An Afternoon Block Party

Remember when I wrote about the dangers of parenting from the couch? I had such good intentions back then. (All the way back in June, that is.)

And, really, I’ve done pretty well this summer. We’ve stayed busy with play dates and field trips, checking off quite a few things from our summer to-do list. (Although the “checking off” is metaphorical since I have yet to actually print out the cute little list we made together, thanks to an empty ink cartridge and my local Walmart’s refusal to stock the particular cartridge we need.)

After 10 weeks of summer fun (with another five to go!), though, I kind of hit a wall. Deciding to start a second blog didn’t help, either.

Needless to say, my head has been buried in my laptop for the past two weeks, and both my daughter and I have had enough. You know it’s gotten bad when your child asks you to turn off the TV and “play on the floor” with her.

So, today, play on the floor – without the TV on or the computer open – is exactly what we did. We dragged out three sets of blocks and built the best castle I have ever seen.

[Here's another look at it, courtesy of my little photographer (who believes she can use my camera every time she says "pretty please.")]

How’s the end of YOUR summer going? Been to any block parties lately?

This post will be linked to Wordful Wednesday at Parenting by Dummies.

Wordless Wednesday: Farmer’s Market

A couple weeks ago, we went to the farmer’s market with my parents and cousin. It should have been a fun little field trip. Instead, it was a hurried, stressful morning with a cranky kid and even more cranky mom. (That would be me.) We didn’t have much time (after finding parking and the bathroom and my parents, we had about 20 minutes of actual browsing, photographing time). And it was about a million degrees with a million percent humidity.

Okay, I might be exaggerating about the weather (a bit), but we really didn’t have much time to enjoy the place, the company or any of it. I guess this means we’ll have to go back for another try! Until then, here are a few photos I snapped:

Do you visit your local farmer’s market?

This post will be linked to Wordless Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday: Friends & Animals

On Monday, we went to the zoo with one of Annalyn’s friends (and her mom, my friend!). It wasn’t too hot and the girls were in good moods. And the animals were out to play, including a baby orangutan! We had a great time, and I loved seeing the girls’ eyes light up and hearing their giggles for several HOURS straight!

Have you done anything fun this week?

This post will be linked to Wordless Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday. Yep, both of them.

Wordless Wednesday :: Valentine’s Day

Mark and I went out for dinner and a movie the weekend before Valentine’s Day. It was not the best date I’ve ever been on, and I’m just going to leave it at that. Instead, I’ll show you some pictures of the fun stuff we did with Annalyn.

Mark’s been pointing out every tiny Mizzou outfit in every store for several weeks now. So, because I love him and he loves Mizzou (and Annalyn, duh!), I bought her a little Mizzou cheerleading outfit. She looked adorable – and Mark loved it!

I love flowers, but buying flowers on Valentine’s Day is silly. Pay twice as much for the same thing? No, thanks. (Although this does NOT mean I wouldn’t take flowers any other day of the year! Ahem.) But pay $5 for a small bunch of hot pink carnations for our baby girl? Now THAT is a good idea.

Annalyn and I made strawberry cupcakes and decorated them with heart sprinkles. Or “sparkles,” as she called them. Then we gave away most of the cupcakes to our friends and neighbors.

I know a week has already passed, but how was YOUR Valentine’s Day?

This post will be linked to Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday at Parenting by Dummies.

Wrapping up Christmas {In Pictures}

The pink tutu from her cousin was by far her favorite gift!

I know it's blurry, but you can still {clearly} see my little superstar getting stage fright at her preschool program!

My favorite photo of the season - and the front of our thank-you cards!

Just what she {we} needed: another cat that makes noise and sheds...

She LOVES her cousin - and making funny faces for the camera!

Tired, but so happy on Christmas morning.

Again with the blurry, but look at that face!

Could this paper BE any more beautiful?

And speaking of wrapping up . . . (see how I did that?) . . . Before you put all your Christmas boxes away (do NOT even tell me they’re already sorted, labeled and stored!), why not go ahead and buy beautiful wrapping paper and bags for next year – at a discount?! Dayspring has their Jesus is the Gift wrapping on sale, so you can get a whole kit (wrapping paper, four large bags, six medium bags and three nesting boxes) for less than 50% of the original price!

This post will be linked to Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday at Parenting by Dummies.

How was your Christmas? If you wrote a wrap-up post, share the link in the comments!

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