A Big Boy Haircut for Carter

Recently, Carter's hair had gotten really long.  He had the CUTEST curls!  They were so silky and sweet and I loved them.  However, his hair was starting to look a little "shaggy" and I couldn't decide whether to get his hair cut or not.  This is my FAVORITE shot of him with his curls!

Be.still.my.heart

After one too many well-meaning people at the grocery store complimented me on my "beautiful little girl," I decided something must be done about the long hair.  {Side note rant:  if my baby is wearing a BLUE shirt with a robot or a car on it, he is NOT a girl!!!}

Here is the before:

During:

Side note - how cute is his face???

And after!

Afterwards, Carter got a special treat - a visit to the bookstore!  He loves books.

As much as I hated cutting his hair, I have to admit that I LOVE it now.  He does look much more grown up, but he looks so handsome.  We ended up going back and getting cut a little bit shorter a few days later, as it looked sort of "puffy" once it dried.  Here he is after the second cut - so handsome!!!

I have one of his sweet curls saved (after giving one to each grandma!) and I will always remember how silky and soft his hair was as a baby.  Even though he looks more like a big boy every day, he will always, always be my baby boy.

PS - In the background of these pictures is a preview of a big project we've been working on around here!  The big reveal coming soon!

It's All About DANCE!!!

At least in our house the past month or so, it's been ALL about dance!  First we had Lindsey's tryouts for performing company.  I have had a few people email me to ask me how Lindsey's dance tryouts went.  Well, she did it again! She made the top level performing company at her dance school. I am SO proud, and Lindsey is over the moon excited! We are going to be VERY busy next year, but we can't wait!

We are also celebrating with Emily!  She was asked to be in Mini Spotlight again, which is a big honor.  They identify girls who show potential in dance through their technique, grace, flexibility and positive attitude.  She is a natural peformer, and SO sweet on stage!  Needless to say, we have had some CELEBRATING to do around here!

 

When I say it's been all about dance, I'm not kidding!  In the last few weeks, we have had our final competition, Lindsey's Company Concert (like a recital, but only for the Performing Company), her Company banquet, dance pictures, dance recital rehearsal, and finally the recital.  Whew!  I am worn out!  The funny thing is that the morning after the recital, the first thing Lindsey said to me was, "When does dance start again?"  The girl LOVES to dance!

Here are a few pictures of our past few weeks of dance.  I love seeing my girls dressed up, and I LOVE watching them on stage.  I cried several times during their recitals.  My heart is so full watching them up there, trying their hardest and with the biggest smiles on their sweet faces.

Lindsey before heading out to her Company banquet.  She looks SO grown up here!  Sob!

Emily in her jazz and ballet costumes.  I will never forget how cute she was on stage this year!

Lindsey's tap costume and ballet costume - both so pretty!

Swimmin'

I have been very brave this summer, and have ventured to the neighborhood pool with all three kids by myself.  The first time we went, Carter was NOT impressed - the water was cold, and he was not a happy boy.  However, he quickly started to enjoy it when he realized he could splash, and he loved watching his sisters go under the water.  He was all smiles for about an hour, and then he decided he'd rather get out and eat some Goldfish crackers.  Here are a few pictures from our first day at the pool this summer.

Carter's favorite past time at the pool - walking around, coming dangerously close to the edge of the pool, refusing to hold my hand and running away when I try to catch him.

How cute are these toes in these flip flops?  The boy is edible, I tell you.

The End of an Era....

I have been dealing with something lately, something that I can't quite wrap my mind around.

I am now the mom of a sixth grader.

A middle schooler.  What????  How is that possible?!?!?!?

I would be remiss in my blogging if I didn't share a few things from Lindsey's fifth grade graduation week.  Many of her sweet friends will be going to the same middle school she will be attending, but some won't.  The last day of school was filled with tears, hugs and long goodbyes.  I will really miss having both of my girls at the same school next year.  In fact, they will never be at the same school again =(

I don't handle change well, especially when it involves my kids growing up too fast.  {{{SIGH}}}

Here are a few images from the last few days of school.  I'm going to go cry now.

Beach day - a rare pic of the sisters together, for the last time at school.

What happens when Carter comes to visit - all the girls surround him!  He is a ladies man - ha!

A sweet moment I captured between Lindsey and Carter.  Oh how these two adore each other.

I have to put this picture in here because it is hilarious!  Carter somehow got a Goldfish on his head, and he did his scrunched up face for me.  Too funny!

Lindsey with her good friend Ariana, who unfortunately won't be going to the same middle school as Lindsey.

Lindsey's 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Forbes - I think she looks this excited because she is retiring this year =)

Walking out for the final ceremony - a balloon lift off.

And here, my friends, is where I LOST it!!! It really hit me at this point - this is the end of Lindsey's elementary school era. I honestly feel like it was yesterday that I was walking my shy little five year old into this school for kindergarten, with her in pigtails and hair bows, and one year old Emily on my hip. Six years have FLOWN by.

Goodbye, Fifth Grade!!!  We will miss you!

Guest Blogging {and a hair bow giveaway!!!}

I am SO honored to be a guest blogger over at Kendra's blog, My Insanity.  Kendra's blog has been one of my daily reads since I discovered blogging, and for me to be guest posting over there is just so exciting!  She just had a sweet baby boy, and is doing a series dedicated to great baby gifts, shower ideas, decorating ideas, etc.  I am giving a tutorial on how to create a hair bow bouquet, for a baby shower gift or for any special occasion.  I am also doing a giveaway for a cute bow bouquet that will come with a personalized little monogrammed card for the winner.  Click here to check it out.

Be sure to enter the giveaway!!!

Chasing dreams {and being a proud Mom}

{beautiful photo courtesy of my brother's super talented girlfriend, Skylar Reeves}

I am often afraid to try things, for fear that I won't do well at them. Case in point - my sewing machine, which is still in the box from my birthday in December. I often let my fear of failure stop me from doing what I want to do. I could learn alot from my older daughter Lindsey. Lindsey is not afraid to chase her dreams. Two years ago, she decided that she wanted to try out for the performing company at her dance studio.  When she told me that, my heart sank.  She had never been asked to be in any of the special groups there (they often identify girls that they see as having potential, and ask them to be in the company) and I was worried that she would not be selected.  I didn't want other people to judge my "baby" - she was only 9!  I didn't want her to devastated if she didn't make it.  I put on a brave face, and was encouraging to her, but inside I was a nervous wreck for the entire week of tryouts.  I practiced what I would say to her if she didn't make it - "there's always next year," or "you tried your best."  And try her best she did - she practiced again and again, staying out in the garage for hours at a time.  I was amazed at her dedication.  The day the results were posted, I was almost literally physically ill from worry.  Lindsey was at school that day, so it was just me checking the website.  When the results finally went up, I saw her number!  Number 11, I will never forget it.  She had made the company she tried out for.  I have never seen her so happy, and I have never been so proud.

This year, tryouts are coming up again, and Lindsey has decided to try out for the top level performing company.  This is a big step up from where she is now, and those nagging worries have started for me again.  Lindsey, however, is showing her strength and confidence once again.  She has set her mind to do this, and I know that even if she doesn't make it, she will be proud knowing that she wasn't afraid to try.

I am so lucky to have this little girl as my daughter.  I thought I was supposed to be the one teaching her about life, but it turns out she's taught me more than I could ever imagine.

I love you, Lindsey!!!  You are my shining star, and make me a better person every day.

***************************************************************************

PS -

Dear Hubby:

I simply "need" this for Mother's Day!  I am entering in a giveaway to win it over at Traci's blog, Beneath My Heart, but if I don't win......here you go! 

Chenille Chicks - Oh How I Love You!

Editing to say:  I am sharing this project at Kellie's "Spring Fling"  - even though we did this last year, I didn't share at any link parties, so I thought I'd share now =)

I have an unnatural love for Easter chenille chicks.  They are so vintage-looking and so cute!  The Easter Bunny often leaves them in my kids' baskets, but this year I bought some for myself for a little project.  I have to say first - if you have not seen this post over at All the Small Things, you have GOT to see this, save it for next year and make the cutest little Easter gifts of all time!  Gillian is SO talented!!!

Inspired by her tutorials, I decided to make a little gift for my girls.  I couldn't find any blue chicks for Carter, so I will find them before next year and make him one.  These were super easy and fun fun fun!

I took two mason jars, some chicks, some ribbon from my obscene perfectly reasonable sized ribbon collection, and some hot glue and came up with these.

I even attached little flowers and bows in their "hair" - couldn't stop myself!  So cute! 

I added letter tags to each of them, and filled them with each girl's favorite treats - regular M&Ms for Emily, and Peanut Butter M&Ms for Lindsey.  They loved them!  I plan on bringing them out each year to put little treats or small gifts in.  Next year, I will have one for Carter - if you see any blue chenille chicks out there, let me know!

Thanks for letting me share =)

Sharing at: