tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4562122002868572912024-03-13T09:55:32.133-07:00Homemade HappinessAll the things that make me happy in this wonderful world!Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-43964857970420049822012-09-03T23:21:00.000-07:002012-09-03T23:21:23.576-07:00Mermaid mania!So once again, about 6 months before Albree's 6th birthday, the topic came up of what her theme would be. She immediately chose mermaids and surprisingly has not wavered from that. Now luckily, she and I were on the same page as far as it being a generic mermaid theme as opposed to the Ariel thing. I love Disney just like the next guy but I always prefer doing themes that give me a little more of the creativity power. A major advantage to this birthday was the introduction of Pinterest. It's like a double edge sword because the ideas are boundless but also very overwhelming. I do have to say that I felt like it helped me stay a lot more organized and really keep my vision in check. I decided to stick with a pink and aqua theme with a touch of under the sea mixed in. I found my mermaid digital package from <a href="http://ggdigitaldesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=188">GG Digital Designs</a> for the amazingly low price of $3.00. I really had my heart set on a brunette mermaid so after a simple request, a brunette mermaid is what I got for no additional charge. Now I'm not super computer savvy so there may be a way to open and edit the images without photoshop but I'm not sure how. I also did not currently have photoshop and really had no intention of paying for it so I waited until about 5 weeks before her party and downloaded a free 30 day trial. (hehe got to save money where I can). It worked great for editing everything and giving a more customized look. Now onto the photos and projects. Here is how the whole thing came together.<br />
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For entertainment I decided on 3 activities: Ocean themed water slide from <a href="http://www.bossierbounce.com/">Leaping Lizards</a>, two water pillows that I learned how to make from <a href="http://www.gokidyourself.com/2012/03/giant-squishy-sensory-bag.html">Go Kid Yourself</a>, and then mermaid glitter tattoos that I got from Etsy. I also had some scratch glitter art ornaments that I found at Michael's for like $2 set out but none of the kids really played with those. The highlight was obviously the water slide. Thanks to my awesome friend Jessica for these great action shots...those kids were getting some serious air and it was REALLY fast (more on how I know that later hahaha).</div>
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Albree and her bestie were inseparable!</div>
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<b>Then it was time to eat:</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>I spent a good deal of time constructing the menu for the party. I always somehow feel the need to have at least 10 different things to eat and I always make twice as much as I really need for fear that something might run out. Well this party was no different. I also have to admit that one of my greatest joys in life are foods that are supposed to represent something else so everything on the menu had to be tied into the under the sea theme. I served pink lemonade as mermaid juice and a delicious blue sherbert punch that we labeled as ocean water. (All 3 gallons of the ocean water was consumed in less than an hour!). I also used an inflatable pufferfish pool I found at Target to use as the drink holder for ice and waters. I tore the labels off the water bottles and instead wrapped them in hot pink duct tape and placed a cupcake topper on that covered with clear packaging tape to seal the design. I also had Capri Suns available. The food consisted of PB&J sandwiches cut using an oval cookie cutter labeled as peanut butter and jellyfish clamwiches, hot dogs cut up to resemble crabs and octopuses I found <a href="http://www.cutefoodforkids.com/2010/11/one-wiener-dog-2-crabs-2-octopus.html">here</a>, and delicious mini chicken salad sandwiches my friend made that we labeled as Chicken of the Sea. Grapes were Sea Pearls, Strawberries were Shark hearts, Pickles as Sea Cucumbers, Goldfish crackers in real fish bowl, Spinach dip as Seaweed Dip and then a red bell pepper cut to resemble a crab. I also made mini fish bowls by pouring half a cup of blue jello in clear cups and sticking a swedish fish inside about an hour into them setting. Be aware that the fish will begin to dissolve after a day!</span></b></div>
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Tattoo Station: </div>
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The Beautiful Birthday Girl:<br />
I wanted my special girl to have a special outfit for her big day and after much searching I found a tutorial <a href="http://tootsiegrace.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-it-sparkly-mermaid-tails-tutorial_05.html">here</a> that worked pretty well. Total out of pocket was about $10 and we are using it as our Halloween costume too with a different top.<br />
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Decorations: The table design is where I spent <strike>all </strike>the large majority of my time in planning. There were so many great ideas out there that it was hard to pick and choose which parts I wanted to use. Thanks to my SUPER talented and creative friend who came over at 9 am on a Saturday to help me assemble this party, We came up with a table that was all of our own. I knew that I wanted it to look like it was under the sea so I found this gorgeous teal shimmery wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon used again) that I used as a table cover. Then amazingly our walmart had this entire party section divided off in different color schemes and there was a teal and a pink color. So I scored some teal tablecloths for less than a dollar apiece and taped those to the tables as table skirts. My Super friend I mentioned earlier found the burlap netting at a hobby store that was mislabeled for $1.99 instead of $19.99 so we scored that great deal and draped it across the front with starfish and seashells stuck in where we could. The banner was part of the digital package and I just traced the pennant design onto scrapbook paper that matched the color scheme and tied it with coordinating ribbon. The letters were cut on a friend's Cricut. Lastly the #*@#% balloon towers on each side were great in theory but the biggest stressor of all. They were easily constructed using a 10 foot 1/2" piece of plastic pipe from Lowe's that was cut in half and placed in a square block inside a flower pot and (I thought) secured with newspaper stuffings on each side. WELL, every time the wind blew they started looking like the leaning tower of Piza which led me in a constant battle with them for the entire 2 hours of setup prior to the party. THEN, to top it off, once I was sure that I had finely secured them with bags of beans in the flower pots, I go inside to get the remaining food and walk out to the pot busted and the pole blown half way across the yard. Luckily I somehow turned the pot around to the unbroken part and shoved the pole in there enough so that it stayed up for the remainder of the party. The ONLY way I would ever consider doing it again is for an indoor party. Though it really added to the decor, the hassle was in no way worth it.</div>
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The cake was actually homemade by me and I am in NO way a cake decorator. I got a kit by Wilton that they sell at Michael's (used a 40% off coupon to get it on sale) and just followed the instructions. I actually made a practice cake the month before and it turned out pretty much the same. The level of difficulty is definitely low. A family member made the cupcakes for me that we displayed on a cupcake tower that I made out of circles of foamboard and cans of vegetables. I took a salad plate, a dinner plate and a large mixing bowl that ended up measuring 10", 12" and 14" and used those as templates to cut out of the foamboard. The tutorials I found suggested using the precut cardboard cake circles but I could only find them sold in packages of like 8 of the same size and given that I needed 3 different sizes, that was going to be pretty expensive! So I improvised and it turned out fine. I covered the circles with wrapping paper of the same color scheme as the party and hot glued the edges with a sparkly tape that I found at Michael's. I used a can of vegetables between each of the first 2 layers that was wrapped in cardstock and then chose a larger can as the base for stability purposes. All in all the whole thing cost me like $5 out of pocket. </div>
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In lieu of doing party bags, I always like to make our guests a little something special for coming to the party. I saw in a family fun magazine an article on these adorable mermaid tails made out of beach towels that seemed fairly easy so I was hooked. I found these super cute towels at K-mart in the perfect color scheme for a little over $2 a piece after I used coupons ordering them online. I then just flipped over the top half about 2 inches down to make a sleeve and did a simple straight stitch across. I then tied my satin ribbon to a pencil and threaded it through the sleeve I created. The tail was created by cinching up the bottom and I used clear fishing wire to tie each section of the tail off. You could also use rubber bands to tie the bottom up. The girls loved having their very own mermaid tail to go home with plus it served as a towel to help dry off with.</div>
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Next we opened gifts. I had this grand idea of creating this huge clamshell she could sit in to open presents but at the end of the day I had to finally realize that not all things were going to be achieved and this was where I was willing to make the cut. She got a ton of really great gifts from her amazing friends and her nana and papa surprised her with a new bicycle. Good luck with that training Dad!<br />
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And once all the partygoers left I decided to let loose and have some fun with my girl. Well, I got to the top of that slide and lets just say it didn't go so well. But we dusted off our bruises and headed to the top for another round of fun. All in all it was by far totally worth all the planning and effort to see what a great time my girl was having because after all, it was all for her. I hope she will look back on her birthdays and see that I made such a celebration of them, because her birthday is my MOST favorite day of the year. Becoming her mom was the greatest event of my life and I love celebrating it every year. Now onto next year's planning!<br />
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<br />Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-41344122125882014072011-11-30T00:36:00.000-08:002011-11-30T00:36:41.350-08:00Snowmen and Elves....Oh my!Tonight was a difficult and busy night. I woke up today at 2 after working last night and started preparing for the busy day ahead of me. In what was the worst night of my nursing career so far, Monday morning we lost a sweet angel and tonight was his visitation. I was so anxious to face his parents because I felt that I had let them down. They were so sweet and kept telling us we were awesome yet I didn't feel that way. Though I truly and wholeheartedly believe that everything possible was done to bring little man back, you still feel like a failure when you don't accomplish what you so desperately try to do. I have to keep remembering that though I am a total control freak, there is and will always be someone more in control of things than myself, the ultimate controller of this crazy world we live in. Though we might not always understand why things happen the way they do, I have to have faith that it is all part of the great big plan.<br />
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After the visitation I was able to take my mine off of things by going to Bunko. I had a great time and got to bring little miss with me and boy that girl can roll some sixes. I think this is part of her social training... She will be such the southern belle lol. I came so close to winning the 2nd most wins prize but the 3 I rolled did me in :( However both of my passengers did win which I think is jacked up lol. No more driving for me.<br />
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Once we left Bunko we met up with my sweet hubby since he is working extra tonight on the armed robbery task force. We got to see his sweet face for a few minutes then it was off to mcdonald's for hot chocolate and then Brookshire's for supplies for Albree's snack day. I found a cute and simple idea on pinterest that used powdered doughnuts and candy corns. Here are picks of the finished result:<br />
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After the kitchen was cleaned, I had to see what the elves would be up to tonight. Fizzbee is rather mishchievious while Mallory tries to keep him in line but Fizzbee has a mind of his own. Here are pics of their adventures so far.<br />
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Tonight Fizzbee turned the milk green and Mallory has had enough with his antics and has locked him in the refrigerator. Cant wait to see what Miss Albree has to say about what her elves have been up to. Until next time I wish everyone a happy and wonderful evening.Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-53187220820489126972011-10-30T01:18:00.000-07:002011-10-30T01:18:31.557-07:00MIASo I have definitely been missing from my blog for awhile but hopefully the following array of pictures and posts that I present will be my defense to my absence. It is my absolute most favorite time of year: FALL. I love everything about fall-the weather, college football, festivals, hayrides, the changing colors of the leaves and my favorite holiday HALLOWEEN. I think I like Halloween so much because it is a fun and festive holiday without all of the stress that the Christmas season can sometimes bring. <br />
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So what have I been up to? Well first I have been trying to cook more at home and the wonderful Pinterest has been bountiful with ideas. Here are a couple creations with my favorite being the crack potatoes. They are super easy and delicious (notice the word healthy was NOT used as a descriptor here). All you do is mix 16oz of sour cream, 1 packet of ranch dressing mix, 1 pkg of real bacon, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese together and thin mix in 1 30oz bag of shredded hashbrown potatoes. Bake at 400 for 45-60minutes and Voila you have artery clogging bliss. The other is a creamy taco soup I pinned on Pinterest<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HD_38ntvkfw/Tq0HHbV8gaI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gqvkYusG7fI/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HD_38ntvkfw/Tq0HHbV8gaI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gqvkYusG7fI/s320/IMG_1290.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C__ihtN9FlU/TqzaNrFosEI/AAAAAAAAAJk/v-bdY6uPRaQ/s1600/DSCN2964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C__ihtN9FlU/TqzaNrFosEI/AAAAAAAAAJk/v-bdY6uPRaQ/s320/DSCN2964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok so I dont have as many food pics as I thought but I swear I was busy. My next post will be about my Halloween Bunko and I did do quite a bit of prep work for that. Guess I need to get back to work but I promise I will not be away as long as I was before!</div>Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-542706119340774282011-09-16T11:52:00.000-07:002011-09-16T11:52:45.710-07:00PTOI went to my first PTO meeting today. I'm super excited to start having the opportunity to help out at Albree's school. I always love participating in projects so I know I will enjoy it but I will probably enjoy it the most because of the whole living vicariously through my daughter thing. I always craved a sense of normalcy during my childhood and I was always jealous of the other kids who had responsible parents that showed up for school events or could come to class and lend a helping hand. Luckily I have a work schedule that has allowed me to be off during the week to do those very things. I'm sure Albree will be happy to have me there but fortunately she will never appreciate it. I say that because I will do everything in my power to make sure she never longs for her parent's attention or involvement. I will do everything I can to be there for her whenever she needs me. Hopefully she needs me for a long time but I know there will come a time that she doesn't want me around as much so I am trying to soak it all in now while I can. <br />
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So I started my first duty as a PTO member by clipping my boxtops for education (this included my unopened boxes as well). I also am on the popcorn comittee, teacher appreciation week, and candy bar fundraiser. Let's see if this momentum carries over into the following years.Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-51932787550100605162011-09-05T03:25:00.000-07:002011-09-05T03:25:22.381-07:005 Amazing YearsAugust 15th marked the 5th year I get to be a mommy to one of the sweetest girls I know. Albree started the day with a huge surprise. The day before we took her Nina to the airport so that she could return back to Florida. However due to a broken engine, Nina got to spend another night in Louisiana. My wonderful in-laws picked her up from the airport that evening and took her back to their house because I was working. I went over to their house when I got off and crept in to wake her up. She was so happy that her mommy was there but she was ecstatic when Nina came around the corner. The day before, she cried for almost 30 minutes straight because she was sooooo sad her Nina had to leave. She said she would "give anything in the world" if her Nina could stay. Well I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways because that little girl got her wish. I tried to capture the moment when she saw her on my iphone but the pics did not turn out so great, however it will be a moment I will always treasure.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She got to spend the rest of the day playing with her Nina but unfortunately we had to take her to the airport again that afternoon so that she could depart home. The waterworks began for a second time and I think this time they were slightly more intense because she thought she might be able to bring her back again. She and I then headed home so she could visit with her daddy for a little while. She opened up the rest of her presents from us with the help of Gumbeaux. I had to go nap for a little while because I had to work that evening. I did however get a chance to bake her a homemade chocolate cake with buttercream icing and pink sugar crystals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hO_IQvEQskY/TmSglwPnZtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/wMB2WF0hmTs/s1600/IMG_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hO_IQvEQskY/TmSglwPnZtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/wMB2WF0hmTs/s320/IMG_1036.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her Daddy and I sang her happy birthday and she made her wish. I'm sure she wished for a new toy or a magical unicorn but I also made a wish for my sweet baby girl. I wish that she will have a happy and fulfilled life in which she never doubts a single day that I love her more than anything in this world. She is a complete blessing to me and I can not imagine life without her. In fact she is my life. I'm not the same person as I was before I had her. Before, I was Jamiee but I am happy to be referred to now as Albree's mom!</div><br />
Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-52610161052678351502011-09-05T02:55:00.000-07:002011-09-05T02:55:04.055-07:00Albree's 5th Princess Par-TeaI finally have all the pics together of the princess tea party honoring Miss Albree Lyn. This party was definately one of the biggest projects I have taken on but I was really happy with the outcome. Now of course there were things I planned that did not get done or turn out exactly as I planned like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNaAyaKrS4Q/TmROVKDRxhI/AAAAAAAAAD4/XB4gZ-3Urag/s1600/IMG_1004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNaAyaKrS4Q/TmROVKDRxhI/AAAAAAAAAD4/XB4gZ-3Urag/s320/IMG_1004.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>but I'm the only one who knew that and all that attended said they had a really good time. The balloon arch did get finished and looked great but we ran into a problem trying to anchor it in the ground. Then we laid it in the grass while we tried to device a plan and it started to pop slowly. I was super bummed but had to move on and face the fact that it just wasn't going to work. Maybe after years pass and I forget what a huge pain it was I will attempt this again because it looked really cool and was not very expensive to make.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne_LlCZB4t8/TmRQokwJtnI/AAAAAAAAAE4/XyWW_O1k3rw/s1600/DSC01432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne_LlCZB4t8/TmRQokwJtnI/AAAAAAAAAE4/XyWW_O1k3rw/s320/DSC01432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I tried to make a lot of the decorations myself from different ideas I saw off of party blogs like <a href="http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/">Kara's Party Ideas</a>. Some of the decorations included pom pom balls made out of tissue paper. <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias">Here</a> is a tutorial on how to make this super easy and inexpensive decor. I also tried to do the #5 from a party <a href="http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/search/label/princess%20and%20the%20frog%20party">here</a> but I ran out of the cupcake liners I was using and I went to 3 stores in town and nobody had them :(. They were a cute pink and green plaid and I should of known when I pulled the only pack of them from the back shelf at Kroger that I was testing fate. I also had planned on serving these really cute and delicious pink and white mini cupcakes from Kroger, but found out on the day before the party that they were a seasonal item and could not be ordered. I had to scramble and ended up just picking some plain white mini cupcakes with sprinkles. I was a little disappointed that I put all this planning into this party yet I had no spectacular confectionery delight as the centerpiece. There were a lot of things that did go as planned like these ribbon topiary balls. The majority of the items were made with the help of my wonderful co workers. The tutus, banner, topiaries and pom-poms were all made in the wee morning hours at the Schump. I started the planning back in May and it was not a moment too soon because all of the projects took a lot of time. <br />
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The actual set up started the day before the party. My momma flew in from FL to help and she was wonderful. Don't know how I would of done it without her. I moved all of the furniture and decor out of the living room to set it up as our party space. I worked til about midnight that night and left this as my starting off point<br />
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The next day we woke up bright and early and Albree called from her bed when she was ready to get up. She wanted everything to be a surprise so we covered her eyes and she went up to her playroom while we set everything up. Here she is waiting on the stairs patiently.<br />
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The next hours involved the arch fiasco, food prep, furniture removal, and trying to find everything its perfect place. I ran out of time to complete all of the little touches I would of like to of gotten done but this is how it all turned out:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xypgNV_GSs/TmRQkMIF8YI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gRzSv4hzKd4/s1600/DSC01418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xypgNV_GSs/TmRQkMIF8YI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gRzSv4hzKd4/s200/DSC01418.jpg" width="150" /></a>The guests arrived and the party began with a craft I had picked up for all the girls. It were these princess mirrors made by Melissa and Doug. I got them online and thankfully I ordered them a month ahead of time because it took that long for them to get there. Don't think I will ever use AsSeenOnTVJunkies.com again. I did fill like I got a quality item for a good price and they were a huge hit with the girls. It was a good activity to keep them entertained while waiting on all the guests to arrive.<br />
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We then started to munch on the food. The menu included peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut out in heart and flower shapes, rotisserie chicken salad from Sam's on crosissant rolls (delicious), broccoli and raisin salad, cheese and crackers, deviled eggs, fruit and pink dip, and jell-o with cool whip on top in little plastic glasses from the dollar tree. Drinks consisted of iced tea, pink lemonade and raspberry lemonade.<br />
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After everyone got their bellies filled, we started getting the girls in their princess attire. I had spent the weeks before making tutus for all of the girls out of tulle tied around a strip of ribbon. We luckily had 2 matching vanities made by Airianna's (albree's best friend) grandpa. We set those up with hair at one, make up at another and we used one of Albree's little play tables as the nail station. At the hair station the girls got their hair put in a bun and topped with a tiara. They then went outside to get sprayed with Princess dust (glitter spray). At the makeup station they got eyeshadow, glitter gel, lip gloss and jeweled tattoos. At the nail station they got to pick between purple or pink polish and then they picked out their sparkly diamond ring to wear. <br />
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Once everyone was fancy, the party games began. The first was a game inspired by Princess and the Pea. Our wonderful princess read the story to the girls so they would kind of get of an idea how the game went. I laid out four pillows and had all the girls go into Albree's room. I then hid a small green golf ball (from Gator Golf) under one of the pillows to represent the pea. Each girl was brought out one by one and given a chance to sit on each pillow to guess where the pea was. After one girl finished the others went back into the room, the pea was hidden again and then they were brought out for their chance to find the pea. After they guessed correctly, they were given their pink wand as a reward for being a true princess.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next game was inspired by the princess and the frog. Instead of pinning the tail on the donkey, we tried to kiss the frog. Albree's bathroom is princess themed, so we were able to use a frog prince she had hanging in there as our frog. I then cut out red lips from construction paper and put tacky putty on the backs. Each girl was blindfolded and spun around the number of years they were old. The winner was whoever got closest to putting their lips on the frog's. Sweet baby Addison wanted to kiss the frog with her real lips so we had to let that cuteness happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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The last game was based off of our guest of honor, Princess Aurora. We had music playing and when it stopped the girls had to drop to the ground and "fall asleep". The first girl to move was out. The music then started back up and the girls would start dancing again. Airianna was our winner so she got to be first at the sweets table.<br />
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I set up a sweets table that was a huge hit because it involved every kids favorite food: sugar. I tried to find an assortment of candies that were pink, green or purple in color to go with the theme. Some of my finds included pink and white marshmallows, strawberry whoppers, watermelon sour patch kids, and mike and ikes tropical flavored. We also had pink little debbie cakes, chocolate molded princess pretzel rods, chocolate covered oreos that were molded with different princess graphics and some beautiful and delicious cake balls my friend <a href="http://danielle-memories.blogspot.com/">Danielle</a> made. My friend Meghan came over a couple days prior and helped with the Oreos and pretzel rods because there is NO way I could of completed them without her. Each kid loaded up there bag to get sugar high at their houses later.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we did cupcakes. I was able to get a big pink and green flower cupcake from Brookshire's so that Albree would kind of have something special but she politely informed me after a couple of bites that it didn't taste very good. So she ate some of the white ones which were tasty and was perfectly content.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last thing was presents and pictures with our princess Aurora. Speaking of Princess Aurora, she was fantastic. She is a sweet girl from one of my friend's church who volunteered to be a Princess at Albree and Airianna's parties. We found her dress on eBay for $35 total. We ordered her a long wig on Amazon when she was dressed as Rapunzel at Airianna's party and then found the blond wig for her role as Princess Aurora. She had the mannerisms down to a tee and she was extremely helpful throughout the whole party. Honestly it would not have been the same party had she not been there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall the party was a ton of fun and all the girls seemed to really enjoy themselves including the birthday girl. I do wish I would of gotten everything done but the smile on Albree's face let me know that I had accomplished my goal. Her daddy said that another party like this won't happen again until she is 16 but she and I have already been talking about next year's possible theme: Mermaids!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-66606334202917147732011-08-19T15:29:00.000-07:002011-08-19T15:29:49.718-07:00Afternoon Time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So thankfully T.L. Rhodes returned my precious girl to me on that first day with a smile and plenty of stories about her first day. She saw old friends and made some new ones and truly liked her new teacher. So far so good!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo9ja-Za3R8/Tk6grHhV9xI/AAAAAAAAADQ/hASuoNIlE6Q/s1600/IMG_1056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo9ja-Za3R8/Tk6grHhV9xI/AAAAAAAAADQ/hASuoNIlE6Q/s200/IMG_1056.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4w56FZtWYHk/Tk6gjDfvXYI/AAAAAAAAADM/0DFvmg39I2A/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4w56FZtWYHk/Tk6gjDfvXYI/AAAAAAAAADM/0DFvmg39I2A/s200/IMG_1055.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We went to the grocery store that day to get supplies because it was her turn to bring snacks for class the next day since it was her birthday on that Monday. I chose to make some delicious cupcakes that my friend <a href="http://maisondesboudreaux.blogspot.com/">Shannon</a> made for work before. They were strawberry and creamcheese and did not have to have icing if we didn't want any. My little assistant got started on the batter. The recipe for them is here: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes</span></strong></span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 18px;"><div><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the cupcakes</span></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">28 paper liners for cupcake pans (2 1/2-inch size)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 package (18.25 ounces) plain white cake mix</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 tablespoons all purpose flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup milk</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup vegetable oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup crushed fresh strawberries (5 - 6 large strawberries)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 large eggs</span></div><div><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the filling</span></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temp</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup granulated sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 large egg</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 28 cupcake cups with paper liners and set the pans aside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Make the cupcake batter: Place the cake mix, strawberry gelatin, and flour in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add the milk, oil, strawberries, and 3 eggs and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again if needed. The batter should look well blended. Set the batter aside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5S3p03UEKG8/Tk6g2_CkgmI/AAAAAAAAADU/BJRnIUrSXK8/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5S3p03UEKG8/Tk6g2_CkgmI/AAAAAAAAADU/BJRnIUrSXK8/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Make the filling: Place the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and 1 egg in a medium size bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is creamy, 1 minute.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Spoon or scoop a heaping 1/4 cup of cupcake batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it two thirds of the way full. (You will get between 26 - 28 cupcakes; remove the empty liners, if any) Spoon a generous tablespoon of the cheesecake filling over each cupcake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Place the pans on the center rack of the oven. If both pans do not fit on one oven rack, it's fine to let a pan sit on the counter while the first batch of cupcakes bake. Bake the cupcakes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed with a finger, 20 - 25 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and plan on wire racks to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes longer before frosting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Meanwhile, make a cream cheese frosting to top them with when cooled.</span></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4k95iwVOW0/Tk6hjvXiU4I/AAAAAAAAADo/qtG0pnnFslI/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4k95iwVOW0/Tk6hjvXiU4I/AAAAAAAAADo/qtG0pnnFslI/s200/IMG_1062.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5KPtK0puB0/Tk6hbBuus-I/AAAAAAAAADk/zkR3v6QV9hE/s1600/IMG_1061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5KPtK0puB0/Tk6hbBuus-I/AAAAAAAAADk/zkR3v6QV9hE/s200/IMG_1061.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I found that the baking time is closer to 18 to 20 minutes if you are using the convection setting. These things were super yummy and Albree said everyone loved them. Here is before we iced them. I forgot to take a pic of them after icing. I also topped each with a Whole strawberry that had the top cut off for some nutritional value. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That night for dinner we had potato chip coated chicken nuggets. Once again my little assistant was happy to lend a helping hand.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIu0deCcnWQ/Tk6g_pZvPgI/AAAAAAAAADY/BXlinW5Zegw/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIu0deCcnWQ/Tk6g_pZvPgI/AAAAAAAAADY/BXlinW5Zegw/s320/IMG_1058.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First we cut up the chicken breasts and coated them with seasoning. (You can see our choice of seasoning haha)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duF0tecw5Jw/Tk6hRh17aAI/AAAAAAAAADg/44gao5QpA7w/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-duF0tecw5Jw/Tk6hRh17aAI/AAAAAAAAADg/44gao5QpA7w/s200/IMG_1060.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqasLJP8ggY/Tk6hH1I8ePI/AAAAAAAAADc/7JyKZqLDXQE/s1600/IMG_1059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqasLJP8ggY/Tk6hH1I8ePI/AAAAAAAAADc/7JyKZqLDXQE/s200/IMG_1059.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next we whisked 2 eggs and some milk together for the coating. Then is the fun part. You get to crunch up a bunch of potato chips in a bag until they are very fine. Toss the chicken in the egg mixture and then the crushed potato chips and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and Voila! Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Later that evening we had a brief sprinkle but Albree was dressed for the part as exemplified here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNbrC-5m8tc/Tk6h2mnmeMI/AAAAAAAAADw/6FsT8KqglK4/s1600/IMG_1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNbrC-5m8tc/Tk6h2mnmeMI/AAAAAAAAADw/6FsT8KqglK4/s200/IMG_1066.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoQiD79sHvQ/Tk6hwyTNbLI/AAAAAAAAADs/4joHC8VIW-A/s1600/IMG_1064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoQiD79sHvQ/Tk6hwyTNbLI/AAAAAAAAADs/4joHC8VIW-A/s200/IMG_1064.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She and her daddy finished the evening with a game of catch and our other child sat there like a perfect angel and watched the game though he wanted to chase the ball SOOOO bad. Got to love and cherish these moments.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</div></div>Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-17666684243455749672011-08-19T10:21:00.000-07:002011-08-19T10:21:59.914-07:00I trust you will treat her wellI know a part of me is rejoicing at these 6 hours a day I have just to myself to complete all of the things I need to get done but a bigger part of me (a much bigger part) is mourning right now the loss of my little girl. Now of course she is still my daughter and she gets to come home to me every night but now she isn't totally her mommy and daddy's little girl. She is a kindergartener in Mrs. Saucier's class and the Bossier Parrish School Board mandates that Monday through Friday from 7:50-2:25 she is theirs. It is such a different feeling when before it was always a choice if she went anywhere and now it is required. If we just want to stay cuddled in our beds, that can only happen on Saturdays and Sundays. I miss her, I truly do and I am afraid that I'm going to lose that innocent, wonderful, wholehearted, genuine little girl that I love more than anything in the world. I truly love the person she is. I joke that she should work in public relations because she is always complimenting the people around her and making you feel good about your self. Nobody is allowed to have low self esteem around that girl. Though I don't feel that I am, I hear at least 10 times a day from here that I am wonderful and beautiful. How can you not love that? Yesterday on the way home she told me that Daddy and I were the best because we always know what to say to make her happy yet it is her who is always the one complimenting us. Needless to say she is just my most favorite person to be around. What I'm afraid of is that now she is going to know that the world isn't perfect and sometimes people aren't always nice. In our home she was the center of the world but at school she is just another student. Right now she believes us wholeheartedly when we tell her she is the best, smartest, and prettiest little girl in the world but I am afraid that as the school year goes on she will start to doubt that and it breaks my heart. I could be totally wrong and I pray to God that I am but nobody can deny that sometime school can be rough. There is a poem written that put so beautifully the way I'm feeling inside. It's called: I trust you'll treat her well<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Dear World:</i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long.. and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sun when she runs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">I trust you'll treat her well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning...and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Goodbye" and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">Now she'll learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of school-bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy 'cross the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn and kiss lilac blooms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about those important things...like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friends is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and mother and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers ...which is only right. But no longer will I be the smartest woman in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all its privileges and its disadvantages too.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud...or kiss dogs...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or even watch ants scurry across cracks in sidewalks in the summer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">So, world, I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;">I trust you'll treat her well.</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is definately a time to of joy as she starts this new path in her life but the past has been so wonderful that I'm just a little sad to let it go :(</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now on to the happier parts of back to school. First is the outfit. We chose this :</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVGZzkt515M/Tk6ViFFhKAI/AAAAAAAAACw/WxQW4opUVM4/s1600/IMG_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVGZzkt515M/Tk6ViFFhKAI/AAAAAAAAACw/WxQW4opUVM4/s320/IMG_1048.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then we got tucked into bed and read some bedtime books</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-1ZwTMHSOc/Tk6VvgNpCFI/AAAAAAAAAC0/u4QxrJYJU6k/s1600/IMG_1049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-1ZwTMHSOc/Tk6VvgNpCFI/AAAAAAAAAC0/u4QxrJYJU6k/s320/IMG_1049.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next morning started with a breakfast of sausage gravy and biscuits. YUM! Then we got her all ready and had to take the traditional picture outside. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her daddy and I then made the 10 minute journey to T.L. Rhodes. And there she goes taking that first big step into a whole new world</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMKn10Sf8ZM/Tk6WeaBXC6I/AAAAAAAAAC8/SBpPZhXOQys/s1600/IMG_1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMKn10Sf8ZM/Tk6WeaBXC6I/AAAAAAAAAC8/SBpPZhXOQys/s200/IMG_1052.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FPnTXpO4Nk/Tk6Wn4-KYlI/AAAAAAAAADA/MpalLBO2khI/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FPnTXpO4Nk/Tk6Wn4-KYlI/AAAAAAAAADA/MpalLBO2khI/s200/IMG_1053.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We walked her in and I did really good, no crying and I didn't linger. Now her daddy on the other hand did not do so well. He was teary eyed and didn't want to leave. I practically had to pull him out of there. She is definitely the apple of his eye. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we let her go whether we liked it or not with the hopes that the world would treat her well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-46728807752472554142011-08-02T21:48:00.000-07:002011-08-02T21:48:23.853-07:00Who Needs Sleep<div><div>So as I write this tonight, I have had 2 hours of sleep in the past 30 hours. Remarkably, I'm not that tired. I spent the day with my favorite girl and am happy to report that I have been abiding by my policy of not staying on my phone or computer when she wants my attention. She was SOOO funny with her constant referral to me today as "girl" with statements such as "Patience, girl" and "Let me tell you girl". Of course everytime I tell her to stop calling me girl, I'm laughing and so in turn, she is laughing and I continue to be called girl. Oh well, I guess there are much worse things that she could call me. On a totally inappropriate note, my daughter ended the night lying on my chest while we were snuggled in her bed and she lifted her head up, fluffed my right breast like a pillow and laid her head back down. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. She honestly is a constant source of entertainment. Never a dull moment with that one.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>I am going to finally post about something to do with one of my favorite hobbies: cooking. I'm not talking about baking exotic worldly items but instead southern cooking, Paula Deen style. Tonight was flatbread cheeseburgers which consisted of a hamburger concoction on top of a fried biscuit. YUM! To make it you take 1lb of ground beef and brown in skillet. I seasoned with salt, pepper, worstershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder and Tony's. Drain grease from beef. Then saute some onions and minced garlic in skillet. Return beef to skillet and mix in 1/2 cup of ketchup and 2 tablespoons of mustard. The original recipe called for onion soup mix, water and apple cider vinegar mixed in with it but I didn't have any and it turned out fine without it. Put mixture on medium low heat and simmer for approximately 5 minutes. While meat is cooking, take a can of Grands biscuits and roll each out to a 6 inch circle. In a seperate skillet fry each biscuit on each side 30 seconds to 1 minute. You can use a little bit of oil in pan if you want a crispier crust. Top each biscuit with some of the hamburger mixture and some shredded cheddar cheese and Voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUgVYSg-i1M/Tji9ZZdpAII/AAAAAAAAABg/V-GB8SnfIxQ/s1600/DSCN2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUgVYSg-i1M/Tji9ZZdpAII/AAAAAAAAABg/V-GB8SnfIxQ/s200/DSCN2806.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnxhGM9EoEE/Tji9MfJtwBI/AAAAAAAAABc/Zlw_Ia5423c/s1600/DSCN2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnxhGM9EoEE/Tji9MfJtwBI/AAAAAAAAABc/Zlw_Ia5423c/s200/DSCN2805.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Other things that kept me busy this past week included replanting flower beds (I know now is not the time but everything died while we were on vacation). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqEKlTmKAks/TjjBuZVCEeI/AAAAAAAAAB8/YNr54W23DN8/s1600/DSCN2792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqEKlTmKAks/TjjBuZVCEeI/AAAAAAAAAB8/YNr54W23DN8/s320/DSCN2792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div><div><div>I also tried desperately to repair a hummingbird feeder that I have already returned once. I used super glue, monkey glue and plumber's putty with no luck. The bottom is cracked and clearly still leaking.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nOySTu-w-Yc/TjjEgG3ZhqI/AAAAAAAAACs/smZrKdn0RrY/s1600/DSCN2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nOySTu-w-Yc/TjjEgG3ZhqI/AAAAAAAAACs/smZrKdn0RrY/s320/DSCN2804.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I also have been consumed with planning Albree's 5th Birthday and was super pumped to find this cute cake stand</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEqQCjX-DM4/TjjDDdipsMI/AAAAAAAAACU/CnFK_Y31io4/s1600/DSCN2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEqQCjX-DM4/TjjDDdipsMI/AAAAAAAAACU/CnFK_Y31io4/s320/DSCN2798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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<div>And sadly I had to buy my little baby girl's kindergarten uniforms and backpack (which I proudly got for $3.25 instead of buying the $45 one from Pottery Barn that we really wanted). Can't believe we are at this stage already. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcL3avQTIwo/TjjD0F0MHpI/AAAAAAAAACg/dkcD9zyyoLw/s1600/DSCN2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcL3avQTIwo/TjjD0F0MHpI/AAAAAAAAACg/dkcD9zyyoLw/s320/DSCN2801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Kh-G6fO_9g/TjjDVOP-35I/AAAAAAAAACY/6ACOPv8MkeA/s1600/DSCN2799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Kh-G6fO_9g/TjjDVOP-35I/AAAAAAAAACY/6ACOPv8MkeA/s320/DSCN2799.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Lastly I have to share this pic of my other child. Since he has not gotten in trouble in over 2 weeks, I am feeling overly affectionate towards him. In all honesty I LOVE this dog. Taylor and I will spend hours making up conversations we believe he is saying. Lame but I wouldnt want my life any other way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcOVq53UJSw/TjjCaT9jxzI/AAAAAAAAACI/CW317NNIhok/s1600/DSCN2795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcOVq53UJSw/TjjCaT9jxzI/AAAAAAAAACI/CW317NNIhok/s320/DSCN2795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-36282909897634103212011-07-27T07:29:00.000-07:002011-07-27T07:32:44.152-07:00Microbiology Lesson for the dayTo all parents and future parents, heed my warning. There is about a 75% chance that any illness your little munchkin catches, you will end up with. Last night, we went out for family night to Buffalo Wild Wings and then to the movies to see Cars 2 (Taylor and Albree's choice). At dinner I really didn't have an appetite and I started feeling kind of queasy. I then remain nauseated throughout the movie, and then ended it at home nauseated and feeling febrile with chills tucked under my blankets with a blue cleaning bucket next to me in the event that my nausea progressed. Luckily, the bucket was never used, but I now get to go to the endodontist in about 2 hours for a root canal revision. Yay because the first time wasn't fun enough that I want to do it all over again. On a good note, my sweet lovie just walked in with a breakfast she made all by herself for me. On one side I'm ecstatic at the lovely gift, but on the other I'm crying inside at the thought that my baby just made me breakfast in bed completely unassisted (as a safety note none of the items required cooking). Wow, really starting to feel like life is speeding up and I want it to slooooooowwww down. I'm not ready for her to be this grown up yet but it looks like I have no choice but to embrace it. Well I'm off to enjoy my yummy breakfast.Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-36200819577985319142011-07-24T21:44:00.001-07:002011-07-24T21:44:30.712-07:00SickTaking care of sick kids is one of the things I am most passionate about however I am very selfish in that I want those sick children to be any child but mine. Unfortunately today, that was not the case. I got the call this morning that while I spent the night caring for 2 other children, my little girl spent the night in the bathroom vomiting at her Nana and papa's house. Finally at 7:00 this morning she didn't have anything left and was just producing clear flym. I felt so guilty like I was cheating on her. I know logically I shouldn't but I do. Now the 2 kids last night were technically more acute than her but as a mother I don't care. There is a fine line between being a nurse and a mom and maybe that is why I love my job so much because I truly love being a mom. But I felt like though my two patients last night needed me to care for them, Albree will always be my first priority. Her nana did an amazing job with her but I was supposed to be the one there with her. I know that at some point it crossed her mine that she wanted her mommy and I wasn't there and that kills me. I did however jump into action this morning and work on a care plan to get her better which involved a prescription for some Zofran. One of the perks of my job is that I work with some great doctors that offer their pharmaceutical remedies to our little ones so with script in hand I was headed to Walgreens.<br />
As I was headed into my inlaws, I could hear her sweet little voice saying Momma. My sweet girl was curled up in bed looking pitiful. You could tell she had a long night. She got her first dose of the antiemetic and was tucked backed in bed. I crouched down next to the bed and laid my head next to hers and then that amazing little girl started to stroke my cheek. After she spent the night over a toilet bowl she was trying to comfort me. She really is the most loving and nurturing person I have ever met. I truly am doing her a great injustice by keeping her as an only child because her sibling(s) would be loved and cared for beyond belief. I then had to deal with the fact that I was going to have to leave her to go let our big baby at home out and give him his breakfast. Luckily my amazing father in law volunteered to go so that I could stay exactly where I needed to be. We spent the next couple hours snuggled in bed at which time she got up and vomitted once more while I was sleeping right next to her. A lot of help I was:( I woke up at 1:30 with her wide awake next to me saying that she was trying to be real quiet so that she didn't wake me up. Once again her selflessness is remarkable. Luckily the vomitting stopped but unfortunately led to diarrhea. The poor thing went through 4 sets of panties because she was having trouble making it to the commode in time. I even walked in on her one time sitting on the toilet, bent over trying to clean up some of her diarrhea off the floor with a wipey. I immediately got teary eyed at the site and told her mommy would of cleaned that up and she responded that she wanted to be a big girl. AMAZING. I am really not trying to gloat on how great my daughter is but it is moments like this that define life for me. To see her in a situation where she should be grumpy and down right miserable yet that sunshine she emits can not be extinguished. I get so excited thinking about watching her grow because I know the end result is going to be a truly kind hearted, unique, amazing individual. <br />
As for now, baby girl is curled up next to her daddy in our bed (because she asked me if she could sleep with us tonight followed by the comment "You want me to get better, don't you?") Luckily the diarrhea and vomitting has stopped and she is just keeping a low grade temp of 100.7. She hasn't eaten much but has been drinking her blue Gatorade. Hopefully we only have 2 hours left out of a 24 hour bug and she will be back to her old self in the am. Guess I'm going to go snuggle up next to her because like she said I do want her to get better and there is no better remedy than a good snuggleJamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-59208511279492099812011-07-12T22:53:00.000-07:002011-07-12T22:53:12.594-07:00Sore Loser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZmzpHjDkks/Th0yVXtx3KI/AAAAAAAAABY/m4tGfoe6uQk/s1600/IMG_0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZmzpHjDkks/Th0yVXtx3KI/AAAAAAAAABY/m4tGfoe6uQk/s320/IMG_0798.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>I played Bunko tonight and confirmed the fact that I HATE to lose. I don't cry or throw things or get all moody but I really DO NOT enjoy it. Guess it is my competitive side coming out. But then I came home and realized that I have the greatest gift of all. Albree Lyn greeted me at the door with the invitation of a back massage. SCORE!!! My sweet lovey rubbed my shoulders and then we curled up on the couch under my favorite blue blanket and watched the rest of Despicable Me. It was perfect. She was half way laying on my chest and sandwiched between me and the couch and that is how she slipped off to sleep. I love and cherish these moments. I showered her head with kisses before I finally decided that for the sake of the circulation in my left arm I should take her to her bed. I tucked her in which is probably not a routine I had at this age. I'm so very thankful that by the grace of God I have arrived at this place in my life. The cycle of neglect and disappointment will not continue with me. I know I'm not going to be the perfect parent or nowhere close but I do feel confident that my child will have a better childhood than I did and she will NEVER have her mother leave her. Didn't mean to get quite so deep but this blogging is proving to be very therapeutic!Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-71656074606142865712011-07-12T02:33:00.000-07:002011-07-12T03:06:46.514-07:00Truly Blessed but yet sometimes I forgetThis morning when I arrived at my in-laws from a rather challenging evening, I was greeted by God's greatest gift to me. My little brown eye beauty met me at the door with hugs, kisses and multiple terms of endearment. When I sunk into their chair and a half and began to relay to my fil the events of the evening my sweet lovey got up off her papa's lap, came over and covered me with a blanket and told me she would take care of me. I have to admit I almost took her up on it because that little girl is an amazing caregiver but I just told her all I needed was her snuggling and I would be good to go. Up until this point everything sounds wonderful and bradybunch like, but unfortunately from this point on my sleepiness lead to me being short with my sweet girl. It started with brushing teeth. Every time I tell her it's time to brush her teeth, she asks me to go into the bathroom with her so that she won't be scared however, my laziness has been ruling out over my mothering skills. I just don't have the umph to get out of the big comfy chair so I just sit there and tell her that she is a big girl and that she needs to go brush her teeth. Why do I do this? I know in the back of my mind that these moments are going to be gone before I know it and there will come a time when I yearn for her to want me around yet I stay planted in my chair and off she goes sad and let down. 1st failure of the day and its only 7:48. Next comes getting her hair into a bun for princess camp. This is NEVER a fun thing and always ends up with both of us in bad moods. 2nd failure at 7:52. We then leave so we can go to Academy for new ballet shoes before camp. I call her daddy on the way there and did my biggest failure of the day. Since both of us were still in sour moods because of the hair bun issue I said to her dad that we were on our way to princess camp so that Albree could learn to be nice. I then carried on with my conversation for another minute and went to hand the phone to Albree and saw that the angel I was suppose to protect was crying. 3rd Failure at 8:02. My thoughtless words had really hurt her feelings. She wasn't throwing a fit but quietly crying because I had done real damage. I quickly tried to do damage control and explain to her that I was just kidding and I really didn't feel that way. And of course her being the sweet girl she is totally and whole heartedly accepted my apology without an ounce of hesitation. I guess that is the true beauty of a child. All they want is our love and they hold no grudges. This morning made me really think about the fact that I really am blessed. Not only do I get to be a mother, but I get to be a mother to a truly good hearted, wonderful person. All she wants is my attention and this morning made me realize it is time to put the iphone down and turn the computer off and start making some real memories with my baby girl who will not be a baby much longer.Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456212200286857291.post-956755076178662762011-07-10T02:45:00.001-07:002011-07-12T03:06:26.403-07:00Getting StartedSo my dear friend Danielle has inticed me to start blogging so here it goes!Jamieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01999933192866268914noreply@blogger.com0