one, two, three . . .

What a splendid weekend! Friday, Jason had to go to work to handle an emergency, so I told Jocelyn I'd fill the gap.  (I mean ... three active girls and a four-day-old!)  With Joc's permission blessing gratitude, I loaded up the three girls in Joc's mini-van and headed off to the Botanical Gardens!

We packed a picnic, grabbed the Picnic Quilt for its first real test, and scouted the grounds for the perfect picnicking spot. What do you think . . . 

I think it's a perfect fit!  Did you know there's actually a formula to determine the best size for a picnic quilt (or blanket)?  I think I definitely got it right with this one.  

We had such a blast walking the Scarecrow Trail ... it's truly one of my favorite fall things to do!

The girls enjoyed the day and the sunshine, running the paths and climbing and exploring.  It was a nice treat for all of us!

And of course, I got a little *extra* reward from it myself . . .

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

Saturday was game day.  I really enjoy doing handwork during games.  It keeps me from getting (dare I admit this?) too agitated during the play.  Well, mostly.

I saw this great tutorial for making embroidery acorns and giving them a little depth/dimension, by satin stitching the little caps, and split stitching the bodies. So I drew a handful out on my favorite Crackle, linen, and went to work in an assortment of colors (and notably, some Cosmos variegated) flosses.

I'm really pleased with how this is turning out.  And it'll be time to rotate my decor into fall (which definitely includes acorns) very soon!  I will say, if I ever do this again, I'll satin stitch the bodies and split stitch the caps. Hind sight is 20/20.

James sent me a dozen fabulous action shots of Sawyer playing soccer.  I'll limit what I share to these two . . .

Check out that steal! I'm not sure whether I'm more wowed by Sawyer's athleticism, or James's photography skills!

And since I gifted my Friday to Joc and the gang, Todd and I took advantage of a lovely Sunday afternoon and spent as much of it on the lake as was possible . . . 

A very good weekend.

:)

bringing home baby . . .

You know the old saying, when the cat's away, the mice will play, right?? That's exactly what happens when Neesey's left in charge for a couple of days!  Picnic dinners in front of the big screen . . .

Jumping-on-the-bed parties . . . 

And makeovers!

Ahem.  Extreme makeovers, as the case may be.  <grin>

Let's just say it took us a little while to remove evidence of that particular makeover.

And while we were killing it in the fun department, look what mom was doing!

May I introduce Ezra Paul?!?  Isn't he the sweetest? At 5 lbs, 10 oz, and 18 in, he's tiny!  And by the way, doesn't his mama look good??

He's so tiny, even his little newborn cap is a tad big!

But gosh, so very precious!

Each sister got a turn to hold him . . .

It was love at first sight for every one of his big sisters!

And then Neesey got a turn . . .

Isn't that just the best? ♥

:)

event hopping . . .

It was a fun ... but busy ... week-to-the-end!  

Sunday, we celebrated Evey's SEVENTH birthday!  Good gravy, where has time gone??!

She is feeling very grown (she's seven, after all), but still a huge fan of Piglet, so she was very pleased with the Piglet scrunchy, necklace, and earrings we gifted her! 

This little girl has larger than life feels ... you can definitely see it in her sweet face!

Mid-week, I got a call from James ... they'd taken June to the ER.  She'd tripped and fallen, breaking and dislocating her elbow (because one or the other wasn't enough).  

June seemed to handle it all in stride (especially once they gave her something for the pain). Something about that age ... your limbs are a force to be reckoned with as they grow and grow!

She got a lovely green cast for her troubles.  She's got this ... it's hard to keep June down!!

My last event with Essential was on Saturday.  We hosted the Essential Women re-Connect Retreat at the camp (and I was on the planning committee)!

The decorating team did a terrific job of making the pavilion look pretty.

I had a lovely group of ladies at my table.  Smile!

One of our favorite activities was making "jar-cuteries"!  Isn't that just clever?? They were super easy to put together, and were very yummy, too!  We had a lot of fun with these.  I'm happy to share the instructions with anyone that might have interest.  Good way to enjoy a personal charcuterie!

I did a little talk on hospitality and thank yous ... to that end, I whipped up one of my little pineapple mugrugs/candle mats as a door prize (mind you -- I did that Friday night)!  

Saturday was a full day ... but evidently not just for me! I love getting photos from the Panter crew!  Sawyer battled it out on the soccer field . . .

Look at that fierce concentration and focus . . . his typical 100%!

And Olivia ... 

She tried out for her local ballet company's production of The Nutcracker!!  James told me she practiced and practiced her audition dance for weeks.  Now for the patience to hear back!  It might mean a December weekend trip to the west coast!

Tonight I'll head to Huntsville to spend a couple days with the local grandgirls.  And soon I will be sharing BABY EZRA pics!!

:)

all the things . . .

Remember that cute Halloween fabric I got a couple of weeks ago??

Really cute, right??  Guess what I found out on accident . . .

It GLOWS IN THE DARK!!!  Is that not the best?  You know what that means?

It means I went back and got MORE!  Haha!  And as per usual, I found something else I *needed* while I was there.  

Joc sent me this photo during the week . . . 

Ezra's little bed, all ready for little Ezra!  The pillow sham turned out so sweetly! 

I've been so puzzled trying to figure out why, of my two hanging pots of impatiens, the one on the right does so much better than the one on the left.  I think I may have figured it out.  What do you think?

I guess I need to switch them up every once in a while!

Friday we hit the lake again.  Sometimes, since I read or stitch most every time, it feels like all my lake pictures are the same, week after week.  But I will share this sunset . . . 

The sliver of a moon was shining so brightly!  And though you can't make it out in the photo, Venus was also very prominent in the sky. 

Sawyer had his first soccer game of the season yesterday!

I still cannot get over how grown up (and handsome!) he is!  James tells me Sawyer is a good player and tireless ... just like his daddy was.  I hate that I'm not able to go to a game.  

And can I tell you just how GLAD I am that college football season is back??  Roll Tide ROLL!

Todd and I have been enjoying Game Day parties for two.  LOL!  It's a good life!

:)

how now . . .

It's not a brown cow, but close enough.  :)

Edith enjoyed her first solo sleepover with us over the long weekend! The cow greeted us as we came down the hill to the camp's entrance.  At least that's what Edith said. "Look, Neesey, the cow is greeting me!"  I love that she's got such a bright, broad imagination!  

She was pretty chatty the entire ride, telling me what we were going to do.  I guess her big sisters had already given her an earful about sleepovers at Neesey and Pawpaw's!

We got there in time to have dinner, watch a movie and color.  Not necessarily in that order.

Everyone knows you have tea in fancy cups at Neesey's.

She was tired, so before dinner she spread out and took a little cat nap.  Of course, her [MY] doll needed a nap as well, and she made a mini palette out of a small quilt and a mug rug.  Whatever works, right?

She also knew that part of the deal with sleepovers was sleeping in the big bed with Neesey and watching cartoons on the iPad. Those big sisters didn't leave anything out!

We watched a few cartoons—Bluey, I think—but it wasn't long before . . .

Sweet dreams, baby girl!

The next day we played outside for a while.  Edith visited with the baby turtles!

She also was determined to help me peel potatoes.  Y'all, this is true love.  It took me three times the time it would normally take me to peel potatoes, because she wanted to wield the potato peeler.  All I can say is ... well ... Jocelyn can thank me later!!  ;)

On the way back to her mama's house, it got quiet in the back seat.  

I guess I wore Edith Rose out!  I know Edith Rose wore *me* out!!  ♥

:)