Getting Crafty

This past week was Sara Beth's last week of Carpenter's Kids. She has absolutely loved going and I know she is going to miss it this summer. I decided that I really needed to use the two mornings that she was at Carpenter's Kids to be productive since it would be my last opportunity to run errands and get work done with just one kiddo for awhile. I decided to try and be crafty for once. I love the store Bee's Knees, here in Searcy, and I have found many cute things there. In fact, I found Sara Beth a nightstand there this week that I just love. I have been wanting to make or find something to put on the wall above Sara Beth's headboard to display all of the lovely artwork she makes. While looking at Bee's Knees I saw a frame, that someone had painted and put twine going across at different levels so that you could use clothespins to hold pictures on the twine. I loved the frame, but it was too small for what I was wanting, so I decided I could make my own and began to hunt for a large, inexpensive frame. I decided to check out Linda's Custom Framing, which is where I get almost all of my pictures framed for a great price. I didn't know if she would have anything like what I was looking for, or if she only did new, custom framing. When I walked in, I found exactly what I was looking for. It was a large empty frame, that she said someone had just left there and she sold it to me for $5. I was so excited! I went and bought paint and some twine and went to work. I loved all the detailing in the frame, so I tried to give it an antique look, so that all the detailing would show up. I used a staple gun to add a little twine and it was done. Super easy. I think it took about 15 minutes and cost about $15. :)

I feel like I have totally rambled, so I will post some pictures of the last day of Carpenter's kids and the frame, and be quiet!

Sara Beth with her buddy Rachel

Nate enjoying a cookie! (I couldn't get this picture to rotate for some reason.)

Sara Beth with her precious teachers. I think Sara Beth did not want to leave Mrs. Nicki. :)

Sara Beth's new nightstand.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Kat

The Wonderful Place

Friday, Austin had meetings all day in Little Rock, so the kids and I decided to tag along. I've been wanting to take them to the Wonder Place for a while, but didn't want to spend the gas money, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to take them. We dropped Austin off at his meetings and headed on over. I'm so glad we got there right when they opened because there were only two other people there. They pretty much had the place to themselves for over an hour. Nate was having so much fun in the toddler area and then he discovered the water table and was not interested in anything else! He wore the little apron/smock for a couple of minutes and ripped it off and would not put it back on. He was dripping by the time we had to leave! Thank goodness I had a change of clothes for him with me. After we were there an hour or so 2 school buses showed up. We stayed for a little while, but it got pretty wild pretty quick and I decided it would be a good time for a lunch break. Nate did not mind the big kids at all. He hopped up on a stool at the water table and went to town! We came back after lunch and stayed a couple more hours. They didn't want to leave! Sara Beth keeps telling me she wants to go  back to the "wonderful" place. We had a great time!

I wish I had taken my real camera and not just my phone. The pictures aren't great quality, but I'm going to post them anyways!

Nate probably played with this door for over an hour. :)

Nate playing with the big kids!

This was obviously not at the Wonder Place. When we got home, Austin let Sara Beth ride her car around the neighborhood. She had to stop and pick up her boyfriend! We are so thankful to have so many wonderful kids in our neighborhood.

Dimples and Haircuts!

I know Sara Beth got her haircut a few weeks ago, but I am going to go ahead and post about it because it is a memory I want to be able to look back on. I never thought I would cut Sara Beth's hair short. I always pictured her with long hair. I don't know if its because I always had long hair as a little girl, or what, but its just the way I pictured her. But, Sara Beth is a very hot-natured girl. She sweats so easily and she hates having her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She says, "Mommy, please don't put my hair in a tonypo." I guess "tonypo" is her word for ponytail. So with it being such a warm spring, I decided we should just go ahead and cut her hair short and I'm so glad we did! She loves it and I love it too!

Sara Beth before haircut!

Trying to smile even though she was scared!

She did such a good job getting her hair cut!

I don't want Nate to feel left out so I am adding a few pictures of my sweet dimpled boy, who has already had 5 haircuts. :)

check out these legs

95% of the time when I look back at Nate while in the car, he has his feet crossed and hands behind his head!

Princess Sara Beth Turns Three

I cannot believe that my sweet baby girl celebrated her third birthday this past week. I don't know why, but three sounds so much older than 2 to me. Sara Beth brings so much joy to our family each day. I honestly can't believe how much Sara Beth has learned and absorbed in three fast years. She talks like a little grown up. I am amazed at the love and compassion she already shows to other. She is better mannered towards and kinder to strangers than I am. If she thinks someone is mad at her she flashes her puppy dog eyes and says "I love you." She is quick to forgive. She loves and is very protective of Nate. I feel like there are times I expect too much out of her because she does act so grown up at times.She is truly a gift from God and I am thankful for all of our friends and family who have shown her so much love.

 When I asked Sara Beth what kind of birthday party she wanted to have she told me that that she wanted to wear her princess dress and have a tea party. She is obsessed with being a princess and she loves having tea parties so I thought this was a great idea. For the rest of the blog I am going to show pictures from her princess party, family party, and a trip to see the grandparents in Newport. Sadly I didn't do the best job of taking pictures of Sara Beth with family members, but we are so thankful for all of our family who helped maked her birthday special.

Thank you Nikki for the beautiful cupcakes!

Thank you Gigi for the new princess dress!

Sara Beth enjoying the bounce house while waiting on her friends to arrive!

Singing happy birthday!

craft time

playing pin the crown on the princess :)

time out from the party to play a little basketball

Sara Beth with her crown and doorhanger she made.

Nate showing off his six pack. :)

present time

loving playing with Aunt Tammy

I love this picture of Nate holding on to Mimi's hand.

love this blue-eyed boy

getting her nails done on her birthday

Thank you Aunt Autumn for the awesome cupcake set!

Sara Beth loves to paint!

Birthday buddies! 25 years apart!

putting together a puzzle with Nana

playing a little game of catch with Memaw

Nate crashing after all the birthday madness

By the way, if you ask Sara Beth how old she is she will inform you that she is three, but she is still celebrating her birthday. :)