Winnie The Poohm, Piglet and Barbie cookies
Made cookies!! Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Barbie...
Made the winnie the pooh and piglet faces with royal icing and drew on it with and edible ink food writer...
Barbie was made by piping on the cookies freehand... als royal icing...
Have a nice day
Made the winnie the pooh and piglet faces with royal icing and drew on it with and edible ink food writer...
Barbie was made by piping on the cookies freehand... als royal icing...
Have a nice dayAn Answered Prayer
I have never been so proud of my daughter.
It's amazing that first time you see your child smile with their precious, pudgy baby face.... and even more amazing when you cheer them on for their very first wobbly little steps. You cry when they stand on the big stage and graduate from preschool...... and you're so very proud when they walk down that 1st grade hall to go into their first "big-kid" classroom.
But, I swear, none of that comes close to how proud I was of Madison Wednesday night.
Madison, (like her mama) is a complex creature. Most would say she's pretty tough, sure of herself..... confident even. But if you get close..... if you really get to know her, you start to see that maybe that's not really the case. Madison has had a rough couple of years that began with a situation with a teacher in 2nd grade, and then these topsy-turvy pre-teen years started. There are cliques at school...... boys to like...... boys who don't like you back..... zits to get rid of..... kids who seem smarter..... the list goes on and on. It's easy to become a little insecure.
As her mom, it kills me. That child has so much potential....... that is, if she would just believe in herself. So this Spring, after watching her hitting baseballs in the yard with her dad, I decided to sign her up for softball. I knew she would protest (and protest she did!), but I put my foot down and said you HAVE to...... you must do this for yourself. Jonathan and I felt that a team sport was just what she needed........ however, I had NO IDEA how competitive softball is at her age. I will admit I was sweating bullets through the first few practices and games. Most of the girls had been playing 3-4 years already...... Madison was a first-timer.
Madison's my child who gives up after the first try if she's not the best at something, so I was pretty nervous this would be a REALLY LONG season. But you know what? She surprised me. She wasn't the best on the team...... she was facing a huge learning curve..... but she did it with grace and a great attitude. She never seemed to get too down on herself if she made a mistake, instead, she'd get right back up there and try it again. She listened to her coaches, learned alot and made some really sweet friends. I have been utterly AMAZED that she hasn't complained about anything through 3 months of 3 nights a week practices and games. That has never happened before.
So on to why I'm so proud........ Wednesday night Madison's team had a game against the best team (by far!) in the league. Their pitcher is nothing short of phenomenal. She looks like she should be playing in high school or college even though this is the 9-10 year old league. Those balls come so fast at the batters, sometimes you'll even hear the crowd gasp a little. We've been lucky that a few of our games against this team have been rained out, so Madison has only had to face this pitcher once the entire season. Poor thing, she flinched and jumped back every time the ball came at her. Like I told her later..... "honey, I would have done the same thing..... mama's just proud of you for getting up there and trying."
So I was a little worried when it was Madison's time to bat on Wednesday....... I kept thinking, "Just get up there and hold your own. It'll be over soon." And what do you know, but Madison hit the first ball that came at her........ she fouled and eventually struck out, but she hit it! NO ONE, even the best hitters on her team, have been able to do that. So the next time she went up to bat, it was the end of the game, 9-0 (we were losing) and there were 2 outs. The ball came flying and to mine and everyone else's amazement, Madison hit the ball...... HIGH and it rocketed to the outfield!!! I started screaming and jumping and cheering like a crazy person!! I have never seen her so proud of herself when she turned around at first base and looked at me with this amazingly huge grin.
Pure joy.
The game was soon over, but afterward everyone was hugging Madison and her coaches were so happy for her, too. One of them even came and gave her the game ball and all her teammates started signing it telling her what an awesome hit she had. That night, Madison kept saying, "Mama, my coach said nobody can hit against her, and I did. I did it."
There are tears in my eyes right now as I write about it. I don't care if she tries and fails, I just want her to try....... to believe that she can do anything. I know the Lord was watching out for her..... I know He answered my prayers. I am so grateful.
I missed taking a picture of the actual hit, but I did snap a few right before she hit the ball and a few right after........
Here she is just before she hit the ball into the outfield
Here she is on first...... proudest moment of her life!
This is taken a few minutes later when the batter after her struck out and the game ended.
Look at that grin....
Coach Buck talking to her about what a great job she did
Madison with the game ball
Jonathan was working and missed the game, and even though Madison was supposed to go to a friend's to spend the night, she asked me to take her home first so that she could tell her daddy all about her big night and he could see that game ball with all her friends' praises first hand.
Wish you all could have been there to see it!
It's amazing that first time you see your child smile with their precious, pudgy baby face.... and even more amazing when you cheer them on for their very first wobbly little steps. You cry when they stand on the big stage and graduate from preschool...... and you're so very proud when they walk down that 1st grade hall to go into their first "big-kid" classroom.
But, I swear, none of that comes close to how proud I was of Madison Wednesday night.
Madison, (like her mama) is a complex creature. Most would say she's pretty tough, sure of herself..... confident even. But if you get close..... if you really get to know her, you start to see that maybe that's not really the case. Madison has had a rough couple of years that began with a situation with a teacher in 2nd grade, and then these topsy-turvy pre-teen years started. There are cliques at school...... boys to like...... boys who don't like you back..... zits to get rid of..... kids who seem smarter..... the list goes on and on. It's easy to become a little insecure.
As her mom, it kills me. That child has so much potential....... that is, if she would just believe in herself. So this Spring, after watching her hitting baseballs in the yard with her dad, I decided to sign her up for softball. I knew she would protest (and protest she did!), but I put my foot down and said you HAVE to...... you must do this for yourself. Jonathan and I felt that a team sport was just what she needed........ however, I had NO IDEA how competitive softball is at her age. I will admit I was sweating bullets through the first few practices and games. Most of the girls had been playing 3-4 years already...... Madison was a first-timer.
Madison's my child who gives up after the first try if she's not the best at something, so I was pretty nervous this would be a REALLY LONG season. But you know what? She surprised me. She wasn't the best on the team...... she was facing a huge learning curve..... but she did it with grace and a great attitude. She never seemed to get too down on herself if she made a mistake, instead, she'd get right back up there and try it again. She listened to her coaches, learned alot and made some really sweet friends. I have been utterly AMAZED that she hasn't complained about anything through 3 months of 3 nights a week practices and games. That has never happened before.
So on to why I'm so proud........ Wednesday night Madison's team had a game against the best team (by far!) in the league. Their pitcher is nothing short of phenomenal. She looks like she should be playing in high school or college even though this is the 9-10 year old league. Those balls come so fast at the batters, sometimes you'll even hear the crowd gasp a little. We've been lucky that a few of our games against this team have been rained out, so Madison has only had to face this pitcher once the entire season. Poor thing, she flinched and jumped back every time the ball came at her. Like I told her later..... "honey, I would have done the same thing..... mama's just proud of you for getting up there and trying."
So I was a little worried when it was Madison's time to bat on Wednesday....... I kept thinking, "Just get up there and hold your own. It'll be over soon." And what do you know, but Madison hit the first ball that came at her........ she fouled and eventually struck out, but she hit it! NO ONE, even the best hitters on her team, have been able to do that. So the next time she went up to bat, it was the end of the game, 9-0 (we were losing) and there were 2 outs. The ball came flying and to mine and everyone else's amazement, Madison hit the ball...... HIGH and it rocketed to the outfield!!! I started screaming and jumping and cheering like a crazy person!! I have never seen her so proud of herself when she turned around at first base and looked at me with this amazingly huge grin.
Pure joy.
The game was soon over, but afterward everyone was hugging Madison and her coaches were so happy for her, too. One of them even came and gave her the game ball and all her teammates started signing it telling her what an awesome hit she had. That night, Madison kept saying, "Mama, my coach said nobody can hit against her, and I did. I did it."
There are tears in my eyes right now as I write about it. I don't care if she tries and fails, I just want her to try....... to believe that she can do anything. I know the Lord was watching out for her..... I know He answered my prayers. I am so grateful.
I missed taking a picture of the actual hit, but I did snap a few right before she hit the ball and a few right after........
Here she is just before she hit the ball into the outfield
Here she is on first...... proudest moment of her life!
This is taken a few minutes later when the batter after her struck out and the game ended.Look at that grin....
Coach Buck talking to her about what a great job she did
Madison with the game ball
Jonathan was working and missed the game, and even though Madison was supposed to go to a friend's to spend the night, she asked me to take her home first so that she could tell her daddy all about her big night and he could see that game ball with all her friends' praises first hand.Wish you all could have been there to see it!
Jacob singing 3 Doors Down
The morning after we all got in from Heather's birthday at the 3 Doors Down show, my kids all came running in my bathroom..... (while I was on the potty, OF COURSE -- I am a mom after all!)....... anyway, they came barging in, smiles everywhere, begging to know how it was. They wanted so badly to go themselves, but I felt like the lateness, not to mention alcohol being there, wasn't all that appropriate for an 8 and 10 year old. So I told them all about it while they fired a hundred interrupted questions at me.... "what did they sing? How close did you get? Was it cool? Did they sing 'It's Not My Time?' What about 'Let Me Be Myself?' How late did you stay out??????"
Uhhhh, I didn't really want to tell them the truth about that one......
So next thing I knew they were running to the den to blast 3 Doors Down on the stereo at 8:30 in the morning. I took this little video of Jacob once the girls had tired out and left the "stage." Oh..... about him being in his underwear..... I'd make the excuse that it was early in the morning, that we hadn't gotten ready for the day yet........ but really, honestly, Jacob seems to look this way just about every time I turn around! That boy doesn't seem to mind showing off his booty...
(Turn off the ipod to the right before you play the video)
Watch out Brad Arnold..... It looks like Jacob wants your job. My favorite part is the end where he seems to walk "off stage" at just the right time.... As Heather would say, "Bless his little pea-pickin' heart!" He's gonna kill me for this one day!
Uhhhh, I didn't really want to tell them the truth about that one......
So next thing I knew they were running to the den to blast 3 Doors Down on the stereo at 8:30 in the morning. I took this little video of Jacob once the girls had tired out and left the "stage." Oh..... about him being in his underwear..... I'd make the excuse that it was early in the morning, that we hadn't gotten ready for the day yet........ but really, honestly, Jacob seems to look this way just about every time I turn around! That boy doesn't seem to mind showing off his booty...
(Turn off the ipod to the right before you play the video)
Watch out Brad Arnold..... It looks like Jacob wants your job. My favorite part is the end where he seems to walk "off stage" at just the right time.... As Heather would say, "Bless his little pea-pickin' heart!" He's gonna kill me for this one day!
Macy's Softball Party
Both Macy and Madison decided to try softball this Spring season. We have had so much fun as a family watching them both learn and grow over the last few months. Macy was lucky enough to get one of her best friends on her team and even luckier that the little girl's dad was one of her coaches. She's done really well, but most of all, she's enjoyed it. It's been kind of crazy with both of them having to be at two different places, 3 nights a week for the past few months. And especially with Jonathan out of town for most of the games. But somehow we've managed, and I honestly can't wait to do it all over again this fall.
Macy's second to last game was tonight, and afterward we all headed to Shakey's for her team party and awards. I don't think I've ever seen that child as excited as she was when she received her trophy. We're really proud of her!!
Here she is walking up to the plate to bat
My little lefty swinging with all of her might
And she scores!!!
Jacob & Baylor playing at the ballpark. I think Jacob's enjoyed this softball season even more than his sister's..... staying out late, getting ring pops and Powerade, and of course, playing on the playground every night....
And all of our friends are there, too.... Madison & Kate before Kate's game
Macy & her best friend, Morgan -- how fun to be on the same team!
And here they are at Shakey's celebrating the big season with a little pizza & games
Macy was really DIGGING that trophy with the spinning softball
And the team stops for a photo opp with Coach Brent
It's been a great season!! Thanks so much to Coach Hammonds, Coach Arnold & Amber!
The girls have all learned so much from you.
Macy's second to last game was tonight, and afterward we all headed to Shakey's for her team party and awards. I don't think I've ever seen that child as excited as she was when she received her trophy. We're really proud of her!!
Here she is walking up to the plate to bat
My little lefty swinging with all of her might
And she scores!!!
Jacob & Baylor playing at the ballpark. I think Jacob's enjoyed this softball season even more than his sister's..... staying out late, getting ring pops and Powerade, and of course, playing on the playground every night....
And all of our friends are there, too.... Madison & Kate before Kate's game
Macy & her best friend, Morgan -- how fun to be on the same team!
And here they are at Shakey's celebrating the big season with a little pizza & games
Macy was really DIGGING that trophy with the spinning softball
And the team stops for a photo opp with Coach Brent
It's been a great season!! Thanks so much to Coach Hammonds, Coach Arnold & Amber!The girls have all learned so much from you.
Heather's 40th at 3 Doors Down
One of my very best friends, Heather, is turning 40 tomorrow. Heather has been such a blessing to me.... such a great friend, so empathic and understanding, honest and genuine, non-judgmental, so talented and creative, but most of all, Heather is hilarious. Crazy. Dry humor. She always has a way of making us all laugh. I love to be around her.
Of course, being her 40th, we all wanted to make this birthday a little less painful and a whole lot more fun so we decided to take a little road trip, go to Jubilee in Montgomery and see a few bands. Lucky me.... what do you know but 3 Doors Down was playing! Love them!
So we got Heather a gift, I made a few party hats to liven up the night, and we headed over to Heather's unannounced. We surprised her at the door with her very own one-of-a-kind party hat and a very fitting boa..... the perfect look for the birthday girl! After a visit with her mom and stepdad, her husband and kids, we were off on our adventure. Too bad it was POOOOUUUURRING!! Ponchos in hand, we thought we'd go ahead a brave the weather..... what's a little rain when you're having fun?
We showed up to Heather's unexpectedly with a silly hat,
a boa, and an invitation for a night out on the town
Here we are with our party hats on telling Heather about our plans for her
The Queen of the night! Didn't she look great??
Heather with her girls, Stuart and Sulli ....
they seemed very happy that Mommy's friends surprised her for her birthday
Our celebratory dinner at Bonefish
Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!
Here we are leaving Bonefish, trying to figure out a way to get Heather's
big ole birthday hat in the car.... great thing we had a sunroof
Our shuttle bus ride to Jubilee.... Holly was a little bit nervous
Me removing the "4-0" proof from Heather's birthday hat
before we walked through the crowds
Here we are with "Solja Boy".... hands down the funniest moment of the night..... he was a big blow up soldier standing next to a Hummer blasting rap music.... Heather walked up to him to take a picture
and all of a sudden he grabbed hold of her with his arms....
she went running & screaming for her life! We all were dying out laughing!
Darius Rucker, AKA, Hootie performing on another stage before 3 Doors Down started
Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down, entertaining the crowd
And now for the REAL entertainment....
Heather called her friend Todd to join us.... he lives downtown and she knew Todd & I were friends in high school. Todd told her a while back that I was the reason he went to the "other side." It seems he had a little high school crush on me but when I wouldn't reciprocate, he says he found the boys to be a little more enticing. That boy is CRAZY!! And he made the night that much more fun.
Thanks Todd for joining us.
So here we are.... Todd & me.... first time I've seen him in 21 years!! He looked just the same..... and better yet, ACTED just the same!! CRAZY! (BTW - The strings on my party hat were making my hoops go sideways....I know, I look like Dumbo)
Not long after we got there, Todd noticed our little "Boy George" friend.... we all broke out in a uh, well I guess memorable version of Karma Chameleon
Here's a shot of the band.... we were really lucky with the crowds
and were able to get pretty close to the stage
The girls out celebrating Heather's BIG 4-0!!!
Elizabeth, CRAZY Todd and Heather.... Todd was a wee bit tipsy by this point
Heather, Todd & me singing "It's Not My Time".... somehow the video we took of our performance didn't take.... That's probably a REALLY good thing!
However, I was able to capture this little baby!!! Just turn off my blog ipod at the top right-hand of this page first. Sorry about the shaky-ness....... there were people behind me bumping into me.
And this one may even be a little more embarrassing!
Todd, Elizabeth, Holly & Heather.... that boy loves the camera!
Holly & Heather with their baseball caps....
pretty smart considering there was about a 100% chance of rain
Everyone, even some randoms, wanted to join in our fun
Here we are after the show..... Walking the loooooooooong walk to Neverland.....
or maybe it was The Land of Todd.......
Anyway, Todd told us there was no need for a shuttle.... he would take us back to our car
See me in my bare feet walking blocks & blocks & blocks through downtown Montgomery??
My shoes wouldn't stay on in the rain.... I've still got gravel burn!
Stopping for one of 100 photos opps on the way to Todd's.... he wouldn't stop taking pictures
Elizabeth & me soaking wet
Loving those ponchos.... it's a good look for us
FINALLY!! After the seemingly never-ending walk through downtown to Todd's house, yes, after midnight in places I'm usually scared to DRIVE through during the day, we ended up at Todd's beautiful Victorian house. Full of art and antiques and amazing style.... in fact, his house was just featured in the March of 2009 Montgomery Living magazine.
After a tour of the house, we were off to our car, then a trip to What-a-burger. Did you know they give you beepers while you wait for your food? Nothing like waiting 15 minutes at 1:30am with a beeper in hand for your little what-a-burger! And then we were heading down I-85 for the trip home.
We've all commented that we felt a little like we were in college again. Staying out late, listening to live bands..... what a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday. Heather, we all hope you have a great one tomorrow! I know we'll be talking about this night for years to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL!
Of course, being her 40th, we all wanted to make this birthday a little less painful and a whole lot more fun so we decided to take a little road trip, go to Jubilee in Montgomery and see a few bands. Lucky me.... what do you know but 3 Doors Down was playing! Love them!
So we got Heather a gift, I made a few party hats to liven up the night, and we headed over to Heather's unannounced. We surprised her at the door with her very own one-of-a-kind party hat and a very fitting boa..... the perfect look for the birthday girl! After a visit with her mom and stepdad, her husband and kids, we were off on our adventure. Too bad it was POOOOUUUURRING!! Ponchos in hand, we thought we'd go ahead a brave the weather..... what's a little rain when you're having fun?
We showed up to Heather's unexpectedly with a silly hat,a boa, and an invitation for a night out on the town
Here we are with our party hats on telling Heather about our plans for her
The Queen of the night! Didn't she look great??
Heather with her girls, Stuart and Sulli ....they seemed very happy that Mommy's friends surprised her for her birthday
Our celebratory dinner at Bonefish
Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!Happy Birthday Dear Heather! Happy Birthday to You!
Here we are leaving Bonefish, trying to figure out a way to get Heather'sbig ole birthday hat in the car.... great thing we had a sunroof
Our shuttle bus ride to Jubilee.... Holly was a little bit nervous
Me removing the "4-0" proof from Heather's birthday hatbefore we walked through the crowds
Here we are with "Solja Boy".... hands down the funniest moment of the night..... he was a big blow up soldier standing next to a Hummer blasting rap music.... Heather walked up to him to take a picture and all of a sudden he grabbed hold of her with his arms....
she went running & screaming for her life! We all were dying out laughing!
Darius Rucker, AKA, Hootie performing on another stage before 3 Doors Down started
Brad Arnold, lead singer of 3 Doors Down, entertaining the crowd
And now for the REAL entertainment....Heather called her friend Todd to join us.... he lives downtown and she knew Todd & I were friends in high school. Todd told her a while back that I was the reason he went to the "other side." It seems he had a little high school crush on me but when I wouldn't reciprocate, he says he found the boys to be a little more enticing. That boy is CRAZY!! And he made the night that much more fun.
Thanks Todd for joining us.
So here we are.... Todd & me.... first time I've seen him in 21 years!! He looked just the same..... and better yet, ACTED just the same!! CRAZY! (BTW - The strings on my party hat were making my hoops go sideways....I know, I look like Dumbo)
Not long after we got there, Todd noticed our little "Boy George" friend.... we all broke out in a uh, well I guess memorable version of Karma Chameleon
Here's a shot of the band.... we were really lucky with the crowdsand were able to get pretty close to the stage
The girls out celebrating Heather's BIG 4-0!!!
Elizabeth, CRAZY Todd and Heather.... Todd was a wee bit tipsy by this point
Heather, Todd & me singing "It's Not My Time".... somehow the video we took of our performance didn't take.... That's probably a REALLY good thing!However, I was able to capture this little baby!!! Just turn off my blog ipod at the top right-hand of this page first. Sorry about the shaky-ness....... there were people behind me bumping into me.
And this one may even be a little more embarrassing!
Todd, Elizabeth, Holly & Heather.... that boy loves the camera!
Holly & Heather with their baseball caps....pretty smart considering there was about a 100% chance of rain
Everyone, even some randoms, wanted to join in our fun
Here we are after the show..... Walking the loooooooooong walk to Neverland.....or maybe it was The Land of Todd.......
Anyway, Todd told us there was no need for a shuttle.... he would take us back to our car
See me in my bare feet walking blocks & blocks & blocks through downtown Montgomery??
My shoes wouldn't stay on in the rain.... I've still got gravel burn!
Stopping for one of 100 photos opps on the way to Todd's.... he wouldn't stop taking pictures
Elizabeth & me soaking wet
Loving those ponchos.... it's a good look for us
FINALLY!! After the seemingly never-ending walk through downtown to Todd's house, yes, after midnight in places I'm usually scared to DRIVE through during the day, we ended up at Todd's beautiful Victorian house. Full of art and antiques and amazing style.... in fact, his house was just featured in the March of 2009 Montgomery Living magazine.After a tour of the house, we were off to our car, then a trip to What-a-burger. Did you know they give you beepers while you wait for your food? Nothing like waiting 15 minutes at 1:30am with a beeper in hand for your little what-a-burger! And then we were heading down I-85 for the trip home.
We've all commented that we felt a little like we were in college again. Staying out late, listening to live bands..... what a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday. Heather, we all hope you have a great one tomorrow! I know we'll be talking about this night for years to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL!
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