What's in her purse?

For those of you who have spent any time at all around Natalie over the past month, you understand and have witnessed her recent purse obsession. She carries her "purse" with her EVERYWHERE. And because she carries it all over the place and at all times, she adds to the contents regularly with various little tidbits she finds around the house.

When talking to Auntsies and Uncle Pat last night, they mentioned that their local newspaper will sometimes publish fun articles about what's in certain society ladies purses. I also remembered finding this video on Youtube a long time ago where this gal reveals the contents of her purse. I believe this might give me a glimpse into what I can expect Natalie to carry around when she is older. Take a look...



So here are the current contents of Natalie's purse...

pink play phone
old remote control
Barbie notepad
comb
unsharpened pencil
bouncy ball
bubble wand
VW key from her Barbie car
Wiggles cell phone
paintbrush
teething ring
wetwipe
old insurance card
another comb
another bouncy ball
Mardi Gra beads
another pink cell phone
medicine dropper
another comb
our old home phone
plastic diamond ring
another medicine dropper
hair clippy
Holy Rosary (we aren't Catholic but found this in the seat of the van, guessing it belonged to the previous owner)

I think all she's really missing are her hooker shoes...

Raw eggs and ballet

How do these two things possibly fit together you ask? Well, that's easy to explain...Natalie experienced both yesterday! We celebrated Nannie's birthday with dinner at our house and Natalie helped make the cake...and subsequently ate a lot of the raw cake batter while I was flouring the pans. :) Oh well, she is still as healthy as ever today.

And as you might have guessed, yesterday was Natalie's first day of dance class at Jody Phillips School of Dance here in Pittsburg. She looked so stinkin' cute in her ballet gear, but her attitude was anything but prima-ballerina. She threw a fit when I tried to leave the studio and I watched her pout on the floor for the first 5 minutes of class while the others twirled around her. She did eventually get up and participate and I am hoping next week is less dramatic.

Oh and Happy Birthday (yesterday) Nannie and thanks for being so great, we love you!

We Miss You!

This morning Natalie and I were talking about what we were going to do today and she said "let's see Anderson"...well, this broke my heart because I know she loves and misses her little buddy Anderson. Afterall, she practically grew up with him the first 2 and a half years of her life. I explained to Natalie that Anderson didn't live near us anymore but that we should look at pictures and remember how much fun we had when he did live by us. So today we took a trip down memory lane and saw pictures of many of our wonderful Wichita/Residency/St. Andrews friends that we miss so much. If you are reading this guys, we hope it brings you a smile to remember when too.
















PS - Joy, Angie, Rachel...why don't I have more pics of our kids together? If you have some...send to me! :)

Sweet Black Lab...anyone?

Oh FUN - the new blog is up and going! I hope you like our new design! :)

And, if you haven't heard I am trying to find a home for a sweet black lab we found yesterday in east Pittsburg. Please email me sammiedawn1978@yahoo.com if you know of anyone interested in this sweet boy. He's at the Joplin Humane Society now because Olivia doesn't make friends with other dogs, but sadly they are NOT a no-kill shelter and I am desperate to find him a home. He would make a wonderful family dog!

End of Summer Party...

Tonight we took the kids to the country club for an end of summer Labor Day party. The pool was open but only crazy tweens were in there...all blue and shivering. We opted for enjoying the food, bounce house and "rockin" DJ. :) Enjoy the pictures.

PS - the blog is getting a WHOLE NEW LOOK! Watch for fun changes coming soon! :)

Give Momma your Miss America wave girls...

So those of you who know me well, know my little secret about pageants. You don't know? Well, we should get to know one another better if you are ready our family blog. :)

Before I proceed, I want to make it known that I AM TOTALLY AGAINST the full glitz professional pageants where crazy mothers live vicariously through their ridiculously made-up daughters who are transformed from sweet, little five year old girls to scary-looking 25 year old mini-hoochies. Can I write "hoochie" on a family blog? Anywho... I do not like what those pageants represent and the message they send to young women so you will never see me entering my girls into anything that calls for fake teeth or eyelashes. Geesh...

So with all that clarified, the girls entered their first little "pageant" today at Pittsburg's Little Balkans Day Baby Contest (this is big-time of course and our next step will obviously be Miss America). Naomi Grace wowed the crowd with her big blue eyes and wrinkled nose grin and won 2nd place for the 6-12 month division. Natalie Dawn flashed one cute grin and then buried her face in her hands and would only peek out to see the judges. But her bashful routine must have won them over because she placed 3rd for the 24-36 month division even though I am surprised they ever saw much of her face. Naomi could care less of course, but Natalie was pumped to have a trophy to take home. She plans to sleep with it she said. Momma doesn't think so.

Of course being a former natural pageant girl (meaning no make-up for the little ones and minimal for teens) with an emphasis on public service (i.e. I want to save all homeless black dogs) and scholarship, it is only fitting that I have my daughters enjoy the fun that I once knew. I am sure in a year Natalie will laugh in my face from the tree she is climbing when I ask if she wants to do a pageant, but for now...she's my captive audience and little sister Naomi is along for the ride. Enjoy the pictures of my little beauties. :)

My dear children, may I introduce to you...

one of the most highly-aclaimed and thought-provoking films of the 1990's. This film was heralded as one of the holiday season's best in 1990, being nominated for two Oscars and one Golden Globe.

Yes, that's right, tonight my kids are watching...



for the first time ever. Oh the joys of being a parent! Brings a tear to the eye to get to be the one to introduce my little brood to such classic cinematic genius.



Disclaimer so that you sleep tonight: Only a CRAZY parent would leave on a trip with one of their children still at home. Mommy and Daddy would never do that...but with that said, if you ever see us loading the van up with luggage...just be sure to jump in and get in your carseat for good measure.

Dear Schwan's delivery driver...

thank you for bringing me food right to my door tonight. You see tonight I was dealing with a Kindergartner who was SUPER tired and cranky after his first four full days of school, a 2 year old WORN OUT from her second day of preschool (and who just likes being dramatic) and a baby who received THREE shots and TWO finger pricks at her 12 month appointment....yes, today of all days, I needed you.


Here are a few shots of happier times...


Nicholas meeting new friends at Kindergarten


Natalie and her cubby (all grins at this point)


Naomi pre-shots


and just for sympathy's sake...Naomi post-shots