A Happy Girl

...might be the result of a combination of 75 degree weather, purple Iris flowers... and an authentic dress from Grandma's recent trip to Israel. (I'm assuming that the "Women Lingerie" written on the collar is a translation error.)

Nah, she's happy like that a lot- especially when she's outside.  Or after waking up in the morning.  Or  waking from an afternoon nap.  Or riding in the car with the windows down.  Or in the bath tub.

P.S.  If you like the hair clips from this post, you'll love what Zulily is oferring right now.  Hurry- they are going fast!

Heard of Woombie?

I don't know about other little ones, but Savannah was definitely a swaddling baby when she was born.  And when I first discovered the Woombie  (on a deal a day website), I was immediately sold.   We may have gotten a few chuckles from others when they would see our baby girl zipped up in it , but we (Brant, Savannah, and I) all loved it.  It was easy to use and we liked the stretchy comfortable material that kept her swaddled, but also allowed her room to move inside of it (and no - the company didn't even pay me to say any of that!).

Anyways, what made me think about this?  I recently came across a giveaway for a lucky winner - check it out if you want!  And if you don't need if for yourself, chances are you know someone else who has a little one on the way.

I think this would fit into the category of the "Wow, I wish we had those around when my kids were babies!" comments I often hear from older parents.  You know-  like the bumbo.

P.S.  Hey all you local mama's- did you know that Jump 2 It in Peachtree City offers free admission to parents and little ones under the age of two?  We took Savannah there yesterday - a great place to go if your looking for entertainment!

Some Friday Thoughts

I'm pleasantly surprised to find that Frank's House of Prime Rib is actually a nice place to dine.  Instead of the vinyl checkered tablecloths that I have pictured in my mind for the past year and a half, they actually have nice white linens at each table and serve upscale Italian food with fancy deserts.  How very odd it is that this fine dining establishment is hooked onto a filthy gas station.   

Speaking of odd, I've never understood how this Disney Monorail and dragon found its way to the parking lot of a local consignment shop in the small town of Tyrone, GA.  But who really cares when you can find gems like a brand name beige wool sweater for $1 at the Red Door Consignment shop on their Friday dollar day?

But no matter what piece of clothing I find at a consignment shop, it will never look as cool as anything this chick could pull off.  And I think it would be really really cool to be friends with her.   Shes down to earth and an all around good person (from what I read, anyways)....  and I wonder if we were friends if she would me borrow her sense of fashion.  Count me in the 2.5 billion viewers that will be watching on April 29...I'm a little (or a lot) awe struck.

On the other hand, I wouldn't have anywhere to wear those kind of clothes when I spend the majority of my time entertaining a toddler.  I wonder what the appropriate age is for a kid to have a sandbox.  I love the idea of this DIY sandbox, but the kids in the picture are way older than my kid, but I think she'll still like it... or will she just eat it?  Either way, it'd be fun to have Brant build this and then paint it fun colors.


....And I wonder if there is any ice cream left in the freezer?

Boys will be Boys

We've got a small crowd of out of town family visiting for a coupla days. I am in charge of food; Brant is over entertainment. And at this very moment I think all the boys are giddy in the backyard being entertained with the compound bow while us girls stay inside and visit.

On a side note, don't these touch screen fountain drink dispensers look cool? Kind of a cross between a stainless steel fridge and/or front load washing machine. Be on the look out for these at your local restaurants.  We found them when we toured the World of Coca-Cola this morning.

Some of us may still be coming down from a sugar rush from the all you can drink soda.  If you've been to the World of Coke, you know what I'm taking about.

Lock & Load 'em

Nope - that's not a high school band trombone you see.  Guess again.

Yesterday we went down to the shooting range where Brant could fire his .12 gauge and .22 riffle (that have been collecting dust) to his heart's content.

Side note: you got me on what the difference with these guns are.  Maybe guns to me can be compared with purses to men - no one can understand why you need more than just one!

First on the agenda- clay pigeons with the .12 gauge.  Don't let this guy fool ya - he has a great eye!

I may have shot a clay pigeon or two myself (...okay, maybe one).

Then shooting targets with the .22 riffle after that.  Yep, a bullseye shot by me onto my target.
For the record, Brant may have been able to hit more pigeons, but I was the one who could hit the bullseye on the target.

(love ya, hon! had fun!)

Here's a little bit of a secret

Remember this post almost three years ago when I went to the Salt Lake Farmer's market?  I'll be honest- local honey, jam, bread, and a headband weren't the only things I bought.  But when I passed a portable tent with a woman and her homemade clothes, I couldn't pass up her cute little girl pillowcase dresses.  Since Savannah wasn't even a twinkle in our eyes yet, nor did I even know anyone that was having a baby girl, I felt a little silly buying it (I even told the woman that)...but I thought it was darling and have held onto it ever since.

Its a 12 month size and has been hanging in Savannah's closet ever since she was born.  And since it seemed like forever before she would be able to wear it, the dress started to not even register to me anymore whenever I opened the closet.  I got a little anxious the other week when I realized I had yet to dress her in it and that she might have already outgrown it.  What a tragedy that would have been, right?

It was a little on the small side, but crisis averted - she wore it to church yesterday.

That was a close one.

Tots Travel Too

Now that we are moving from the infant traveling stage and into the toddler traveling stage, I'm adjusting my approach to taking off with a little one in tow as Brant and I plan our spring/summer family get aways.

And until Savannah is big enough to haul her own suitcase, I'm still limited to fitting both of our stuff into one carry one and looking for the easiest/ most efficient ways to travel.  I've read a number of articles about traveling with kids, but they all seem pretty bogus (i.e. "ask you husband to help with your kids so that you don't have to do it alone.") ....seriously?

Anyways, has anyone tried these carseat travel boosters?  Or any thoughts on these travel high chairs?  

Like Mother

Me with Grandpa Kimble on my first birthday - August 1983.

Like Daughter

Savannah on her 14th month birthday - today.

That classic red & blue toy that was given to me on my 1st birthday was also given to Savannah for her 1st Christmas, which was 3 weeks before her 1st birthday.  
Close enough.


*note of interest - I didn't know that picture of me even existed until about one week ago*

Find Tinkberbell

Your getting closer...

Ding, ding, ding!!  You found her!

Over the weekend, I was looking for a hair clip to match this St. Patty's ensemble for church (we like to root for the lesser celebrated holidays) and found this vendor at a consignment sale.

Turns out, these Disney Princess clips can be easily found on Etsy too - try here if you want to buy them or here if you want to download an ebook and learn to make them on your own.  Not a fan of the Disney princesses?  Try the Wizard of Oz clips.

And how ironic was it that I came into the living room this morning to find Brant & Savannah watching Peter Pan?

Mii Schmee

We've been having fun finding new games and such on our WiiFit that we got last Christmas.

Savannah? Her favorite is the Bubble Balance game.  Good thing we set her up with her own Mii.

Did you know that you can track your baby and your pets stats on the WiiFit too? Guess we'll have to get a dog now. Or later works for us too.

P.S. Thoughts and prayers to those in Japan. I made some dear friends from Japan while on my mission. Their families are all well and accounted for, but there's a lot more out there.

Three things I love this week

This is a new staple to the diaper bag.  No sugar added and found in the produce section. Maybe I buy them in bulk.

Consignment sales!  Tis the season for these two day sales and I had my first experience of selling at a local one over the weekend for the spring/summer season.  Loved what I bought and loved what I sold.  And this upcomming weekend I'll be consigning/ buying at this one.

Thin Mints, of course - and Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs?) are my favorite.  

In all honesty, Carmel DeLites (Samoas?) were never really a favorite.  Good thing I know a girl scout or two - it made it easy to track down these cookies this year.

By the way, Girl Scout cookies was kind of a big deal for us growing up.  My mom was the cookie chair of our troop and our garage would be stacked to the ceiling with cases of cookies around this time of year.  This is picture perfect of how I remember doing booth sales - with a card table outside of a hardware store (dads are suckers for cookies, you know).

Well, maybe I wasn't Asian or a brunette.  Nor did I get to wear a giant cookie.

Mini Me

Often times it will be the middle of the day and I'll look down and realize that Savannah and I are wearing unplanned coordinating outfits.

Today it was Brant's turn.  While I was getting Savannah ready this morning, Brant came out wearing the almost same long sleeved brown stripes and jeans - in a matching brand even (maybe that's why they matched so much).

They matched even down to the white shoes.

P.S.  See that stack of wood?  Brant is really into cutting his own firewood from the trees on our .8 acre lot.  I told him we wood (get it?  wood?) watch  him cut down this tree, but only if he yelled TIMBER at the top of his lungs for the neighbors to hear.  Good job honey!

36 hours in Texas

Brant had a few days off last week and on a whim we tossed around the thought of going on a trip.  The best place to go on a moment's notice?  Our standby is to Grapevine, Texas - to visit the Harrison grandparents of course!  A few notes of interest (including a few of our usuals):

-Discovering a cute shop on the B concourse in the Atlanta airport called Savannah's Candy Kitchen

-A turbulent - very turbulent - last half of the flight there.  Good thing I didn't have any cookies because I just might of tossed them.  Savannah, on the other hand handled it like like a pro. We think she actually enjoyed it.

-Papa Murphys Vegetarian pizza (its better than you would think!)

- Walks in the evening around the neighborhood in perfect weather (Brant & me)

-A walk in the stroller around the neighborhood with Grammy (Savannah)

- Watching Disney's Tangled and using the AMC gift that has been burning a hole in my wallet since I got it as a christmas gift 3 years ago (the closest AMC theaters have been at least over an hour drive from where ever we've lived)

-A walk around Grapevine Mills Mall - including a stop at the eyebrow threading kiosk

- Hitting golf balls at the driving range - and then better yet softballs at the batting cages

- Grilled Salmon dinner with drumstick ice cream cones

- Checking out Carter's (we don't have one here) and Old Navy

- A much smoother flight on the 7am departure back.  Arriving in ATL 25 min early *almost* forgave for the turbulent ride there.

How do ya like 'dem bum ruffles?

Like I suspect most babies are, S is curious and loves to be involved with whatever Brant is up to around the house and yard. Isn't that camo outfit fun? The front has a little deer and says "Daddy's Little Deer"

By the way, this 12 month photo of her is entered in a fun little contest.  

And she'll love you forever if you vote for her by Feb 28th :)

To vote: 
(1) Go to here and like their FB page.
(2) Give this photo a thumbs up
(3) Your fabulous!


Photo by Debbie

24 hours in Sacramento

A few weeks ago one of my friends posted a picture of their new house on FB.  I made a comment asking which window is ours for when we come visit.  She commented back saying our room would be the one facing their "perfectly manicured backyard".  We had to check it out, so off we went to California!

Our Valentine's trip to Sacramento (in chronological order):

- Chatting with friends on Facebook and watching HGTV from 33,000 feet in the sky

- The railroad museum (my favorite part was the Costal Ridge cart...way to travel in style)

- A walk through Old Town Sacramento

- Walking around the Delta King ship

- Free taffy and candy at the candy shop

- Dinner at Joe's Crab shack

- A walk around California's capital building

- Lots of chatting and meeting Kelly's husband

- Watching Secretariat on the way home

-Coming home to a happy Savannah... we think she had too much fun with Grandma while we were gone and suspect that we missed her more than she missed us!

- Oh wait...and a purple toilet in their neighborhood too.  That was weird.

Over the river & thru the woods

She's all packed with her pj's on and ready to head to Grandma's for the night. 
And the night after that. 

Here's to a Valentines getaway trip to Sacramento, CA.

We miss her already.

Quiet Friday afternoon =

New sunglasses and a sparkle wand.

That's the last time we go shopping when I'm bored. 

Dang you Old Navy.

Luggage for Little People

I'm pretty sure that Savannah's first suitcase will be a trunki.  What little traveler wouldn't love waiting in the airport with a cute little suit case that has wheels that you can ride around (the strap is even long enough for parents to pull like a wagon too)  It's carry on size approved which makes it especially perfect for us standbys.

Thanks for the babble post, JF. 

What'll Ya Have?

When you go to the Varsity restaurant in Atlanta, you do it for the experience (not the meal because its overpriced and greasy. But we all pretend not to notice that).

Doesn't Savannah look captivated by this Varsity burger? Good for us - it kept her distracted from the fact that she is not wearing her little pants anymore - but my sweater tied around her waist.

Here's to keeping an extra set of clothes on hand for those leaky blow outs that we all love :)

I now carry this

Not because we have pets, but because we have a baby (toddler?  wow, that sounds weird)
With my pint sized lint roller, gone are the days when I'm down on my hands & knees picking up individual crumbs after my baby/toddler in church or out at a restaurant - a tip I recently received.


Genius.  


What didn't I think of that?


P.S.  The link to 12 month pictures is now up on Our Little One's blog.