Our Little Suffragette

Recently Ashleigh had to give a history presentation on a famous American.  Her famous person was Esther Hobart Morris, the first female Justice of the Peace, who became known as the "Mother of Woman Suffrage".  She was also quite the "working home keeper" - wife, mother of three and owner of a successful millinery business.

Along with a written report and visual, Ashleigh had to dress the part of her famous American.  After looking high and low in various thrift stores for something Edwardian-esque, we ended up using a long, ruffled skirt from my closet and a small black jacket from Ashleigh's.  Our homemade costume turned out quite nicely, for no out of pocket expense at all!

Happy Birthday Clayton!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY CLAY BABY!

Birthday Crown Fit for a Princess

This weekend, the birthday girl came to me with a last minute request.  She wanted a birthday crown to wear out to dinner with her friend.  Okay, Momma can do that - yikes!

Luckily, I found this cute birthday crown template.  I didn't have enough felt - or interfacing, or sewing skills.  But I did have some foam left over from Clayton's 100 days project.  I cut the foam in the shape of the template, added a little craft paint, a little glitter glue.  Hot glued some hair combs to the foam.  And voila!  

A birthday crown fit for a princess! 

Happy Birthday Ashleigh!

Happy 8th Birthday Ashleigh!

Happy Birthday Reed!

Happy 4th Birthday to my

Baby Reedy Pooh!

This Is What Jolly Looks Like!

Merry Christmas!

It Does Get Easier, Right?

This morning I dropped Clayton off for his first experience of kindergarten.  At our school, the kindergarteners only attend one day of school the first week.  It really is like an assessment day before the final class assignments are made.  I've been so nervous about this day.  My stomach has been in knots all week!  I felt a little better when we got to the school and found out Clayton would be spending the day in Ashleigh's former kindergarten teacher's classroom.  And that two other teachers, whom we know, would be assisting in the classroom today.  Clayton was okay right up until it was time for me to quietly make my exit.

Then he cried and I felt terrible for leaving my baby.  Having been at home for all his life, this will be quite an adjustment.  For him and for us.  As much as it worries me, I try to remind myself this will be a time of growth for Clay.  In a few months we will look back and be amazed at how much he's learned, the friendships he's made.  I know he will be okay, but right now it's kind of tough.  Funny thing is Reed was crying this morning because he wants to go to school!  Go figure!

First Day of Second Grade

Ashleigh with her sparkly kitty lunch box

She had a great first day of 2nd grade!

Teaching Little Hands

My Mom giving Ashleigh knitting instruction

Our home has three generations under one roof.  It can be interesting at times.  Raising young kids while  moving into a support role for an aging parent.  But the blessings of having a multi-generational home have greatly outweighed any of the bumps in the road.   

Backyard Art Project - Part 2

Last week, I shared the beginnings of our backyard art project with a curbside table Dave found.  After seeing this post at Granny's Attic, I knew our curbside find would make a great chalkboard table for the kids! 

We bought a can of chalkboard paint from AC Moore using a 50% off coupon (love those coupons!).  Dave painted the table top according to the directions on the can.

After a few days wait, the table was ready for the kids to enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm sharing our backyard art project with:

A Southern Daydreamer - Outdoor Wednesday

Tools Are For Women Too - Modern Craftswoman Monday

The T-Shirt Diaries - Upcycled Awesome

Reed Versus...

REED

3 year old curly-haired cutie pie. 

Lover of lentils, most vegetables and Wonder Pets.

VS.

A framed poster size print of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

that has sat undisturbed on our fireplace mantel for the past 4 years.

WINNER -

REED

by a knock down.

Dave had just suggested I go upstairs for some quiet time while he cleaned up after dinner.  No sooner than I got upstairs and reached for a book, I heard the sound of glass crashing to the floor.  I ran out of the bedroom frantically looking around and bracing myself for that big cry/scream.

Luckily no one was hurt when the picture fell off the mantle (with a little help from Reed and a flying object) and the glass smashed into a million pieces.  I was planning on moving the picture to our sunroom last weekend so I could put up the old windows I bought at a yard sale, but didn't get around to it.

     I guess this is what happens when you procrastinate!

Our Lady in her new (and safer!) location in the sunroom above a trash to treasure dresser Dave found.

Strawberry Picking at Vollmer Farm

Hope all the Moms out there had a restful and wonderful Mother's Day!  I definitely enjoyed mine!  We spent Mother's Day afternoon picking strawberries at Vollmer Farm in Bunn, NC. 

Vollmer's strawberries are certified organic!

Dave & the kids getting ready to pick strawberries

Strawberries on the vine

We picked three heaping buckets full of delicious strawberries!

Ashleigh picking dandelions on the side of the field while Reed crosses over the ditch

After we finished picking strawberries, we headed back up to playground for a little fun.

Reed on the swing

Ashleigh swinging too

Goodness grows in NC!

Reed's strawberry face

Cute display of decorative items in Aunt Mary's Market

Support your local farmer!

Of course our day wouldn't have been complete without stopping in the Ice Cream Shop for a bowl of homemade ice cream!  We got the "Wildcat Whopper" - 7 scoops of ice cream, 5 toppings, three bananas, whipped cream, strawberry sauce and sprinkles!

And a little Mother's Day gift for me from the Market!

We're looking forward to going back out to Vollmer again in June to pick blueberries.  And this July, they will have blackberries!

Happy Mother's Day!

Picture of me by Ashleigh :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Dressing the Kids for Less

On Saturday, Dave and I got up early and went out to the Spring yard sale at Crossroads Fellowship Church.  Shopping there is a win-win for us.  We can find good, quality clothes for the kids at inexpensive prices ($1 a piece).  And all the proceeds of the sale go to the church's mission programs. 

$1 Ralph Lauren polo shirts for the boys

For the boys, I found plenty polo shirts.  If you peeked into our boys' closet, you would certainly be able to tell that I adore polo shirts (and sweater vests!).  To me, they are the perfect casual/dressy shirt all-in-one.  I bought 8 polo shirts along with 2 t-shirts and 1 pair of shorts.

$1 Gymboree tops for Ashleigh

For Ashleigh, I found 9 tops (mostly short-sleeved and a few long sleeved shirts for cool Spring mornings - like today!), 3 pairs of jeans and 6 big hair bows.  For all the kids clothing, we paid $23.

In addition to the childrens' clothing, I found this small top for myself - $2

2 board games for the kids - Dino Checkers (50-cents) and Hi Ho Cherry-o ($1)

A Vtech V.Smile TV Learning System with two controllers and 5 games for $15 

And a wooden, heart-shaped flag wall plaque for $1

I can't wait until the church's next yard sale!  I've already got my calendar marked.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm sharing these thrifty buys at:

Southern Hospitality - Today's Thrifty Treasures

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday