Darky, our Elf

Because my life is so very crazy at times, it's February 22nd and I'm just now getting caught up on Christmas posts. Seriously.

We were so excited this year when a little package showed up on our doorstep. Our Elf on a Shelf quickly became a beloved tradition in the Lenczycki House.

Here are a few of the crazy places we found him...

Fishing in the toilet!

Bringing a treat for Cole :)

Sneaky Elf was found in the fridge drinking Cole's soda!

Making a total mess in the boys bathroom...

Delivering a letter from Santa!

He followed us to the hotel & drew on the kids pictures!

He was caught skyping with Santa!

Switch out the stockings for our unmentionables!

Taking a bubble bath in Mom's antique gravy boat :)

Hiding on the Christmas Tree

Pillaging through Mom's purse...

And hiding in the drink cabinet :)

I can't wait until next year when Darky returns...:)

Our LEGO Build Table Project

My son is CRAZY about legos! For 2 years I searched & searched for a lego table that would work for us. We had a small space with built in shelves that I really wanted to utilize for legos - so I had to be very choosy. One day I stumbled upon this blog post by Jen at iHeart Organizing..and I knew what I had to do. First, check out my inspiration here


So, first, I started with this cheap table I bought from the hotel I worked at years ago. It was $5 when I got it. I originally picked it up as a desk for Cole, but it never fit where I wanted it to - so it had been in the basement for several years.

I started by priming the entire table, so that the paint would adhere. (only the top is primed here..I forgot to take a pic with the entire table still white)

After it was primed, I taped off the top & began painting the rest of the table the beautiful blue paint I used as an accent color in Cole's room.

And, finished the top off with 2 coats of chalboard paint so the boys can draw roads, buildings, space - whatever goes with their lego creations.

The most expensive part of this project was definitely the chalk board paint. At $15 a can, it was a hard pill to swallow - especially since I only used about 1/4 of that & still have tons left. Hopefully I will find more projects in the future to use that up.

So far, Cole is loving the table - it gets used quite often :)

My new love :)

5 years ago my husband got me my first KitchenAid Mixer. This little red beauty is gorgeous and I love making cookies, cakes & other special treats with it. But, when it came to making my homemade bread...well, it just couldn't make the cut :( The motor wasn't powerful enough to take on the 4 cups of flour it takes to make one loaf. So...I sat & waited, dreaming about the day I could purchase the professional 600 model. Then came Christmas....

Jason's Mom & Dad SHOCKED me with this sleek baby as a gift. Just look at her. If the little red beauty is like a 20 year old newlywed, well, this beast...she's like a cougar :)

This baby will whip through 8 cups of flour on speed 2, without even a thought. Oh, how I love her.
And you see that beautiful spot she's in...yep, the hubs had to cut the cabinet for her to have a permanent home. But it's perfect...she just belongs there :)

Her she sits with the little red beauty...

There is just no comparison. Sorry beauty, I've had to upgrade to more experience :)

Honesty is always the best policy...{maybe}

Homemade Valentines

I'm always looking for cute, homemade things to give to the teachers, and, valentines day is kind of hard. I searched & found the cutest idea on Pinterest, and it was so easy!

Our Teachers, Therapist & Bus drivers will all get a birdseed valentine to hang outside & feed their feathered friends. How adorable are these?!

All I did to package them was cut open a fold over sandwich baggie, lay some red tissue paper behind the heart, and, tie with raffia.

I thought these turned out so cute!

If you want to make your own...mix 3/4 cup birdseed, 1 tbsp flour & 2 tbsp water together. Pack tightly in a heart mold, poke a whole for the ribbon to go through (we used a sturdy straw), and bake in a 170 degree oven for 1 hour. If they aren't totally set after the hour, leave them in a bit longer. When they are done, transfer to a cooling rack & allow to cool several hours. Then just tie your ribbon on & package up.

A day in our life...

Meet my monkey...

and my 6 year old ladies man ...

They keep me busy!

with lots of shenanigans..

and, of course sword fights...

But the big grins let me know we are doing something right :)

Best Buddies :)

Jacob & I get the pleasure of hanging out with a sweet, sweet boy during the day. Mommy has fallen in love with Mr. Matt, and, Jacob has found his best-est buddy. (not to mention, it's greatly helped Mommy's baby fever, which makes Daddy very happy too!)

Sometimes I just watch Jacob play, dreaming about when I'm big enough to jump on that turtle....

Occasionally he decides he wants to play when I'm trying to take a snooze...

We love to snuggle together & watch TV. Sometimes I just wear out & have to grab some shut eye :)

"Maaaaat...phone's for you!"

And, we love to sit & wait for my Mommy to get home. I love her :)