A Little Update.....i.e. Why I Have Been MIA

So it's been awhile since I've been writing regularly (soooooooo sorry about that BTW) I figured I would write an update post for ALL my awesome readers that have continued to stop by even though I've been kinda laaaaaame. I want to let all you wonderful people know how much that means to me and that some of you have even dropped emails to ask about things around the McDonald casa. Those emails always seemed to land in my inbox on days when I was feeling too overwhelmed & really needed a lift in my spirits. I know I was terrible and didn't always answer, but please, please KNOW how much those few sentences meant to me and that someone was thinking about me. I promise I'll make it up to you guys!!

So enough about me......ok, actually maybe a little more about me since this IS an update post after all  :D

Well, we have all been doing well......just super busy over the summer. It always took up so much time to take the kiddos places to keep them active and entertained and keep them from maiming each other whenever they got cabin fever and had had too much of each other. It gets pretty HOT 'round these parts in the summer (or this week too!!) and we need to visit the pool often or find alternate sources of indoor fun.

My migraines also got worse there for awhile and I just wanted to focus all my non-agonizing time with my sweet little girlies (no, really......look how sweet & cute they all are.....mostly while they are alseep). I am learning to manage the migraines better and treat them faster, so that's good.

We have also been working really hard with Kira everyday to try and catch her up with speech (she's very behind and we were starting to worry). But, we just found out that she is having hearing problems due to fluid buildup in her ears.....which we were starting to suspect. So, they'll drain them to see if it's a chronic problem and then check for any other issues. Even though this is not necessarily a good thing....we are relieved to know that this should help her speech immensely.

Other than that......Madison just turned 7 (gasp!) and is now a big 2nd grader. She is at a larger school campus and was worried about that all summer. Sissy #2, Aislyn, is still 5 & now enjoys her mornings in Kindergarten and LOVES it!! Although I suspect she still gets lost in "Aislyn-Land" sometimes. Kira will be 3 soon and is still small in stature, but makes sure her presence is known throughout the house. She is making huge strides in development, but just needs more help with speech (as I said earlier).

Anyhoo, since the older 2 kiddos are off to school these days and I have more time in the day to spend with Kira and to keep up a little better with my blogging.....after all, I have many months worth of crafty things to show you all! I also want to open up my Etsy store again soon......so stay tuned!!

BTW, don't you all just adore this year's family pics!!! And yes, you guessed it...... these were all taken by the very lovely & talented Jen Gagliardi, thanks SO much again Jen!!!

Have fun!!

Need To Stay Organized This School Year.....And Later too?

Yes, yes, I know what you all are thinking.......terrible blogger, this one. But, I won't bore you with excuses. I'll just get on to the cute new craft I have to show you all! 

Okie dokie, so I love, love, LOVE those cute framed wall calendars you can write on with dry erase......BUT I don't think the tiny squares are big enough to write things in (legibly).....so, I still don't have one in "ma maison" (a little French thrown in to sound more sophisticated). 

Well, the desire to have days planned out came up again once summer started and the kiddos always want to know: "mommmmmmmm, when are we going to the beach?" "mommmmmmm, what day is movie day again?" "mommmmmmm, when can we go to the library this week?" AND, now that school is starting soon (10 days to be exact.....not that I'm counting or anything), I need to be even more organized!!

Soooooooo, I thought that having a weekly calendar around would be a great help to keep track of the family's fun activities as well as appointments and such. I also though to myself: "Self, wouldn't it be nice to think up a way to do this without using vinyl......so anyone can whip up one of these awesome organizational tools up without needing to run to your friendly neighborhood vinyl expert (like me). 

Well, you all know I like things on the cheap......so of course I went out and found this sensational old frame to fix up for a few buck-a-roos. There was some very questionable deposits left all over it......so it took longer than usual, but was SO worth it in the end! I need to remind you all in these situations.......don't forget the primer!!!! More and more these days, you can even find primer that matches the color you choose to use.  So it only took one coat of primer and one coat of paint.

I designed this so it can be printed out onto super cute paper and put into the frame of your choice. Mine is 11 x 14, so if you use the design for larger than an 8 x 10 frame, you will need to set your printer up to print onto 2 separate pages and tape them together. I just wouldn't use paper with glitter on it since, sadly the ink won't stick to those parts. I designed 3 sizes ( 8 x 10, 11 x 14, & 12 x 12) so you can pick what best suits your needs.

Then, you trim it down to size and tape the pages together in the middle and.......easy peasy, you have your new weekly calendar!!! It's great since you can periodically change the paper to match your decor!!

Have fun!!