Shoo Fly

Today after swim team, we stayed at home to power clean.  Trying to clean and reorganize the playroom. There was a fly in the house.  Buzzing.  All day.  Annoying me.  Following me to every room.  Mocking me with every buzz.  So I did what every sane mother would do - I told my children that whoever caught that fly would be my hero for the day.  After an hour of being thoroughly entertained by William trying to catch the fly, I was making a quick felt badge for my hero.  I've never seen him prouder than when he was presented his award.  His expression said "in your face!" to his two older siblings.  I love summer.

Hooping- a guest post by Caroline

I taught my Mom how to hula hoop.  We got a new pink sparkly hoop (chosen by me).  It is an awesome hoop because its a water hoop.

But that is besides the point,  I taught my Mom how to hula hoop.  Now my Mom can hula hoop, and she pretty good at it.  I think its all in the movements, (and the water hoop).  I could not hula hoop at all.  Thanks to the new water hula hoop we got at Target yesterday, I hula hooped for an hour this morning.

You should see my brother William hula hoop.  It is hilarious.  He is good at hula hooping, but if you could see him hula hoop you would crack up laughing.  He moves with very exaggerated movements.

My Dad can hula hoop too.  He is pretty good.  He helped me teach Mom how to hula hoop.  But I did most of the teaching.  Now I just need  to teach Gigi when she comes to visit.  I'd teach Nanny but that would hurt her metal hips.  I wonder if Pop and Pepa know how to hula hoop.  I am available to be hired as a hula hoop teacher (no charge).

Barrettes to bakelite

Just 6 short years ago, I thought I would wither and die when Caroline boarded the school bus looking like this.   The little plastic barrettes, the missing teeth, the monogrammed jumper and the ladybug backpack - how could she possibly be ready for big girl school?

And then today, she boarded the bus for her last day of grade school, looking like this:

An orange fedora with rhinestones, giant bakelite earrings, a Vera Bradley bag and black hightop converse.  Next year - middle school.  How could she possibly be ready for big girl school?  Then I got to thinking - she has learned more in grade school than 40-somethings learned in grade AND middle school.  She has chosen an amazing group of friends who are happy and nice and 100% supportive of each other.  She has an enormous heart that she uses to treat people with care and kindness.

Okay, she's ready.  And I will stand beside her and cheer her on!

Bargain Betty

Holy smokes!  I found the bargain to end all bargains today.  It was one of those moments when I wanted to hug the stranger next to me.

Exhibit A:  curtain fabric for the nursery, sample swatch checked out from a local decorator fabric store

I thought it would be the perfect fabric for the curtains because it is not babyish (I don't think that's a word).  Price: $39 a yard (although I wouldn't pay that, I would search on-line)

Exhibit B:  the bargain.

Found at Hobby Lobby, original price $8.99 a yard, used my 40% off coupon making it $5.39 a yard.   I needed five yards, bringing my TOTAL PRICE to $26.95 - that's right blogging friends that's $12 less than the 1 yard price at the decorator store.  Yes, it is the exact same fabric.   Really, I still can't get over it.

Tomorrow I will go buy room darkening lining (with my Hancock's coupon) and I will start sewing curtains.

Here is how the rest of the nursery will look.  Now I just have to go back to all of the random fabric stores and on-line sites where I pieced these together and purchase my yardage.
I am so excited to have decided and to start sewing!  More pictures to follow as the room unfolds.