Home-Economics 101

My mother (aka: Baba) came to visit us for several days after Sarah's birthday party. She kept the girls for me one day, while I was taking a professional learning units class (PLU) in order to renew my teaching certificate this year.

She is always coming up with something to make for the girls, which we are very appreciative. This time Sarah decided to take part in the sewing fun. She set up her table next to Baba and created her Belle doll a pretty little shall. We may have a little seamstress in the making. I sure hope so, because I did not take advantage of my mother's time to teach me as a child. Maybe my own child will be able to teach me in the future!

Cowgirl Party

YEE-HAW!!! Sarah attended her friend's fourth birthday party, which was a "Cowgirl Party"! It was a cold, windy day, but the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves despite the weather. The above photo is Sarah riding a horse named, Sage. She liked Sage the best, because she was all fancied up!
Sarah is riding the big horse Jessie in this photo. I was amazed that she asked to ride this horse despite the large size.
I like this picture the best! She is totally enjoying herself!
Sarah's friend Cara is walking the horse while Sarah takes Jessie, the horse, for a "spin."
Now, Sarah takes a turn at walking Jessie.

I am so glad Sarah was eager to ride the horses. I remember as a child taking horse back riding lessons and loving it! Some of my fondest childhood memories are from our family vacations to Blanco, Texas where my parents have some very dear life-long friends who live on a ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Lord will always be near and dear to my heart. My days visiting their ranch were filled with riding horses and swimming in natural spring pools.

The girls are posing for a birthday photo.
Cara's mommy also planned an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. They had a great time hunting for the eggs and of course the best part is opening up the eggs. Happy Birthday Cara! We had a wonderful time!

Doll Birthday Tea Party

Happy Fourth Birthday Sarah! We celebrated Sarah's 4th birthday with our friends and family. Ever since the day after Sarah's third birthday, she had been planning a Hello-Kitty party for her fourth. Christmas came around and her cousins gave her an "American Girl Doll" (fake one of course), so she completely came up with a Doll Birthday Tea Party all on her own for her fourth. Oh - was Mommy excited to plan this one! I (excuse me - we both) had a great time making all of the party preparations. Sarah and her doll, Molly-Anne, were all dressed up for the party wearing matching dresses - so cute!
Sarah and a few of her girl friends were playing before everyone else arrived.
I had five different stations set up for the girls to rotate through. My sweet friend, Rebecca, was the designated "hair dresser." Rebecca fixed their hair with a pink feather barrett, then the girls "fixed" their doll's hair.

Another station was the beauty salon. The girls were "made-up" by my sweet friend, Charmen. Then, the girls were able to "make-up" their own dolls.

Aunt Leslie was our designated craft lady where the girls made a tea-pot picture frame.
This is what the table looked like before everyone "attacked" it. Look at that beautiful cake! I owe my sweet friend Rebecca a lot for making the cake for me. She completely volunteered to make Sarah's cake!

Here are all of the girls and their dolls after being "beautified"!
This was the nail salon, which I put on the front porch, so the fumes wouldn't drive us out of the house.

The girls had their lunch out on the back patio with their dolls. It ended up being a beautiful Saturday and perfect weather for an indoor/outdoor party.

Sarah opening up her gifts from her friends and family. The girls were all so well-behaved and were sitting down while the gifts were opened. I was amazed!
Happy Birthday To You! Happy Birthday To You!
You are awesome Rebecca! I made Sarah's cake for her first birthday, then I decided that Publix would be getting my money for birthday cakes. However, Rebecca's cake far exceeds Publix! Thank you Mrs. Rebecca!

It's hard to believe it has been four years, since our little Sarah Grace was born. As you can tell, I enjoy planning, organizing, and implementing parties. I believe birthdays should be celebrated, so that's what we do here at the Farley house. Sarah is helping me plan Hannah's first birthday, which is coming up in less than 4 months!

Sarah, when you are reading this (20 years from now), I do want you to know that your Daddy was present at your party; however, he was just behind the video camera and the digital camera the whole time capturing every moment for us. I am so sorry I forgot to get a photo taken of our family before the party, which was on my list of things to do before the chaos started. Oh well, I promise Daddy was definitely present and more than eager to make it a wonderful day for you! We love you Sarah Grace!

Recent Happenings

We have been anxiously awaiting the warmer weather of spring and have enjoyed the few glimpses of golden sunshine here and there.

The above photo is when Sarah and I had some special mommy & daughter time getting our hair "beautified" together. It was Sarah's 2nd time having a hair cut, and this time she experienced a "professional" shampoo. She felt so grown up!!
Hannah is becoming quite the little "cowgirl" wearing Papa's cowboy hat.
We enjoyed a special family Saturday at Harbins park, when it was actually warmer temps (low 60's). Sarah had a great time riding her Princess scooter as we strolled along the walking trail.
I just love this picture of Mark walking beside Sarah as she takes pleasure in becoming a "little-big girl". It is such a picture of how Christ is to his children walking beside each one of us as we grow through life experiences.
This is Hannah's 2nd time in a swing, but she fits it much better this time.
Sarah is posing on the climbing rock waiting for me to take her photo, which she asked me to do. She was so proud of herself for climbing the rock by herself.
Once again, fun on the playground. Sarah would love it if we spent each and every day at the park.
We were at Walgreen's for Hannah's first time in a shopping cart sitting in the baby seat. After this outing, I went and bought a shopping cart seat protector for her - just too icky to think about all of those germs.
Here they are at Publix having fun in the shopping cart together. Sarah was in charge of keeping Hannah from "eating" the steering wheel.
Mark and I were so excited about having a "date-night," thanks to some very generous friends at church who kept the children for anyone who wanted to take advantage of free babysitting. Who would pass up such a great opportunity??? So, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Red Lobster, which I have been desiring for several months. The entire meal was scrumptious and the desserts were even more delectable - warm chocolate chip lava and key lime pie.

We are giving God praise for where we are in life and for continuing to bless us beyond what we deserve. Sarah will be turning four years old this coming Wednesday - WOW - already! We are soaking up this time, as we all know it is precious and fleeting.