This is how the headlight turned out when the deer decided to run into my Dad's car. Don't worry, that's not all the damage the deer did.
Uncle Peter wanted to know why we didn't bring the deer home for deer stew. Eww... gross.
Julia and I went straight out because our Dad said there was deer fur stuck in the headlight. My Mom thought it was gross because we touched it.
not the best lighting as the sun was nearly setting by the time I snapped this but you get the idea. I've had the swirl fabric with Mickey for almost a year and couldn't quite find a use for it until now!
It wasn't complete procrastination since I have an order for one of these trendy 'knot jumper' dresses you see in the e-Bay boutique stores and I needed to work out a pattern. This gives me the idea that I need to do something different with the shape of the strap so the knot will have enough substance to resist pulling through the buttonhole opening. 
besides not having to keep to a regular schedule, I had a LOT more uninterrupted time in the salt mine. There was actually more outfits than this but they were already sealed into their mailing envelope waiting to go to the Post Office to head off to some special little toddlers in the south when I did the photo shoot!
Vanessa found this Dumbo material listed on e-bay for me! Miss Olivia and Miss Arianna will be sporting co-ordinating sundresses soon :)...too bad we missed their trip to the circus!!! I also got it in green.
Karma! Had this little black and white flower button in my stash which matched this little A-Line dress perfectly. I also played around with a new 'look' to the A-Line by making the front and back different. I simply reversed the placement of the prints but tied it all together with the mint green binding.
Found this Hannah Montana print for Vanessa...well Arianna actually. After making Arianna's little outfit I had enough left over to make a couple more for e-bay! Listed them on e-bay this afternoon and have decided to just put any that do not sell on my side bar until I force myself to face my Etsy phobia. Could use some extra Karma to get them sold so if anyone is sitting on a stockpile I'd love a donation of the positive kind of Karma!! Have about two months of food earned so far but I'd like to push on so when money gets tight at the back-to-school crunch I have some banked for the fall food baskets.
As she is heading off to middle school in August, I just didn't think I could leave her thinking that logic...I'd hate for her to say it to a friend and be ridiculed! So the conversation continued........until her Dad pulled in the driveway. As he closed his car door and headed up the walk she just shook her head and looked over her fleeing shoulder saying, "I'll never be able to look at him ever again without seeing 'that awful image' in my head!" Half of me shook with laughter as the other half mourned the loss of my 'little girl'. Thanks alot Guardasil!!!!!
I'm not supposed to tell you that your biggest adversary had trouble falling asleep last night because you weren't there to whisper jokes when you were supposed to be falling asleep. I can't explain how as much as she likes to boss you around she also likes to protect you and take care of you!!
Specifically I was told not to ask if you were homesick! I can't even ask if you are sad or missing us....
Daddy isn't allowed to tell you how much he misses the snuggles with his little Jewels and
Mommy can't tell you how much I miss the tickles and giggles!!!
I'm not supposed to ask if you're eating enough but they didn't say I couldn't ask if you are making healthy choices!!
They also did NOT forbid me to mention that it would be nice if you left some for Deirdre to eat!
Nope, I'm not supposed to ask if you're having trouble sleeping though I think I do still get to nag about keeping the screen door closed and your bug spray handy.
I also get to ask how you like the pool and how often do you get to swim!!
Surely, I can ask how you like the horses!!! I'm pretty sure it's safe to mention that I hope you're having a blast riding a real horse?
So, my little cowgirl, even though Mom is having a tough time 'sucking it up' (per Rhonda's advise) I would like to say HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!!!! p.s. hurry home!!!!!!
All the essentials to keep an equestrian camper comfortable are shoved in her duffel and the bedroll is tucked in along with a pillow and the Little Elmos.
Cowgirls are tough!! Gotta carry your own gear if you're going to make it at horse camp.
Mom got in one last big hug and we hit the road west....into the wilderness as far as us city dwellers are concerned :)!
See what I mean?!?! Sorry for the poor focus but I still am not the master of my camera. As we pulled into the campsite we spotted the deer grazing alongside the camp fire pit. Just the kind of interaction with nature that every city kid needs...as long as the deer keeps his ticks to himself.
BFF/Cousin Deirdre was firmly on board when Julia announced the intention to go to horse camp as soon as they were old enough. As a matter of fact, Deirdre was the one that got the whole 'going to camp' ball rolling last year when they were only barely seven years old!! My heart was in my mouth when I agreed but sometimes a Mom has to ease the grip a little in order to let the wings stretch. This year was a lot easier but I'm still sporting a healthy case of heartburn.... anyhow, this is them waiting for their lice/foot fungus/ temperature inspection. Passed, OF COURSE!!
Then the big sisters and the Moms got to wait while they had their next step in the check-in process.....
Yep, the swim test! The two 'waterfront' counselors are from New Zealand and Australia!! Cool to have the international/cultural aspect at camp as well as the equestrian aspect. We tried to warn the counselors that it may in everyone's best interest to skip this 'test' since we knew they would 'fail' and be limited to the shallow end of the pool. They did! Finally, it was time to get their gear and move into their tent.
Roughing it this year!!!!!!!!!! The camp built a handful of cabins(sheds) and these ladies LUCKED OUT big time as they were assigned to one of the posh structures. Sarcastic as I may be I am relieved she will be sleeping behind screens since I had huge doubts of her actually tucking in the mosquito netting every night.
No cots either!!! The early bird gets the top bunk at this camp. See, quite 'shed' like in the construction but it has an electric ceiling light and a smoke detector and most importantly it has screened windows and doors!! The horse part starts tomorrow and I just hope Julia isn't so gobsmacked as to forget to use her camera!!!! Darn, meant to beg the counselors to snap a few photos of her riding.....sigh, maybe they take those wallet gouging professional shots????
We left our babies in the care of their counselors and made the trek home. Patrick does not 'get' this whole 'going to camp' phenomenon here in the States. He challenges the whole getting to spread the wings concept since he never slept anywhere but in his own bed until he was fifteen years old yet he flew to another country and started a new life just fine! I, however, started going to camp at 11yo. I LOVED going to camp. I went to camp until I was 17 years old and would have gone on to be a counselor except my mother called it 'slavery' and refused to sign the consent forms. I hope Julia continues to love camp.....better, since she's going to Teddy and Me camp in August :)!
Julia getting blown dry by our 'regular' beautician's trainee....three thick heads of hair had pushed Shauna way off schedule!
Julia looking happy to be short and sassy again! Mom is happy to think that there is a hope of hair care being done at camp when it's this short.
Mari briefly considered another 10in chop to donate to Locks of Love but just couldn't bring herself to go that short. Well, at least she did it once so all that thick gorgeous hair isn't always wasted.....
Did you expect anything else from the Diva??? Bring on the highlights and glitter baby! Julia just did the big eye roll and muttered "gross".
Shorter and cooler just waiting for summer..........
So yesterday we donned the red, white, and blue and headed out for the fireworks festival....
couldn't get anywhere close to the festival sight and decided to set up on the parkway of a nearby business! Cheaper in the end and a more spacious spot to enjoy the light show.
Instead of plunking down the big bucks for the food at the festival we opted for the Golden Arches and an ice cream from one of the many circling ice cream trucks. YES WE NEEDED SWEATSHIRTS ON JULY 3rd!!!!!!
Julia's choice was quite the vision of loveliness, wouldn't you agree? Still shows a bit of blue on her lips this morning even after tooth brushing and tubbing!
Peggy will verify that I am not exaggerating! It was too darn cold to sit out and watch 4th of July fireworks. We forced ourselves to go in the hopes that we could 'get in the mood' for today's barbecues and fireworks. Today................it's RAINING and will not even make it to 70 degrees!!
