Weekend Surprises!

I had the most dreamy weekend...and I do not have the pictures to prove it! (Boo, hoo!)

Our 3 day weekend started of wonderful! My dear, dear friend Alyssa and her kiddos came over for a visit on Friday afternoon. They brought yummy pizza and this amazing basket full of goodies: fresh lettuce from their garden, strawberry jam (made from their garden strawberries), a great loaf of homemade bread, fabulous smelling soap and a dream catcher. Needless to say, we've been lunching on yummy salads along with jam and bread! I put the dream catcher on the linen closet door handle which is between the girls' rooms. They are sooo excited to have it. We've had some fun discussions over it...and great dreams too! Ha!

On Friday night, we went to the children's babysitter's graduation party. I made this little bag to hold Carly's gift. I used her graduation photo and some odds and ends as embellishments! All of our friends and their children were at the open house as well, and right when it ended, we were told that their pool was officially open for swimming! I went home to collect the children's swim goods. The pool was filled with all of our friends and their little swimmers until 9:30pm!

On Saturday Jon decided to surprise me...BIG time! After my run, he told me that we were going to pick out my birthday gift. He wouldn't tell me anything else. We dropped the children off with my parents... then drove to a local jewelry store. (We've used this store for many years.) Jon told me to pick out diamond earrings! Yippee! After we chose the perfect pair, he told the salesman that he wanted ANOTHER pair! What? Since getting her ears pierced a few months ago, we have noticed that Emily might be sensitive to some jewelry, so Jon bought Em...at age 7...her first pair of diamond earrings! Yep, mommy and me diamonds! Ha! And, he didn't leave empty handed! He's been wearing the same watch that he bought on our honeymoon 12 years ago...every.single.day, and it is a bit tired. This is an early Father's Day gift! After our jewelry surprises, we ate a delicious dinner up at the lake with my parents. Later Saturday evening, I cut a beautiful bouquet of peonies from my neighbor's yard! Peonies are my absolute favorite flower. There were 3 huge bushes of them right under the window of my childhood bedroom. My room was on the ground floor and when I had my screens open, ohhhh that amazing fragrance just floated all over my room! I always picked a bouquet (ants and all) for my birthday...and my mom's, which is a day after mine!

After picking flowers, I came home to this precious boy playing with cars...for the very first time! It was soo cute! On Sunday we went to my brother-in-law's parent's home to swim! An afternoon in the pool was absolutely perfect!

Today we went to my parents' home for an afternoon cookout. My grandparents were there and it was so nice for the children to visit with their great-grandparents!

This evening we had yet another cookout at the Klatte's! The children were very busy creating this amazing HUGE birthday sign for me! Love it! And this is a crazy pix of me getting whacked by the Klatte's dog's GIGANTIC tail! Such a huge furball! We LOVE the Klatte's! Yeah!

So...busy, busy, amazing, amazing weekend! Now it's time to relax!

*** Don't forget to enter my giveaway (here)...

an 11x14 custom creation of art!

CUSTOM...It's all about what YOU want!

Laney's End Of The Year Program

*** First off...Don't forget to enter my giveaway...an 11x14 Custom canvas piece! (Enter HERE!)

Last night was Laney's very first end of the year program! She practiced her lines for weeks! She was sooo excited! Emily and cousin Megan waiting the arrival of the Nursery and Preschool students. Here's Laney's entrance! The theme was "Down On The Farm". Every student wore a headband representing an animal. Laney was a horse. (But it's hard to tell with her huge flower sprouting out the top!) What adorable singers!
Laney is front center. Very bad pix, but here is Laney saying her lines!

Cousin Madison's turn to speak. And sweet Laney looks thrilled! Laney then lead a song and bellowed her little voice into the microphone! My girl has some lungs...perhaps a future American Idol?! She was so proud...and we were all proud of her!

All of the students received diplomas and an art kit.

After the program, after punch and cookies, off went the nice outfits, into pajamas, into the art room and ready to create! That's my girls!

And just for fun...Here we are 3 years ago at Emily's very first Nursery School end of the year program. Oh how time flies (and pictures don't get better)! :)

Giveaway NEWS

The Stella and Dot giveaway winner is..

Congratulations, Alyssa!

I'll contact you and set you up with your prize! Yeah!

AND...I've never questioned why people always took treats to school for their own birthdays. I think everyone needs to be involved in a little celebration! Oh how I love to celebrate! So...since I am celebrating my one full year of blogging, I want to celebrate with you...bring my own goodies to you....

You can have a FREE custom painted 11x14 of your choice!

Custom!

You pick the artwork...maybe your little one is ready to be a summer mermaid? A sunshine princess! A ball player? You pick the colors and I'll add some fun bling to it as well!

Check out my CHILDREN'S ART label to the right for some ideas or come up with your own unique piece!

All you have to do is become a follower and tell me what you think that you may want (one comment per person)!

The winner will be drawn next Friday...June 4...my BIRTHDAY!

Yahoo!

Come on now, let's celebrate!

What Time Is It? Summertime!

Today was Emily's last school day!

Yippee!

Both girls were up, dressed, beds made, blinds up, and raiding all of the toilet paper in our home (???) by 6:45 a.m. (They told me that they wanted the toilet paper rolls for crafts! Say what?) This morning both girls took flowers to their teachers! It was a scorcher outside today...true summer weather! The heat didn't stop Mama raccoon from bringing out her crew for a nice buffet lunch in our backyard! Laney and I ate our lunch at the windows, watching our friends outside! I bet the raccoons have dubbed us Cafe Johnson! And once outta school...let the fun begin! Happy summer!

Tomorrow is Laney's last day of school!

Don't forget to enter my Stella & Dot Giveaway! The winner will be announced tomorrow night...my 1 year blogiversary!

Field Day

First of all, now that many have babies, all of our woodland neighbors are all making their daily visits... and you know that we love to watch them all (from a distance). Henry wanted to sport new attire in honor of our wonderful outdoor friends!

My parents came over to visit with the little kids this afternoon while I went to Emily's Field Day at school. Em had no idea I was coming, so it was a nice surprise! My girl was ready for some fun!

Here's sweet cousin Megan...protecting herself from the sun! I had to help her rub it in so she didn't look like a mummy! :)

There were so many great activities!

Here's Emily and her buddy Connor. Their last names are right next to each other; therefore, they are constantly together. They are also the same height, so their teacher teamed them up for a 3 legged sack race. They were having trouble, so their teacher suggested that they put their arms around each other. The look on Em's face says it all!

More fun.

Tomorrow is the last day of school!

Hooray!

Emily and I made some treats for her class! Nothing much, but we added some fun little notes to Rice Krispy Treats. We are definitely ready to celebrate the end of school and the start of summer!

Teen Artwork: Before And After

**UPDATE FOR KELLY'S CORNER...
I have been painting wall murals and canvas art for a few years...and absolutely LOVE it! Recently, I have added painted furniture to my list of art love (see an example in the post below)! Please look on my side labels titled CHILDREN'S ART , ARTWORK, PAINTED FURNITURE! It's always wonderful to create a one of a kind piece! Comment or email me (puffy1@centurylink.net) for interest and prices!


Last month, my sweet neighbor asked me to create some artwork for her daughter's birthday (which was a few days ago...I had to wait until mother gifted daughter with the goodies). Mother and daughter had just finished redecorating...from a young girl's room to a teen zebra/hot pink room!

My neighbor found a wonderful plain white letter Z for less than a dollar, and I worked my magical paint brush. It was fun to take it from blah to ta-da! Next, was a lovely jewelry box.

Daughter had it in her room since she was little.

Here is the BEFORE.

This is without it's handles (They were soft pink rose pedals.)...I had hubs knock those babies off just seconds after receiving it. I bought new knobs. And here's the AFTER! Our neighbor, Karlee, loved her new bedroom artwork! I had so much fun creating these pieces for her!

Paint+ ribbon + a bit of creativity = divine !

And just to keep it real at our home...

This is the beginning of my grocery list.

I'm thinking that a little 7 year old must have added something! Happy Monday!