Reading with Love

Both Paige and Aiden really enjoy reading to Harlow and one night last week Jon recorded Aiden reading to her using his iPhone, it was such a precious moment between them.

Toddler Trouble Thursday

I was trying to get stuff together for a craft I was hosting for my playgroup this morning and just when I was finished and was ready to start getting the kids dressed I find Harlow covered in marker. I asked her if she touched markers and she shook her head, looked away and said, "noooo".

She wore some of her 'art' all day because I couldn't get it all washed off.

Sleeping Beauty and the Roly-Poly

Today I took the kids to a playdate over at a local community center to play with friends and lucky for me it's next to this beautiful nature preserve. I always keep that in mind when getting the kids dressed for this monthly event because I like to snap a few pictures before we head in to play.

It's been raining here on and off the past few days so Aiden kept entertained outside playing with several roly-poly bugs while Harlow ran around in the mud. Both the lighting and weather were just perfect so I was ok with the mud.

Harlow is wearing a Platinum Matilda Jane Sleeping Beauty Ellie, my very favorite Joyfolie shoes and I made the butterfly headband to match.

Aiden is wearing Gap and a roly-poly bug...LOL!

Hope your all having a terrific Tuesday!

Flutterfly

I was so excited the morning of the Butterfly Festival, I look forward to this event every year. I laid out the 'perfect' outfit for Harlow the night before with great anticipation of getting some amazing pictures with her and the butterflies. I knew I could get some candid pictures of Aiden playing with the butterflies.

With camera in hand I couldn't wait to get into that butterfly tent, Aiden dashed off with a smile from ear to ear and Harlow, well she clung to me for dear-life. I had her a few steps from my leg for just a few minutes but just then a butterfly landed on her eye lash, she freaked out and back on my hip she went.

Harlow and I followed Aiden around in the tent taking pictures of him while he happily played with the butterflies. I held out hope that Harlow would get back down and give it another chance but instead she clung to me crying and pointing out each 'flutterfly' as she called them that even came close to us with much distress in her voice. I was able to sneakily place a butterfly on her back and on her headband for a picture or two but that was about all I could get this year.

Aiden with his friend Tommy

So pretty!

I did bring home a chrysalis for both Paige and Aiden. We all enjoyed watching the butterfly emerge and then releasing them. Surprisingly, Harlow stood calmly and watched me release each one calling out the "flutterfly" with much excitement as it flew away. Maybe there is hope for next year?

Tea for Two...a mother's dream comes true!

Oh how I dreamed of this day, I remember being pregnant with Paige thinking of all of the girly fun we would have together and I was beyond thrilled when it was time for our first big tea party.

The Alice in Wonderland themed Mother/Daughter Tea was so much fun. Paige loved the candy bar, surprisingly she enjoyed her first time drinking tea and one of the charities gave out a stuffed bear to each little girl, she named her red bear Hearts. I really enjoyed our one-on-one time together, the fashion show and of course the picture opportunities. Paige even received the tea party patch for her new Brownie Girl Scout vest.

It was such a wonderful day and an event I will look forward to attending every year, I can't wait for Harlow to join Paige and I in a couple of years. If you know me, you know I already have a dress ready and waiting for Harlow's first tea.

Fabulous mini-hat by Lisa's Mini-Mad Hattery

Beautiful dress and ruffle capris by Isadora

She was thrilled to fill up her candy bag at the candy bar.

Paige with Miss Frisco, TX

We sat with some friends at our table, Paige was so happy that her friend Angie was able to join us for some tea.

Alice was racing around at the tea but I stopped her for a quick picture.

Excited about 'rock candy' and loving every sweet bite!

Picture perfect!

As soon as Harlow woke from nap she wanted to try on Paige's pretty hat and I snapped a quick picture before she ran away wearing it.

Embracing Our Lone Star State

It was that time again, yes time to take the kids to the TX Bluebonnets. It's tradition, I have taken them every year and although at first I don't feel much excitement to take the kids out to the wildflower fields I have always been pleasantly surprised with how much fun I end up having taking pictures of them running around.

I guess it's one of the few places I don't have to worry about safety because they could run and run seemingly without an end. I have yet to get that 'perfect' group picture that I dream of but I still felt like a winner this year since no one cried and all of them seemed to have had a good time.

Looking back...

This year at the Blubonnets...

I like to get over to the un-touched fields but a fence does come between my 'vision' so first we need to climb over it before taking some pictures

Paige's outfit is by eden's bouqet

Harlow's beautiful dress is eden's bouquet and flowers are by Joyfolie

Aiden insisted that his pictures be taken on the fence

Since we are on the topic of embracing our Lone Star State, last month we took the kids down to the Ft. Worth Stockyards for the first time. We had a really great day watching the parade, seeing the Cattle Drive come down the street and enjoying our bbq basket dinners on the patio of one of the restaurants. Paige and Aiden on a Longhorn.

This past Friday Paige had western themed day at her school so here was my fashionista take on a cowgirl, Paige thought she looked 'fancy' so I told her she was an 'upperclass cowgirl'. She has insisted on wearing her new boots everyday and even her little sister has enjoyed wearing them around the house.