Nate

This is my nephew Nate. Lindsay recently took this photo of him and he tried to look at the camera and say "Cheese".

I loved the irony that he was trying to pose yet the photo is really more candid...Nate just being 1 1/2 year old Nate.

Possibly one of my all time favs....

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!! - I hope we get picked! My girls would love this. If you have a chance, read through her story. I can't believe how tenacious she is. I would have given up so many times but she just keeps on plugging. Her creations are a dream and she really is my sewing hero.

Literary Pay it Forward

Lindsay posted a "Pay it Forward" last week where the first three comments on her blog received a handmade gift from her as long as they did the same on their blog. Sam promptly commented then posted on hers which Lindsay commented on but admitted that she probably broke the rules. I got a good laugh out of it but had zero intention of making anyone anything. However, I liked the idea so I'm posting a literary pay it forward. Here are the rules:
*First four comments receive a book from me (they will be children's books by the way).
*If you receive a book from me, you have to offer the same on your blog (you can choose to the first two to four on your own blog and they can be any type of books).
*The books don't have to be purchased! You are welcome to share one from your own library!!!! (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

As a side note, I'm truly saddened by the new guidelines included in the CPSIA. They won't just affect toys for children under 12 but books as well. Any books printed prior to 1985 will have to be tossed. That means no more great vintage children's books at used book stores or on the internet, libraries will be dumping their pre-1985 books into the dumpster (unless it was published pre-1985 but printed post-1985). The law even prevents you from gifting these books. It's a shame. Not only will so many fabulous books be gone but what a serious killer to our environment. I buy a lot of used books...especially vintage ones. I'm truly sick about it and have shed some tears over the matter. Let's hope our friends in Washington will see the light soon and realize how crazy this all has become.

The Science Fair

Kyle's first science fair was last week. He worked really hard on his project for several weeks and unlike many of his fellow students, he wasn't up late the night before finishing it up. In fact, (with the help of his parents) he followed the teacher's suggested timeline and finished the project the weekend prior.

Kyle was pretty bummed that the younger Bartlett students didn't ask him any questions during the fair and couldn't understand why they might not find paper airplanes as interesting as he did but I can happily report that now, almost a full week later, he is finally over it and thinking about the next science fair.

We were really proud of the work he did on his project. It was truly his work and his best work. He put in a lot of effort and I think there is a huge sigh of relief for him now that it is over.

St. Valetine's Day

Valentine's Day started for us last week. We received a box full of surprises from Grandma Sandy on Wednesday. On Friday, both Abbie and Kyle had parties in their classrooms. Abbie got to make a bag in class then deliver her cards to everyone. It was her first time and and she was pretty excited about all the candy she received. In Kyle's class we decorated cookies, played word and guessing games, drank soda and exchanged valentines. Kyle's best friend Wesley won the "Guess How Many Hearts in the Jar" game.

Friday night Mama Thom and Papa Thom arrived to spend part of the weekend with us. Saturday morning the kids woke up to a couple of surprises each from Mommy and Daddy.

After breakfast, Tripp couldn't wait to get his groove on with Rock Band. I think he might have pried the microphone out of Abbie's little grip as she loves to be the singer.

Abbie and I got dressed and delivered our Valentine's treats to friends. Then we came home and loaded the car for a visit to our favorite place...The Springs Preserve! Mama Thom and Papa Thom needed to check it out.

We love the cafe but on a lovely February afternoon (after a week of rain), a picnic lunch is just what we all needed. Abbie especially loves having picnics so it was nice to surprise her.

We arrived home in the late afternoon for a nap. Daisy, being Daisy, took a short one so Tripp and I took Kyle and the twinkie to the park. She loves the swings but loves her blankie more. She has to snuggle that blankie tight while riding in the park.

We enjoyed Cafe Rio takeout for dinner then Tripp and I went to a movie courtesy of the Legarza's wonderful Christmas gift (thanks again Katie & Martin!!!!).

We had a lovely day and hope you did as well.

A Blustery Day

It's a blustery rainy day here in Vegas, both outside and in spirits....

Tripp has been gone since last Sunday morning and was scheduled to arrive home this morning at 10:30. His plane has mechanical difficulties and is stuck in Cleveland. He's been there for hours and looks to be there for many more. I have a sinking feeling he won't be making it home today at all. Our family just isn't quite the same without the Daddy.

The girls and I got stuck in a downpour while leaving Albertson's early this morning. Luckily, I let them ride in the car shopping cart so they remained dry but I was soaked. Not the greatest way to start out a Saturday morning.

Papa treated us girls and Lindsay, Wes and Nate to Cafe Rio and custard last night, which was a nice treat (thanks again Dad). But today it's turning out to be a blustery, blustery day.

A Letter From Daisy

Dear Friends and Family-

This is more of a public service announcement...just wanted to let you all know that I am a total stinker and have been for the last two weeks. I pretty much grouch, whine and cry most of the time with my overall goal being to drive my mom to the brink of insanity. It's working.

I've decided not to tell her why I have turned into such a pill but instead allow her and everyone around us to enjoy my new personality. But don't worry, my mom is okay. Just when she looks like she is going to break, I let her kiss my squishy cheeks or flash her one of my best bucky beaver smiles.

So, if you want to see the Daisy you know and love, you might want to stay clear of our house for awhile. However, if you'd like to see disaster in the form of a baby, come on by!

Yours truly-

Daisy Elizabeth Thompson
Age, nearly 14 months