End of the Year

As I was looking through pictures on my camera, I realized that I never posted about Emma Catherine's end of the year preschool party. I really try to post in chronological order, but I want a record of this. The picnic was for families and we had pizza and popsicles. Ryan was able to come and Bailey was at Mother's Morning Out so we got to concentrate on just Emma Catherine, which she was so excited about. We had a good time and we said goodbye to Mrs. Janice. Emma Catherine had a great year at preschool! We feel that she learned a lot and has matured. She loved going to school, but I think she will have a hard time understanding that she will be in a new room next year. Mrs. Janice's present.

We are Awana Cubbies...

...we're happy all day long. That is part of the Awana Cubbies song that the kids sang at church last night. We had our Awana closing ceremony and each age group got on stage and sang a few songs. Some may remember my post on VBS last year. When Emma Catherine got on stage, she ran around the back of the stage and wanted to go up and down the stage and she didn't sing at all. Needless to say, I was nervous about what she might do this year, BUT there was no need to be. She did great! She stayed right in her spot on the stage and she did all the motions and sang the songs. Ryan and I were so proud of her. It's amazing how much she has matured since she turned 3. She even gave Cubbie bear a hug at the end, which we couldn't believe since she won't even talk to Aubie.

When Emma Catherine turned 3 we moved her up to Cubbies and she has loved it. It has been so neat to hear her recite God's word and to be excited about it. I am excited to see all that she learns next year.

Whirlwind

This weekend felt a little bit like a whirlwind but we had a lot of fun. Emma Catherine had 2 birthday parties, we had a cookout with friends, my birthday on Sunday, and Ryan played in a golf tournament for church. The first birthday was for a set of twins that were turning one. Their older brother is in Emma Catherine's preschool class. We enjoyed playing and visiting with friends.

We left the birthday party in a downpour and headed across town to a bbq. It was a group of friends we met at the YMCA and a lot of the girls and I all work out at the same time. Our kids are all about the same age so all the kids played and played and played. We let the girls stay up a little past their bedtime and they were great.

On Sunday Emma Catherine had a gymnastics and swimming birthday party. She was so confused about it not being my birthday party since it was my birthday. I'm honestly not sure she ever really figured it out. Again, both girls had a blast at the party. Ryan took Bailey home for a nap after the gymnastics part and I stayed with Emma Catherine so she could swim. Except, that she never actually got in the pool. She thought it was too cold plus she saw a few worms at the bottom on the pool. I sure hope she'll get in the pool this summer. I am planning to spend a lot of time there. After Bailey woke up from her nap, we went to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant for my birthday dinner. When we got home I opened my presents and we had cupcakes. Ryan got me some workout clothes, a exercise ball (I asked for both of these) and a new cell phone (a surprise). Ever since Bailey broke my palm pilot phone I have been wishing for a better cell phone b/c the one I'm using is so old. My contract isn't up for another year, so this was a great surprise. Mainly I just wanted one with a keyboard for easier texting and Ryan found a good deal on a used one on ebay. I am so excited.
I had a great weekend and a great birthday! Emma Catherine and Bailey both are taking great naps right now, as you can imagine, and I almost forgot one more surprise. One of Ryan's new co-workers offered to babysit the girls tonight so Ryan and I could have a birthday dinner without children. She is interning with Ryan's company and told Ryan that she loves to babysit. I am excited for a night out. Hopefully the girls will behave.

What I've Been Working On

...these two sweet little smocked dresses. I'm embarrassed to say that I started smocking these dresses in the fall, around October, I think. Today I just finished smocking the sleeves and am finally finished! I generally only get to smock at night after the girls go to bed, which doesn't leave a ton of time each day plus there always seems to be so many things to do after the girls go to bed...clean up, blog, reply to email, sleep, organize coupons (more about that later), etc. I have found that I get into ruts and don't smock for weeks and then pick it up and work every night for awhile. Thankfully I know this pattern and I always buy ready to smock dresses for the next season so I have plenty of time. The girls will be able to wear this dress all summer and into the fall. I bought this fabric from Hobby Lobby and I sent it to Smocking Etc to have it constructed and pleated. Unfortunately I don't know how to sew so I have to get someone to do all the work. I'm really hoping to learn one day, but as of yet, it hasn't happened. I really enjoy smocking, but one hard thing has been that there aren't any smocking stores in Chattanooga. When I visit new towns, I'm always looking for smocking stores. I love getting ideas and also getting new plates. I haven't decided what my next project will be. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a close up view

Happy Mother's Day

I thought these pictures were funny. I went to the store this afternoon before the girls woke up from their naps. When I got back this is what they looked like...

I know you can't tell well from the picture but under the princess outfit she is wearing an orange Auburn shirt and lime green shorts.
Now Bailey does match a little better but the shirt is her first birthday shirt that is too small.

The Hub Fest

Today we went to a festival in a nearby park with some friends, and we had a lot of fun while we were there, but after about an hour and a half of being there, it rained. Emma Catherine was disappointed to have to leave but she still had fun riding a pony, jumping on an inflatable, doing crafts, and getting her face painted. The best part was that it was all free! I feel like a bad mommy because as I was looking through the pictures tonight, I realized I didn't take any of Bailey girl. I'll make up for it another time.

One Last Hurrah

This weekend Ryan was on call so the girls and I packed up and spent the weekend in Auburn with my sister and my parents. This may be the last time we are all in Auburn together for awhile because my sister is moving out next weekend. I am so happy for my sister that she will be starting this new chapter in her life but I am a little sad that no one in our family will be living in Auburn for the first time in 8 years. It was senior weekend for the Auburn softball team, so the girls had fun playing at the games, seeing old friends, and also eating at the tailgate (always a highlight for my children). The girls were great in the car, which is an answer to prayer and we had a fun weekend with family and friends.

When we got into town we met my parents at the mall. The girls rode these little rides quite a few times and we were happily snapping pictures until the Auburn mall cop informed us that we were not allowed to take pictures inside the mall. I've never heard that rule before. Oh well, we got so cute shots anyway.