Kissing Hands

From the book, Kissing Hands comes this picture. Natalie and I love this book, as we find a small similarity with it. Its about a child raccoon named Chester. Chester must go to school and leave his mother, toys, books, friends and all the comforts of home for a child's life before school. Mama raccoon, comforts him by kissing the palm of his hand and assuring him that whenever he misses her, all he has to do is hold that hand against his cheek and he will feel the warnth and love of his mama. He finds happiness and strength in her idea. As he leaves for school, he returns the love by kissing her hand. As he runs off, she immediately holds her hand to her cheek.  

We first read this book in preschool, but it sure plays a part in many things we go through.

Hair Barrettes

I began making hair barrettes for Natalie and my nieces about 2 years ago for 2 reasons, one I could never find any that I really loved and two, it's something crafty and theraputic for me to do. Last year, I began selling them. I sold them in the salon, my mom took them to work, and I did some not so successful craft shows. I am at it again. I have started to make my supply in which I will try to sell in other areas. If any readers know of any outlets to sell these, please let me know. For now, I will try etsy and the salon. Who knows maybe I'll find a good craft show to get in. Here are a few.

 Flowers come in pink, green and yellow $5 each

Candy Corn and 2 varieties of pumkins $5 each

$5 each

Headbands $8

$5 each

$5 each

Hello Autumn

Yes it's here again...my most favorite season. Its such a feel good time of year for me. We kicked of our season the past weekend, by visiting the Country Living Festival with some of our favorite people. Thanks you Ashley for finding this super fun event! Many vendors come from all over to sell their unique handmade crafts, and antiques of plenty! So many things to browse and want to buy. My favorite line of the day came from my niece, Gracie. " Natalie, don't you wish we were grown ups, so we could buy whatever we want?" This was sparked by my veto of a purchase for a ridiculously over priced birdcage that was even more ridiculous looking. We all found goodies and made purchases. I believe Ashley was the most successful. She found some hot items! Including the custest bright blue bird house. The best was the time spent with these amazing people, the memories made and hopefully a new tradition.

{Nat, Gracie, Shiloh and Rylee}

Who knew??!!

Natalie had her 5 year old check-up scheduled on Wednesday. We had to mentally prepare for this day for about 2 weeks as vaccines were to be administered during this visit.

Last year for her flu shot, it took myself holding her restrain style and a nurse holding her arms down. The child freaks out over this. During the physical part of the exam, Dr. Kirkby discovered that Natalie has strep throat. I never would have known...she never acted sick or complained! The difference in this child when she found out she wouldn't be getting shots was amazing. Now I must go prepare for 10 days from now, when indeed she will get the shots.

Do you just wanna be 16?

Natalie and I have been discussing my birthday this week, since it...well it's today and birthdays are so exciting to five year olds.  One conversation that stands out went like this:

N: Momma, how old will you be on your birthday?

me: 33

N: wow 33?! (she begins counting and stops at 16) whoa! that's a lot of counting, don't you just want to be 16?

me: huge smile from this priceless conversation

Oh to be 16 again! Even though the perks of knowing what lies ahead would make for an easy life, I just dont think it would be worth what I have learned and who I have become.

So, as difficult as it is to be graceful about aging, I will enjoy MY day! Who could not enjoy celebrating when you have these three beauties squeeze your neck and say

"Happy Birthday!"

{These lovely ladies sat across from me, making me laugh during my brithday dinner}

 

Its the weekend!!

Never in my life have I ever been more excited for a weekend, than last week.

Oh. My. Word.

 The only person more excited was Natalie. It was her second week of school...yes I said second. And Kindergarten at that.

It all began Monday night , which happen to be labor day, no school and a swimming party at Aunt Pammy's. Nat fell and skinned up her little leg pretty bad. This was after we discovered her recently pierced ears had become infected. She immediately opted that not going to school Tuesday would be the best option.

And. so , it. begins......
Tuesday morning after complaints of her leg, ears and now belly, a little crying and begging, I dropped her off at school. She came home with bug bites from school that day, that she scratched so hard they resembled poison ivy. Wednesday morning, I doctored her up dismissed all the reasons why she should not be present at school and dropped her off. Wednesday evening, after bath, it was time to do the dreadful removal of the 6 bandaids. Not sure if any other child acts like you are cutting off each limb during this process, but mine does. I would not have been surprised if the police had shown up at my door, because of the shrilling screams. Thursday I felt like the most unsympathetic mom in the world as I dropped her off at school. This leaves us with one more day of school...FRIDAY!!!

This photo sums it up! It was Friday and it was the weekend and we couldn't be more happy! We had a great weekend and a fabulous week. Thank. you. God!!

Bandaids are no longer an option for Natalie :)



Where has the time gone?

In my last post, I was preparing for a vacation...I feel like that was yesterday! Indeed it was not yesterday, more like 3 1/2 months ago. Here's a run down of the summer! I so wanted to stay on top of blogging!

Vacation to Duck North Carolina was such a fun vacation! My whole family  went and stayed in a beach house just a few blocks from the beach. Mom and I rented tandum bicycles for us and the big girls for a day. We really enjoyed that and will do it for longer next year. We discovered "crabbing"...that is a definate MUST for next year. It was so fun for all of us, even the kiddos! Weather was great, a few hot days and a couple cooler ones...a great blend! I so enjoy these family trips and look forward to new traditions!


We spent most days at the pool and made some new friends! Clara, Aviana and their mom, Winnie became or pool playmates. The girls really enjoyed playing together and I enjoyed some adult conversation and have a developed a new friend! We miss hanging out with them and plan to have some play dates and fun outings with them now that pool season is over!

We have welcomed little Rylee into our extended family! She is so precious and we are so blessed that God has chosen our family to be a part of her little life!

Ashley and I pulled of not only a smashing party for my sister's 30th b-day, but we surprised her!! It was not easy, but we did it!!

We enjoyed a trip to Kings Island with visiting family from Florida!

Natalie decided it was time for her ears to be pierced, and so it was! She did great!

We  celebrated our Independance Day with my sister's family at her annual firework party!

I watched my sister throughout the enitre summer carry her third baby. Getting more and more miserable almost daily, but it all came to an end on August 13th , when baby Cooper Isaac blessed our lives. He was born after a long day at 8:46 pm. This little guy is so amazing! I can't wait to watch him grow up...and deal with the three girls who have paved the way before him. Little man, you are in for a rea treat!

I took Natalie to Chicago for a little get-a-way and pre birthday celebration. We had an amazing time. American Girl place was first on our stop. We shopped, had her doll's ears pierced, and had a nice lunch at the cafe! This is such a fun thing to do with little girls! We visited Navy pier 2 times...way fun! Natalie convinced me to ride the ferris wheel. I never would have done it, if she didn't talk me into it, but it was really cool. Lincoln park zoo was really neat, despite the extreme heat. It was a fabulous time!!

I owe a birthday post to my baby! She turned 5 on August 30th and started school he same day! It has been quite the adjustment for both of us, but she is enjoying school and the fact that she is a kindergartener. 

So here we are. Septemeber 16th. It is just 2 days until my 33rd birthday. I'm ready to make some changes. I have already made a few, and I have a confidence I am making a turn on to new and fun things in my life!

In hopes that I will re-gain committment to my blog!!
Check out my shutterfly in a few days for all the latest pics!