No Cake.

Today is the first time since Alexandra was in kindergarten that I haven't made a first day of school cake. First day and last day of school we always had cake.

I think I'll have to eat some chocolate cake today. A new tradition. Cake for Mary! After all, who needs a reason to enjoy cake!

Eighteen Years Ago...

Eighteen years ago I held little Josh in my arms. Hard to believe he's all grown up now.

Brinkley Gone Wild

Brinkley is here for a few weeks while his mom travels the world. Not really the world. Just Minnesota. Anyway, while Brinkley is here we let him run free in the front yard everyday for a few minutes to help with all  his boundless energy.

Here is how it went last night. David + Brinkley = FUN!

From Brinkley's POV:

What's that? Is it a squirrel?

It's David and he's running!

I'm gonna get him!

Ooooh! He's trying to hide behind the tree, but I see him!

I'm gonna get you David!

Uh-Oh! David said to get out of the street.

Time to settle down and get my neck rubbed. David is so much fun!

Just another night of fun for Brinkley in San Angelo.

My Baby. Gone to College. Sniff.

Joshua, my baby, went to Texas Tech on Sunday. Sniff.

I got him all snug as a bug in a rug in his new dorm room. Sniff.

Here he is all smiles in his empty room. Like he won't even miss me. Double sniff.

Here is his room after we added his personal touch.

And another shot of the room. He's obviously distraught over me leaving him three hours away. Sniff, sniff sniff.

Remember that crazy mask I got for him from the thrift store? It's proudly displayed over his bed.

I am proud of you Joshua. And  I will miss you. Go ahead...have fun. I'll be okay. Sniff.

Pretty Curtain

I sewed a valance for the kitchen window. I used the fabric I got from IKEA. Look how cute!

I also made a pillow with the same fabric. I love the bird pattern and the cheerful green.

You like?

Moose With Socks

Alex got David's baby a stuffed moose a few weeks ago at IKEA. Affectionately known as "Moose with Socks". David put "Moose with Socks" in the baby's car seat last night.

Now we're calling it "Moose with Socks in Car Seat".

We Have a Window Situation

What on earth do you do with a window situation like this:

This is what some "creative genius" came up with for the bedroom in Alexandra's new apartment.

How the heck do you decorate this mess?

Mom?

Let It Be for Noah

Well They're Movin' on Up, to the 4th Floor...

Alex and Brinkley are moving on up. Not to the East Side, but to the 4th floor. Which is still like a moving to the East Side, just not to a different part of the city. She moved within the same apartment complex to a LARGER apartment. 
She went from this tiny studio apartment:

To a one bedroom apartment on the 4th floor:

She now has a separate bedroom. It's quite roomy. The bedroom measures 12 by 15. Her entire bedroom/living room in the studio apartment was 15 by 17.

It's amazing what an extra 257 square feet can do!

The couch had its cushion covers removed for a washing when I took this photo. I love that you can wash and bleach the covers to keep it nice and white!

The kitchen is very roomy - probably twice the space as the old one. The cabinets are very nice. Plenty of room for her kitchen stuff.

Bath Shower/tub side of bathroom.

The other side of the bathroom. Much more counter space and storage under the sink than the studio apartment.

                                     

Here's a photo of the closet. It's about 9 feet by 9 feet. Lots of storage for her clothes and shoes. Note the nicely stacked boxes on the shelf. Alex is organized!

                                       

She has a small desk area outside her bedroom and bathroom. Nice for bills, papers etc.

The books were still in boxes when I took this photo. Visualize LOTS of books in this bookcase.

                                    

Note the cute little yellow painting in the upper right of the bookcase. Josh painted that for her. Such a sweet little brother.

 

Here's the actual floor plan to help you navigate her place:

http://altadesigndistrict.com/Floorplan.asp?FPID=37878

Josh and I have sore muscles and we're pretty worn out from our adventure in apartment moving!

Hope Alex and Brinkley will be happy in the deluxe apartment in the sky.

And for those of you that need a reminder of Movin' on Up, here's the video:

http://youtu.be/kb6ErLPt4t8