Weekenders.

This weekend was full of new adventures in parenting.
Lets just say that we conquered lots of newness.
Ill admit that most after school adventures are for mom's sake. Reyna loves doing them but she would be just fine going home and playing with her toys. So when I scheduled a spot at gymnastics at 8:30AM! this weekend, it was really all about her. And when she was invited to a birthday party at a BOUNCE place, it was her!

She was ready to go to "gym-astics" even though she had no idea what it was!

 We were the first ones there - on purpose. Its sort of like an open gym time so you can do anything you want. Because it was her first time, I wanted her to be able to try things at her own pace. Its a good thing I did because some of those kids are fast and bouncy and flippy!

She loved just falling onto the huge mats.

 There is a playground area with a ball pit. Another first. 

After watching Mommy play was to hard for too long ;) she fell in love!

 We even tried the trampoline! If I hold her hands, she will bounce as high as I can bounce her.
We also sat and bounced and she loved that! Otherwise, walking was sooo fun for her.

 of all the wonderful, fun, new things in there, this was her favorite. LOL.

 She loved balance beams (we have one at home). She tried all of them. At all heights.

 There is a foam pit with these "fluffy" blocks. I thought for sure she would not like it but I was wrong. She was practically jumping in the pit from 4 feet high!

When we were walking out the door she said "Thats fun"! 

The next day was party day. It was at a place called Jump 'n Place.

It has about 7 inflatables. Again, we showed up right on time so that we could navigate with some patience before the mobs of kids showed up. I was down right impressed! She wanted to try everything! She was not at all scared. 

This slide is about 12 feet high! She climbed all by herself!

 Here she is "bounding" up and down. there were obstacles and balls and lots of kids and she did great!

Here she is with some little friends. (insert heart eyes here)

 Also, she requested a braid. Oh my! That is what my dreams are made of. I had one in my hair so she wanted to be like Mama - and Elsa. LOL

She was so proud and wanted to show Papa (more on that later).

Later that evening, we went to a baby shower where there were about 6 other kids. 

One that she knows well. 

Through the entire weekend, I learned a lot about my daughter.

I learned:
- that I underestimate her physical ability
- she is very self confident in her physical ability
- she learns best by example (imagine me in those bounce houses)
- She takes verbal direction well, too
- verbal praise is her reward system (she often says 'yay, reyna' when she does something well)
- She is a social butterfly
- she has good social etiquette (gives hugs hi and bye, shakes hands, etc) without being told
- she is one well behaved kid!!

The Craft Gallery.

I have always, as long as I can remember, wanted to have a fabric/craft store. 

I ran across a bucketlist from middle school and among "Design a pair of basketball shoes" and "Own a WNBA team", was also listed "Own a craft store".

Etsy really has allowed a lot of people to do that and I have had a successful one for a few years now.

But Waco offers LOTS of small business opportunities. 

I finally decided to rent a small booth at a place called The Craft Gallery. They specialize in  homemade gifts and decor. Its a small place and my booth is one of many but still, its mine! 

There is something so satisfying to me about having tangible items in a brick and mortar place. 

The booth is only 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep. 

You rent the booth monthly and they manage the property and sales for you. 

I don't actually "work" there. I just go in and refill the display! 

Its open Mon-Sat from 10a-6p.

The hardest part was creating enough inventory to fill the space. I spent the last couple of months making a few different items - blankets, pillows, crowns, dream catchers, hoop art. I put them all out yesterday. 

( I have plans for a bench there at the bottom to put the pillows in and my store 

name with go at the top)

By putting a few different types of items, I can see what sticks. What people buy more of and restock those items. I will say, my booth is one of the most colorful ones so hopefully that draws people in. 

Wish me luck!

stress sewing.

When the day is done and baby is asleep. The dogs are quiet and Neils on the road, I like to unwind by sewing. Lately, I have been trying to use up fabric (while simultaneously buying more pretty fabric) by making blankets. These are easy to do and take less than an hour from start to finish.

I've sold a few and gifted a few. 

 

Valentine's Day Camping trip.

Reyna went on her first camping trip this weekend. 

I grew up camping and my parents love it and do it often. 

With the beautiful february temperatures, we had to go!

While we didn't get in the water, we has a great time at the water (throwing rocks), on the playground, and the campsite, and in her own personal tent, too!

 She would not get in the water but convinced her Tia to get in "with" her.

 

Love is in the Air. and on the walls.

Love it or hate it, !
Love is in the air

I am a celebrator. I love holidays and themes and traditions. 

Neil is not, so I hope Reyna will be a celebrator with me.

She doesn't quite "get" holidays yet, but we're learning. 

To celebrate Valentine's Day, I took her on a mural tour of Waco to snap a couple of pictures for her Papa.

This is a newer one in town and was so fitting after a couple of days of no sleep and a clash of wills.

("who me?")

 I asked her to make a silly face. Isn't it sooo cute!

I started the day with a trip to Barnes and Noble to play with the choo-choo. 

Then we read a few Valentine's themed books. 

 

And we ended at the park.

Also, this outfit was begging for pictures ;)

While we went around town, we talked about what we love and who loves us. 

These were some of her responses. 

She loves: Elmo, Mama, Papa, Family, Rexx, Lewie, popcorn, Olaf, park, birds, shoes

Who loves her: Jesus (and I stopped listening after that since I needed to concentrate on driving through tears)

Let me tell you, the girl feels loved. 

She knows love and can see it and feel it. 

So thank you to all who love her and show her what good love looks like.

turning 30.

This week was full of birthday celebrations!

I was welcomed at work with this sweet plant. Its so fancy, isn't it?

Then I came home to these cuties.

 Neil really went all out and was so thoughtful! Reyna picked out these cards. They are so perfect!

One of them sings "let it go" so instead of us singing it, as she often requests, we can play that baby.

So really its a GREAT gift.

Neil also went out of his was to pick up cupcakes from one of my favorite cupcake stands. 

And he even asked the day care if she could make a special craft for my birthday - so thoughtful!

I also joined the Fitbit family so that's exciting!

I put up a gift from my parents.

 And we went to a basketball game. She loves KK (and popcorn).

Overall, it was a great weekend with lots of love and celebration. 

30 is looking good!

BIrthday kickoff.

This weekend was spent with family celebrating my birthday. 

It was AMAZING weather so we vowed to spend as much time outside as we could. We started at the farmers market and had delicious breakfast.

Then we headed to Magnolia. They have a great outdoor area and garden. 

Meg and Mark wanted to check out the store. 

(If you are planning a trip on the weekend, you should be there before 10am or else...)

We got there just in time but on the way out there was a line around the block to get in. 

Then we went to SPICE because why not? Mark and Meg love candles so they were on a mission. 

In the meantime I made Reyna pose at this backdrop. 

 Then we headed to Homestead Heritage. This is my favorite restaurant but it always has a REALLY long wait, like 1 hour! But the quesadilla burger is amazing! They are on a Quaker homestead so there is a lot to see while you wait. 

We finally headed home in time for a nap (all of us). Then we went on a double date to the men's basketball game while my parents watched Reyna. We talked and crafted until too late and saw them off after breakfast the next morning. 

We had a little family picnic and a walk around the stadium later in the afternoon. 

The weekend went by so fast but we did so much! I am so grateful for the beautiful weather. 

Its was a great start to my birth month, I mean week, I mean day ;)