Razorfest 2012

There has been a lot of hype over the Razorback football team the past few weeks and Razorfest and the spring football game were no exception!  Flint took Cilla this year to Razorfest and I met up with them a little late.  They had a big ole time!  What a difference a year makes.  Last year Cilla was overwhelmed by the mass amount of people and wanted to be carried the entire time.  This year was quite the opposite.  Little Miss was ready to go and do it all!  The monstrous bounce houses did not stop her.  She climbed right up and slid right down and then wanted to cut to the front of the line and do it all over again!

.....and because everything this child wears should have pink in it......we had to find a RED and PINK outfit for the occasion!!!

The morning started with pancakes per Cilla's request.  Daddy and Poppa were her breakfast dates.

I told you the bounce houses didn't phase her!

 All smiles!

Daddy's little Razorback.  

It was a fun treat to see some of our friends.  Cilla loves her Stella!  And I love that her arm is around Stella's neck...literally!  They are such sweet little friends and they have so much fun together.

Cilla also got to see another one of her besties, Anna Kate!  She loves Anna Kate.  A LOT!  She is such a lover.  Her friends hold such a special place in her heart and she is so loyal to them!  I love that about her!

Marci tried to get Anna Kate to go down the big slide with her, but Anna Kate bailed.  So, Cilla was there to step in without any hesitation!

Such a fun day!

Princess Potty

One day my daughter will be so embarrassed about this, but I want to have some sort of record of Cilla potty training, so this seems like the perfect place.

Cilla has been wearing big girl panties since Sunday (for the most part) and she is doing quite well!  I will admit, I have been dreading the potty training stage and might add that I still dread what is ahead,.  But, she is ready and ready or not, Mommy, here we go!  She has had a few accidents, but that is going to happen.  Our biggest struggle is that she wants to wear the big girl panties, but doesn't want to get on the potty.  So......we pulled out a book that Cilla's friend Laci gave her called "Princess Potty" and it has worked like a charm.  The book is hilarious and each time we have a successful trip to the potty, a "jewel", otherwise known as a sticker, gets to be added to the princess tiara!

Viola!  Our little Princess on the potty!

 Can you believe this face?  

 A must have for little girls!

We have been taking it slow because that seems to be the best method for us.  I know everyone has their opinions about this.  We still have a little way to go, but at least we are going in the right direction!

Does anyone have any good tips?  I sure would appreciate them!

Family Ties

Saturday, Cilla and I got up early and headed to my grandparents little town for a little family get-together.

I am surprised I had not been disowned, since it had been so long since I had seen that side of my family.  Traveling with a toddler is just not as easy as it used to be.  But, I was so glad that we made the trip.  I got to see my grandpa whom I am sick I did not get a picture with.  It is always good to see family and catch up and Cilla actually met some of her distant cousins and instantly became besties with them!

Cilla and Mazy

Marleigh, Cilla and Mazy.

Cilla enjoying a the lov'in from her Aunt Vicky and Uncle William

He even got suckered into pushing her in the swing!

Cilla insited on wearing her new Razorback Team Squeaks.  I normally take the squeakers out of her shoes before she wears them, but this time I forgot.  She loved jumping around and hearing herself squeak all day long!  It was so cute!    

We didn't get to stay very long because we were hurrying back to Northwest Arkansas for the Razorback game.  It was a fun quick trip.

Humor

Nothing says 104 degree highs and 76 degree lows like wearing some doggie slippers to bed!  However, with a two year old, you do lots of things you swore you never would to promote peace in your house.

 A couple of nights ago I went in after Cilla had fallen asleep to turn off her bathroom light (because that is how we roll these days) and to take off about four of the blankets that she insisted on covering up with.  When I walked in to see this.....

 my heart melted.  

Every doggie owner's dream.  You see, Flint had I have two puppy dogs that were in our lives about ten years before we had Cilla.  So, to see a bond between them is so sweet.  Our animal lov'in stinker has loved the dogs about all of her life.  But it is so sweet to see the dogs be affectionate toward her and protective of her.

And finally for the humbling part.  Do any of you remember Monica's Closet?  I may date myself a little by saying this.  But 'Friends' is one of my all-time favorite shows.  Monica, the neat freak, had one closet that was piled to top then some more crammed in and she forbid anyone to open her closet.  Well, I had one, too.  BUT NOT ANY MORE!

Check it out.  

This is Cilla's playroom closet.  I am finishing up some labels for the bins and then I will be completely finished.  I feel so much better having that project behind me!  I so wish I had a before picture to share even it is completely humiliating!!!

Better Together

Cilla loves loves loves to be around people and other kids, so I try hard to make sure every couple of days she gets to play with some of her friends.  I think she gets so bored with me...and I can't say that I blame her!!!

We played with our sweet friends Stella, Emerson and Sydney one day this week.  The girls love one another and play really well together.

How cute are they?!

 Tea for two!

 Stella's sassy pose!  

This little gal is tutu cute and we love her!

 Friday is playgroup day.  

Despite the chaos, we love our playgroup and the friendships within.  There is something about having other ladies right where you are in life.  We encourage each other.  Laugh at each other's stories...a lot.  Support one another.   Blah blah, I know.  But I love each and every mommy in the group and Cilla loves her little friends too!

Today we met to play at the Scott's house (thanks sweet Sara for opening up your home!) and then went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  I am pretty sure when Cilla outgrows loving Chick-Fil-A, I will go on sabbatical from eating there!!!  But for this stage of life, it is easy and the kids love it!

 We seem to have taken up about a fourth of the restaurant!  They were probably glad to see us go!

 And just because they are cute...Hannah, Jillian and Cilla!  Love these girlies!

So thankful for sweet friendships.

The New and Improved Cilla Suite

I know my little lady is rapidly approaching the age for a big girl bed, but we do not have any reason to rush her out of her crib so- I'M NOT!  I am just not ready to move her and frankly, I do not think she can handle it.  She sleeps great in her crib.  She is confined.  And those two reasons alone are enough to let it be right now.   

Since we moved back to Arkansas, there has been nothing on Cilla's wall above her crib.  Recently, my friend, Kelli, showed me an idea that she pinned on Pinterest and I knew I had to do it in Cilla's room.  Which by the way, was the last straw for my signing up on Pinterest!

So....here it is.  I think it turned out super cute and it made for some great conversation as I explained to Flint about embroidery rings!!!

I painted wooden letters, put hangers on the backs of each of them and hung them.  Then I filled different sized embroidery rings with fabrics from Cilla's room and a couple of other coordinating fabrics.  Voila!  A project that was done in under one nap time!  That is way I like them!

What a Week

Whew....what a week.  

First of all, thanks to everyone for making my birthday and my week so sweet.  It was a fun and special day!  Our dear friends are temporary living with us during a transition time and they so graciously agreed to keep Cilla over night so Flint and I got a quite dinner out, ice cream and a room at a local hotel!  Thanks Josh and Kelli!  Thanks so much for the greatest birthday gift of all!  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures!  I was enjoying my peaceful, quite time so much, I didn't even think about it!   

Flint was in Birmingham for SEC Media Days all week so it always more of a challenge and exhausting parenting solo.  But, my parents jumped right in and were a huge help!

Here is a little of what Flint was up to this week.....

Check out HolyTurf for more football and media day coverage!

We almost started our weekend with a trip to the ER after Cilla took a dive out of her crib.  Luckily, she was alright.  After the doctor agreed to see her at the Pediatric Clinic, this momma was reassured that things were okay and we could get on with our weekend.

Cilla and I were so ready for daddy to be home.  We had a fun-filled Saturday as a family.  We started our day off at Rick's for donuts.  Now that is a good start to the day!!!  It was a low key day, but nice to all be together.

This girl loved her chocolate covered donut!!!

I have so much more to catch up on.  I have several projects and fun pictures to share and I have loads of laundry to fold and some house work to catch up on.  But, I think I might just go put my feet up and close my eyes!

This is just one of the 354 reasons I am so worn out...

I was making a fruit pizza this morning and when I turned my back to get a banana Cilla dumped a package of Chipotle Cheddar Tortilla Strips right smack dab in the middle!  Yum!  Further proving you literally can't turn your back when you have a two year old!  

But, I would not trade it for the world!

Fwint Hawis and Webekah

We have been working with Cilla trying to teach her her full name and both her mommy's and her daddy's name.  After talking to a friend, I realized the importance of her knowing all of our names just in case.  You never know when your kiddo might need to know that valuable information.

Well, our plan is backfiring.
Cilla has decided that she likes to call Flint and I by our first names!  Super cool when your two year old tells you, "I call you Webekah!"  Thanks, but no thanks!
I made Flint breakfast a couple of days ago and she said, "Mommy you take that food to Fwint Hawis!"  You are right, Miss Priss, mommy will take it to Flint Harris and you will take it to DADDY!  I know it is just a phase and the newness will wear off.  And honestly, it really doesn't bother me down to the core like it does some people.  It is just a little shocking!
I am going through Beth Moore's Esther study this summer, and it has really made me think about my role as Cilla's mom.  Not that I do not think about that EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. but it has given me a little different perspective.  Esther was an orphan.  She lost both her mommy and her daddy at a young age.  Can you imagine?!?!  She was raised by her male cousin.  In our lesson last week we talked about being a lady and being lovely.  Not just lovely like the world world views being lovely, but inner beauty.  It is my job as Cilla's mom to teach her and model to her what true beauty is.  It is sooooo hard, especially being a mom of a little girl, to not get caught up in all the cute clothes and big hair bows and fun shoes.  We tell Cilla over and over how pretty she is.  Don't get me wrong.  I certainly think that she.  But, I also have to tell her on a daily basis that being pretty is not something that you ARE, it is something that you DO!  Beth shared some verses with us about what the Bible tells us about beauty:
"I am complete in Christ." Colossians 2:10 and "Let the beauty of the Lord be upon me" Psalm 90:17.
And one of my very favorite verses:   "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
So as fun as it is to play dress up and princesses and go to play dates and bake cookies, those roles as a mom all take a backseat to my role of teaching Cilla to be a lovely lady who finds her true beauty in Christ.  Such a big responsibly!  But, I am ready to take it on!


"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." 
Proverbs 31:30

To Three Special Fathers...

Happy Father's Day!

  I am thankful everyday for the dad and husband that Flint is.  He is so good to me and he is such a wonderful dad to Cilla.  I admire how hard Flint works and how hard he plays!  For both I am thankful!  He is such a good balance to me as we walk through the journey of parenting together!  I found a few pics to help Flint celebrate his day!  

Here is his first Father's Day 2009.

...and today.  

Pictures with a two year old are not quite as simple as they were with an infant!  This was the best we could get after church today.  Sad.

I think this picture is hilarious- "DEVOTED DADS".  This was the Seahorse exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last summer.  Flint and one of his best buddies, Corby, REALLY ARE such devoted dads!  

All smiles.  She loves her daddy's shoulders!

Cilla only days old.  This was what Flint loved to do with her most when she was so itty bitty.

Fun in the Sun.
This is what our summers looked like when we lived in Waco!

I am also thankful for our dads- Pappy and Poppa!  Flint and I would not be who we are today without them.

Pappy, Flint and Cilla.

And Poppa with his little Stinkerdoodle!

I got the cutest Father's Day idea from my friend Sarah, but I tried three times to put my plan into action and each was a FAIL!  This was what I had to work with!

I do not give up easily.  I will keep trying, it just may be next Father's Day before I get the pictures I want!  Oh, life with a two year old!!!

Happy Father's Day, Flint!  Your girls love you more than you know!

And to my dad and Ray, we love you bunches and are so thankful for the roles you have played in our lives.  Thanks for all you do for us!  Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for us!  And most of all, thank you for loving us!  We sure do love you!

I hope all three dads have a happy happy day!

Beach Baby

We just got back from South Padre with some of our sweet friends from Waco.  

Here is a sneak peak.....

We were a little unsure of how Cilla would handle the sand and the ocean.  But it was love upon entry!  I love the last picture of her!  Pure joy!

I have a ton more pictures to post, but I have to weed through them and catch up on the laundry first!

Tee Time

Yesterday, Cilla was invited to help her sweet little guy friend, Sawyer, celebrate his second "Birdie"!  My friend Katie, from From Passys to Parties had THE CUTEST little golf party I have ever seen!  Not to mention hosted the party at her fabulous house that she moved into only two weeks ago!  SUPER MOM!  Here are a few little details from the party.  Did I mention how cute it was?

Our little golfer!

The dessert table

"Par"Faits.  How cute is that?!?!

There were also Donut "Hole in one", Fruit Golf Balls, Club Sandwiches, "Chip it" Chips... all things "golf" to eat!

Katie thinks of everything!

The pictures really do not do this party justice!  Katie out-did herself!!!

The little Golf Pro birthday boy himself.  He is just the cutest little guy!

There were even golf cart rides!  Talk about a hit with the two years olds!

  Somebody did not want to smile for their mommy!  She really did have fun, it just doesn't look like it!

The cutest party favor EVER!

Cilla left with her very own set of golf clubs!  She was so so proud of them and had lots of fun "wacking" balls around the house!  Oh my goodness!

Thanks for letting us celebrate your birthday with you, Sweet Sawyer!  

We also had a fun evening.  Our little family of three went to eat pizza at Damgoode Pies, cupcakes for dessert at Bliss Cupcake Cafe and then we went to walk around the U of A campus.  We found Flint's name on the Senior Walk.  It was his first time to see his name engraved on the sidewalk for his doctorate!  I must say, it is a proud moment getting to seeing your name on the Senior Walk and Flint has his three times!  Scholar!  The Senior Walk is such a neat tradition that University of Arkansas has.

It was a fun Saturday!