"Six Word Saturday"

ornaments, hooks, garland, and a "helpful" child!

"Teagan's Birthday Party"

My niece Teagan's 2nd Birthday Party
was this past weekend at Gymboree.

You can tell by the pictures I've posted,
We had a bLaSt!
Teagan just waiting for them to open the gate.

Archer all wide eyed.
He is only 7 months,
but he enjoyed it just as much as everyone else!

Ava
Tiff and Charlie
Uncle Chad and Archer
Mikey and Charlie
Mom, frazzeled from chasing kids around(as always)!
Birthday Girl!
Ava in the "garbage can",
as the kids liked to call it!
Chad bouncing Teagan on the BIG ball.
Sam and Huett wrestling with PawPaw, my dad.
Me and Archer

Huett on the monkey bars.
Sam crawling through a tunnel.
Huett walking on the balance beam.
During "mat time" they blew bubbles,
played under the parachute,
played games,
and sung Happy Birthday to Teagan.

Teagan blowing out her birthday candle.
Archer's first party to attend...
he thoroughly enjoyed himself,
as we all did!

Charlie's first party to attend too.

Archer told Charlie to
"Talk to the hand, we are outta here!"

"Almost Wordless Wednesday"

These are random pictures,
but just too cute not to post!

Sam, Ava, and Huett at church.

"Yard Sale Finds"

How much do you love my new bed covers!

They are Tommy Hilfiger, and I got them for a low $40!

I was in my room Saturday, placing my "new to me" bedskirt, bedspread, pillow shams, and throw pillows on my bed when I realized that almost everything in my room is borrowed, or bought second-hand. I love being surrounded by my great finds. There is nothing better than finding something on sale or priced really well at a yard sale!

Right now, my bedroom is also Archer's room. This is his changing table/shelving unit...I borrowed this from my sister. All of his bedding and such are in blues, tans, and browns.

I am a sucker for a great quilt!
Truth be told, all quilts are great...especially if they are worn out!
Both of these quilts I bought at separate yard sales for $9 dollars each.
See this leather BarcoLounger recliner?
Try to control yourself when I tell you I found it for a low $20!
GASP! I am sad that yard sale season has come to an end,
but don't worry I will be ready for business next year!

"Friday Night Movie Night"

Friday Night was movie night for me and Ava.

We watched Up.

Pay no attention to the folded clothes still sitting on the couch! Archer woke up for the fun about half-way through the movie.
Giving Ava a little love pat.
My critique:
The movie was over Ava's head,
but it didn't stop her from laughing out loud a few times.
I was entertained, but its no Finding Nemo, Cars, or the Incredibles!

"Dolly Partner is My Friend"

My sister-in-law Jenny turned me on to "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library" sometime back while Ava was 2. It is something Dolly started years ago in a few cities to guarantee that kids had books to read. Not just hand-me-down books, but brand new hard-back books with their names on them. The idea took off, and now different charity organizations throughout many states can raise a percentage of the cost for the books and provide this to the kids in their area. The charity organization that provides it for us is The Junior League of Birmingham. I signed Archer up when he was born, and he started getting books in the mail about 6 weeks later. They get 1 book each every month until they turn 5. That's adds up to a lot of books...approximately 48 books a piece!

Here is an example of the letter
that came with Ava and Archer's first book.

I said all of that to say this, Ava has been getting books in the mail for as long as she can remember! I told her that a nice lady named Dolly Parton wanted her to have books to read. So, now she always wants to know when she will be getting another book from her friend Dolly Partner. She insists that Dolly's last name is Partner. She always asks me when is she going to get to meet her and where does she live.

A few weeks ago she told me when she grows up she wants to be a "mail lady" and deliver books with Dolly Partner. In her little mind, Dolly personally puts each book in her mailbox. I guess I am lucky to have such a philanthropist for a daughter!

Last night we were watching The Jay Leno Show because Dolly Parton was going to be on. Before she came on, Ava asked me what she looked like. I told her she has blonde hair just like her, and she is kinda short. Ava said, "If she's short, then how can she reach to put my books in the mailbox?"

Here is a picture of some examples of the books they receive. The first book that comes to them in the mail is The Little Engine that Could, and their last book is Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come. The selection changes from year to year, so Archer isn't getting the same books that Ava already has.

"First Tooth"

Archer got his first baby tooth today!

Can we just slow down a minute? My little baby is going to be hitting milestones left and right...
I better just hold on for the ride
I love you baby boy.

"Veteran's Day"

I am posting this post for my baby girl Ava. Her daddy served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years. I was with him through all four years. Those were some of the longest years I remember. It seems like the years fly by now. The Marine Corps provided us with everything we needed, and I was able to go to nursing school while Jason was enlisted. Those were the hardest times when he was deployed, especially after the September 11th attacks. But, in between those times we had a lot of fun travelling back and forth. I wouldn't trade those 4 years for anything in the world. I want Ava to know that her daddy sacrificed a lot to serve our country, and that he is a hero. Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

So, to all you military families out there, I would just like to say thank you for supporting your loved ones while they are away. It isn't easy to be away from them during the holidays.

And, to the men and women who are protecting us, here and abroad, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are making it possible for us to live the American dream.

"Disney on Ice"

Disney on Ice started advertising way back in July for their show coming to Birmingham, November 4-8. It looked like it was going to be a fun show. Instead of just featuring a certain movie, they were celebrating 100 years of Disney. With songs and characters from 18 different Disney movies. Some of the movies came out while I was growing up!

I haven't ever been to see a Disney on Ice production and neither has Ava. Me and my sister, Tiffany decided we would take the kids this time. We were going to go on opening day, but Tiff's husband Mikey wanted to go with us. We went to the Friday show that started at 10:30. We left Charlie at home with my mom, but decided to take Archer with us, because let's face it...he is the BEST baby ever!

Huett and Ava loading up in the Durango.

Sam cheesing it up for the camera!
Archer getting ready to catch a few ZZZ's on the ride.

Being the frugal folks that we are, we opted to buy our tickets once we arrived instead of buying online. We saved approximately $8 a ticket. We couldn't get the six seats we wanted on the same row, but they gave us 4 together on one row and 2 together behind them. After we got our tickets in hand, it was no problem getting into the show.

Waiting patiently for tickets.

See how our seats were back to back.

I also decided to bring Archer's umbrella stroller down.
I put him beside me in the aisle,

and he liked watching the show like a big boy!

After we all got seated and situated, it was time to go pick out the souveneir of choice for each kid. Mikey took the boys one at a time, and then when they got back I took Ava. I was expecting the same amount of merchandise as I had seen at the circus, but it wasn't like that. I was actually a little disappointed. If I was going to spend $20 on something, I want to have a lot to choose from. Ava wanted this plastic shiny horse, that I couldn't place with any Disney movie. I tried to get her to pick out one of my favorites, Mickey or Minnie Mouse, but she kept coming back to the same horse. We got the stinkin' horse, and then she got to pick out her shaved ice. That's right, we were some of the suckers that bought the shaved ice in the "souveneir mug" for $10 a pop!

They also had booths set up with Disney characters that you could have your picture taken with, but only if you bought their printed out picture for...wait for it...$16! I chose to have Ava squat by the sign under one of the booths. She thought I was crazy, but I think it turned out to be a cute picture.
Archer getting ready for the show to start.
What a handsome boy in his polo sweater...
7 months going on 27 years.

Ava captivated by the show,
styling in her princess crown
that she insisted on wearing to the show.

Aunt Tiff and Archer

Ava took this picture of me wearing her crown.

Sam loving on Archer.
I think these two are going
to end up being the bestest of friends!

Huett eating on his snow cone.
He stayed in his seat for the entire show.

Sam hugging on Mikey from the row behind...
see how great it worked out!

Archer just hanging with the big guys.

Toy Story starring
Buzz and Woody

Beauty and the Beast

My favorite,
Finding Nemo.

Huett kept asking, "Where are the Incredibles?"
They were very close to the end, but they did a cute bit.

The farewell song.
Everyone came back out to the stage!
I think I am going to put this on my calendar for next year!