NOTES FROM EM

Christmas Cards

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:11:00 +0000

If you sent our family a Christmas card, this is where it started out.

On either side of our front door, so that we could see you coming and going.

The "hanger" is just a ribbon that I glue gunned buttons too, hand sewed some cute paper clips to, then tied a pretty bow at the top, and voila, your very own card hanger.

Now that its New Years Eve, we take down all our decorations and pack them away. All except for the Christmas cards, they go in a bowl and sit on our dining room table. Each night at dinner we take one or two cards and pray for those people or person who sent us that card. This is a tradition that started when I was a child with my family. We really enjoy remembering friends that are close and far.

This year I was reading somewhere (to remember where would only prove to my ever shrinking brain cells, that they are in fact, still shrinking) about this program for St. Jude's Ranch. The ranch is a place for the healing and caring of abandoned, abused, and neglected children, and there is a way for us to help. The recycle card program works like this....

The children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive "green" holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of "going green".

Its a win, win for all parities involved.

* just as a disclaimer, I will NOT be sending photo cards of you all and your families, just those without family photos.

Merry Christmas, Christ is born.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:37:00 +0000

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!

Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,

and in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord, that ever, ever praise we.

Noel! Noel! Oh night;oh night divine!

Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:01:00 +0000

(original date, Dec 9, 2009)

If there were such a thing as a merit badge for vaccinating your almost 5 year old. .... I earned it today.

Let me start by saying, yes we vaccinate, I know you may not, but we choose to do so, on a spaced out schedule, but nonetheless, we vaccinate. Thats not without saying that I have had my freak outs about filling a 7 lb baby full of antibodies when she was just days old. I left crying and angry with myself that time. Hence the spaced out schedule.

Back to my morning.

1st round of h1n1 vaccine last month, a shot for Ruby and the mist for Parkey.

All was well, Rubes didnt even cry.

There is a learning curve with the mist, but this time around it went really well, no wrastleing to the ground forcing the liquid up the nose routine.

We went back today for the booster h1n1, a shot for Ruby and since there wasnt a mist, a shot for Parkey, but she didnt know this was going to be an option.

ok, let me say that I really try to do a great job at not cussing in front of my children, but today was a huge exercise in self control for not only myself but for SP as well.

Ruby was a champ, never even saw it coming. Looked at me with the expression of "what just happened, oh wait a sticker, ok great"

Sp started screaming, yes SCREAMING in the bathroom, not even in the patient room, telling me all about how she...

"was NOT getting a shot today"

"I will NOT do it"

"I wont stand up, I wont go back in that room, I will NOT let you hurt me"

"I'M gonna spank YOU Mama!"

and in my brain was : "oh no she DID'NT"

(this was the line for me, like I said, she's 5 and doesn't cuss, but this was as close to a cuss as she can get, you DONT tell Mama what's going to happen, and you definitely DONT tell Mama she is getting a spank)

well..... that didn't go over to well with me, I have long ago lost all sense of embarrassment with my children. Happened way to many times over and over, so I wasn't going to let this bother me, for the sake of saving face (because we as mothers know, there is no such thing), it was all about the attitude at this point.

Besides every time we go to the doctor some kid is crying, but I just dont remember those other kids being as articulate as mine was being at this moment. Coupled with the fact that we are in the bathroom, I know you all have sung in the shower at some point, so you can attest to how great the acoustics are in a tiled room, all that applies here as well.

Kicking me and still screaming at me, I pick her up and carried her back into the room, which is no small feat when your child is in the 99th percentile for height and weight. All the while telling her "get your ass into that room and put your big girl panties on we're getting that shot weather you like it or not" "take a deep breath, in your nose and out your mouth, deeeeep breaths, its going to be ok, this is how we protect you from germs, deeeep breaths."

which worked for about 17 seconds.

more kicking, screaming, limp fishing, hitting, yelling at the top of her lungs, restraining, until... it was over, and SHE DID'T EVEN KNOW IT HAPPENED.
the nurse of steel declared, "Done!"
and in the hallway, not so under her breath "good grief"
SP looked up at me and said "She did it? Its over?"
Me "yes, all done, what do you think?"
SP beaming with pride "I didnt even feel it!"
Me" Imagine that!" and on the inside, "well, this is a maybe on the list of future counseling sessions conversations for her" and "oh crap, Ruby! are you here?" (she was, I was just so caught up in how to exorcize the demon out of Parkey take care of my eldest, that I was lucky the youngest was just following me around in the room)

I know that as soon as we walked back out into the waiting room on our way out, we were given the "was that your child screaming/what kind of mother are you/cant control your child/ was it really that important?" kind of stares.

and me (again on the inside) "YES it was, worth every bit of not being sick for a week to ten days, with potential for hospitalization due to after effects of the swine flu, and no I do not feel one bit of remorse from doing what we feel is best to protect our children, and yes, I am apparently raising a super drama queen, but by God she is going to be a healthy one"

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:41:00 +0000

we're all about moderation at our house....can't you tell?

the day after Thanksgiving meal.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:17:00 +0000

I know that I missed a meal in the mix of all the holiday food preparations. But to us, the night before Thanksgiving is a low key event, pizza, pb&j, sandwiches, etc... however, For the day after thanksgiving...... this adds a twist to a traditional mexican encheliadas with the cranberry sauce, Don't, repeat dont let that throw you off.

before you begin to read this recipe, stop , go to your ipod/itunes/cd player/tape player/ and heaven forbid your record player/ and put on some cheery Christmas music, because like it or not {we, love it} its christmas time!!!

Layered Turkey Enchiladas.....yummooooieeee

ingredients

1 lb. turkey breast tenderloin, cut in bite-size strips
1 16-oz. pkg. frozen sweet peppers and onions stir-fry vegetables
1 10-oz. can enchilada sauce
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
9 6-inch corn tortillas, halved
1 8 oz. pkg. Mexican blend shredded cheese (2 cups)
Lime wedges (optional)
Cilantro sprigs (optional)

directions

1. Position oven rack toward top of oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In extra-large skillet cook turkey in 1 tablespoon hot cooking oil over medium heat 4 minutes or until no longer pink. (I sub chicken all the time, and since you might have some left over turkey lying around, just use it) Add frozen vegetables, enchilada sauce, and cranberry sauces. Bring to boiling. Sprinkle salt and pepper.

2. In 2-quart baking dish layer one-third of the tortillas, then one-third of the cheese. Use a slotted spoon to layer half the turkey-vegetable mixture. Layer one-third tortillas, one-third cheese, remaining turkey-vegetables (with slotted spoon), and remaining tortillas. Spoon on remaining sauce from skillet; sprinkle remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut in squares. Serve with lime and cilantro. Serves 4. {we serve this with sour cream & have rice as a side dish}

I'll be posting about our thanksgiving a later time..... still recovering, in a great way.
Thankful to all who read, and all who comment, and all that don't.
Freedom in it all, and thankful that we have that freedom.

Week of Thanksgiving meal #2

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Olivia, this is for you girl.

This is 100% kid friendly meal, I realize that not all kids would eat the previous meal, so I am posting one that most will. This is super, and when I super, I mean extremely, easy. I substitute the beef strips for chicken that I have cubed, and then follow the rest of the recipe. I will say, that if you are anti bread, that substituting the pita for a large piece of lettuce would be scrumptious. And maybe even dare I say, more adult friendly.{original recipe by Parents Magazine}

Meal #2

Ingredients

1 pound beef stir-fry strips
2 teaspoon Greek seasoning
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 soft pita breads, warmed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup thin strips cucumber
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup ranch dressing

Directions

1. Cut beef into small pieces.( If necessary) and toss with Greek seasoning.

2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef, half at a time, and cook, stirring 2 to 3 minutes or until browned.

3. Divide beef among warmed pitas. Top with tomato, cucumber, and feta. Drizzle ranch dressing over filled pitas. Serve extra ranch dressing on the side, if desired

Thanksgiving week of food meal #1

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:53:00 +0000

I don't know about you all but I always have a hard time with making meals the week of Thanksgiving. I have this weird feeling of not wanting to make anything all that good in preparation for the upcoming feast. Some kind of self depravation, which is silly, but none the less, stays with me. I might never admit to it, but I think that maybe the meal on Thursday will taste even better, the butter smoother, the turkey juicer, and plumpier cranberries.

( I know its not a word, but it should be)

With that being said, I thought I'd post about the meals I will make this week in preparation for our gorging on Thursday.

Tonight I'll be making a Martha Stewart all in one bowl dish, the ingredients in this are not typical of a traditional Thanksgiving, so there shouldn't be much overlap with this meal and your Thanksgiving meal.

Tomato and Sausage Risotto

Let me start by saying wilted spinach is not a friend of my palette, but the flavors of this dish are o.u.t.s.t.a.n.d.i.n.g.

So fresh and warming, the perfect one bowl winter time dish.

Its easy to assemble, but take a wee bit of time just because your constantly adding water and stirring the Arborio rice. Which may I say, is so creamy in texture but not in taste.

(prep time is 10 minutes, totally time is 55 minutes)

If this dish doesn't wrap its arms around you and make you feel loved and cared for in the true sense of the phrase "comfort food" should, just don't bother ever making anything else I recommend, we have different taste in food.

ok, here we go.

Serves 4

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, in juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed ( I use chicken sausage)
1 small onion, finely chopped
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 bunch flat-leaf spinach, (10 to 14 ounces), washed well, tough stems removed, chopped (about 7 Cups)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional)
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine tomatoes (with their juice) and 3 cups water. Bring just to a simmer; keep warm over low heat.
In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add sausage and onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up sausage with a spoon, until sausage is opaque and onion has softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add rice; cook, stirring until well coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring until absorbed, about 1 minute.
Add about 2 cups hot tomato mixture to rice; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until absorbed, 4 to 5 minutes. Continue adding tomato mixture, 1 cup at a time, waiting for one cup to be absorbed before adding the next, stirring occasionally, until rice is creamy and just tender, about 25 minutes total (you may not have to use all the liquid).
Remove pan from heat. Stir in spinach, Parmesan, and butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately (risotto will thicken as it cools), and sprinkle with additional Parmesan, if desired. (I recommend keeping the parmesan on the table to be grated in just before eating, the nutty flavor really complements the creaminess of the rice.)

Now the last step is while you are sitting at your dinner table, gently lean over your bowl and just smell the creation set before you, let the slight white wine tang resonate in your mind, and feel the love of good food.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Im having a bit of a blogging dilemma.

There are a few subjects/ideas that I would like to express my thoughts and opinions about/on, however, I have no desire to offend any potential reader.

The thoughts are not about specific people, so I feel safe in that. But they could be potentially loaded commentary and depending on a readers interpretation, could be to close to home.

any thoughts?

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Dancing with the Stars has nothing on us.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:11:00 +0000

p: "is it time yet moooooooom, I cant wait anymore!"

me: "no honey, its still not time yet, remember I set the timer so you'll know when all of our friends will arrive, keep looking at it"

p: "but mom, its not going as fast as I want it to!"

ooooooo the anticipation of not knowing what in the heck is going on .

Did you know that peacocks love ladybugs?

Yep, thats my child trying to eat chocolate through the plastic wrapper.
And being that Ruby can not have chocolate right now, this was not a great holiday for her on the food spectrum. But more on that later.

Holding hands with Lila.

One of the most exciting things for Parkey was that the "real live Wonder Woman!!!" was there.
She sent me over first to see if we could take a picture with her, I gave her the thumbs up sign, and she ran over as fast as she could. This is a new idea for us, woman super-hero's, her little friends who are boys are discovering batman, spiderman, etc and are continually playing super-hero.... so this was to her delight.

At the neighborhood pre-trick or treat party.

The first few "treatings"
Ruby and I had been practicing all day saying "trick or treat" and she finally got it, and once she understood what saying those magic words got her, she was in.
She was a toddler on a mission, she didn't even want us to hold her because she thought she could walk faster if she did it on her own.

Fortunately the neighbors were gracious for a first time treater, more candy than this fluffy mama needs we could ever eat.

I realized at the end of the night that most of my pictures were of Ruby and that was for two reasons.
One I love , love, love this costume on her, and yes she will wear it again next year as well.
Two because , Sadie Parker was so beyond excited that it was Halloween, she wouldn't stand still long enough to take her picture.
She created her own costume, she had plenty to choose from, and I even offered to buy her one, but she was insistent on being a "fairy princess" which is exactly what she was, and she was ready two hours before game time.

After all the rainy fun, we came home and had chili with some friends and family.
Which turned out to be a great idea, mostly so that the kids could wiggle out the mass amounts of sugar they had consumed over the course of walking through the neighborhood.
Ruby discovered cotton candy and suckers, and loved them enough to lay down on the ground in that big old costume of hers and pitch a fit when I told her we were all done "open" candy.
It was such an accomplishment that I gave her another candy.

Later, while getting ready for bed, I asked Parkey what her favorite part of the night was and she answered,
"meeting the real Wonder Woman, and passing out the chocolate mustaches to the kids"
(more on that later as well.)

stuck in the middle with you

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:11:00 +0000

you. all.

I died when I saw this picture of us.

I really did stop breathing for just a moment in time.

My dear sweet friend Olivia graciously took some family pictures for us last sunday, and this and the header are just two of them.

I fully love this picture, as much as you can love an non-living thing.

Please get her to take your pictures.

We've never had pictures taken , and its always been something I've wanted and this was beyond what I even knew I wanted.

The Mr. and I were standing holding hands, and Ruby did not like that at all. She is actually pushing Drew away from me so that he wouldn't be touching me. Funny, yes. but a super sweet picture that I died for, absolutely.

Its only Tuesday.....

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:39:00 +0000

What, isnt this the way you are supposed to use sticky notes?!?

She went to bed with both arms in the sleeves of her shirts, but woke up with only one.

hmmmmm......

Yes, its already started, thanks to PBSKIDS.ORG

(how sweet is Rubes on her tippy toes wanting to see what all was happening)

Sweet night night's with good old Dr. Seuss.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

It is happening already, at the age of 4 years, 9 months, 7 days, and about 6 hours.

She has decided who she wants to be, may I please introduce you to.....

"Parkey"

Now, she wont correct you if you call her Sadie Parker, but you will most likely be told that she likes to be called Parkey.

Which started out as Parkey Parkerson, just like you can do with any name, such as Mommy Mommerson, or Ruby Ruberson, or Snarkey Snarkerson, etc... ( I really could go on and on, and sometimes I do)

I think that is really might just be my fault, I've call my kiddos so many different nick-names, and endearing terms, that who can blame her for thinking that a name is interchangeable. She has even done it with the Mr. and myself, formerly Dada and Mama to Papa and Mimi. And I will even admit to my "youthful" days, to telling people my name was "Towanda Lucinda Jane."

That was a name that gave me great license to be/do whatever I wanted.

I digress.

So here is this little baby of mine, telling her teachers and all her classmates to call her Parkey.

Which I must admit has thrown me off a little. I mean if your personal nickname became what everyone called your child, that would take some adjusting to. Lets just hope this isnt a yearly event of change, we might be dealing with personality disorders at that point.

I will also caution you about the nicknames you give your children, make sure they are ones you really like and that you wont have issue with if they decide to keep and define themselves as such.

I am curious as to what a Parkey can/will do in life. We poured over the names of our children so much and named them very intentionally. Both girls have family names from both sides of our families, and we still to this day really love them. Names you know, but aren't heard of that much. So maybe SP is doing that herself, choosing a name that means something to her. I'll give her this much, you will more than likely never meet another person named Parkey.

And for the record, its fine if you still would like to call her Sadie Parker, I still do.

the phantom has struck again.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Neighborhood halloween festivities have begun.

And while I know some of you all don't celebrate, be it you don't have children, or you just disagree, we enjoy and have a great time.

A bucket is left at your front door with the following....

A friendly ghost, with a poem, and candy in a bucket.

The instructions are to pass along the fun, secretly, to your neighbors, mostly those with children.

Parkey has a great time planning out who her ghosts will be delivered to.

Watch out fellow neighbors, you might just be spooked!

Boo.

boing

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:43:00 +0000

Curls for days, upon days.

banana montage

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:42:00 +0000

"Hey-o nana?"

(ummmm, hello banana?)

"Uby!"

(yes, this is Ruby and its very serious business)

"si-yee nana"

(oh, Banana, you are just too silly)

"Pee-boo nana!"

(Peek a boo, banana!)

"oooooo nana."

(ohhhh you banana)

"hmmmmm. All-de nana"

(all done banana)

And her mothers thoughts are ...

Just look at that face!!!!!

Don't you just want to squeeze it and smooch it and never stop!

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Hello world wide web, let me re-introduce myself.
I'm Emily, a stay at home mom, with two little girls, and an amazing husband.
I feel the need to reestablish who I am and what I've been doing with myself this past month.
The thing is, there is nothing in particular that has stolen my time, other than life, which as been super enjoyable lately.
The girls started school, obviously, since thats been my last post for over a month, which has given me a little bit of time to focus on other areas. The other areas have mostly been sewing, which you can view on my sewing blog if you'd like, but no worries if not.
Other events of the past month....
my birthday, which was mixed in with a week long stomach bug for the girls. Thankfully the hubs gave me a re-do on that, even though I didn't need a re-do. It was just nice being with my family, the people I love most, even if they were sick, we were all together. I was thankful just to have a family to take care of.
So I need to finish my 32 list. Suggestions? I have a few other ideas, but I'd love to know what you all would challenge yourselves to.
And ohhhhh the weather, after what felt like the 40 day flood, it has ceased raining, and the cool air has descended upon us, and it is a GIFT, we LOVE it, and are trying to soak it all up while we are healthy.
Which is another thing, swine flu has been a little consuming for me. We haven't had it, but I am scared of getting it. So there has been lots of had washing, and days of not going out. I know paranoia never serves anyone all that well, but PTL, we have not been oinking at our house yet.
And lastly, the thing I've been somewhat emotional about is that Parkey started ballet this past week.
I am so grateful that we are able for her to take ballet lessons and go to pre-school. I never did either of those things, (don't worry, I very obviously wasn't deprived) and no its not a mother, living through her child kind of psychotic thing. I am just so happy for her to be able to partake in something she loves so very much, and through the love of Christ, we are able to give that to her. She loves it so much and is beyond excited to be apart of something so fun.
I know, no picture. boooooooo.
But I will be back in action soon.
Very soon.

First Day of School.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:05:00 +0000

This was the beginning of the end in more than one way in relation to school.
It was Parkey's last first day of preschool. She is in PS 6 and that is as far as it goes.
Next year it will be kindergarten, and you all will have to send me all the well wishes and help scrape me up off the floor.
For Ruby it was her first day ever of preschool. To look at her here, she is as happy as can be. She never really flinched when I took her to her class, and she was ready to play. I however don't think she realized that I was leaving her there. I had taken her last week to meet her teachers and see her classroom, and she loved it. When I went to pick her up today, she was super ready to see me. Not sad, just wanted nothing to do with her teachers or classmates anymore, and was telling everyone goodbye as soon as I held her.
As for Parkey, she was happy as a lark, she and her bff, Giselle, were reunited for two days a week of bliss. And when asked about school, all answers were surounded with Giselle. What they played, where they sat, who stood in front of the line, what she had for lunch.
Sweet friends!

My sweet tired girl.

Parkey-isms

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:06:00 +0000

"squirrel down" which means scroll down.

Drew: Parkey, why was your bedroom door closed this morning?
P: I came in your room last night, and I tried to tell you to quit snoring, and you didn't quit, so I just said, "oooookaaaay, I'll just close my bedroom door", so that's what I did.
Drew: nothing to say, because he was laughing so hard

SP (in the mirror this morning)
Oooooohhhh, I'm so cute, I look just like Molly! (our favorite babysitter)
Ohhhh, I am so cute, just like her!

25th Year at Pawley's Island.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:02:00 +0000

oh yes, there is still more

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Before I can even begin to think about all the other subjects I'd like to blog about, I still have more of our life in pictures to share.

Grandparents, your welcome.

Other than the chicken-fil-a (as we call it) cup in the background, isn't this pizza just so delicious looking.

Its homemade pesto, with a homemade wheat and white crust. YUUUUUMMMMM, is all I have to say about that.

Our sweet friends the Pearsons, stayed with us for a night on their way to New Jersey for Mathew's fantastic new job. Sadie Parker loved, loved, loved Abby being here with her, and now prefaces almost every question with "do you think Abby would so-in-so?" Which is great when it comes to trying new things, such as me saying " Sure, I do think that Abby obeys the first time, and every time." or "Yes, I do think Abby eats only vegetables all the time!" ( I know sarcasm doesn't translate sometimes, but believe me when I say, I'm being totally sarcastic at this point in time). But not so great when it comes to some of the independence issues, Abby is 3 years older than SP, and therefore can do more on her own.

I hate to say that it was a rough night form them, Abby had a migraine, and their son Noah had the croup, but we loved every bit of them taking the time to stay with us on their month long journey from California .

But here is the even bigger news, Parkey went to two days of cheer leading camp. And don't you know that you are a bonifide cheerleader when you complete the course?!?!?!? Drew rolled his eyes when I told him I'd signed her up, and I told him that it wasnt for us, but for her. My friend Grace also told me "I didn't take you for the cheerleading type" I told her "she'd be correct, but that I loved my child more than I disliked cheerleading, and my child loves her some cheerleaders"

"readyyyyyy..... O.K."

"We're number one, cant be number two,

We're gonna do, the best that we can do!"

She comes by it honestly, her grandmother was a great cheerleader.

addendum: I had a lapse in the midst of children pulling at me to get off the computer, that she has several relatives who were cheer leaders, one of which was my dad. Yep my dad back in the 70's at his high school, with his best friend. It was all about the girls in the short skirts.

And give me a minute to brag on the hubs, just a bit.

Look at this place. Isn't it just picture perfect?

This is just one of the properties he takes care of.

It has been in magazines before, with much more professional pictures of course.

Foof even had her bridal portraits taken here.

But isn't this just dreamy, just like my man. Yep, I couldn't resist.

even more catch up.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:06:00 +0000

First let me start by saying "thanks a ton " for all the feedback about my last Cuckoo's Nest post.

Totally helpful and encouraging. Please feel free to post a comment later if you'd like.

Onward.

A fun play date with Dada at the girls school playground.

We have to taste everything....

and then show off how full our bellies are.

Then wash it all down with some germ laden water.

And how sweet are sisters who love each other?

And it wouldn't be a date with Dada without going by the garden.

Sadie Parker's sunflower's.

And a little worker bee loving on a sunflower.

A little side story.

When the Mr. and SP came home from the garden one day, it was announced to me that Sadie Parker had "pet" a bee. Other than making my eyebrows go up into my hairline, there was no response from me.

She had apparently ask Drew if she could touch a bee, and he had obviously said yes.

So they got really close and held out one finger and stroked its back and just not the stinger.

Who'd have thought that it could be so easy? All I know is if it were me, ~~there is not a chance in hell that I would have let her anywhere near a bee, let alone touch it,~~ I would have just distracted her onto something else. Thankfully she has two parents to teach and nurture at least two of the million and one ways nurturing can be done, bee petting and all.

Opinions Please.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:22:00 +0000

http://cuckoosnestclothing.blogspot.com/2009/08/petal-dress.html

thanks.

Pseudo-camping and Elkmont.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:17:00 +0000

The Mr. has been DIEING to go camping as a family.

I laugh every time he mentions it. Not at him, just at the vision of us with all our crap that it takes to maintain our family. Such as a noise machine to sleep at night, all the lovies, the battery operated tooth brushes, the pack-n-play, the phone chargers, and so forth and so on, you get the point. I also know that SP has a hard time sleeping at my mothers house, because she wants to be at home in her bed, at her house. What was it going to be like out in the woods, over an hour away?
It really was all my doing. I happened to mention that I would like our family to camp once we were able. I really like the imagery that comes to mind when I envision ourselves outside by the camp fire. Here was the division of conversation, to me "once we were able" to me meant when everyone was potty trained, and would not just wander off into the woods, say like in three years. To Drew that meant, tomorrow.

He tried is hardest to rent/borrow/steal a pop up camper so that we could all go. However, that was not in cards for us. The next plan he came up with was for he and SP to go and camp and Ruby and I meet them at their camp site the next morning. And that is what we did.

Who knew how much fun it would be licking the tent screen?

I have posted in the past about my summer vacations at Elkmont as a child. I wish I knew where some of those pictures were so that I could compare the Elkmont I knew to the Elkmont of today.

This is the entrance sign to the housing area, you can click on the picture to make it large enough to read what is written about the history and the future of the homes.

Drew was kind enough to let me wander around and reminisce with he and the girls. It was such a sweet thing for me to recall time spent, and to know that what I remember of the place, was very much as it was today. Not the dilapidated parts, just the placement of things, and the places I played.

The playhouse cabin.

Here is "oh so cozy" the house where we stayed most of the time, which is now, "not so cozy"

The only group shot. Do you like my crab/claw hand?

( I like can I touch?)

The swimming hole was still there, as were all the people playing. Another visitor over heard me telling Drew that "its so funny as a kid, this place was HUGE to me, and now its just like a little pond" the gentleman was quick to tell me that the dam had been taken down, so it actually was smaller than it had originally been.

So.Super.Cold.

But lucky for us, Ruby has no fear. Great. Drew was already predicting about our upcoming trip to the beach and Ruby's fearlessness. I was predicting that I would need a vacation from our vacation, if this was going to be her m.o.

And last but not least, a craw daddy.

July has come and gone.

noreply@blogger.com (notes of em) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:34:00 +0000

I know, its been waaaaaay to long for me to have not posted anything at all.

Im so sure you all have been waiting on pins and needles to hear from me. Yes, I know sarcasm well...

Part of the delay is that I learned about a new photo editing program that I really wanted to work with. I was waiting to post until I could edit my pictures, which I realize at this point just isnt going to happen in a timely manner. So here we are, in all of our unedited glory.

This encompases the last week. I wish it were more, I have several july 4th photo's and just general fun photos to post as well. I guess those will just have to wait.

Onward.

Ruby's latest obsession is brushing her teeth. Not just brushing them, but dancing and walking around while doing so.

Her other favorite past time is eating. Specifically sweets. She has mastered the word "cookie" loud and clear.Here she is with a cupcake at Lila's birthday.

A little bit of cooking. Just two more kids and we could be an AT&T commercial.

Do you think that they would pay us for that?

SP is wearing Drew's vintage Dukes of Hazard t-shirt as a nightgown. Awe-some.

I'll have to get a frontal picture one day for you.

A little love from the garden.

A trip to Greenville to see some sweet friends.

Blue Steel

Blue Steel wana-be

Rosie, and Jillian a.k.a. "chub-illian"

Pool time.

Pop time.

Sharing time.

Chill time.