Birthday Review

Yesterday was Cordelia's second birthday. We held a family party for our little lady. Her only birthday request was to have PINK CUPCAKES. The guests arrived at 3:30 for Cordelia's birthday party.

Guest list:

• Cordelia
• Grandma Sue
• Grandpa Mike
• Uncle Sam
• Godmother Erin
• Dad
• Mom

We kept it simple. We ate vegan cupcakes with pink frosting, soy ice cream, strawberry pop, almonds (for the adults).


I made pink cupcakes as the birthday girl repeatedly requested.


The table




The birthday girl. This is what she does when we ask her to smile...




The birthday party attendees, minus Eric the photographer


Sam and Erin. Sam insisted on standing behind the bunting.

Cordelia started opening her gifts after the birthday cupcakes.


Note the gift bag...it is a gift bag with Space Jam on it. Space Jam was a movie that came out in 1996. I think that says something about the longevity of the gift bag.


Eric with a baby pumpkin.


Cordelia received a tricycle from her grandparents, but she calls it her motorcycle!

We went out for dinner after the party. Then we braved the mall play area and finally headed home for some tea party fun. Our girl had a wonderful birthday. Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes!

Today is TWO-DAY!!!

Two years ago today we met Cordelia for the first time, face to face (read here). The first amazing year passed quickly as we settled into life as a family...life in general for Cordelia. Click here to see a photo review of year one. Just like that we were celebrating her very first birthday (read here). Now another year has come and gone. The little baby that was placed into my arms a mere 730 days ago has grown into a spirited little lady.

Now she is a tiny little kid, learning the ropes of childhood. Last week I tried to put a hat on her and she said, "No Mama, [that] hat is for babies." I am not sure why she thought that, but obviously she no longer believes herself to be a baby. I am so happy to embrace this wonderful period of her life, full of new adventure and lots (LOTS) of talking as she narrates every episode of her life.

Still, how wonderful it is to look back on this amazing year with Cordelia. Watch as she turns from a baby into a toddler in just one year...


September 2010: Photo from Cordelia's first birthday.


October 2010: Halloween


November 2010: She is wearing a dress that my mother made for me when I was a baby.


December 2010: Christmas dress


January 2011: Learning to color---kind of


February 2011: Valentine


March 2011: The infamous blue coat makes a debut


April 2011: Morning at a hotel in Durango.


May 2011: Enjoying her new home...begins to wear buckets.


June 2011: Silly and sweet girl


July 2011: Sense of style begins to emerge.


August 2011: Visit to North Carolina to visit Uncle Ben and Sara.


September 2011: Pirate girl

So, here we are! Two years old. I still cannot believe what an amazing gift she is in our lives. I am filled with gratitude that I get to mother this amazing, brilliant, hilarious, sweet sweet girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORDELIA!!!

Godmother

Cordelia has been eagerly awaiting Erin's arrival. She has been counting the days. She has been asking if Erin was coming on a plane, if she was going to fly up high in the sky (though she pronounces it squy).

Erin arrived late Monday evening, after Cordelia had gone to bed. So, on Tuesday morning she finally got to see Erin. Cordelia was instantly drawn to her godmother. There was a big hug. Then Cordelia proceeded to ask engaging questions like, "You got eyes Erin?" and "You got a nose too?" She almost immediately told Erin that she loved her. Remember it has been nearly a year since she saw Erin so it was kind of like a first time meeting---she was a baby last year. Erin was great, asking Cordelia questions and really engaging her. They were fast friends.

We knew that Erin would be so good with Cordelia, that is why we asked her to be godmother. She has this amazing way with kids. I couldn't ask for more. I imagine that someday a teenage Cordelia will be calling Erin to vent about how unfair her parents are...I am counting on it. I know Erin will do and say the right things and help Cordelia navigate her way through life.

For now they are just building their own relationship. I love it!

Yesterday I taught Erin to crochet and Cordelia wanted to copy her godmother.







Did you have a special relationship with an adult/mentor as you were grow

Erin

Good morning from Wyoming. I am off to a late start. Late last night my cousin flew in from Chicago for a visit. Read about her here, here and here. You may or may not recall that my cousin also happens to be Cordelia's godmother. She has flown in to celebrate birthday two-deux-dos. We get to hang out for the whole week!!!

I have some plans:

• hiking
• yoga
• hanging out
• art
• b-day party for Cordelia
  
• thrifting
• crafting perhaps
  

I could also use your suggestions...any ideas?

I shall report back with our adventures as they happen.

What are you up to today?

Weekend Review

Wow, I had a crazy weekend. Saturday I was all over the place. I woke up early and was out the door by 7:30. My mother and I were participating in a strange, but thankfully lucrative, craft fair (read about it here). Around noon Cordelia and I left the craft fair to watch some of Eric's concert---to be clear he is the drummer in the band. While we were on our way to the show Cordelia kept asking, "Daddy gonna rock out?" I told her that he would indeed rock out

Here is a little video of Cordelia dancing at the show. Please excuse the garbled music, I took this with my phone.

After the concert it was time for Cordelia to have a nap. I took her home and got her down. Eric and I continued our dance of responsibilities. He came home from the show and it was back to the craft fair for me.

We ended our day by having dinner with some wonderful friends. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside and have some dinner. Couldn't have asked for a better end to a hectic, but lovely, day.

The rest of the weekend was jam packed as well. I did some work around the house, but mostly tried to get in a few walks through the neighborhood and some time outside. While doing some yard work in the front I asked Cordelia what we should name our big cotton-less cottonwood tree. She confidently responded that we should call her Jelly.

Jelly

I have been marveling at the gradual seasonal changes we are beginning to see evidenced in the foliage.

The Virginia Creeper is turning from green to a vibrant red.


There are still some late bloomers bringing some last bursts of summer colors.


Our yard is starting to collect fallen leaves here and there.


The mums are going strong


Bumblebee was just happy to spend some more time outside.

How was your weekend???

Sunday Quote: Youer Than You

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
~Dr. Seuss

Bumblebee

Today we are celebrating the adoptiversary of Bumblebee. She has been with us for 6 wonderful years. We love her dearly, and I know some of you do too!



Read her story here!

Tea Party, Jackpot, Idea for Us: Three Part Post

Part I Tea Party
Yesterday Cordelia and I went to a dress up tea party at our friend's house. I used it as an opportunity to have Cordelia wear this over-the-top dress she had been given (lace, bows, beads, etc,). I dressed up too! We had peach tea and blueberry muffins. Fun was had by all!









Part II Jackpot!!!
One thing I LOVE about blogging is meeting so many wonderful new and interesting people. I have made lifelong friendships. I have been moved by so many of you. I have been inspired by you as well.

Recently I was contacted by Elissa from On My Way Home. She said she had some fabric scraps that she thought I might enjoy. I was caught off guard by such a thoughtful gesture and accepted her generous offer.


The box

Well the box arrived this week and it was, as the title of this blog implies, a jackpot! Elissa was so thoughtful, but also very intuitive! I was incredibly excited about every little item I pulled out. I took a good hour just to unload the box as I kept getting sidetracked with ideas and inspirations!

There was a package filled with paper, photos and vintage postcards.


Paper. She must have remembered that I do a lot of art with paper. I am completely excited to use this!


I loved the hilarious collection of postcards of Lawrence Welk's home! Look at that carpet!


Stickers for Cordelia.


An adorable journal. I think I will use it for my gardening notes!


A Japanese newspaper. I can think of a zillion ways to use this. Elissa said she uses it for wrapping paper!


Also in the box were a ton of awesome vintage patterns! Right up my alley.


And of course there was fabric.


Lots of fabric!!!
I can't wait to dig in! Thanks Elissa!!

Part III Idea for Us
Elissa's awesome gift box got me thinking. I have tons of crafting and sewing bits that I love, but can't seem to use and I am sure you do too. Wouldn't it be great to get a little mutual inspiration going? My idea is that I could gather the names and addresses of those interested in a little swap (fabric, notions, craft items, etc.) and pair everyone up. I think we could all agree upon a standard size box and then fill it up! Then we could all exchange and find new inspiration...what do you think? If you are interested please email me---my email address can be found on my profile page.

Best Friend

I woke up at 5:30 this morning. The sky was just beginning to lighten I could see through our curtains. I heard the sound of mechanical crickets---Eric's cell phone alarm went off. He had to go to work a bit early today. I missed our morning routine. I miss him this morning...

I am one of those fortunate enough to be married to their best friend. Eric and I have been a couple since I was 16 and he was 17. We have been a couple for nearly 14 years, married for more than 10. I am not sure how that time has passed so quickly, but I can say with certainty that things have only gotten better. Don't believe that nonsense about love fading or the seven year itch, all wrong if you are married to your best friend.

Since I am on the subject I thought I might share some of the things that make Eric so amazing...

1) He does the right thing. He has a strong sense of what is right and wrong and I can always rely on him to act on that sense.

2) You may have already noticed, but he is super dreamy.


3) He's been on the NEWS! If you are new to this blog then I should prepare you that we are obsessed with newscasters.


4) He is a a great listener. I am not a huge talker (funny that I never seem to run out of things to write about). I tend to work through things internally, but when I need to talk I need to talk. Eric is always there to listen, to really just lend an ear and only offer insight when called upon. Yes, he is also a great talker.

5)He makes me laugh...a lot!

For the record this is a picture from last Halloween, you may recall we went as Star Trek Vampires.

6) He inspires me. He will inspire you too if you let him. Seriously the guy can inspire anyone!

7) He is always doing something interesting. Yesterday he was a judge for an art exhibition, went to Tae Kwon Do, then worked as a curator before coming home to go thrifting with me (we were hunting for bad art to enter into the bad art show, more on that to come), then he worked on an art film project, before relaxing with his girls.

8) He is smart. He has the degrees to prove it, if you're into that kind of thing.

9) He is crazy talented. He is a musician. Photographer. Painter. Film maker. Writer. I could go on and on and on....


10) He is a great father! Cordelia adores him.


Thanks for indulging me this morning.