Inspiring Creativity Link Party

Time for another link up with Twin Dragonfly Designs! This last week I've honestly just been soaking up our unusual Spring-like weather around here :) Heather has sure shared some amazing projects you won't want to miss though :) 
And for my feature from the link up last week... 

...these fun Lego Party Bags from Pam's Party and Practical Tips. We loved The Lego Movie- I couldn't resist! 

I also loved these Dancing Ribbon Rings from The Ribbon Retreat! I know that even my boys could be entertained for a fair while with these and they looked super simple to make- just my style :)

Looking forward to seeing other ideas shared this week again!

A few guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}.
If you are new to Link Parties and have any questions, let us know ~ we would love to help out!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Regarding Boys: Dirt and White Shirts

Recently I had the chance to meet a blogging friend of mine in person, Kara from The Joys of Boys. You can imagine why we connected, eh? :) During that time, she mentioned that she started her blog because every time she told people she had all boys, there followed a negative connotation.

The point struck me- because it's so true! When I tell people I have four boys, it's pretty well always a defensive or cool comment in response.

Why is that? It must be the dirty, noisy and smelly labels that seem to be attached to the male species by nature? Maybe the masculinity of boys? Thank heaven for it, don't get me wrong... but it does mean more roughness, thoughtlessness, crassness...

At least, I guess it does....

See, today I had the chance to hear a really beautiful piano solo from a young man in our Stake. I just closed my eyes and tried to absorb it... Does music feed your soul the way it does mine? I daresay there is nothing that touches me more, motivates me better. I wondered briefly in that moment why I don't have more of it in my life... music, that is. The good kind that lifts me like that piano solo did.

source

Anyhow... it was a young man playing that piano. And he was in a white shirt and tie and suit. And I pointed out to Cooper that it was a guy making that music. He leaned into me a bit :)

Tonight I happened upon this video... don't worry, you don't have to watch it all, just a bit and you'll probably know what I'm about to say next...

... that there need be no negative assumption when I say I have all boys. Do you watch any part of this and think "Oh, wow, ALL boys," with any sort of hesitancy or negativity? Didn't think so.

Boys are wild and crazy, dirty and smelly, loud and obnoxious. They wrestle a lot. They don't sit still or stay quiet very well. They don't usually understand when enough is enough. Their excitement and joy are manifest in way that can be overbearing and frustrating. 

But they are strong and good, desirous and hopeful, energetic and willing. Their roughness doesn't mean that they mean to be mean. They mean to be happy and funny and someone you can approve of.

source 

The young men in this video, at that piano, and my own sitting around me, are worthy of my pride. My heart just wants to burst at how awesome our young men are. I want to be a good enough Mom that it's my own son I'm listening to or watching and soaking in (whatever it may be they choose to be doing). :) 

As a parting shot, this video includes the song in the piano solo I heard yesterday... and showcases even more awesome young men in white shirts ;) Enjoy!

Simple Circle Pinwheels for SPRING!

This post has me wanting to jump and down! So much good stuff that I really love involved- the idea of Spring coming, pretty paper, taking photos outside, and pinwheels! Not to mention, a few of #myfavoritebloggers sharing their goodness too :)

From top down, left to right:

Stamped "Bloom" Necklace from One Artsy Mama, 

Spring Centerpiece from Happy Go Lucky, 

Washi Tape Popsicle Stick Flowers from The Benson Street, 

Simple Circle Pinwheels from me, obviously :)

Semi Homemade Strawberry Shortcake from Seven Alive

Five Minute Hair Pins from It Happens in a Blink and Suburble

Kool-Aid Dyed  Yarn in Your Microwave from 4 You with Love

Color-able Free Printable Spring Banner from Do Small Things with Love,

Fairy Guesthouse from Happy Hour Projects,

and Geometric Print Vase from Pitter and Glink  

This is the first time I've crafted pinwheels that actually spin- so fun! It's also the first time I've made them using a circle piece of paper instead of a square. I LOVE the more curvy result!

Inspiring Creativity Link Party

Wow, hard to believe it's already Thursday- time for another dose of Inspiring Creativity Link Up with Heather  from Twin Dragonfly Designs and I! 

This week, I picked this fun Spray Painted Silverware from Yesterday on Tuesday to feature:

I like how the detailing on these handles shows through and can see something like these in turquoise or sage green around here. Not that pink isn't a close contender, of course ;) Thanks for sharing, Malia!
Now for another week- looking forward to seeing what everyone if creating and doing now that Valentines has passed!
Guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}. If you are new to Link Parties and have a question or two let us know ~ we would love to help out!
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An InLinkz Link-up

   

Boy Mama Moments Lately

Every now and then the boys grace me with a selfie like this. Ya know, one of those that you just melt over even though it's grainy and no one's hair was combed :) The one that reminds you they actually do think you're pretty ok.

Ah, I love these moments- when Ry first wakes up and Cooper is already off to school. His cheeks are so soft and warm... just begging to be kissed. And he just snuggles before he decides there is anything more fun to do...

Meanwhile Cooper is off getting smarter. By 100 days now to be exact. Cutest thing ever to see him bouncing toward us in the car wearing this crown and cereal necklace :) I love picking him up from school. If I can help it, he'll never have to ride the bus in his school career- saves so much time and unhappiness just going to get him! Stephen usually drops him off in the mornings on the way to work.

Sometime you just have to celebrate Friday when you can... like on Wednesdays.

We've learned to keep Wednesday nights free for family time, since Stephen works practically 24 hours a day Monday and Tuesday, if not on Sunday too. Sound like an exaggeration? No, really, he can walk in the door at 9:00 after the boys are already in bed, only to hear his work phone chime, which means turning back around for another delivery to the hospital. Blessedly, it's Friday on Wednesday and he is awesome at making sure those nights are focused on the boys...

So we went to The Lego Movie on a Wednesday recently and totally loved it! The boys actually hadn't ever owned or built their own small Legos before- crazy, I know! Here we are a house of boys, with nothing but big blocks around. So we picked up a few sets and they love them! They are all over the place... and the finished pieces are less toys than they'd like... and oh my my, Lego is stinkin' expensive! But, still, the under tones of the movie make me willing to support them and I know the older Coop and Ry get the more they'll enjoy them :)

We've also got two cute, chubby puppies right now! Stephen could have sold lots, lots more, but is hoping things work out better with his next batch. They're just now getting big enough to play with and  the boys are anxious to enjoy them more while they can.

Indoor winter fun :) I love how thrilled they are with simple play like this magnetic fishing game. Once I got them rolling, they adapted it and played for a couple of hours on this one actually...

Aww, this picture just melts my heart! Cooper found this little camera that had been missing and it immediately became the coolest form of entertainment ever... for two or three days. Once of the first pictures he wanted to take was a selfie with Ryder- I was so pleased! Sometimes you just gotta take the little reminders that they really do care about each other beyond being wrestling partners, ya know?

And in parting, here's a little quip from each of  the boys recently- why I'm remember them over the other things they say that I should write down immediately, who knows :)

Cooper...on His Future Wife:

"I'm gonna marry someone who loves me. And is not mean. And is beautiful like you, cause you're a really good cook." (Good thing there are still qualifying years ahead, since as of now the standard is pitifully low) :P


Ryder...on Food

"Chocolate is my favorite dinner." (For what it's worth, no, we really have never eaten pure dessert for dinner!)

For Real :)

Cozy Roadster Giveaway (Cutest Push Vehicle Ever!)

Don't you just love that mini tug in your heart when you see something super cute?! I do! It makes me want to share it with everyone!

So when I saw this opportunity to join a fun giveaway for this adorable Little Tikes 2-in-1 Cozy Roadster, I was excited! Now that little pang in my heart is just relative to the fact that my little guys are too big for it themselves!

Ya, this bike ride picture from not too long ago? Cooper's bike is seriously small and out of commission in plenty of others ways too, and poor little Ry could easily walk faster than those teeny wheels of his! I'm thinking their Easter baskets this year might need to be bike sized :)

But for anyone who had smaller littles, this giveaway is perfect and so cute! Can't wait to be congratulating one of you! Good Luck!

Product Features

• Shade canopy provides a shade with two cup holders
• Real working horn
• Quiet tires are durable for outdoor surfaces and gentle for indoor floors
• Friendly character face
• Adjustable handle can be attached to front and back of vehicle
• Handle can be used for both pushing and pulling
• For ages 1-4 years old

One lucky winner will receive a Deluxe 2-in-1 Cozy Roadster.

Organized by: Iowa Mom. Giveaway ends March 2nd at 11:59pm, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Contact theiowamom@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

 

Inspiring Creativity Link Party

It's Thursday- time for another dose of Inspiring Creativity Link Up with Twin Dragonfly Designs and I! Having something so standard every week is new and different for me- a good thing for sure ;) First I get to feature a couple of ideas from those of you that shared last week- thank you so much for the support! It's fun to see new stuff be added...

Valentines Arrows with Duck Tape from Gingersnap Crafts- so cute!

You already know I have a thing for Valentines arrows ;) 

And this great Quote Board from The Happy Scraps- I particularly love that it includes "be silly"- perfect! Thanks to a few of my bloggy besties for supporting this new effort- I hope we keep seeing more awesome stuff to feature each week! Guidelines... 1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}. If you are new to Link Parties and have a question or two let us know ~ we would love to help out!
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An InLinkz Link-up

Adorable, Simple Drawstring Backpacks

Recently I shared this tutorial over at The Ribbon Retreat and thought I'd share it with you here today! These cute, simple drawstring backpacks for kids have really been a go-to for gifts for me.

I once sewed one literally right before we walked out of the door for our niece's birthday party. Also whipped them up by the midnight oil one night when my friend had a baby and I was watching her boy's while they were at the hospital. I LOVE this awesome fabric and ribbon I got to make these ones with too! :)

For the ones I made for this tutorial, I chose:

Hot Pink and White small chevron by Riley Blake

Rainbow Hexi Print by Riley Blake (I LOVED this fabric when I first saw it- cutest thing ever!)

Lime and Pink polka dot ribbon, 7/8"

Blue Cars and Blue Dots from Scenic Route by Riley Blake

Orange and white striped ribbon, 7/8"

Hasbro Marvel Super Hero Mashers Review {These Rock!}

I got lucky as a member of the Mom it Forward Blogger Network, and was able to write this sponsored post for Hasbro's Marvel Superhero Mashers. I would say all opinions are 100% mine... but really in this case, they're my boys' :) 

I knew when I had the chance to review these toys that they could be a pretty awesome fit for this boys' world. I even kept it a secret from them and let them feel the thrill of getting a surprise package in the mail! There was even superheroes on the outside! They could hardly contain themselves... ok, really they almost never even try that hard to... they're boys :)

Inside our box was Spiderman and Hulk.There are more than 20 unique Marvel Superhero Mashers characters planned for 2014, but these two couldn't have been more perfect- two of Coop and Ry's favorites.

Aaargh! Simple Pirate's Booty Valentines

With Cooper's Valentines in the bag (twice over even!), Ryder and I have been working on his lately. This is my baby, my little guy that goes just about everywhere with me. He and I conquer the world (or, the errands at least) while Cooper rocks the first grade :)

So recently he was bashing through Target with me and got excited over this crunchy bag of smaller bags of Pirate's Booty. Don't get me wrong, this white cheddar popcorn (it's kinda like part rice cake, part popcorn, honestly)... is super yummy and healthy at that. But really the best part is the name- what kid won't go for a snack called "Pirate's Booty"?!

Inspiring Creativity... A Little Something New

I gotta confess, this post today makes me a bit nervous...

and a bit excited.

For a long time now I've been admiring the talents of Heather over at Twin Dragonfly Designs. She's a fellow creative boy mama and has become a great blogging friend. She was looking for a partner to host a weekly link party with and I decided to jump! I really like the idea of featuring more of YOU here at Capital B :)
I plan on sharing anything that catches my eye and inspires... maybe your kid did the craziest thing this week and you blogged about it and I seriously laughed. Or maybe you had a cool experience doing a random act of kindness and shared it with us. Or maybe you saw something on Pinterest and rocked it yourself and just had to link up! I've been hopeful that this will be a good step for the blog- something that all of you visiting will be happy about seeing here- I sure hope it is :)
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So... our new party will be up on BOTH of our blogs starting Wednesday nights and running all day Thursday. You know the drill, but just in case not: 
1. Link to a specific blog post {not your blog home page}. 2. Please grab our button and post it somewhere on your blog {thanks for sharing the love}. 3. Be sure to visit at least two other links and leave a comment {we all love comments}.
If you are new to Link Parties and have any questions let us know ~ we would love to help out! I remember all too well that nervous feeling of joining a link party for the first several times :)

An InLinkz Link-up