Come on summer...

Even thought summer doesn't officially start over memorial day weekend, it always feels like it to me.   So here is to our UNofficial start to summer...

Here are some pictures from our little town's parade!

We remember our heros lost and all vets and active personnel...

Birthday Party: Derby Theme

In honor of my bub's Louisville, Kentucky roots, we made Little L's party a Derby theme.  Granted we were a few weeks late and it actually was the day of the Preakness (so sad Animal Kingdom just missed the win!), but we went ahead and celebrated with derby hats, horses and a yummy brunch!

Instead of the traditional red rose wreath, we opted for pink (of course!)

Smash cakes for both babes!  Just could not resist having Clay's make LL a superhero one as well.   He is such a super brother!

Pink flowers everywhere!   Love that we still have them all over the house. as well as light and hot pink balloons (oh and huge horse balloons that little l is a little freaked out about -- YIKES)

Our dapper appeal...  bow ties for the boys and hats for the ladies.  Um, little l would not keep her hat on and mine was so big I couldn't see.   It was comical!

Our Menu:
3 Quiches - traditional lorraine, ham & cheddar and veggie
Yummy overnight french toast with pecans and fresh blueberries
2 Breads - cranberry/pumpkin and banana 
Pasta Salad
Green Salad
Berry Salad (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
Beverages: Mint Tea, Regular Ol' Southern Tea, and Lemonade

Little L is ONE!!!

My baby, my sweet precious baby girl turned one last Wednesday.  We celebrated with family that night and the whole gang on Saturday. Its taken me forever to write a post, mostly because I cannot believe she is ONE. It honestly feels like yesterday I was in the hospital giving birth.

Little L is sweet and funny. She loves just hanging with you and chatting in her own special language. With the occasional word, like "mama", "hiyo", "ukie", "daddy" and even "claire-bear" (which is outstandingly clear!!!). She has definitely found her WILL! And when you occasionally must tell her no, she will give you the business with a "face" of pure discontent. I told Kris his little angel has an attitude (ha!).   She is my sidekick and goes with me everywhere.  She is perfectly content in the ergo and trotting around with her mama.   I feel so blessed to be able to spend all this time with her this past year.  Not working, even part-time, was such an answered prayer.

Looking back on the past year, I remember the challenge of acclimating the family to her arrival.  Not just double l, but me as well.   Kris is such a "steady-eddy", he remained our rock!  And all the while, little l was so easy and sweet.   It was like she knew we (meaning LL and I) were adjusting and she just had remained patient with us.  I just loved what a peaceful, content baby she was.  Her happiness is contagious!  Even in dark hours of postpartum depression, she brought pure joy my way.  She brings a smile to everyone's face that crosses her path.

Where LL is shy and quiet.   He has such a peaceful, sweetness about him.   Little L is the life of the party.  She has a pure joyful spirit!   And I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for this coming year!

Here are just a few shots from her birthday  (more photos to follow in the coming days...)

Birthday Breakfast: Pancakes!!!  (her favorite...)

Claire had 'hope for pancakes' and stayed right under her!

Her Birthday Dinner: Pizza and Cake!!  First time ever tasting cake (or any sweets).  She was a little unsure!  Adorable (and a bit YUCK) how her big brother help clean her hands!!

party people, are you ready???

Little L's birthday week begins --- RIGHT NOW!

Local Mamas: JCrew Savings for a Great Cause!

SPRING SAVINGS TO BENEFIT OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH

Receive 15% off all purchases made at the J. Crew in the King of Prussia Mall on Thursday, May 19 from 6 – 9 PM. Proceeds will benefit the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

All funds earned will go directly to research to find a cure for ovarian cancer.

WHO: Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation survivors, families and friends

WHEN: Thursday, May 19 6 – 9 PM

WHERE: J. Crew, King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Robin Cohen, co-founder of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, at robin@sandyovarian.org.

town-wide yard sale

We participated in our town-wide yard sale this weekend. And much to my surprise, we made $45!! Yay me (well, us, but I am the one that sat out there!!!). I only sold stuff for 2.5 hours, because we have miles to go before little l's birthday party. Ahem... she is turning one on Wednesday! Yikes - how did this happen so fast?? At any rate, we sold off some baby stuff. We honestly did not even put a dent into what we have, but I still felt a little sad. I mean, could we remain a family of four+claire? I think so... But I still could not part with so much and kept making excuses the night before. And when my bub pulled out my maternity clothes and suggested those items get put out, I got very emotional. I am not a hoarded at all. But something inside of me cannot let go, cannot move on.

The town-wide yard sale is an annual event. Maybe next year, I will put out some more baby items. That's a good plan... each year I will put out a little. And at this rate, by the time the children are 10, we should just have the keepsakes remaining (ha!).

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

no self esteem issues here...

This picture cracks me up.   Double L staring at a picture of himself!!  He always does.   Love it

A Mother Understands...

A mother understands what a child does not say.  ~Author Unknown

My mother's day was wonderful.   The weather was perfect.   My homemade breakfast was so yummy.   And just relaxing after church was more than I could have asked for.   My cards and gift were so thoughtful in every detail!  I enjoyed a yummy dinner with my mama, her mama and two aunts (who have been like mothers to me).   I am truly blessed.

We did hit a challenging point with Double L yesterday as we got ready for church.   A 3 year old's strong will decided to stand up to the normal routine, which resulted in LL swatting at me as I tried to move forward with dressing him for church.   The day did not remain difficult and half way to church all was back to normal and the strong will that matched up to my own sung sweet songs and later told me "I want to miss you, mama" as I was leaving for dinner.    Fast forward to this afternoon, LL and I were watching an episode of the 'Baby Story' ("we" occasionally need a baby fix!) and I normally mute commercials because ya just never know what will be previewed.   Today, little l distracted me and a preview of a female cop reality show came on.   Apparently, a teen was being arrested for "hitting" her mom.  LL said "mama, she hit her mama and look at the police", I quickly responded "yes, she is in trouble and being taken away by the police".   He instantly broke into tears and clung to me.   He would not tell what was wrong, but he did not need too.   I am sure, he thought of himself yesterday and got scared.   In my response, I did not even think of the tantrum from yesterday and began to feel awful that he was so upset.   But I simply took the moment to remind him how much I love him, how special and loving he is, and how I am here to pray for him and protect him from all I can.   He settled down and eventually moved off my lap and back to playing.   

The whole experience just made me think of this quote, "A mother understands what a child does not say" and how I understand when a child at school hurts his feelings just by his silence on the car ride home (normally filled with chatter) or when he starts banging his feet up the stair because mama is spending way too much time rocking little l at naptime.   I think its part the God given make-up of a mother and part true love for that little one!   

I, certainly, hope you all enjoyed your mother's day and feel blessed as well.

JCrew Event

Oh how I adore JCrew!!!  I was so excited to join some local mamas for a night out and a night of shopping.   Shannon from Philly Burb Moms organized a fabulous evening for us at The Brinton Lake JCrew store.

JCrew has some adorable pieces for spring and summer.   I loved everything, but with our budget in mind, I made a mental list of what was "needed" and headed over to the store.

On the list:

1. Bermuda shorts for mama (ones that I could "dress up" for church or a nice summer dinner out
2. Black thin belt (my old banana leather one broke -- Grrrr...)
3. A navy or black casual button down for my bub
4. Critter shorts for Double L
5. For Little L - well, crewcuts starts at size 2, but some stuff runs small, so I just thought I would browse :-)

What did I pick up:

Navy Bermudas!  Ahem, in a size 6 which I almost become giddy just typing it.   I have been working hard on this baby weight!  Now I am on a hunt for cute wedges to give my leg a little length.   I am a shorty-pants, but I just loved these shorts!!!

Since my old black thin belt broke, I have been searching for another one.   I love this one!  Its a soft black, so of course I stood confused under the store's lights -- is it black or navy?  Never fails, I always do that!!!  Do you?  At any rate the antique-patina buckle sold me.   I cannot wait to wear it.   Maybe tonight -- Its date night!!!

I picked up a navy button down for my bub.   They did not have a black one and its a little Johnny Cash for summer!   My bub wears a casual button down EVERY DAY to work with jeans and he has a handful of shirts with worn holes in the elbows.   He seriously needs to pick up a few more.

As for my babes, I would have bought everything in their crewcuts section.   Oh and I absolutely love that this Jcrew store has all in one.   Totally convenient!   At any rate, I stayed the course and picked up these adorable pieces...

For our tiny dancer...

I love their critter shorts!  These have little bicycles on them!

 LL has so many crewcuts graphic tees.   They are always so cute and last forever!!

I buy them a little big and have gotten 2 season out of them, plus layer with long sleeves for the Fall!!

The evening was great.   JCrew was an excellent host and provided small bites to eat as well as a generous discount for our purchases.   Unfortunately, I did not win the giveaways, but it was certainly fun to know that fellow mamas won big (pieces of jewelry, gift cards, private shopping evening...).

Are you a JCrew/crewcuts customer?   What have you been admiring this season?   Oh and help me out -- need a pair of cute wedges for my bermudas??

for more fashion friday, jump over here!!!

moving on...

I found myself the other day, folding laundry, changing sheets -- you know the normal stuff!  Never did I imagine my emotions would go from even keeled to a wreck in minutes.   After I made LL's bed, I brought the rest of the laundry in my bedroom.   As I was busy folding, LL came in with the rest of the crew and found his taggie (small blanket with silk tags on the edges) on the floor.   It must of fell out of the basket.   He picked it up and stated "mama, this is my taggie.  It needs to be in my room".   I, of course, apologize for my oversight and asked him to go put it on my bed.  As I was finishing my sentence, his next statement hit me so hard.  "Mama, I don't need it anymore".   WHAT!!  I said quickly, "are you sure?  you can still have your taggie, there is nothing wrong with it".   He repeated himself and went on his merry way, while I was left sitting on my bed with tears filling my eyes.   My husband did not realize I was getting upset and just casually stated how it was great how he is moving on and such a big boy.   But to me, it was too much to handle.   I know, nuts, right?   Here I was last summer, potty training, taking the binky away, discipline in full force...  I know LL is growing up!  I know he wasn't going to sleep with his taggie forever, but I just didn't think that day would come this fast.  

I have been thinking about how quickly time is rushing by so much lately.   Maybe its because we are planning Little L's first birthday or because I read LL's progress report where his teacher pointed out he is still saying "my" for "I" (ex:my love you, mama) and how I love that about him and now I need to correct it and he has been correcting himself.   As I type this I have tears in my eyes.   My baby, my firstborn is growing up so fast and I don't even know how to grasp it.  Oh and my baby-baby is going to be referred to as a toddler soon.   Don't get me wrong -- I dream about, I pray about their future!  Honestly, I look forward to what God has in store for them.   But this week, I just want the future to remain far away and for my babies to not move on so quickly!