What We've Been Up to Lately

Some weeks move soo fast you don't have time to stop and breath. Last week was one of those weeks and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't manage to find time to blog. Here is a little re-cap of the week. Monday Cordelia and I did the grocery shopping for the week and she insisted on wearing her flower girl dress (and her new pink not crocks). We didn't get quite as many funny stares as when she would go in her tinker bell costume, but some people did look at us kinda funny. I really could care less what they think- it makes me really happy when she insists on wearing something I made, and most kids don't get enough wear out of their "fancy" clothes.

 Monday and Tuesday nights I worked overnights (working 9pm to 6am if you are wondering). I love doing overnights because it's calm, and quiet, and you get to transform the whole store and make everything perfect. However, overnights do leave me a bit of a zombie and wondering why I can't nap as well as a cat (that's my sister's cat Earl, he is an exceptional napper).

 Wednesday I went with my sister to get her hair cut- she only has it cut professionally about once every 5 years. Her hair is so fresh and light now it's amazing. We  also got to do some shopping and ate dinner together which is nice because we don't get a chance to spend much one on one time. 

 

Thursday my hubby surprised me by bringing home roses, sweets, and cooking me a yummy dinner. I always nag at him to buy me flowers for holidays (i.e mother's day, valentines day) but this time I didn't even mention them, so I was very surprised.

Friday was our 5 year wedding anniversary. I cannot believe it's been five years already. Well that's not true- because really it seems funny that it's only been five years. I felt like I have spent my whole life with this crazy, amazing, wonderful man. The top left photo is our first dance, and the top right is his face when I walked down the isle. Last year we took a trip away to celebrate, which is what we had planned for this year, but we couldn't quiet get our act together. Instead we had a really great evening playing skee ball (my favorite game) and  went to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. The movie was ok, but getting time just the two of us was the best. 

 

I also spent all day posting embarrassing old photos of us on instagram. . .

Saturday I took the day off of work so we could do family things. We had a really great playdate with a new friend of Cordelia's (and his parents) at an indoor play place full of moon bounces. The kids had a lot of fun, and it was a good way to burn off some energy after several rainy house bound days. Afterwards we took a family nap and then the hubby and Cordelia took me fabric shopping. I know, it sounds mundane but I love fabric shopping, especially when I have back up for Cordelia. 

Sunday we braved the mud and visited the Maryland Renaissance Festival. I love going this weekend because five years ago we went the day after our wedding. It's just fun to remember that day someplace that really doesn't change year to year. This was our first year taking Cordelia- and it was hard. We couldn't stroller because of the mud so we spent a lot of time carrying her. I was impressed by how much she liked the shows and the people- but she was less then impressed at looking at the booths which is my favorite part! However, we did have fun, and when we got home she still had time to play with her friend. It was the end to a really great family weekend. 

P.S her jumper got more compliments then anyone else in our group- my sister gave it to me at Miss C's baby shower so this is her third year of life wearing it! 

Where Does The Time Go

Some days I wonder why time won't move any faster. I'm sure you know what I mean, the days you pray you make it till nap time, or you watch the clock and wonder why 5 o'clock wont hurry up. As someone who suffers from depression some days I can't put my finger on what makes the day so long- why is seems that smiling and focusing on what someone is saying is painful, and hard. Some days are like walking through quicksand.

Some days time moves too fast. 

It's really weird how time can speed up in leaps and bounds. If I sit and think I can clearly remember what baby Cordelia smelled like. I can remember how she would wobble when she would try to pull herself up to sit. Her silly giggle, her funny faces when she ate, how tiny her fingers were. She was always so warm that when we would fall asleep together I would wake up covered in sweat. I remember how we would read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to her over and over, and when we would turn to the part when the caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly her eyes would get so big and she would look soo surprised. 

I wish I could slow time down. Sure it's nice to sleep all the way through the night, but I can remember how peaceful it was rocking Cordelia to sleep in the middle of the night, when it was just the two of us. I try not to dwell on these things too much. I cannot slow time down, I know that. At least one person stops me each day to remind me to enjoy my daughter while she is young because she will be a teenager before I know it. 

Next year I wonder what I will remember about this year. I hope I remember the look of determination on her face whenever she unwraps a crayon, or when she trys to open her fruit snacks by herself. How insanely independent she is, and the way she can make strangers laugh. I know I will remember how she grabs both my checks when she gives me kisses, how she hugs tight with both arms now, how when she is tired she climbs in your lap and snuggles like you are the most comfortable thing in the world. 

Wishlist Wednesday: Etsy Edition

 

1, 2, 3, 4

Today, in between watching comedians comment on the government shutdown, and reading articles about the government shutdown, and worrying about the government shutdown I searched  Etsy for beautful plus size vintage dresses. It is difficult for me to find vintage in my size in stores, so searching Etsy is a form of torturous window shopping (torturous because I cannot buy anything at the moment). However, I decided to share some of my finds with you so you can marvel at them with me! I think #2 is my favorite (or maybe 5. . .or 6), but # 3 has the best name. 

 

5, 6, 7, 8

Wedding Activity Books

A wedding can be a very boring affair for a kid, so after a suggestion from Sarah's soon to be sister in law (and good friend) I put together coloring books to keep the kids entertained during the less then action packed moments of the wedding. Each kid got a coloring book, an eight pack of crayons, and a card for them to color for the bride and groom.

A lot of the ideas for the book came from the one that this blogger made. She offers a free printable you can use, which really is wonderful. I recreated things (and added some new things) instead of directly using hers so I could make mine exactly the way I wanted it.  

The books had to be interesting for kids ages 2-10 which was a big challenge. In the end I decided to appeal to the older kids- figuring that Cordelia will color over anything, she doesn't care if it is a picture or a puzzle.

The cross word puzzle I made with an automated crossword maker by Discovery Education (found here). It's nice because it checks for accidental inappropriate words when it makes the puzzle.  The cartoon sketch of the bride and groom I drew myself. 

The books were a big hit so it was a  really gratifying project, and an idea I would recommend to others in the future!  

Over the weekend

Cordelia dominated the weekend- she made people smile and laugh, she kept people calm and happy. I don't really know how she managed it, but she was high spirited and only had one meltdown despite having no naps, and incredibly long days. 

Friday we drove down to Richmond, VA for the wedding weekend of one of my best friends Sarah. The festivities started with a picnic lunch at James River Cellars. It was nice and relaxing and it gave Cordelia a chance to get warm up to the wedding party, and their parents. She can be shy around large groups of people so I was worried how she would cope with the weekend's events. 

You can never take too many photos of the soon to be bride and groom during the wedding weekend, especially silly ones. 

Friday night we went swimming in the hotel pool (Cordelia's favorite part of the weekend was the pool) and then snuggled in the perfect, fluffy, wonderful, king size bed and watched Master Chef Junior. I was amazed by the show and added to my DVR as soon as I got home- they had 8 year olds making pasta from scratch in an hour! 

Saturday was for crafting, setting up, a rehearsal and a rehearsal dinner! I was really lucky to have soo many people for Cordelia to play with. If not for everyone Cordelia would have ended up a puddley mess and I would have been no help to the bride. Sarah played in the yard with Miss C and told her stories about the magical plants and friendly caterpillars. Nola and Kirsten let Cordelia drag them around as she stole all of their stuffed animals. Ada had her help with crafting. Kenneth took her to look for bugs and stick her feet in the creek. Louise, Tom, Janet, and Gary kept her out of trouble, smiled when she made messes,made sure she had everything she needed, and read her stories. 

That evening the bridesmaids kept the bride company in her room. We drank wine, ate chocolate, spent way too much time trying to figure out how to order room service, and watched awkward wedding movies. Good, solid, girl time.

Sunday was Wedding day and it was non stop. Sarah, her mother, and I woke up and went to the house at 7 am to put the finishing touches on everything. Then back to the hotel by 9 for breakfast, getting ready, photos, and more photos. Then the bridesmaids were off to the house to accept food, greet guests, and keep the ball rolling for the 2pm wedding. The wedding was beautiful, and perfect. The drive back was less so. 

I will share more photos later I'm sure, and I have a few sewing related posts to share because I was consumed by sewing projects for the wedding! Today Cordelia and I were kind of unproductive. We watched a couple of cartoons then drove out to fast food place with a play place (this might be my new tired day obsession) but, now I have lots of unpacking to do!