This & That & Some More

I have been so busy this week…working like crazy, keeping late, fun nights and hanging with the 3 Kelley kiddos. But I really know it’s been a good week when there is lots and lots and lots of this going on:

And my countertop looks like this at the end of almost everyday:

In our busy week, Harper had her first eye appointment. Josh and I are both blind as bats, so it was no surprise when she failed her eye test 2 years in a row. She does already have a small prescription and a few other eye issues, but lucky for us no glasses yet. She adored the chair and it didn’t hurt that Cousin David (our eye Dr.) let her raise and lower it herself. She’s inevitably doomed in the eye department, but just glad it’s not this year.

Harper has also been rockin’ her “I love you” hands this week in very appropriate times. Harper: “Mom can I have a rice krispy treat?” Me: “Sure.” Harper: *I love you* hands. I concur.

And have you ever seen a cuter little cupcake garden stick? Well, maybe you have, but this one is pretty sweet. Harper has been wearing these out. Every time we go to Joanns she buys yet another one, with her own money, to color and give to someone. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of this one.

The boys had their first experience with buying something with their own money this week. Harper decided she wanted to make a purchase when we went to Target, so she loaded up one of her little bags with money from her piggy bank. The boys insisted on doing the same…no money out of my pocket is totally cool with me…let’s do it. So off we went. They ended up pooling their money together and buying this:

They were super proud of their purchase and Huddy still has the receipt.

I also experienced a parenting 1st during this Target trip. All three of my kids have small blankets which they have slept with since they were born. I have always had a strict rule about their blankets not leaving our house. My mom broke this rule with Harper while we were in Ethiopia with Sol. Let’s just say she had to do major back tracking in a BIG mall, ask about a million people if they had seen a small, dirty yellow blanket and finally had to be assisted by a police officer to dig through a mall trash can, but the blanket was found. THAT is why they stay at home. As a general rule, we just leave stuff at home. I never wanted to be in that pickle of a situation. Well…Sol and Huddy recently got a special little toy from my Aunt Tootsie. Sol got a small beanie dog and Huddy got a cow. They have been attached to the hip with this dog and cow…who knew? I made the mistake of letting them take this dog and cow with them to Target when they wanted to make their big purchase. As we were getting back into the car after our 1.5 hours in Target, had everyone strapped into their seats and backing out of the parking spot Sol yelled out “My dog!” “My dog gone Momma” and the tears started flowing. I soooo wanted to leave that dog in Target, but we pulled back into the parking spot, got everyone out of their seats and headed back into Target. He was just so bummed about that dang dog. Harper was super upset for him and asked random people as we back tracked though Target if they had seen Sol’s dog. I wanted to give her “Lost Puppy” signs. Finally there he was:

At this point I really, really wanted to break out into “Reunited and it feels so good”

Oh was he H.A.P.P.Y. Huddy was really, genuinely happy for him too…”I’m so happy you found your dog Sol”. Harper did a little dance and congratulated Sol upon finding the dog…it was as if he had won an event of some sort. I was waiting for the trophy presenter to come out and hand over a large trophy. Afterward which Sol would put on goggles and we would spray him with shaken celebratory champagne. I laughed and reminded myself of my infamous rule about leaving stuff at home.

Needless to say, the dog and cow are now in the blanket category. Lesson learned on my part for sure.

In work news, I have been working on a huge order and cannot wait to show all the goodies that are in it. Also finished up these these two 10×10 canvases, which headed out to Renada in Nashville, Tn. Renada needed two very special teacher gifts and I am a total sucker for a good teacher story, so I was in! I loved teaching kindergarten and know how much work, love and energy good teachers put into their kiddos, so I was thrilled to know where these were headed. Thanks again so much Renada.

This next 10×10 canvas was ordered by Emily in Colorado. Emily is going to be celebrating 9 years of marriage with her husband this summer and she wanted a special canvas to celebrate with. Thanks so much Emily and hope your anniversary is amazing.

And I just finished up these China tees last night for Angie in Indiana. She wanted a tee for herself and one for her husband to show some love for their next sweet child. Totally appreciate it Angie.

Joanns has a great Memorial Day sale going on right now…I should be one of their spokeswomen. Holiday sales are my favorite. I picked up some great new fabrics. These are now added to my fabric selection.