Gillian

This past Friday, when it was hot as can be, muggy as all get out, and just plain yucky, I did a quick 20 minute photo session with my daughter Gillian. One of my goals this year, is to pick up cute dance costumes and Halloween costumes in Fairy like design. I want to be able to offer costumes for Fairy sessions starting next year. To do that, though, I need a good array of sizes, colors, and wings.

This is  a CUTE dance dress I found at Goodwill for only $2. I have matching Red & Silver wings, but Gillian had a sun burn, and they were really bothering her back. I should have thought to maybe pin them to the costume instead of her wearing them over her shoulders, but alas, I didn't.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites. In a few, you can really tell how annoyed she was with me- she was having a hard time with the heat, the humidity, and the desire to want anything to do with being there! ;)

Gillian's Mini Session Photo Shoot

Well, I had a photo shoot scheduled for this morning, but it's raining, with a promise of thunder & lightening. -sigh-

I figured I would take a moment to poke this blog, so you don't all think it's dead. Earlier this week, it was gorgeous, blue skies, and sunny, so I took my youngest, Gillian, for a bike ride. We brought along the camera, and found some interesting places in our small city.

Oh, and the shirt? I consider it my craft fail of the week. See, last weekend, we were at Target, and I saw some tank tops with a tulle, ruffled, lacy "skirt" attached. Not long enough to be worn as a dress, but over leggings, it'd be totally cute. They were all sparkly with gems and sequins. They were something like $12.99. I thought, "I can make that!" Below, you'll see my effort. It isn't too hideous, but let's just say I won't be making them to sell any time soon.

Here are the results of my little mini-session.

My Baby is 8

 

 

Gillian, my lil baby, is 8 years old now. Her birthday was on Sunday. She's getting so grown up, and yet, in many ways, is still so little. Our son's birthday is in January, and because of the proximity to one another, and to Christmas, we've always left the big celebration for Gillian until mid January. 

 

 

We always do something small for her on her birthday- cake and a gift or two at home. But, the party, friends, family, etc, wait until a joint party in January with Chris. However, she's decided on something different this year.

 

 

At 8, she feels she is far too old to share, and I have to admit, I agree, but it was always just easier to share. She didn't mention this, though, until the day of her birthday. She was adamant on Sunday that we were having a party for her. With no time, though, and being away from home for Christmas, we were unable to throw together a party.

 

  

 

I was sick Sunday, and still out of sorts on Monday, so today I sat down to see what I could pull together at the last minute. Gilly was also very clear that she wants her party somewhere, not at home. I priced the roller rink ($8+/kid), the ice rink ($7.50/kid), the bowling alley ($3/game/kid, plus $2/shoes), and just could not find the extra money for a party like that. It's simply too expensive!

Then, a stroke of luck. The theater here in town is tiny, it has small, run down theaters. It's dark, it's dreary, and the seats are horribly uncomfortable. However, it shows first run movies, and it's only $3/person for matinees, and $3/kid after 6, and $3.50/adult after 6. It's dirt cheap.

I called, and they are continuing (for the third freaking week) with Avatar and The Princess & The Frog on Friday. I was hoping they would bring in the Chipmunks movie on Friday. Since they are not, we decided to plan her party for Thursday.

Gilly invited the three neighbor girls, and one other friend. For all 7 kids (the 4 guests, and 3 of ours), it will be just $21 for the movie. Nick and I will both be going as well, so that ups the price, but still for under $30, we're able to take a passel of kids to the theater this week.

I picked up some plates at the dollar store today. I set the party time for an hour before the movie starts, so the kids will meet here for cake & ice cream first, then we'll drive them to the theater. She's excited! I'm excited at how inexpensive it should be. 

I think we may have to do the same for Chris in January.

Happy Birthday Gillian!!

Worst Mother Ever

This afternoon and evening has been filled with bickering kids. Non stop bickering, screaming matches (between them, then me trying to be heard above them), and what not. Always a wonderful way to spend the evening.

At some point after an easy dinner of a can of soup (Mother of the Year- I even had my 13 year old make it), Gilly started complaining of not feeling good. She does that quite often, though, so I just had her lay down.

Well, of course, this time it was real. After bouts of diarrhea, she puked- all over the kitchen floor. Now, to get to the part where I am the worst mother of the year, I had my son clean it up.

See, I don't handle bodily fluids at all, without my own meals joining the one already on the floor. I can't do it. I just can't. Nick worked late tonight- he had 2 people leave early, and 1 person call in, so he pulled a 12 hour shift. Usually, he picks up the slack when the kids are sick like this.

We did get a bucket for Gilly, which she has now used 2 more times. Nick is home, and just in time for a gross bout from Gilly. I feel bad, but man- if it were blood, I'd be fine, and Nick would be hiding. We work well that way. I handle the owies, he handles the uh-oh's.