What she wanted...

for her 5th birthday...

Fake nails! Yes.. those press-on nails - and I *might* have let her get into some of my make-up...

Hey - you only turn five once.

:)

This is a serious wish

We took the girls to Build-A-Bear Workshop on Saturday. Emily was asked to make a wish on the bear's heart before she put it in the bear...and Emily stood like this for about 45 seconds - her eyes shut tight - concentrating so hard.
It. Was. So. Cute.

It must have been a serious wish.

I hope she gets it.

Thinking about some new crafts.

With the Drama of the first few weeks of school behind me, I can really start to focus on things I want to do while the kids are in school. I only have 8 hours of time each week..Emily only goes Tuesday and Thursday for 4 hours a day, so I have to make it count. I have been thinking about new crafts for me to try, one of them being what they call Punch Needle and I found where I can buy some Punch Needle Supplies. I really would like to give handmade gifts for Christmas. I have a few people in mind that I think would appreciate some art like this. But, I would have to do some practicing before I would feel confident in giving it as a gift.

I also found some Quilting Patterns, but let's be real.. I don't think I can just hop into making a quilt when I have never even picked up a quilting needle.. do they even use needles for quilting? See.. I am hopeless.. Of course they do, right? But, hey, you got to start somewhere, am I right? Even if it is way, waaay at the bottom. It will just be a long way up.

She's Five, She's Tired, and They're Happy!

We had a Birthday Party for Allie this weekend. This picture was taken at the exact moment she realized that she is opening a Barbie Fashion Fairytale Doll.. I love the expression on her face!

The next night we went out for dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday. Emily fell asleep on me not 2 minutes after sitting down at the table. And she stayed this way throughout the almost 2 hour dinner. (I might have dropped some tartar sauce on her head...I might have...) ;)

After that nap.. she was ready to go!

These girls just make me melt.

Love....Love....Love.....Love.....Love.

The finished Pinata

It will be destroyed on Saturday.

Sadness. Happiness.

:)

Hopscotch

Allison

This girl has got skills.

13 years ago and... a Pinata!!!

As I may have mentioned, my husband and I are celebrating 10 years married this month. That day passed on Thursday.. And I wanted to post a few pictures for my husband.. a few remember these? pictures.. They were taken 13 years ago when we were just dating.. just a couple of knuckle-headed little kids who didn't know where this relationship was taking us. Seriously, don't I look like a Baby?!! The first one was taken in front of Bobby's apartment, and the last 2 were taken by Bobby, when - for about a week - he would wait for me at my car and when I would get out of class, he would snap my picture. ha ha.. that is a funny memory. Anyway, I miss you, hon... (he is in North Carolina for work)

And now to that Pinata that I am working on for Allie's birthday next weekend. The first layer of Paper Mache on the balloons:

I did the second layer with colored tissue paper and Allison had fun popping the balloons. I should of taken a picture of that..but I am only one person, and I had to hold the balloon... so.. that probably wouldn't have worked.. ANYWAY...

Allison thought, this would make a perfect hat!

And Emily agreed:

Then, I cut 3 of the balloons in half.. to form a flower.

I have to complete the pink center, to make it round.. this is where the candy will go.. and I have to strengthen up the petals and attached them to the center.

I have a way to go.. But, I think it will turn out great!

Creative Itch

I have not been scratching my creative itch for some time now. It was a busy summer, but with 2 mornings freed up with my girls in school, I am so excited to tackle some projects! I saved this file cabinet from the dump, by dragging it from my neighbors trash can to my back patio. I thought.. hey.. I could totally give that a makeover!

I am going to sand it, paint it.. and see what I can make of it. Wish me luck!

I am also going to head to the dollar store after I drop the girls off in the morning, pick up some supplies I need to make the pinata for Allison's birthday. Not sure If I want to do an animal, a princess.. maybe a castle? or maybe just some abstract piece? The kids won't care- they will beat it to a pulp anyway.. with me crying with every hit, lol!

A while back, I transformed a 15 dollar coffee table find, by glueing painted glass all over it.. I need to buy grout, so it will be a mosaic outside table.. Stay tuned, I will be posting pics of each completed project!

I am so ready to scratch this itch! Yay!

Great News About This Little Girl

This picture was taken September 2008. Emily and her handsome Daddy. Emily was 15 months old! I warned you I would be sentimental this month. It is our 10th anniversary on Thursday, and Emily just started school this month. It is a good time to reminisce.

I am soo happy to report that Emily's third day of preschool went exceedingly well. Not only did she not even cry when I said goodbye, but, she did not cry at all during the day. At all. She stayed with her class, she had a fun time, and she was even the line leader. That deserved a trip to Baskin Robbins, and man, did that make for some happy girls.

Thank you for all of your support and kind words.
Sometimes being a Mom is really hard.
When you think your child is hurting, it just knocks the wind right out of you.

I feel like I can breathe now when last week, it felt like I had a 1500 pound elephant on my chest. But, she likes it. She really, really likes it.
And it makes me so happy.

2 Years Ago...

Hard to believe.. This was taken in September 2008. Yes, folks.. you can tell when it is September, because I turn into a pile of mush.. It is Allison's birthday month AND our wedding anniversary month.

It reduces me to a weepy, reminiscent sack of goo.

more picture to come, I am sure of it.. Bear with me.. October is right around the corner.. I will snap out of it soon enough!

When are we moving...

I live in West Texas. Did you know that? But, not for too much longer.

Our plan is to live in the Austin/San Antonio area before Allison starts Kindergarten next year. Not only do we have family and friends there.. but we really love that part of Texas. The Hill Country is beautiful and there are beyond a million things to do.. And while I am from Connecticut, living in North Carolina and Texas these last 14 years of my life, has made me a warm (ok.. HOT) weather girl. Yes, I am destined to live my life in Texas. We will be getting the moving ball rolling before too long, find a Realtor, stage the home, etc. I also found a website that can help sort out local moving companies.

In other news, we are heading to North Carolina in a few weeks. Another trip east, we are starting to know from the middle of the country - east, like the back of our hand, although how well do you really know the back of your hand??.. Anyway, I would love to go west next!! We really want to travel to California..Ah, and here is a link to movers in California! I would love to see San Fransisco.. Ah, and here is a link for San Francisco movers!

I have yet to see the Pacific Ocean..I must get to it!

Emily and her funny smile..

This is Emily from this morning..just a few minutes before we left for school. She does this smile, when she is being silly, smiling for a picture..she will say "cheese" but hold on the word "cheese" so it sounds like "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese" even long after the picture is taken.. she is my funny little girl..

You would think she was in good spirits for her second day of school? She looks ready and excited. And she was. In the car, the walk into school.. the walk down the hallway. Then, we got to the classroon, and the switch was flipped. She did not want to go in. She wanted me and only me. The teacher had to pry her off of me again.. I had to walk down the hall, hearing her pitiful cries..

it took everything in me to keep on walking. and I did. And I made it through the next 4 hours fine, and I didn't cry. In fact, I kept myself busy, so busy, that I had to run out of the door, when it was very near time to pick her up, as not to be late.

And I wasn't late. And Emily was in her class, just as happy as can be. Or so it seemed. Turns out, she only joined her class at lunchtime.. she spend the first 2 hours, sitting with the director of the school, refusing to go to her class.
Pitiful. Just pitiful. Just sitting there, literally doing nothing. She didn't want to go to class, so she'd rather just sit there. and do nothing.

She could at least be home doing something.

I need Tuesday to go differently. please say it will.

First Day of School

The excitement of the day produced this as pretty much the best picture. Ah well, it is what it is.

It was awful. Emily had to be pried off of me. Crying, kicking, and screaming.

Then, I got home. Laid in bed. And did a little crying myself. Minus the kicking and screaming. So, at least that is good.

Fingers crossed for a smoother day tomorrow.

A Website to check out.

I have been faxing a lot more lately. Did I ever mention that I am a mystery shopper? Yes, folks.. It might be something that I am slightly embarrassed by, but other times, I am kind of proud of myself that I do it. Especially when I have to portray the role of somebody. Like, one time, I did this apartment shop and I had to act like I was single, and just moved from out of town.. Thinking back to that shop makes me shudder.. But, it paid good. And I did a lot of acting in my younger days, so I jumped at the chance. Anyway, I have to fax in my paperwork and I actually had no idea that there are online fax providers. I found where I can compare top online fax services.

I also found where you can find other consumer product rankings and reviews. They also have online dating reviews of the best dating sites. One of my best friends met a few of her past boyfriends on one of those dating websites. Actually, another one of my friends met her current boyfriend on one of those sites. Just be who you say you are, folks. Don't use a picture of your daughter, like that one crazy woman in the news did a while back.. did you hear about that story?

Bangs!!

I gave Allie Bangs!! Me! I did it!! And they look good, right? She is so happy, that she busted out with a rather unique picture pose. ha ha..

She has been asking for them and I have been a bit reluctant... but I finally just did it. Just got out the scissors and took care of business.. and I didn't mess up. And she looks like such a big girl, doesn't she?

Please, keep me in your thoughts, friends... Tomorrow is the big day, both of my girls off to school.. You can tell by my previous post that I am a bit of an emotional mess.. I just need to get tomorrow over with.. and I think I will be good to go.

I just need to remember, as they are getting into their big girl pants tomorrow.. that I need to get in mine as well..

Chin up, Kristin...cut the cord... you can do it.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...


I think I can.

These 2 Little Girls....some honest words from a loving Mom.

I was having an unfortunate hair day yesterday, so a hat was in order. And the girls wanted to follow suit. Emily, on the right, wore one of mine, and Allie wore one of Daddy's. Who knew, the simple act of wearing a hat, would get them so excited. It is the little things, I tell you, that could bring a smile.



In other news, I had a bit of a rough night last night. We had Meet the Teacher and it went great. Allie went to that school last year, except this year she will be in the Pre-K program, and Emily will be starting preschool, her first year attending. Allie and Emily will only be one grade apart, and I am excited that they will be so close to each other in school.

But, the rough night started when I got home.. and during the night... with the thoughts keeping me awake. My youngest baby starting school. My oldest growing more independent. And I am so thrilled, proud, and awed by them every day.

And the time slips by us so fast. And I worry about Tuesday, when I drop them both off. When I walk away from them, down the hall, out of the door, down the steps, and to my car. And they are not in the backseat. And I don't know what they are doing, are they okay, and do they need me.

And they will be fine. And they will learn lots of new things. And they will grow strong, and confident. And they always know I am near. And I love them.

And no matter how big they get, they will always be my babies.