Way Back When-esday!

We have a new Labor Day Weekend tradition in our family. This will be our 3rd year. (Please don't judge me). It's the Dragon Con Parade in downtown Atlanta. Don't ask me what made me want to go but I think it is the coolest thing ever. (If you don't know what it is...Google it or look at this post I did in 2009). This year we have a Groupon voucher to eat at Pitty Pat's Porch after the parade. Soooo excited!!

These were taken last year at the fountains in Centennial Olympic Park. This pic of Drew cracks me up....he is the silliest thing. He is laughing so hard, I almost thought he was crying for a minute!

So, what are your weekend plans????

I Spy!

I made this for Drew several years ago and just came across it sitting high up on a shelf. Who knew that we would have a little girl to enjoy this fun activity one day??!! I got the inspiration for this from a toy that I saw at Learning Express. I wanted Drew to have it for a road trip to Disney and when I went to buy it....I couldn't find it anywhere. So I decided to make my own. I actually like my version better than the store bought one anyway.
I started with a simple jar of beads. I bought mine at Michael's with a coupon but on Amazon they are called Melty Beads. I had started collecting little trinkets from around the house and then I bought some cheap little things as well. The ideas for what to put in the jar are ENDLESS and you really don't need to spend any money on it....just start a little collection of junk from your house. You will be surprised what you come up with.

I peeled off the label and emptied out some of the beads and then added in all of the little trinkets that I had collected. I then hot glued the lid shut so it cannot be opened.

I used some card stock and scrapbook stickers to decorate the top but you could really do anything (or nothing at all, if you prefer).
I also added in lots of little alphabet beads so I could give him words to try to find.
When I first made it, I printed out a list of everything that is in there, shrunk it down and laminated it. I then attached it to the side of the jar so he could look through the list and find certain things. The item list is long gone (I need to look on my upstairs computer and see if I saved it so I can get it ready for Addi).
This is a great activity for a long car ride, dinner out or a doctors office waiting room! Enjoy!!

Here is a short list of things to put in it....but seriously, the list is endless. Safety pin, rubber band, button, paper clip, money, legos, dice, magnetic letters, little toys, balls, rocks, erasers, etc.

Happy Birthday, Keith!

Happy Birthday to my honey today!!! I am sad that he is not here for us to celebrate him (working out of town)! He is such a hard worker and a great daddy....I am so lucky to have him!!!

Dinner With Friends

I wanted to update yesterday's post with our picture from dinner last night. We went to West Cobb Diner (and yes, Greg was right...their tomato pie is DELISH!) and then to Yogli Mogli afterwards for dessert. Sooo starting from the left and going clockwise: Roger, Sherry, Greg, Tay, Holley, Papa (my dad), Hannah (yes, the blond sisters are wearing their Halloween costumes), Drew, Addi, Me, Jackie, Shirley.

Way Back When-esday!!!

This is from last summer when we went to my cousin's wedding in Ohio. L to R: Drew, Taylor, Gabby, Lily. Gabby and Lily are the grandchildren of longtime friends of my parents...Roger and Sherry. Roger and Sherry are actually in town today (passing through on their way to Savannah) and we will get to meet them for dinner. June 2010

Quack Quack's Great Adventure!!

Addi has 2 stuffed Big Birds. She LOVES Big Bird. She calls him Quack Quack.
She got one for Christmas last year and then someone won her one out of one of those machines.

I am trying hard to declutter my house so I thought I would take the cheaper one and put it in the consignment sale this weekend. She's 2...she will never notice, right?

Ummm...wrong.

She was with me at the preview sale the other day and she saw Quack Quack on the sale table. (Yikes!!!) This is the conversation that followed.

Addi:"Hey, there's my Quack Quack. I want my Quack Quack."
Me: "No, honey your Quack Quack is at home in your room".

The next morning, I go in to get her out of bed and she has all of her animals/dolls that she sleeps with lined up in her crib....and she says to me in the saddest little voice ever "My other quack quack is lost". So, of course Drew has to get in on it and asks her where it is and she says "at that place". Crap.

So today , we go to pick up the leftovers and as soon as we pull in the parking lot...she starts cheering and clapping and says "We're going to get Quack Quack" (Dear Lord, please don't let Quack Quack be sold.) We walk in and Keith goes to get our pile and lo and behold, who is sitting right on top??? QUACK QUACK!!! Whew!! Quack Quack is BACK!! She was so happy and hasn't put him down since.
I guess I escaped earning the "Worst Mother of the Year" award today, huh????

Way Back When-esday!

I found these pics at my Dad's house this weekend. Not sure what year this was but I know it was before 1996 (cuz my mom and I planned this party together). My cousins from Michigan were coming into town so we planned a "Christmas In July Pool Party". It was a blast!!!

In this pic starting from the front and going clockwise: Mike Hall, Jackie Deese, Debi Diloreto, Mike Diloreto, Me, Dave Rahman, Corey Hall, Shanna Hall

We made Christmas cookies, decorated the pool area with a tree and Christmas lights, played Christmas music, and even had a gift exchange. Everyone brought a little wrapped gag gift and they were delivered by "Santa" (aka my Dad) on a riding lawn mower. What fun! I think I may steal my own idea next year and have another CIJ party!

5th Grade!!

Where oh where did my little boy go??? Drew started 5th grade this week. How the heck did that happen???? Makes me sooo sad. He LOVES his teacher, Mrs. Ferguson (me too). He wasn't real thrilled with me taking his pic.....but I did anyway! (This year is bittersweet because his school will be closing after this year and Addi won't get to go there. But I am happy that he made it from K-5th grade there)


I bought Addi a little backpack and she thought she was going to school too. When we got home from dropping him off, she refused to get out of the car and said (yelled) "Take me to school". Soon enough, little girl, soon enough.