The Lucas Zoo

Monday Mingle 2.28.11

>> Monday, February 28, 2011

Can you believe that it is almost March. Where has the past 2 months gone? I am enjoying this beautiful spring like weather we have been having. Questions for this week's mingle are:

1. Do you have Spring flowers (or any flowers) blooming in your yard right now? Show us!
2. Are you watching American Idol this season? What do you think about the new judges?
3. Tell us something that happened to you last week!

We have tulips scattered all over the yard because I like to pick them to bring indoors to enjoy as well. All are coming up. My hydrangea is also budding. I would love to plant 10 more of them so that I can have hydrangea bouquets all summer long. Love them!

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Shadow (9/52)

>> Sunday, February 27, 2011

Where did my week go? I felt like I was behind all week for some reason. I still have things on my "to do" list that haven't been started. I took a picture for this the other day but wasn't in love with it. I wanted a dramatic shadow but couldn't find a single place in my home that gave me the effect I wanted. What did I go with? Blinds. I feel like a zebra :)

9/52

Cara has themes almost through August. If you have any ideas please post them on the theme page. Don't forget to add your shot to the flicker pool. Next week will be New Angle.

What we were waiting for

>> Saturday, February 26, 2011

Having lived in WI for over 1/2 my current life I know winter. I know cold. I don't like either. There are people that get excited for this time of year but I was never one of them. About the only activities I did enjoy were festivals held on the ice and then I still stayed close to the heaters. My decision to move to CA was a personal one to change and better myself as a person but it didn't hurt that SoCal was gorgeous. Warm. The ocean was 15 minutes from where I lived. Heaven. So when I met Matt and we moved to a state I had not stepped foot in before I was skeptical if I was going to like it or not. I love NC. From the very minute I got here I fell in love. Back before kids we would take the bike to the mountains which are a quick 2 hours from our home. My girlfriend would come and visit and we would head to the ocean which is only a 4 hour drive. Plus the area I live is relatively mild in the winter. Sure it gets down to freezing but the other day when we were experiencing a 75 degree day (out of the norm but still) other parts of the country were getting hit with more snow. A foot or so. I have turned into a wuss when it comes to cold. It is so wonderful to play outside without winter jackets, hats, and mittens. The girls love it and I got some yard work done while they were playing. Violet and I are excited to start planting our spring garden of lettuce, onions, and broccoli. Fun times.

"I want to ride my bike ALL DAY LONG"

Baby Ruby wants to learn how to ride a bike too

and my beautiful blue eyed girl

Blue

Love is in the air!

>> Friday, February 25, 2011

Valentine's Day is over but you wouldn't know it if you came to our house. Since I spent the time making our cute little foot banner I don't want to take it down! My girls painstakingly cut each heart that hangs on our kitchen windows. What is a mama to do? I love this shot of Violet because she does this so often now. She saw Taylor do it on a concert we taped for her and now it is her thing too. So perfect for a Valentine photo contest.

This photo is an entry for Heart + U = UPrinting Valentine photo contest. Make your Valentine photos extra special through poster printing.

$45 CSN Stores Gift Card Giveaway!

>> Thursday, February 24, 2011

Everyone knows I love CSN and I was so happy when they contacted me to have another giveaway on my blog! You can pretty much find anything that your heart desires at CSN Stores. With spring quickly approaching thoughts of the outdoors are definitely on everyone's minds. You can purchase a swing sets for kids from CSN Stores. How easy is that? Are you thinking "Well how much would shipping be on something that big?" FREE! Most of the items you find at CSN Stores have free shipping. What else do they have? Everything!

We are trying to spruce up our bedroom and could easily do it just shopping at CSN.

A new bed

yummy sheet set

and top it off with a cool duvet set

and we are done!

CSN Stores had offered to give one of my readers a $45 Gift Certificate! How fun would that be to win? I am making this really easy to enter. Visit CSN Stores and let me know what you would love to buy if you were to win. Please make sure that you include your email address when you comment so that I have a way to contact you in case you win! This one is open to US and Canadian residents only. Comments will close on March 13th at 11:59 pm and I will draw a winner on Monday.

Wordful Wednesday - Wheeeee!!!!

>> Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I am so darned proud of Violet! She learned to ride her bike without trainers - finally! We tried last year because I knew she was capable but she would put her feet down immediately when we would let go. Not last Friday though - nope she didn't even know I had let go. Then because I didn't have it documented (lol) we got out again on Saturday.

We had a gorgeous weekend in NC! Love the spring like weather. There may be cold coming again but our spirits are revived and it won't be so bad if/when it does come. In my backyard was a small batch of crocus. I think that this looks like a painting and I just love it. It is my bokeh of flowers (hee hee).

Backyard Flowers

I heart faces - Cell Phone

>> Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My Blackberry doesn't take the best pictures so when I saw that this week's challenge at iheartfaces was cell phone I thought I would sit out. Until Saturday that is. Ruby started her nap in bed but then something woke her up. She came out by me and I nursed her for a minute and she was back out so I laid her on the couch. My baby is going to be 2 years old next month but this immediately brought me back to the infancy days and babes sleeping with their bottoms in the air. I almost cried. She is getting so grown up I needed to see that every once in awhile she still is my little babe.

Monday Mingle 2.21.11

>> Monday, February 21, 2011

Hello again! I am turning a new leaf and am actually looking forward to doing the mingle. Who would have thought?

Here were the questions for this week:
1. How do you compile grocery list – by an inventory, or writing things as you run out?
2. At what age do you plan on retiring (or your spouse retiring)?
3. What do you plan on doing when you retire?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Zero In (8/52)

>> Sunday, February 20, 2011

I wasn't sure about this weeks theme. It was a tough one. Finally on Saturday while watching the race I decided to grab my camera. I kept Marley's legs in the shot because I thought it was cute. She is always with me.

8-52

I was attempting to "zero in" on my tattoo. Does it work for you? Cara sure has come up with some great themes. If you have any ideas for themes please post them on the flickr page. Don't forget to add your shot to the Flicker pool. Next week will be Shadow.

Flip Friday - Feeding the big dog

>> Friday, February 18, 2011

I haven't been able to keep up my Flip Friday every week because I ~~am old and forget~~ am SO busy being an awesome mom. I have been meaning to get a video of the girls feeding Marley but haven't done it until today. It is their job and they love it. Marley came with some tricks and this was one of them. I love a dog you tell to stay and they actually listen.

Team Up Thursday - Blue

>> Thursday, February 17, 2011

Just look at that gorgeous blue sky that Angie captured. The other day I was out walking and looked up and it just wasn't the blue sky I would have hoped for a team up shot. Truth be told I took this shot of Piper after Daisy Scouts at 5 something on Wednesday afternoon so this week I was under the wire for sure. Looking at my beautiful blue eyed girl I can't believe I was even thinking about shooting the sky. I had to take Violet back to the doctor today because she is still crying out at night about her ears. Seems that the right one which was initially horrible is healing but the left is getting worse. She still only complains about the right one but a friend mentioned she might not be able to tell exactly where the pain is only that it is painful. So life has been crazy around here. That is also my lame excuse (and apology) for not visiting any blogs this week. Hopefully things will slow down next week.

BLUE!

There is more Team Up Thursdays at Melody's and Megan's.

In Just 3 Days

>> Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Saturday morning we went to a birthday party. An ice cream birthday party. An ice cream birthday party where we made tie dyes and the mess wasn't at my house. Good times.

Saturday afternoon we went to a fairy festival. The girls got their faces painted. Made wreaths for their hair. Listened to story tellers and looked at the beautiful horses.

Then we made a fairy house. It looks pretty sorry here because Ruby walked over it. The people in the woods were probably laughing at me trying to call my daughter to look at me but she wanted no party of it. After we were done with ours we checked out what other families had made.

3am Violet woke up because her ear hurt. I gave her motrin but I wasn't sure if she was faking it or not. She didn't nap Saturday and ended up laying down at 5pm so I was thinking she was laying awake in her room bored. It can happen.

Sunday at 12pm Violet couldn't stop crying because her ear was hurting again. Matt was working, again, so I packed us up and headed to the Minute Clinic. We got there at 12:20 and the computer said we wouldn't be seen until after 1:30. The people there were already waiting for 2 1/2 hours so we opted to go and wait for another Urgent Care to open at 1pm.

1:15pm We were seen. Doctor said that Violet had a double ear infection, sinus infection, AND pneumonia. He gave us strong meds and we left. Violet cried all day.

Matt snapped this of Piper because Monday was her 101st day of school and they celebrated by, I guess, dressing up and watching the movie. She tells me that she will see part 2 today.

Here they are Monday afternoon. Does it look like Violet has a double ear infection, sinus infection, AND pneumonia? I don't think so either but we are on meds for the next 9 days and she'll have to miss her Valentine's party at school today. Poor kid.

All this in just 3 days :)

Monday Mingle 2.14.11

>> Monday, February 14, 2011

OMGosh. You know those scary shots of yourself in pictures that nowadays you can just delete? I will forever have that shot as the picture for this weeks mingle because I don't know how to change it. That's ok. Keeps me humble.

This week the questions are:
1. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
2. Whats the nicest thing you have ever done for someone?
3. What do you like best and least about your life?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Profile (7/52)

>> Sunday, February 13, 2011

I took many shots and Ruby was in 95% of them. She really likes being held. Right before this one she was picking her nose which cracked me up. I chose this one because we were both busting a gut. However, it turned out so out of focus that I had to try and hide us so I made it b/w and played with exposure some to cure the blown window. It makes me smile again to see this moment and you can even tell that I am smiling at her.

7/52

Thank you to everyone that is participating in our 52 Weeks of Me. Cara and I hope that you are enjoying it as much as we are. If you have been on the fence you can join in anytime. This project really makes you think which makes it fun for me. If you are joining in this week please add your shot to the Flicker pool. Next week will be Zero In.

100 Days

>> Saturday, February 12, 2011

Where has it gone?

Look at that smile, she loves school so much. But I still miss her like crazy.

Red feet = red hearts

>> Friday, February 11, 2011

While Ruby was napping I was surfing around and saw a fun project that Ruthanne did when they were snowed in. We aren't snowed in here in NC but it too cold for the baby to be out too long so we have been trying to find things to do indoors. It is a bummer. This banner was fun for them because they got to paint and it was fun for me because now I feel that my home is properly decorated for the upcoming holiday.

The footprints are supposed to be hearts but it seems that the older 2 have high arches. Can a 4 & 5 year old have high arches? Thankfully my flat footed Ruby's feet sort of resembles what it is supposed to be so you get the idea. Piper was such a help in this project. We started out just making her Valentine's that she needs to address for Monday and she ended up cutting and glueing the banner. What 5 year old doesn't love to cut and glue? We also got her card for daddy done today but I can't post a pic of that because hubs actually reads the old family blog.

It was a nice afternoon spent with my oldest. I still miss the heck out of her when she is in school. Darn full day kindergarten.

Team Up Thursday - Celebration

>> Thursday, February 10, 2011

The mama's behind Team Up Thursday are celebrating big this week. TUT is 1 year old. Yay Megan & Melody! Angie's husband turned the big 40 something that is coming for me faster than I would like it to. I keep seeing shots of kids blowing heart shaped confetti so I gave it a go. We are celebrating love this week right? My girl couldn't get it to blow. She's been sick. Violet is sick so she wanted no part of it. Confetti is a mess to clean up, I had forgotten.

Celebrate

There is more Team Up Thursdays at Melody's and Megan's.

Wordful Wednesday - Love from the Zoo Girls

>> Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Some roses are pink

This heart thing is new

♥ Piper's so sweet ♥

my heart is full

and...

But where's Ruby?

She was covering herself with Aquaphor while I was writing this up. Sitting next to me. See that is why I blog when they are sleeping. What.A.Mess.

Visit Wordful Wednesday's lovely hostesses and show them some love!

Love

>> Tuesday, February 8, 2011

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? We will be working on projects this whole week. Lots of red and pink. The girlie girl in me loves it. We are showing our love this week by making all of our friends their Valentines. Piper has to write out all of her Valentines for each of her classmates. Thankfully her Kindergarten only has 17 kids in it. Violet will sign her name but I am not pushing her yet to write each child's name too.

Violetta

We haven't even started on Daddy's Valentine yet. Mama's got to get going. Normally we do something pretty special for him. Tick. Tick. Tick.

What do you think? Is Valentine's Day an overrated holiday? I personally love it and always have. The other fake days during the year not so much. I spent years saying that I thought it was just the flower/candy/card companies way of selling more of their merchandise but truth be told I love love and I love Valentine's Day.

CSN Review

>> Monday, February 7, 2011

I have had several giveaways from CSN Stores on my blog and earlier this year I had the pleasure to do a review for them. Our family from Ohio went crazy for the Corolle dolls and our Ruby is just now starting to bring babies with her everywhere she goes so I thought I might review one of them. We chose the Mon Premier Calin Charming doll.

This little baby is so sweet. She is the perfect size for Ruby. I read some reviews about the smell that they have but it doesn't bother me. Sort of smells like vanilla I guess. She is made very well so all in all I couldn't be happier. What made me VERY happy was CSN Stores customer service. Our doll arrived very quickly. That always makes me excited because you want that instant gratification but sometimes buying online it takes forever to receive your product. If you have not done so before check out CSN Stores before making your online purchase. They have competitive pricing and carry almost anything you can imagine!

Monday Mingle 2.7.11

I think that the weather is starting to get to me. Too many days in a row of not being able to get outside because of the cold rain. I hate for the people that got hit with all the snow but I am seeing fun pictures of kiddos playing outside. You can't do that in the cold rain. Ok enough of my pity party on to the mingle.

Here were this weeks questions.
1. Which decade do you think would have been most fun?
2. On what TV show would you like to have a guest starring role?
3. What’s the strangest/weirdest thing you’ve ever done?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Mingle Monday's!

52 Weeks of Me - At Arms Length (6/52)

>> Sunday, February 6, 2011

I felt like a teenager taking a picture of myself this way. It is all you see on Facebook. This was taken in my bedroom with me laying down because that was the easiest way for me to control the camera and not focus on my forehead :)

6/52

Join Cara and I in the 52 Weeks of Me project, it's never too late and is really a lot of fun! Stop hiding and get in front of the camera! Please add your self portrait to our flicker group. Do you have any ideas for a theme? Let us know your thoughts in our theme discussion. Next week is Profile.

One of our 52 week participants is having a self portrait challenge this week. Check out Chelsey's blog and her super cute little girl Rauri.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)