Back in the Saddle Again

Being sick this past month I took a long break from sewing and putting anything in my store.  I'm finally back in my studio sewing a couple dresses every day this past week.  Not much else to share today so I'll just leave you with the pictures of the upcycles!  And sorry to tell you but they have all sold.  I have some terrific customers!

Dance Off!

A typical afternoon at our house is walking with Emily up to school to pick up Izzy.  On our way home Izzy talks about her day and tells me about all the things they did and the trouble that the OTHER kids got in.  Yes, she is that kid.  When we got home today the girls decided to put on their rainboots and enjoy their after school snacks outside.

Filling up their empty tummies.

One of the best times of the day when sisters get to share laughs after missing each other all day.

and sometimes I can even catch them doing this...sisterly love, believe me when I say it's not always there.  Look at Emily watching to see if I'm getting any of this.

And after filling their bellies the fun begins with a little dance off.  We like to call Izzy "Elaine" from Seinfeld.  Can you see why? ;)

And let me tell you this girl has got some smooth moves.  Music is on and she is always on beat with rhythm to boot.

After school fun.  This is just a little part of why being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe I've neglected my little blog for 9 months.  Honestly, I figured no one was reading but I have had people ask about it a few times over the past few months.  I decided to *try* and pick up blogging again if not to let others know what's going on with the girls and our every day fun but for myself as a diary of our year.

So let me catch you up...
Izzy is currently in Pre-K at the local elementary school and we love the fact that it is full-time and that we can walk very easily to and from school.  She seems to be enjoying it and I LOVE hearing all the stories of her day when she comes home.  Plus, as sad as it sounds the little walk to school and back is my 15 minutes of very, very low aerobic exercise I get each day. ;)

Here's a picture of her at school last fall during their Thanksgiving day parade.

Emily is in pre-school 2 days and week and she loves the art projects.  We have quite the collection of art work building on our counter and walls.  Don't be surprised if you get some art work from the girls in the mail soon.  They have an interest in mailing things to others so every time they draw something lately they announce who is piece is for and that we will be mailing it.

Here's a peek at some art work by Izzy.

I myself have been slow in the sewing department.  I've visited the doctor a number of times and finally figured out that I have mono.  Not fun.  Best thing to do is rest they say, so that is what I'm doing.  Lots and lots of rest.  The sore throat is the worst part but on top of it I have had a horrible cough.  I am praying that this all passes quickly!  However, I have to say that the rest has given me so much more time with my family and I am enjoying it SO much!

We did take a trip recently to Seattle.  This was a business trip for Clay but a little vacation time for the girls and myself. The girls and I had so much fun running around downtown and they were so good!

Here they are posing with the pig at Pike's Market which we visited 3 times!  Must do's at the market include: SAMPLING all the cheese, smoked salmon, jellies, etc., eating the little fried donuts, seeing the flying fish (of course), finding all the pigs, seeing the original Starbucks (though I have to say the fascination was not quite there for me).  

Emily eating some delicious pizza at Di Laurentiis.  Look at that sauce all over those sweet cheeks! *kiss kiss*

And around the market place you MUST stop by Kukurazu for all their flavored popcorns and Fran's chocolates.  Both are TDF!

And of course I had to take the girls to the Seattle Aquarium.  We've been before but my girls LOVE the aquarium.  I am convinced that Izzy will be a marine biologist or something when she grows up.

 And the best part of our trip was visiting with lots of old friends.  We got to see Clay's childhood friend and his sweet wife, two of my cousins along with their families, my aunt, a few of my old friends (strangely enough most are all Texas transplants), our good friend Kevin from our Buffalo days.  The above picture is of the girls and the adorable kids of a some old friends we visited.

So I know this was a long and random post but I hoping to be more disciplined in the blogging department for the sake of keeping everyone updated. :)  Leave a comment if you read this and maybe give me some encouragement? Ha ha!

Look MOM! No cavities!

Izzy's first trip to the dentist was today.  We didn't wake up thinking this was going to be the day but when I called this morning to make an appointment they happened to have a cancellation spot so we took it.  Better to face our my fears, right?  I decided to take her to a pediatric dentist.  I've heard they make things more fun and know how to talk to and deal specifically with kids' teeth.  Here's Izzy waiting patiently in the fun waiting room (leopard loungers!).

 

And nothing is better than waiting with your favorite side kick, especially while watching Disney Channel on the flat screens in the waiting room! 

 

When it was Izzy's turn she walked in a little shy but without hesitation.  The hygienist started by offering her some Pinkalicious stickers (good call!) and lettin gher pick out a new toothbrush (she chose a Disney princess Belle one of course!).   Then she picked out strawberry toothpaste and the hygienist showed her first, while sitting up, how she was going to clean her teeth.

Izzy did so good!  Not a cry, peep, or anything!  She did the entire cleaning with no problem.

When the dentist came to check her teeth out he said she was good to go!  

Look MOM!  No cavities and a pearly white smile!  She also got to pick a prize from their bubble gum machine towers filled with toys.  FUN!

I'm so proud of her!  I am very much afraid of the dentist, I'm not sure why, so I'm trying to teach both of the girls early on how to prevent their teeth from having any problems in the future and to not be afraid.  Think I can find a dentist with leopard lounge chairs and fun prizes at the end?  I think I could be bribed into being a good patient if I was offered a little bracelet at the end of it all. ;)

On another note, my sweet friend Helen at Jack & Eleanor sent this sweet, fun dress to Emily.  Isn't it so cute?!?  Tons of compliments today when she wore it out.  Helen is such a kind lady and her clothes are top quality!  Check her store out if you get a chance!  And isn't Emily looking so grown up??  She's still a little peanut, but when I look at pictures of her she just looks so big to me. *sigh*

Pool Time

We spent part of the early afternoon by the pool today for the first time this year.  Last year we were so proud of the fact Izzy had learned to hold her breath under water and swim a few feet, all without swim lessons.  After a whole year out of the water I was a little worried she would revert back to being afraid and starting from square one.  She is not the brave, have no fear, of the two.  In fact, this picture below represents them so well.  Big sister loving hiding behind little sis.  Not all the time, but sometimes.

We got all goggled up.

And then just went for it!

Woo hoo!!!  We went swimming!  I was so proud of her! And this is day one of the summer so we'll have to see where she goes from here.

So what was Emily doing while Izzy was swimming?  She enjoys the water and like I said she has no fear.  But she sure does enjoy her cheetos!  Don't worry, I buy baked. ;)

Izzy sure didn't want to leave the pool.  Tears were spilled but promises were made to swim again...maybe tomorrow?

 

A few more cute little pics to share...

Don't you LOVE the round tummy?? *sigh* and I just couldn't resist.  10 tiny, bright pink toes in summer sandals.  Yes, summer is officially here.

On another note, I currently have an auction up on my facebook page Olivia's Ultimate.  

This is a charity auction which is benefiting a family (a friend of a friend) whose house and everything they owned was destroyed by the Joplin, MO tornadoes this past week.  All proceeds will benefit this family in need.  The auction is for one custom upcycled Harajuku dress made by me to whatever size you need (up to a size 10 girls) and my friend Melanie of The Melamoose Co. made this ADORABLE swimsuit, sarong, and headband set to coordinate with the dress.  The set fits most 15 -16" Waldorfs.  Auction ends on Monday (tomorrow) at noon CST.

Baby Rapunzel

People are always commenting on how LOOOOONG Emily's hair is.  She is only 5th percentile for height (and barely that) but her hair is that of a 5 year olds (and longer than most 5 year olds probably).  I went and got a haircut today so I decided to take Emily along and get one too at my salon.  Most kids would probably scream and cry but she held her arms out to the guy who was cutting her hair to be picked up and put into the chair.  What PRO!

 I also worried about not having the big loud movies that they play in kids hair cutting places these days to distract her but she did great.  Serious look on her face, but not a whimper.

 She just watched herself in the mirror and me as I was getting mine dried.  Here she is afterwards with her orange lollipop reward.  The stylist said he'd never seen a kid behave so well.

Gorgeous, is she not?  We cut off 2 inches and this is her FOURTH hair cut!  It just grows, and grows, and grows...

Today's Fun

This morning we went to orientation for pre-K at Izzy's new school.  Here's a picture of Izzy walking with daddy to school.

 I have to tell you it's been a struggle for me as to which school she should go to.  There's a private school where she's been going to Mother's Day Out for the last four years, another private preschool where Emily will be attending this fall, and then there is public school one street away from me.  In the end we chose to put her this year into the public school.  Even after enrolling her I was still struggling with the decision.  But after touring today I feel so much more at ease.  It seems to be an amazing school with amazing programs.  All 3rd - 5th grade students take piano lessons.  No one leaves the school without that gift.  Awesome, no?  It's a magnet school with an emphasis in fine arts and physical education.  They have gymnastics, ballet, music, choir, violin, chess club, yearbook, etc, etc.  All that along with education of course.  Also a super impressive science lab.  I think Izzy will really enjoy next year. :)  Here's her first official school picture, taken on my not so good camera phone.

 And one of her with mommy waiting for orientation to begin. Many more school pics to come I'm sure!

In the afternoon I took both girls to Costco shopping with Gayle and Morgan.  Izzy and Morgan just crack each other up the entire time they are together.  Izzy spotted one of Costco's featured vendors today which happened to be a whole set up of wedding dresses.  Of course she wanted to go see and try on the wedding dresses.  "UH, UH Missy!  Not for like 30+ years!!!"  OK, maybe a little less, but not much less!!!  So of course when she came home she decided to play dress up bride instead with little sister.  Emily is always the bridesmaid, never the bride in Izzy's world.  They ran outside and plopped themselves down on the front porch while I was watering the yard.  I yelled, "Wait right there and don't move!" and I ran inside to grab my camera.

The little bride.

The bridesmaid.

A couple little after wedding hugs and kisses.

 

And of course then the real silliness begins...

People ask me all the time how I get them to pose.  This is ALL them!  I do sometimes ask them to turn a certain way but I think they've each got their own little style now, don't you?