Ring Sling

This post is mainly for my friend Staci who inspired me to get a ring sling. After some research, and discovering that ring slings can cost anywhere from $35 to $60, I decided to make my own. I found directions on how to make a no-sew sling (but actually my mom hemmed the fabric so that it was reversible and no selvage ends). I've enjoyed using my new sling and I have a black one and a brown one (pictured) that I simply change out when I want a different color. For the price of one $35 sling I could have half a dozen different fabrics. Instead of purchasing the more expensive and lightweight aluminum rings at http://www.slingrings.com/ I purchased my steel ones at Lowe's. They are heavier and they are only available in 2 inch, whereas, 3 inch is more recommended especially if you are using heavier weight fabric. But, my $1.00 rings work just fine (and they are rated for use up to 200 lbs - I could carry BJ in the my sling if I wanted...if only I were that strong!).

Fruit Tray

One of my kids favorite things is when I make them a fruit/veggie tray. They can clear out an entire tray in less than 2 hours. I guess they enjoy the presentation of all the colors and getting to pick whatever fruit and veggies they want off the tray. It has definitely been the easiest way to get them to eat fruits and veggies and its a lot easier for me to slice them all at once.

Some Favorite Photos (May-July 2009)

Lily's 1st Race (July 3, 2009)

Lily loves to run! And what better outlet for her need to run than a kids' race. Before I ran in the Fireball Classic 5k, a fun nighttime race commemorating the 4th of July, they held a fun run for kids. Lily was so excited when we told her she was going to run in a race. She even gave herself pep-talks before we left the house. "You have to run fast. Fast Lily. You can do it!" is what Lily chanted as she practiced her running skills around the house as we got ready to leave. Indeed, she was very fast (well, for a 4 year old). She was so focused and stayed with the pack as they raced down the trail, and she even had to swerve to miss a 3-kid pile-up at the start. This will be another annual event for our family.

Schaeffer's 2nd Birthday Party (June 5, 2009)

It was a little bit of a whirlwind getting Schaeffer's 2nd birthday party planned just 6 weeks after having Griffin. But I would not in a million years skip out on celebrating such a momentous occasion in the life of my Little Big Man! Schaeffer loves cars and trucks and really anything with wheels on it. Our good friend Casey made Schaeffer's cake with all his favorite things: TRUCKS and edible dirt (cocoa)! Schaeff took the opportunity to drive the trucks around on Birthday Cake Lane, and I didn't have the heart to stop him. After all, it was his birthday!

Children's Reading Festival (May 30, 2009)

Our local library system hosts an annual Children's Reading Festival at the World's Fair Park. This was our first year attending and the kids really enjoyed themselves. It was cool to meet the author of Llama Llama Red Pajama, Anna Dewdney. This has been one of Lily's and Schaeffer's favorite books. On the park grounds were lots of kids activities and even book signing by Anna Dewdney and other authors of childrens books. We will definitely do this again next year!

5 Generations (May 10, 2009)

This is a photo of 5 generations on BJ's mother's side of the family (L to R: BJ and Griffin, Nana Kaye, Granny Lula Belle, Mamaw {great-grandmother} Eva Pearl).