Photo Dump Wednesday: Sisters

A fellow blogger and real life friend once told me "the best gift you can give a child is the gift of a sibling." I couldn't agree with her more! I love the way both my girls interact with each other. They are definitely going to be the best of friends. They love to play together and JOE has been really good encouraging JAE to try things like potty training and talking. 

They often have lunch together now and sometimes, to encourage JOE to eat, I make it a competition. That often works because JOE doesn't like losing :-)

JAE on the other hand loves her meals! 

They love to read together with JOE often explaining to JAE what it is she is looking at. Surprisingly enough, JAE is starting to pick up on words. YAY!!!

I am so glad it is getting warmer out. Now the girls can enjoy the pool out back. 

JOE learning to swim and JAE gathering the toys. Team work! 

My lovely JOE.

And princess JAE. 

After pool activities. Building sand castles. A day at the "beach" for the girls!

And of course, they both enjoy going to the library together. The awesome thing is that JAE is picking up so much of what they do at the library so whenever a song comes up that they heard at the library, JAE often participates. 

Keeping up with her reading :-)

JOE making friends. 

And JAE doing some more reading. Look at that head of curls. LOVE every single one of those ringlets :-).

So there is a story behind that mark on my baby's face. But to avoid controversy since that's not what this blog is about, I won't be going into details about it. I will say though that if you have a child that needs extra attention, PLEASE keep an eye on them! Do not leave them unattended playing with other kids! I know as humans we all want to be selfish but please be considerate of other people's kids as well!!!
Thankfully, JOE is OK. Deeeeeeppppp breaths!!! I'm still trying to get over it.
 

Kids are often watching what we do! Check out JAE "working" on my sewing machine. I love this!

I recently introduced the jewelry line for AyoBE Boutique. They are really beautiful and both girls LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They are great for birthday celebration, attending church, baby's photo ops and a whole lot more. Go check out the options today and snag one for your little one. 

Last weekend, we did our annual yard sprucing. It took A WHILE to get it done in light of the fact that both girls were on hand to "help". JOE "helped" me plant something in our rose bed and she was excited to get a picture with it. My smiling baby who is growing up so fast!

We've had a busy week BUT are so excited for a fun upcoming weekend with family and also first visit to the zoo. YAY!!! 

What are your plans for the July 4th holiday weekend?

Photo Dump Wednesday: Father's day 2016

Last week, on their way back from MA, my brother and his family stopped by. JOE and my niece are a few months apart age-wise and they get along so well. They LOVE to play together as well as fight together. I mean, what fun is it if you don't have someone to argue with from time to time right?
Anyways, watching them play really is so nice. Before my brother and his family arrived, JOE must have asked a solid 50-times if they were here yet. And would run to the windows to check. They ended up arriving after JOE had gone to bed. But the next morning, JOE and her cousin C definitely made up for it.  

JAE on the other hand loves to play with their family dog Sparky. Sparky is a high energy dog BUT is always gentle with JAE. I think that's why she loves to be around him. Just too precious.

I had to leave for work early the next day so I didn't get to see them before they left. However, I was so happy to come home to this. YUM!!! J and I are saving the bottle for a special occasion :-D.

I mentioned JOE getting the Cat Boy costume a few weeks ago. Well, the following weekend, for doing her hair without crying, she got to pick out the Owelette costume from her "treasure chest". The heart warming thing is that she picked it out specifically for her sister. 

Check out JAE being Owelette!
 

Having a fun time being super heroes!
 

Okay. This picture right here! Look at JOE cheesing it up for the camera and check out the look on JAE's face. Priceless! The funny thing is that Cat boy is the leader of the pack and oftentimes, he isn't being a team player. Perhaps that's the reason behind the look? Eitherways, I am glad I captured this moment. Was too cute not to share.

Owelette saving the day!
 

I have been planning on working on my summer line for AyoBe Boutique for the last few weeks. I just haven't really gotten down to it. However, in the last few days, I have gotten a chance to sew one prototype for JAE. I was unsure of if I should sell it on my site but J and 2 of my sisters encouraged me to. I am glad I did because it is selling. WOOHOO!!!

If you are interested in getting the Everest Summer Set for the little girl in your life, go check out the site to get one. I don't have many left. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the site for some really cute items for your little one. I accept all major credit cards and PayPal! :-)

Check out JAE in her outfit. She is always willing to model my items for me and she loves to twirl!
 

On Sunday was Father's day. J definitely made out VERY well. The girls (with the help of their child care provider) did some handmade items for J. He was very happy to receive them.
 

Hand painted by JOE! I have a potential Picasso on my hands! OK...Exaggerating of course but still. My baby did a great job with the D! 

And then check out this trophy they made. J is one lucky guy and the girls are so lucky to have him as their dad!
 

On Sunday morning while everyone slept, JAE started to stir so I brought her into our bed. Well, she decided she wanted to take selfies. This girl LOVES the camera!

All ready for Church. Outfit was given to her by her grammy!
 

Since I always do something for J for Father's day from the girls, I thought this was absolutely THE CUTEST idea. Simple and fun. I found a picture somewhere in the last few weeks that gave me this idea. This one didn't come from Pinterest (it might be on there though) but rather was from somewhere on Facebook. 
Anyways, I got one of the unused jars I had leftover from JAE's birthday party pack and filled it up with mixed nuts and attached a Microsoft Word printed label on there. Total time, 10-minutes. SCORE!!!

In addition, J got a gift card from me that he'll be using towards his new PS 4 and then JOE helped me make breakfast for him. She did the toast and "buttered" it. Since most of the butter was making its way into her mouth, I had to finish the job. 
 

Overall, we had a great weekend. It has been a fun week so far! I started out the week feeling a little down about some recent events but my sweet J was able to talk some sense into me and help me see/count my many blessings. I love that he always has the right words to say to help me put things in perspective. 

Anyways, have a WONDERFULLY blessed week!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Grateful, Shower and Quilt

I am absolutely LOVING the warmer months because it stays light longer and we are able to get more done during the day. I'm sure it is more a mental thing but I love it. 

It has been a VERY busy week since my last post. Mostly fun and positive things so I am very grateful to God and thankful for it. 

First and foremost, I am very grateful for how my business continues to grow. I was initially very hesitant to start this business. All I could think of was the expenses, the time demand and fear of failure. It hasn't all been rosy and I am still learning A LOT! But I am so grateful for those who have taken the time to check out my site, purchase an item and/or post a review about it. It really is a blessing. 

Here are some pictures of AyoBE Boutique in Action. And if you're interested in getting an item, don't hesitate to check out my new website. You no longer have to be an Etsy member to purchase :-D.

The most rewarding feeling is seeing that something I created with my hands is bringing joy to people :-D.

Last week, the family headed to Boston to celebrate my sister's baby shower. She got married a couple of years ago and this year, we are celebrating her entrance into Parenthood!

First off, the trip. J and I now have our travels down to a T. We have a list and know what to pack, what to do before we leave home and while we're on our trip. 
One of the items at the top of the list is to empty out the diaper bag of anything that won't go through Airport security. Well, we forgot these little gems. Mind you, these were almost 3/4 of the way full. Needless to say, I'll be making another purchase of these items soon. Oh well...thankfully, the kids didn't need these items during their trip.
 

I just love how JOE and JAE are getting along so well. JAE just LOVES getting attention from her sister and wants to play/do things with her. JOE often indulges her. It is awesome to watch!
 

Pre-take off selfies. Check out JOE's face in the next series of pictures. She was being goofy!
 

Once we landed in Boston, I let JAE go sit with her sister and couldn't help but take these pictures of the girls looking out the window while waiting for folks to get off the plane. 
 

I did a few DIY items for my sister's baby shower. I am so thankful for J!!! He stayed up with me the night before to help me with the making of the diaper cake. I had never done one before and was so happy to have the extra hands and help which I desperately needed. 
 

Finished product. 

These favors were a hit with everyone! Especially with the mommy to be!
 

Mommy to be and grandma to be. 
 

Mommy to be with the grandparents to be. 
 

My sister and my dad. So this was an inside joke that my sister didn't get until much later. When she arrived, I put the lei on her and then a pin. What does this mean you ask? Simply translated, she got leid and is now a mommy to be! Corny I know. But I had fun making the sign :-D.
 

The cake. Beautiful!
 

Sisters!
 

Sisters.
 

Sisters. 
 

Sisters!
 

Selfies with my little one and her "Aunty JJ" photobombing us!

Check out my cute sister! She is absolutely glowing!

Hot momma to be!
 

She is so beautiful both inside and out. 

ME!!!
 

Sisters. 2 of the 4 originals :-D
 

Everyone! It was a Jack and Jill party.
 

Other DIY items. 
 

My sisters had to leave shortly after the brunch. But not before we took silly selfies! :-)
 

Then there is JAE! She LOVES to wear shoes! Never mind that they are not her size. 
 

AyoBE Boutique in Action! My sister absolutely loves her baby blanket!

We had a great time the next day at Church. The message was on point and definitely good food for thoughts. Here are my parents. Incase you are wondering, yes I am a PK!!! (Pastor's Kid!). 

Selfies with my little. 
 

 Leaving to head back to MD. I miss MA but am glad to be home. 

We left so early that JOE asked for her sunglasses and promptly fell asleep in the car!
 

Of course there is a story behind the next couple of pictures. The girls REFUSED to rest during our flight back. They played and talked the entire time. Thankfully, they weren't being loud. 
Well, 5-minutes before she touched down, BOTH of them promptly fell asleep! Why couldn't they do it when I was trying to take a nap during the flight?

After we arrived, we had an appointment for JAE at Children's Hospital. When we got there, we met with the specialist and were given these awesome items. I was so touched by them because we do not have a quilt and these were handmade by Project Linus! I am really considering making some pieces for them. I don't know how to make a quilt but I can crotchet and knit. I just need to find the time because this is a very awesome cause.
 

Like I said, a fun filled week. Looking forward to hanging out with some friends this weekend and celebrating Father's day. What are your plans for Father's day? I'd love to hear about them.