Emma's Play

Last week, Emma's class along with another class had a play. It was called the "PEACE PLAY". If you have been reading for a while, like a year or so, you might remember this from last year.
Emma's play was a different play and she had one line, as did all the other children. But, that didn't matter to Emma. All that mattered to her was that Caroline had more lines....it is ALWAYS a competition....UGH!!! Thank goodness, Emma's teacher was Caroline's teacher last year she stressed that Emma's line, the last line of the play, was the most important line of the play! And I could agree more!
We arrive early to get goo seats and because I was in charge of refreshments. Front row seats...the same as last year, trying to keep all things even. Here are the pictures I took from me seat!

Love front row seats...Do you see Emma? She is the one behind the podium. I could get EVERY OTHER KIDS face in on the stage, EXCEPT Emma! She was in that spot for the whole play! The whole play!!!! Except for the VERY LAST LINE!!!!

"PEACE REALLY BEGINS IN THE HEARTS OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF US!"

At the end of the play the teachers kept the kids on stage for a photo op...

Emma totally bored!

And I just had to include this...his mother must be thrilled! There were about a hundred cameras snapping away!

Count Down...

I am counting down the days until school is over! I am much more excited then the girls...these last few weeks just
d-r-a-g....o-n....f-o-r-e-v-e-r...
With all of the end of the year stuff, we have been very busy. Just about everyday there is some sort of event...portfolio picnics, plays, parties, graduations, etc...

What we have done so far this week:

We went to PF Changs for MBM's birthday and Lulu has decided to eat all her meals using chopsticks. PB&J diced...yummy!


MBM finally turned 34...


Lulu graduated from preschool...7 consecutive years at this school. I won't know what to do with myself next September when I don't have to drive anyone to school!


Between all the end of the year stuff I have squeaked out a few projects that have been lingering in the garage for the last few months! I am happy how these turned out...my parents old counter stools where headed to the trash but, I managed to salvage a few for our kitchen. Now we have 3 matching stools!
BEFORE


AFTER...sanding, two coats of paint, glaze, poly, new upholstered seats with laminated fabric!



I am headed to my new place of employment this afternoon to drop off some paper work...I start on MONDAY!!!!!!! Tonight, I am going to organize and plan out my clothes/shoes/bag/etc...

Etsy Wednesday Pick

Bella Blu Designs









Cute, right?
I recently ordered a few onsie set as gifts...A D O R A B L E!!!!
Christy the genius behind these darling products was recently on the Martha Stewart Show...watch here!

Today, was little Lulu's very last day of preschool....EVER! Bittersweet...

Tuesday Etsy Pick

Charlie and Sarah

I only have time for one picture...there stuff is so fun!!!!

Today is one of those CRAZY days where every minute is accounted for...my day looks something like this:

9:00...leave for the gym
9:30...class at the gym
10:30....shower and dress at the gym (BIG YUCK)
11:00...head to new place of employment to pick up some paper work, go over the schedule (my official first day is June 9th....WOOHOO), make a stop at the post office to ship some orders
11:30...stop at Michaels or Walmart for supplies for Caroline's ladybug habitat project
12:30...head over to a friend's house that need a consultation on curtains and paint, and break the news to her I won't be able to make the curtains for her, conflict of interest with the new JOB
1:30...hopefully heading home to do some work and clean up the mess we have been living in
4:00...take the big girls to gymnastics
5:30...MBM relieves me at the gym and I head here to meet my college roommates for some shopping and dinner!

What are you doing today?

Our Weekend

Most of our weekend was spent on a lacrosse field in some for or fashion. I took a million pictures, but, somehow my parents drove away with my camera...so, I won't be sharing pictures anytime soon! The girls won their game 12-8 on Saturday...WOOHOO. Caroline score a goal and Emma had an assist. Emma also ran toward the wrong goal, which had us in stitches on the sidelines. Sunday we had a full day of lacrosse events here! The girls started with a lacrosse clinic...then our team tailgated before going to cheer on the Blue Hens. Our girls were so excited, as they attend the Blue Hen lacrosse camp during the summer and LOVE their coaches, which are UD players. Emma and I were on our way to the bathroom when the UD team was headed into the stadium. One of the "coaches" saw her and came out of line to give Emma hug and chat with her....so sweet! You would have thought Emma had just met Hannah Montana, she was so excited and of course rubbed it in her sister's nose! Let's see what else did we do this weekend? Oh, yes...our house guest! Our ten month old niece, Lilli spent the weekend with us. She is the sweetest little thing, so easy, and just loved watching her cousins. I was EXHAUSTED...EXHAUSTED! I have forgotten how to change a baby, bathe a baby, dress a baby, pack a diaper bag. Let's just say I am out of practice and went to bed at 8:15 on Saturday night to recover! We have a crazy busy week ahead of us! I can't wait for school to be over! Anyone else sick of homework, projects, and packing lunches?

A Spring Saturday

MBM and the girls planting some seeds...an annual activity for them!









They planted sunflowers, daisies, poppies(my favorite), snapdragons, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Lulu keeps checking to see if they sprouted yet...oh, boy!

Lacrosse was rained out today...we kept busy in my studio...lots of ribbon and hot glue..more on that later!

Remember this? Well, I have an interview on Tuesday morning! I have been working on a "portfolio" of sorts all evening. I'll share that with you soon, too!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Weekend

The girls, Roosevelt and I headed to the shore right after school on Friday! MBM was flying in from Seattle and went right from the airport to the shore. We had a great Friday night...pizza, beer, People magazine, and early to bed! I am a nerd, I know!!!! But, I have spent so many Friday nights peddling my goods it was so nice to get in my jammies and relax!
Saturday, we were up early and headed over to our house to clean and prepare for our summer tenants. Saturday night was basically a repeat of Friday...and I loved every second of it!
Sunday, we headed home. Well, actually directly to the lacrosse field as the girls had a "playday" to kick off their season. Thank goodness, Spring decided to make an appearance. The girls were great! They won, 14-10...Emma had four goals! And, Caroline doesn't let her size hold her back from being a fierce defender.


Emma, #59, going toward goal


Caroline guarding a girl a bit taller then her!


Emma passing to Caroline...I almost fainted! Emma doesn't really like to share the ball and with her sister...I was blown away!

What's in store for this week...more lacrosse, logging some hours at the gym, lacrosse, sewing, lacrosse, court, lacrosse, manicure and pedicure, lacrosse...

Spring Break

The girls were on Spring Break last week. We headed to the shore after lacrosse practice on Wednesday.
The highlights...my mother cooked EVERY meal...I read for HOURS under a blanket on Thursday while the girls played AND didn't argue once...MBM and I went to dinner and Target for last minute basket fillers...MBM LOVED Target...Nana and I took the girls to see Penelope, so cute...Saturday we went to a party for our niece, Lulu danced the WHOLE time, complete with jumping spinning and air guitar.







Caroline and Emma were SOOOO embarrassed that Lulu was dancing...they had the BEST CAKE EVER at the party...the Easter Bunny did not disappoint, books, bathing suits, Crocs, sweaters, magic markers...the Easter Bunny even showed up at brunch...



after brunch we had our annual Egg Hunt with our friends...







...we played lacrosse on the beach...I let my cousin cut my bangs, she is in a student at the Jean Madeline Aveda Institute...Lulu and I took Roosevelt for a walk...I took a nap...drank some wine...hung out with the family...headed home on Monday ready to get back to our routine!

Oh Emma!

My sweet baby girl Emma! Emma is A LOT like me. She looks just like me...dark hair, fair skin, freckles, chubby cheeks and blue eyes. I love it and so does she. I call her my stunt double, she tells people that we are really twin sisters.

The poor thing is also shaped just like me...shorter than short, short legs and a BIG bottom! Last night I hemmed 10 pairs of pants. Two for me, eight for her. Fitting pants on her is like fitting pants on Sponge Bob. THANK GOD I can sew!!!!

2008

Happy New Year! We rang in the New Year, don't be jealous, at home sound asleep way before midnight! We had a nice dinner together and left over ice cream cake from Caroline's birthday for dessert, complete with tiaras and noise makers! I made one last pomegranate martini for myself (see my plan for "08) and snuggled in with a book, MBM watched football and the girls, camped out in the basement, trying their hardest to watch the ball drop. Lulu out cold by 9:30 and Emma and Caroline have different accounts of when they fell asleep...but way before midnight for sure!

I don't like to make resolutions, rather, I make a plan for the upcoming year. This year is The Year of Me! I am going to take better care of myself (workout more, eat less, get more sleep, remember to take my thyroid medicine, etc...) and do more of things that I love to do like read, go antiquing (really junking), refinish some furniture pieces, paint some rooms, spend more time in the yard and garden. ****MBM is laughing right now at the gardening**** Anyway, that is my plan!

Today, Caroline and I decided to stay in our pajamas. She has a school project to work on, why do teachers do that? Give the kids a major project to work on over the break...I was a teacher, I am pretty sure I never did that! Oh, well!

Caroline has been working on this for that past few days in my extremely messy and neglected studio. I am trying to clean up around her and start planning what's next for lulu belle...my head has been spinning with ideas, designs, changes, and I need to get it down on paper and put it into action before I get swept up in parties and filling custom orders! Plus, I want to do some sewing and monogramming just for me and our house.

Is anyone else excited about the HGTV Dream House 2008...premier tonight!!!!!

I better get busy! Just one more thing...I have been getting comments from some new bloggers! Just wanted to say welcome...your gonna love our little world...I sure do!

Many blessings to all in 2008!

Caroline is NINE!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!! All she wanted to do for her birthday is go to the mall, spend her Christmas gift cards and go to Starbucks for a snack and chocolate milk. So, that is just what we did! She came home with these, too! After she blew out the candles she informed us that in just another nine years she will be in college...

Brace face!

Caroline got braces today...and she is beaming, sporting her "Orthodontist" t-shirt. I didn't bring her back to school figuring there would be some pain. So we went out for ice cream and the daily trip to the post office.

A few hours later...still no pain, on the phone telling MBM all about them. She opted for red and green bands for Christmas and is already planning what she will "do" in January!
Of course, like the basket case I am, I teared up when I saw her. My little baby girl smiling from ear to ear so proud of her mouth full of metal. How can she be old enough for braces? What's next....a training bra? Lord help me!!!!

Weekend at Home!

We don't have any plans this weekend...nowhere to be nothing pressing to do, except sewing of coarse! MBM went to a football game with a friend the girls and I are home for the day. I am in my studio working and the girls are playing in the next room. I turned off the TV and music so I could listen to them play. I am not sure exactly what they are playing but I know it involves costume changes, because every time I peek out Lulu is a different getup! I wonder how long this is going to last? Them playing so nice together! I probably just jinxed it...but, I'll take what I can get!!!!

I've got nothing!

I have been sewing like a crazy person to prepare for three events this weekend and filling orders. Saturday, I have scheduled myself to be in two places at one time...MBM and the girls will be working the last hour of a trunk show! My "team" has been very helpful!
This was the floor of my studio the other day...it is all cleaned up now!

This is what happens in our back yard after school...the girls waiting with their sticks for MBM.

Weekend

Well we survived the weekend. My event on Saturday wasn't the best, but I did book a custom party for February and met a local gal (she is new to our area by way of Long Island) with a sweet little business and story similar to my own, stay at home mom with a sewing machine...blah, blah, blah! Check out her website...I did some Holiday shopping with her...these for my girls!

This for my nephew ....


And this for my niece......

My girls night was ok, the place the birthday girl chose was AWFUL...a hokie Italian restaurant, which was fine. But, when they cleared your plate they took your table away, too! The chef became a DJ...there was dancing on the bar...too many disco balls...the music was sooo loud you couldn't even talk without screaming...AND it was a total meat market...nothing I like more that women in their forties dressed and acting like they are twenty, it wasn't even funny, just pathetic...GOOD LORD, I sound like an old fart...but, trust me it was bad!

MBM just arrived home from the NY marathon...he said it was the most exciting because the streets were lined with people cheering for most of the course. I wished I could have gone with him. Next time and there will be a next time! We are all a little wiped out from the busy weekend and the time change. I wish I could sit in front of the tv tonight..but, I am getting ready to fire up the monogramming and sewing machine!

Go check out my new friend's website!

Fabric Closet

I have been cleaning out my fabric closet...I have tons of fabric! Fabric for bags, fabric left over from home decor projects, leftover from costumes, fabric remnants I just could live without, fabric from projects I haven't gotten to yet...
Inspired to create something from a few very small pieces of fabric...here is what I came up with!


These bags above have a beautiful blue quilted silk shantung. I loved this fabric when I bought it for the color and the quilting was done in squares...I love squares! I paired it with a brown and cream print. So far they have been a hit with the focus group, aka, my "go to" girls! Oh, and I have the quilted silk in pink, too!

And these, well, I am sure you recognize this plaid! I really like the how these turned out with just a hint of the plaid. Classic shape, classic fabrics...can't go wrong!

Most of my bag business is custom, so these were really fun for me to just sit and create, using forgotten fabric in a fresh way! I have some more in the works, too!

I am taking my show on the road, so to speak, this fall. Along with the custom handbags parties I will be doing a handful of trunk shows at Art Festivals, Holiday Shoppes, etc...

We will see how they work out...I have been having a lot of fun preparing. My next task is to create my space/booth/tent!!! I will be recruiting the "focus group" for help!

In other news...

...I had Caroline and Emma at the eye doctor today! Both need glasses...of course! They chose the cutest glasses...I'll be sure to post a picture when their glasses are in!

...Lulu has a fever!

...my whole body aches from my session with the personal trainer yesterday.

...I volunteered, again! I don't know what is wrong with me, I just can't help myself!

First Day of School

Everyone up early... in their new clothes, new shoes, new school bags, and huge SMILES!!!!

Walking to the bus stop! They were running, I had to ask them to slow down to get a picture...that's a good sign....running to the school bus!

See you at 3:45...

In the meantime...it was back to Lulu and I, partners in crime! We headed over to a neighbor's for coffee and carbs and then off to our annual "WooHoo, BooHoo" back to school celebration. WooHoo for hooray the kids are back in school and BooHoo for those sending little ones for the first time! We didn't have many BooHooers this year!

I am VERY happy to report that everyone had a great first day of school. Emma stared 2nd Grade. I love her teacher!!!! She was Caroline's teacher last year and I think it will be a PERFECT fit for our Emmie. She was happy to be reunited with her friends and made a few new friends, too!!!

Caroline started at a new school (the intermediate school 3-6)...she was nervous about finding her way to her "Pod" but was assisted by one of our neighborhood girls. WHEW!!! When the kids start at the intermediate school they are all mixed up again into new pods. She was excited to find some old friends in her pod and her very best friend is in her class...total fluke...THANK THE GOOD LORD got small favors! Caroline's teacher is young and energetic!

I think we are in for a good year!

So Long Summer!

So sad! This is the first summer in a long time that I am not ready for for the summer to end. We spent every second we could on the beach this weekend with our friends and families enjoying the sand, ocean, and ice cream!

Our beach friends!



Emma...beach bum!

The most popular guy on the beach...the ice cream man...

a.k.a. The Fudgy Wudgy Guy!

Lulu playing!

Aunt B and Lulu!

Caroline playing!

We also had our Annual Fish Fry...no fish anymore...we just order a bunch of pizza! Pizza, drinks and let the kids play! Great way to end the summer!

Tomorrow...SCHOOL! The big girls are all ready. Outfits picked out, school bags stocked with supplies, and lunches packed! The bus will be here in less than 12 hours! HOORAY!!!!!