Pollen, oh Pollen...

Have you ever seen pollen COAT the EARTH overnight? I was shocked in Georgia to wake up to this dusty yellow covering on everything outside...

Thank goodness I don't have allergies...but I sure sympathize with those who do!

How to Make a Pinata...

I admit, I am a creative person.

However, I've found that I use my creativity to SAVE money, not to spend money. In other words...you'll find me doing projects that allow me to save money...rather than doing projects that make me spend more money (scrapbooking, quilting, etc). Necessity dictates, I guess...

So...when Ella had a birthday last month, I was astonished that Pinatas (yes, I realize it has a squiggle over the "n"...but I just don't know how to do it...enlighten me, if you know!) cost $20!! Are you kidding me? $20 for an item that is just going to be beat up by kids?! I don't think so!

Instead, I bought $3 of tissue paper, went home, and cut up lots of tissue paper...

I used 3 colors, and cut long sheets of tissue paper into 4 inch high sections...and cut slits...lots and lots and lots of slits..

I then glued them layered onto a box I had lying around...

Since the box I had was rectangular shaped, I gave Ella the choice of having a "purse" pinata, or a "treasure box"...

and purse it was!! (And it only cost $3, with tissue paper to spare)!!

It was a BIG hit at the little triple-birthday party that we threw for Ella, Lara AND Greg!!

I filled the pinata with fruit snacks. I know...I know...I'm a party pooper, perhaps...but I'm telling you...the kids didn't FIGHT over the fruit snacks (like they do with candy!), and I feel much better letting them eat fruit snacks...
Ella chose a Costco carrot cake for the birthday shindig...and it was also a hit!

Randomness...

We drove past an elementary school in Peachtree City, with an event taking place. I just had to snap this photo of the "parking" lot that was filled with the typical wheels you find in town...

And more randomness...

how do you like this double stroller?

Temple Trip to Birmingham

Back in March, we took a road trip to Birmingham with Lara & Greg. The Atlanta Temple has been closed this winter, due to some major construction projects. So, we had to make the long drive to Birmingham to enjoy a temple session!

We had BEAUTIFUL weather, and got some great family photos!

Ella & Maiya with their adoptive parents:

We took the girls to the park while we were there, and the girls enjoyed about 10 minutes of peace (and ladybug catching)!

BUT...yeah...10 minutes later Maiya's finger got ripped open (compliments of Ella, we believe) on the playground equipment...and although stitches certainly could have been a possibility...we opted to bandage her up, instead. She wasn't phased, and wanted to go back to playing right away. She's a tough little cookie!

Much to her disappointment, the bandaging prevented her from sucking her 2 middle fingers on her left hand, as she prefers. In the First Aid Kit (which--may I add--I will never travel without?!) I found a binkie. Maiya thought it was humerous, and enjoyed using it as a finger replacement on the drive back. Her finger-sucking drives me nuts, and I thought it was pretty funny that I was TRYING to get my 2 year old to take a binkie, as opposed to sucking her fingers. After all...if I could hook her on a binkie, I could eventually make that binkie disappear (unlike her fingers).

Unfortunately, the binkie didn't last. Maiya soon discovered that her fingers on the OTHER hand taste just as good. She has now permanently made the switch to her first two fingers on her right hand...and her finger on her left hand has healed well (with a decent scar that will hopefully go away as she grows)!

About Me and Mommy

Ella enjoyed her last week of preschool in March. She had a great time there, and really learned SO much!! We will miss it!

She came home with these sheets the other day...and I thought they were cute. I particularly liked some of the answers she had about me....

Our BIG project!

So, we've been working on our own wholesale product line. Well...it is finally "done"...which means that the endless hours of photo editing, graphic designing (which, by the way, I have no training for...and simply learn from trial/error), and catalog-making are DONE!!

While our product line is targeted to Alaska at the moment (because 'tis the season...and we KNOW what sells in Alaska!), we also have high hopes to change the marketing, and offer it elsewhere...

Here's an example of the catalog we built from scratch:

We have the jewelry on our website, at the moment...but I'm telling you...photos do NOT do this jewelry justice! Every piece is made from REAL miniature flowers that are placed in an acrylic-type setting (transparent), and then set in Sterling Silver (each piece is about 1/8" thick). They are beautiful, and vibrant!

These are the custom displays we designed, and had built for us (as well as the signage we designed for the top of the display):

And each jewelry piece comes on a souvenir gift card

It has been a FUN learning process to build a wholesale business from scratch...but understandably, a lot of work!

P.S. Think "Mother's Day" flowers...hmm....pretty pretty!!

Topeka/Google

So...just to give a shout-out to my ol' hometown...

I must first note that Topeka, KS officially changed its name to Google a month or so ago, in order to vie for a spot in the coveted high-speed broadband internet project.

Well, Google took notice...and today, if you go to "google.com"...you will find this:

Below the search bar, it reads "Not in Kansas: learn about our new name"

So...go read it...get a laugh for the day...and remember that this is Topeka's only chance at 15 minutes of fame (oh...besides its "World Famous Zoo" which isn't so)...so enjoy it!