05.26.06

Well, she's moving up, now. Shelly finished up her last day of toddler class. I will miss her wonderful teachers so much. Mainly, because they love her and I think that can really be hard to do when it isn't your own child. She loved them, too.

Ms. Anne and Ms. Eileen with Shelly

It was a perfect year for this little girl who couldn't walk and was extremely shy. Now, she walks and chatters and all is good. I look forward to the summer and sleeping in late and playing with my girls. I know that Shelly will have so much fun with her sister once she is done with school. Memorial day always marks the beginning of warm and summer for me...love that!

The last day of school (in the same dress as the first day of school)

Lily and Shelly in the same dresses

05.18.06

Right before your eyes you end up with a six year-old...really. I remember the day this little baby came into my life and helped me change all of the perceptions I had of life. She was little and pink and sweet. She needed me so badly and I soon realized how much I needed her. Today, she is six and I just barely remember exactly what she looked like when she was a baby and how she sounded when she was three. So, I took out the home videos and reminded myself last night. It was fun to listen to her, look at her, and watch her grow along the way. I noticed similarities between Lily and Shelly that I never realized before. I love my pictures, my video, and most of all my life. That's why I scrapbook and obsess over photos. Because, I want to have great memories that will always exist. That is what my mother and father did for me and I can't wait for my girls to sit down one day and laugh at the fun they had when they were younger. To look at the pictures and remember. To read the words and better understand their lives. I don't want to pass up these moments or regret losing them because my memory has faded. I love pictures and I'm proud of it!!!

05.15.06

Another post...wanted to add a couple of collages of pics of Lily's actual birthday celebration on Friday! I have a six year-old, now!!! Wow!!!

05.15.06

Wow, what a way to bond! Lily and I spent three days together on her beach field trip to Carolina Beach last week. 56 of the 70 Kindergarten students attended. We had so much fun. Went crabbing, clamming, skeining, sand casting, kite flying...and tons more. It was nice to have some special time with Lily. It helped me to remember why I love being her mom. She's a super good girl and fun to be around. Here are some pics of our trip:
Lily and Hailey preparing for dinner
Clamming together

Finding little fish, shrimp, and crabs.

SandcastingThe paddle boat with Miss Ellen Sunrise
Waiting to board the party boat
Building dribble sand castles

05.08.06

A fantastic birthday party was held for Miss Lily on Friday evening at Build a Bear. She had 5 of her friends and one very special sister, Shelly, along for animal making, cake eating, and belly laughing!!! After BAB, we went for pizza, cake and presents at a local pizza joint. It was so fun to watch the girls together really having a fun time. I think Lily thoroughly enjoyed the party and has added Nicole, the koala bear, to her zoo of BAB animals. Here are some fun photos from the night:

All of the girls at the mall...ready to Build a Bear!

The girls getting ready for the BAB experience.

Hearts for Lily's bear!

Dressing the animals...there's Shelly's new cow, Moo-Moo!

Lily and the bear cake.

Blowing out the candles.

Shelly and her Moo cow in the box.

05.02.06

Some major home remodeling is taking place our way! It's not quite what you're thinking though. This home remodel involves a 37 year old house that I got for my 3rd birthday. My parents worked together to create the perfect dollhouse for me and I loved it! My dad constructed the house and my mom was in charge of interior design. Although it still had all of the elements they were beginning to look a bit tired. So, I brought the dollhouse back to our house and let it sit in the garage for about 6 months while I gathered up inspiration for it's redo. Yesterday, we started the process...removing old contact paper and vinyl flooring. It was no easy task, but once it was done, it was ready for a facelift. The girls were excited and eager to help along the way. We put a fresh coat of white paint on it, repainted the shutters from blue to black, and decided the once red door would now be bright pink!!! I have been rewallpapering with some of my fun scrapbooking papers. It is coming along, but not quite done. We need new carpet, kitchen floor, and windows. Along the way we even knocked a wall down Exteme Makeover style! Well, actually the wall fell down and we decided to enlarge the den area! So, here are some of our in progress photos and my mom is coming up with an original picture of the house from 1969!