“Someone’s in the kitchen with Momma…”

It’s finally done! Over the past several weeks we have been working on a play kitchen for Lola. This was originally going to be her 2nd birthday gift (which wouldn’t be until September), but it came together much sooner and I know she will love having it to play with all summer while home with me. Now that I have another little girl on the way, I can picture Lola and ________(still thinking of names!) baking and cooking Alan and I all sorts of play food, looking as precious as can be for years to come.

Here’s how everything came together. We first found an old kitchen cabinet from our local ReStore. Luckily there was an extra side cabinet that seemed perfect to become a refrigerator too.

We then needed to raise it to the correct height, add a counter top, change the hinges on the stove, create shelving, and cut the holes for the sink and oven (all possible because of my Dad!).

Next, it was time to prime and paint. We used a magnetic primer on the front of the refrigerator so Lola could play with her magnetic letters there. 

During all of the construction and painting I was searching for the perfect little faucet, hardware, dishtowel/aprons, oven mitt (ended up sewing myself), food, pots and pans, dishes, etc. The wire baskets I found at an antique store and added chalkboard signs. For the stove top I bought wooden circles and dowels at Michael’s then got to work!

We are in love with the outcome and Im pretty sure Lola loves it also!

Again, this would not have ever been possible without the help of my Dad! Thank you! It is because of him I have this- we can home make anything- attitude

Happy Mother’s Day

What a wonderful holiday…so wonderful I think work should also honor it by closing tomorrow. I wish…

Lola and Alan made sure it was quite a special day for me. We had a great breakfast at home for my Mom and Dad with a french toast casserole, fresh fruit, yogurt, and homemade granola. After lunch me, Alan, and Lola headed to Lewis Ginter to listen to some live jazz and frolic through the gardens. I only wish we had gotten there sooner. It was beautiful. The weather was perfect. We laid out a blanket and played with Lola- read books, danced, and shared an ice cream cone. We finished the day with a yummy cookout at Alan’s parents. Oops…we actually finished out Mothers Day with me sitting in a chair, nice a cozy with a blanket and the Baby Name book, watching Alan wash my car! That was just icing on the cake…right before it got dark out he offered to wash it as one final “pamper me” item…and I agreed to come watch.

The last picture is right after I laid my baby girl down for bedtime tonight…she gave me a sweet smile and said “Wush you Momma.” Melt my heart…had to throw that picture in there!

Hope your day was as lovely. And Happy Mother’s Day again to my Momma, the best in the world! Love you!

Outdoor weekend fun

We had a wonderful weekend with lots of play time outdoors. Lola also had her first swim lesson and loved every second of it (that one was indoors)! Hope yall had a good one also.

now…wishing you a Happy Monday!

“Read books”

This is what Lola says each night before bed, as well as other times throughout the day. Here is a picture of what my sweet Lola was doing this morning while I was getting dressed. She absolutely loves books and as you can see enjoys looking through all of them in one sitting. You will typically find a mess surrounding her bookcase…good thing I think she’s so precious!

Her current favorites are Goodnight Moon and The Little Engine That Could.

What are your favorite books for toddlers?

It’s a…

girl! That’s right, my sweet Lola is going to have a little sister. This August we will be blessed with another precious baby girl. We are so excited for this baby and even more excited that we are able to give Lola a sister and best friend for life.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

Unexpectedly it started to snow on my way to work this morning (and its the second day of spring right). It did make for a very pretty landscape but also a very cold day. So I dropped Lola off at the babysitter and knew they would be cooped up inside all day. Well I just got this email from our sitter, Chanin, a few minutes ago on how they are spending their morning staying warm….baking! Im sorry but I thought this was the cutest thing in the whole world and just had to share. Hope your having a great day…almost Friday!

P.S. Did I mention I have the most amazing babysitter ever

 

Monday already…

We had a wonderful weekend and I’m sad to see it end already. I have to say one of the things that made it so nice for me was I didn’t have to cook dinner for 3 straight nights, WHAT! It might be a little sad that I get a thrill out of that, but ah well.

Saturday we had a great girls only lunch at Nanny’s. That night we went to The Rettig’s for some of Dan’s delicious Chicken Parmesan and watched the kids have a ball. They chased each other around the house and had a dance party! Sunday morning Lola woke up bright an early (even after staying up past her bedtime). But I was super happy when Alan rolled over, looked at me and said the sweetest words…”Want to go to Cracker Barrel?” Um, YES! So, we were just about the only people there at 7am which made for quick service and some fabulous pancakes. Sunday was rainy and cold, which led to lots of snuggling with Lola and relaxing around the house. We had dinner at Alan’s parents and got to see baby Porter, whom is a precious 2 weeks old! So sweet.

And now…back to the daily grind. Hope your weekend was great too!