princess

tomahawk camp

Right after Annabelle’s Spring Party, we dropped Gwyneth at the Kitchen with her dad and Annabelle and took off for the mountains. We joined Annabelle’s girl scout troop for a mother daughter weekend at Camp Tomahawk. 
We were one of the firsts to arrive and Annabelle claimed her top bunk. The weekend was full of activities. We hiked, played games, made smores, the girls did crafts, and we visited the barn — although only temporarily for Miss Annabelle. She proclaimed the farm animals were not her thing so we got out of there and explored the camp by ourselves for a bit. 
I really appreciated the time with Annabelle. She is growing up so fast and these moments are precious. She’s adventurous, brave, and funny and I value the time we get together. 
My bunk mate: 
gathered around the campfire:

morning hike:

the moms: 
when the girls get the cameras:

jerky tasting. I believe this was ostrich (bwahahaha!)

Annabelle gave the farm a try, but it was not her thing (in her own words)

while the others hung out on the farm, I got some special Annabelle time. We hiked around and enjoyed the beautiful day.

Craft time: 

checking out the local wildlife:

smores time: 

spring party: 3rd grade

I signed up to help with Annabelle’s spring party. One of the other parents took the reigns and planned everything….and it was fabulous. I arrived a bit early to help set up and brought some bottles of water. And that was it. The other parent did a great job planning food and games and activities. It was a fun party and I just got to enjoy the time with my girl. As the year comes to an end and feel increasingly busy, that’s all a momma can really ask for.
I can hardly believe this one will be in 4th grade. She still seems so little to me. There’s a big, beautiful personality in that little body. 
game time:

school birthday: annabelle

We celebrated Annabelle’s summer birthday with her class today. They are a nutty bunch and it’s always interesting with that crew. Annabelle wanted bomb pops like her sister and her teacher was brilliant to let them have their sugar in the sun and then run around for a bit before the day ended. 
This girl is going to be 9, very soon. Still hard to believe. 

bread

The only word to adequately describe our relationship with bread around here is “OBSESSED”.  Since I received my bread machine for mother’s day we have made loaf, after loaf, after loaf. I’ve been experimenting with beer breads, but the girls love the fruity breads – banana, blueberry, and next up we are attempting strawberry. 
Gwyneth recently read Two Of Everything which is based on Chinese Folklore. It’s a cute story about a couple who find a magic pot buried in their yard. Everything placed in the magic pot is doubled including food and money; everything good and everything bad. The lesson quickly learned is whether everything in life should really be doubled? 
I asked if maybe there was a such thing as too much bread? I’ve never seen such a look of disdain. Gwyneth is certain there is no such thing as too much bread (I don’t think she learned the lesson from Two Of Everything.) No matter how much we make, we could always double it….and we should double our cabinets to store it in also. And if there is too much and we can’t eat it all we will give it away before it goes bad and then make more bread. There is no conceivable reason to NOT have a loaf of bread baking at all times. 
Like I said…Bread = OBSESSION! The girl likes bread. 
My baking assistants

I promised myself a long, long time ago that there were two things I would do as a mom. I would bake and I would sew. I’m not sure if I’m good at either; I know I’m not the best, but I have learned. I can put a button on a shirt, badges on a vest, and even make a pattern if needed. I can bake from scratch now and thanks to these handy gadgets (thank you bread maker and fancy mixers) we are practicing a lot more often.

My girls will grow up knowing how to do these things too. They bake right along side me, they frost cupcakes with me, they sew their own doll dresses. They already know so much more than me. I wonder what will be on their list of things to learn to do…

Tonight was Gwyneth’s troop’s last girl scout meeting of the year. Their service project was to collect hats for the Children’s Hospital.

mothers day

I was truly spoiled today. I have a wonderful family and they pulled out all the stops for me. We had a lazy morning around the house which was perfect. We snuggled up together on the couch and they brought me my absolute favorite breakfast: bagel with lox, capers, tomato and cream cheese. 
The girls gave me hand massages, back massages, foot massages, and brushed my hair. I received a bread maker, which I have always wanted and can’t wait to use. Gwyneth told me I could make her as much bread as I wanted. She’s such a giver! The girls each made me several gifts and I also received a plant that I truly hope I can keep alive. 
We spent the day at the opening of our friend’s photography studio. They had snacks and beverages and he took some lovely photos of the girls. We’ve been friends for years and years and years and we’re so thankful to still have opportunities to get together and play. 
The new studio is near B’s mom’s resting place which now has a new plaque. We stopped by to see it and wish her a happy mother’s day. 
The girls were so, so kind and offered to take me to Dave and Busters so I could “have a beer with daddy and watch them play games”. I tell ya, GIVERS! They certainly know the way to my heart. B tried to convince them that a Morton’s night was a better choice, but they were certain I would have more fun drinking beer and watching them play. 
We finally made it home after a long, fun-filled day just in time for dessert. B and Gwyneth had picked out a deliciously perfect, key lime pie for me. They know me so well. 
So thankful for this wonderful little family of mine…
Me and my lovely ladies.

We are a family of tricksters. We asked Annabelle how the pie smelled and when she leaned in we may have given her a little push. This girl loves a practical joke and she has the best laugh. When something tickles her she laughs with her whole body. Her face turns bright red and her whole body shakes. It’s contagious and you have to laugh with her. She laughs loud, and long, and it’s over the top. I adore her and her laugh!

The King of the Tricksters and his little protegee. 

old spaghetti factory and the inventing room

I spent the day with the girls at Field Day and had a bit of a heavy heart for Annabelle. I want her to be happy. I want her to know her worth. I want her to know how important and loved and special she is. I want her to surround herself with people who treat her well and are kind. 
We had a mother-daughter Girl Scout event this evening downtown.  We started the evening with dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I could tell Annabelle was still feeling the sting from the day. She just wasn’t herself. She quickly reconnected with old friends and I saw that beautiful smile and heard that mischievous giggle return. It’s so, so important to surround yourself with people that are good for your heart. 

After dinner we went to The Inventing Room and the girls got to pick their own creations. I highly recommend the twizzler space foam. It was such a lovely night with my girl.

chocolate

Gwyneth’s class has been reading some classic Chocolate books: Superfudge, Chocolate Touch, etc. Their teach organized a trip for them to the Science Museum to visit the Chocolate exhibit. I took the morning off work to spend with Gwyneth and her classmates.

They are a really lovely group of kids. Just a special touch of silly, smart, and sassy. They seem to get along well, especially the girls. The boys rough house, but I have zero knowledge of raising boys so that seems about right to me.

We took the tour of the exhibit and then enjoyed hot chocolate and a hershey kiss. They played in the kids learning zone and then we had a picnic lunch outside. It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity to be with my baby girl (yeah, she’s in 2nd grade, but she’ll always be my baby girl).

teacher appreciation week

I was assigned to be the coordinator for Annabelle’s class for teacher appreciation week. I truly, truly appreciate both of the girls’ teachers and couldn’t be happier with their progress this year.
 I did my fair share of belly aching about being in charge of the gifts this week. And then I remembered that I like to be in charge. I like to plan, plan, plan and get crafty. I wasn’t excited about giving up a Sunday afternoon to go decorate a door, but then I remembered how much these teachers so graciously do for my children and quit whining about it. The girls came along and helped and we enjoyed an afternoon of celebrating these teachers and seeing their friends at school. 
Sarah’s family decorate Gwyneth’s teacher’s door: 

The girls and I decorated Annabelle’s teacher’s door. She loves owls and Annabelle did most of the work. She did great!

Monday: hot chocolate mix, mugs and marshmallows
Tuesday: gift certificates for books
Wednesday: flowers (real and drawn!)
Thursday: Chips, salsa and a gift card for Mexican food on Cinco De Mayo
Friday: movie goodies, gift cards, tickets, popcorn popper, popcorn, candies, etc. 

birthday parties and baby showers

Another busy weekend that flew by way too fast. 
Annabelle and B had a table at the Anthem Home and Garden show. There was lots of interest in our weekly meal service and we would love to see that grow. Hopefully we’ll get some orders from the show. 
Annabelle found this little gem and begged to bring him home. It was tough to say no, but we are in no place to be adding more mayhem to our lives right now. Perhaps sooner than later, but it’s going to take some serious persuasion. 

While B and Annabelle worked the booth, Gwyneth and I hosted a cupcake wars party at the kitchen. Our girls are amazing. They do so much with our business. It is truly family owned and operated. I often worry that they are spending too much time working with us, but they never complain. They are truly valued and get to eat lots of cupcakes.

After the party Gwyneth and I attended Amy’s baby shower. She is expecting a little girl in just a few weeks. Gwyneth had a lovely time making headbands and drinking root beer floats with friends from Girl Scouts. I sat and talked and talked and talked with my dear friend Sheila who I don’t get to see nearly enough.

Congrats to the Conleys!