Dear Nerds,

Having a Julliard-trained brother-in-law exercising his training in the production of the upcoming HBO series "Game of Thrones" means that Mrs. Olsen and The Mister of the House received a tour of the set that you have tried to sneak onto via fake job interviews, ninja methods, or pure open nerdiness that makes you feel like a legitimate consultant for the series.


Mandy & Bryan practicing as UK Tour Guides in Edinburgh

Since we were able to take no pictures of the set, we'll just say In your face nerds, we saw the Iron Throne!

And also, the fact that I'm gloating on the blog about seeing the Iron Throne (as well as Winterfell sets, Cersei's chambers, and The Red Keep) just might mean I could be on the other side of cool as well.

Our gracious glimpse into:
*an amazing storyline
*the sheer magnitude of talent required to actually produce sets and TV series
*beholding from afar the beauty of whatever actor plays Jaime Lannister

was interesting and exciting.

Thanks Bryan and Mandy for this 2010 highlight!

Signed,
Mrs. Olsen

I'm off to see the giant offspring of these six-footers in the state b-ball tourney. Have a great weekend and take a minute to watch this very amazing video. I'm guessing it took multiple takes and a good 10 hours to set up...what do you think?

Inspired by this crap, I decided to have some fun for valentine cards this year. Here's what school kids will find in their envelopes today:

Da Buddha Baby.



Yay for crappy point and shoot cameras!



Look familiar?

Happy Valentine's Parties Today!

Love From,
The Valentine Train
...cuz I choo-choo-choose you to be my Valentine

This week I want to blog about love, and lovely things. As a tribute to last year's kissing fest, I posted a slideshow for your viewing pleasure at the top of the blog. I'll keep it up a week so enjoy it while you can!

I went homemade this Christmas in at least one department: art. With my trusty supplies of...
old photos
exacto knife
cardstock
fine-line sharpies
colored pencils
ruler
scrapbook paper
and The Mister of the House...
I daresay Mrs. Olsen spent a good 20 hours making some exceptional 5th Grade Art. Eat your heart out elementary punks!

Remember the hole on Rainbow Girl's Wall? This lil' guy is going there. I call it "Egg Delivery". The Mister of the House saved my frozen brain when he came up with the trees, hills, and sun. Thanks sweetie pie!

I daresay I got some inspiration from a real artist who's whimsical take on motherhood was a breath of fresh air. Check out some inspiration from artist Emily McPhie here. She's the real deal, and I hope one day to own one of her pieces.

Next up, a take on Vanilla Wafer's current obsession: Spiderman.

See that smile? I swear he can light up a stadium with that smile, and I hope he feels that happy when he sees himself saving the day as our favorite webbed crusader.

Poor Buddha Baby got left out cause Mrs. Olsen got burned out. Maybe next time kid!

5th Graders? No More Autographs Please.

Your Elementary Artist in Residence,

Mrs. Olsen

I couldn't believe your recent finds at the antique store!

I guess if I was a designer, I would say they have "good bones", but I'm not a designer. So I'll just say, they look old. I can hear you laugh now, waiting to show me how they were diamonds in the rough.

You got me! I figured I would show you what I've been up to, since we haven't been around for a while. I'll be quick about it: Buddha Baby grew up, got kicked out of his crib, and Rainbow Girl finally got her own room!

By the way, nothing like your make-overs, but clean, good, and (hopefully) a little more organized. I've broken it down quite scientifically for you:




I can't even tell you how badly Rainbow Girl needed a desk. No more banishing her to the nether-regions so she can focus!








The wicker chest is now holding mittens by my front door. And I brought in the bookcase from her old room, which opened that other room nicely as well thanks for asking!



Sorry about the glare from my high quality point and shoot camera. Here's the last angle.











Can't wait to play next week during Christmas break!

With Love from Your Sister,
Mrs. Olsen

Sometimes I intentionally put myself in situations so I can arise from the ashes and get productive, foster creativity, or save money. Exhibit 1: have people over for dinner so I have a legitimate reason to really really get my house sparkling. This past month we had cousin birthdays, my outside reasoning stated I would save some money...but my insides really just wanted to color. Like that things kids do. And moms never do cause everybody eats 3 times a day and leaves trails of dishes and crumbs.

If I had to do it again, I would have avoided the vomit of colors and patterns in the name of rainbow mud, and just kept it nice and green.   Of course, learning curves are to be expected.

Summer project for your offspring? for you? yes?