four years

On September 14, 2006, my life changed forever.

I've had four years with the sweetest little girl in the whole world. 

It took us almost 2 years to get pregnant with Avery, but she was well worth the wait. 

I guess that's why celebrating Avery's birthday is so special for David and me too...

I can't believe how quickly four years has flown by.

On September 14, 2010, Avery woke up to a sugary surprise.

 

Later that morning, we headed off to preschool where she was greeted by this adorable sign at the front door of her classroom...

She celebrated by sharing donut holes and juice with all her little friends.

After school, we headed to my mom and dad's house for another sweet surprise.

And presents!

Aren't those little mice the cutest things ever?
David accused me of being more excited about them than Avery was, but I beg to differ.

For dinner that night, I made Hamburger Helper (actually it was homemade Taco Mac'n'cheese, but we won't tell Avery), corn, and cupcakes: Avery's requested Birthday meal.

Typically, Avery sticks to a very strict diet-o-beige. If it's not beige, she won't eat it.

Unless it is made of sugar... and then she'll inhale it.

I'm blaming our kiddos picky eating habits on David...'Cause it makes me feel better.

But honestly, I have to agree that most beige foods are seriously yummy.

french fries...pasta...corn...mashed potatoes...ramen noodles...rice...bread...

yummy.

She might be on to something there...

After our meal, Avery opened more presents - one of which was particularly special to her: the coveted and highly sought-after PILLOW PET.

And not just any Pillow Pet...the MAGICAL Unicorn Pillow Pet.

My brother and sister-in-law earned some serious points with Avery for that gift.

She went nuts when she opened it.

Side note: I'm seriously considering writing a formal letter of complaint to the Sprout Channel people for permanently ingraining the Pillow Pet commercial into Avery's brain.

It's on all. the. time.

Consequently, we sing it all. the. time.

And by "we", I mean everyone in our house.

Even Charlie says, "Pee Pet. A goggie".

Translation: "Pillow Pet. A Doggie".

Nice.

The song is out-of-control contagious.

It's a pillow. It's a pet.

It's the most annoying commercial ever.

Ahhh... commercialism. God bless the U.S.A.

We wrapped the day up with hugs and kisses and sweet dreams on her new Pillow Pet.

It was a special birthday for a special kiddo.

festival fun

Every year, we head out to one of our city's local craft festivals. 

I love craft festivals.

I love the kitchy handmade items, the crazy-fattening foods, and the endless opportunities for people-watching.

Festivals make me seriously happy.

David could probably do without them... but he's a Trooper and manages to humor me in the spirit of family togetherness. 

And some serious hubby points.

This year we headed to the Festival on a wet and muggy day - armed with umbrellas, a camera, and some cash to spend. 

Avery and Charlie immediately made friends with a gigantic, slightly tattered, and somewhat creepy elephant.

 Who they thought was completely wonderful.

 And totally exciting.

I managed to tear them away from the elephant long enough to consume more fried Fair Food than is suggested by the FDA.

Then we squeezed in a slightly uncomfortable exhibition of a belly dancer class, checked out the petting zoo, and did some serious posing by an adorable carousel.

We ended the day by purchasing the world's largest bag of Kettle Corn. Cause that's what you do at a Festival.

Can't wait till next year!

dolls, dolls, dolls!

If you know me, you know that I'm a little bit of a Freak when it comes to Birthday parties. 

Make that a Big Freak.  

A Big 'Ol Crazy Freak.

A Big 'Ol Crazy Freak who needs a good slap in the face for deciding that Avery's party favors should be DOLLS.

13 dolls.

And 13 dresses.

I'm insane.

So - the party ended up being very different from my ridiculously elaborate imagined plans, but that's a post for a different day... 

By the way - you're going to love the pictures - my friend Sonya took them and they are beautiful.

Until then...

I'm going to rest. 

And not sew.

teacher gift

As a parent, I know that finding affordable and creative gifts for teachers can be challenging.
And time consuming.
And just plain exhausting.

Which is probably why, as a teacher, I've received more candles and lotions that one person could possibly use in a lifetime.

If you teach Avery or Charlie and receive a bottle of lotion or candle from me - it may, or may not, have come from the gigantic stash in my re-gift closet.
  
Ok...It definitely came from the re-gift closet.


'Cause if I smell Plumeria body lotion one more time, I may puke.

Seriously.
 
I love Avery and Charlie's teachers this year...I mean I really love them...and - in an effort to avoid giving them a lame re-gift this year, I did a little shopping on etsy.
 
That's when I found some really cute oilcloth lunch bags in this store.

You can purchase a pre-made lunch bag, or just make one from a DIY kit.
It's pretty affordable, and the shop owner was super nice and helpful.

I've never sewn with oilcloth and wasn't sure how much fabric I'd need for the project, so I thought I'd give the DIY kit a try.

Thankfully, the kit came with a tutorial for putting the bags together.

I discovered that oilcloth can be a little tricky to work with - since you can't pin the fabric together without piercing the oilcloth - but by the 3rd bag, I started to get the hang of it.

And then I ran out of thread. Of course...

Anyway - if you sew - or are just looking for a cute non-lotion, non-re-gift gift, check out Rick Rack Queen's shop on etsy.

Thank you God for Preschool

No really.

Thank you.

Thank you that I can enjoy teaching some really great little guys in an amazing environment.

Thank you that while I'm doing that, my kiddos are learning and having fun.

Thank you for teachers who love my kids.

Thank you for the joy I feel when I see them after being apart for just a few hours...

Thank you for an amazing, crazy, busy life...