The Park

So I had this great idea. To take the kids to the park for a pic-nik.

Getting there was just fine, coming home was a different story.

Yep, that was 3 kids in a stroller made for 2. Cozy and a little hot. Emily was our look-out for each next patch of shade along our trek.

We dined on ham and cheese sandwiches, grapes, Oreos and apple juice. As Sam would say, "Yum!"

I really love this park, it's so pretty all around here.

A rare moment when they were all in one spot.

It's fun to think that we started coming here when the girls were Sam's age, and now there isn't a part they can't play on by themselves.

We didn't get to stay very long since Sam's nap was approaching and he was looking pretty red from heat. I took what I thought would be a cooler way back, more trees. But I should have been more concerned about the time. Before I knew it they were all complaining and trying to get out.

So I thought walking would be a good idea.

Sam getting coached by his sister on how to say "Hi" to everyone they meet.

Do your kids do that too? Can you see his red little face? At this point I was really wishing I had brought along even more to drink.

This lasted about half a block more, then the crying and fighting began as some wanted back in and others wanted to walk without holding hands and I tried to tame the unruly stroller which really gets away from me going downhill.

Fortunately we happened upon a lemonade stand and I even had cash with me.

Unfortunately Sam took a nose-dive onto the street and was now bleeding from his nose and forehead (the third time in two days...boys I tell ya). Carrying him home the rest of the way (he was NOT going back in that stroller) and getting the girls to push the stroller not down the middle of the road was next to impossible. But, nothing a nice little nap can't cure!

I think next time...we are driving to the park or waiting for Daddy to get home.

How are you enjoying your summer days?

4th of July Sale

Shop our Etsy store which is stocked full of dollies,
between now and Monday night July 5th (midnight),
and receive 10% off and free shipping.

*Discount will be given in the form of a PayPal refund.

click here to enter the shop

Pray for Kate today

Please take a few minutes to pray for sweet Kate. She was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer one year ago today and after a year of treatments, including radiation, this scan is the most important in her journey.

Her dad wrote last night on her Caring Bridge:

"As hard as it is to believe, tomorrow marks 1 year since this painful journey began. However, tonight there were only laughs all around as Patrick, our dog, chased us around the house, the kids wildly giggling all the while. Kate sporting a new bandage on her wrist for support (fresh from therapy), and her 'pixie' hairdo showing style beyond her years, is not letting much slow her down these days.

After this year none of us will never be the same again! The range of emotions has swung from moments of deep sorrow to great joys, from times of desperation to overwhelming peace, from too many questions for words to faith that trusts despite the fears.

We will never be able to say thank you enough for the unending support that we have received this past year. In our weakest times we always knew that we were being held up, constantly in the hands of a gracious Father and supported by the prayers of His saints.

So tomorrow Kate has another MRI (around 12pm Pacific), there have been too many to count at this point. Yet this MRI is the most important one, if for no other reason than it is the next one. We have great hope going into this scan, hope that treatments have worked, hope that the tumor is gone and hope in a God who still does the impossible.

So tonight 364 days after diagnosis, I find myself again repeating the prayers that have been echoing in our hearts for months and grasping on to God's faithful promises that have fed our souls over and over again, words like...

Isaiah 43: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Here are a few prayer requests we have...
-pray that the MRI tomorrow would be clean with no tumor present
-pray for Kate's complete physical healing (& restoration of lost abilities)
-pray that Kate will have many, many years to tell the stories of all that Jesus Christ has done

Aaron"

Lots of Fun Stuff

I'm really excited about something fun I've got coming in the mail to use on our dining room table. I can't wait to show you when they get here! The kind folks at CSN stores have asked me to do a product review and the item I picked is just perfect with the French Country theme I've already committed to in our house. They will replace some items we've had since we were married almost 12 years ago. I can't wait to have a more updated version to use. Because, seriously, who knows what their decorating style is at 23 anyway? The new ones will be great no matter what decorating direction I go in the future.

But in the meantime...let me show you what arrived on my doorstep last week.



Yep, I won a complete set of fat quarters of Jennifer Paganelli's latest line called French Poodle. Seriously...moi!! That's over 5 yards of fabric! Thank you Jennifer & Co., I am so tickled to have won these.

Now that it's here, I'm actually having a difficult time deciding what to do with them. There are so many things I could choose to do. The hardest part for me with any design is always deciding what direction to take something in.



At first I thought I'd make a couple of OOAK outfits. I've got a fun embroidery pattern that would be perfect for a little apron top. But they all blend together so well, I'm having trouble deciding which fabrics should be grouped together.

Aren't they gorgeous?



But I do I think I've decided on my favorite fabrics in the bunch. I don't think I ever would have picked out the brown from the on-line swatches, but to see them in person...WOW! Total love.



So after rearranging and rearranging...



...I'm thinking this stack really wants to be...



...a quilt.

But don't hold me to that. I've been known to change my mind a time or two.

They are almost too pretty to cut into, so I'm just gonna stare at them a few more days before I decide for sure.

She's got an announcement to make...

At just 4 years and 10 months old,

Allison's bottom two middle teeth are loose!

How can this be?

That's not supposed to happen this soon, is it?

I don't think I'm ready to see her with a jack-o-lantern smile.

Boo hoo!

This morning I noticed a large gap between her bottom teeth. Wearing my don't-panic-I'm-a-seasoned-pro Mommy hat, I gently asked to see her teeth, fearing the worst and trying not to alarm her. I was shocked to find that two teeth were loose. It still took a couple of minutes to sink in that there wasn't an accident, but rather a normal right of passage was headed her way.

I'm really excited for her! There is nothing Allison loves more than 1) being right and 2) being first. How fun for her to be getting the first visit from the Tooth Fairy at our house. And Emily has been very supportive of her sister, not an ounce of jealousy in sight.

18 months {make that almost 20}

Sam, how did you get to be such a big boy already? Part of me is missing the baby you, but I also really love the little man you are growing in to. You are just a bundle of energy and so good natured and fun.



Your favorite things right now are "Caws" (cars) which is also said for anything with wheels, including trains. The minute we open the door you yell "caw, caw, caw" and run to it hoping for a ride. "Shoooos" also tops the list, mostly because you know that means we are going somewhere. You always know exactly where to find yours. If you had your way, you would be on the go 24/7...in a car...wearing shoes.



You also love your "seesas" (sisters). You definitely know who is who. They are often the first to wake you up from a nap and when Daddy or I come to get you instead, you immediately ask where they are. When driving to pick up the girls from school, you start calling their names when we make the turn down the correct road. You really miss them when they are gone.



Oh and we can't forget about your Daddy. I have never seen such excitement at the phrase "Daddy's Home." And when he dresses you in your matching Revolution soccer team jerseys, to watch the World Cup, you tug on your shirt because you know you two match.



You just discovered picking raspberries from our neighbors garden and love it.



You love being pushed in your swing. Pretty much everything outside is your favorite. You are great with the sidewalk chalk too...and crayons...and markers...as long as you also have paper.



Indeed you are growing up into a fine young boy. Your smile can light up a room and I love how you pretend to be shy with everyone you meet but are also quick to warm up to them. I'm so glad you are over the hump of crying when we leave you in the nursery at Church. But we greatly enjoy coming to pick you up and seeing you run to us, screaming at the top of your lungs "Mama" or "Dada."

You are a fun loving little guy and are learning so much each and every day. We've noticed that your learning is a bit more obvious and possibly quicker, since you have two big sisters to keep up with.

And oh my, are boys more physical than girls. Not a day goes by that I don't nearly die of fright over your acrobatic skills. This is all new to us...walking on tables, running and jumping on people for no obvious reason other than because it's fun and nearly throwing yourself off the changing table several times a day. Slow down Little Buddy, your Mama is exhausted.

Yes, your smile is like sunshine on a cloudy day.

We can't imagine our family without you.

Keep smiling Mr. Sunshine. We love you!

Swim Lessons

Summer means swimming and swimming means lessons. We are so glad we signed the girls up for lessons this summer. They think it's great fun and it's such an important skill to know. We really love our swim school. Their pool is designed specifically for lessons, the water is quite warm and their instructors are amazing.

This is day 2 of their lessons. Funny how one of my girls can be afraid of the shower head in the tub, but not mind the showers at the pool or getting her head fully submerged. She feels completely comfortable here. And perhaps it helps that her "no fear" sister is right next to her.







Their favorite part is dousing the instructor. She's really good at making it fun for them. Everything revolves around a child's song, game or animal. They are already practicing "Humpty Dumpty sat at a wall..." to get them to jump into the deep end of the pool. Then they learn how to swim in a tight circle back to the wall. Great way to teach kids how to get out of the pool if they accidentally fall in or get pushed in.



Goggles for the first time. They loved them so much, they are running around the house wearing them right now as they play "swimming."





Emily takes after me, her legs go right to the bottom.





And her kick looks a little more like crawling. She's got some coordination to work on.



Allison is just a little fish. I can't even tell you how many times I heard "don't help me, I can do it myself." Her teacher obliged her a few times and of course she sank. I love how she then said "I thought you were going to show me how you can do it?" I think Allison got the message that help is still ok.



See Emily back there? She really really enjoyed those goggles.



Learning to float as a "starfish." They get to chose what color starfish they think they are.



There is lots of affirmation and hi-fives throughout the lesson. The kids are always beaming and smiling back at me to see if I'm still watching. Oh and Sam sits patiently during the whole 30 minutes taking it all in. I bet he can't wait for his turn.



Way to go girls, you will be great swimmers before you know it!

Dollies are here!

We did it! We've finally launched our TaDa! Dollies. Before I go collapse into bed, I just wanted to share a few of our favorites. I saw a few, because we really do love them all. How could we not, these girls are such a labor of love.

There are 20 listed, so please check out the shop and come back and tell us which is your favorite. That will make us really happy. :)

Scottie {Jane}



Barefoot Roses {Sophia}



Nicey Jane {Rebecca}



Sweet Tweet {Penelope}
{psst...We think you'll like what's extra special about her, when you see her backside.}



Pop Garden {Megan}



Sock Monkey {Betsy}



Oh, and I will be back to blogging regularly too. ;)

I've missed you!

Peonies and Stuff

The peonies are actually all gone now. And I can't wait to take my shovel to them and split them this year. I've got big plans for our flower beds this summer. I'm digging new ones and expanding existing ones. The bricks behind Emmy here are where I'll be planting hostas to fill up the space under our crab-apple tree. David won't miss mowing this hill and I think a sweet little bench or Adirondack chairs back there would be cute. I'll also be leaving space for a row of Hydrangeas along the back of the garage. And the Rhubarb will find a new home in a sunny spot back there too.



We've had so much rain here lately, and cool days, I'm ready for a heat wave again next week. Temps in the 60's just don't scream summer to me.



The girls sure enjoyed picking flowers this spring.
If they had their way, there would be none left on the plants.



I've finally become a coffee drinker. I never thought I'd see the day, but Coffee Mate French Vanilla is really yummy. Sleep is at a premium for us again lately. David being on call for work is a lot like having a newborn in the house. But without the sweet baby to cuddle.



I've managed to lose 8 pounds now. I'm a forth of the way to my goal.
Bahamas...here we come!