Opening up the mail today and it's a letter from a health insurance company.  I'm thinking maybe they are offering free or real cheap health insurance rates (yea, right). 
The first line reads:  Your child will soon turn 26.
As you know, our oldest turned 16 a couple of days ago.  I thought maybe I misread the letter.
I look and it's addressed to RT. 
I walked downstairs and told him I found out. 
I can't believe he was hiding this all of these years and that this was a fine way finding out in a letter from some insurance company that he has another child. 
Unbelievable!
Of course it's not true. 
We did get a good laugh about it.
I'm wondering where they got their information from? 
Letters like this can cause some huge fights, don't you think?

Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago

Took the kids to Chicago to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).  They love going into Chicago.  Alex joined us this time. 

We walked around the MCA looking at all of the exhibits.  We were intrigued by the Martin Creed exhibit (crumbled up pieces of paper placed throughout the museum).  At one point, RT was taking a picture of some items on the floor along with the crumbled up paper and a woman used her foot and was trying to get the paper out of his picture.  RT was trying to explain to her that the paper was art.  She thought he was joking.  The security guard then told her to put it back.  I think she was a little embarrassed.  From then on, anything that was on the floor, I wouldn't let the kids move or pick up.  Hey, it could be part of an art exhibit!

I found the Lego Tower interesting.  I think the boys made a duplo block tower a little taller, though.

The interactive art was fun.  You get to take off your shoes and roll up and down on the padded floor

 

a couple of TV sets.  Yea.  Art.

And there are my kids really getting into the art.  Too bad the TV's didn't work.

This is going to be the excuse for watching TV now, I just know it!

(Nick in the background, trying to get out of the picture)

 

The joke was, "clean up this mess!" 

It's not a mess, it's art!

This is a picture of the stairs, looking up

Nick thought I was crazy for taking the picture

I thought it looked cool

This was on a painting.  The painting from afar looked all black.  As you got closer, you could see words on the painting.  If you look close, the word difference appears.  Cool, huh?

In front of the MCA

A tribute to all Mothers

well, that's what RT tells me if I complain about the kids

I think it looks like a cupcake pan

what do you think it looks like?

 

There was a stack of boxes outside the elevator.  I forgot to get a picture of them.  RT said, this is art?  Alex said wait a few minutes.  The janitor is going to walk out of the elevator and move them.

Appreciating the art

(this is really just a garbage can)

(well, to some it might be a window to another world)

I think the art has affected my brain

Yea, at that point things got a little out of hand.  A piece of candy was on the floor and RT and Alex were staring at it.  They didn't want to move it because it might be art.  Then there was the (used) kleenex.  Next they were staring at the electrical covers on the floor. 

interpreting the different colored tile on the floor

And then, well...

This was part of an exhibit, and when you have boys, well, this is how they interpret it

We enjoyed our time at the MCA, it's a great place to visit and experience art.  If you want to read more on the MCA, visit  art-city.org for another great article.

Christmas Gift Card Tags

Do you save old Christmas cards?
I do.
I always say that I'm going to do something with them.
I have made them into postcard Thank You notes for Christmas gifts. 
Turned them into new Christmas cards. 
And now, Christmas card gift tags!
I know I've had a lot of posts on gift tags.  I ran out of gift tags last year and had to do something this year.  I started making them early so they are ready when we need them.
Easy project.

I looked at each one and just cut out parts of the card that I thought would look nice on the back of a tag. 

Make sure there is no writing on the back.  You can use an awl or hole punch and attach with ribbon or string.  I thought this was a beautiful card.  I love the dove and Peace on Earth.  So pretty.

I got quite a few tags from it

Now all I need are some presents to wrap so I can use all of my new gift cards!

Business Card Gift Tag

Saw this one on Dollar Store Crafts.
Something that you can make for less than a dollar!
This is a great way to put all of those business cards to good use.  Upcycle them into gift tags!

Supplies needed
Business cards
pencil
paper (red or green construction paper or holiday printed paper)
glue
stickers (optional)

Gather your supplies

Trace your business card onto the paper (and cut out)

Glue paper onto card (to cover name)

use a hole punch and you are done!

Decorate with Christmas stickers or have your budding artist draw a picture

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Newton had to get in the picture

16!

Bella getting in on the picture

 

her "favorite" brother

hard to believe I have a 16 year old

 

I get a picture with him!

Happy 16th, Nick!

Love, Mom

Clean up in Aisle 7

"Herb, I swear I was never in aisle 7!"

That's one of the many great lines from my favorite movie, "Mr. Mom."

After seeing the movie "Brave," Bella has been really into archery.  Nick showed her how to use his bow and arrow.  She's been practicing in the yard.

The weather today was unusually warm (60's)  RT decided to take Bella to the archery range.  Nick wanted to go.  Alex said he would go with me.  Shopping.

Really?

In and out of stores with me or having fun outdoors shooting arrows?

So, off we went shopping. 

First stop was to get his friend a birthday present (the party's today).  We goofed off at a couple other stores.  Our final stop was Aldi. 

In the store, I look over and Alex is playing with a (children's) toy kitchen set, complete with stove, sink and lots of other gadgets.  I laughed and said he should put that on his Christmas wish list and left him.  All of a sudden I hear a loud crash.  I turn and see the kitchen set on the floor.  Alex says, "I didn't do it!"  There is no one within 30 feet of the playset (except Alex who is right by it).  I told him this is something he would have done when he was little, not now at 12!

We quickly picked up the set, along with all of the pots, pans, utensils, phone and stove.

I think next time I'm going to the archery range and RT can take everyone shopping.

Christmas Gift Tags from Paint Chips

It's that time of year! 
I love wrapping presents, don't you? 
Once you settle on the type of wrapping paper you will use (paper, material, recycled paper) it's time for a gift tag.
I made use of our ever growing supply of paint chips (paint swatches?).  Bella seems to gravitate towards them when we are at the store.  It's nice to put them to good use instead of just storing them in a cabinet.

Better Homes and Gardens paint chips

nothing but fanciness at our house

 

I cut off the names and wording on the paint chips

Made a template of a Christmas tree

I kept the lines simple so it will be easy to cut out

I used off white construction paper that I glued to the back of the paint swatch so I can write on it

 used my awl to punch small holes at the top

gift tags waiting to be used

 

Happy Wrapping!