Weekend recap...

my weekend began on thursday....i had to take off work thur & fri to stay at home with corinn since my daycare provider was getting ready for her wedding on saturday....of course, the beginning of my weekend was crazy busy with cakes, but we still made time to enjoy being outside a little before the rain began....here's us thursday at nana & grandpa's....i picked my nephew up that day from daycare and we went to play before his mommy got off work

riding in skirts...

he needs the brick to reach the pedal! but he can steer....so cute!

saturday was steph & mat's wedding....the location was absolutely amazing! everything else was beautiful too - steph did a great job planning! and saturday was the only day in the last week that it hasn't rained! God was smiling down on the happy couple that day!

seriously, look at this!

the kissthe whole fam after the ceremony was finished
curtis & i with the cake

mother's day was great! curtis had to work, but he always makes me feel loved & special, not just on mother's day....the kids and i went to church where they sang in a children's program to honor the mothers....they did great!


then we headed over to nana's for lunch (grandpa had to work too)....my brother had already started grilling pork chops & we had a big family dinner - joe was the only sibling not there, but he's away at school, so he's excused ;0) even tho it poured rain all day, the kids had a great time playing together inside

then last evening after daddy got home, gabby let me pop out her 2nd tooth! she waited longer with this one than the first! her grown-up tooth has already grown in quite a bit....but she was just as proud - and the tooth fairy brought her another dollar! :0)

corinn checking it out

right before bed time, a mother's day hair do for me - they love doing this & they think it looks sooo good! ;0)


lastly, today was corinn's pre-k screening....at our elementary school, they are only able to take a certain number of kids for the 2 pre-k classes....so they screen all the applicants & let kids in based on need (academically & financially)....gabby's teacher told me last fall that she lucked out by getting in....apparently, she was at the bottom of the list, but like 5 kids moved away right before school started and they were able to let gabby come....i hope that corinn gets in too! she literally cried the day after her 4th birthday because she couldn't immediately start school....we'd been telling her forever that once she turned 4, she'd get to go to school....she thought we meant the very next day!

a pic right before her screening...of course she can already write her name, recognize lots of letters, count to like 20, knows her colors, etc....we're keeping our fingers crossed that she gets in!

weekend cakes...

first up, i had 3 requests to bust out before the wedding cake on saturday....unfortunately, i forgot to take a pic of the simple tony stewart cupcakes i made....they were just iced orange with a black (dark chocolate fondant) #20 on top of each one....then 2 birthday cakes - both for little boys...


since we were invited to attend this wedding, my hubby was along for my set-up & played photographer - catching my process of assembling the cake.....it was funny, because this was his first time being along to hear all the wonderful compliments that the wedding guests paid me during the reception....we even had ladies asking curtis & i to pose with the cake so they could get a pic of us! ~lol~ by the end of the night, curtis thought we were celebrities & was telling everyone "you know? my wife made the cake." ~giggle~ he's my biggest fan! ;0)

i thought you might enjoy seeing pics from beginning to end...

i bring all the tiers separately boxed...then stack on site...
all stacked, adding my handmade, edible fondant pearls for the border
all pearls added, and as my mom calls it, "naked cake" ;0)
adding the first of the gum paste flowers....
all the flowers you see are edible, but of course, with the wires running through them/holding them together, you wouldn't want to eat them - they are removed before serving the cake
more flowers....
i made some, and ordered some just plain white - then painted them with edible dusts to match the wedding colors....
i've found that it's cheaper for the couple if i order the bigger, more complex flowers, instead of making them all myself....
i'm actually pretty good at making royal icing & gum paste flowers, but it takes FOREVER!
almost there
tada!
the happy couple, cutting their cake

the wedding was just GORGEOUS!!! i'll post more pics of the location & ceremony on my weekend recap post today....made me want to get married all over again!

i hope u all enjoyed your weekend too! :0)

today is my saturday!

my girls' daycare provider is getting married on saturday (she's kind of in the same boat that i was - she already has been with her fiance for years and has the 2 kids already, then gets married)....so she took off today & tomorrow to get ready, then all next week for their family honeymoon

i took off today & tomorrow to stay at home with corinn (and to pick gabby up from school, since she can't ride the bus to steph's as usual)....then next week is a juggle - i have my dad, mom & sister in law helping curtis & i cover the whole week without having to use up a bunch of vacay time at work

these next 2 days off will also give me some time to work on steph's cake - oh, i guess i didn't mention that....i'm doing their wedding cake, plus have an order of simple cupcakes getting picked up today, a 3yr old's bday cake for tomorrow & another kid's bday cake for sunday....so i definitely will b using corinn's nap time wisely ;0)

i prob won't b on here much, except for maybe to peek in once or twice....i'll reply to any comments or emails on monday....i'll have a hefty cake post that day too! :0)

everyone have a GREAT weekend!

Animal Classification by Jaden

another cute school project that came home this week - i LOVE these!

i'm ruining his life...

at least that's what jaden says....

as i mentioned before, jaden is really starting to express his emotions more these days, and it's sometimes difficult for him to do that appropriately....because i recognize that, i cut the boy some slack, and just try to explain to him what is & isn't appropriate/respectful/nice

last evening at the girls' dance classes, jaden was bored & wanted to go upstairs and get one of the big exercise balls that he knows are up there....i wouldn't let him, explaining that there's not enough room in the lobby to play with it & that they aren't toys - they're meant for the classes....i suggested he draw, or we could go outside & play in the grass....he was not happy with that answer and replied "fine! i'm not your son any more!" ~lol~....i told him i was sorry to hear that, and left it alone....he kept on his sour face and pouted for a while

then when he needed to ask me something, he said "sharon?"

i laughed, "sharon? my name's not sharon."

"yes it is." he said

"okay, u're right - my name is sharon...but you're to call me ma."

he said, "but i'm not ur son any more."

i said, "well, i understand u're upset with my decision, and you can be angry about it...but u cannot call me sharon. that's disrespectful & i expect u to call me ma."

he didn't say anything else & i left it alone as well

he lucked out later & gabby's dance instructor invited us all up to check out the girls in their recital costumes....jaden was able to sit on/roll around with the exercise ball momentarily while all the other parents & i oooh'd & aaaah'd over the girls....then i told him it was time to go back downstairs and he was fine with that....all the 'i'm not ur son' stuff was forgotten

well then this morning, jaden was in his room getting ready for school.....i walked in to check on his progress & he was half dressed, playing with his k'nex.....i told him that he needed to put those away until he was finished getting ready, & then he could get them back out

he started packing them back into their case & simply said, "u're ruining my life."

not in an angry tone or with any real emotion....just matter of factly, without even looking up at me

i chuckled quietly to myself & left his room....but before we walked out of the house to leave, he put his arms around my waist & said, "ma, i'm sorry i said u're ruining my life."

i replied, "it's okay bub, i'm sure it won't be the last time!" ~lol~

Welcome Molly Kate!

proud parents Mindy & Mark welcomed Molly Kate
born 5/6/08 @ 1:35am ~ 7lbs. 6oz. ~ 18" long

Mindy & I were best friends all through high school. This is Mindy's 2nd daughter....proud big sister Halle just turned 7 last month. Mindy called me Monday evening to say she was in labor. Then I had a dream that night that Molly Kate was born, and that she had a head full of dark hair. In my dream, I kept referring to how much she reminded me of Gabrielle.

Well, when I woke up the next morning, I had a text message from Mindy's sister with the birth announcement - Molly's birth weight is exactly the same as Gabby's. She does have that head full of dark hair (still, not quite as much as Gabby had), and the way that her birth went is VERY similar to Gabby's.

Both Mindy & I arrived at the hospital just in time to be wheeled to the maternity area and give birth - no time for prepping, drugs, getting the right doctor in there, etc. I had warned Mindy that the 2nd one moved much quicker for me, and that she shouldn't waste any time getting to the hospital. She went right away, but later went home to rest (against the advice of the doctors at the hospital). They wanted her to stay and rest there until she progressed more and then they'd admit her, but she thought she'd be more comfortable at home. At 1am, her water broke & Mindy's labor intensified big time....they rushed back to the hospital. She said Molly Kate arrived about 15 minutes after they got back to the hospital - in only 2 pushes.

Gabrielle came so quickly, that we had to rush to the closest hospital (not the one I was actually registered at), and she was born only 9 minutes after we pulled up to the emergency room. Luckily, my water hadn't broke or she would have been born in the car - cause believe me, I was pushing (hey, it was the only thing that made the pain the least little bit bearable)! As soon as they broke my water, Gabby was here!

Hey, I told Mindy....at least they'll have a cheaper hospital bill now....anesthesia is expensive! ;0)

Cinco De Mayo

we have no mexican heritage, but look for every excuse to celebrate....so last evening, in honor of cinco de mayo, we grilled hamburgers & hot dogs, and had some drinks & marshmallows by the camp fire (drinks for adults - marshmallows for kids ~wink~).....the little girl that lives 2 houses down the street, that the kids just recently met, joined us for dinner....and i got to meet her mom later....our downstairs neighbor came out to hang with curtis for a while too....it was fun! :0)

outdoors...

i don't think we were inside this weekend at all! and i loved every minute of it! ;0)

building a "camp fire" with 1st cousin matthew @ nana & grandpa's house

swinging - aunt sharon (that's me) got matthew to try the big boy swing & he loved it so much that he cried when i finally had to make him get off! ~lol~

my monkeys swinging with matthew

we finally started the flower bed in our yard....we rent, & i've been reluctant to do any real "settling" here, but after living here for 3 1/2 years, we finally decided to make ourselves comfortable for a little while....really, the "flower bed" was just some tulips & daffodils that someone planted years & years ago, that were overgrown with weeds & grass, and we were forced to keep mowing over it....we dug up the patch of grass/weeds, put some rocks around, re-planted some of the tulip & daffodil bulbs & added a bunch of seeds....i so don't have a green thumb, but i think we'll manage to have something come up

teamwork

posers!
i swear, i did not ask for this....i simply said, "ok, everyone in front of the flower bed for a picture" and this is what i got! ~lol~

what we're growing....notice i taped some of the seeds on the front of the packets....now when flowers start popping up, we can identify what kind they are, as well as see what kind of seed they grew from

grandpa got a new toy....jaden was in heaven....ma was nervous!

4-wheeling fun
grandpa threw some steaks on the grill for everyone & we built a camp fire....us ladies made some macaroni salad & greens.....fresh strawberries & iced tea - yuuummmmm!
it was a great evening to have dinner outside!
twirling our way to church....these dresses were handmade in puerto rico....one of my good friends is from puerto rico & her mother gets these for her daughter....then my lucky girls get the hand-me-downs :0)

picnic lunch after church

fishing at the park

funny looking catch

made a new friend....now the wall is even more fun!

weekend cake (that's right, just one)

as promised, here's the one other cake i had to make this weekend....the small characters are not edible....everything else is :0)

she finally did it!

it's taken Corinn quite some time....she's probably had to remove just as many stickers as she's earned....but she finally made it to the end! :0)

the funniest part is that she's an UNBELIEVABLY GREAT HELPER! but as the youngest, she's also very vocal & is learning what is and isn't acceptable to say when you're angry (nothing too bad, she just growls and will tell her siblings that she's not their best friend any more or call them a 'baby'....and she'll sometimes keep it up, over and over, trying to get a reaction out of them).....she's not great about picking up after herself, but hey, she's 4! we're a little more lenient with her since she's the baby, but here lately she's really been losing a LOT of stickers for the attitude.....she's getting it though.....and her sticker chart shows that - she finally made it!


here's the prize she chose....a pen that has a little view-finder type wheel on the top with pics of the disney princesses to look at....she was sooooo thrilled & proud! she couldn't wait to show it off to daddy! :0)


i'm thinking that for the next chart, i might try to use something a little more fun....either let the kids create their own chart, or even try using something like this......where they can use the stickers they earn to create a scene.....the only down-fall i see with this idea is that having to rip a sticker off for not following the rules......that might really upset jaden - if he feels the removed sticker totally ruins his scene.....i'll have to think about this some more....i better hurry tho, gabby is coming close to the end again already! :0)

friday cakes...

JMU has graduation tomorrow & i had cakes to make for 2 proud graduates.....the best part, is that now i only have 1 more cake to work on this weekend - look for that post on monday

nursing degree...

early education major...

Reminisce - for BC, Sarah & Amie

check it out...a co-worker/fellow cake decorator/friend was a cheerleader at BHS too (only she graduated in the early 90's) and we agreed to bring our year books in to work today to compare :0)

i didn't even remember that BC's sis was on the same squad as us jr year! look at sarah and amie too....i still keep in touch with mindy, jennifer & lashonda! good times guys!

senior year - 1997...
junior year - 1996... {BC, look at our difference in height! ~lol~}
haha! i have the other 2 years too if anyone is interested! ~lol~ shoot, i even have middle school & little league!!!

40 Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a DVR, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in last year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house/car/desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past, so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you!
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'.
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: ‘I am thankful for _________. Today I accomplished ________.’.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Remember to pray every day, and to thank God for all He has blessed you with!!!

May your troubles be less…
May your blessings be more…
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

turning tears into giggles...

there isn't a day that goes by, that i'm not totally amazed by my children! jaden, in particular, as he finds his way in this big world and learns how to 'fit in' and be accepted by his peers, while still remaining true to himself & feeling proud of his uniqueness - something we try to instill in him, but being only 7 years old, of course he struggles with this

recently, he's developed his own little coping technique for when he gets upset that i'm in love with...

the kids had just finished homework with dad when i got home from work last evening....they wanted to go outside to play until dinner.....i had just bought some new sidewalk chalk and was opening the package for them....a green piece fell to the floor & broke in half - jaden was devastated! he said 'AH MAN!' and started tearing up and going into panic mode 'oh no! not the chalk! mom, what did u do?!'.....i reassured him that everything was fine - that there was plenty more chalk (even another green piece) and that now the broken one was actually 2 pieces - no biggie!

he thought about it for a second, and immediately kicked in his newly developed technique.....he literally forces himself to giggle - through the tears and all - giggle, giggle......at the same time, saying to himself, 'it's ok the chalk broke'.....'there's still more chalk left'

i'm not sure how he makes himself laugh - maybe he's scripting his favorite tom & jerry DVD in his head.....but how cool is that?! not only does he recognize that this accident isn't a huge deal (with a little help from ma) - but he is also able to give himself a little pep talk to help redirect his emotions!

the first time he did this, i just lost it! i cracked up laughing along with him....i thought how funny, he's working through this himself - how freaking cute & brilliant all at the same time! i can't remember what he was upset about, but i know it was small.....because of course if he's upset about something for good reason, or if it's a bigger issue than just a broken piece of chalk, we talk through it.....i definitely want him to understand that it's ok to get upset sometimes.....we've really been working with jaden on understanding his emotions and how to appropriately express them.....he's becoming more in touch with his emotions these days (which is huge in itself), but sometimes he's just not sure how/when to get them out

i've seen him use this new giggle technique several times now & i think it's pretty neat! as soon as he's worked through the tears on his own, all is good again!

'at a boy!