Cherry Blossom Girl

enjoying the Cherry Blossoms

During this time every year, Macon holds the Cherry Blossom Festival, and although I haven't been in YEARS, I wanted Naomi to experience her very first.  Macon, GA is home to over 300,000 yoshino cherry trees, and the sheer number of them could take your breath away.

many sites to be seen in Central City! :)

pretty umbrellas were spotted all around

introducing her baby to the Cherry Blossom Festival :)

pretty in pink

Macon truly comes to life in the spring, and just about every street you take has at least twenty cherry trees in full bloom!  The soft pink blossoms only last for about two weeks, and the entire city turns pink in celebration. Tourists and Maconites alike flock to the streets for live music, good food, and fun at the fair. Naomi had a blast hanging out with her cousins, and I had fun too!  I forget how gorgeous Macon is in the spring, and it was nice to be back. We had a great visit! 

under the cherry tree

reaching for the cherry blossoms with Mamie

she loves her Granddaddy!

all laid back!

it was a beautiful day in the 80s at Central City Park

with her cousin Melissa - cherry blossom twins!

we've got to practice how to share, ladybugs!

Melissa - 1 year, Naomi - 10 months

pretty girls

oh yes. and the Harmonicats. $20 CDs anyone?

Below are more pics from our visit.  Can't wait to go back!

visiting with Geemama

Sara and her babies

Wallace provides all of Naomi's entertainment!

Sampson with new baby Brandy!

She is a MESS!!

the new puppy is TROUBLE but oh so cute!!

Luck o' the Irish!

How much fun.  The littlest Lee had THE BEST time at the parade yesterday.  We found parking just a mile away and scooted down to Bay St to meet up with some friends who had staked out a great spot early morning.  The parade lasted well into the afternoon, and Naomi made it until after 2pm with no nap.  Too much fun in one day for one little lady!

On the walk down, Andrew spotted an architectural art book in a dumpster. "You think this is worth anything?" We plopped it in the cart and didn't think anything else about it until we got home.  The trashed "worthless" book is selling for $225-$335 online! Luck o' the Irish, indeed! Woohoo!! :)

it's a real leprechaun!

ugliest Irish dog award goes to...

GORGEOUS weather continues!

Now, procrastination Polly has a cake to bake. See yall next week!

The new do!

Last Wednesday, I reached my final straw.  I had HAD IT with my hair!!  It's been pony-tails and loose buns with bandanas since Naomi was born, and the last thing I want on my radar right now is my hair.  I hardly can find the time to wash my face or shower - hair?  One big NO THANKS from me!

So, I cut it off.  Bye-bye hair. It's been nice knowin' ya. Hair today, gone tomorrow.  Ok, ok.  Enough with the corny catch phrases. Take a look! How did I do?

So the cut is totally elementary. Besides, I did do it myself, ya know? :)

The day after I chopped it, I took the wise advice of a friend and had a stylist "professionalize" it.  Now, it at least has shape to it. Ha. I have a feeling with each additional child, it's gonna get shorter and shorter!

Andrew says this is the shortest he's ever seen it.  He obviously didn't know me back in these days! :)

rockin the short hair in middle school. I was brave!!

Strawberry cake

Strawberries are Naomi's absolute fave, and what better way to celebrate her upcoming birthday than by baking her her very own strawberry cake!  Melissa is going to be my guinea pig of sorts since her birthday is in just a few days.  I am going to test out the recipe below and see how it turns out.  I have a feeling it will be a hit!

Saw your post about the strawberry bread and had to share my great aunt's (she's 102!)recipe for Strawberry cake. It is so delish and your children will love helping!

1 box white cake mix
3/4 c wesson oil
1/2 c water
1 small package strawberry jello
4 eggs
1 1/2 c mashed strawberries

Blend jello & cake mix. Add oil and water then eggs, one at a time. Add 1 cup of strawberries last. Pour into 2 9 inch round baking pans Bake at 350 for 25 min.  Allow to cool completely on racks before frosting.

Frosting:
cream one stick butter and add i box of confectioner's sugar, alternating sugar w/ 1/2 cup mashed strawberry's.

The icing recipe looks iffy, and since I'm no baker, it's good that I'm testing recipes in March for a May birthday! 

I think I'm going to make a large cake for family & a smaller 3" for the birthday girl!

 

Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens of Savannah opens its doors to the public in early May for strawberry pickin'.  We will be able to add our own fresh berries to the cake.  How much fun it is to be a summertime baby in the South! 

Picking our own berries = the icing on the cake!

Happy St. Pat's & a Birthday Girl!

St. Patty's will never be the same for us.  First, we move to Savannah in '06, and we find out that drinking in the streets is the norm, and that the beer turns green on March 17.  THEN, we learn that the St. Pats holiday is taken so seriously here that even the kids (and adults) get a holiday from school & work!  AND THEN ("no more and then!") last year, our beautiful niece, Melissa, was born on this luck 'o the Irish day!

my brother Wallace & Melissa, July 2010

So, all I can say to that is 16-18 years from now, I'm locking my daughter and my niece in the house or taking them on a vacation around this time of year. End of story. No green beers in the streets for you, young ladies! Oh my. I've got it coming to me! I would've LOVED a St. Patty's birthday in Savannah! :)

Who doesn't love a beer so festive?!

This year, we hope to take part in the parade on St. Pat's Day.  With people lining up at 6:00am, we just hope to find a parking spot! We've never braved the parade before, but with it being Naomi's first, we hope to get great pictures.  Stay tuned!

Greening of the fountain in Forsyth Park!

We plan on heading to Macon for a little quick trip after Melissa's b-day.  Cherry Blossom Festival starts this weekend, and I would love to get pictures of the girls under all of the pretty blossoms.

Mommy & me classes & a new swing!

This past week has been a lot of fun.  Naomi & I were all over the place - participating in lots of "Mommy and me" activities around town & helping Deddy fix up the backyard. I've been able to meet lots of moms at a few classes we go to, and Naomi is able to socialize & watch the big kids - her favorite thing to do!  We participated in two this week - the Savannah Soap Co and Oatland Island.  I'm hoping to make it to the library soon for storytime with puppets. Yep. I'm totally that mom! :)

How awesome would this be as a gift?

"Mommy Monday" @ the new Savannah Soap Co. We were able to test out a lot of the great organic mama/baby lines, and I was able to buy my Charlie's Soap locally! Charlie's is the absolute best for cleaning diapers, and I am using it for a lot of our regular loads now too. All organic, and you only need a Tbs. per load - not matter the size.  The Earth Mama/Angel Baby line is a new favorite, and all of their products are organic and green. Enough about soap, right?  Well, I'm pretty excited about this place because Omi has had some bouts with sensitive skin issues, and after researching some popular baby lines, it's astonishing to see all of the harmful chemicals they use! The Sav. Soap Co. is where it's at, and all in all, I'm pleased that there is this green and, dare I say, classy laundromat right up the road from home!

This place is adorable. Really.

My goodies from Mommy Monday! Lots of freebies: $5 gift card, samples, and laundry bag plus my other goodies too - Mrs. Meyers hand soap, Charlies, Badger natural bug repellent (bring it on Sand Gnats), & California Baby sunblock stick - perfect for little faces!

Toddler Tuesday @ Oatland Island - On Tuesday, we headed out to the islands with a friend and her son.  Oatland Island, an educational wildlife center, now hosts Toddler Tuesday at 10 and 11 and classes are only $3 for both mama and babe.  Affordable and in a fun preschool setting.
Oatland provides a great way to bond with baby and socialize with other moms while learning about and interacting with different animals. We visited Mrs. Streaker the pig who performed tricks for pancakes.  Kinda, ok alotta, reminds me of this book!

I need to get this book  for Omi after visiting Mrs. Streaker! Book

 by Laura Numeroff

 It was Jessica and Jude's first time to Oatland, and although Jude & Omi enjoyed themselves immensely, I think the mamas had the most fun!

Jessica & Jude having fun with Mrs. Streaker at Oatland Island

Speaking of fun, Deddy has been busy "having fun" putting together a swing set this week, and this afternoon he completed it! Now that IS fun! Naomi LOVED swinging, and she wore herself out playing & swinging this afternoon.  Good thing too because Andrew and I had a yard to put together!  We've been working hard to make the backyard more kid-friendly, and warily, we are slowly but surely reclaiming our yard from the dogs!  (Fingers crossed this works!)

eating lunch outside on a pretty day!

The start of something great!

last touch - adjusting the straps

Deddy buckling her in..

Omi's first swing!

Now THIS is fun!

laughing hysterically!