIS NATION!

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Question:  If you had the power to rid the earth of 4 things, what would they be?

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1. I would rid the earth of migraines
2. I would rid the earth of hormonal issues for women
3. I would rid the earth of breast cancer
4. I would rid the earth of animal cruelty
5. I would rid the earth of dishonesty

6. I would rid the earth of mental illness - mental illness like depression, suicide, cutting, eating disorder, anxiety, and Tourette's. I would NOT rid the earth of mentally retarded or Down syndrome people. They are too special and add too much spice and character to the world. They teach very special lessons to those who are willing to listen and learn from them.:)

7. Because I want to put one thing on this list that is totally irrational, I would rid the earth of humidity. My hair and wardrobe would very much appreciate this!

See you next week-Emily

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1.  I would rid the world of bullying.

2.  I would rid the world of mental illness.  This was on my list too, Em!  These are such hard struggles.  I like how you wrote about it and I completely agree.

3.  I would rid the world of child abuse.

4.  I would rid the world of ants.  I can't stand the pesty things.  They are bug warriors.  Good for them, bad for me.

5.  I would rid the world of popularity.

And one more because I said I could,

6.  I would rid the world of seaweed.  That probably wouldn't be so eco-friendly to our bodies of water, I know.  But, it just has to go.  This and the ants one are my irrationals.

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Okay, it's style week, for all you fashion fans out there!

Question:  What three pictures best showcase your style? 

(Send one picture of an interior, an outfit, and one of your choosing.  They can be pictures of things you own, things you love from the web or things your mom once owned.....it's up to you.

And when I say 3, I mean THREE and three only.

Nothing jacked up this week.)

he bites and so does she, for that matter

Urban likes to bite.  He gets a little crazy about it.

And because I'm not on board with him biting my nose all the time, I made him some softies.

 

 

The giraffe was really for Ida, but she gave it to Urban.

The zebra was really for Urban, but he gave it to Emerson.

Ida doesn't want one.

She is holding a grudge against the animal softies genre. 

She wants the one I gave to Good Will that she got from the hospital after getting stitches in her lip 3 years ago.

 

Have any of you seen it?  And please don't comment about how mothers shouldn't give away their childrens' things in a fit of decluttering the house when their kids say they don't want them even though said mothers really know the children might change their minds and want them later.  I really, kinda already feel bad about it.  No salt please.

*Update--Ida just passed by and took a peek at her old giraffe one last grudging time.  Then it was declared by she, "I really don't want that old giraffe, Mom.  It is pretty ugly.  Yours is much better.  But I still just don't want one.*

For the love of sweet redemption.........

Wallpaper Talk---Summer List

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Question:  What is on your summer list?

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1-Leave next week, the day after school gets out, drive 5 kids up to Utah and drop them off at Aunt Jessica's. Spend entire week recording Messiah In America and performing with the Mormon Choral Organization of America in the the Tabernacle and Abravenel Hall. Hope my performing attire still fits over 21 week old belly.

2-Drive the same 5 kids up to Grandma and Grandpa's land of no speech therapy, doctors appointments, orthodontists, math tests and the like. Watch kids play in the sun or rain with cousins. Watch belly grow.

3-See my oldest daughter get baptized - wow, ouch, amazing.

4-Drive 5 kids back to Arizona after 2 months of fun and have an OB visit, an ENT visit, and an orthodontist visit all before school starts. Get school supplies, evaluate clothing after a hard summers play, meet teachers and stay cool. Start school on August 10th.

Marian of Chocolate Covered Chases
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For the home:
-Touch up the paint in the bathroom and kitchen (something we did a long time ago and never finished.)
-Rent a carpet cleaner and remove the stains on our living room floor- I HATE white floors.
-Clean the blinds, walls, stove, fridge, and the normal "things."
-Get MY laptop fixed

For me:
-Work (why of course)
-Go through my clothes and make donation piles
-Exercise
-Lose 10-20lbs
-Shop for new clothes :)
-Get some sun
-Sew and complete at LEAST one project
-Scrap at LEAST 3 pages
-Find and Read a good book (any ideas?)
-Pinterest

For the wedding:
-Pick a venue (I might be checking this off my list next weekend!! :)
-Pick colors//theme
-Make/send save-the-dates
-Make website & video
-Make signs, favors, table runners, paint picture frames, bird cage, etc. etc. etc. (the "fun" stuff!)
-Visit thrift stores as much as possible!

For us:
-Clip coupons//find bargains
-Prepare healthy meals
-Swim in the lake
-Go camping, just the two of us.
-Go camping, with the family.
-Visit Rob's family
-Attend a bonfire or two or three.
-Spend time with friends//family: cook out!!
-Go on "dates"//day trips: Zoo, Picnics, Tiger's game, Henry Ford, Star gaze, Drive-In Theater, Library (sounds crazy but it's one of my favorite things to do together! Find a book or magazine, sit next to each other, and read :)
-Take naps
-Dance in the kitchen at least once
-Fix my car (if possible.)
-Check out the food carts in Ann Arbor
Looks like a lot to do in such a short period of time!
My goal this summer is to ENJOY, RELAX, and not to stress over wedding plans... oh, AND get an amazing tan!! :)

Yay- first Wallpaper!
Kara, pinterest
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In exactly 11 more 'get ups' (that's the teacher version of a countdown!) summer will officially be here for the Knapp family - woo hooo! Mark and I are both teachers so the summer is absolute heaven for us. We've always taken fun roadtrips to various places and done a lot of camping around Michigan, but now that we have our sweet Caleb we are going to have to modify some of our usual plans. But we don't mind! We can wait to take him on all sorts of adventures! So far we have a few things in the works...

In July we are taking a bike trip somewhere in Pennsylvania with several friends. It's about a 3-4 day bike ride on some sweet rail trail that is suppose to be beautiful. Last summer Mark went we these same friends and road from Lake Huron across to Lake Michigan - I didn't go b/c I was having my first trimester fun of being super tired and not eating so well...but they had such a blast they want to go outside of the state this year! I am super excited! We will take turns riding with Caleb - he won't be in a bike, he'll be in the ride along car with one of us with all of the gear and food. We'll see how a bike trip goes with a 6 month old :) 

During the last week of June we are heading somewhere just the 3 of us...not sure where yet. Maybe DC? Discussions are still early but we know that last week is marked off for us to go somewhere new and explore...can't wait!

There will be various little trips up north and I'm sure we'll attempt to camp ~ although I can only imagine how a night in a tent could be with a baby! Are we crazy?! I think YES!

In August we are taking our cross country team of 25+ high school girls to team camp up near Oscoda. The family of one of our runners invited us last year to a super SWEET hunting lodge up in the woods - trails already cut, huge home in the woods for all the girls to enjoy - so we are headed back this year for our annual team bonding weekend. We LOVE it! And the girls are so much fun! It's a great way to kick off our season and the girls are so close by the time we head home - I can't wait!

Later in August Mark and I are going to have our first night away from Caleb ~ we are going to see Kenny Chesney @ Ford Field on a Saturday and then staying on Sunday for the Tiger's day game. I hope I can survive that long away :) We saw Kenny @ Ford Field a couple of years ago and his concerts are amazing!!! We decided that was our anniversary gift to eachother - our anniversary is July 24th.

In between our random little adventures I am hoping to do as much relaxing around the house as possible. I cherish my time at home with family so much. Sleeping in, coming and going as we want, and making plans on a whim are what makes our summers so wonderful!

p.s. I am also hoping to get the details of a very special visit to the Frakers Acres set as well -- CAN'T WAIT!!!!! :)
I hope you all have a fantastic summer!

Sarah
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Because I really have nothing nice to say about summer, I will just post pictures where you can find me. If anyone wants to visit I would welcome it...that is if you can stand being surrounded by Chris' family 24/7 (not that there is anything wrong with his family). Oh, there is a Walmart 30 minutes away in Alpena, too. Walmart is where I go when I need to get a feeling like I'm in a 'normal' town like Ann Arbor-HA. It's the truth though. I also thank my lucky stars that the lake does have Internet access. Chris would have to pull me kicking and screaming if there was no access, let me tell you!

So, one word that comes to mind when I think of summer is torture.:(
Lake Avalon, Hillman, Mi.

 

  

Then, when we get back from the lake in August, I become a widow to Chelsea JV Football.

See you next week -Emily
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Family Things:
zoo
library
summer reading program
pick strawberries
beach
updated family pictures with Mr. Downtown
Up North
birthday shebang for Little Apple
fair
pick blueberries
plant garden
turn our shed into our playhouse
golfing
ice cream
lemonade stand
music in the park
avoid boredom with this and this
parades
bon fire
*host a special visit from the Knapper family-WOOT!*
RELAX
hang out with cousins
NOT MOVE!!!  Yippeee!

Things for Josh and I:
Sugarland concert!!!
Celebrate our 9th anniversary

House Things:
paint all the trim white
paint all interior walls
conquer the bathroom

Things for Josh:
get fully certified!  AMEN!

Things for Mellissa:
sew a little

Mellissa
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Question: If you could rid 4 things from the earth, what would they be?  Explain if you want.

(This means any noun, adjective, adverb, verb, etc. you darn well want.  If you hate jumping, get rid of it  You don't like worms, adios.  War is not your thing?  See-ya!

I am an English major, not math....so as always, do as many as you want!  Let's make the world a better place, HA!)

all is well, phew

We spent Saturday night with Emerson in the hospital.  He and Ida were playing in the kiddie pool and he ran into the kitchen to grab a snack, slipped and cracked his head.  After one ambulance ride, seven hours in Pediatrics, eight barf buckets, partial vision loss, a team of very skilled St. Joe doctors and nurses, one rockie ship CT scan, and a very bad concussion, Emerson is getting back into his groove.  We are very relieved he has recovered so well.  He will miss school today and tomorrow to ensure he doesn't bump it again.

Needless to say, the chatty wallpaper with have to wait until tomorrow.  We spent Sunday blogging time relaxing, watching Tangled, eating oreo stuffed brownies, and soaking in the family time.

i was reading emerson's journal last night

2 May 2007

"Today Emerson picked his nose and had a huge booger on his finger.  When he didn't want it on his finger anymore and didn't know what to do with it, he FED IT TO IDA!!  I almost died laughing.  He just smiled and snickered at me."

And there you have it.

If you are thinking about camouflage......

I am praying it rains.

My friend from church called to do some business as she and I do over the phone....talking about her sons track shorts being made from a GI Joe parachute and how those can NOT be comfortable to run in.  Most of the kids on his team wear spandex under them, thank goodness.  "But why do schools do that to their players?" she asks.

I usually just listen and laugh and project an "Uh-huh" during the quiet moments.

"I saw Josh in the gun section at Walmart today.  Did he tell you?" she says.

"Uh-huh.  Wait, what?"  (Really, what?  This could mean so many things and I have no idea what that means.  What?) 

Later, Josh came home from work and changed his clothes to do outside stuff with tools and dirt.  From the bedroom he came wearing a Federal Aviation Administration long sleeved t-shirt and a camouflage hat.

This is a spicy man, I think lovingly while staring at my nerdy outdoors man still wondering when he is going to tell me he bought a gun.  Not that I am against owning guns because I AM NOT.  And not that Josh isn't an OUTSTANDING tinkerer, I trust him with any form of weapon or tool.  He is my nerdy plane flyer by day and my chainsaw operator by evening, kinda like Clark Kent meets PBS outdoor/home improvement shows.
  
"I talked to Shelly today.  She said she saw you in the gun section in Walmart.  Um...."

"I got this sweet hat for two bucks!  They put the Fraker-type deals in the gun section."

"Oh," I say.  "And what are you going to do wearing your two dollar, camouflage hat?"

"I'm going to blow torch the burn pile!"

 

"Dear, God.  Please make it rain."

Her favorite doll

Of all of her dolls, Ida likes the drool monger best.

I'm a pretty cool mom too for letting her play doll with Urban, so she says.

She puts him in the doll high chair, she feeds him, she plays with him, she kisses and changes him, she dresses him, she tickles and bathes him......and when she is sick of him, she leaves him lying here or there on the floor for later like she does all her other dolls.

I am glad I have never found him in the doll tub in the closet.

a small "un-strike"

Ida has outgrown some of her beloved shoes.

I feel bad because she reeeeaaaalllly wants them to fit.

She even asked if I could sew them.

I told her that I already would have if I could, but shoes aren't something mommy can sew.

Then Ida asked me to make her a dress..........

she doesn't know about the whole sewing strike thing.

So, we made a dress.

I drew the dress and she glued the yarn to it and cut it out.

Umbrella...

She wanted an umbrella.

I am NOT sewing an umbrella.

We made an umbrella.

Then Ida asked me to make her a mini-doll.
Her younger, teething brother claimed one of her favorites.

I "un-striked" for Honey Girl.  
We sewed a little lady during Urban's morning nap!

Ida designed the whole thing.

Spunky little girl, that Ida.

She named the doll Stella.

 

 I am crafted out, people!
I have decided to take the advice of my friend Deanne and move from the crafts to organizing this house before the summer fun arrives......paint and hopefully (fingers crossed) wood.  And to be honest, I won't mind a little tile, cushions, and porcelain either.

Wallpaper Talk -- Cakes

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Question:  What are your favorite birthday cakes you have made or seen?

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Here are the cakes I've made Emerson (all what he requested....exactly).........He had cupcakes his first three birthdays when we were dealing with gluten issues.  Looking back, I should have and wish I would have made a bug for birthday 1, a dog for birthday 2 and a bucket of water for birthday 3.  Huge regret, but oh well.  I, for the life of me, can't even remember Emerson's 2nd birthday!  Anyway, here are the other cakes:

giraffe,  circus, tiger

These are the cakes I've made Ida (all requested by Ida)........she had cupcakes for her first birthday, though I should have made a purple blanket cake.

  shoe, cinderella, strawberry cupcake

Cakes I think are cute:

 ruffles, monkey, alien

 bouncy ball, deer, apple

owl, castle, robot

Mellissa

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Jack August Orlandi-Born June 13th 2007.
Cakes I made Jack for his birthday on June 13th:

For Jack's 1st birthday, I made his best friend Doggy as a cake.
For Jack's 2nd birthday, I made an Oswald the Octopus cake.
For Jack's 3rd birthday, I made Neptune the planet as a cake (per his request)!

For his 4th birthday, I will attempt to make a Nemo cake (per his request).:)
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John Raphael Orlandi-Born April 2, 2010

For his 1st birthday, I made his best friend Froggy as a cake.
For John's 2nd birthday, I think I will go with a nautical theme. I think I will make a cake like this and instead of red balls I will use Swedish Fish.
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For the record, I'm in love with this cake! There is NO way i could EVER make it though.:)

See you net week-Emily

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I only make cakes for my kids' birthdays. they pick what they want and I make it :) Here are my kids birthday's over the years...

Lucy:

  

1st Birthday-Flower Cake

2nd Birthday-Elmo
3rd Birthday-Princess
4th Birthday-Strawberry (for strawberry shortcake...the doll)
5th Birthday-Unicorn

Clark:
1st Birthday-Frog
2nd Birthday-Train
3rd Birthday-Rocket

Charlie:
1st Birthday-Duckie

Laura
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Hello there Again-
So sorry to be tardy again Wallpaper Talk! ....So cakes...yes...so many memories with the annual cake love that travels about our house! My oldest has always had a very clear vision of party theme and design, although at times the theme has caused me to have to hold back chuckles at the hilarity of the choices...We were fortunate for several years to have a local make-cakes-at-home friend who would create cakes for us, so she was our cake creator...Some of the themes were:

~Sandra Boynton- Based on this book One Two Three....(TEN makes a celebration LOUD LOUD LOUD!!)
~The Wiggles (for my youngest, who LOVED them!)
~My personal favorite, URSULA (from the Little Mermaid)- This theme cracked me up! We celebrated all things Ursula, in black and purple :)
~Sparkly Strawberry Cupcake shape (to match some cute party invitations)....This one was awesome, UNTIL....right before the party I decided I wanted a picture of the cake...and then it happened- I DROPPED the camera IN THE CAKE!!! I was left with a big hole right on top of my daughter's name on the cake-- It said, "Happy Birthday No" AHHHH!!! It was an airbrushed type surface, and I FREAKED. I tried to fix it best I could...and darnit, didn't even get the picture before it happened...but now it's a memory that makes me laugh....
~ELMO, which I actually made, with all those little individual frosting stars, until 2 in the morning the night before the big day...why? I say why!?!

 

~And then...there was the Nim's Island birthday theme for my oldest, based on the movie....This was one time where I decided to go for it, on my own- So I made a volcano cake! I found the general recipe here: ...the trick is two bundt cakes, and a glass hidden in the middle within which you put a jello type mixture and dry ice, so the cake actually "erupts"...It was by far the most fun I have ever had making a cake, especially when the kids watched it bubble.... :)

Until next time! :)

Liz
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There are lots of cool cakes out there- right? But for my kids I think this one takes the cake! Our friend Stephanie of The Cake Lady made it for Sydney and it's quite amazing. Definitely been a favorite.

   

Desarae of Flying Outside The Coop

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And because I am totally sick of uploading pictures right now, here is your question!:)

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Question:  What is on your summer list?

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