big boy cousins

We were lucky to have a visit from the Mirandas last week.  Emma Jane and Vivian were excited to see their Aunt Stacy and Uncle Paul, but Emma Jane was beyond thrilled to spend time with her "big boy cousins" Vincent and Daniel.  Vivi fell in puppy love with their sweet dog, Jezebel.  We had a great time hanging out in the park, by the river, in the pool, and at the zoo.  Every night the kiddos were worn out and in bed well before their usual bedtimes!

An afternoon in the park on the river...

Found a cricket!

The river was COLD!

Early morning cartoons...

Doggy Love!

A day at the zoo...

Fun in the pool...

Emma Jane is already anticipating their next visit and has told us that she is NOT playing with anyone else until the boys return.  Ha!  We ALL had a great time with the Mirandas!

 

soccer stars

Emma Jane's soccer team ended the season with a BANG!  The final game for TEAM BLUE was very exciting!  Almost every team member scored their first goal during this game, including Emma Jane!  It was so cute to see the kids giving each other high-fives.  After the game, the team enjoyed a small celebration complete with cupcakes! 

Lily scored the first goal and lit a fire under the rest of the team!

Great job, Lily!

Soon Emma Jane was on the move...

and scored her very first goal!

I love the look on her face....

a little shocked, but very proud of herself!

Lily giving a high-five and Savannah clapping...

Emma Jane is lucky to have such sweet friends!

Emma Jane and Hannah cheered from the sidelines.

Silly girl on the field...

This is Emma Jane's response when Coach Chris

asked which way they needed to kick the ball. 

Yes, I think he asked them that EVERY play!

Paul had to chase Vivi off the field a few times!

Vivian also sat with big sis when she was "on the bench"!

A few more action shots...

Savannah and Emma Jane love

running through the parent tunnel!

Time to celebrate!

I love the way Vivi appears to have

her hand on her hip as if to say,

"Hey, do I get one of those cupcakes!?!"

Don't worry, she did!

Team Blue with Coach Chris

Coach Chris was very patient, kind, and FUN, and we are all grateful to him for making this such a positive experience for the kids. Emma Jane told us she wants to continue playing soccer, so THAT in itself is a victory!

first job

Emma Jane is crazy about cats!  This is why she was over the moon when our next door neighbors asked her to feed their outdoor cat, T-Rex, while they were out-of-town this past weekend.  Don't let his name fool you, he really is a sweet kitty.  Poor Emma Jane will never have a cat of her own while she's living with her mom and dad.  I am terribly allergic to them, but so far she hasn't held that against me! 

birds on a wire

My very first Pinterest "pin" was this adorable "birds on a wire" that you can also see here.  I have been wanting to make something similar for months and finally got started a few weeks ago. 

I bought a custom frame without glass at Hobby Lobby for around $14.  (It was 50% off.)  Of course, I forgot to take a before picture, but here it is with a few coats of "Tahiti blue" acrylic paint I had in my stash.  When Emma Jane first saw it, she said, "That sure is blue, Mama!" and she was right...

I then painted it with a few coats of "vintage white" and sanded it lightly on the edges and over the details.

I bought cute wooden birdies at Michael's for $0.50 a piece.  Using scrapbook paper I already had at home, I traced the outline of each bird on coordinating papers and cut them out.  I mod-podged the paper to the front and back of the birds. I hot-glued the ribbon used to hang them on the back of each bird.  I also hot-glued paper flowers and buttons to each bird for a little extra sweetness.  Paul attached some wire to back of the frame and I tied the birdies to it. 

And here is the final product...doesn't it make you want to give a little whistle?!?

We hung the birdies in the reading corner of Emma Jane's room.  She really seems to like her new artwork.  When I asked her what she thought of it, she exclaimed, "I think it looks awesome, Mom!"

  

Don't worry, Vivian's room has also recently welcomed some new artwork.  The Saggy Baggy Elephant pages I framed have found a home on the ledge above her bedroom door.  Even though they are up high, Vivi noticed them right away.  She frequently points to them and says something that sounds a lot like "elephant"!