Annie's Art Gallery

I made my first photo gallery for my mom in 2011. I loved it so much, I made one for myself at our old house. :)

The first thing I did in this house was put up my photo gallery. Then I put up the largest photo gallery to date in our room-a Boston collage!

I've posted some pictures of these galleries on this blog, but not many, and they were all phone pics. One day I'll post them all from my camera so you can see them better. One day, you know, when we have internet again. Lol

I just put up this art gallery for Annie. Right now, it is my smallest gallery, but it will grow with her, so one day it will be the largest. :)

It's amazing how nice these little paintings look when framed! I can't wait to see Annie's art evolve! :)

Note: I usually don't leave so much blank space, but as I said, this will grow with Annie so eventually it will be rearranged and the blank spaces will be gone. Also, there are 3 frames that are empty,  and 3 frames that need to be painted, (black and gold).

(art from November 2011 to June 2013... Ages almost 2-3.5).

Halfy Horsey Birthday: 3.5

Being an only child has its perks. One being you get to celebrate your half birthdays!

 

She's been into horseys lately...princesses have horses, princes ride horses and she loves riding the carousel at the mall. So instead of going all out with décor and such, I decided to just buy her the few horses I had been eyeing for her and let them double as décor. Easy peasy party.

 

 She woke up absolutely thrilled to take a bath. Could have ended the day right then and she would have had a fantastic day! lol

 She LOVES riding the carousel! (you should see her wheeling over to it, as fast as her arms can move, and you should hear her!) But this day she decided to be a three and a half year old and be fussy, you know, for posterity's sake. :/

 Fussiness over and having fun!

 Best pic of the ride...Wish she was smiling, but I'll take it!

 After lunch I let her ride it again...it is her half birthday after all! ;)

 I picked this theme/planned this party last minute. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found that super cute horsey shirt...and it was on sale! win win!

 She named the large horse Carousel, (not very creative, BUT super cute when you think about it...very feminine, sweet name!).  The other 3 are birthstone princess ponies from Toys R Us.  I got 3 for Annie's 3 special days... her birthday, her gotcha day and her adoption day!

 

 She's a lover I tell ya...no encouragement on my end, she just had to hug her horsey!

 I wish I could stop time, if only for a little while...

 Her foot as a horse head and her hands as the grass, (inspired by 2 different pins on pinterest). Not in love with the way the mane turned out, but whatev.

 I've never shown her how to hold a baby like this. She just picked up Penny, (name she came with), and held her like this! She is such a lover!

 

What did I tell ya?!

 Just stop it! Such a big girl smile! I refuse to believe in six months she'll be 4, and that in a year and a half she'll be 5! *sigh*

 THE FOOD: Well, I had a menu planned, but we were tired so we got pizza and ate the desert. I had planned...

Cheese burgers cut in HALF

Apples cut in HALF

Baby carrots (Cracker Barrel recipe)

(what horse doesn't love apples and carrots?!) ;)

 

For dessert:

dirt cake

HALF of a birthday cake ;)

 

 

Singing...notice her hand? She was singing to herself. :) 

 note: fondant looked perfect before the candle was put on...it displaced the fondant, especially on the side...

 She wanted to blow out her candle again :)

 

 

 

Cake eating progression pics... trust me, you'll like them:

 *oh my goodness this is so good, I love cake* face

drama.queen.

 Dancing to the beat of my camera shutter...seriously, she's got the music in her!

and this last one because I find it too cute!

 

 

 

Attempting these cute videos...hopefully they work lol

Back to Blonde

After a 2 year hiatus, I am back to blonde! AND after more than a DECADE of dreaming of it, I FINALLY got pink highlights!

 

But first, let me update you on Annie's orthopedic appointment:

 

We had another very encouraging day with the doctor! Yes, her knees barely bend and yes, her clubbed foot is clubbing significantly again, BUT since they do not affect her ability to walk or sit in her wheelchair, he says there is no reason to operate. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He also said how great she looked and what a great job I was doing. :) Great day at the doctor's indeed!

 

Ok, so I have had a dilemma many times about going back blonde. The main reason was Annie. I wanted her to see I was happy the way God made me, (which I am), and I want her to be happy with the way He made her too. But, do you know how often girls like Annie can change their hairstyles, even without chemicals?! So, I embraced having fun hair again and will do anything to her hair, (short of coloring and perming it). At a certain age of course that will be allowed, but we can do so many NATURAL hairstyles- (my fav) the fro, (close second) Pom Poms, straighten it (properly and without chemicals) with a straightener, braids (endless possibilities), colored yarn extensions, etc.

 

So, why can't I have fun since she gets to have so much fun with so many hair choices? :)

 

Besides, Paul and my mom, (among so many others, including strangers), missed my blonde hair and preferred me as a blonde (I did too of course lol). My mom was quick to point out that while I am no longer a natural blonde, I was a natural blonde for more than half my life...I was born this way.

 

(pardon the selfies in the inlaws bathroom lol and it looks so much better in person!)

 

 

 

 

I've always wanted to go super short in the back... this isn't styled, just blown dry, (after more than 3 hours I was ready to leave lol)

3 and a Half

Today Annie turned 3 and a half. :) We had a horsey themed celebration today, (this is just a preview since I don't have access to the internet...picture of pictures).

I highly recommend celebrating half birthdays! Especially at 3 and a half...she had a blast and was so excited all day!