Kinsley's Pre-K Graduation!!!

So my little baby girl graduated from Pre-K this last week! I can't believe it, it has FLOWN by! There she is right in the middle of the two boys with blue shirts on! I was so emotional! I know people say it goes by fast but it REALLY does. If you have little ones, just ENJOY your time with them - before you know it you'll be having to look back at pictures just to remember them at certain ages and stages! I have had a blast having Kinsley at preschool with me. It has been a blessing to be able to peek into her room when I want, go steal a quick hug, have her wave to me in the halls and blow kisses. I will truly miss that! I am excited for this next phase of her life, and will cherish the memories we made during the preschool one!

Here she is with two of her preschool buddies, Katie, and Blakely - these girls have been together since they were babies - another thing that made me sad - they will each go to different elementary schools next year:( Hopefully we'll catch up with them in the later years!

We love our little graduate!

She was so proud to have her Grammy there! These two are "thick"!

Things I Learned from My Mother

(Jae, Mom, and me last Mother's Day)

This is a little gift I made for my mom for Mother's Day that I framed to go along with her painting! My friend Jenny gave me the idea, she did this for her mom a few years ago - I loved it and decided to copy. Some of these things are inside jokes, if you know me and my mom at all you will laugh, if not, just enjoy...maybe you can relate!!!

Things I Learned From My Mother

1. Priorities go in this order: God, Family, Work
2. When someone gives you a compliment on your outfit, always say “thank you” and then tell them, “It’s at least 100 years old”.
3. Be nice to EVERYONE (valentine story)
4. MORE IS MORE!!!
5. You can never take too many pictures or too much video!
6. Good friends are hard to find.
7. How to be a fantastic hostess; and when you go to someone else’s house, always take a hostess gift.
8. How to shop on a budget.
9. You can NEVER have enough make-up.
10. The best vacations are at the beach! (Bolivar and Maui)
11. No matter how many times you go to Maui, it never gets old!
12. Be open to learning new things – travel, take classes you enjoy, pursue a new career, teach yourself how to use technology:)!
13. Holidays are meant to be celebrated BIG – again, more is more!
14. Baking is the most fun when it comes to cooking.
15. Shopping is therapy!
16. Sometimes there’s nothing better than an ice cold coke – just drink it early!
17. Celebrate EVERYTHING – even the little things! Last day of school, a new flower blooming in your yard, the sight of a pretty bird, magnificent sunsets, a new job, the results a spring garden yields, your favorite TV show, etc.
18. Always send a thank-you note!
19. Use your manners – be a class act!
20. Nothing is better than surrounding yourself with your “nest” and enjoying a little family time!
21. It’s ok to pray for simple things, like a good parking spot.
22. On a Saturday morning – nothing’s better than a Fatboy paper, or a good book to read in bed!
23. Acting silly and making faces can result in hours of laughter!
24. Compassion
25. Laugh often, live passionately, and LOVE DEEPLY!!!

Shopaholic Monday:) Getting ready for SUMMER!!!

Not really sure why this is underlining everything, but..oh well:

Let's face it ladies, swimsuit season is upon us! I always dread going swimsuit shopping each year, can I get an amen?! In fact, the past two years I've just worn the same suit to avoid the shopping nightmare! It has gotten streched out to the point where this year I'll be right back out there with the rest of you! In fact, if you're like me, people only see your swimsuit when you are slipping ever so quickly out of the pool, in that few seconds before you can reach your towel to quickly wrap around yourself, right??? Or when you are laying out, completely flat on the ground where magically you have a flat tummy again:) Therefore, a cute cover-up is ever so essential! Yes, I'll be looking for the most flattering bathing suit I can find...but until then, here's some purchases I actually enjoy making!!!!:)

I think these are all from Just Add Water

I love these precious terrycloth one piece jumpers - I've seen some Ralph Lauren ones at Marshalls I dig!

This is a little bit bohemian, a little bit glamour! This color would look awesome with a good tan I think!

And last but not least, a cute little number for all you metallic fans!

Treat yourself to a little summer fun - get your essentials ready...dig out your bathing suits, evaluate, do you need a new one? Just a cute cover-up to go with? Search out your options before you shop - what style, where to get it, how much, etc??

Do you need a new beach towel - these too, are equally fun to buy!

What about a beach/pool bag? I always love the huge raffia type ones, but I'm loving all the bright colors this summer too!

Time for a pedicure? Schedule your appointment - better yet, go with friends and out to brunch before or after! Tight budget? - it's just as fun to declare yourself a spa night - take a hot bath, soak your tootsies, rub with lotion, pick out a cute new color (what do ya'll think about the turquoise I've seen all over this spring? - I kinda like it!), cut, file, paint, enjoy!!!!

Find small ways to make it fun! After all, it's about the little things in life, ya know?!!!

And the Winner is....

This week's winner of the stationery is Staci Danford! Staci just send me a comment with your email address and I'll send you the cards! Congrats!

Kinsley's 5th Birthday - CANDYLAND style!!!!

I'm still in shock that my baby is five! We celebrated this weekend with a super fun Candyland party at our house! Here's the big girl in front of her candy table (a dream come true for her)!

Candy overload! Each kiddo received their own plastic bucket to decorate, and then fill to their hearts content with candy! There was also a chocolate fountain, and cupcakes to munch!

Candyland cupcakes

Another table shot - notice the missing dum dum's on the lollipop tree;)

My sweet friend Jenny and her precious little girl Devynn sent these balloons that were perfect for letting guests know where the party was, and lollipop bubble wands lined the entrance:)

Each kiddo also got to pick a lollipop on their way out!

There are more pics to come from my mom's camera, I REALLY need a new camera - arghhh!!! Stay tuned for more of Kins opening presents, more candyland details, and pics of our "sweet" guests!!!

Field Day

Kaden had Field Day at school on Friday!!!! This was always one of the highlights of the year when I was a kid, and his did not disappoint! Kinsley and I were thrilled to go and cheer him on! It was so exciting - tons of games, and group activities to compete in...like tug-o-war!

His class, the Tully Turtles won the Tug-O-War championship - here's his victory dance:)!

Gotta have the sack races!

And of course the scooter relay!

And most anticipated by the kids - the teacher dress up relay - here's Ms. Tully all dressed up!

It was a fantastic day, we were able to spend the whole day at his school, eat lunch with him, sit in his class for a little while (which made Kinsley feel sooo big), cheer him on, and just enjoy being "kids"!

Shopaholic Sunday (on Tuesday:)) - Stationery

Remember this? It's called stationery. Letter writing seems to be a lost art form these days and its really kinda sad! I think many people would agree with me that getting something in the mail other than junk and bills just makes your day sometimes, am I right?? So my shopaholic post this week is about stationery! I have TONS, in fact, it has a home in one of my file drawers here in the office. I have WAY more than I ever use, but I love knowing its there! I thought I'd share some tips on letter writing and then let you know about my next giveaway! So dust off your pens and paper people!!!!
(some vintage stationery I drool over)

Letter Writing Etiquette 101:

1. Consider your canvas - your stationery - its a place where you will create something timeless and original. Consider color, weight, quality, and size of your paper - my fave are fun and funky notecards, but that's just me:)

2. Address your "audience" - by name! The title and greeting you use depends on your relationship, (i.e. "Dear", "Hey", "Hello"...etc.)

3. Get to the point - be concise and thoughtful and remember...there's no "backspace" button on your pen.

4. Be a trendsetter - just by reaching out with this archaic form of communication you are making a stylish statement. Imagine the joy on your recipient's face as they open their mailbox!

5. Make a memorable exit - Say adieu in and unforgettable way. Examples are ("love", "best wishes", "gratefully") or get creative ("all the best", "ciao", "cheers", "blessings", etc.)

Remember:

1. Every day is a reason to write - you don't have to wait for a special occasion.
2. Save the date - letters are often kept as mementos - put a timestamp on yours by adding the date in the top right hand corner!
3. Have fun with it! - write to tell someone you had a good time, liked their "dish" at a recent party, noticed their "niceness", think they are cool - letters don't always have to be serious - add pictures, stickers, lots of colored ink, small trinkets, confetti, etc.

This I just LOVE!!!! How precious would it be and how "on top of your game" would you feel to hand this out to the next parent of a friend of your child's - I know I'd feel cool:)

This one is simple, yet classic - it's just "right" for several different occasions.

Are these not the most clever "moving" announcements ever? Again, I love their simplicity!

And who could resist the peacock feathers on the envelope flap of these??? It's so stylish meets modern meets classy!

One of my lucky friends will win a cute little set of notecards for commenting and letting me know just how you store your stationery - I need help with this ladies! Contest ends Sunday at 5:00pm again! Happy letter-writing!