Meg sent me this amazing vintage blue dress for Kate.  When it arrived on Saturday, she immediately tried it on, then took it off because she didn't want to get it dirty.  It fits perfectly, has lots of twirl and made this little girls eyes light up like a Christmas tree.  She wore it to church yesterday - so stinkin' cute, I tell you.  Thank you so much Meg - she really loves it.

And would you believe this?

Jane came downstairs this morning wearing the shirt.  Yes, the one I made her.  I quickly grabbed the camera for documentation and she was happy to oblige her mom.  Hmmm...I am not sure what prompted it, but I am not complaining.  In fact, I see it as a sign.  I think it's going to be a good day.

a note from Fatty that we found this morning

Jane checking out the pastry selection at the coffee shop

carrying the beans

eating her cinnamon roll after swim team

leaving a note

playing coffee fairy and loving everything about it

School is out for the summer.  Really, it just began about 30 minutes ago.  And I am such a sap...I cried on and off all last Wednesday because Kate was leaving preschool.  Then today, I got teary over having a second grader.  Gee, what is with me?

I did make totes for the teachers - 6 in all.  These are the ones I finished yesterday and photographed early this morning then wrapped for Jane to take in today.  I didn't get photos of the ones for Kate's teachers - too little time.  When will I learn?

We're off to the pool - trying to get into the summertime groove.  I hope that I can balance fun and housework with two little girls in tow.  I did it last summer, but just don't remember how.  I think it'll be trial and error.  Wish me luck.

Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.  I don't have any kind of back-up plan at this early date.  Got to get on that too.

It's been a busy week.  We have been going, going, going.  Wednesday Kate's school had their annual parade.  Kate's class made woodpecker hats out of newspaper and trumpets out of paper towel rolls.  They marched around the block with very serious looks on their faces, waving to the parents.  She is with her best buddy, Lainie, in the photo.  These two are funny girls.

Thursday my mom and I shopped around and ran errands.  My MOO cards came!  I don't know why I waited so long to get these.  Fun and cute!

Friday, we celebrated my dad's birthday.

Mint julep cake.  Yum!  Want a piece, Susan?

Hope your weekend is great!

drive around town to find a quilt store.

get giddy about expanding the stash.

lose a tooth.

go to the movies with Grandma.

Finding shark teeth

Discovering shells in seaweed

Writing in the sand

Playing in the surf

Hanging with our cousins

I finished Jane's skirt.  All in all, it turned out pretty well.

I debated whether to use a solid or a print for the waist and hem.  I was thinking solid orange because Jane likes pink and orange together.  Fatty voted for a print.  I think it was a good choice - thanks, hon.  I would like to make an applique t-shirt to go with it.  A butterfly, maybe.  Any other ideas?

This skirt was very easy to make.  It's basically a bunch of rectangles.  I did have a small problem, though.  My math was off - I forgot to take seam allowances into account so the casing is very small.  I didn't have enough fabric to re-do it so I just bought some skinny elastic instead.  Yes, there is elastic in there with the drawstring.  A lady at the fabric store suggested it.  I am glad I took her advice - it stays up better.

She tried it on and took it for a spin.

Around here, twirly skirts are favored.  And this one passed the test.

Warning:  Cute feet in little socks!

She likes them! And they fit! While I was finishing them, I let Kate play with my camera.  See her photos here.

Don't think that Jane is going to be left out.  She has already chosen her yarn.  And yes, it is variegated, too.

The tooth extraction was successful.  Pliers were used.  Kate is one brave girl!  She put her tooth in an envelope to stick under her pillow.  She said, "Goodbye tooth.  Have fun with all the other tooths in toothland."  This morning she found $5 under her pillow - the same amount Jane got for her first tooth (which I completely attribute to it being lost on Christmas Day and the tooth fairy feeling very generous).  She also told me she saw the tooth fairy!  Apparently she has blue hair and rides a pegasus.  Who knew?

Jane's reading was a great success!  I am super proud of her.  She got up to the microphone and didn't waiver a bit.  As for me, I got a bit teary (sniff).  She's growing up so fast.