Busy week, no new bows!

I spent several nights last week at work, so on top of bow orders from my Web site, I did not have time to make a new bow set for eBay this week. Also, Anna spent a few days at her grandparents' house, so we spent a day traveling there and they brought her back. Here's a picture of my family:

My brother Brandon is moving to Hong Kong for a year next month to teach music and English. His fiancee, Vicki, lives in Hong Kong, so they will finally get to spend a lot of quality time together. Here's Brandon and Vicky:

When my parents brought Anna back, she and Natalia went outside and Natalia played a little bit in the neighbor's sprinkler. I thought you'd like this photo!

Back to School!

I've listed a new set of Back-to-School bows on eBay this week. It's with sadness that I realize Anna goes back to school on August 13. I think that is WAY too early. I used to have to go back in August -- maybe the last week -- but mid-August? Come on. Maybe they shouldn't have so many half-days or four-day weeks during the school year. I think every child should have at least a 12-week summer!

I've still been working with my camera. Here are a couple of flower shots I took this weekend. Enjoy!

Weekend work

Because I have worked full-time again only since last August, this is the first summer in a few years that I've had to pack all of those fun summer "things" in during the weekend. And with laundry, chores, seasonal projects (today I spent time staining new doors for our downstairs bathroom and closet), fitting in fun can be tough.

Unlike last weekend, when the girls had plenty of time at the pool and everything ran smoothly, this weekend didn't start on a good note. About five minutes after leaving work, two 14-year-old boys on a moped T-boned the side of my vehicle. I was just driving along, straight, when they pulled out of an alley. Before I could do anything, I heard the sickening thud on my driver's side and saw them laying in the street behind me.

I was SO panicked and ran out of the car, but the boys were already attempting to get back on the moped and drive away. I insisted they stay, to make sure they were OK, and also because a hit-and-run would NOT have been a good idea for them. They seemed like nice boys...but unlicensed...not wearing helmets....on an unregistered vehicle....just thankfully, they were not injured enough to seek medical attention. I don't know at this point what the insurance company will do about my car (it's 12 years old and the smash on the driver's side rear quarter panel isn't affecting anything). I hope they do not "total" my car.

Then today, Anna had a bit of a stomach bug, which is never fun. We managed to run some errands this morning and I stained the doors and created a new bow set that will be listed tomorrow or Monday (think Gymbo)....but hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to add a little fun into the schedule.

Training contest!

See this face? This is the face of an almost 2.5-year-old who was nearly finished potty training, but has decided over the past couple of of weeks that she wants nothing to do with it any more. Any suggestion to use the toilet is met with a stern "no" or a polite "no," depending on her mood.

I'm desperate. I'm tired of diapers. I no longer want to give Pampers my money. So...here's a contest: Anyone who posts a GOOD potty training suggestion on my blog until midnight EST next Tuesday -- one that I am willing to TRY -- will get a FREE 3-inch Anna-style basic boutique bow set in your choice of color.

And anyone's suggestion that actually works...i.e., gets this little stinker back on the toilet and trained, will get a FREE layered bow set (valued at $25 plus shipping) if the training lasts at least five days.

Here are my obstacles: Natalia goes to daycare during the day, so this has to be something the daycare provider will try. Therefore, running without diapers and peeing on the floor for a week will not fly. My daycare provider is flexible, but it has to be do-able by more than just me.

Willing to share your mom-like words of wisdom? Post away! And good luck. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress. "Sock Monkey" (below) and I are counting on you to help create a diaper-free zone!

Anna Montana!

My older daughter, Anna, isn't always a willing model, so I've tried not to put pressure on her to model if she doesn't feel like it. I asked her if she wanted to model my latest bow set, or if I should ask Natalia (who's 2) to do it. Anna said, "As long as I can pretend to be Hannah Montana!" So, the photos in my auction are all of Anna pretending to be Hannah Montana. In one of them, she looks like she's falling over laughing...and she practically was. But it was nice to see her having fun. You just never know what goes on during a photo shoot....and now she's decided to change her name to Anna Montana!

Thanks to Journal Modiste for featuring my blog this week! I was so surprised. I was at work and hadn't looked at JM all day until a friend e-mailed me about the honor.

Sadness, trips, and bows

Well, we're back from our vacation but it ended up being a sad visit. My father-in-law passed away just three days before we planned to leave, so we went early. Anna was sad about Grandpa dying, and she worried about him being alone in his grave. However, she knows he's in Heaven with a bunch of other people, so he won't be lonely, after all. Both girls had fun talking to Grandma (is Anna telling her a secret, above?) and we did go to King's Island in Cincinnati as well as the Newport Aquarium, but most of the trip was pretty hard.

We arrived back home just in time for the Fourth of July, and here are a couple of pictures of the girls on that festive day! I have been having lots of fun taking photos of the girls with the new camera.

I've got a new bow being auctioned on eBay this week, a made-to-match Gymbo bow. There's an option to bid for two of them. There's also a summer .99/start special on another set and a baby bowband. Thanks for visiting me on eBay this week!