Tis’ the Season….

It’s fall and that means we are heading up to Bishop Ranch Pumpkin Patch again in the very near future.  Mickie, who has been like a mom to me for the past 20+ years…OMG…that makes me sounds old…ugh! and her amazing husband Craig (who I have learned I don’t win any kind of argument with, I thought I was stubborn…hmm, he has me beat)  invited us up last year to the Pumpkin Patch.  It was a great time and I decided this needs to be part of Emma’s fall tradition…so we will all pile in the car…Emma, Mommy, Nana & Papa too! 

They have a petting zoo, a train ride, pony rides (Emma wasn’t too keen on that, but we tried), and pumpkins, huge pumpkins in the patch…it was great.  It will be interesting to see Emma’s reaction to the experience this year.  She is much more sure of herself this time around, look out animals, here we come.  I’m sure she will be climbing on the pumpkins instead of being sat on top and posing for mommy…this year, I will have to be fast J

We had such a great time, I decided the day needed to be preserved and presented to Craig and Mickie in the way I best know how…photos and a quilt.  I had to make all my Christmas gifts last year and when I was going through my stash, I came across this adorable fabric that seemed like a project was already started but certainly not finished (how did that happen?????) and decided this would make the perfect gift!

Mickie and Craig loved receiving it as much as I enjoyed making it…its memories that we will all cherish for a long time to come.   I am so blessed to be Emma’s mom!!!

We are looking forward to our trip in a couple weeks…I haven’t told Emma yet, because she would be asking is it time yet?  Can we go to the patch now?  For now, we will leave it as a surprise!!

Xoxo, Emma’s mom

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday today to a very dear friend of mine, Dawn!  Life would not be the same without you and I hope you know just how much you mean to Emma and me.  Even though we don’t see or talk to each other every day, I know that our friendship works this way.   When we see each other, it is as if no time has passed and I appreciate that aspect of our relationship.

You are such an amazing individual to me…where do I begin.  You have overcome so many obstacles or I should life choices and you share your experiences freely, not many people could or would do that.  You love unconditionally and you help those who need you even if it means giving up another piece of yourself.  Those characteristics are not present in a whole lot of people and you my dear friend possess them.  Thank you!  You were there for me on my biggest day…ready, willing and able!  You were there when Emma blessed us with her presence and that is something I will never forget!  However, you could have spent a lil’ more time talking to me, I had to remind you a few times that I was there…even though I knew with my insides exposed you couldn’t possibly forget I was there…hehe!  But seriously, thank you!!!  There are not words to express my gratitude for your love and support!

I hope today is a day of relaxing (I know, probably not an option), but at least maybe doing something you enjoy, for you!!  I hope all your wishes, hopes and dreams all come true…you deserve them…the sun, the moon and the stars…and a call from Kev!  Have a fantabulous day and enjoy each moment.  We love you!!

Xoxo, Emma and Emma’s mom 

Farmers Market & Manners...do they go together? :)

I am going for Round 2 at the Green Valley Farmer’s Market this Saturday, Sept. 10^th. It was a great time 2 weeks ago, I think Emma enjoyed it the most. She stood on the box right at the table and greeted all the people passing by. “Hi Lady”, “Thank you coming”, “Have good day” were just a few of the greetings Emma threw out there, what a character I heard, or how polite she is. At 2 years old, I love hearing people saying how polite my daughter is! She doesn’t even need to be prompted to say please and thank you or your welcome most days, of course, she is just 2 and there are days that gentle reminders are planted, but she is just 2!

I did okay the 1^st market, was totally excited and caught up in the day that I plum forgot to take photos of my booth set up….duh! The only one I do have is from my cell phone, so it is not the best….but here it is.

My mind is constantly working to think of different ways to display product. One thing for sure is that the burlap table cover needs to say “Dragonfly Stitches and Birdie Wishes” so you all know who we are! That’s on my list of things to do…and hmmm, purses, hard thing to display…any ideas out there? I am open to hearing them.

The Green Valley market has been a great opening experience to getting exposure, I am very glad that I tried it and took the chance. www.gvagconservancy.org They are extending the market to October 22 instead of October 1 being the last day. Hope I can maybe make one more date at the market before they close for the season!

Back to being polite and being proud of my daughter, I was once told that you don’t need to say please and thank you, it is all in how you ask for something. WRONG!!!! Hate to say it but I strongly disagree with this statement. I was raised with manners and I have every intention on raising Emma in the same fashion. It is quite obvious to me this is a lost art, manners that is. The reason I say that is because so many times I hear what a polite little girl she is and people seem utterly amazed. I think it shows a good upbringing, while some may think its old school I feel it is how children should be raised, with respect for themselves and towards others. (“Respect” now that’s a whole different blog post for me and someday I will get there but not today). Kids these days are just not the same as when I was growing up, not sure why that is, maybe parents just don’t have the time or take the time to discipline, not really sure. I do know that if you give someone an inch, they will take a mile, children especially. I know that Emma will try to push the limit with me and I just pull her right back in. She TRIES to be very demanding, “I want my bottle now!” hmm, and then she will say it again in the same way…I wait a good 30 seconds, and then say “ Is that how you ask for something, please try again.” Guess what I get…”May I have a bottle please?” It takes patience, love, understanding and more patience. What may work at one house, may not necessarily work at another home…it is not too early to start teaching this and believe it or not, Emma already knows. That’s why it changes to “May I have a bottle please?”. One of the things I strive for in raising Emma is for family and friends to look forward to Emma & I coming, not saying oh no, here they come. I think thus far I have been successful, and it is a learning experience each day for both of us…together I think we can accomplish great things! Patience, love and understanding go a long way!

Until next time…Xoxo, Emma’s mom