Got Shoes?

Caroline got tired of waiting for me to return home one Saturday afternoon and created this. Need any shoes?

One More First

All of you will probably think I am nuts for sharing this small video, but we are so proud of Makenzie. She will be two-years old in three weeks and is already going to the potty. Yeah!!! I remember training Caroline and thinking she would be in diapers at her high school graduation. Of course, we are potty trained now. I had my doubts but I had to realize, this wasn't in my hands, it was in hers, just as I am realizing potty training is up to Makenzie. I truly think she wants to be just like her big sister. That's not so bad, is it? Anyways... Way to Go my little one.

A Day of Firsts

Both of the girls started preschool this week. Caroline is entering her final year of preschool. I can't believe I am going to have a kindergartner next year. The time certainly does fly by. Makenzie started her first day EVER of preschool. She is attending one day a week on Mondays. She had a blast. I thought for sure I would be a little teary leaving my baby at preschool for the first time. I didn't cry because I left her, I cried because she could have cared less that I was gone. Boo Hoo Boo Hoo!!! She is my little miss independent.

I have always taken a picture of Caroline on the first day of school on our front porch.

Looking 4, sweet & sassy.

I tried to get a picture of Makenzie by herself. She wasn't interested.

How about this for a little sisterly love?

Makenize's first ever craft project at preschool.
She kept telling me... "I glue, I glue."

Caroline's first craft project of the year.

Cute!!

Wordless Wednesday

60 Seconds

That is all it took - 60 seconds for this to happen. Needless to say, it took way longer to clean up.

Happy Birthday Arran!!

We headed up north to West Lafayette this past weekend to celebrate our nephew Arran's 3rd birthday. The party was held at Monkey Joes. What a fun place! I wish I was a kid again. I would have loved to been able to run & jump in all of those fun bouncy contraptions. The girls had a blast and of course loved seeing their cousins.

Makenzie enjoyed the Sesame Street Bouncer.

They had this huge blown up chair for the birthday boy to sit in. Well, his sister Emma, and his cousin Caroline decided they should be able to sit in it too!!

The cousins enjoying their cupcakes and goodie bags.

Makenzie had to get in on the action too.

Happy Birthday to you Arran!!
We love you!!

Letters to Heaven

Last night it was my turn to put Caroline to bed. We read her favorite stories, sang our favorite songs and then we just chatted. We discussed a lot of things. What her favorite food was, her favorite book, favorite candy and how she likes to play with her Dora Princess House the best. I love when we can just relax and cuddle and enjoy the quiet together. Caroline is so sweet and wise beyond her years. As we lay there chatting she asked if she could mail a letter to Great Granny Nell up in Heaven. Where did that come from? I instantly had tears in my eyes. I told her that would be so nice to write Granny Nell a letter but we couldn't really mail it up to Heaven. (I don't think our mailman is ready for that.)

I told my precious, sweet daughter that instead of mailing Granny Nell a letter, we could just talk to her right now. Caroline looked a little confused so I explained that anytime she missed Granny Nell, she could talk to her and tell her about her day, all of the fun things she and Kenzie have been doing this summer, or how she is feeling. She liked this idea and told me after prayers and when I was in bed, she would talk to Granny Nell.

We said our good nights and as I lay in my bed, I hear my sweet, sweet daughter talking to Granny Nell. I couldn't believe it. I heard her tell Granny Nell that she missed her and that Mauw (my mom) missed her the most and that she wished she could come back down from Heaven because she missed her so much. Breaking my heart here, little one.

I am amazed that being just 4-years old, Caroline understands the depth of this. That her Great Grandma Nell has passed on and left this earth to be with our Father up in Heaven.

Truly amazing.

More Summer Fun

The girls playing in the sprinkler - having a BALL.

Playing in the rain. Oh... that's not rain.

What a cutie!!

Ming Ming Cupcakes

Last night was "Family Craft Night" at the Smith Household. We usually pick something crafty to do as a family once a month and last night it was "Ming Ming Cupcakes". For those of you with preschoolers, I am sure you know that Ming Ming is from the Wonder Pets TV show. For a few weeks now (seems like months) Caroline has been asking to do these cupcakes. I kept putting her off and finally gave in yesterday.

I love to decorate cakes & cupcakes however, this took my decorating skills to a new level. We printed off the directions (http://www.nickjr.com/) and headed for Wal-Mart to get our supplies. $12 later, we had our Tootsie Rolls, Starburst, Fruit by the Foot and M&M's. Yummy!!

I was able to get everything ready to go during quiet time. All the candies unwrapped, cupcakes made and iced and our Ming Ming scarf & hat templates all cut out.

Ready, Set, Decorate

Here you see our candies and what the cupcakes are supposed to look like.

Caroline using the rolling pin to roll out her Tootsie Roll for Ming Ming's hat.

Kenzie had to get in on the action too!!

Caroline's finished product.
How cute!!

The Smith Girls during Family Craft Night.

We all had a blast making these cute cupcakes (it was a little harder than I thought it would be) & the girls loved playing with all the different candies and of course, eating their creations.

Pot of Gold

Last night after a brief rainfall, Caroline and I spotted a rainbow. It was so beautiful and huge. Of course, I did not have my camera. Why does that always happen? Anyway... Caroline was mesmerized by the rainbow. You could see the entire rainbow from end to end. She looked up at me with her sweet face and asked "Mommy, can we go drive to the end of the rainbow and see the pot of gold?" (Where does she come up with these questions?) I looked down at her and said "I wish we could honey that would be fun. God made that rainbow just for us to enjoy, right here, right now." She was happy with that answer and so was I.

Cheese

The other day, we were driving home from a friend's house and passed Chuck E. Cheese's. We pass this establishment several times a week and Caroline almost always asks, "Mommy, can I have my birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's?"

This particular day when she asked I said " We will see."

And Caroline says "Do we have to eat cheese when we go there?"

I tried to not laugh hysterically and said "No honey, his name is just Chuck E. Cheese's. He really likes pizza so that is what they serve there."

And she says "That sounds okay."

I just love the funny things kids say.

Friday Favorites

It's time again for Friday Favorites. We have had a lot of tasty summer food this week and thought it would be fun to list my favorite summer treats.

Favorite Summer Treats

1.) Ice Cream - of course

2.) Watermelon

3.) Sweet Corn

4.) Fresh Strawberries

5.) Popsicles

6.) Fruit Smoothies

7.) Hot Dogs on the Grill

8.) S'mores

Can you tell I like my sweets? Please join me. I'd love to read what your favorite summer treats are.

Aubrey

Wordless Wednesday

The girls anxiously awaiting the arrival of their cousins.

Shop till you drop

Had a "Girls Trip" to Cincinnati with my mama and Aunt JoJo this past weekend. We had a blast shopping, talking, laughing and eating a few delicious meals. Yum-o!!! Our first stop was IKEA. Two words for you - LOVE IT!! I can't get over this store. It's an awesome store. Right up my alley. I love to organize and have things streamlined in my home. I could have easily spent the whole day there. I did make some purchases with plans to re-do our playroom. I can't wait to get started. Will post pictures when I am finished.

The car trunk after shopping at IKEA, Kohl's, Old Time Pottery, Michaels, & JoAnn Fabric.

Enjoying lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Finally home with all of our purchases.

LOVE IT!!!!