Sunday, February 24, 2013

Signs from the zoo

We took the girls to the Knoxville Zoo last Friday. I was amused by their signs so I took pictures...

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Five

L. is five years old today. That just doesn't seem right but it is.

She has her own style and, most definitely, her own personality. The only thing she asked for was a surprise party. When I asked her what that meant, she said that on the day of her birthday, we told her to stay in her room while we got everything ready and then she'd come out. I couldn't resist taking it a little further. Last Sunday, she went to church with her daddy and M. while A. and I stayed home. We worked like maniacs to finish up half done cupcakes, clean house, stuff (beautiful, time consuming, appliqued, handmade) goodie bags, and decorate. An unsuspecting L. spent the morning and half the afternoon with her daddy and little sister going to church, eating at Zaxby's, and running an errand to Home Depot. We parked cars down a side street and hid in the living room and dining room as they arrived home.

When they first came in, L. headed towards her room to put up her coat. We could hear everything from our hiding places and it was all some of us could do not to laugh. M. Had walked towards the living room first, saw us all, smiled and walked away. When my husband finally got L. steered in the right direction, the look on her face when we yelled "Surprise!" was absolutely priceless. No one got a good picture but it was a fabulous mixture of shock, fright, and absolute joy. In that single moment looking at her face, my long hours and exhausting efforts were worth it.

The theme was the ultimate ice cream party. We had a toppings bar with 16 kinds of bits and sweets along with sauces, whipped cream, and cherries of course. The were cupcakes that looked like ice cream cones, a gigantic cupcake to hold the candles and the ubiquitous piƱata. Overall, a successful party and one of the most fun I've planned as I had carte blanche and didn't have to make a fickle child understand my vision. It was a fun day and today has been a swell. While she exerted no control of her party, she carefully outlined what this day would hold.

She said cinnamon coffee cake for breakfast but her daddy got up early and got fresh donuts instead. We knew she wouldn't mind because she loves donuts. Lunch was dictated to be Arby's which I duly provided after an excursion to Hobby Lobby. Dinner is to be mama's nachos but no beans for me and her father even though we don't make her eat them. I'm giving her the presents we have for hereafter dinner and then we're off to dance class.

She feels very special today which was always my intention. It doesn't hurt that all the schools took the week off just for her birthday. We'll ignore the while Presidents Day thing ;)

Scenes from the party:

My Valentine's Day Present- part 2

Monday, February 18, 2013

My Valentine's Day Present- part 1

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Stories from the front

We're in potty training mode at the moment. My mother bought M. some "big girl panties" last Saturday. Today, we ventured outside of the safe realm of pull-ups into this infinitely messier (and potentially cheaper) world of panties. While the panties are still dry, there has been one large puddle on the bathroom floor and a nap time pull-up that she "accidentally" (completely on purpose) "used" before she decided to get out of bed. The panties are still dry and she's proud if that though. A little while ago, she asked me if she could call Grandmama and tell her about going potty today. Since I don't consider today's efforts much of a success, I asked her what she wanted to tell Grandmama. With all seriousness, she replied "I tell her 'bout the big snake of poo I make in de potty." Oh, yeah...that. Love this girl of mine. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Advice

1. Instead of letting life do stuff to you, do something with your life.
2. Remember that every storm eventually passes and after it's over, there will be sunshine even if we can't remember what it looks like at the moment.
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