Land of the dinosaurs!

 Do you want to see Alfredo's new Dinosaur Room?

 Alfredo is way into dinosaurs and has been for a while. But just in case this is a passing phase, this theme can be changed fairly easily.

I bought these dinosaur decals from Amazon...the three big ones plus a set of small ones. I think the total was about $50 for all of them. But that was just about the only expense in this update.

The walls were already painted with the sky and hills from when we first prepared this room. Remember?
I wanted to keep the scallop edge along the top of the walls but quite a few of them were wilting and coming off. Maybe I'll add more someday.

 I picked up this super cute trunk from Ikea yesterday. Sometimes Alfredo has a little trouble at night. I told him to fill the trunk with things that he thinks will help him fall asleep at night. We tried it last night and I think it worked. He only popped in our room once and that was to say he thought of something he wanted to add to his room...a volcano!

 This sweet vintage bed used to sport bird finials (they were so cute!) but for his new room he needed dinosaurs. These 4 were from the dollar bin at Michael's. I just glued them to a wooden disk and then to the bed but they can be removed when the theme changes.

 He doesn't really play in his room...it's more for quiet time, naps and bedtime so there aren't a lot of toys in here.

I think we do need a bigger bookshelf. I have an old one that needs a fresh coat of paint.

And even though it's filled with scary dinosaurs...

I do think it's turning out to be rather sweet.

invitation and a new camera

Last week Alfredo and I set up a little scene with a birthday dinosaur and Club Little House miniatures for a little photo shoot for his birthday invitation. Isn't it cute? As soon as he wakes up from his nap, we're off to the post office to put stamps on these babies and send them on their way. 

And guess what...I got a new camera for Christmas!

I've had the same old one for years and years and really needed an update. I don't know a whole lot about photography so I wanted to stick with a point and shoot. Whenever I looked for a new one, I would go away so confused and frustrated. Finally, I just asked Rich to research and pick one for me.

I'm just fiddling around with it, learning all about it and seeing how it compares to my ancient one. I snapped a few dozen just now of this sneak peek at something I'm working on for the magazine. Something about them just doesn't "feel" like my photos...you know what I mean? And I don't like to read manuals...I'm a button pusher. Only something tells me this old dog is going to have to break down and read at least a few pages.

so, how are you anyway?

1. I'm super busy organizing the next issue of the magazine. I think you're going to love it.
2. My father is doing so well. We're hoping he'll come home this week. Thank you so much for your prayers. Alfredo and I are going for a visit later this week.
3. Alfredo's 4th birthday (can you believe it?!) is just around the corner. Invitations go out today and he's excited about going to the post office and putting a stamp on each one. Isn't it wonderful the little things that are exciting to an almost four year old?
4. I didn't mention it here when it happened but Alfredo's father moved back to California late summer. We're heading out for a visit in a couple of weeks and Alfredo is really excited. 
5. I'm planning an update for Alfredo's room. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. 
6. I've had a single wall taped up and ready to paint with chalkboard paint for over a month. It's time to do that, I'd say.

That's me these days... Busy. Happy. A little tired. A little behind. Grateful.

How are you?