Summer outfits

I needed some fun sewing after spending so much time on the flower girl dress. I picked out a blue floral print that coordinated with a blue linen gingham. For Peter's, I used Creations by Michie's romper pattern, made in the linen. And the girls got Michie's suntop with shorts. I used the white yoke to display some embroidery. After using so many bullion flowers on the white dress, I decided to go ahead and use more bullions. I think it's safe to say that I am proficient at the bullion stitch. The girls got bullion violets and Peter got a bullion dragonfly. Peter's outfit is big for him, which makes me hopeful that it might still fit next spring and summer.

The fair

We went to the fair for two reasons: to check out my dress and to have some fun!

 

THE dress

After some encouragement from my biggest fans (Kevin and Caroline), I decided to enter my white heirloom dress in the Delta Fair. To my surprise, it won first in its section (adult or child heirloom item). It also won Best in Show for its category (French heirloom sewing). I had no idea whether it had won or not, so it was a lot of fun to find it in the Best of Show display case. I was already so pleased with the dress. This is just icing on the already-frilly cake!

Best family photo ever

We went to an artist reception for our friend David Butler and a lady at the gallery offered to take our picture. I have no hopes of ever replicating the success of this picture! You may be seeing it in your mailbox December 2012. And December 2013.

We love David and his sweet wife Hillary, who is also an artist. Our families' lives are interconnected in some pretty neat ways and we are blessed to call them friends.

School days

Does it take y'all a while to get back into school mode? I enjoy the laid-back days of summer, but it is so good for everyone to have a routine. It just takes me a while to get used to the routine!

Caroline started first grade. She's in the lower school now. While it's still a nurturing and caring environment, I can definitely tell that this year is a little more focused on getting down to business. She's loving every minute of it.

Caroline's first day was a day before Helen's.

The night after Caroline's first day, we celebrated with a special back-to-school menu. We had "I'm-a-turkey-too Turkey Meatloaf," "Good Grade Green Beans," "First Grade Fruit Salad," and "Pre-K Parfaits." I've done this a couple of years now and it is always humbling to see how a regular meal with silly titles makes the girls so giddy and happy. 

Helen started Pre-K this year. She is tickled to get to do all the things she's seen Caroline do for the last two years - carry a blue bag, walk into school, carpool on the porch, etc. She loves going to school. We're already amazed at the things she is learning.

The girls got hugs from Dr. Wilson on their first full day of school.

Helen knew exactly where to go. My not-so-little-anymore girl...

 She is having a great first year of school!