Last week I went to Ulta and spent a bunch of money on makeup. I haven’t bought real makeup in a really, really long time and I don’t think I’ve ever bought all the things the sales girl recommended. Because it’s really expensive. But I’ve been feeling really old (even with blue hair) and I’ve been super unhappy when I look in the mirror, so spending a little (a lot) to feel better seemed reasonable. And you know what? My selfie ratio has gone way, way up and when I walked past a mirror today I was surprised to see someone who looked so happy. I think it was money well spent. Please enjoy a lot of selfies this week.

Sunday:

Beautiful morning in our postcard downtown

Caroline loves church because a) coloring and b) coffee hour

Cotton candy sky

Monday:

His favorite spot is on my back, even when I’m not wearing him

Totally normal grocery shopping

Sleeping like a posed newborn baby

Tuesday:

The sun starts to set before the bus even comes

This coat was an excellent purchase

Waving at the big girl ballerinas

Wednesday:

Nursing, sleeping baby in Target

Even the filler paper from Shop Sweet Lulu was fun

Stars in his eyes

Thursday:

So November

They asked me to take this photo

Birthday invites from Jumping Jax Designs come with goodies

Friday:

Baby sword fights seem like a wise choice

This weather can stay

No nap baby can’t stay awake when he’s wrapped

Saturday:

Raking is the worst

That house is called Greene Gables. They’re not green and it’s pretty abandonded, but I was still pretty excited.

Pile of gravel + waterfall = best day for a 6 year old

Our big (ugly) family room couch is one of those sausage-casing monstrosities, where all the cushions are attached, with built-in recliners and cup holders. It’s truly hideous. But while we’re in the “Oh my god where did you get that yogurt?!” stage of children, there’s no point in having NICE furniture, so I settled for comfy and functional in a beige color that hides dirt.

The biggest problem with that kind of couch (besides ugly) is that it’s pretty useless when it comes to couch forts, and couch forts are an essential part of childhood. Luckily, when I was trying to fancy-up our living room last year I found a nice mini-sized couch that a) is also a good dirt-hiding shade of beige and b) has two nice huge cushions that make an excellent fort wall. The kids LOVE that couch – it’s the perfect size for them to spread out and watch iPad, set up all the dolls into elaborate tableaus or just climb all over while they hit each other with lightsabers. Lovingly, obviously. Lovingly hit each other with lightsabers.

I got an email from Wayfair saying they put together some super cute sofa fort plans and asking if my kids would be interested in building one. They even sent a super cozy Lush throw blanket to get us started. Check out their fun ideas:

We chose the Dreadship Blanket and got to work rearranging the furniture, finding supplies and collecting throw blankets and pillows.

Real life talk: This is what passes for “super clean and organized” in our living/play room. It’s half grown-up, finished space (art! mirrored table! fireplace! throw pillows!) and half kid zone (toys! more toys! even more toys!!!). Please ignore the photobombing cat.

And here’s what happened when we created our own Dreadship Blanket:

We left the fort up for a week before I wanted my living room back for a grown up event, but pretty much any time they want to rebuild a couch fort I’m on board. It’s the kind of fun, creative, independent play that ends up with about 80% cooperation and only 20% screaming at each other. In case you don’t have multiple kids, those are REALLY good percentages.

Thank you again Wayfair for the fun idea!

Having Wednesday off for Veterans Day really confused me all week. I do not like random mid-week holidays.

Sunday:

The turtle’s name is Stretch, which Caroline forgets every time

Anyone need a really poorly made tutu?

Toddler nursing is a little like being mauled by an animal

Monday:

Everyone needed some love on Monday

And then he got stuck. Poor choices.

Probably the largest collection of Wendy’s kid’s meal toys in the world

Tuesday:

Shopping buddy

He is SO convinced he’s helping

Ballet has replaced swim as my least favorite activity (because I have to bring all the kids)

Wednesday:

My children asked to be locked in a closet

A friend asked me to take a picture of her bow

Evan asked me not to talk to him anymore because he was too busy

Thursday:

Bus stop weirdos

Partners in crime

The queen of snack-stealing

(FYI: That popcorn came from a free PINCHme box, which you can sign up for here. It’s free and they send you samples. I got some good stuff.)

(Also FYI: That’s not an affiliate link, they just sent me one so I would share, so I’m sharing.)

Friday:

Toddler Party

This appears to be a very low budget horror movie, filming in my neighborhood

(I think it is this movie, but there’s no real info on IMDB yet. There was a sign on the door that said Dark Pledge.)

Sleepy baby

Saturday:

Babies are not super helpful on photoshoots

I’m going to make-over that Cozy Coupe, but Linc already loves it

Caroline wants a pet “just for her”. I said no to rodents.

We had some amazing weather this week, especially for November. With the sun going down so early it is really important to my mental health that I get outside for some vitamin D at least a few times a week, or I start to go crazy. So it would be great if we could keep at least a couple warmish, sunny, non-snowing days a week for the whole winter. Then I could keep doing photo sessions too, which also make me super happy.

Remember when Wordless Wednesday was a thing and I could just post photos and people still came and looked at them?

But don’t look at these too much, for some reason the colors look terrible. Ugh.

While the big kids are at school, Linc and I get a lot of time together. I love it. Really really really love it. It’s been a long time since I only had one kid to take care of, and it’s such a pleasant experience. He’s a pretty easy-going baby (in broad, rose-colored-glasses terms) so bringing him with me to do my things or taking him places to do his things is fun. He likes walks, he likes people, he likes animals, he likes looking around. Things that might be boring alone are fun because I have a sidekick. A super cute sidekick.

I had an appointment last week and afterwards we had a couple hours to kill before nap, so I took him over to the arboretum at Conn College. It’s one of my favorite spots, I use it for photo sessions, but rarely do I just wander around. So we did. And it was lovely.