Jewelry

I had one more 'rush' order this week and then the rest that I am working on in between other things. I love trying new things and when people ask for something 'different'. I found this pink heart mother of pearl stone upon request this week as well as the new silver style zipper pulls - in both rectangle and heart shapes. Fun!




I love this style for a little girl:

I had a request for butterflies - this is for a friend that lost twin boys prior to having Dylan and Emily - the butterflies represent her twins:

This is for a wife that is expecting a new baby 'any day now'. How exciting!

For my neighbor, who just had her little girl about a month ago:

And for my coworker... Ryan told me when I finished this one "Oh, Mommy, I love it - the lumpy one is my favorite!" :)

Swimming Lessons

The boys have swimming lessons on Friday morning. They are as different in the water as 2 kids could be. Carter is hesitant and cries at the mere mention of the 'lazy starfish float'. Ryan dives into the pool (illegally and is reprimanded by the instructor) because he can't wait to get in. I try to watch both classes, but on opposite ends of the pool, it is difficult. Ryan is now doing the dolphin kick and the butterfly stroke (one stroke I still don't know, as an adult). He has passed to Middle 4s, which is one of the last two classes before junior swim team or Bigs, which starts at age 7. Carter is taking things slower, which is so different from what I am used to. We hope to work on his fears this summer when we spend long weekends up north and at the Lake.

Instructor Omar and Carter, Brev, and Henry singing: "This is the way we wash our shoulders, wash our shoulders, wash our shoulders..."

Monkey walking back to the top step:

Carter excited after giving Omar a high five hard enough to knock him over backwards in the pool:

Fun at the end of class - the huge styrofoam board:

Danny folding them up like a burrito:

Waiting to be tossed:

On the way up...and over:

We can't thank our instructors at Foss enough for their patience and incredible teaching styles. We are thrilled with the school!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out there! I am especially thinking of my Mom. We were going to meet for dinner today, but she was very sick (post surgery) and we had to cancel. It just wasn't the same without seeing her! I love you, Mom!!!!!

Ryan sang in church today (both services), we had Mother's Day brunch at church, and we spent the rest of the day outside. Evan snapped pictures of us after church:



I took the boys on a long bike ride and we stopped at the park on the way back. Carter's smile always makes me smile - what is it about his grin that is so contagious?

Ryan playing "Minute to Win It" contests at the park:

Carter grabbed my shades:

Last "Minute to Win It" contest:

And we ended our day together by watching...can you guess? Yep, Minute to Win It! Somehow that became a new favorite of the boys! I am thankful everyday for the opportunity to be their Mom. I am truly blessed!!!

Undies

Carter decided he didn't want to wear diapers anymore, only underwear. Well....let's just say that lasted about 24 hours. After 5 accidents (but who was counting?), and zero successful trips to the potty, we reverted back to diapers. We'll try again, but taking a little break for now... Doesn't he look cute in undies, though? :)

Babies

We spent a lot of time outside this weekend and Evan discovered this nest of robin babies. Look at how tiny they are! When I reached to take a picture, their beaks came up and they were hungry! I was careful not to show they boys where they were - I was afraid they might want to get a little too close. Mama bird was definitely not happy with us as we were mowing, moving mulch, and having a bonfire - lots of disruptions to her little nest! She can rest quietly for a few days now!!!!

More jewelry orders!

I had a few more orders this weekend, including one that came in on Saturday with a note "if you have any spare time...say, in the next few hours, could you make this for my wife for Mother's Day?" Good thing he's a great guy, otherwise he would have had to wait!!! Ha! Glad I could be a part of many Mother's Day celebrations today! Thank you for your business and referrals!

Visitor

I had a duck swimming in my front pond this week. She was so content - even with activity in the front yard, she didn't leave. I was out working around the pond and she just moved a little farther ahead of me, but never left. It would be cool to have her around this summer...until I put my fish outside. Do ducks eat goldfish/koi?