Vacationing...

I'm taking the girls, leaving on a jet plane, listening to some southern accents, celebrating some birthdays, enjoying a small town 4th of July, swatting at mosquitoes, and taking in some relaxation this week. We're leaving the boys at home this time for some male bonding. I have a feeling that Donut will become an outside cat.

While we are away, we will work on our modeling poses...

...swim with the fishies...

...and practice our diving techniques...

...and catch frogs...

...and watch our bellies grow as we eat too much...

...we will miss you - don't forget about us..and have a fabulous 4th of July...

Random Acts of Sewing...

..so, 2 more aprons, 2 more bags..I think I am getting the hang of this now and I can whip these puppies up quite quickly. The hardest part is picking out the fabric. One apron and bag went to our 13 year old Mother's Helper next door. She is also a sewer and just loved them and thought I did a good job! The other apron and bag are going to Indiana with me this week.

Horrible pictures..I was in a hurry, my ISO was set wrong on my camera for inside shots...didn't change it...this is whatcha got...sucks...but you get the idea.





(I have to say that I love this Smitten Kitten Fabric from Alexander Henry and plan on making both girls a skirt out of it.)

Not much sewing this next week as I am taking a much needed vacation. When I get back, I will be rested up to dive into a few dress projects for the girls though...oh, and that Amy Butler bag too.

Matilda Jane Strikes Again!

I just realized that I forgot to announce my big news here! I am a new Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper for the Fall!!! I am so excited to sell for the company. I am completely smitten by them and the loveliness of the clothing. My girls wardrobe has become filled with their goodies.

I can't wait for Fall - we should see some sneak peaks of the line at the beginning of August with the Fall season starting August 23rd. I have already begun booking shows and can't wait for the fun selling season to begin!

So, we just received these lovely MJ dresses last week and had a lovely morning feeding the ducks and taking some pictures.

I won an award yesterday...

..for meanest Mom in the World...

Pretty much everyday this Summer, we have gone to the zoo's, the museums, the playgrounds, had picnics, ran through the sprinkler, swam in the pool, had friends over, had play dates, eaten ice cream and just generally enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. I have been assuming these are fun activities and my children have enjoyed them, and thought that I was providing them with a pleasant Summer experience.

Yesterday was one of those days - that for TWO HOURS - yes, life had to go on - we had to go grocery shopping, to Target, to the drug store, the post office, and yes, it is true...we had to vacuum....all clearly, non-fun stuff...but highly necessary. For TWO HOURS my 5 year old gave me an earful of how I am the least "funnest" Mom in the world and I "never" take them anywhere fun or do anything fun with them. After attempting to debate with her on my merits and what I have done with them...for almost two hours...when we got in the car to finally go home after our exhausting journey of evil errands...I turned up the radio to my music and completely ignored her ongoing tiraids of the wrongs of my ways...

Pretty soon - this is what came out of her mouth..."WORLD, please be quiet, I am making a Public Service Announcement..My MOM is the Meanest mom in the whole world because we have NEVER done anything fun and now she is ignoring me..."

I continue to say nothing in the front seat..and pretty soon, the little one next to her, who had stayed strangely quiet eating her non-fun lollipop from the post office says.."I think we really should sell her this time..."

..and the whole time I was just thinking how proud of was of Eloise making a Public Service Announcement...clearly she will either be President, or she is watching way too much TV.

Bubble Fun!

I am nominating the battery operated, automatic Bubble Machine as one of the greatest inventions of the 21st Century. No longer do I have to get all sticky or get a headache from blowing bubbles for the girls all Summer. I can just push a button, sit back, relax, drink my wine and read People Magazine all Summer. God Bless America!

I think it's a hit!

Random Acts of Sewing

So, I have been sewing again this week. I made two more bags. I changed things a bit on them and top-stitched the back where the straps attached and also added 2 interior pockets. Mine that I made before did not have pockets, and I do tire of my phone, keys, change sinking to the bottom..so I hope the pockets make them more user friendly.

Here are the bags..one went to my neighbor and one went to a dear friend from ECFE. I hope you all enjoy the bags..





...don't fret..I just finished 3 other projects this weekend too..there is more to come...

In other sewing news, Kristi and I went to an Amy Butler open house at our local fabric store last week. They had her whole fabric collection plus all of her patterns made up to admire. Okay, YUMMY - we each bought some fabric to make some fun items..I am looking forward to more of a challenge at this point. Also going to that was the 1st time out of my house and away from kids in 28 days...can I just tell you it was a very refreshing 42 minutes away! :-)

Happy Sewing!

Eloise for President...

Just sharing a few conversations from our house this week...

God Bless America...
Last Sunday we were watching Meet the Press reruns in honor or Mr. Russert. They were showing an interview with George W. from 2004. After several minutes Eloise starts telling Esther who this man is...and about several of the other presidents she learned about at preschool this year and what they did. (yes, if your kids don't know must of the presidents by age 4, they are so behind these day...) After Eloise told us what she knew, she paused and said "hey mom, I just realized that every president that we have ever had has been a man. Why haven't their been any woman presidents? I think a mom would do a really good job...I don't think it's fair that they haven't had their turn yet?" I told her that perhaps she could be president some day. She said at this point she would still rather be a baker and drive and ice cream truck.

We went back to watching George W. and then a few minutes later, Esther looks at me with complete seriousness on her face and says "Mom, I don't understand this man, what language is he speaking, because it doesn't sound like English." I guess my influence on them is bigger than I think!

The Human Body
Eloise was whispering something to Esther while we were eating lunch a few days ago. Esther kept saying "I can't hear you Ewoise" - to which Eloise finally responded.."well, Esther it is because normally I would use my throat to talk, but today I am using my esophagus. In fact, we have 206 bones...but today I am only planning on using 53."

Sisterly Love
On Friday night, the ice cream truck drove past our house and we had just sat down for dinner. We get ice cream treats from him most times he comes, but that night I had already bought Popsicles and didn't want to interrupt dinner to run out there. Eloise started having a fit that we didn't get anything..and kept going on and on...and I kept getting angrier and angrier. Pretty soon Esther looks at me and says calmly.."it's okay mommy, let's just sell her to another family."

Now it really is Summer...

We finally got to drag the sprinkler out! You know, the whole time the girls are running through it, I keep thinking about all of the worms they are probably stepping on. I really need to just move on from it all.

Here are some pictures. I have been practicing again with my depth of field and focusing just on one subject, while the other is blurry...so those pictures where only one of my sweet creations is in focus, was done on purpose. I am playing with my 50mm lens and loving some of the results. Practice, practice practice..

It must be Summer..

We've hit 80 degrees 2 days in a row...and are forecasted for 5 more..

We had good friends over and we ate outside...

Our cat is climbing trees...

We are wearing tank tops and piggies...

We are sporting strawberry themed fashions..

..and we are going barefoot..

...and Esther desperately need a pedicure...