{taa daa!}

Yesterday while the kids were sleeping I decided I wanted to make a dress for Ava. I don't know why, but I just had the urge. Since Eli is sick and I don't hardly wait for anything (no joke, I am so impatient), I knew I had to use what fabrics I already had laying around if I wanted to get started. And I knew I was going to have to do it without a pattern since I don't have any of those yet.

Well, it is a pretty simple design and I had to modify a bit when she woke up - note, don't make a dress while your model sleeps. All in all, I am pretty proud of it. And I learned a lot as I went so next time, with a pattern most likely, it should be so much easier.

{lucky day & wagon play}

Last Saturday we had a garage sale. Since we know we are done having babies, we figured the time had come to gut the house of unusable baby goods - there was a lot of them. Not to mention decor extras and tons of other stuff that seems to accumulate as you fill house with kiddos.

Well, as I was out hanging garage sale signs I passed a house with a play kitchen out on the curb. I hesitated for a moment because it was one of those big kind that cost lots of money and it looked almost new. As I finish peeking and started to drive off a man came flagging me down from inside the garage of that house. He told me, "take it, I'm just cleaning our garage out because my kids are grown and their stuff is wasting space". He then started offering other items.

I told him about craigslist and that he could make money that way because, well, his stuff was awesome and I felt weird taking free stuff from a stranger. But he wasn't interested in money or selling, just cleaning. So, we SCORED! He gave me a Step 2 Wagon plus caboose attachment in NEW condition (pictured above), a little girl bike with training wheels for when Ava's old enough, a little boy bike with training wheels for when Eli is old enough, a Little Tykes outdoor climber, the play kitchen and a couple more smaller items. Best part: all but the climber, a little sun faded, are brand-new looking!!

Best. Day. Ever.

My friend Jenna came with her kiddos again and we had so much fun having them here. Eli and Bella couldn't get enough of our new wagon, though I had taken the caboose off when I put it away the night before. The caboose is the favorite seat thus far. They were pulling each other all around the back yard. It was too cute.

{my little hair dolly}

I have been so addicted to playing with Ava's hair. It's one of those many-splendors of having a baby girl. I love it. I would like to add my EXTREME thankfulness that she actually has some hair, seeing as how I was bald until I was nearly three.

After years spent in the land of boy hairstyling, which actually can be fun on occasion, my need to stylize was becoming nearly unbearable. Imagine my joy upon learning Ava's hair was finally long enough for a little bow clip. And then piggy tails. And then, wait for it, even a little pony tail!

I can't hardly wait until it's long enough to braid. But, until then, here a three of her starter hairdos I started doing weeks ago. She sports even more styles now that I have caught on so I'll have to get some more pics of those. And I have heard from several friends about the existence hair blogs? Well, be still, my heart! When her hair is long enough for whatever those suggest, there will just be no stopping me. (First I need to find them though so if you know of any, feel free to comment with a link.)

Oh yeah, and in case you were wondering, Ava doesn't mind my hairdressing at all most days. Her limit on an impatient day is about 6 rubber bands, so if I sense she's feeling ornery, I keep it simple.

{arts & crafts}

Both the boys LOVE doing crafts. Here is Eli doing some cutting and pasting (his favorite next to finger painting) after nap not long ago. You can tell he was really focusing because he had his mouth open - which helps with concentration, of course - the whole time.

{what every mother should remember}

Let's face it, we all need a reminder every now and then that no matter how great our struggles seem, we are serving our Heavenly Father by loving, nurturing, teaching and caring for our (and more importantly, His) sweet little ones. I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it too important not to pass on. Especially because, for me, raising a 4-year old, a 2-year old and a 1-year old seems really hard and exceptionally overwhelming some days. I needed to hear the loving words of a prophet reminding me that the Lord is on my side and that He understands that times will be tough. I also needed to hear that He trusts me and supports me. The video (link below) comforts mothers and reminds us that motherhood is an "eternal partnership with God". We are not alone. It also reminds us to, as mothers, "cherish that role that is so uniquely [ours]".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYLKVgwztY&feature=player_embedded

{happy Independance Day!}

And here are the rugrats outside the dentist's office on Friday. I think we've hit the "no picture, no autograph" stage with Ava because she put up quite a squirmy fight to break free of her bonds during any attempts to capture a decent picture. I sure hope said "stage" is short lived because that cute little pout of hers can only go undocumented for so long.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!