Pictures

Recently, I downloaded pictures from Lily's camera. It was so fun to see the perspective that both girls have when taking photos. Shelly likes to photograph things just as much as Lily. So, here are some of their photos:

The lovely guinea pig, Bella -

And another photo of her surrounded by pink...surely her favorite color -

A collection of their kitty cats set up for a photo shoot -The dogs uniquely displayed popping out of the dresser drawer - Cousin Kaden wielding a mop and a broom - Lily posing by her closet door and the poster of the Jo Bros - Shelly getting a facial treatment from Aunt Kristina - Lily's view of some of the party girls doing ballet -

Shelly's view of her Tinkerbell poster on her closet door -

Fun to see what they see. If your children don't have a camera, be sure to get them one. It's great to view the world through their eyes...literally.

Blibbity Blab

Just some randomness for this post:

heading to ikea in the morning and have been researching items all day.

both girls are sick and that means they will probably both be at home with john tomorrow.

the one thing i detest about mothering is having sick children. i become overwhelmed with a sense of nervousness, fear, anxiety, and guilt. i just wish it was me and not them.

having children makes my own youth so much clearer in my mind. i love that i have such generous and loving parents and sisters who are fun and loving, as well.

i wish my photography was crisper and brighter and wish i knew how to accomplish this.

recently my favorite color is red.

lily turns 9 in just three months. i can't get over the fact that she will be 9.

potty issues are progressing and i use that term loosely. my lack of interaction with lily's potty training has made me realize that both of my girls go to extremes.

i am thinking we might be getting some warmer temps soon...i hope.

the new anthropologie store was fun. need to go back and check it out again.

wonder what day we will open the pool? hope it's clean under that cover.

shelly starts kindergarten in exactly 6 months...impossible.

Weekend in Review

This weekend we had company! We love company around here. John's mom arrived on Thursday and then his sisters and nephew came on Saturday. They had a chance to see Lily play basketball and help to cheer on her undefeated team. We played in the driveway while enduring some chilly temps. The girls rode their bikes...Lily is learning on her pretty in pink big girl bicycle! They loved hanging out with Kaden and playing.Shelly showed Bestemor a cool computer game. And Aunt Kristina provided manicures and facials for the girls. All in all, a perfectly awesome visit!

Link-a-Palooza

Ok, I don't have much to yammer on about today. Oh, well I did buy a new coverlet, sham, and bedskirt set for the master bedroom for a mere $51 from Stein mart...originally priced at $150! Felt good about that. And, I purchased a bathing suit and cover up for the summer. I hate seeing a bathing suit I'd like and waiting for the sales only to lose out to someone else faster than me. So, this year I am shopping in February for my bathing suit.

Ok, anyway...I am going to link to some of the places I like to frequent on the wide world of the web:

Quick fun posts

Fun ideas galore

Creative and inspiring and just plain fun

Yummy dessert ideas

Food, fun, and laughs

Cool and unique items for gifts

All about Shuistrology

Decorating ideas for the home

Always looking for something here

Ok, all for now...plenty more to come. And people wonder why I don't answer the phone or return their calls. Now you know!!!

Very Excited

Yesterday we headed to Charlotte for an outing and we took the exit to the new IKEA!!! Of course, instead of being a day late and a dollar short, we were a day early and well, still a dollar short probably!!! The new IKEA opened today and I am oh so eager to jump in the car and head there. But, for now I will peruse the catalog and wait for the crowds to calm down before going.

A Lovely Tradition

In February of 2001, we celebrated our first Valentine's Day in Greensboro at the local cafeteria. This was also Lily's first Valentine's Day celebration. We dressed her up in a super cute heart outfit and I made appetizers for us to enjoy at home beforehand.

Previously, our Valentine's Day dinners involved getting dressed up and eating at a place with a limited menu selection, lots of people, and big bucks. So, once we began the cafeteria tradition it somehow stuck. And, eight years later we still celebrate with a lovely dinner at the cafeteria. The girls love it and John and I find it amusing. So, here's to love and traditions.

Love

Happy Day of Love!!!

Yesterday was the Valentine's Day party in Lily's classroom. I made cinnamon streusel muffins, pink chocolate hearts, and brought in Dorito's. The craft was a shrinky dink tag/pendant/key chain. The children really seemed to enjoy this craft and loved watching the little plastic curl and shrink. Lily and Shelly took in their teacher gifts (treat bags and little red photo albums wrapped in craft paper with some embellishments). Once home it was time to go through the bags of Valentine's. The girls love looking at their cards and treats.

This morning we opened cards and gifts and ate heart shaped cinnamon rolls (just unroll the canned rolls and recreate in the shape of a heart). The house was adorned with hearts galore.I created my own little shrinky dink tags to put on my key chain. I heart them!!!!

Oh, and my glorious gift from my hubby wubby...he took my car yesterday and had it detailed!!!!!!!!!! I truly thought he bought me a new car...it looked so good!!!

More photos to come after the big Valentine's Day dinner at the cafeteria!!!

Treat Toppers

I created some little treat toppers for the girls' Valentine's Day candy gifts for their teachers. I was tempted to buy some of the already created designs, but I opted to make my own this time around. So, here is what I came up with:

I am getting ready to prepare for the big Valentine's Day party in Lily's classroom on Friday. Our plan is to enjoy cinnamon streusel muffins in a heart shaped design, little chocolate hearts, Dorito's (Lily's special request), and a drink. Then they will create shrinky dink key chain/pendants. Looking forward to hanging out in the classroom with the children. I'll post some photos of their creations after the big event.

Happy Day, Lin!!!!

Ok, today is this little girl's birthday and it's a rather monumental one, as well. So, if you happen to know my big sis, be sure to tell her Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Warm and Skating

The temperatures were cold enough for snow on Monday night, but today we were in the 70s. There was still snow on the back of the 4th hole on the golf course, but the sun was shining and it felt great!!!!

After Lily's basketball game, we took Lily and a friend (along with Shelly) to the skating rink today (yes, crazy day to go roller skating when it's beautiful and sunny outside)! The older girls clung to the wall for a bit but finally ventured into the rink. Shelly put on skates for the first time and got in some carpet skating! It was a fun several hours and both John and I commented that not much has changed in the roller skating world since 1975!!