PAPI, PAPI, TURNS 37!

It was Ben's birthday this past Sunday. He turned 37. The first birthday I ever celebrated with him was when he turned 27! Seriously, time really goes much too fast. I was 20 and he was 27 and I thought that was old back then. It really isn't, in fact, it is quite young! For his birthday this year, we decided to make a little book, inspired by this Eric Carle book, that would tell him of how we were going to celebrate his special day...

Ben loved the book so much and I had fun making it. I used a blank board book for the book base. I painted a ton of paper with lots of different colors and textures (I had a list of the colors I needed for the book), so that I could get the Eric Carle look. Each picture was cut out of different pieces of paper and glued onto the page. The faces took the longest to make, as each color you see is its own cut out piece and all glued together. I was super excited to be able to shower him with lots of love!

So just as the book dicated, he got breakfast in bed and I made him a ginormous omelet. Then, some presents, which was the book and a lunchbox, then off to church we went. After, we came home and had a cooking party where we made this recipe that we always wanted to try and these white chocolate oatmeal cookies. The best part of all, we all just spent time together, eating, relaxing, watching movies and getting cozy by the fireplace. I think that made Ben a very happy birthday boy!

My guy is a simple guy and his favorite things are handmade gifts and being with his girls! He's got five of them after all!!! Benny, all your girls love you so, so much!!! You are the handsomest, sweetest, bestest husband and father ever! Well, not better than God of course (as True would say).

DIY: A HANDMADE TREE TOPPER

For the past several years, we have never used a tree topper because I could never find one I liked. We go very simple on our tree just stringing garland and this simple tree topper is what I have always been looking for. The handmade feel of it is just too irresistibly sweet!

We may be making smaller versions of it to hang some little stars around the house. Also, the fabric strips I used were from this ribbon spool. I saw it when I went to Anthropologie recently and it was just too fun and colorful to not buy just because, but then it came in handy for this little project!

So tell me, what do you use to top your Christmas tree?

OUT TO SCHOOL: WEEK FIFTEEN

{where from again? tunic: handmade; coat: baby bear bums; leggings: old navy; rainboots: target; smile: all hers.}

True had her last day of school for this year and still her theatre teacher tells me she doesn't talk much. True tells me she is really shy in theatre because it is the first class of the day, but as the day goes on, she is less shy. This idea will get tested because next semester, her theatre class is at the end of the day, so we will see.

I really love the charter school we go through because this one day a week school deal is such a good thing for her. I can't wait until Brave joins next year! Also because that means when they are both at school, it gives me more of a break having just two kids at home. School officially goes on break next week, but I think we will continue doing a bit of school here and there. Love the homeschooling flexibility!

And you all know we love Misha Lulu and you can get great deals this week on their lovely goods through Mini Social. Check it out here!

p.s. that smile of hers, melts my heart!

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Good news!!! I won the HOUZZ holiday contest!!! Thank you all for your support!!! HOUZZ will be randomly drawing one of your names (of those who commented), so one of you will be getting a $250 gift certificate very soon! So keep checking back for the announcement. Thank you again so, so much!!!

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DIY: A SNOWY CHRISTMAS SCENE

It is such a pretty, serene, little scene and was so easy for us to make! It could even be made bigger with mason jars or you could use some little bottle brush trees if you have them. Or even make tiny houses, put in some tiny deers and the list could go on and on...

Stay tuned for another little Christmas project tomorrow!!!

5 AND ONE MORE GIVES 6

That's right. This is all six of us. Six! I still can't believe it. Ben and I became a big family, really fast! We were married a little less than seven years ago and now we have four kids. Yes, we think we are crazy and there is a lot of yelling in our house, but there is also a lot of good times. I am sure one day we will look back and laugh at all the yelling and craziness we felt, but I am sure we will miss those times too. Here's to trying to treasure moments amidst the craziness of having 4 children super close in age!

p.s. thanks abe for taking our pictures!

HUZZAH! AND A GIVEAWAY

Soul's birthday came and went and now this weekend's is Ben's. Oh boy! Thankfully, most of my Christmas shopping is done (gotta order two more things) and most of it is wrapped and under the tree. Yeah! I always think it is funny to wait until right before Christmas to wrap a gift because a tree looks so much prettier with things sitting at the bottom, so I always make sure to get my wrapping done early. Next week in this space, I will share some quick and easy Christmas DIY's for you and your kiddos. We have all sorts of art projects going on here!

Learned and links and a giveaway...

- True whole heartedly believes in Santa. So cute!

- Glow slept until 6:30am! Now, if she can just do that every night.

- My sister is a really good hairstylist! And I am loving my new color!

- My denim shirt (pictured above) is new fave (will probably get worn everyday) and came from this shop.

- This message convicted me and I want to have intentional kindness. I don't think kindness and faithfulness are words that describe me.

- My BFF is a teacher and is raising money for her classroom library through DonorsChoose and whatever is given by Dec. 12th, this Monday, it will get matched by the program. The class has $400 dollars left to go until they reach their goal, so please help a classroom of underprivileged children in the Los Angeles area and donate here.

If you donate ($1, $5, or even more!) then you have a chance to win a polaroid camera! It is the season of giving after all and this would be a wonderful gift to give to a classroom. In return, one of you would get a gift as well! Just go here to donate and then come back to this post and tell me you did so! This is the honor system, but if you win, I will ask you to forward me the receipt of your donation as proof. Giveaway will end next Wednesday, Dec. 14th!!! Note: Use the code SPARK at payment to make sure your donation gets matched!

Thanks friends and have a happy weekend!!!

*****UPDATE: The goal for my BFF's class was reached! Thank you so, so, so much to all who donated!!!!!!*****

POLAROID WINNER IS KERYN EGAN!!! EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS AND I WILL GET YOUR CAMERA TO YOU! thank you everyone who helped support this class full of kids!

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

The random robot chose... carrie murphy, whitney reeder, and peppermint mocha mama. Congrats lovely ladies and please do email me to claim your prize! Thank you everyone for your support and there will be plenty more giveaways very soon!!! xoxo, Rubyellen

OUT TO SCHOOL: WEEK FOURTEEN

It's been kinda cold lately. California cold. So when it came time to get dressed for school, we just threw on whatever was cozy to keep her warm and something comfy enough for the playground. True says the playground is what school days are all about! And it wasn't raining, but rainboots were what was near as we were rushing out the door, so worked for me!

What is your idea of cozy comfy clothing?

p.s. thank you, thank you for all your votes so far! the contest ends friday at midnight, so keep 'em coming and you might just win a $250 gift certificate to any online retailer you want! vote/comment here.