Little Miss Fashionista

Caroline has become so funny about her clothes, shoes and accessories in general. She is insistent on what she wants to wear day or night. We argue over pjs, hairbows, sock color, shirts, pants, dresses...the list goes on. Most days I am just lucky if her top and bottom match. Other days I choose to let it go completely. This whole thing though is crazy to me- Jackson still will literally put on ANYTHING I lay out for him. It could match or not (but since I'm a nice mommy it does always match).

Today she has decided to wear the pants that match her baby doll (that is named "baby" according to the little mama). Here are the photos of that and a few other funny ones...

I will also add that on top of buying and having tons of new shoes, Caroline gets hand-me-down shoes from our friend Dailey Gillies (in return Dailey's brother Austin gets Jackson's shoes). Well, I had some of J's old Crocs that I begged and pleaded for C to wear to swim practice this spring. She would have rather gone shoeless than wear those blue mickey mouse crocs. Enter Miss Dailey with the purple crocs for her - Caroline has gone crazy over these purple crocs and wants to wear them every day! According to her she loves pink and purple, not blue shoes. We are SO in for it!! haha.

Thank goodness that while I'm battling the fashionista each morning, Jackson can independently (did I spell that right?) put on 100% of his clothes including socks and tennis shoes! I'm learning to not sweat the small stuff - and be thankful of the things that my big boy is learning to master!

Gardening newbie

Being from South Ga, or even just Ga in general, people might assume that I have a green thumb. My parents do, each one having mastered successful vegetable gardening techniques. When we moved into this house (being our first real house and all, not just a townhouse with a maintained yard) I decided to try my luck at potted plants and vines. The vines mainly to cover fence and sheild us from our neighbors. I've found what potted varieties grow best where and my vines have done amazing. My favorite is my alabama crimson honeysuckle (being a dawg fan this made it hard to love this plant but it is so pretty when it is bursting with it's red suckles!). Pretty easy task and I think I've managed it pretty decently. Now that I've got that under control I'm ready for my first real garden. Jackson loves tomatoes and I love the zinnias that my mom has growing at her house all summer long- so that's what we are starting with: A tomato garden bed and a separate bed for zinnias. Sounds easy enough, eh? Well, being a novice, I'm just going to follow Southern Living's March issue on how to build and prep garden beds. I wish one of my knowledgeable parents were here to help me but I'm too far away. Maybe I'll gain some deep rooted satisfaction of knowing that I did this all on my own. Wish me luck! I hope as summer goes by I can post lovely photos of my creations...

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

We had a great Easter weekend- attending the annual neighborhood hunt and all that goes with that. The Easter Bunny did visit early Sunday morning (Jackson swears he saw the downstairs light on during the night) and everyone was happy with their goodies. Along with candy, the kids both received new rainboots and umbrellas. Jackson wore his all day today (Monday) because it was a rainy/wet day.

We went to Popsi and Momsi's house (my Dad and stepmom) in Macon on Easter Sunday to celebrate with our large extended family. We got to meet our new second (?) cousin, baby Ava Laine whose mom is my cousin Anna. Here are some photos- including one of Caroline with a gift from Nana and Papa (Kyle's parents). They took the kids to get photos done while we were in Mexico a month ago. Isn't that the best gift ever? Cute photos of your kids?! We love it!

Clothes Lust

Oh will Spring just go ahead and get here?! And STAY! We have had the craziest weather here this winter (and so far spring). I am so ready to break out my spring/summer clothes (and to see my kids in their new clothes too!). I've already been wearing my flip flops pretty much daily (even with jeans and a sweatshirt - actually I was standing in line at Doc Green's the other day and a guy next to me was like, "flip flops? really?"). Yes really.

I'm currently lusting after a few things for spring.... Here's one- these look like the perfect go-to shoe for the summer from Boden of course. http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Shoes/Sandals/AR392-TAN/Womens-Tan-Leather-Sandals.html which I will want to wear with this (also from Boden) http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/Womens-Tunics-and-Kaftans/WA223/Womens-Super-Sunflower-Tunic.html

And while I'm at it, someone please buy this dress for me too from J. Crew-
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/knitdresses/PRDOVR~13612/13612.jsp I tried it on the other day it is so cute!

And one last clothes plug for those of you in Vinings, Franchesca Collection in the Jubilee is awesome! Reasonable prices for trendy, workable pieces. Check it out.

New Cute Kid Photos

Not going to be a party of five...

We had the pleasure of keeping our nephew Daniel over the weekend while his parents helped host a shower for some friends here in Atlanta. Daniel is 4 1/2 months old and a very good baby. But having him with us for those hours made me realize that could not handle having one more. I'm sure over time the moms with 3 figure out how to make it work and probably have very hands-on husbands that can handle the other 2 kids while cooking/cleaning up after dinner. Not me, I don't think I could be a good mom to 3 and keep my sanity. It was however very fun to see my own children's reactions to the new baby in the house. Caroline was like a little mom, so worried and concerned when Daniel was crying before falling asleep in his swing. She actually was crying louder than he was and trying to get him out of the swing (afterwards we had to step outside to keep her away from him so he could settle down). Jackson had fun making funny faces for Daniel. While I had all 3 kids up on our guest bed while I was changing Daniel, Jackson asked me if I had a baby in my tummy. He then said, "it looks like you do". Gee, thanks son, I know now my 7 months on consistently hitting the gym has paid off. It was fun having him and also nice to get back to normal today.

We are looking forward to Mimi coming this week. I'm touring the Pre-K at Holy Innocents' on Tuesday morning and then morphing into a bunny mom for Jackson's class Easter party on Wednesday. Caroline is having her 2 year checkup tomorrow (a month late) and will be on Spring Break all week (not that it changes our schedule too much - she only goes 2 mornings a week). We are also anticipating a visit from the Easter Bunny himself!