One More!

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Here is Carter Grace sporting MiMi's earrings. Don't worry, they're clip-ons!

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She is ALL Girl.

Our first family photo in a while

Courtesy of my sis-in-law Sally

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Unfortunately, my children refuse to smile for any family photo. period.

a little Goodwill

On a recent Goodwill trip, Hayes spotted this blue and green rolling suitcase.

He was

thrilled about it and refused to put it down. I started

thinking about the fact that he always wants to help carry things,

but everything is usually too heavy.

What

better solution, but to

get him his own suitcase on wheels!

But, then there is baby sister, who begins frantically squealing:

"Too! Too!"

translation: "Me Too!"

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With this, I began quickly rummaging through the pile of backpacks with

little hope. I was not sure how I was going to

handle this let-down, when...

SCORE!

Hello Kitty was staring back at me in a bright pink color any

little girl could appreciate. AND it has wheels.

These

kids love their new bags like crazy!

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Carter refers to hers as her "ack pack"

...and Hayes has a nice supply of cars with him wherever he goes these days.

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Even better was their price: $2 a piece!

Happy Fourth!

Happy 4th!

Today I've been trying to explain to the children about why we are celebrating this holiday. Since it is falling on a Sunday this year, they think we are celebrating church. This has led to some funny conversation! We drove around on our way to church tonight and tried to spot all of the American flags around town. Hayes confuses the words "American" and "miracle" and so, while I was looking for the American flags, he was looking for "miracle flags."


A while back, I found a women's button-down blouse with patriotic colors. From that, I made this dress for Carter.




Today, Hayes asked where HIS handmade item was. Uh-oh! I was just planning on putting him in his American flag bathing suit. I had to get to work fast and throw this together for him. He was VERY pleased with it and proudly sported it at church.

Summertime in Jacksonville

In case you were wondering what summertime looks like for us in Jacksonville, here's a little taste of it!

It involves lots of ice cream breaks, pool days, juicy watermelon, duck-feeding, walks around the pond, a little SeaWorld, and lots of travelling.

We also squeeze in some time for tutu wearing!

And, while there have been a few sick days,

We usually always bounce back quickly!

Happy Summer!

Umbrellas or "brellas"

Carter gets a new shirt today! I copied a hand-me down my sister in law made.

My sweet girl is very excited about her new "brellas" and doesn't want to take them off. I'm glad she likes what her mommy makes for her and I hope that continues!

Am I a really a blogger?

I've never considered myself a blogger, which is why I've put off starting a blog for so long. I have started to realize that it is really a great way to capture and preserve daily life. I have recently started to sew and craft and want to remember all of the things I have created, as well as what life looks like while raising my little ones.

So... here I go!