Fall Weather

Just a quick post to brag about how wonderful it feels here today. Hopefully Fall has finally arrived and the long, hot, humid dog days of summer are behind us. As a matter of fact, I think I may take the girls to the barn to ride a little this afternoon since it is so nice.

Also, I almost forgot to post about my tennis team's trip to the state tournament last weekend in Gulf Shores. We took 8 people down there, but Jennifer and I had to play every match for our level because we were the only ones down there. Jennifer have definitely had better days on the court than this past weekend, but I will say that I think we ended up 3rd in our flight despite the fact that we (Jen and I) only won 1 match out of 5. We should have (and could have) won more, but just couldn't get it together. Thanks to our team for the other wins! Regardless of the results, we all a FABULOUS time and it was a great girls weekend with lot of laughs and memories!

Roll Tide Roll!

This past weekend we took both girls to the AL game. Granted, it was a night game and I was not sure how long we would make it, but we forged on regardless, knowing that if we had to leave early, this would be an ok game to leave early from. So we dressed in our loyal colors and the excitement was gradually building as the day went on. Sam was busy that morning working in the deer fields (yes, it's that time again!) so we were a little late getting to campus and did not have time to let the girls play on the Quad or take them to the A Club room. We did, however, get a chance to see the new "look" of the Alpha Chi house and it looks FAB! We loaded up the double stroller and left it at the sorority house while we walked into the stadium. Both of our girls have a "thing" about loud noises (must be genetic) so I packed our headphones in my bag, just in case it got loud - thank goodness I was thinking ahead because they were used the whole game and they fit right in with all the crazies who are at the game but still feel it necessary to listen to the radio broadcast! We finally got to our seats, Dip N Dots in hand, and of course MM had to go to the potty - never fails! So back down the stairs we go and the video below is what we found when we got back to our seats: Anna loving every minute of the game, the people, the music, etc. Hope you enjoy! Sorry for the poor quality - this was taken with Sam's phone.

Horse Show and Flowers

So sorry for the long stretches between posts the past several weeks. I only thought that we would be able to slow down during the summer, but between tennis camp, beach trips, horse camp, get-togethers,and work, we have been on-the-go non-stop! It is so sad to say that we have not even been swimming at the pool yet this summer!

This past weekend, as a conclusion to the horse camp, the barn hosted a Mini Horse Show for all of the little kids so that they could see how a real show would go, but without the hectic-ness (is that a word?) and chaos of a real show. They showed in 5 classes and they all got ribbons (whew!) and they all got 1st place in at least one class! I was so afraid of a meltdown if MM did not place, but thankfully that was taken care of (by suggestion of the parents). Oh, and let me just say that it HOT, not just hot, but miserably HOT! MM and I had to be at the barn at 8:00 that morning to shine up her horse. She had a ball! We were drenched with sweat and stinky and smelly, but MM was in heaven. She did so good and we were so proud of her! Here are the pictures with her ribbons and then with all the girls from camp. The video is of her actually showing in a class.

And a little sidenote, here is the final product of my hydrangeas that I was so excited about blooming. This was taken several weeks ago, so they are even bigger now.

More Tennis and Horse Camp and Movies

Tennis Star - check out that form!

3 Generations of Tennis Players

As you all know from a previous post, MM took her first official tennis lessons before we left for the beach. Well, SHE LOVED IT! I was so glad to see her enthusiasm for the game that I have loved for most of my life! I certainly didn't want to push her into it, but I just wanted her to learn how to play so that if she ever wanted to play as adult she would already have an idea of it.
While we were at the beach last week, the tennis courts held a kids clinic for her age group on Tuesday and Thursday. She was so pumped about playing tennis that she could not wait until Tuesday, so I took her out to the courts several days before hand. She is amazing! I know I maybe a little biased, but even the Pro's at the beach could not believe how good she was to have only had 3 lessons in her life and only be 4 years old. She has great coordination and hand-eye coordination too! It was really HOT on the courts too, but she wanted to stay out there for hours! We finally had to say "Time Out"! She asked me, "Mommy, when I get big like you, can we play tennis together?" So cute, how could I resist! She is really looking forward to more tennis, but in the meantime. . .

Horse Camp started this week! It is pretty intense for this age group, but they are having a blast. It is Monday - Friday from 8-12. Everyday when I pick her up at 12, she is exhausted and can barely stay awake to eat lunch. I asked her yesterday which was her favorite and she told me that she loved tennis AND horseback riding - they are both my favorite! Who knows which one she will land on! But for now we are enjoying them both. And this weekend the farm is holding a mini-show for the little kids so that they can see what it's like to do a show without it being so hectic and serious. MM is so excited and looking forward to her first show which I am thrilled about considering our first experience with horse shows (that she did not do). Wish us luck!

Then to add to all the excitement of the current summer fun, we (along with friends/neighbors) are hosting a Movie Night Under the Stars (i.e. in our backyard). We have rented an inflatable screen and sound system and a popcorn machine. Guests are supposed to bring a blanket and it's BYOB for the parents. We cannot wait and it's going to be so much fun - I will post pictures next week. We have not been able to decide which movie to play though so any feedback would be great! We are looking for a movie that is not gender specific (princesses), good for all ages, clean, not scary, etc. We have narrowed it down to 3: Hotel 4 Dogs, Bolt, and Bedtime Stories. Any suggestions?

Tennis Camp, Horseback Riding, and More

All I have to say is thank goodness we only have 2 kids right now and Anna is not even involved in activities yet! This week has been so chaotic and fun and busy and it's only the first week of summer (as far as our school schedule)! I signed MM up for a tennis camp at our club for 4-5 year olds. I don't know if I would really call it a "camp" per say, because it is only 3 days this week for 30 minutes. At first, I thought, "Wow, only 30 minutes?" But after the first day, I realized it was perfect for them - it is long enough that they get a "taste" of tennis, but just short enough that they don't lose focus and get bored and THAT leaves them wanting to come back for more! I don't think I have seen one child that has not liked it and wanted to keep playing this week! Then, because of the lovely southern warm days already amongst us, our horse trainer is trying to rearrange her schedule so that the kids do not scorch suring their lessons! So instead of an afternoon lesson, we had a morning lesson. It was still warm, but not dreadful. She did so great too - she was having a lesson with little girls that are little older and she was able to follow their lead and do exactly what they did. The only issue we had was that those girls trot a little faster than MM is used to and her pony was keeping up with the other ponies at the faster pace, but MM just held on and went right along.

So, now I am trying to get everything taken care of at work, get clothes washed, etc. because we are leaving Friday for a much anticipated trip to the beach. The girls are literally counting down the days until we leave! We will be there for a week, but we have to get back by next Friday because the Rodeo is back in Fayette and we CERTAINLY cannot miss that event! I just hope we have more funny stories from the rodeo this year.

I will be taking my computer to the beach so you may get some updates, but then again, who knows! I hope I get to spend most days on the beach or by the pool!

And for those of you who could not find my instructions for "putting up" fresh veggies or just need a refresher . . .ENJOY!

On a final (and very sad) note, please pray for some family friends of ours that lost a baby yesterday at 28 weeks. The dad has always been like a big brother to me and his wife just fits right in as well. Here's the brief story: this would have been their 4th child due in August; while at the beach with the family she didn't feel so great, called her doc, was told to go to the hospital to just get checked out; they got there and couldn't find the heartbeat; they are supposed to have her induced this morning. I just ask you prayer warriors to pray for comfort, healing, and anything else that you feel this precious family needs right now, including the right words to tell the other 3 children about their baby brother! My heart is just breaking for them right now.

Work Work Work

Well, sorry for the lack of posts lately, but if you read my eariler post about our change of plans at work and if you have read my post of what we "do" at work then you can probably imagine what I have been doing the last couple of weeks. I am just now starting to feel like my brain is wrapped around what all I have to do before August 17. It has been pretty tough trying to manage my time with my new responsibilities and still keeping up with my previous duties - Sorry, mom, I've not been very good at it at all so far! I promise that I can do it and WILL do it! It will help when the girls start going to school full time on June 1. As much as I am sad about not being able to spend that extra time with them in the afternoons, I know that this is a sacrifice I have to make - that's what a family business is all about. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful dad that allows me to do all that we do and wants us to spend as much time with our family that we can! He and Sam work sooooo hard and I am forever grateful that they make this sacrifice for all of our families!

Anyway, other than work, we survived the 3 week stretch that Sam was out of town - Whew! I think the girls sensed my stress and they were so good and played so nicely together that whole week with very few fights - it was so nice - I pray everyday that they will be the best of friends one day and learn to love to be together. I have no idea what it is like since I do not have a sister so it's so hard to help them understand. They are so different, which I am so glad for, but their differences are what make them argue - all.the.time!!! I keep telling myself, "this too will pass!"

This week has been a big week for the girls too. First, MM had a great week at horseback riding and is loving it again - it is so wonderful to see her comfortable with the horses that she loves so much. I think she was really struggling internally (and therefore, it was being exhibited externally in other ways - pitching fits, being ugly to friends, etc.) with how to handle being a little afraid and hesitant of the animal (horses) that she loved so much and to learn to respect that they can be unpredictable. This week she finally loosened up and rode just like she was doing before her fall and I could see it written all over her face how proud she was of herself and that her confidence in herself had been restored! Praise God! I was struggling too - only I was struggling with how to help her through her own struggle! It was such a fine line of being too overbearing and making her ride every week and just letting her give it up, which in Sam's book was out of the question until she got over her fear! Also, the pool opened Thursday at the club and we had planned on going until the weather looked a little "ify" and Anna was diagnosed with Roseola. She was not contagious anymore, but I can just imagine the look on parent's faces as I let my little rash-infested child into the sess-pool baby pool! Oh, we would be the talk of the town! "Can you believe her? Exposing our children to whatever that little girl has?"

The last big thing is that the long-awaited playground at the school that backs up to our neighborhood finally opened this week!!!! YAY!!! It is also a community playground when school is not in session and it has been PACKED all week in the afternoons! You would think that there is not a playground anywhere in our town just by seeing the crowds out there. We have been so deprived - just kidding! These are pics of the girls on the playground - sorry for the quality - it was on my phone and it was about to rain.

Art Show 2009

Last week was also the Annual Art Show at school. I've talked about it before, but it is really amazing how they do this and it makes you realize how much your child has improved and learned throughout the year. They collect tons of art projects that they work on all year and fill the Family Life Center walls (literally every inch of every wall is covered in art). The teachers make a mad dash to "reserve" how much space they need for their class once the director gives them the go-ahead. I have taken pictures each year of every single piece of artwork from the girls, but I will save you from that misery and just post these pictures.

Scary Moments

Ok, so before anyone gets excited thinking you are going to see pictures of MMC riding in her first horse show, I need to warn you that the following pictures could be scary for anyone not accustomed to horse back riding! They say you are not a real rider until you take a tumble?! Well, MMC is officially a "real rider" now.

After running all over town yesterday to get all of her stuff ready, her trainer texted me that she probably needed to come out one more time Friday and practice with all the "stuff" that would be in the ring during the show. So, off I go to pick her up from school early - let me mention that she is sacked out at school when I get there. I tell her that we are going to the barn to ride one more time and then give Jimmy a bath. She was so excited! So we get to the barn and it is total chaos out there with horse trailers pulling in everywhere, people everywhere, horses everywhere, the Blue Angels roaring overhead. . .you get the picture! Due to the bad weather the day before, the horses had not been turned out all day because they had so much going on and the horses were wild! A couple of girls had fallen off already. So, MMC gets on Jimmy (who normally has to be wacked and kicked hard before he will run) and off she goes. Everything was great until Jimmy decided he was supposed to jump a vertical jump that was about 2 feet of the ground. MMC did great over the jump (she's never jumped before), but lost her grip and was chunked off the front on the landing. All I heard was gasping and screaming and then I see MMC on the ground in shock. Gratefully, she jumps up and then starts howling crying! Secretly, I think I could have cried too! Her trainer, Carly, who thinks MMC is her own, is beside herself but does her job and makes sure MMC is not hurt. Again, thankfully, nothing hurts, but we go and take a little break and give us all a minute to calm down (Jimmy included). Poor MMC tee-tee'd on herself during all of this (again, I think I could have done the same).

So, as the saying goes, she gets back up on the horse and we are doing great again. Keep in mind not much has changed as far as the "action" at the barn. So, off MMC goes trotting over the ground poles like she's supposed to do and Jimmy is doing great. . .until, he gets a little excited AGAIN and takes off jumping over the ground poles! Little MMC is doing all she can to hold on as he is bouncing her all over the place. She hangs on the first set and then the second set, but she just can't hang on any longer as he makes the turn. Carly and I are both running after her at this point yelling, "WHOA!!! Pull Back Mary Mac! Make Him Stop!!!!" Then, off she comes again and this time in the mud puddle! We could not believe it! Thankfully, again, she was not hurt, just A LOT shaken up. We decided at this point for us to leave, take a break, let everything settle down, and Carly would call us to come back when everyone was done. I know, you all are thinking, NO WAY - DO NOT LET HER BACK ON THAT HORSE, and believe me, part of me felt the same, but the other part of me (and Sam) said she has to get back on, just once more! Maybe it's the stubborness in us both or maybe it's just that she has LOVED it so much until these 2 falls that we didn't want that to be her last memory of riding (if she is totally scared away). So Carly calls and MMC is ready to go back and ride - I couldn't believe it! I guess she does have a little of our stubborn genes. We get there, she wants on Jimmy immediately, and she rides! Whew! Third time's a charm! She was very hesitant and nervous this time and wasn't so sure about trotting over the ground poles by herself, but she did it once and we (and everyone at the barn) cheered for her and told her how proud we/they were of her for getting back on after such a rough day. All the "big" girls hugged her and told that they had fallen so many times and it was just part of riding!

Thank goodness for the helmet!!!!!

Her badge of courage - muddy from head to toe! Notice her little proud smirk!

Needless to say, after all of the excitement of Friday, MMC did not ride in the show! She said she just wanted to go watch this morning and take a few more lessons before she rides in a show. I can't say I don't blame her! I just wonder how many times a mom can watch their child take a fall like those before you get used to it - I'm not sure I can take much more of it! Oh, and by the way, after the second fall, MMC said "mom, I tee-tee'd on myself AGAIN!" Oh, she has no idea! I think I hurtled the fence both times like a track star! She says she wants to ride again on her next lesson, so we'll see! I'll keep you posted! I'm starting to think that playing Chess may be easier on Mom! Just kidding!

Horse Shows and Parties

And the excitement continues with the birthday celebrations! We are having Anna's official party Saturday night at our house. It is just family though. Shouls I feel guilty that I'm not having a big party like we did for MMC's 2nd birthday? I just really did not feel like planning anything big and she doesn't know the difference - YET! MMC keeps asking when Anna's "BIG" party is going to be. I just don't have the heart to tell her that it's just a family cook-out. We were going to have it at Sam's parents lake house and enjoy the boat, the weather, the company. Unfortunately, Sam's grandmother was in the hospital all this week and is now in a rehab facility until she can get back on her feet to go home so we decided we would take a little stress off of his mom's plate and not make her feel like she HAD to host the party. It will be great anyway and Aunt Kate (or "Pancake" as the girls call her) is making Anna's cake. She has been taking cake decorating classes and we are all anxious to taste her creations! Judging by the taste of one of her first cakes, this one will be fabulous - she's a little more practice since then!

On another note. . . MMC has her first horse show this weekend. I just pray that she doesn't flip out with all of the people watching her and that she actually gets Jimmy to trot over all the poles like he's supposed to do! We will be taking an "extra" ribbon in our pockets, just in case (if you get my drift). This is a big 2 day show with people coming from all over to compete and MMC is getting so excited she can hardly sleep at night thinking about it! Today, I will be busy running all over town collecting the "stuff" and getting it all ready to compete:
1) show jacket
2) white show blouse
3) ribbons for her hair
4) Show Sheen - to make Jimmy look "pretty" (he is a boy, you know)
5) clean her boots (it has been really muddy here lately)
6) jodphur pants (i.e. riding pants)
7) boot straps
8) clean her saddle and put her nameplate on it
9) clean her saddle pad
10) polish her pin for her shirt
11) punch holes in her belt so it fits
12) wash Jimmy, comb his mane
13) make sure her new show helmet fits
14) write check after check after check!

Whew! Well, as you can see, I've got a lot to do before 8 in the morning AND none of this includes anything that I need to do to get ready for Anna's party. That's a whole separate list in itself! HELP!!!! I don't know how you all do this with more than 2 kids! I hope I remember everything and get it all done! Stay tuned . . . I'll post pictures/videos or whatever I can get from the show! Wish us luck! I have a feeling this is only the beginning!

Wish Me Luck!

Mary Mac has really gotten bitten by the horse back riding bug in the past couple of weeks. We had to take couple of weeks off from her riding lessons due to us being out of town and then trying to play catch up at work. I had almost decided that she was maybe getting over this phase and ready to move onto a new activity (yea, right). So, a couple of Sunday's ago I asked her if she wanted to go back to her lessons or if she wanted to try something new. She pitched a small fit at this suggestion and said she wanted to ride that day. At her past few lessons prior to this, she was not really making any progress and we couldn't seem to keep her focus and attention on her lesson - not suprising since she is only 4 1/2! So, I told her that we would go on Monday (keeping in mind that we had already paid for 2 more lessons) and then see what happened from there. Well, Monday was the day after the snow and it was FREEZING! But, she did great! She still just walked around, walked over the ground poles, trotted a little, but she stayed focused. She was so excited and had a renewed joy for riding again, so we went back on Wednesday for her regular time. There was so much going on at the barn that day - a brush fire, no power, horses going crazy everywhere - that I just knew she would not be able to focus. Wow, did she shock me and her trainer Carly! Not only was she not distracted, but she finally got the hang "posting" all on her own without Carly even really asking! For those of you not familiar with English riding, posting is when you stand and sit on the saddle in a controlled way as the horse trots! It was unbelievable - we were so excited and SHE was so excited - it just clicked!

So, back to the point of this post. In the midst of all of the riding excitement, Mary Mac has convinced me (yes, the one who has never learned to ride a horse) that I need to learn how to ride with her. Wish me luck . . . we are taking our first lesson together today. Sam and my parents think this is hilarious! So hilarious that they are ALL coming to watch and bringing the video camera. Stay tuned b/c you may just get a laugh out of this one!

Two Words . . . Roll Tide!!!

Ok, sorry for a delay in posts! We have had a crazy week or so with 2 deaths of family and like-family and trying to play catch-up while also attending to the daily chores! I have not posted yet (and can't believe I haven't) on the excitement of our football team !!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!! We have been to all the home games and will go to Auburn game! And if Sam's letterman status will allow, we have ordered our tickets for both the SEC Champiuonship and bowl game (whichever we make it to). However, I will not get to go to the SEC game because my sweet mother-in-law wanted all of the Collins girls to go to Opryland for A Country Christmas and we just happened to plan it for that weekend - this was planned way before we even had an inkling (is that a word?) of the success. Oh well, I'm sure Sam will have a ball and I am looking forward to my girls trip!

As for Mary Mac and Anna, they are great (as usual)! We had a bit of a melt-down last week at ballet with Mary Mac. For those of you who know her, this is SO Mary Mac! Anyway, it was parent visitation day at ballet and I had totally forgotten! Sam had a meeting so he was no where to help or watch and Anna had to tag along. Anna could not understand why she couldn't participate (she is taking on Thurs. mornings) at this class. Well, the class starts and Mary Mac is just standing there staring at the parents and not making a move while all the other little "princesses" are gracefully dancing and showing off for their families. I look at her with those "mommy" eyes to say, "you better start participating or we're leaving!" She then proceeds to yell that she has to "TEE-TEE" - never fails! Makes for a great giggle from the crowd. Since I had Anna in my lap one of the teachers had to take her. Well the teacher comes back in, but no Mary Mac in sight. When she finally creeps back in with her hands in her mouth, she runs to me to tell me her stomach hurts. So who knows? Does it really? Not sure so I take her outside to try and keep her from disrupting the other dancing beauties! We have a long talk and she loudly proclaims that she hates ballet and never wants to come back. Stomach is suddenly better! Needless to say, we leave the studio AND forget her bag with her tap shoes in it. So, the next day I decided to have a serious talk with her about it and see if she really wants to quit or if she just didnt' like the parents watching. She, finally after my little speech about committment (you think a 4 year old "gets" that?), looks at me as seriously as possible and says, "Mom, I have a new thing now?" Taken aback by this statement I ask, "Well, what is your new thing?" She says in a "like duh" kind of way - "Horseback Riding!" So, I guess it's settled - she is not going to be our little princess ballerina - but, honestly, she's never been and I really don't see her ever being like that. We'll stick with horses for now!
Maybe there is hope for Anna! I did notice Anna last night (as I watched Dancing With The Stars) that she picked up her babydoll by hands and started spinning her doll around like she was dancing with her - sooooo cute! And pretty smart too! She just kept saying"dance, dance dance".
I'll have to post on Mary Mac's horseback riding lesson yesterday - she actually got her horse to jump! And she's only 4!

First Lesson

Mary Mac had her first horseback riding lessons last week and she was in heaven! I was shocked how easily she caught on to the concept of "steering" the horse where to go. Her teacher said she was impressed too at how well she did the first time as a 4 year old! Carly (teacher) showed her how to brush the horse and get the saddled and then helped her get on it and then she was off! She rode Jimmy (is sooo old and perfect for her to learn) for about 45 minutes and by the end of the lesson she was doing it all by herself and getting him to go through and around jumps (not jumping, just walking). Then Carly showed her how to give him a bath to cool him off after the lesson. She had a ball, to say the least!!! Here is a video and pictures from the lesson.

And Anna had her first ballet class (Mommy & Me) last week too! She absolutely loved it - not sure what she loved more - having mommy all to herself or the actual class? Just kidding, she loved the class and giggled the whole time. She couldn't wait to show her sister what all she learned at ballet. She and Mary Mac danced all that night at home with each other which was so much fun to watch! I hate I didn't get it on video. Mary Mac was acting like the teacher and Anna was doing everything Mary Mac did! Here is a video of Anna's class - sorry for the blurry beginning, but her smiles and giggles are worth the watch!

Doctor's Appts & Hair Cuts

We have had so much going on the past couple of weeks, so I apologize for the lack of posts. This one may be long as I attempt to play catch up for all of the things we've been doing. I may end up posting several instead of one long one.

First, we had a rough time last week when I had to take both girls for their check-ups! Take note - I WILL NEVER AGAIN TAKE THEM TO THE DOCTOR TOGETHER FOR A CHECK-UP! Mary Mac was getting her 4 year booster shots (2 shots and a toe prick) and Anna was getting 3 shots for her 18 month. I was totally prepared (or so I thought) with Blow-Pops for each girl (bribery has always worked in the past). Well, not this time! Mary Mac takes after one her aunts and just goes crazy at the sight of her own blood and the toe prick (might I add it took 2 tries - explain that to a 4 year old?) was no exception! Once we got over that "trauma" it was time for the shots. I gave Mary Mac the choice to go first or after Anna (mistake!) and, of course, she chose for Anna to go first. As you expect, Anna starts screaming once she gets the shots (bless her - she had no idea what was coming!). Well, when she starts screaming, Mary Mac begins screaming - in empathy? in anticipation? Who knows! And I mean the head-spinning, blood-curdling scream as she proceeds to curl up in the fetal position in the corner of the room. After loving on Anna and giving her a Blow-Pop in hopes of calming her down (which it didn't), I then have to pry Mary Mac off the floor in a ball and attempt, along with the nurse, to pull her pants down enough to get to her leg. Remember, she is still in the fetal position and at this point has a death grip on the waist of her pants, all the while still screaming and Anna still screaming - again, not sure if this is out of empathy or thinking she's going to get more! Well, after loving on both girls and attempting to soothe them with sugar, we have finally settled down and gladly leave the doctor's office with stickers in hand.

My stress level was out of this world and I could have downed a glass of wine even though it was only 10:30 in the morning! Then, leave it to Mary Mac, she looks at me and smiles and says, "Momma, I was very good. Can we go get my surprise now?" WHAT? GOOD? You call that good? OOHHH, my darling child, if you only knew! It was still cute, though, and, yes, we did get her a surprise that night (horse-related, no less). Another funny thing was that out of all of that drama, the only thing Mary Mac keeps telling everybody was that she tee-tee'd in a cup! She was so proud! That was another feat all in itself.

After the doctor's appointment, we took Mary Mac to (finally) get her hair cut off to donate. Here is a picture of her getting it cut and then the finished product (not a great picture of the hair cut). She was in total shock while getting her hair cut. We were laughing because we were saying that she was in a state of shock - first, the shots, then her hair! She didn't say one word the whole time until we left and she was so proud of her "big girl" hair cute. And, can I say that it so easy to fix now!

Oh, and yes, we donated her hair (hence, her holding her ponytail) to Wigs 4 Kids. After a little research, I decided that we would donate to them instead of Locks of Love (no need to go into the reasons).

New Look!

Ok, so here is my newest creation of a look for our blog! You like? I know you do!

I have to admit that I chose the color scheme because they are Mary Mac's favorite colors - orange (I know - not right for our child to like any form of the color orange, but she does), yellow, green, and white! So this new look is dedicated to Mary Mac! Maybe I will keep this one for a while, or at least until I can figure out how to create my own background and use it here. I didn't like any that I found already created online, so I created my own on Scrapblog, but am stuck trying to figure out how to get it on here. Any suggestions? I've tried using the same way that you would add the backgrounds from cutest blog on the block; I've tried embedding the html code as a page element : none of these worked! So, please feel free to give any suggestions or ideas and I will try them all! I will even give you credit for it! Isn't that sweet of me?

Gotta go! By the way, I also created my first pieces of work with my new sewing machine: 1) fixed a button on Sam's pants and 2) made a cloth napkin! Yea! Don't ask why the cloth napkin - just did it on a whim to practice a straight hem!

Happy Early B'day To Me!

My birthday is not for a couple more weeks, but my mom just brought over my early birthday present! A SEWING MACHINE! YEA!!! I am so excited! I know it sounds crazy, but I really am excited about learning to use it. We've been talking for a while now about one of us getting one so that we can hem or take up the girls clothes. Poor Mary Mac - she is so tiny. She actually still can fit into an 18 months in shorts, pants (but then they are too short), and skirts, but can wear 3T in shirts and dresses. We are always needing to take up the waist in her clothes. And for Anna, I think she is going to be like me - short and little! So, I need to learn to hem for her!



Well, happy sewing . . . I'm off to try my hand at yet another hobby (as if I have time)!