Cabin Time

Every year, we go for a little over a week with my in-laws to a resort up north. This is a great way for them to be immersed in their Grand daughter's life and for all of us to have some fun - enjoy the pictures of our vacay this year...

We went to Jim Peck's Willdwood Zoo, Paul Bunyan's, many supper clubs and more!

Back From Vacay!

We went to Branson with my Mom and her hubby...the six of us rode in my Tuppermobile, stayed in the same AWESOME cabin, went to shows, shopped and more! Here are a few of the highlights:

The cabin we stayed at has it's own website --> http://www.comptoncovelogcabin.com/ . It's fully loaded, beautifully decorated and easy to find. Air conditioning, washer and dryer,even a dishwasher in the fully stocked kitchen! 3 bedrooms meant one for the parents, one for us and one for the girls. Seriously, I could LIVE in that cabin - it was that nice!

We went to the Shepard of the Hills and rode the tower as well as seeing the Son's of the Pioneer's Dinner show...this was not country music, it was Western music - think of Roy Rodgers, etc.The dinner had Brisket, chicken, whistle berries (baked beans), corn on the cob, fire roasted potatoes, rolls and apple cobbler along with as much tea, sweet tea or lemonade that you could drink!The music was AMAZING -- all the old classics like Tumbleweed, etc.

We ate at the Branson Cafe-- yummy food, great pie and look at the mini dogs for the kids - they even had mini buns!

Here the girls are all packed and ready to go...the long car ride back to Wisconsin.

The Fierce Robin!

While I was out in the driveway -- I saw a male Robin challenging another. He puffed up his feathers...was scolding and then flying at him!

ONE problem...the other bird was his reflection in my basement window!

I put a piece of cardboard between the two of them and the war was over.

The Birthday Party!

We had THREE birthday parties for Sarah this year! You already heard about the "puppy party" where we invited her entire preschool class and the gifts were for the local Humane Society. That was party number one.

On her actual birthday, it was just a special day for the three of us! We did fun stuff in the morning, lunch at A&W, had a playdate, saw the new Shrek movie and had her tomato soup for dinner. She also got to open one gift from us. That was party number two.

Saturday was party number three. It was family and a few close friends. We keep the Puppy theme, served hot dogs and brats, potato salad, watermelon, grapes, chips, soda and had a puppy cake. It was made by our neighbor - was a very moist white cake with strawberries in the middle. The frosting was green tinted whipped cream. That is where she gave it to me and I decorated it with my Cricut Cake. I used the Paper Pups cartridge, cut out four dogs (she is four), added flowers to the corners and used the dog's noses to hold the candles.We had the party at Mom and Jim's (the house we are going to be buying) so it was a pool party - which was perfect for the hot day! You can see a few of the Oscar Meyer frisbees floating in the water...just part of the House Party kit I won!Sarah had to check the temp of the pool before the guests arrived!Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, God Parents, and more were there and this party, she got gifts that she could keep! Fun things for a four year old like crafting items, Disney DVDs, doll clothes, a Lite Brite, play golf set, even a Birthday Barbie!Her "art cart" is now full of great things like beads, pipe cleaners, modeling clay, and craft sticks. She has played a few rounds of golf with her Daddy and sleeps with the new Barbie! She doesn't realize it yet, but my Mom gave her the gift of activity by paying for next year's ballet classes! (Mom rocks!!) What more could a little girl ask for?

Happy Birthday my little Bug-A-Boo!

Class Picnic

Sarah is officially done with preschool! Monday was their last day and on Wednesday, they had the whole class at a picnic at the nearby park. All adults signed up to bring something, the kids got to play like crazy on the equipment and the parents got to set up play dates for over the summer!The park is really close to the school, which means we were able to walk there in less than five minutes. Sarah knows her way around this playground but it was fun to watch her there with her friends.An official sign of summer is when the bubblers are put in to all the parks! This was very handy today as the temperatures were rapidly climbing. There was a veritable feast for all to enjoy! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ham sandwiches, fruit salad, water melon, sliced cheese trays (we brought one), pasta salad, veggies and dip, chips, cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats, and juice! If someone left there and was still hungry, that was their own fault!

This was really a great way to end the school year and we can all stay connected over the summer through play groups that are set up every Tuesday at different parks over the summer!

Teacher Gifts

It's that time of year - when we show a little appreciation for the gang that helped mold the minds of our little ones for many months. Sarah had two teachers for preschool - they were both WONDERFUL!

Instead of the normal apple route, we did strawberries and will package them up with a note that says "to a berry great teacher". These were pretty easy to make, only cost me some paper out of my stash and a bag of clearance Hershey Kisses. I got the idea from a friend's blog (Thanks Ms Heidi) but found a cut file online - we cut them, scored and embossed them, then stuffed with kisses! Enjoy the video of Sarah working the Cuttlebug and embossing them all - she is a true crafter at heart :)


A few glue dots or adhesive onthe tab...Stick it together...Put a few Kisses inside...Fold the flaps down a little...Thread the hemp or ribbon through the holes...tie it closed...Thread the cord through the hole in the center of the strawberry top...tie it closed...And now, you have a strawberry! Add it to the pile until you are ready to package them!
Miss Lori and Miss Jodi thought they were WAAAAYYY cool! :)

My Little Dancer...

Today was our first dance recital! This year cost me $50: the price of a costume and tights as my Mom picked up her ballet lessons for a combo birthday/Christmas present. We asked for the gift of activity and she listened!

Enjoy the pictures from before the recital and then, the video of her dancing - she is the 2nd dancer from the left, the little blonde...As they were lining the little girls up and getting ready to lead them out, I gave her a hug and said "have fun sweetie" - she hugged back and said "Don't worry Mommy, I won't let you down".


What a little peanut! :)