CreARTive

This week I hosted a painting party with hopes of stirring up some creativity in all of us as we got together to talk and laugh. I think all goals were met.

I was so impressed with my artistic friends who dove right in.

We all painted small canvases using acrylics and different sizes and sorts of brushes...

I had it all laid out which fascinated Lillianna who kept asking if she could paint. Then she wanted to "help get ready" so she laid out some utensils from her drawer...

Here are some of the masterpieces in process:

Thank you Ladies for making our first Sips & Strokes so much fun! Let's do it again soon!

Then the next day, with all the supplies still out on the counter, Lillianna insisted that we paint.

So...

So today I Mod Podged it and promised her that her gorgeous work of art will hang in her room. She really is proud of it.

And I'm so very proud of her.

Culture & Creatures

So 5 Moms, 1 Grandmother, 3 toddlers, and 5 babies in 5 strollers went on a wild advetnure in search of prehistoric creatures at the Botanical Gardens.

Yup, we got culture right here in Small Town USA.

Lillianna and Mary Bibb held hands (all on their own) and led our expedition...

I think I see something...

there in the gorgeous tulips...tiny dinosaurs!

"Can we take one of those home Mommy?"

"Not today."

"But I think we can."

Sarah Laine joined the hunt...

and we found good ol' T-Rex!

Then we found this great "Photo Opportunity" next to the Mama guarding her eggs.

"I'm not into photo opportunities Mom."

Then the three toddlers found the cutest creature of all and decided to all touch it at the same time.

"Ewwwww. There hands tasted like...dirt & dinosaurs. Can we go home now? "

Funlanta

Kuntry Mouse meets City Slicker Mouse

Just three weeks apart, Ellenie and cousin Christopher finally got to meet this weekend!

They loved making funny faces for the camera....

and Christopher loves to smile as much as Ellenie does....

and likes to sleep even MORE than she does...

He's such a doll!

Since it was raining all weekend, Lillianna helped Aunt Shannon out by walking her two, large dogs, Redford & Newman...

I told Lillianna that her Aunt should pay her at least $1 a lap. But she said she loved her Aunt Shannon so much that she'd do it for free...this time.

We also got to see dear friends Stephanie, Stu & Liam.

Liam is so much fun and loves to pose for the camera.
He also loves a good dance party!

So Lillianna got one going with the egg maracas and

boy, did they have fun...

We all had so much fun!

(p)lay date

A Playdate with Emma Hensley & William (not pictured).

Beautiful, adorable sweet emma Hensley
Ellenie: Mom, I think I can see something coming towards me in the corner of my eye...
Why hello there friend!

How many hands can we fit on the paci at once? Ready, set, go!

That was fun! Is it naptime yet?

Very good visit

My how time flies!

This picture was taken in July of 2006 on a special rock at Brad's grandparents house.

We took this one this past weekend. What a big girl! Please don't get so big so fast!

We had alot of fun visiting with family and being outside.

Lillianna got very excited to go fishing with her dad for the first time...

but then wasn't so excited when they didn't bite.

Playing drums on the fishing pole was sorta fun though.

Then we gathered more treasures and lady bug boats.

While Ellenie just enjoyed all the good lovin'

Potty Training Talk

Quote of the Week:

(Hanging out on the potty, waiting for something to happen)

Lillianna: I think that my poo poo can't come out because....um....my feet are too long.

Wabi-Sabi

I'm participating, along with 14 others, in a Online Photography Workshop that starts today.

iMollie is the creative genius behind this (thanks Mollie!) and it has been so much fun to think outside the box as I snap photos each day. You'll have to read more about the assignment and check her site each day to see the photos submitted from a different participant.

Here's one I didn't turn in:

Don't know what day I'll be featured so you'll just have to keep checking her site (Mom).

A little Springtime Haiku

Bursting, blooming buds

telling of the Spring to come

Let's go play outside!

Sisterly love

Lillianna: Here, let me get that booger for you.

Ellenie: Yowzers! You got it alright!

Song for a cloudy day.

Sunshine, you are my sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know dear,

how much I love you.

Please don't take

my sunshine away.