Because I like it...

Cousins: Betsy {5}, Kate {5}, & Rosie {3}

Biker chicks.

The girls have learned a new skill.

Pedaling.

Betsy's tone prevents her from going up-hill, but she's pretty darn good.

I cannot believe she finally learned to pedal!

On the opposite end of the spectrum...Rosie is a machine.

Obviously, based solely on this photo, her safety {no shoes, no helmet} is our top priority.

I jest but, I can assure you, dear readers, that isn't the norm around here.

It's crazy, hectic when we go outside because all they want to do is go, go, go.

Baby, they were born to run ride. {sang in my best Bruce Springsteen}

The lake of mom guilt.

1st annual lake trip, July 2009

Don't we look like frat boys & sorority girls?

Sh'yeah, right.

This evening, we leave for the lake.

It's the second annual 'no kids' lake trip.

Typically, we are not ones to leave our kids.

But, I've been thinking that, for appearances sake, it sure looks that way.

Within the last couple of months, this will be our second trip without them.

Wow!

I must admit, there's a little guilt involved.

You see, I was raised by two people who instilled in us that

once you choose to have kids, you are a parent.

That's that.

No leaving them, no dumping them off with random sitters.

They're yours.

Of course, my folks went out here and there.

Of course, we spent the night with our grandparents on occasion.

Of course, it wasn't all mom & dad all the time.

But, I don't recall being away from them much, if at all.

So, when I think about the fact that our 10th anniversary trip

{which lasted a bit over 24 hours},

and the fact that our lake trip falls a mere month-and-a-half later,

it makes me feel more guilty than usual.

Guilt is good, right?

If I didn't feel a tad guilty,

what would that say about me as a mom?

I don't have the answer to that, 

I just thought I'd throw it out there.

I think the bottom line is...

there is a happy medium between NEVER leaving your kids,

and leaving them too much.

My hope is that we have struck the balance.

So, I will go.

After the 2.5 hour car ride, I will feel better about having gone.

I will have fun.

After all, we go with other 'mommy & daddy' couples.

Everyone has at least 2 kids, if not more.

We end up talking about our parenting woes,

our kids,

our lives as something different than crazy college students without real responsibilities.

There's great food, beergaritas, good company, sleeping in, outlet mall shopping for back-to-school.

I feel like it's a bad episode of that old show 'Thirtysomething'.

And, I wouldn't want it any other way.

We even have a breastfed newborn coming along this year.

Holy cats, we are wild and crazy!

Then,

on Sunday,

I will come home to happy, spoiled-by-Grandma-all-weekend kids

who are as happy to see me as I am to see them.

We will cuddle on the couch that night with freshly popped popcorn,

and talk about everything we did over the weekend.

And, the best part is...
I won't leave them again until next July.

My sister's babies...

Sam is 7.

Kate is 5.

Aren't they cuties?

We're not sure where Sam's orange locks came from.

Oh, the fun we have that.

There is no joke we all haven't heard.  

Red hair, and freckles.  

Personally, I think both make a deliciously squeezable situation.

Kay-Kay didn't get the red hair, but oh, those freckles.

They're in full effect.

And, let me just say, for the record, that glasses are quite challenging during shooting and post-processing.

I know I'm an amateur, but geesh!

I love those guys!

Can't to see how they all turn out.

Back in the saddle...

I have been at my sewing machine again.

And, it feels real gooooooood.

I started small, by embellishing my deal of the summer...a lil' frock from the Gap for $7.

I had some Anna Maria Horner scraps from the scarves I made for a couple of Christmas gifts last year.

They were already perfectly cut, so I figured I'd whip up a patchy ruffle and sew it along the bottom.

I love it!

It gives my 6 foot frame a little extra length, and it's just pretty.

Oh, it makes me happy.

Next, I attempted a loftier endeavor.

I bought some fiesta-ish fabric from Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago for Betsy's 6th birthday ensemble.

For those of you that weren't aware, she has a special relationship with Dora.

It runs deep.  Real deep.

So, a fiesta it will be with small 'Dora' touches here and there.

I wasn't sure what I was going to make for her to wear, but then my momma found that lil' t-shirt for $1.

The smocking had a Mexican flavor, so I thought I'd applique some simple papel picado and, of course, a big ole #6.

I wanted to make patchwork ruffle pants, but lost patience and made a little skirt instead.

She thinks she is the cat's meow, twirling all over the house.

Next up, I want to improve my pattern reading abilities.

I would love to start working on something like this....

I think I'll have to wait until school starts up again.

I'm not sure why, but I just have this feeling it would be best.  ;)

That guy.

That guy is our introspective, sensitive kid.

He takes things to heart.

He is his own worst critic.

He loves to tell stories.

That guy is artistic, imaginative, and deep.

He is a huge sports fan and is waaaaay competitive.

His heart breaks easily, so tears are shed often, but typically, quietly and privately.

He is the first born, the care taker, the peace maker, the old soul.

That guy is the bomb.

I love that guy!

A little peanut.

Babies, babies everywhere.

I feel like so many of my friends and acquaintances are having babies.

Lucky for me, I get to visit often and smell that new baby smell whenever the mood should strike.

Here's the newest little one to join our group...all 6 lbs. 7 oz. of her.

Congrats, T & J!

She was an angel!

P.S.  I hope everyone has a safe & fun 4th of July!  It's one of my personal favorite holidays!  Enjoy!

Yum.

Introducing...

Henry Cavill, from 'The Tudors'.

My new celebrity crush.

You, my friends, are very welcome.