The Sweetest Thing.

My day started off badly yesterday. I woke up from a rotten dream about not being prepared for my classes. I was so worried about "Missing Marv", I couldn't think straight here at home in order to get ready calmly for the day. When I did get to school, it took me an hour to set up for the day's classes; butcher paper on the tables, a pencil, paintbrush, paper, paint and a rinse-water cup at each workspace. My first class came in rudely, 28 fifth and sixth graders. Within 10 seconds all the butcher paper was on the floor, water and supplies flying everywhere. I lost it and sent them all outside to wait while I cleaned/set up again. The second time they came in, a six-grader stepped on my toe, splitting my toenail in half and tearing it off. PAIN. I kept it together and made it through the hour until my little ones came-the first and second graders-with their "Teacher this" and "Teacher that". One darling little girl sat in the back playing with this note, she had made it for me and shyly waited until I made my way to her desk.

Her eyes lit up while she explained her drawing and told me how much she loves Wednesdays. Instantly my day was turned around. It's okay to have favorites, right?

Oh and by the way, guess who made her way home?

That's right. Marv's back!

Oh The Places You'll Go...

...for your daughter, on her birthday.

This was Savannah's birthday line up. We did it all. 

The Zoo, feed the giraffes and walk through the reptile house.

IKEA

The Mall

Urban Outfitters

Daddy's shop

Sushi for dinner

It was a ton of running around but at the end of the day, when she sat in the ArtCafe eating an ice cream cone she said, "Mommy, I love being five. It was the best birthday ever."

By the way, Marv is missing.

Nita-if you see her, send her home right away.

She's Five.

Today is Savannah's birthday. Time has passed so quickly since the day she was born. While some parents can't wait for their children to graduate to the next stage, I want time to stand still-for her to be this age forever. I'd even appreciate some time travel to the past. I dreamt of Baby Savannah last night. She and I were visiting my friend Txus in Spain. The Spaniards thought she was a funny American baby. Feeling her the way I did in that dream and seeing her pudgy face well, I missed her baby-ness.

 Happy Birthday Sweets.

♥

A Big To Do.

I am gearing up for a fun girlie weekend in New York next month. On my To Do list before I go is to piece together some fun, non-mom, fall outfits. For inspiration I hit the newsstand downtown and flipped through pages and pages of Fashion magazines. Then I sat down to watch a film that has been on my To Do List for quite some time...The September Issue. It took me back to the year I studied Fashion (1996-1997), the year I first introduced myself to Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington through the pages of Vogue-the fashion bible.

I fell in love with the genius of Grace in this film. If there is any brain I'd like to take a tour through, it is her's.

The Three Year Itch.

It seems every three years I get an itch. A decorating itch, that demands to be scratched. The last itch came in the form of plaid curtains and chenille slipcovers. Two weeks before The Little Girls' Party, I lost my mind to a new itch. This itch included but was not limited to;

painting tv cabinet

wall mounting the TV

changing all wall art

sewing curtains for three windows

making all new pillows for couch and chairs

painting 8 dining room chairs and dining table (2 coats oil-based paint)

reupholstering 8 dining chair seats

creating an "art-cafe" for little girls

Tim and Jared replaced my ugly oak dining room floor, with a new white floor!

Here is the big reveal, that is, unless you've already been over and seen it.

Wow.

Found at Sattler Ranch: A Gigantic Tomato. 

We named it "The Brain".

Then we ate it.

Auntie Bea's.

Food fads come to late to small towns. Bakeries specializing in cupcakes have been making a profit in urban areas for quite some time now; Magnolia Bakery, Sprinkles and Kara's Cupcakes, just to name a few. And now Placerville even offers specialty cupcakes in the form of a sweet little business called Auntie Bea's inside Tony Matthews. After a tour of the kitchen and an introduction to the business and many flavors, the Little Girls and I decided on the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake. Delicious with a surprise center!

The Teddy Bear Picnic.

We were invited by our sweet friends The Keszler's, to attend the Teddy Bear Picnic at Rainbow Orchards. What a fun family atmosphere! The Little Girls were just giddy about the bounce house, petting zoo and face painting. We ate apple doughnuts, made new friends (yay!) and relaxed in the orchard on an Apple Hill late summer day.

Tailored.

When I was growing up, my Mom made ALL my dresses. Every one fit perfectly and as I grew she would let out the hems and seams if the dresses were still playtime favorites. I remember my first "store-bought" dress, I got it for my 10th birthday. The only reason she didn't make me a dress herself was because she was starring down the barrel of brain surgery to remove an aneurysm, obviously she wasn't in the frame of mind to make a birthday dress. Anyways, I loved my new dress because "store-bought" was such a foreign and exciting departure from my usual dresses. But what I quickly realized was that store-bought dresses didn't(don't) fit like tailored dresses did(do) and I was very happy the next time she took me to the fabric store to pick out a pattern and fabric. The privilege of having someone make your clothes and having every dress fit so well to my body transferred into a fairly healthy body image for me in what should have been my awkward years. It wasn't until my Mom died that I started feeling body conscious.

Yesterday while visiting my Grandma, The Little Girls each received a brand new dress-"Great Grandma Made". Imagine my delight considering I am not yet brave or skilled enough to try sewing dresses. I wish I knew how but for now, I am thankful for my Grandma and realize that my Mom learned from the best.

Silent Sushi.

No dinner is as "child-quiet" as a sushi dinner. While little girls' hands are busy with chopsticks and soy sauce, Tim and I enjoy uninterrupted conversation. We enjoy several different Japanese cuisine establishments but our favorite is the one, the only, the original Mikuni's on Hazel.

Yum.

I ♥ ...

Pizza Night.

We do pizza night almost once a week. It is the best in the Summer or early Autumn because I use the garden to concoct fun toppings and sauces for my Pizza Pies. Last night's Pizza Pie looked like this.

  Tomato-Pesto Sauce, Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheeses.

 

Wanna come over for Pizza Night? You bring the drink, I'll provide the pie.

Birthday Bash.

Because The Little Girls' birthdays are a short 6 weeks apart, I do party for both of them on the same day. Saturday was their Birthday Party.

Our Best neighbors and sweet friend.

The Master BBQ'r.

I made this pinata. The Little Girls LOVED it.

See?

The Little Boys helping with the gifts. Hey, everyone loves a Princess.

After an exciting day.

Thank you to all our guests, I wish our friends far and away could have joined us. I thought about You, Jen. And You, Angela. And many more. Thank you to Deeds, (you are a ROCK STAR!), Leilani and Shannon for your help!