Emory turned 2

Emory turned 2 on the 10th of this month.  We didn't have a big party for her because of so many things that were going on during that time.  We actually got to spend her birthday weekend at the beach!  We thought that was better than a party (thanks Uncle Blake!).  But I did (with the help of my fabulous husband) make these pictures to send out to family and friends just to up date them on what Emory looks like and likes at age 2.  I still can't believe my baby is 2 years old already!  Where, o where does the time go?

I saw this idea on Pinterest.  I can't stay off that site!  It is my new OBSESSION!  If there is an idea out_there, you can find it on Pinterest!  From fashion to crafting, to organizing and cooking - I mean everything.  Love it! 

       
Les' family was in town the week before her birthday, so she got to have a little celebration with them!  Aunt Karol made her cupcakes!  One of her FAVORITE foods! She had so much fun playing with her cousins. 

Carpe Diem!

Last Friday night WL and I went out to eat with Emory, our two year old.  During the fifteen minute drive it took us to get from our house to the resturuant of choice that night I rattled on about somethings I wanted to do in the next little while.  For example, a friend of mine had given me her murder myster dinner party game to look over and get it together for us to host, at some point.  I talked about that, and a few more things I just have to do.  I wasn't paying much attention, just talking.  Not too long after we sat down to eat, WL looked at me and asked if I realized that in the last twenty minutes I had planned three parties and a bathroom remodel.  Well, no I had not realized it had added up that quickly.  But that is how I think.  I was not at all concentrated on our dinner out, or what was going on around me.   I was, and am, constantly thinking about the next thing.  I don't know how to live in the moment, so to speak.  To slow down and appreciate, and more importantly, be content with what's around me.

My children are growing up so quickly.  I can't believe Emory turned two this year, and Jacob will start 1st grade, 1ST GRADE!!!  How did that happen?  How much have I missed worried about what is coming next.  How many nights have I wasted worried so much about bathtimes and bedtimes and what's for dinner and what's going on tomorrow that I have not made time to make precious memories of the here and now?  I don't want to be sitting at a computer 12 years from now crying over that fact that my son is going off to college and asking myself "where did the time go?"!  I want to learn to appreciate today, this hour, this minute.   

Don't get me wrong, I still want to have my parties and paint my guest bathroom, and about a dozen other things around the house.  Sit with me for five minutes and I will tell you all about it.  But I'm going to stop letting it consume me.  Those things will all come, at least the important ones.  And when they do, I hope I can take the time to really enjoy them as they are happening.

I'm going to leave you with the little quote that, along with WL's comment at dinner, really got me to thinking about this...

"The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make...
I did not live in the moment enough.  This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.  There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one.  And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, dn how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night.  I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed.  I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less"  ~ Anna Quindlen (Loud and Clear [2004], 10-11).

Mitsy

Did You Watch?

I may be one of a very small number of people who have not seen the entire ceremony of Will & Kate at this time.  Oh, I've seen bits and pieces, but I have not had the time to sit down and actually watch from start to finish.  But I have definitely seen the high points.  Kate was lovely!  She truly looked the part of a princess.  I loved her dress!  But as much as I loved Kate, who is this sister of hers?  She is just adorable too!  And her dress was show stopping all by itself.  But I must say I just love her name too, Pippa. What a peppy little name, it just sounds like the name of a happy person.  Who would not want to be friends with someone named Pippa?  I'm thinking of changing mine.

What a happy couple!

Beautiful dresses and girls

I love this dress!! And her name!

This guy just looks like he would be a lot of fun!

Even though I did not wake early Friday morning to view the Royal event, I did host one of my own Thursday night.  I hosted Royal Wedding Bunco at my house Thursday night.  It was a good time.  The menu include blueberry scones, brie cups, mini bacon and tomato open faced sandwiches, chicken salad sandwich bites, individual lemon custards, champagne and lemonade.  We also had a tiara to pass for the ladies who rolled a bunco!  I should have taken pictures, but I was still setting things up when the first guests started to arrive, and by the time I was finished with everything the brie cups were already gone.  They were a hit! 

In keeping with the royal theme, I would like to wish another royal couple a very happy one year anniversary!  Happy 1 Year Brittany and Blake.  You two are every bit as lovely as the royal couple themselves!



Brittany (middle) and her sister-in-law and mother-in-law at her bridesmaid luncheon I hosted last year.

Brittany in her wedding gown.  Everyone is a princess on their wedding day!

What is the next big event coming up?  Time to start planning for the next party! Hope everyone has a great week.

A To Zebra Celebrations: Spring Paper Bag Bunting

A To Zebra Celebrations: Spring Paper Bag Bunting: "I.Love.Buntings. I just wish I knew how to sew... Check out this super cute DIY Spring Paper Bag Bunting from Blue Cricket Design . ..."

Easter Egg Hunt!

My friend Kristi and I  hosted an Easter Egg hunt at her house this past Sunday.  It was so much fun! Everything was just perfect, the kids, the food, the weather; we really couldn't have asked for a better day! 

Our menu was simple but complete for an afternoon affair.  We served ham and tea biscuits, artichoke bites, strawberries and marshmallows on a skewer, Kristi made Cadbury Egg cupcakes (OMG GOOD!) and I made candied dipped marshmallows. 

 We are going to Daphne for Easter this weekend and I really looking forward to it.  I know the kids will enjoy it. I hope to get some good pictures to post. So until then...

Monkey Bars and Martinis: In the Begining...

Monkey Bars and Martinis: In the Begining...: "I have recently become a follower of some of the cutest and most entertaining blogs. I love reading the posts of these women and ..."

In the Begining...

I have recently become a follower of some of the cutest and most entertaining blogs.  I love reading the posts of these women and their everyday challenges life throws at them.  It is amazing to watch them handle these little ups and downs with such grace, dignity and humor, ok and maybe the occasional cocktail.  So, I have decided to start my own.  Don't know if I will have anything to write about, but we will see. 

As the mother of two very active children, we are always on the go.  My son's kindergarten class went on their first field trip this past Friday, I'm not sure if the Natural Science Museum will ever be the same again!  The kids had a blast though and so did the parents, for the most part.

The last of the first cousins on my mom's side got married last night!  I am so happy for Christina and Josh.  They make the cutest couple and she made the prettiest bride!  I loved her dress.  It's always so much fun (and chaos) when my family gets together.  I took both of my children - only because they were invited and against my better judgement.  I spent a very good portion of the reception chasing little E all over the dance floor and throughout the building.  I was sweating very nicely before it was all over!  I was also asleep before 9:30 on a Saturday night!

In just a bit we are going over to my parent's house to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday, which was actually yesterday, but because of the wedding we are celebrating tonight.  WOW 60!  We celebrated another friend of our's 40th birthday Friday night.  We are getting so old!! I hope to post pictures later... until then.