a pageant and a graduation

This past Saturday, Savannah got to participate in the Million Dollar Baby pageant.

Here she is competing for the title of "infant model."

She won an award for "prettiest smile."

And was crowned Infant Model Queen.

Yaaaaay, Savannah!

Afterward, we went to Mr. Drew's graduation party. Yay Drew for graduating early! :) Savannah thought the slide was facinating.

And I got to see my Katie, which is always good. Please ignore the roughness in these photos. I am aware that we were sweating, and that Katie has sweet potatoes on her shirt and I have hot dog chili on my neck in all of these pics. Thank you, Audrey and Savannah for that.

Savannah thought she could hold Audrey. Audrey wasn't confident in that arrangement.

And I got to see one of my favorite couples ever. Aren't they the cutest? Well, Mary is awfully cute. I'm not sure about the other one Will.

And their adorable kids. We sure love us some Walls!

And this is a friendship that started when Mary was my camp counselor. And I'm ever so thankful!

Can I just say that little A is adorable? She and her momma should move back here. I guess Jeremy can come too. I suppose. :)

We had to leave the party when Savannah decided she wanted to swim. That wouldn't have gone very well.

And today we celebrated Mothers Day. And somehow I managed to get zero pictures. But I am very thankful for my wonderful mother. I love you, Momma! And I'm also very blessed with a fabulous mother-in-law and grandmothers too! Happy Mother's Day!

I hope your weekend was just as much fun!

Just a Walk in the Park

Ever wondered what it would be like to spend an evening in a park with a really cute girl?

Here, let me show you.

But just in case you thought she looked like the perfect angel.... cough, giggle, snort...

I always have this photo too.

Haha. :) Happy weekend!!!

Venting and Such

Have you ever heard of the "momma bear instinct?" Maybe my mom made up the terminology. But the instinct itself really exists.

Have you ever seen a momma bear when someone messes with her cub?

Let me explain. On Wednesday, we went to AC Moore to get cake decorating supplies. And as we were wandering through the store, Savannah wanted me to hold her. And I told her she would have to wait a minute, and she started to fuss quietly. No screaming or anything, just a very small amount of fussing. And this older lady walking by looked and me... and I kid you not... she said...

"Oh look. You've created a monster."

Now, I'm not sure where she is from. But us Southern girls know better than to say something like that out loud... to the mother of a child, who isn't even really misbehaving. If the child was throwing an all-out tantrum, we might think that thought in our heads. Maybe. But say it out loud to the mother? No way, jose.

Are you kidding me? I mean really, is that okay? I think not. She owes me and my little monster an apology, thank you very much.

I felt the momma bear rising up in me for the first time. And I have a feeling it won't be the last time.

Let Them Eat Cake

Momma, Auntie Em, and Miss Gina signed up to take a cake decorating class!



Today, we attempted cake #1. I love homework you can eat! :)



I love these girls. Even when we're all greasy and sticky and covered in icing.


And the finished product...

We'll probably look back at these pictures and laugh one day at our first cake, but I think it was a pretty darn good effort. :)

And... it passed a taste test! (Yes, I let her have sugar for the first time in a week... and she loved it.)

I'm pretty sure our house will be overflowing with cakes in the next month or so as we complete the course. But I'm also pretty sure that I'm okay with that! :)

El Cinco De Mayo And Other Things

This day in history, the mexican army defeated a much larger and better equipped French army in 1862. It was the classic underdog victory. This is not to be confused with Mexico's indepdence day, which is actually September 16. Its just an unoffical excuse to party in Mexico. And right now I think they need a reason to party. Happy Cinco de Mayo (5th of May)!

Also this day in history, in 2007, Momma graduated college with a BA Honors in Criminal Justice. Look closely. Savannah was there too. :)

But anyway, back to present day and a whole hodge podge of pictures and events.

First up, Uncle Ben got new wheels! He had a scary car accident on Good Friday and as a result, he needed a new vehicle. Savannah approves of his choice! And Momma is jealous...I mean...happy for him. Ahem.

Next up, Mimi and Grandad got some sidewalk chalk! Greatest idea ever.

Is it just me or is she getting all big and grown up? Sniff.

Lastly, let me introduce you to baby. Baby doesn't have another name. Its just Baby. But Baby is very important. She has to go everywhere. Like to the mall. Or the restaurants. And she has to sit in the other seat in the car. And she has to have her diaper changed when Savannah has her diaper changed. Get the picture? So, meet Baby.

So, after MY baby tried unsuccessfully to push HER baby in HER stroller, we had to buy a baby doll stroller. And we're quite serious about it.

Thanks for enduring the random hodge podge. :) For those of you that have asked, Savannah seems to be feeling a little better today. Thank goodness. Now, we're off to enjoy Cinco de Mayo! Hope your day is wonderful as well!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.





This Monday I just have one "Not Me." Not because I actually only have one, but because I think it tops it all.

Today, due to my sleep-deprived state (have you been following me on Twitter? I've slept about 5 hours in the past 48...), I most certainly did NOT get out of the car, walk to the door, and stand there repeatedly pushing the unlock button on my keyless entry...pointing it at the house door...for 30 seconds....before I realized...that remote is for the car, not the house. And if I did do that, I wouldn't laugh out loud at myself. And it wouldn't be so loud that the neighbor looked up from the book she was reading on her porch. And my next thought wouldn't have been... "man, this'll make a great not me monday post! Oh crap, it IS monday!"

Not me! Never!

Do you want to engage in free therapy? Head on over to MckMama's Not Me! Monday post to check out the rest of the world's Not Me's...

20 Months Old

I can't believe Savannah is now 20 months old. This is frighteningly close to 2.

She weighs 23 pounds and is 35 inches tall. And full of energy.

We've had a few changes this month. First of all, Savannah has had to radically adjust her diet. But she is doing really well. So far, the only things she's asked for have been cheerios and juice. I'm really proud of how well she has accepted the changes, and really thankful she is still young enough to make it easier.

Another change, but a lot less dramatic one, is that Savannah has taken to "chattering." She really wants to talk in sentences like adults, but she doesn't know the right words, so she just babbles while staring at you quite seriously. Its the cutest thing. But exhausting to listen to sometimes. :) She also loves to repeat everything. Like today, when we were in Kroger for a ridiculously long time in the line, I mumbled to myself "whoa, this is crazy. lets move it." At which time Savannah loudly said "Whoa! Crazy! Move it!"

She is still sleeping well at night, although she has cut back a little and tends sleep about 12 hours instead of 14. But I can't complain about that at all.

She is starting to show interest in potty training, so we might be working on that in the next month or so. But I kinda dread the idea of spending the next month in the bathroom working on it.

Savannah is really starting to listen well for the most part, and I actually think that as she nears two, she is easier to take places. She is starting to behave well in the grocery store and restaurants, and has just really been a joy. I really like that she is at the age where I can give her simple directions and she can follow them (but she DOES have her days, believe me!).

I sure love this sweet little 20-month-old!