Pretty Please

If anyone wants to buy me this I won't be mad.  Seriously.... any takers?  It's only a few thousand more than I can spend.  Where's that million I was asked how to spend?  Here's a start.  Pottery Barn Kids.  Dangerous for moms.  Fantastic for millionaires.

Etsy's best part one

A big thanks to all of your nominations for your favorite Etsy items and shops.  I loved discovering new sellers and found so many new things to heart.  I will be featuring shops every Friday so be on the lookout for some Etsy love.

The winner of the Urban Chiks fat quarter is Bethany of Vermillion Rules.  She sent a bunch of faves, all which I am tempted to spend my precious Paypal account on.
Loveyduds makes these gorgeous and comfy looking baby carriers.  I rocked the Baby Bjorn with Halley and a Hotsling with Lucy, but I have been seeing more and more of this style around lately.  Two of my friends swear by them.  Next time around I just might give one a try.
Some of my best childhood memories are of family camping trips in our VW bus.  I wish my parents never sold it!  I would paint it turquoise and go to the beach in it every day during the summer.  Nettiepete sells gorgeous quilts and for the adventurous crafter kits to make your own like this one.
Raegun has fun and funky clothing for the little ones.  This dress would be so fun on Lucy with it's sassy collar and zebra print.  Perfect for my wild girl.

Off to my deserted island.

Just in time to pull me out of my Bad & Yucky depression, my kind and friendly mailman brought me a package.  Inside were the most fun and dreamy treasures to quell my bitterness towards Hershey for a minute.  Lori put on such a unique and creative swap who's theme was "Desert Island".  She sent me everything I could ever want to bring (on the condition that I would be rescued shortly, and there were no smoke monsters or Others on the island with me).  A parasol to keep my "way too much sun in my teenage years" skin safe, a fan to keep my hatred of intense heat at bay, a journal to write my escape plan from Ben Linus in, a novel and a trashy gossip mag to pass the time (when I worked at the hair salon I got a bit addicted to celebrity disasters.... don't judge),  chocolate fondue for dipping the pineapples I am am sure to find, flip flop ribbon- because it's fun, presents for Halley and Lucy because they will miss me and the cherry on top.......
Every stranded girl needs to look cute!  Who knows what I will make my clothes out of?  Whatever it is, they will match my new perfect, adorable, yummy, never want to take it off button necklace!  Seriously, look at this beauty!  It has all of my faves (notice the happy lack of purple) is just the exact length and I have been drooling over one on Etsy for months!   Thank you Lori!  You can come to my island anytime!  You truly spoiled me!

(Sorry about the random Lost references.  I am excited for the season finale tonight and I'm a dork.)

Dreams Crushed.

Dear Hershey,

What did I ever do to you?  Why must you treat me with such disrespect and hatred.  First you go and take away my most favorite candy in the world.  Without so much as a warning, leaving me with it's evil stepsister Good & Plenty.  (I would rather eat black widow spiders.)  I wrote you, I called you, I emailed you, I signed petitions.  After years of giving up all hope to see it again, even the chance stumbling upon an old, expired, dusty box in a super shady 7-11, you tease me with this neon box of the same name.  My heart nearly stopped when I walked down the wrong row and accidently spied the boxes today at the drugstore.  Could it be?  Do I really need new glasses that bad?  I think I know how to read... the box said Good & Fruity and the candies were the same shape, although that "natural" looking blue one is a bit questionable.  I was even sad that I can't send picture texts because I wanted to surprise my husband with the good news during his staff meeting.  I couldn't run fast enough to the check stand to buy my newfound dream come true.  I hid the treasure in my purse and waited until the girls were sleeping to enter candy paradise.  The anticipation, the glee, the joy, like a soap opera character raising from the dead, my beloved licorice and candy shell was back in my life.  Just when I most needed it.  But no, this story does not have a happy ending.  I am renaming your fraudulent candy this:
They are nothing more than super chemically altered Starburst Jelly beans.  Sour, acidic, pointless.  None of the previous magic, none of the flavor.  Goodbye licorice, goodbye shell.  Goodbye Good & Fruity forever.  I want my $1.29 back.  I want my old candy back.  Away with this sad, pathetic imitation.  Away with my dreams of being reunited with my youthful love.  I am going to a corner to wail and mourn.  How could you do this to me?  I was so faithful.  I never gave up faith that I would see it again.  Shame on you Hershey, shame on you.
On to brighter subjects... Do you feel let down like I do today?  Do you need a treat that won't take advantage of your devotion?  Do you love candy colors without the chemical aftertaste?  You need to take yourself over to Graham Cracker Crumbs.  Sweet Bethany is giving away all of this yummy (non fraudulent) ribbon to one of her readers.  Think of a fun ribbony craft and leave it in the comments section.  But watch out.  I will be fighting for it!  I need a treat that won't leave me devastated.

Something creepy, something cozy.

My friend Alicia and I went on a fabric adventure last week.  We mistakenly disregarded Mapquest's directions and got a bit creative.  Miles and miles later we ended up at a ginormous fabric paradise.  I wish I took more pictures, I was just so overwhelmed with all they had in there.  I think at one point the building housed a large grocery store.  Now it just holds thousands upon thousands bolts of fabric.  Some unique, some surprisingly affordable, some... well...  I have a thing with clowns.  Super creepy, not fun, not cute, not entertaining.  Ronald McDonald... creepy to the billionth power.  So when I walked by this McD flannel I thought to myself "who would hate a child enough to make them a blanket out of this?"  Here sweet kind innocent little baby, goodnight, sleep tight, don't let Ronald attack you in your sleep.
We went on our adventure because we are tired of the fabric shops near us.  I buy 99% of my fabric online, but once in a while I want to see it in person.  Alicia needed some more fabric for her newest venture in extravagant blanket making.  Just a single look at her cozy, gorgeous blankets makes you instantly want a newborn baby to cuddle them in.  The fabrics, the hand stitching on the edges, the fabulous ribbon tags.  All too good to be true.  I promise you, this is beyond a blanket that dreams are made of.  (Not the Ronald McDonald kind either!)
You can find these yummies on a brand new site called Cupcream.com.  It is named after what her sweet niece calls ice cream.  Her sister in law also is one of my sewing heroes and makes the most delicious vintage inspired dresses for little girls.  Pop in and take a peek.  You will be glad you did.  If you don't I just might send Ronald after you.

The Cheetah

In general I am pretty boring and predictable wardrobe wise.  Most days I can be found in dark Curvy Jeans with button pockets from The Gap, two ribbed tank tops (I call them something else, but it is hardly politically correct) a cardigan or zipped hoodie and flip flops.  I hardly stray from the formula.  If I do it might involve a skirt with the same tank tops & jean jacket or a dress and jean jacket.  I rarely wear prints, pretty much 90% of my wardrobe is black or chocolate and if I do wear something funky it is a necklace, headband, or shoes.  That all came to change when The Cheetah came to live with us from a thrift shop in Canada.  Many a day I throw it over my same simple jeans, flats and black long sleeve t-shirt and suddenly I am a sassy new person.  I see people react differently to me and I feel generally different.  It makes me wonder what the original owner was like of this 50 plus year old coat.  Was it an everyday wardrobe staple?  Or did she pull The Cheetah out when she was feeling a bit more spunky?  What is the one thing in your wardrobe that is so completely opposite of you that it actually is 100% you?  I just know that this was one of the best things I have ever spent $10 on.

Life before Etsy and an giveaway!

One year ago today while searching for fabric on Google I found Etsy entirely by mistake.  I had never heard of it before, and it was immediate love at first sight.  I promptly signed up and made my first purchase that day, this sweet little halter made with the fabric that led me to Etsy in the first place.  I had always had a love for handmade items and was tiring quickly of bidding and losing on Ebay.  Most of the boutiques near me were either overpriced or too "cutesy".  Etsy was a dream come true.  Set prices, no bidding, a bit on the "indie" side and surprisingly affordable.  What I wasn't prepared for was the kindness and community that it fosters.  Every seller is more than willing to share tips, secrets and encouragement.  They happily create custom items for you, usually at no extra charge.  Many even send sweet free goodies in their packages.  I feel no sense of competition or envy, just a collaboration of like minded, creative people. People began stopping me to ask where I found the unique things my girls were wearing.  I have since played a part in many a friend's introduction and subsequent Etsy addiction.  (Sorry!)  We email each other items we like and buy many of the gifts we exchange there.  Etsy has encouraged me to start sewing, blogging and even open my own little shop.  I truly cannot imagine life without it.  Because of my deep affection for Etsy and all of the passionate shop owners I am going to do a little giveaway.  Leave me a comment telling me the best thing you have bought on Etsy, or your favorite shop.  I would love a link too... then I can peek around at things I have yet to discover.  Haven't visited Etsy yet?  Don't feel left out.  Sign up, and send me the link to something you love.  I encourage you to make a purchase and support handmade.  The more items/shops you tell me about the more times I will enter you in the drawing for... a fat quarter of the fabric that originally led me to Etsy.  Summer in the City by Urban Chicks.  It is extremely hard to find and tragically out of print.  It is difficult for me to let it go, but I love Etsy so much, it is worth it.  Heart away!  I will draw a winner on Friday.

God Bless the U.S.A.

It has been a I heart America weekend.  I used this tutorial to make the apple t-shirts I got at Teer-get and cozy chenille into dresses for "Patriotic Day".  I don't always make one for Lucy too, but these are so easy to make and easy to throw on and I figured they can wear them for 4th of July also.  The chenille isn't the most fun to work with though.  It sheds like crazy.  It looked like I stuck a poodle in my washing machine and I was sneezing constantly.  Then on the first stitch my serger decided to go on strike.  I had to rethread it all by myself for the first time.  Scary.  All and all they took two hours to finish instead of just one.  Not too bad.  My husband was watching the Lakers win while I was sewing.  I love the playoffs... lots and lots of extra craft time for me.  I have also been making some fun things for a birthday girl who reads my blog so I can't post them yet.  She is like an aunt to my girls and the most amazing teacher.  She will be teaching at the school Halley is going to next year and we are so excited to get to see her all of the time.  I found the most amazing fabric (think United States retro) and am loving what I am making her.  I will post them after her birthday party.  We are having a girls night out at the Melting Pot to celebrate her.  I can't wait for my fondue forks!

Tagged...

Halley girl really believes that she is surfing in this picture.  I love her imagination!

Holly tagged me, so here is some more random information about my little life.

What I was doing 10 years ago

I was lifeguarding full time and planning our wedding.  That was such a fun summer!  I went to a bunch of festivals with Jason, almost daily visited our house as it was being built, took tons of hikes with my Lab puppy Roger and hand addressed 600 invitations while I was housesitting a mansion.  It is insane to think that our 10yr. anniversary is just around the corner!  I was such a little kid back then! 

Five things on my to-do list today

1.  I have a ton of signs to make, but we had a freak rainstorm and all of my wood and tools got wet.  Not good.  Beg for mercy from my customers.

2.  Wash a load of diapers and fold 6 loads of laundry.

3.  Sew dresses for Patriotic Day next week.

4.  Sew a birthday present.

5.  Sew a baby shower gift.

The Lakers are playing tonight so I should have some great crafty time.

Snacks I enjoy

1.  Chips and homemade salsa or guacamole.

2.  Chocolate (Junior Mints this week...)

3. Cream cheese with salsa poured on top eaten with Wheat Thins

4.  Summer fruit... can't get enough!

Things I would do if I were a millionaire

My life wouldn't be too different.  I would add on a craft room, remodel the bathroom to put in a huge bathtub, spend a ton at Pottery Barn and Land of Nod, buy an R.V. so we could beach camp every weekend... All those things sound fun, but are just "things".  I like my life the way it is right now.  Lots of money complicates everything.

Places I have lived

I have lived in Orange County my entire life, except for a stint in Missouri for college.  I'm a Cali girl through and through.  

So now I get to tag 6 people.  You can have something to blog about tomorrow.  Have fun!

Kristin The Howerton Family

Alison at A Little Creative License

Bethany at Graham Cracker Crumbs

Lindsey at Imperfect

Lori at Morning Glories and Moonflowers

Amy at Life in Pink Hi-Tops

Clippies and treats.

I just ran across a fabulous new blog and love it so much that I put it on my sidebar.  Click on over to Mama Manifesto.  You will find ideas, encouragement and inspiration to make your days a bit easier and the knowledge that you are not alone in the many challenges of being a Mama.

How fun are these little clippies?  The kit came in the mail today from Carefree Glimmer and they were so easy to make.  Ideally Lucy will wear them and not lose them the second I turn away.  I can hope right?  When will she tolerate clips?  It is hard to be a 2 year old girl with barely any hair!  All I am asking for is a little girlie sparkle.  Does any one have any magic tips that can help me clippie her up?  If all else fails, I might just steal them to keep my "mistake bangs" off of my forehead when it isn't Hills Braid Day.
Whatever you do, don't let the week go by without making this easy and delicious meal.  I had to steal this picture from Meg's blog because my husband couldn't wait for me to get my camera out before digging in.  Halley even ate it and she hates pretty much all food.  That says a lot!
I am a lover of all things cupcake, but after making 8 dozen in three days I needed something different for Halley's birthday celebration at preschool.  On the side of Funfetti cake mix is a recipe for Funfetti cookies.  I guess they were a Pillsbury Bake Off  Winner... can't argue with that.  They are ridiculously yummy.  Just be careful not to make them when the kids are sleeping, because when naptime is over there might not be any left.  Because I am a total frosting snob (one cupcake from Sprinkles will ruin you for life) I topped these yummies with homemade buttercream.  It is so easy and doesn't have any creepy chemical taste.

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick butter- softened

1 pound box of powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 tea. really good vanilla (this is what Sprinkles uses.)

Mix with a beater.  Try not to eat it all before you frost the goodies.

Done.

My Kid Will Never... (part two in a series)

I have seen this LAME shirt at Teer-get a bunch of times and now that I have my handy purse-cam I took a picture of it when I was shopping with Lucy this morning.  Lucy likes to be "on the loose" and has intense hatred of shopping carts.  I thought the today might be different until I tried to put her in the cart.  She wanted no part of it, as usual.  I am not one to beg for her to obey or promise her a treat if she is good.  This was her choice: be buckled in the cart or a have a lovely timeout.  Guess what she chose?  We put the cart back, went outside and I sat her spicy little self on the bench in front of the store.  As if she was waiting patiently for the bus.  The two minutes cruised by slower than a snail.  Dorky me standing quietly nearby, waiting for her heart to change.  A sweet "sorry Mommy" later, she was all buckled in.  When we went to the baby section I saw this shirt.  Let me tell you, my kid will NEVER EVER be too cute for a timeout.  I will NEVER EVER buy a shirt this ridiculous!
We did find some happy things on our excursion.  Yummy cupcake wrapping paper that is almost too delicious to wrap with, glittery pink flip flops (wonder what swap partner that is for?), and the cutest 4th of July clothing.  Next week is Patriotic Day at Halley's school.  I have some fun plans for the apple shirt.  I couldn't resist the pink star dress.  Lucy likes it so much that she wore it over her zipper pajamas for nap time.
My husband is also a Junior High teacher at our church's school.  How fun is this gift he received as part of teacher appreciation week?  They will come in handy tonight when we see Prince Caspian with over 100 youth group kids.  I don't plan on sharing a single one.  On the subject of youth group, someone go into the youth room last week during school hours and stole over $5000 of band equipment.  What kind of person could do something like that?  Lightning bolts?  Seriously, steal from a church!  It is so sad to even think about.
Love and happiness from Little Bit Funky.  Cards, clippies, candy and a purse.  Absolutely a dream come true.  Many thanks C!

Happy Birthday Halley!

God healed our hearts four years ago when you were born.  You are sunshine and spirit and we love everything about you.  You are so passionate, determined, caring, sweet and very bright.  What would our family be like without your imagination and laughter?  Happy birthday sweet Halley girl!

We pray that you live your life loving and serving Jesus.  Be a strong and shining ambassador just as you are called to be in your Birth Verse.

So we are Christ's ambassadors;  God is making is appeal through us.  We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"   

2 Corinthians 5:20 

Out of control!

Do you have a bunch of something that is in different places in your house?  If you were to put it all together in the same place would the sheer volume of it all freak you out?  That is what just happened to me when I figured out just how many hair bows Halley has.  They were in baskets, drawers and a little bow holder and I decided to group them all together.  I took my trusty staple gun and ribbon and attached it to the mirror in her room.  One by one I hung up the bows.  Some have been bought, but most of them I made late at night while watching T.V. for school the next day.  The thing is,  Halley absolutely loves to wear them.  Each morning when she wakes up she asks if it is a "bow day".  I however, have become known as the mom of the "girl with bows" at her preschool.  I am still trying to figure out if that is a good thing.  Not a single other child wears them.  Ever.  Each day my girl skips down the hall in her huge mass of ribbony goodness. If you can't wear 5 yards of ribbon in your hair at age three when can you? 
Not only did I wear Lauren's Braid to church yesterday, my sweet, innocent, doesn't know who Lauren is, almost four year old daughter did too.  What is the world coming to?  All I do know is, the braid kept my misbehaving, shouldn't have cut them bangs under control and kept Halley's hair out of her face.  This might just be our new signature hairstyle.  But then what about the bows?

Random.

I am convinced that digital cameras have made me a worse photographer.  When I shot with film every frame was precious and I payed so much more attention to composition and background.  Now I shoot hundreds and hundreds at an event without even a thought.  When I load them on the computer I hate almost all of them and end up keeping only one or two.  Then I go and edit them to make it look like they were good in the first place.  I am going to make it a point to learn and actually use the manual settings on the camera and get back to old school photography.  My other problem is I hardly ever haul my Canon Rebel and it's big lens around with me.  It is a pain to carry a huge camera and a squirmy toddler at the same time.  So many of our adventures go unrecorded because of it.  My sweet husband who has heard me complain about this dilemma for some time bought me this sassy Nikon for Mother's Day.  I instantly got over my hatred of small digital cameras.  This one is FAST!  EASY! TAKES INCREDIBLE PICTURES!  It fits in my purse, so now when I am at Goodwill I can take picture of the weird and creepy things for sale and blog about them.

Okay, I admit it, I watch The Hills.  Not because it is real (it's beyond fake) or because it is interesting (it is truly pointless) but because Lauren has such great hair.  Perfect, gorgeous, fantastic hair.  Mind you, if I had a reality show starring me, I would have a big long contract stating that on each day of filming I would get my hair and makeup done.  I even went so far as to have bangs cut last week (it didn't go well....).  So this is my attempt at Lauren's fun french braid.  Thank you Allikaye's Mama for the inspiration.  Off to church looking like a 30ish mom trying to be a 20 something....

Boredom

I painted these surfboards (there was three, but I had already started redoing one before I took a picture) five years ago.  I have been tired of them for the past four.  I get bored and restless very quickly and am constantly wanting to change things which is dangerous for my budget, but fantastic for Goodwill. I didn't necessarily dislike them and I couldn't think of what I wanted to paint over them with.  But then give me a free afternoon, six yards of fabric, a staple gun and ribbon and watch out.
I have so many pictures that I wanted up, but I get pretty lazy about taking frames off of the wall, prying off those stinky things that keeps the cardboard on and then changing the photos.  Poor Lucy is two and had hardly any pictures of herself around.   Good thing she looks like Halley... she thought she was in all of the frames of Halley's baby pictures.  This is my new solution.  I covered up the surfboards, made some matching pillows and stapled rows of ribbons over each canvas.  Now I can easily change pictures, and they hold a ton.  I still need to add some more fun goodies.  Loving the blooms from JaneSays!  Maybe big chipboard initials for the girls.... any other ideas?  The pics are held on by the hooks (non purple ones) from the post below.  Tomorrow I will post about my other staple gun adventures. 

Purple.

No offense but I don't like purple.  Anything about it.  I never buy anything purple.  I don't have a valid reason, I am just not a purple girl.  I don't even like the way it is spelled.  Everything about it is weird.  These little purple clips came in a pack that I used for a really fun project I will post in the next few days.  Every other non-purple one has a happy new use.  Not these guys.  They will never see any love from me.  What color can you absolutely not stand?  Maybe it is my favorite.  Is purple your favorite?  I want to send these clips to someone who is desperate to purple up something.

Sparkle and smile

I really want to update the all of the pictures in our house.  I have nice individual shots of each of the girls, but when I try to get them in the same frame disaster ensues.  This was the best shot of over 150 I took of them on Mother's Day.  I am not kidding.  I am tempted to frame it because so much of my life is moments like these.  Hardly any of it would resemble a picture studio shot with them both sitting quietly, smiling patiently while the camera clicks away.  Maybe this will fill the 20 x 24 frame reminding us to laugh each day.I am pretty bratty about a few things.  One of them is flip flops.  I usually ignore all of the fun colors and small prices in favor of the more expensive and more comfortable Havaianas.  Today I took a risk at Target and it payed off.  These glittery numbers feel amazing and were on sale.  Lulu didn't want to be left out so she got sparkly jellies with the money I saved by not buying fancy flip flops. 

What I am loving today.

A new diaper clutch to replace the first one I ever made (when I had no idea what I was doing).  I love that my friends are my product testers!

If you have a daughter, or know someone who does run to Target right now and get this book!  I first heard about it from Lily Eden and thankfully she warned me not to read it until I got home so I wouldn't be a crying mess in the store.  I just gave it to my sweet sister in law who had her very first Mother's Day this year.

We swim in pink and glitter at our house.  If you do too, or want to, visit Sparkly Messy Life to get in on this very fun swap.  Hurry up though, you only have until May 16th to get your pink on!

Sandi Henderson is at it again.  Single handedly completely draining my bank account.  I am still in recovery over her Ginger Blossom line and she has to go and release this new line of yumminess called Farmers Market.  A billion yards of each print please!  To make it even more dangerous, she is also coming out with children's sewing patterns.  It is just not fair how stinking talented she is!

Need a laugh?

If only I knew what I was signing up for.  Did anyone warn me that I would have a little Houdini can take off any item of clothing in two seconds flat?   Click on this picture to supersize it and then look carefully under the zipper.  I had to add hook and eyes to all of her pajamas to keep her in them.  She still figured out a way to shimmy her little arm out!  Can you believe the mischievous look on her face?  One of many things I was unprepared for.  If only I had read this first.  (I know it is long, but indulge me, it is well worth the laughs I promise you will have.)

Thinking of Having Kids?

Do This 10 Step Program First

Lesson 1

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1.  Methods of discipline

2.  Lack of patience

3.  Appallingly low tolerance levels

4.  Allowing their children to run wild

5.  Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 2

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1.  Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing approx. 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.

2.  At 10pm, put the bag down gently, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3.  Get up at midnight and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1am.

4.  Set alarm for 3am.

5.  As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2am and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45.

7.  Get up at 3am when alarm goes off.

8.  Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4am.

9.  Get up.  Make breakfast.  Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive.)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night.  Keep this up for 3-5 years.  Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 3

Can you stand the mess children make?  To find out...

1.  Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2.  Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3.  Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4.  Then rub them on the clean walls.

5.  Take your favorite book, photo album, etc.  Wreck it.

6.   Spill milk on your new pillows.  Cover the stains with crayons.  How does that look?

Lesson 4

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1.  Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2.  Attempt to put the octopus in the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this- all morning.

Lesson 5

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van.  And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining.  Family cars don't look like that.

1.  Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.  Leave it there.

2.  Get a dime.  Stick it in the CD player.

3.  Take a family size package of chocolate cookies.  Mash them into the back seat.  Sprinkle Cheerios all over the floor, them smash them with your foot.

4.  Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 6

Go to the grocery store.  Take the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child.  (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice).  If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.  Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.  Pay for everything the goats eat or destroy.  Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 7

1.  Hollow out a melon.

2.  Make a small hole in the side.

3.  Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4.  Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5.  Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6.  Tip half into your lap.  The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a 9 month-old baby.

Lesson 8

Learn the names of every character from all shows on PBS, the Disney Channel and Noggin.  Watch nothing else on TV but shows from these channels for at least 5 years.  (I know, you're thinking "what is Noggin?")  Exactly the point.

Lesson 9

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly.  (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy';  occasional crescendo to the level of supersonic jet is required).  Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.  You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 10

Start talking to an adult of your choice.  Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from lesson 9 above.  You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

Happy Mothers Day!

I love you Mom!

The Aqua Apron Sisters and their wonderful Moms.

Mother's Day Brunch

Hooray for our wonderful Mothers!

You can make you own banner like this over at All Sorts.

Scrumptious tags from One Ripe Peach for the party favors.

A table full of girlie deliciousness!

Here we are... the Aqua Apron Sisters!  Our first party was so special and we loved celebrating with our moms who mean so very much to us!

What 548 Yards of Thread Looks Like

Hooray!  They are done.  Just barely in time.  If you are ever thinking of sewing for hours and hours with a sinus headache I strongly recommend against it.  I survived and the aprons fared pretty well.  Only one run in with the seam ripper.  A new record.  As I was sitting at the machine, dosed up on  Dayquil and garlic, boo hooing my fever and general crummy feeling-ness I got to thinking about Project Runway.  They create elaborate entire outfits from scratch without patterns in about a quarter of the time it took me to make seven simple aprons.  They must be robots or have a secret crew of elves or mice finishing their garments off camera.  Off to crash on the couch.  Hoping I don't have to see chocolate brown thread for a long, long time.

Mon Amie

Look at the sweet Paris goodness that came in the mail from Cynthia.  I could go on and on!  The bag is breathtaking, the detail is extravagant, and it has oodles of pockets inside.  I always get a bit lazy with putting pockets in bags and end up regretting it when I am digging through a black hole for my cell phone, chapstick  and keys.  She also sent along some fun beaded fringe.... thinking of what to do with that right now, beautiful beaded earrings, tea and a mug(perfect for my hideous sore throat), dark chocolate (bliss) and a delicious Luna Bar.  The sweetest thing of all is the pink Eiffel tower tags.  She saw that I had hearted them on Etsy and bought them right out from under me.  I was so sad when they were sold, but quite amused when they came my way.  Merci, Cynthia, merci! 

Giddy Up Gingham!

Today was Mommy and Me day at preschool.  The theme was "Gingham and Denim" with a western flair.  Halley got to take me to a bunch of stations to do crafts, a cakewalk, pan for gold and plant Sweet Peas.  It is so fun to see her away from home with her little "friends".  Normally her school has a no boots policy (not sure why....)  but today was an exception and she got to sport her cute pink cowboy boots.  I found the dress on Etsy  and it was the shop's first sale.  I love finding an undiscovered shop!  She was sweet enough to send me some extra fabric so I could make us some matching hair flowers using this easy tutorial.  Yeehaw!