A Hoot and a Holler

Summer Time And The Livin Is Easy!

Wow!  I really didn't mean to take a long break like that!  We have been very busy.  They always seem to cram everything into the last month of school.  Today is the first day of summer and it has been a PERFECT day.  My girls are best friends.  They have been playing with each other since they woke up and have not had a single fight. I know  it's not going to be like this the whole summer but I am happy it's off to a good start.  

What I look most forward to this summer is NOT HAVING TO GET THREE KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE BY 8:00 AM!  It's lovely to eat a slow breakfast and enjoy the moment.

 

Water play
 

 

My Kindergartener is now a first grader

 

My third grader is now a fourth grader!

  
 One question I have is "How will I entertain an 18 month old and an almost nine year old all summer".  The baby needs to be in the play ground and my sophisticated oldest child thinks the playground is "lame" unless her friends are there with her.  This will be the tricky part.

 

Whatever complications that may arise, I'm ready.  

 
 I haven't had much time to do any sewing lately.  I need to make that change.

I Want To Be Just Like Her When I Grow Up! Warning! This Is One Of Those Sickening Posts Where I Brag About My Kid. If You Have A Sensitive Stomache, Watch It!

Goodbye Golden flowing locks.  Good bye ten inch pony tail! She has made a decision.  She decided that YOU aren't THAT important.  She read about Locks Of Love  in American Girl Doll Magazine and that was it.  She and her dad spent the past month breaking me down.  I had a tough time with it.  Then, guilt won and I lost.

I had a hard time parting with "the hair" but in the end I knew she really wanted to do this.

 

Deep breath, Chop chop and ten inches GONE!  Like they never happened!

I have to say...

I loved it the moment she did it.  It's a cute little french bob.  It makes her look more mature.  I think that will help her on the playground.  You know how those evil third grade girls are.

 She is one gutsy little chick.

Small Magazine Photo Shoot

My girls did a photo shoot for Small Magazine a while back and I just realized that I never shared any of the photo's.  The amazing, talented, and incredibly patient photographer was Grant Cornett.  I love so many of these shots that I had a hard time choosing just a few.  All of the clothing they are wearing are handmade by Etsy designers.  

 

 

         

If you are interested in looking up their etsy shop here is the link to the the issue.  They shouldn't be too hard for you to find.  I would be more helpful but I am too distracted by the beautiful photos of my lovely offspring.
     

A Tale Of Revenge!

I know you love me and I love you too.  I know your only 5 and still learning how to be gentle with me.  I can only be patient with you for so long.  What on earth gave you the impression I would enjoy this?


That's it Lucy!  Your goin down!

I cant wait till she gets teeth:)

Did He Get Down On One Knee Mama?

Lately the girls have been asking lots of questions about how their daddy proposed to me, how I met him, did I think he was handsome? What did my wedding dress look like.  Did he get down on one knee? 

We decided to go to Central Park and play today.  Somehow they started with their little questions again so I said "why don't I just show you where it all went down". 

 

So, off to the crime scene we went.  I love this picture of them.  They are really becoming best friends this week.  I see it happening slowly, but surely.  Summer always starts off rough for them but then they get use to being together all the time.  I picture them in their 20's walking around Manhattan  hopefully still enjoying their time together.

When we got to the park they started begging for an ice cream.  I said I wouldn't pay for it so my 7 year old whips out a ten dollar bill and says "then I will!"  She even bought one for her sister. 

 

Little miss Alice is such a great little traveler.  She easy going.

When we arrived at "Bethesda Fountain" I told them this is where it all happened.

They decided to throw in a penny and make a wish (again, compliments of big sister).  They wouldn't tell me what they wished for. 

I love the tiles in the arcade at Bethesda Terrace.  We sat in the arcade and I told them all the sweet little details of when mommy and daddy got engaged. 

 

I told them how he planned a picnic but it rained so he took me out for sushi instead.  I told them that he was my best friend and I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else.  I told them that he did get down on one knee and that poor little knee landed on a very sharp rock.  I told them that I hope that they make wise choices when they grow up. 

Then miss Lucy let out a big sigh. 

Ok fine, let's go play.

Goodbye School Hello Summer!

 

That's it!  My kids finished the school year last Friday.  Can you see the excitement?

My five year old loved her first year of public school.  They held the "Pre-K stepping up" ceremony in the Park.

She made lot's of friends.  She learned to raise her hand before she speaks.  To tell the teacher if someone smacks her (and not to take matters into her own hands).  She learned how to write all the letters in the alphabet and how to write all of her friends names, that purple is her favorite color and that mom is usually last at pick up.  She also learned who Beyonce is, that if she pretends like she has to go potty she can see her sisters class room from the bathroom door,  that the nurse gives out stickers and Starburst when you visit her and that her friends think she has "style".  She also learned that school is a great place where she is safe and people care about her.  She already misses her two wonderful teachers.

I'm a little freaked out by this but this is my 3rd Grader!  3rd grade sounds so old!  She had a great year.  She had had fun, made lots of friends and worked hard.  She really loves reading and math seems to come naturally to her.    She received an award at the end of the school year party for "most compassionate".  That's my girl.  I had to laugh when I saw the award.  Compassionate is an understatement.

 

 

This is one of the four shirred sundresses I made last week.  There are a lot of tutorials on the web if you want to give it a try.  It's a very easy quick project (exactly what I need right now).  Have a great Fourth Of July!

 

 

It's Going To Go By Sooooooo Fast!

These are the last words that the sweet nurse said to me as I left the hospital.  I know time goes by so fast when you have a newborn.  I sooooo wish that I could make time stand still.  I would just lay next to her and stare at her forever (which is pretty much what I do all day any way).

Who can blame me?

Meet Alice!

Born February 4

6lb 7oz

19 inches

 

We are completely smitten!

A Perfect Day!

Well, my daughters party was fun (more on that later).  I finished the dresses for the store.  I don't have another street fair for two weeks.  I decided dive right in to my new role as "camp counselor" and spend the afternoon with my kids doing some of our favorite "summer things" in the park. 

First stop!  Prospect Park!
It's pretty green.  We have had lot's of thunder storms lately.

Doggy beach

Prospect Park Zoo






Cooling off in the sprinklers!

We ended the day on our stoop in an ice cream induce coma compliments of "Uncle Louie's.
 

I have done so many smocked sundresses lately I am ready to try something new.  Hopefully this week I will have something to show off.  Then again, I'm a full time camp counselor so maybe not.

Puppy Love

Trying to get a six year old to smile for pictures in a new dress?  Rule number one.  Repeatedly chant the name of the  boy she has a secret crush on.

Results...priceless!