I LOVE headbands!!!!

I LOVE headbands/head scarfs! I also love helping creative people. Here I loving a headband/scarf!

 And now I want to win one!!!

Please check out Cam's giveaway!! But, while you do...let me win...won't you? Thanks! hehe!

HAPPY 4th of July!!!!

Happy Birthday USA!!!

Pics taken during a 4th of July celebration we attended (people standing for our national anthem).

We have spent the 4th with those we love. A great family weekend, fireworks and swimming last night at my sister's, and we're hosting friends and neighbors over tonight for a pot luck BBQ and driveway fireworks. We wish you a fantastic holiday!!

Three? When did THIS happen?

Sweet Girl, Sweet Girl, What do YOU see?

"I see a THREE year old looking at me."


Three year old, Three year old, what do YOU see?

Look carefully at the book she is hugging...

"I see a BROWN BEAR looking at me!!"

Our sweet, "baby", Valiant celebrated her 3rd birthday this past weekend with her favorite book of ALL TIME - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? (artwork by Eric Carle). We used the book to center her little party around, and it was so sweet to her delight!! She is our little diva and sweet pixie in one. We are SO blessed to have her!

She loved her cupcakes (name blanked out there below):

It was magical to see her try and blow out her candle sitting in her Pop's lap:

And it was fun to use the colors of all the animals in every place we could - from table cloths, to black utensils, white napkins, colored cups, etc. We also enjoyed figuring out snacks and drinks that matched up some too!

The red bird flew away somehow lol!!

Goldfish and Brown Bears with honey

Yellow Duck Punch

All the colors....

Jello in the shapes/colors of the red bird, green frog, purple cat, and yellow duck

We had such amazing tiny friends over (Lovely asked "Why are all the kids so little?" - She thought the party would have her aged friends..haha!)

The moms of all the above kids believe it or not! We all graduated high school together!

Earlier in the week, we had a  Co-Birthday playdate with our next door neighbor, who also had his birthday this month. More friends could come to that too:

Dearest Valiant - we love you, adore you, and learn from you. You teach us to laugh, and patience (haha!). You are molding us into being better people in trying to be better parents to you. We love you and are so grateful for you. Your smile is our whole world. God Bless you!!!

I see a three year old looking at me....

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Date Night!!!

Hubby and I were able to escape tonight. We've had some home date nights, but there is nothing like escaping the domestic landscape when one can.

We spent the evening walking around a great local square. Lots of great street music, people watching, unique eateries, historic courthouse, and neat art. The above bronze is a popular attraction - it is called "Valentine" and shows a very content, in love, and sweet old couple together enjoying time together. It's how I want to end up with Hubby.

Of course, Hubby had to have a little fun with the statue:

As you can see...he decided it would be funny to try and steal the woman's purse. Nice...lol

It was so pretty in the main square when the sun set:

While we had an amazing dinner, and enjoyed yogurt "on tap" in the cool breezes, the best part was having precious time with a precious spouse....since we just don't do this enough and really do NEED it. Life just gets stressful, busy, tense, child focused, etc. Tonight...tonight was what the doctor ordered!

And I think our faces showed how good it really was....

Hubby and I with the "Valentines"

I love you dear one. Thank you for everything!

Summer Fun!

We are having a fantastic summer! We have done SO much. We're both busier than I thought or wanted to be, and yet, having so many 'lazy and hazy' days of summer that I feel we are doing a good job of savoring the season too.

Lately we have enjoyed picnics, evening lawn shows, and candy:

 

Some baby yoga....

Some outdoor painting adventures.....

 

...and lots of patio fun with water toys (picture below), chalk, and the swing set!

I have not been blogging enough - but that's because I'm living life with this incredible family I am given. Life is Good, God is good! I pray you are doing well too!!!

Much love!

For the first time in my life....

I am TAN!!

While the "healthy glow" is air brushed on...the look of relaxation is not. It was a perfect weekend, a needed getaway, and I adored who I was with!!

I always love seeing C, and she even hosted a party with friends I have gotten to appreciate and know through her. It was a fun night of homemade fajitas, guacamole, pico (yes...from their garden!), MARGARITAS (incredible ones!), and brownies! Where is the gym? HAHA! 

We had a "tanning party" where someone came to her house and airbrushed our tans on. It was so fun and AFFORDABLE. I have never had a tan, and am quite pale, so this was a real treat. I wish it would never fade!

The gals and the incredible food prepared by C's husband, T.

I love you so much C and thank you for the incredible time. It was so comfy, simple, and perfect. Love you!!! What a true gift from God...wow.

Dark? Dark? hehehehe!

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday!!

Thanks so much to Sherry @ Chocolate for your Brain for hosting this meme that used to be at Faith and Family Live. I'm so glad she did not let the meme die off, though I understand how hard it is to remember to blog it LOL!

1. I finally have an email for this blog! I'll add it to my sidebar - but it is violinmama5@gmail.com YAY! Private mail/comments as needed!

2. I finally added some lifestyle blog posts below, and on my homeschool blog. Life has been so busy lately, that both blogs have been neglected, and honestly I need to start posting more. I have some major thoughts going on and I need to share more than just pictures. But...aren't my pictures just cute...hehe! Love my kids!

3. I've been trying to keep the house in fair order since my deep clean. I'm grateful to now have more help in that area. I still have one more load of landry to wash, dry, and fold today....but things are getting done around here, summer is being enjoyed too, and we are learning when we can. I call that a success.

Bonus 4th - I'm finally getting more motivated to change my eating habits. I'm picking better choices and snacks again. I hope it leads to more energy so my workouts get amped up too. I need more energy.

Question - what dimensions do I need to make my picture above not be so BIG?? lol Any suggestions?

How is your week?

Thankful Thursday
This week I am most grateful for....

1. a day to do nothing. We're just sticking close to the house today. I may venture out later though to prepare for a fun weekend.
2. faith.
3. friends.
4. my sister and niece who took Lovely on a big trip this week! THANK YOU!!
5. family.
6. my incredible hubby!
7. You reading this!

Ciao!