June Sure Came and Went

It took a few days to get settled after being away. First and foremost, we were missing our fearless leader who was still in New Orleans. The girls and I were tired from our drive, the time change and two sleep (less) nights slumber-partying it in Mom's room. Court's flight home was delayed, cancelled, postponed BUT finally arrived 10 hours later than expected. As I was planning on picking him up from the airport, I cancelled the girls piano lesson. After receiving word that his plane was delayed, I tried to get piano lessons re-instated but it was too late. We went to the playground instead where I caught these two sharing a moment.

Nothing like a sister. 

I wish them a lifetime of these moments. 

The next day was t-ball. She's still a fan and was very, very excited to have Mana and Boppa in the crowd cheering her on!

Today also marked the day of living in our house for one year! Funny because it feels like we've lived at this address for much longer.

Nothing kicks off the harvest season like a trip to Bill's Berry Farm. Most people go to pick the fruit that is in season. 

We go for the donuts. 

Fresh. Still warm. SO good!

 

Finally got a baby gift finished and sent off! Good because the baby is due today or really soon!

Realized that some of our chickens are being bullied. So much so that a few are losing feathers. So I slathered on some anti-pecking lotion on a few of them. You know how pink and purple tips are pretty in right now (yes that is pink and purple hair…at the tips)? Well, these two are rocking' it hard!

Grace discovered jump roping about two weeks ago. Tonight, she jumped 30-something in a row!! She  jumps rope all. day. long. Which is great! Great exercise and all. But she wants us to watch AND COUNT every. single. attempt. Not ideal when trying to get anything done!

Sunday Funday! The girls got to watch a movie while Court and I cheered on Mexico in the World Cup. 

Even Grace and Charlotte got to be fancy!

Too bad Mexico lost to the Netherlands. 

Which leads me to today. My first time back in spin class in a loooong time. The girls first time in the gym daycare. We all survived.

Is tomorrow really July 1? Am I ever going to feel like time is on my side?

Shiver Me Timbers!

Normally, I pick out the outfits the girls are going to wear the night before - to save time and tears in the morning. Last night, I watched World War Z. No outfits were picked. Obvi.

Luckily, the award-winning, newsworthy-news-oozing Today show brought to my attention at 7:02 am that today is National Speak Like a Pirate Day! (Thanks Savannah and Matt! Argh!) 

So to honor this nationally recognized day, I had the perfect outfit for Grace to wear to school! 

I made this outfit earlier this year but of course the second I finished it, the weather turned crazy hot!

So thanks to the on point reporting of the Today show, Grace got to wear it on the perfect occasion!

Oh and don't worry! Charlotte has one too - she just didn't have school today. 

She'll just be a day late to the party!

Aaaaaarrrrgh!

Belated Birthday Celebration!

Mana was out of town for both her birthday and mother's day so we celebrated when she got back into town. 

THEN, Tygh, Sarah and June were able to come over for a mother's day/birthday celebration the following weekend - so Mana - the lucky lady that she is - got two celebrations! Luckily, we were able to join her for both!

Charlotte fell asleep almost instantly in the car on the way to Mana's house.

But when she saw the kids in the pool...

she was ready for action!!

Grandma and Grandpa got the girls some rings in Mexico so they could learn to dive down and get them.

The girls love these rings - as you can see in the photos!

Charlotte and June just liked to hold them but Grace can dive down and retrieve them!

When pool time was over, the men folk hit the kitchen and women folk gathered round the piano....

Sounds crazy, right?

But true story!

Court, Tygh and Dave gave Priscilla what every woman wants on her celebratory day - a day free of planning meals, cooking meals and cleaning up meals. So in turn, I got to celebrate via Priscilla!

Grace and Charlotte LOVE the piano. They haven't taken lessons - but I am looking for someone if anyone knows on anybody!! - but this is their favorite thing to do at Mana's house (after swimming of course!).

The picture below cracks me up because Charlotte is singing - hard!

They turn the pages like they know how to read music. Hysterical!

Oh! And the dresses! I made them!

I think these will be worn a lot this summer because they are great for twirling, comfortable and have pockets! I made Grace's first so Charlotte's turned out a bit better. I had never done buttonholes or piping before so there was a bit of a learning curve for me - but now I feel pretty comfortable with both!

Grace lost interest in the piano long before Charlotte.

Even when the entire family was in the other room, laughing, talking and playing with toys, 

Charlotte 'played' the piano and sang. Our own Billy Joel! Making up her own songs while weaving in portions or phrases from classics like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Rockabye Baby.

When I went to get a video, she came out of her bubble and ran off. 

The spell had been broken.

Meanwhile, Grace and June decided to entertain Great Grandma Jean.

And as this was partly a belated Mother's Day celebration, the girls were determined to find the perfect gift for Great Grandma. Off to Mana's flower garden we go!

Flowers were picked and chosen with great care. 

Then hand delivered to their beloved recipient.

Unfortunately, the flower picking became a bit too vigorous for Mana's liking so they were banned from the garden. 

So I made them princess capes out of their blankets to restore the peace.

While they look miserable in this picture and anything but happy, the capes were a hit I tell you. 

It definitely inspired a sewing project or two (or three) for later this year!

Dinner was served. Dessert was devoured. Dishes were done.

Before we knew it the clock struck 9:30 and Court and I turned into pumpkins. haha

It quickly got late and it was time to head home. 

Happy Birthday Mana!

And in the Blink of an Eye...

She's two!

Talking. Independent. Loves to sing.

Still uses a binky and requests bubbas.

Swims like a mermaid under the water.

Takes a solid two hour nap every afternoon and wakes at 7 am on the dot.

Cries when we drop off Grace at school. 

Not because she misses Grace but because she wants to go to school too.

Loves baby dolls and animals - particularly dogs and cats. 

Has the funniest facial expression and definitely works the "puppy dog eyes"!

She is now wearing clothes that Grace wore when Charlotte was born.

A clear indication that time is definitely not standing still.

Most days I can't believe she is only two. She acts much older.

On the other hand, it's hard to believe that two years can go by that fast!!

I tried to get a few pics of Charlotte by her tree but she wouldn't cooperate.

Might I add stubborn to her list of traits above?

 

We made cupcakes for her birthday treat. She specifically requested sprinkles!

Don't tell Court, but I let Charlotte lick the batter!

She loved it. And wanted more. 

Naturally, I obliged to the birthday girl's wants and wishes!

Charlotte's request for dinner was pasta so we had a quiet little dinner at home.

Then we hit the lights, lit the candles and sang happy birthday!

Charlotte was ecstatic and managed to blow out her candles by herself!

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures!

Then, it was gift time!

I was super excited to find hot air balloon wrapping paper as Charlotte's birthday party is a hot air balloon theme!

(More on the party and theme later!)

Grace couldn't resist helping open the gift.

But once it was unwrapped, Charlotte knew just what to do!

This year I decided to make a gift for Charlotte. 

I found a pattern for a dollhouse tote. Inside the house, lives a little girl who loves to sleep and dress in pretty clothes.

What little girl wouldn't love something like this, right?

The patterns for the dollhouse and doll can be found here!

If you get a chance, you should check out her blog. She takes THE most beautiful pictures!

A few pictures of how it turned out!

I made only a couple of changes to the pattern.

I put on a velcro closure instead of a ribbon so that Charlotte wouldn't constantly be asking me to tie the house closed.

And I also put velcro on the backs of some of the clothes - instead of snaps - so that Charlotte would be able to do it herself!

Charlotte got right to work "dressing" her "baby!"

When Charlotte woke up this morning, I found her playing with her doll house in her bed. 

It was a hit!

Thank God! It took me FOREVER to make!

Happy Birthday Sweet Charlotte!

Love,

Mommy