Easter Dress Up

I wish I had frilly dresses and pretty hats like I used to wear as a little girl on Easter Sunday, but I somehow don't think I'd look so adorable in any of that.  This Easter outfit is probably more my speed!  Go to Polyvore to make your own Easter ensemble.

Easter by molldoll527 

                              

Funny Little Bunnies

Easter is my favorite holiday, but with it coming early this year, I feel a bit out of sorts.  I haven't even pulled out any decorations.  Isn't that sad?!  I will try to get that done this week, along with dying eggs with the boys and putting baskets together.  To help get me in the spirit, I think I'll stick to spring and Easter themed posts this week.  Here's one of my favorite old cartoons to get the week off to a hopping start!

Hair Nets and Party Hats

Lots of bunnies...and a little mouse!

I spent the last week working on bunnies like some kind of mad woman, so I could have lots done in time for Easter.  It's safe to say that I am now completely over bunnies, so much so that I made my last one into a mouse!  I listed everything I had finished on Instagram and have put all of my leftovers in my shop.  I'm really toying with the idea of not selling on Instagram and only listing in my shop, but I do enjoy the quick sales on Instagram.  My shop often feels like crickets are chirping and cobwebs are collecting, but I do feel like the people who buy from my shop never get a chance at the best stuff.  I suppose I will figure this handmade business out eventually!

Happy Birthday, Oscar!

My firstborn turns five today and I know it's cliche, but where does the time go?!  I can't even begin to describe how happy I was the moment I first laid eyes on my little guy. We found out I was pregnant with Oscar just a few months after I had a miscarriage, so we were beyond excited and after hearing his heartbeat for the first time, the fears from my first pregnancy were gone and we were smitten.  We knew he would be called Oscar, as soon as we saw the first sonogram pictures, and now I can't imagine him with any other name.  Although the most famous Oscar is quite the grouch, our Oscar was such a sweet and easy baby from the start.  

He doesn't look so happy here, but he was the happiest baby I ever met!

I'm not sad that my children are growing up, because I love seeing the people they are becoming.  Oscar is still so sweet and happy.  He's such a compassionate and kind soul, except for those rare moments with his little brother.  I love seeing how much we have in common too.  Oscar is so not a morning person, loves chocolate, and is always up for crafty time.  We took him to the zoo over the weekend, because he clearly shares his daddy's love of animals and today we plan on visiting a potato chip factory, so Oscar can see how a real live factory works.  That was his request.  There will definitely be some cake and balloons in there too! Here's to the birthday boy!

The birthday boy with his favorite stuffed animal, Purple Dog, and his sidekick, Benny, at the zoo this weekend.

Musical Monday

Modest Mouse is always good, so I was excited to hear some new songs from the band.  The fact that fire is in the title of this song is pretty fitting for me right now.  We spent most of last week comforting Oscar over an intense fear of fire, specifically roofs and buildings catching on fire. When I say intense, I mean it.  This poor kid was ready to never leave our house for fear that a fire would start in whatever location he was visiting and anytime we did leave the house, he was worried that our house was on fire while we were away. It was definitely an exhausting week full of hugs, sharing our own fears, and trying to convey to Oscar that fears are normal and that fear itself can be a good thing.  At the time, I wasn't sure any of it was working. He would work himself into such an anxious state and was pretty irrational most of the time, thinking his grandparents wouldn't like him if he cried, worrying about other things happening to our house like bad guys getting in, and just crying at the drop of a hat.  He seems to have worked most of out, though, so now there is just an occasional mention of being afraid of fire.  I just tell him I know and that it's okay to be afraid of things, then he goes about his day.  This gives me a hunch that we are probably going to have to deal with some anxiety in the future, but I feel pretty well equipped to handle that and I never mind giving my little guy lots of extra hugs!  Happy Monday, y'all!

Florida Memories

I still have lots of pictures of Florida to share, but I wanted to space them out a little bit.  I am missing my brother like crazy and stretching out the posts seem to help with that, in some strange way.  One of my favorite things to do in Florida was to just sit on my brother's back porch with his pups and my Kindle, ice tea in hand, dad and Jamie talking about various sports, and the quiet breeze keeping us cool.  My brother's backyard is surrounded by lots of trees and shrubbery on either side There always seem to be lots of birds chirping and singing and a ton of tiny lizards and colorful insects I chased about trying to photograph, usually with at least one little dog trailing closely behind.  At the very end of his yard is a fence with a gate that leads to a big pond.  He said the pond was completely dry when they first moved in, but the rain has kept it filled over the years.  The sad crumbling dock beside the pond tells me that it used to be much bigger. Each time I visit, I mean to get a closer look, but I never get around to it.  Maybe next time...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I realized that I don't have a single St. Patrick's Day decoration, so I thought I would go searching online to see what kind of green vintage cuteness I could find.  Click the links below to get a better look!

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Weeki Wachee Springs

I feel like the pictures speak for themselves, so I won't say much about Weeki Wachee Springs.  It was such a fantastic place and where else can you see mermaids perform in pure spring water?  I may have pretended I was a mermaid when I swam in the springs too.  If you are planning a trip to Florida, do yourself a favor and add this to your itinerary!

Lake Ashby

During a scenic drive last week, we came upon Lake Ashby Park.  We actually came to Lake Ashby first, but it was just a boat ramp with no actual place to really enjoy the lake.  I think my brother knew of Lake Ashby Park and had possibly visited before, but he had no idea that the park had access to the actual lake. The park was in a lovely wooded area and we found a sign directing us to the lake.  It took us to a leaf-covered wooded path that eventually led to a boardwalk.  The boardwalk circled around a side of the lake and back into a swampy area and the woods.  There were signs posted along the trail identifying the various trees and plants and, although it was mostly quiet, I imagine the park is home to lots of critters.  I think my favorite park was seeing my brother's excitement over this hidden gem just minutes from his home.  I could see him imagining future outings and fishing trips to the park.  I can't wait to hear what he catches from the boardwalk over the lake!

 

I'm back!

I had an amazing time in Florida and have jumped right back into the daily grind of work and kids and all the responsibilities I got to completely ignore while I was away.  The weather last week was absolutely perfect, I took in tons of gorgeous scenery, and cherished the time with my brother.  I also took lots of mental notes and brochures for future trips, because I'm totally already planning those!  To ease the transition back to real life, I will be spending evenings cuddling two little silly dudes and enjoying the spring weather!