What Would the World Be Without Them?

I simply cannot imagine my life without it being full of kids. My first neice was born when I was 12 years old. It was like having a real, live baby doll for me! Since then, the fold has definitely grown. I have 2 boys of my own, a step-daughter, 3 nephews, 1 great nephew, 10 neices and one more great nephew on the way. Obviously, if you don't care to be around kids, you might not want to follow me!

Quite honestly, kids are a challenge but they reward every ounce of effort that you put forth with enough love to last a lifetime. These photos are of some of the sweet kids that I have the priviledge of working with at KFC. They were doing an activity to prepare them for a musical we'll be learning based on the story of Jonah. Their challenge was to create a "biblical headdress" like Jonah might have worn. This is what they came up with!

Razorback Basketball Cake

The "Dots and Daisies" cake was just the beginning. I can't say that working with fondant is easy, but it wasn't the monster I expected it to be, so I've begun braving bigger and more complicated cakes. So far, I've been pretty pleased with the results and have learned a lot.

This is a birthday cake that I made last week. The birthday boy was having a basketball party and is an AR Razorback fan. These 3 pictures are the finished cake. The bottom layer is a 12" round yellow cake covered with white fondant and decorated with "referee stripes." The top is 2-9" round yellow cakes stacked, covered with white fondant and decorated with basketballs. The front of the cake features a backboard, hoop and rim complete with a spherical basketball. The top of the cake "calls the Hogs" with the phrase "Woo Pig Sooie Razorbacks" hand-painted in icing color. An elipse featuring the birthday boy's name, age and a candle complete the top of the cake. The elipse, the junction of the layers, and the base of the cake are trimmed with tiny spheres of red, black and white fondant.

What Little Boys are Made of

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails - that's what little boys are made of. It is evidently an innate part of little boys to like "boy" things. Mine are no different at all when it comes to this. This little one, in fact loves to hold 'pish.' On Labor Day, his daddy and pappaw had a live well full, so he was glad to pose with this one!

Where Does the Time Go?

I suppose it's a mommy rite of passage. Our children grow up and we're left to marvel at how quickly it has happened. Yesterday, my youngest started 3yo preschool. He was enthusiastic and couldn't wait to go to "cool." I was looking forward to it as well, keeping my fingers crossed that the moment of separation wouldn't be a difficult one. We attended orientation a week ago, so he had seen the classroom and its plethora of toys. He knew a few of his 11 classmates. As is always the case, we arrived at 8:30 - not a moment too soon with his bag and cute little snack sack in tow. I helped him find his seat. He was quiet and smiling sheepishly, taking everything in. The teacher acknowledged his arrival cheerfully and plastered his "Prince Charming" tee-shirt with a cute little name tag. Waiting at his seat was a basket of colorful wooden beads ready to be strung together. To my dismay, the child who was to sit next to Cohen was in full melt-down mode, crying and clinging to his mom. I acted as if I saw nothing in order to avoid a duplication of the scene on our side of the table. Cohen happily went to work stringing beads and I told him I was going to go, that I would be back to get him in a short time. For a moment, I saw it --- the "No!!" came into his eyes and he turned to grab me, but I continued. "You're gonna stay and play and eat your snack." To my relief he agreed and went back to playing. Before he could change his mind, I quickly snuck away but as mommies tend to do, I looked back at him. He was watching me as I walked away with this sweet uncertainty. He looked so big and yet so small. I picked up the pace so that I could make it out of the building before the tears fell. Our children grow and make us so proud, but we mourn for the babies we once held. It was a mommy moment I'll never forget.

Here he is with his first preschool project.

Just Another Thing I Like to Do

Ha Ha! No, sorry, not cook, I'm afraid. I enjoy it sometimes, but it's not one of those things I'm passionate about. I do, however, LOVE to find a bargain. LOVE it! I know I'm not alone. Am I, girls? It's like a treasure hunt, an adventure..... On my latest adventure, I found these super cute bowls for $1.75ea. No kidding!

Back to School -- Just the Pictures

One More Back-to-School Project

Couldn't keep my hands off his folders either!!