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I wasn’t able to post pictures from our trip while we were still there because the internet connection was slow and spotty.  I took somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 pictures over the course of 12 days so there are many posts to come.  Here we go!

Baby Girl was *very* happy to be out of her carseat.  She made sure that we understood the extent of her displeasure while we were in the car but thankfully she also made sure she showed us the extent of her elation when we were out of the car.  Until she refused to nap well for a week or so…then we had to roll the tide of her fragile emotional state…but I digress.

“Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Daddy?”

Liam gets a little Mo love:

There’s not much better than that!

Paige joins in:

Sneaky:

Paige loved the Coke bottles almost as much as her brother did:

(Proof):

The Hunchback of Siesta Key:

Liam shows Paige how to break it down:

After Liam’s first day in the pool he showed us his (what proved to be continuing) extreme displeasure for remaining dressed after finishing a swim.  Thankfully we had his hooded towel.  After a brief discussion about the difference between private and public places as they relate to private parts, he was ready to show off his duds:

He took the “cover your private parts” admonition quite seriously…or he was making sure everything was still there…whichever…

Brief Mama hug break:

“Who’s #1?”

Inspecting Paige’s toy with Pok:

Ships Ahoy!

This little piggy…

“Who, me?”

“Oh, Daddy.  I especially like your use of lines in this piece.  Very compelling.”

Paige shows Liam what she thinks about him getting in her face:

“Oh, Hi!”

Paige has a little quality time with Mo (and her buttons):

Oh, dear…

A girl and her Gran:

Mmmmm, paper towel roll…

Liam shares with Pok the finer points of Magna Doodle operation:

I’m not entirely sure what was happening here, but I’m certain that both involved parties were having fun…

During the trip Paige perfected her hands-free toy transportation method:

Daddy’s shoes:

Tickle time with Granddaddy:

Mo and Pok gave Liam what is now his favorite game: Busytown.

Checking it out with Pok:

Next it was Paige’s turn to open her happy from Mo and Pok:

The tissue paper was a big hit:

And so were the wobblers inside:

Nom, nom, nom…

Water wobbler goggles:

Paige gets suited up for the first time:

She likes her suit, but she loves her feet:

Hooray!

She’s ready for the beach:

And if you think these shots are adorable, just wait for the next installment of the SK2011 series:  Paige’s first day at the beach.  Stay tuned!

PJ and Sylvie came for a visit yesterday.  There were no meltdowns and no one drew blood from anyone else so despite the fact that we are still waiting for that “perfect shot” it was a lovely visit.

“Hi, Sylvie!”

Paige surveys the situation:

“You see, Sylvie — this is how a xylophone works.”

Sizing each other up:

“Hey, Sylvie.  I love your new teeth.  They really bring out your smile!”

“Hey, Paige.  Do you want to check your e-mail when I’m finished?”

“Thanks, Sylvie.  I’ve gotta keep a close eye on my stock portfolio these days.”

The pigtails just kill me.

Chatting.

Hey, Sylvie.  I think you’ve got a little something there.  Don’t worry, I’ve got my hands free, so I can take care of that for you.”

“No worries, I got it.”

I call this one “Paigezilla Takes The Living Room (while Sylvie looks on)”

Sylvie gives kisses.  Lots of kisses.  It’s just too cute for words.  Sometimes, though?  Paige just moves too fast for her and Sylvie inadvertently eats a little ear.  I’m pretty sure that this is the exact situation to which they were referring when they (whoever “they” is) said: “You live, you learn.”  I’m also fairly sure that I’m way past the threshold of “too tired to blog.”  Allegedly.

“Hey, Paige?  Do you know about The Very Hungry Caterpillar?”

“Paige.  It is very important that you know about Eric Carle.  He is something of a children’s Shakespeare and I fear that your childhood cannot be complete without him.  Do you understand the importance of this?”

“Don’t worry, Sylvie.  I have a bookshelf full of Eric Carle.  Everything will be fine.”

“Oh, Paige!  I could just kiss you!  In fact?  I *will* kiss you!”

Full of wonder:

So many captions, so little time…

Captivated by PJ:

“Let’s try the xylophone one more time, Sylvie.”

“I’m quite pleased with your enthusiasm here Sylvie, but I’m afraid this is a mallet, not a lollipop.”

“So these two nuns walk into a bar…”

So sweet.

Here’s where I had the genius idea that maybe we could get a shot of both girls together if we put them in PJ’s lap.  Paige had other ideas.  If I could do a virtual flip book with these I would…

It’s never good when Paige opens up with the tongue-of-sheer-concentration…

And then moves quickly into the tongue-of-utter-devilishness…

Poor Sylvie was completely unprepared for this:

Sylvie’s getting smashed in the face and she’s still amused by the situation:

Paige briefly halts the prison break attempts in favor of a shot at eating PJ’s shoes:

Thwarted again.

While Paige continues to put on a show Sylvie decides it might be time for a little snack break:

Paige tries the other direction.  In retrospect I’m sure PJ hopes that Sylvie didn’t absorb any of this…

This is where PJ realizes that she’s being bested by a 10 month old:

“Sweet Fancy Moses, Mama!  What on earth is she trying to do?”

There was just no way to stop this train after it was in motion.

And the only appropriate response was peals of laughter.

Aaaaaannnnnd…she’s off!

I’ll never give up hope that that golden picture of the girls is somewhere out there in our future, just waiting to be taken…

“What?  Is there something on my face?”

We were trying (unsuccessfully) to capture the look on her face when she realizes she’s going to get to take a bath.  Here, Matt was trying (once again, unsuccessfully) to coax it out of her.

We didn’t capture her face, but we did capture the attempted swan dive into the tub from Matt’s lap.

Step one?  Diaper removal.

“Whatchoo’ ‘talkin’ ’bout, Dad?”

Paige lets us know that she’s number one at diaper-removal body-blocking:

For Paige, nakedness gives her superhuman strength:

“Maaaaaamaaaaaa!”

Here’s where she attempts to take flight:

Ahhhhhhh.

You can’t tell that she loves the bath, can you?

Such sweetness:

Sisterly adoration:

Towel time:

As cute as a bug in a rug:

The way she looks at her dad is wonderful:

W.O.W.

This little piggy…

…went WEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEE, all the way home.

Pictures like this make me just want to squeeze those cheeks.  And I’m her mother.  Who is with her ALL the time.  And right now she’s just in the next room.  Sleeping.  And I STILL want to go in there and squeeze her cheeks.

And that cute little button nose…

This is her “I’m so sleepy but also I’m goodnatured and you’re smiling at me so I’m going to try to smile back but I’m too tired to curl up the sides of my mouth the whole way so this is what you get right now” face:

Kisses from Liam.  His aim was more than a little off here, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

This is a little more like it.

As with any good Liam interaction, kiss time quickly morphed into tickle time:

I just can’t wait to watch these two grow up together!

In between running around like a wild man and his blossoming career as a soliloquinarian Liam was actually still for long enough for me to get a few shots of him for a change.  The first shot was the only organic one and I probably should have stopped there…

He looks so grown-up to me here:

I asked for a smile, and I got one.

I wish I could describe just how Liam this shot is.  When he’s emphatically telling a story and he pauses for full effect he purses his lips like this.  What do you know?  I guess I *can* describe just how Liam this shot is…

He’s a grinnin’ fool!

“Hey Mama!  I’m smiling just like you asked me to do!  Have I smiled enough, yet?  Huh?  Huh?”

Full of wonder.

My precious boy.

It was so nice to get a few shots of my Doodlebug for once.

Here are some pictures I caught recently of Matt and Paige.  So far she may not look too much like Matt, but she’s got so much of him in her.  These pictures are definitive proof of that fact.  The pictures say it all.

What can I say?  Like Daddy, like Daughter.

I know it’s been a while since I have posted any updates to my rapidly growing list of sewing projects but I have a good excuse:  I got TWO new machines and I’ve been busy figuring things out!  My grandparents and parents decided to give me birthday presents (5 months early) and I now have a new sewing machine and a new serger!  Yay!  My old machine gave up the ghost (and produced tears) while I was working on this:

I used the “Faux Chenille Blanket” tutorial found here.   As she says in the tutorial, this project was extremely time-consuming (although after I got up and running with my new machine I discovered that I was able to stitch at about twice the speed, so that helped a great deal) but I just LOVE how it turned out and I’m declaring it worth it.  Here are some close-ups:

Next up was my first attempt at an adult garment.  I used the “Spring Ruffle Top” tutorial found here (minus the pockets) to make a top for my mom.  It turned out really well and fits her like it was made for her (because it was)!

I just love the back:

Next up was a simple refashion.  I had a *really* long skirt that was also far too big in the waist, so I added elastic at the top, did a titch of shaping along the sides, added some straps and a sash, and voila!  A dress!

This one was originally intended to be for me, but when I showed it to my mom she fell in love (and it fits her better to boot).  Ask and you shall receive, Mom!

I have so many more projects in my queue that it keeps me up nights as I think of new ways to do things and new things to do.  I’m having such a blast and I’m so grateful that my family decided to treat me to some early birthday presents so I could continue to let the creative juices flow.

Thanks, y’all!

Yesterday Jessica, Olivia, and Walker came over to hang out for most of the day.  The original plan was to go to the Gardens and let the kids hang out in the splash area but with a potential heat index of 110 and air quality alerts added on to the fact that Paige still isn’t 100% we decided to move the party indoors.  There was a whole lot of energy in our house yesterday!

Reading to Paige:

The boys spent a large portion of the day hiding under various blankets and jumping out at each other.

They found this hilarious.

Apparently when you’re 3 there’s not much better than a tickle attack.

See?

Hilarity for all involved…

Building a golf course:

Random Paige break:

Paige does LOVE a good necklace:

More blanket fun:

Olivia made sure to keep Paige entertained:

Aaaannnnd, we’re back to the boys and the blanket:

Cousin It Redux:

The reveal:

HELLLLLOOOOOO!

Liam prepares for Round Two while Walker mugs for the camera:

If only I could get pictures this good of my own kids…maybe I should hand Jessica the camera next time.  Because come on, does it get much cuter than this?

Pickin’ up the Liam and boppin’ him on the head:

How adorable is this?

And this?

“Hey, Walker?  Whatcha got there?”

Ice Cream!

Train Time!

Next up was a little Mario Kart:

Such anticipation:

Aaaaaannnnnd, they’re off!

Such fervor:

Such concentration:

Such glee!  (So much glee, in fact, that Walker was unable to remain seated…)

Well done, everyone!

It’s been WAY too long since we got together and we’re hoping to do it again very soon!

This past week I tackled another first.  I made a bonnet for Paige (using THIS pattern).  I’m in love.  I definitely learned a few things on the first go-round but I’m still really pleased with the result.

Peekaboo!

Paige’s favorite detail was the tie:

Nom, nom, nom…

Hooray for bonnets!

Next up was another pair of sleep pants for Liam.  As requested, it was time to break out the guitar fabric.

I gave cuffs a shot this time, as well.

And of course, pockets!

Ideal for lounging (while playing with a laptop with your toes…):

Fantastic for leaning:

Perfect for hanging out with your baby sister:

Wonderful for reading with Dad:

And best of all?  Made for (quite literally) wearing to Pajama Day at summer camp!