Wordless Wednesdays- This Is What Memories Are Made Of....

Sentence of the Day- Spelling Bee

Slowly, but surely, Katy has been expressing more interest in letters and the fact that letters make up words. Ted and I have been trying to encourage her interests by pointing out letters and words and getting her to try and identify words and letters.

Today, we were sitting at lunch and Katy was asking me how to spell different words. She asked me how to spell, "Chair," Cheese," "Yes," "No," etc., etc. Being the auditory learner that she is, I was careful to sound it out and say the letters verbally. Afterwards, Katy would repeat the spellings back to me. We went back and forth for awhile, in this manner.

Then, Katy asked me, "Mommy- how do you spell, 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'?" (She's been on a Mary Poppins kick, lately.... can you tell??!)

Oy!!

Honey, I'm gonna have to look that one up.....!

First Day/Last Day of (Three-Year Old) Preschool

First Day of Preschool- September 4, 2013

Last Day of Preschool- May 23, 2014

My, what a difference a year makes! Look at how grown up (and sassy!) she looks, now!

**Once again this year, I took the skirt of the dress that I made for Katy's first day of preschool (back in September), and refashioned it with a new, bigger bodice, to create her "last day of preschool" outfit. (Thanks to my friend, Natalie of The Sassy Pumpkin, for the hard-to-find My Little Pony fabric scraps! :-)

Last Day of (Three-Year Old Class) Preschool- May 23, 2014

Last day of (Three-Year old) Preschool, May 24, 2014

Ready for summer!

We love you, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Gwyn!

Today was Katy's last day of the (three-year old) preschool. Lil' Miss had a GREAT year, this year! A large part of her success was due to the love and guidance that she was shown by her teachers, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Gwyn. THANK YOU, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Gwyn, for loving our girl and taking such good care of her. She has thrived over the course of the school year and we are so grateful for the opportunity she has had to learn and grow and play in your class!!

Sewing Pattern Testing- Amelie Clothing- Reversible Blazer

Reversible Blazer by Amelie Clothing- Chambray Side

Reversible Blazer by Amelie Clothing- Paisley Side

Once again, I had the pleasure of testing a PDF sewing pattern for Amelie Clothing. This time, a Reversible Blazer. I've got a thing for reversible items- bags, clothes, etc- so of course this pattern was right up my alley!

Here is a basic description of the Reversible Blazer PDF sewing pattern:
-Reversible
-Ruffle at the bottom
-No buttons (did you hear me- NO buttons/button holes to do- yayay!)
-Comes in sizes 2-7

Like all of Amelie Clothing's patterns, the Reversible Blazer is written in clear, concise words. The pictures that accompany the tutorial are well-lit and aid in the understanding of the written word. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm getting quicker, or the fact that this Reversible Blazer is a quick sew, but I was able to get this one done in less than three hours (total- because seriously, what mom has three uninterrupted hours to devote to any one task???! ;-). I love the loosely gathered ruffle at the bottom- it adds a touch of femininity to the blazer. Even a beginner sewer could accomplish this blazer with good results- a real confidence booster!

The funny thing about this pattern actually has nothing to do with the pattern. On the day that I sewed this it was 90 degrees outside. Hot. Humid. Sticky. Lil' Miss was a trooper to model the blazer- though lightweight- in the hot temps. outside! No worries, though, I'm sure I'll be making more of these come cooler temperature here in the Carolinas. The fabric combinations are endless and I can't wait to embellish with buttons and ribbons and ric-rac.

Thank you, Susan, for allowing me to test the Reversible Blazer for you. Another winner of a pattern!

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to pattern test for Amelie Clothing. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Wordless Wednesday- On Her Toes

Sewing Pattern Testing- Made for Mermaids- Molly's Dress, Top or Tunic and Coordinating Lucy Shorts

Molly's Dress by Made for Mermaids

Molly's Dress by Made for Mermaids (photo by Drew Photography)

Molly's Dress by Made for Mermaids (photo by Drew Photography)

Molly's Dress and Lucy Shorts by Made for Mermaids

Molly's Top and Lucy Shorts by Made for Mermaids

Megan, of Made for Mermaids and Everyday Princess dresses fame, is branching out into other PDF sewing patterns for little girls. First up (since the birth of her adorable baby boy a couple of months ago- Congrats, Megan and family!), Molly's Dress, Top or Tunic and Coordinating Lucy Shorts.

I was lucky enough to be able to test both patterns. So, I can tell you first hand that these patterns are keepers! The Molly pattern can be sewn as a dress, or a tunic, or a top. It features flutter sleeves and a gorgeous, adjustable bow in the back. I love, love, love that this pattern has NO pattern pieces to print out, tape together and cut. LOVE!! There are so many possibilities with this pattern!!

Next, let's talk about these cute, girly Lucy Shorts. How cute are they?!? The Ruffle Shorts feature an elastic waistband, four pattern pieces with ruffle measurements. It literally took me a little over one hour to sew these shorts up- it doesn't get much better- or quicker!- than that!! Even better than the short amount of time it took to whip these cute shorts up is the fact that the size four shorts take 1/2 yard of fabric for the shorts and just a little more for the ruffles! Can't.Beat.That!!

As with all of Made for Mermaids patterns, the Molly's Dress/Top/Tunic and Lucy Shorts include pictures to aid in the understanding of the written tutorial. Writing is conversational and simple to follow. I would highly recommend these patterns as a summer staple for little girls' wardrobes! (Seriously, I'm addicted to this pattern- I've already sewn a Molly dress, two tops and two pairs of Lucy Shorts in less than a week's time!)

Thanks, Megan, for the opportunity to test these patterns for you! I had lots of fun!


***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to pattern test for Made for Mermaids. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Sentence of the Day- Muppet Color Theory

There's a song in The Muppets movie where Kermit reflecting on the gang's past adventures and the good times that they shared. The song is called, "Pictures in my head." It's a slow song and Kermit is definitely feeling a little sad and down when he sings it.

Of course, Lil' Miss knows every word to the song- by heart. Of course, we have it playing in the car- all the time. Well, the other day, it happened to come on as I started the car. The lyric being sung was Kermit singing, "....that's why my green is feeling grey...." Immediately, Katy piped up from the back seat and said, "Green doesn't make grey! You have to mix black and white to make grey. That's the way it works."

Ha!

I'm not sure if I should be proud of the fact that Lil' Miss knows her color theory.... Or, shake my head at the fact that once again, real life applications are somehow pointed back to the Muppets. Again. Ted, I'm looking at you.....! ;-P

Wordless Wednesday- A Little Splash of Color

Sentence of the Day- Onions

I was dicing onions to go into tonight's dinner when Katy walked into the kitchen. She asked me, "Mommy- do you have onion eyes?"

Funny thing, I knew exactly what she meant- when your eyes start to water when you cut a pungent onion- and she didn't even have to explain. I love the thought process!

Traditional Mother's Day Retrospective

Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day 2011

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day 2014

Every since Katy was born, my main photography focus has been her. There aren't too many pictures of me- that's okay by me- but Mother's Day is definitely one of the day that I like to get out from "behind the lens." I love getting an annual "Mommy and Me" picture with Lil' Miss. It's like my own little way of marking time, of seeing how we both change throughout the years and capturing that special Mother/Daughter bond.

Happy Mother's Day 2014!

Happy Mother's Day 2014!

Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day Gifts 2014

Happy Mother's Day, 2014! Cheers to all the tears of joy, tears of pain and tears of frustration that come along with the title, "Mom." Cheers to the restful nights of sleep and the nights without... Cheers to the good times, the bad, the funny and the sweet... Cheers to the million acts selfless love and the selfish early morning snuggles... Cheers to the messes, the piles of laundry and the unvacuumed floors... Cheers to our children who made us mothers, to our mothers that paved the way before us and to the every unnoticed act that is done in love, in the name of "Motherhood."

Happy Mother's Day, 2014!

Wordless Wednesday- Please Touch Museums are fun for ALL Ages ;-P

Teacher Appreciation Week 2014

May 5-9, 2014, is "Teacher Appreciation" week! 

Coming from a long line of teachers (both sides), Lil' Miss will be wholeheartedly showing her appreciation, all week long! She's only in Preschool (never too early to start!), so she'll be showering her teachers with little gifts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday- "We Need S'more Teachers Like You!" printable by Glue Sticks and Tape (Packaged up graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows).

Wednesday- "Shooting for Brownie Points." printable by The Gaines Gang (Chewy Nutella Brownies by Finding Silver Linings- decadent and yummy!! Since Wednesday is Lunch Bunch day, we'll be sharing the love and distributing these ooey, gooey goodies to all five of the school's teachers.)

 

Friday- "If teachers were APPLES, I'd pick you!" printable by Lil' Luna (Gala Apples- Lil' Miss insisted they be red ;-) and caramel dipping sauce).

Thank you, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Gwyn! Lil' Miss has had a wonderful year and a large part of that is due to the love, care and guidance that she has been shown in your classroom! Thank you!

First Time at the Bowling Alley

Our family friends' little girl (well, not so little anymore- she's SEVEN- and I remember visiting her in the hospital on the day that she was born!!), recently had her birthday party at the bowling alley.

This was Lil' Miss' first experience lacing up the fancy clown shoes and striking some pins down. At first, she was a little hesitant and wanted Ted to help her every single turn.

However, by the end, she was bowling like a pro and having a blast!

Look at that awesome score!! She's a better bowler than I will ever be! She even managed to get a couple of strikes between the two games that she played!

As a side note, bowling alleys have come a long way from the dark, dingy, smokey caves I remember for years of ol'. The bowling alley that Cecilia's birthday party was held at had brightly lit lanes, touch-screen scoreboards and these really cool ramps that helped little ones (and big ones, too!), get the ball down the lane! Fun!!

(Happy Birthday, Cecilia!! So glad we could help you celebrate your special day! :-0)

Easter 2014 in NJ

"We spent Easter in NJ, this year!"

"We went to church with Nanny and Poppy. I even got to wear my pretty dress that they gave me for my birthday, back in February."

"Family Picture Time!"

"After church, Nanny and Poppy had an Easter Egg Hunt just for me!"

"There were lots of eggs to find!"

"On the Monday after Easter, Nanny and Poppy took me to the Philadelphia Please Touch Museum. It was so much fun! There was so much to see and do! We stayed for about five hours. 

The adults were all taking bets about when I'd fall asleep, in the car, on the way home from the museum. They were all wrong- I stayed awake and NANNY fell asleep!

Lots of fun, all around!"