Monthly Archives: August 2009

Best Shot Monday ~ Slide Fun

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We’re soaking up the final days of summer vacation around here.  The weather has finally felt like summer, and again, I’m thankful for how cool it’s been the majority of the time.  To beat the heat we’ve been enjoying splashing around in the kiddie pool, a few trips through the sprinkler and general frivolity in the backyard. 

Here’s a bunch of pictures from a recent slide-climbing trip Seneca enjoyed…I’ve been pretty enamored with her big girl tennis shoes, and I think she can tell because she gets such a proud little expression whenever I put them on her.

Slide 1

Slide 2

Slide 3

I love the chubbiness of her little thighs here…

Slide 4

…and her complete and utter excitement.  I think this has to be my best shot for today!

Slide 5

Remembering Grandpa

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Heirloom 1

It’s the little things like recalling his excitement at making homemade vanilla ice cream each summer, or the way his baritone voice filled the space of a room when he laughed ~ loud, hard, and true.  I remember how proud he seemed to take me to the Eagles for a drink during my first visit after turning 21, and how he always ribbed me a little bit about anything.  I’m not sure if it was to keep me tough, or to keep himself to become too soft. 

When the state quarters were first released, I thought that I should probably collect them, it seemed like a pretty big deal.  Time passed and I never followed through with that thought.  The details are vague as to when and where we had the conversation, but I remember him telling me that he’d started collecting a set for each of his grandkids.  Then he teased that I’d probably cash it in for gas money or something. 

I’ve thought about it often, and during a recent visit with Grandma I was able to see the collection as he left it.  The partial rolls, in order by date of release, states checked off as he drew nearer to completion.  I think about him checking his change for the last Delaware coin, and I wonder how often he came back to this work.  When Grandma gave me the quarters to sort, I couldn’t wait to begin.  His precision with the small details spoke volumes about how much he cared for each of us.  When I completed a few check marks he had yet to make, I counted to find we have the last 8 states to collect.  Eight states.  Eight Grandchildren.

Today we are celebrating the joy and memory of Grandpa Ewing.  We love and miss you dearly!

Crafty Tuesday ~ Birthday Time!

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I actually have something to share today!  With the festivities of Miss Seneca’s first birthday party this weekend, I was baking up a storm.  I’ve come to find that I really enjoy decorating cakes, and with practice I’m hoping I can continue to improve.

Birthday Cake

Here’s her delicious chocolate and yellow layer cake, with yummy buttercream frosting.  I’m so thankful I started the baking Thursday night and finished the frosting on Friday because the torrential downpour all night and Saturday morning, meant the house needed a quick once-over before decorations were hung and the Butterfly Garden Party was moved inside!

Calder helped me make little tissue paper butterflies, and this one, is my favorite as it hung on the chain of our ceiling fan and did lots of little swoops and swirls throughout the day.  In fact, it’s still hanging there….

Butterfly

Here’s Seneca’s little birthday crown…I was amazed at how much she LOVED it!  When I was making it, I tried it on her, and she instantly sat so still and smirked!  She would’ve kept it on for a while I think, but I kept hitting it as we opened gifts!  Of course, Calder felt left out, so we crafted a foil-covered prince crown for him!

Crown

Here’s a picture of Seneca’s little birthday cake.  The oringal plan for the big cake was to cover it with pre-made fondant (I’ve been watching a bit too much Food Network Cake Challenge) but, I quickly discovered it was much harder than I thought.  So, I opted to make her cake fondant-covered only.  

Little Cake

I’m not sure if there’s craftiness happening today, but be sure to check it out another time because there’s always good stuff to be found!

Happy First Birthday, Miss Seneca!

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Seneca Cake 2

To My Sweet, Sweet Girl ~

I spent a few minutes (OK, several minutes) looking back through pictures from this past year and watching with amazement at the ways in which you’ve grown and changed and blossomed into an adorable little toddler.  You are quickly exploring the world around you, interacting with your big brother, and learning every single day.   I love your tricky side as you offer to share your Cheerios and then take them back at the last moment, a huge grin making your cheeks even fuller, rounder.  Or when you quicken your pace when you hear me coming behind you as you climb the stairs, the chair, the couch – whatever you can conquer.

On the one hand, I want to suspend time so I can keep you snuggled in my arms forever, feel the soft squish of your chubby arms, watch your slow smirks stretch across your face making your eyes sparkle.   And yet….I see you thinking, learning, watching and responding to the world around you, and I anxiously await your first words, and the conversations that I know will make me laugh and cry.  I’m amazed by the tenacity you already display.  You are courageous and strong, you are funny and silly, you let nothing stand in your way.  You offer glimpses of the young lady you’ll become, sharing a sly side of you that I’m sure will keep me on my toes in about ten years.

Baby Girl, you are the light of my life and I hope you always know how much I love you.  I am so very blessed to be your Mommy and share in celebrating the person you will become.  Thank you for reminding me of the joy that comes both in giving and receiving unconditional love.  Happy Birthday!

Love,

Momma

Seneca Cake 4

Seneca Cake 3