May Day

Happy May Day!

I love this day...I have happy memories as a little girl making May Day baskets with my Mom to hang on neighbors doors...!  We always filled ours with live flowers because that's what my Mom loved but now, I have seen so many cute versions...filled with candies, paper flowers, a plant, etc...I think it is such a sweet, thoughtful, unexpected thing to do for your friends, neighbors or even teachers!  Charlotte was excited to make/fill some baskets...later today we will deliver them - (anonymously! of course)....hanging them on the doors of our special friends!  I love doing things with my kids that my Mom did with me and I hope too that I am then installing not only a tradition or memory but goodwill,  love and thoughtfulness!

Birthday Pics

Just wanted to share a few pics from Bryan's small birthday celebration...

we had literally driven 20+ hours from Florida and were just back (same day) so, we kept things simple with just a family dinner!

Picking up on the black from his balloon, I used my black&white toile plates, a b&w baby picture of the birthday boy as well as an old  letter "B"....

 Freshly cut Lilacs from our yard - my favorite!

 and...Bryan's favorite...

homemade chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream frosting

 He loves Blowpops and bubblegum...perfect for this little label I found on Pinterest! 

The kids loved it ...(I don't think they got the "blows" in the sense of its silly meaning though)

I tried to keep the gifts focused on Bryan's last 40 years if you will...

A scrapbook made with his many, many, many ribbons, awards, medals and pictures from his childhoods swim career...this was truly a labor love but I hated to see so much goodness boxed up...I couldn't take it anymore!  :)

and the highlight...a blanket made of all his old tees...HS and College mostly - he LOVED it!  It turned out so cute...I found a lady on Etsy.com and sent her what I wanted included, she was fast and great to work with...he snuggles up with it every night!  He has also enjoyed telling the kids all the stories that go with the blanket...a great gift!

Happy Birthday

to the greatest father, husband and man ever born

...we love you so!

xo

40!

Our sweet Bryan

turned 40!

yesterday...

we met in our early 20's I can't believe that much time has gone by...When he turned 30 my "goal" was to be able to take him on an Alaskan Cruise for his 40th, needless to say - that didn't happen :)...so, instead, we celebrated yesterday, our own little family of 5...it was a happy day!  I have some pics to show from his dinner celebration once they are uploaded...:)

I love you and am so glad you were born!

xo

(Father- Daughter Dance 2/26/12)

Bunny Brunch

Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday!  Filled with eggs and sunshine, friends and the Bunny...two Egg Hunts, my boys all donned in their Seersucker, my little girl in white with a big bow in her hair...all the flowers and trees are budding, birds are chirpping and life is just really sweet right now...so much to be thankful for!  I love this time of year...the renewal and the promise of beauty right around the corner...



Mom and Me

I wanted to post a picture of my Mom.  I am missing her today...I am praying that her health continues to improve and that her brain is healing every second of everyday.  The  picture is from a few weeks ago when I got to spend some time with her talking and catching-up...it was very special to both of us to have that opportunity!  I love you Mom!

Hello!

Charlotte, Camryn, Ellie

Hello friends!  I am still alive....to date I believe this is the longest time I have been out of touch.  LIfe happened and as much as I love my blog I am afraid I love all of your blogs more...oh, and of course Pinterest!  I am SMITTEN with Pinterest and spend way too much time there! 

I won't go into all the sorted details but between both parents accident/illness last November and a very dear friend's daughters' diagnosis of Brain and Spinal Cancer (above) I have been in a sort of  sad, unhappy place - have not wanted to Blog!  I have needed and enjoyed visiting all my favs blogs though....you all helped pass the sleepless nights in more ways than one.  So; thank you!  and that little friend who is battling Cancer is little Camryn (above, middle) she is pictured here with her little sis Ellie and Charlotte - last Summer at American Girl ...she needs lots of prayers as she battles this horrible disease!

So now, in the blink of an eye...I have an almost 5th grader, one almost done with Kindergarten and my little guy about done with his first year of preschool!  We are gearing up for Spring break trip to Florida (much needed! family trip) and then Summer will be staring us in the face...plans are already being made for camps, vacation and other  activities.  I also have a long list of house "to-dos"  that I am ready to tackle - excited for that...being at home and nesting and cleaning and organizing and decorating makes me so happy!

I hope to be back to blogging soon with lots of pictures and stories and updates...

Vintage Dumbo Party

A blogger friend Jessica mentioned Charlotte's Dumbo party dress on her cute blog today!  Thought it would be fun to share the original party post last July! And, when you get a chance, visit Jessica at  littlepumpkingrace.blogspot.com

http://amanda-babymakes5.blogspot.com/search?q=dumbo


And a few more of the party dress and the birthday girl!  Thannks for visiting!