by request

recently, "the amazing race" was accepting applications for their upcoming season, so susie & i decided to go for it!

carpe diem and all that!

we haven't heard back from them, so i'm assuming we weren't selected to be on the show.

bummer.

however, that leaves me free to share our application video - you know, for posterity. and laughs and giggles.

enjoy!

not bad for taping without a script and on the fly, huh?

feel free to share your feelings of disbelief over how in the world we weren't picked!

1st day of school!

tuesday was the first day of school!!

don't they look excited?

and fresh-faced?

and dewy?

we only have pictures from before school because kalei and koa did not want me to stand around and take pictures of them walking into their classrooms, finding their seats, putting away their things in their new desks, etc. kalei especially did not want me to do anything remotely embarassing. (which makes me want to follow her around and break into show tunes and re-enact my favorite numbers from 'so you think you can dance,' for some reason.) man, kids hit fourth grade and suddenly they care if their parents are making a public spectacle of themselves. sheesh. (don't worry, i behaved myself.)

kawelo wanted in on the photo-op, and was sad that his school didn't start until thursday, but he took solace in a big hug from this guy:

... and then we came home and ate m&m's.

what is that teaching him?

that's right! we want our friends sweet enough to eat.

(and that's as close to homeschooling as i'll ever get.)

he turned 4 and left me

kawelo turned 4 in june and we decided to have some fun with it!

we had a hula contest, pin the surfer on the wave, slip 'n' slide, and good food.

he had a great time (even if it took him a while to "get" the slide part of "slip 'n' slide.")

silly kiddo.

then, he grew up way too fast!

today is his first day of preschool and he is so crazy excited about it (me, too, but with a little sadness mixed in).

we know his teacher (she had kalei and koa for preschool) and she is amazing.

i can't wait to see my little one (although according to him, he's "medium") grow and become a little more independent this year!

(look at my baby with that huge backpack!! i need a tissue!!)

we love you, kawelo!

where does the time go?!

i think i might have used that post title before, but it seems to be a theme this year - the time she is a flyin'! we have bunches to catch up on and i'm going to try to actually be more organized since tuesday marks the start of another school year and all three kiddos will be heading off to school this fall! woohoo!!! (kawelo's preschool is two mornings a week, but it still counts! free time - guilt-free-ish!!!!) so, no more excuses! this rear is getting in gear! look out, world! (but not till tuesday, since we're switching our internet providers and it won't be set up till monday. but, after monday, look out!!! you've been warned!)

p.s. can you feel the strength of my feelings in this post? the exclamation points are a good indicator!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

spring sports review

it's been an excitingly active spring for us!

kalei and koa finished tae kwon do and decided to try a few new sports.

kalei played volleyball and loved it! she had an amazing coach, and it was fun to watch her learn new skills. (and she is totally rocking those sports glasses - work it, girl!)

koa tried soccer and found he is super fast! like lightning! (seriously - he's a tiny turbo.) he had lots of fun and is excited to try basketball and baseball next (but not at the same time).

james ran the "music city half-marathon" again this spring. he finished in exactly the time he estimated for himself. (well, he was one minute over - but still the best guesstimate ever!)

kawelo honed his cheerleader skillz. he so can't wait to be able to do everything his siblings can do - we had to watch him for spontaneous streaks onto any nearby playing field. your time is coming soon, little man!

can't wait to crazy up our schedules with another round of sports in the fall!

winner(s)!

as promised, i have selected a winner!

i accidentally clicked away from the random number thingy, so you'll just have to trust me when i say the winner of the assortment of goodies is leigh, who said:

What crafty person doesn't love a hodge podge? Thanks for the chance!

congratulations, leigh!

and, because of the crazy high number of commentors, i decided to pick another winner! (winner of what, i'm not sure, yet, but it'll be fun.) :)

the second winner is jen, who said:

hahaha, I just gasped and said: "A checkbook cover?!" I guess that is really what I wanted, and just didn't know it! lol, that's too funny.

Happy Birthday!!! Have a great day, and a great hop!

and, because i can't resist, my personal comment pick is from lizbeth brown, who said:

Hey birthday buddy! You know, I've been sewing for 8 years and I've never used a pin cushion? I don't even own one.

happy birthday, lizbeth!! you don't have a pincushion?! shocking!! i just happen to have a few extra pincushions, and one will be making its way to you very soon.

thanks to all who entered!!!

(if, for whatever weirdo reason, i don't hear from any of these winner, another winner will be selected from the comments.)

have a super day!! (on this, the best day of the year - happy birthday to me!)

giveaway day!!

it's that time of year again - time for sew mama sew's giveaway day!

(seriously, one of the most exciting days of the year - go check out all the giveaways here!)

since i've been lucky to win a few goodies in prior giveaway days and it's my birthday week, it's time to share the love, right?

i'll randomly select one winner on the morning of may 26th (my birthday!) to win the following:

contents:

one dessert stand

two pincushions

three princess magnets

one ruffled zippered pouch

one checkbook cover

four assorted blue fabrics

and the box isn't full, yet, so maybe a few more assorted goodies

(i know it looks like a hodge-podge - i was more going for a "something for everyone" theme.) :)

to be entered, just leave a comment - it's that easy!

i will not ship internationally, but i will ship this package by may 30th.

good luck!!