Some women bake ... I like to build things. And if the task includes power tools it's all the more exciting and rewarding.
(Pies are realllllly not my thing, just ask Casey.) Some would say I'm "nesting" since I've had the overwhelming urge to clean out every closet in the house
(I'm getting there), but really I just can't stand clutter. Organization makes me happy. :)
Today's task was putting shelves in the cedar closet in our basement. Of course, I could ask Casey to help or do it for me. And he absolutely could and would. BUT, what fun would that be for ME?!?! This project involved a trip to Menards, a radial arm saw and a drill. Don't worry, honey, I'll do it!
Anyway, here's the before:
And here's the after:
I installed three shelves in less than an hour - so satisfying! I'm a dork, I know. After creating such handy storage space I'm re-evaluating what I will actually store in this closet which of course means I'm going to have to move some other things around too. (I'm working on purging and re-arranging the rest of the basement, so that shouldn't be a problem.)
.
And as is the case with most projects, another trip to Menards might be in order since this is the OTHER side of the closet. I see more shelves and less clutter in my future.
When I finish a project like this I always ask Casey ... "See, don't you feel SO much better now?" He always smiles and nods, but really he just thinks I'm nuts.
After she ate herself silly on grilled cheese, chicken and french fries, she noticed a picture of M&Ms on the placemat and attempted to pick them up. I marched myself up to the counter, handed over 26 cents and got this pretty little girl her very own cup of M&Ms. 
...sharing with Grandma...
...when you're 1 ... M&Ms DO melt in your hands...
... and sharing ...
... and tasting ... 
... she helped sprinkle cheese ...
... and sampled a little too ...
She doesn't let it stop her from doing other things ... which is fine by me! 
Occasionally she would take a bite and put it in the bucket. Gross.
Then I found this. But she wasn't finished, she came back to it. Gross (and funny). 
And here's the after:
I installed three shelves in less than an hour - so satisfying! I'm a dork, I know. After creating such handy storage space I'm re-evaluating what I will actually store in this closet which of course means I'm going to have to move some other things around too. (I'm working on purging and re-arranging the rest of the basement, so that shouldn't be a problem.)
A couple pictures from the Pinkalicious birthday party this weekend! It was a great party ...
... with even better entertainment!! Finley got a karaoke machine from Aunt Shannon and Uncle Steve and it was put to immediate use!
After tiring of the armoire it was time to put the change she put in the humidifier last week back into the change jar. After I looked away for a second it was especially fun to get the change out of the fan compartment. 
Mallory loves to dig around in my PartyLite suitcase. Mostly because, I think, the tealights and votives are pretty and smell good.
(photo by aunt mo)
Megan painted Finley's nails and this is her playing peek-a-boo with Mallory.
Finley's painted nails lead to Aunt Shannon wanting her nails painted (ha) and Finley was in charge - she did a great job!
This one is my favorite ... my hilariously random niece was walking around like this on Saturday morning. That would be ear muffs, a plastic hanger, what I believe is a watch box (no watch), a large magnifying glass and a small pink plaid "blanket" that belongs to her "puppies".
And let's not forget Kane putting Mallory to work vacuuming the toy room. She takes directions surprisingly well.
... I found a surprise.
