hat trick

Rob taught Emma what a hat trick was in soccer...three goals in one game. mistake. So, if you know Emma, you know that's that what she set out to do.

Remember, I told you that the weather was beautiful for practice? Well 48 hours later for her big FIRST game, we pulled a Texas....it was freezing, windy beyond belief, and about to pour.

We showed up for the game. Late. Freezing. Couldn't find a parking spot. She was so excited, but freezing to death. So I took my fleece off and gave it to her. My fleece=fleece dress for Miss Emma. We were doing our best.


I'll be keeping it real for the remainder of this post. Emma played about half the game, and then, she pretty much quit. seriously.

She wanted to score a hat trick, which she calls a bunny trick, but it wasn't working out exactly how she had planned. Have I ever told y'all that I love a baby in a hood?

Like, I think that's one of my favorite things ever....

So sweet & snuggly. And, quite the trooper that day, might I add.

So, let's just say that wind+rain+freezing cold+first game ever+hat trick+a little girl who hasn't played soccer her entire life=a little bit of frustration on game day. If you are new to this whole parenting thing and your child decides to play soccer, you might just wanna keep that whole hat trick thing to yourself.

In my hubby's defense, he was just trying to teach Emma everything he could about soccer...I think it was one of those parenting moments, where you say, "dang, if I could have done that differently, I sure would have."

I think I have one of those moments everyday.

::craft:: Garden Tags

We needed tags for our garden, so I figured out a way for Miss Emma to help...

I made my own tags on the computer, and let her do all of the coloring...

She had a lot of fun coloring all of the fruits and veggies. I found the black and white clip art online from goodness knows where and cranked out about 25 of these suckers. Then, I cut them out and had them laminated for about three bucks.

While we colored, Buddy ate his staples: turkey, cheese, and dried cranberries or raisins.

Sometimes he's sad...

Sometimes he's silly...

And, sometimes he's happy. But he always has pretty blue eyes and will always share his kisses.

My first attempt at getting our little tags in the ground was super unsuccessful. I tried popsicle sticks glued to the backs of the tags. Our wind blew them away. Then I tried popsicle sticks stapled to the tags. The stapler split the popsicle stick. So, I ended up taping (with packaging tape) a horseshoe-shaped piece of wire to the back of each tag...which has worked! Our garden ended up looking like this...

I hope something ends up growing here...

If you would like to make the garden tags, but want minimal effort, email me and I will send you the Microsoft Word attachment. You can change the names of the veggies if you need to. I know I have Strawberry, Cantaloupe, Broccoli, Jalapeno, Serrano, Sweet Red Pepper, Sweet Yellow Pepper, Squash, Zucchini, several types of Lettuce, Tomato, and Cucumber. I have tags for my herbs too, but those don't have photos to color :)

Happy Gardening!

soccer girl

At the very last minute, Emma ended up with a spot in Spring Soccer. And, this was her very first practice. I am in love with her little hot pink nike check cleats.

She's four, and this is her very first "extracurricular activity." My how time flies! I can't believe we are already there. For Rob and me, that equaled uncharted territory. And, if I'm honest I would tell you that I was probably more nervous than she was. Actually, I am sure of it.

Bro was along for the ride is his new little red wagon.

And, watching them play was just hysterical.

I figured out quickly why soccer was coined "magnet ball" for the little ones...

And, now looking at this photo, am thinking it could be one of those cell phone ads...the little girls could be your cell phone bars, you know? I bet Rob would know what commercial I am talking about...was it cingular or att&t? Can you tell it's late? I am going to stop the rambling now.

The weather was beautiful...

And this little guy is pretty much always happy.

I would say that the first practice was a success for our little soccer girl, which makes me a soccer mom, which Rob thinks is hilarious....

a ONEderful day

To celebrate Carson's ONEderful day, I started with this invitation.

Then, I made our little guy his very own birthday banner, to match sister's of course.

I made some salt dough ornaments too. Nothing like a centerpiece that costs nada. You can find my recipe here and more info here.

Balloons...oh my goodness does our little buddy love balloons!

And, the required plates and napkins. I bought the few things that I didn't make myself here. I'm not a fan of all the licensed party junk, so I just went with the basic cupcake. I love that it just appears at my front door, without having to lug the kiddos out and about.

I made his little hat and used wooden toys from around the house to decorate with. It was sort of a "classic toys" theme.

It was a day all about....

So, here's his very own smash cake...

For the real cake, I borrowed my sister's big cupcake pan. I am in love with that thing! I folded up leftover scrapbook paper, accordian style, to make my very own giant cupcake liner.

I hope you grabbed your cup of coffee of your bottle of water, because this post is far from short. One more photo of his very own baby cake...

At the buffet, our family signed Carson's birthday mat and as a thank you for coming, got to take home a framed photo of our little birthday boy.

They also got to take home one of these... I made it using these photos.

The cupcakes were yummy. I used this recipe for the cake and this recipe (without the cool whip and lemon juice) for the frosting.

The cupcake liners did a number on me when I was filling them with the batter. They all caved in and made that annoying little divot. Why does stuff like that always happen when you really don't need it to? So, in a pinch, I used the foil liners that I had in the pantry and added the colored paper liner to the outside. whew!

The frosting was supposed to be yellow, but turned out sorta orange. Considering all of my issues, I was super pleased.

The wagon was Carson's birthday gift from us and Mama and Papa C. I can't believe we've made it this far without owning a wagon.

Miss Emma was so excited about her little bro's party. She painted this little car all by herself. It was her very special gift from her to him.

Here's the whole table...

And, one more shot...

And, here's our little birthday boy, just after waking up from his afternoon nap.

The boys played some washers...

And, we did manage to sneak in a family photo.

Here's on of just the boys, before the party began...

And, o holy night, we managed to get a Chiles family photo. Thanks to Rob's parents for all of the many attempts!

For your party notes, Heart & Soul Moscato + frozen peaches + fresh mint = heaven in a glass. trust me.

And, a quick one of just the three of us...

We were so glad to have all of our family with us on Carson's special day! Both sets of grandparents, along with Lindy & Dill and Ash & Cam were able to make it.

We had dinner first...a taco bar with taco meat, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, homemade guacamole, homemade salsa, homemade beans, and chips & queso.

Then it was onto the cake.

Emma made his wish...

And Carson dug in!

He really dug in...

And we had the paparazzi capturing the whole thing.

This is all that was left...

He was done, but I wasn't! So, we sang "Happy Birthday" again for the big cupcake.

I love this one...

Do I get to eat this one too, Momma?

Then we sang one more time to Papa. Their birthdays are just four days apart!

No giant cupcake for the birthday boy, but he did end his meal with some ice cream with his Mama C.

Dear Buddy,

I can't believe you're one! It was a fun first year, but it went oh so fast. I've enjoyed every minute of being your Momma, and I just love you to pieces. Thanks for all of the sweet kisses and snuggles. You are so sweet and so special to us all. You have been a wonderful blessing and such an exciting addition to our family.

Happy 1st Birthday Carson!

We love you to the moon and stars and back.

Love,

Momma