A dress for the little bit...

Obviously, one of the biggest differences between weddings and vow renewals is that you don't have a wedding party. So, while we won't have any friends wearing ugly matching dresses, we do have a Lil to dress. She's quite the fashionista and is already very interested in what she'll be sporting for the big day. So, while we were back to school cyber-shopping, we came across this dress and I love it! In fact, if I could find it in my size, I would rock one too!

Her eyes will look fantastic in this color. It's made out of cotton organdy, which is nice, but not too formal. They have it in a pretty pink shade as well, which I like. As soon as it goes on sale {everything goes on sale at JC!}, I'll pick up one of each to try. Pink could go with navy and green, right?

So what do you think? Yay or Nay? Pink or Navy?

Can't believe it's over...

Sniff, sniff, sob...

{here}

Today is Lil's last day of school!

That means next year she'll be in Kindergarten. Waaaaah! I can't believe that it's already here. I am kinda sad, which surprises me, but I'm excited for her and what lies ahead. My baby is getting old, but she's so become so smart and witty, so it's probably worth it. I can't believe how much she's grown, physically and mentally this year. I'm looking forward to spending the summer with her and not having to get up at 6am everyday!

Anyway, hope everybody has a great holiday weekend. I'll be back on Tuesday!

For our little fish...

Look at the great board that the mystery author over at Veiled Vows made for me. We're throwing a swim/water themed birthday picnic for Lillie. The board is perfect and included many images I have on the blog or saved in my files. It must be fate! 

Thanks again!

Oh and if you don't read her blog, you should. It's great!

You only turn 5 once...

which is why I'm planning on throwing my only child a HUGE ridiculous party. :)

 Lil's birthday is at the end of June and she never gets to celebrate with her school friends because of that. So, to make up for the fact that mommy and daddy didn't get busy earlier, I tend to throw her very large complicated over-the-top birthday parties. They're a blast to attend, but they kill me! I'll be tired for a week afterwards, but it's totally worth it...for the most part. Anyway, this year with her turning 5 AND starting Kindergarten in the Fall, we're having an even bigger one than usual. I don't know who will be in her class next year, so I'm inviting BOTH classes from her school, so that's 32 kids to start with. Then add the 10-12 kids of our good friends outside of school and you've got one hell of a par-tay! We're renting a local park/house for the party because our backyard isn't flat enough for kids to play and have the bouncy house that she so desperately wants. I was going to do a Mexican Fiesta theme at first, but decided to spend the money I save on not having to buy a bunch of Mexican themed decorations on another bouncy or I can have the ice cream man come by. How cute is that? So, these images below are some that have been shaping the party in my mind. More to come in a few...

Can you believe I haven't bought any prints yet? I'm a really bad mommy!

Priscilla Wannamaker

Check out #14, #15 and #16. They were taken early June 2008. Those aren't even my favorites from the shoot. I do love #16 though. 

Thank you Priscilla! You're the best!

Blast from the past...

How found these pics of Lil while he was cleaning on his email today. Think he's a little overdue for a cleanup? The top picture is from her first Christmas {6 months} and the last one is from Halloween of that year, so she's around 4 months. She still looks just the same to me, just bigger and louder! 

Have a great weekend!

Christmas lists...

This is on the top of my Christmas list for Lillie. I want to get one custom made in the fabrics in her room. Anybody have any luck with the Alchemy feature on Etsy? Or have any other ideas of places I could try? I want it to hang from the ceiling like the first one, but I love the details on the second one, so I posted that too. I want her to have a place to hang out, read, nap, etc. and where better to that than in a fancy canopy?

new pics of the Girl!

{We had a little photo shoot while waiting for carpool this AM}

Kid by Philip Lim

I am in love with Kid by Philip Lim. I'm not sure where else to find it, but Barney's, but I'm sure it's out there. It all looks so comfy and I wish they made it in my size. It's not cheap, but you only have a darling 4 year old budding fashionista once, right? Right?? Lil is a big fan of the second outfit and I love love love the last two. 

{all images above from here}

My girl..

 I got this today from a friend who took it this summer. I can't believe that was only 3 months ago. She looks years older than that now. Our sweet girl turned 4 in June and has started PreK this year. Where does the time go?

I just couldn't resist sharing this picture. Sorry.

Birthday Party Inspiration

Lillie's birthday isn't until next summer, but since before her birthday this year, I've been planning on having a Candy Land/Candy themed party and this picture is now my inspiration for Lillie's party. In fact, Amy Atlas's website is full of wonderful pictures of dessert tables and candy bars. 

Social Butterfly...

As if I didn't have enough Gilt boxes coming to my house, now Daily Candy has introduced me to The Mini Social!

The Mini Social is an online sample sale full of great stuff for moms, babies and kids and I've got to say that I'm very excited! As if I needed more reasons to shop, but if it's there for the taking??? The site launched today, with the first sale starting next week, so go sign up and be ready for next week.

Here's a sample of the sales that are starting in the next few weeks. I'm most excited about the C&C California show. Lillie loves their tees for Fall. They are SO SOFT!! Though, if I was pregnant, I would be all over the Nurseryworks sale, because I love their cribs. That sale is just a couple of months too early.

{all photos from here via here}

Too cute...

How cute are these?

Crewcuts has new stuff on their website and here are some of my must-haves. 

Might just turn on the oven for this...

{from here via Bakerella}

It's still really hot here in AL, but these cookies might be worth turning on the oven to make. The recipe is from Bakerella and I think it looks so yummy. We might make these this weekend if it rains like I think it might. Instead of peanuts though, I have some Heath bits that would be mighty tasty on there. I have the only child that doesn't love peanut butter. She likes the taste, but won't eat a pb&j for a million bucks! Weirdo.

BTW, if you don't read Bakerella, you should. It's fun!!

Cutest Obama Supporter Ever...

{get your own here}

Seriously...how cute is my sweet daughter? She had a bad day at school today, so the shirt was used to cheer her up and it looks like it worked! I usually wouldn't post a picture of her on here, but she wanted to be on Mommy's blog, so here she is!

Isn't this darling?

In honor of the historic moment on Thursday night, I bought this for my daughter today. 

                      {get this here}                            

She is a proud Obama supporter and will tell anyybody who she is voting for if they'll listen. We're fairly active in our city when it comes to politics, but we're the minority considering we live in Alabama. So, I'm sure she'll stand out in the crowd in it and we'll be very happy about that. I guess it's just in her blood. She's grown up going to meetings, etc. and her and her little friend can be heard discussing politics over lunch at the local hot dog shop. I kid you not, they got into a discussion about politics the other afternoon. It was hilarious! I guess it doesn't hurt that the friend's dad was at the convention as they spoke. The woman sitting next to us looked at me like we were all crazy. I'm guess she didn't realize that kids aren't all born Republicans. :) Anyway, the shirt was too cute to pass up! I love Etsy!

ps~I do tell her that it doesn't matter who she supports, as long as she's informed and VOTES. So, I'm not totally trying to turn her into me...not totally. Yet. ;)

Party Time...

How cute is this party? Jordan of Oh Happy Day did a post on it and I've got to say I love it! Lillie is in love with all things Chinese lately, thanks to the Olympics and her associate teacher Miss Huini (who they call Miss Whitney), who is here as an exchange teacher from Beijing. This party was for the 8 year old daughter of Andrea from Hula Seventy and it's just too darling. Jordan is right about it being very cupcakey. I love the little cocktail umbrellas as parasols for the cupcakes. 

I know it's going to be a good day when I find a great party idea AND a new blog to read before breakfast. Thanks Jordan (and Andrea!) for your continued inspiration and giving me something great to read about everyday! 

Where does the time go?

(from here)

Even though my daughter started school last Monday, this was her first day of carpool! We're sharing duties with two other families who are in our neighborhood (she attends a private school about 25 minutes from our house!), so I'll pick up three on some mornings and a couple of afternoons. The mom who just picked up has three plus the other two, so her car was QUITE full! My only child was very excited to see all those kids this morning. It's so weird that she's growing up and getting bigger. Here's to a great first year of 4k. We love you Lillie.