Nora and her block obsession

I live with my family in an 850 square foot apartment. This is what my living room looks like when I get home from work every day.

You could say she definitely has her own style going.
Every night we take them all apart. Put all the pieces back into the crates and like a worker bee she's at it again the next morning.
And, no...it's not in the side somewhere where it's not in the way....it's right in our pathway. I know there will be a time I miss this....I am absolutely enjoying it in all it's glory.

Organizing our tiny DC apartment

I have been cleaning up our apartment this summer. Here is half of stuff I have chose to donate to charity or give away to anyone who needs children's clothes, etc. here are 3 huge bags of clothes. I find it helps when trying to thin down what you have to use black trash bags. It also makes it very easy to give things away knowing someone else will use it and it won't be sitting in some landfill for the next 30 years. You may know this about me, but I hardly ever buy anything new. The only items we buy new are underwear and shoes. I am very proud to be a second hand shopper.

To make our living room much airier (is that even a word?) , I have used our hallway as a storage area for the kids' toys. Items are separated by types. Legos go in Lego buckets, dress up in the dress up bucket, and trains go with train tracks and trains.....
I have used pictures to help kids identify which toys belong in which buckets. I need to take more pictures, but that is the goal.
Interestingly, the one most popular toy bucket is the nature bucket. It has acorns, sticks, rock and pine cones.....so again, you never need to spend money on expensive toys.....kids find toys in almost anything from shipping boxes, to long gift wrapping tubes.

Virginia is for Lovers (and Friends)

          We were in Virginia this weekend to see my oldest friend, Jenna.  Here are some pics that tell the story of our visit.  

Luke crossing his legs watching Finding Nemo

Any movie that can make my 4-yeal old watch in total attention is a great movie. 

Jenna and Nora playing "tickle". 

Chris, my husband who never drinks....drank a few glasses. 

Ricky and Chris chatting. 

I visited with the mother of a friend who took his life 2 years ago. She had found and then framed some of his charcoal drawings. 

This is a picture of my friend. One I find very sweet and funny. 

Here's another self-portrait charcoal drawing. Kyle, my friend, left hundreds of pieces of art behind. They are all very colorful, textured and very unique. 

Luke and Jenna cuddling all evening. Jenna was at the hospital in Maryland when Luke was born. 

Nora, the professional baby photographer.  She wants to be just like mom.

Nora and Jenna portrait