where have i been?

I guess I took a big ol' bloggy break that I didn't even plan on taking. Oops. Sometimes my real life gets in the way. By the way, at my J-O-B, this time of the year is the busiest for me. After Labor Day, it basically fast forward and increasing speed each day - - all - the - way - to - freakin - Christmas! Blahhhhhhhh. So as I am moving at Lightening speed, I forget all the little important things in life that keep me sane: like taking a time out to dance a jig with Leighton, update this blog, paint my toes, create new things for my etsy shop, watch a movie...

Have I mentioned that I am enjoying the fall weather? I am not, however enjoying this rainy spell we are having. Today at work, they brought in gallons of cider and hundreds of fresh donuts for us from Yates Cider Mill (a local place). It was awesome. I ate 3 donuts...I couldn't help myself. They were so fresh, warm and delicious. The only thing that could have made it better, was if they would have had caramel apples for dessert :)

Happy Thursday!

we're out!

We are hopping off the grid for a while and taking a few days to visit our favorite pals: Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Minnie and Daisy. We will probably also stop in to visit Clarabelle, Pete, Chip and Dale and Pluto.

We'll be back in a week or so with a bunch of good pictures and I am quite sure that I will have some sort of toddler brain explosion story to tell. We will miss you!

happy friday!

Before I announce the winner for the labels...I wanted to tell you what Leighton said to me yesterday morning when I was getting ready for work.

She said "Momma, my favorite thing to do is to hug you".

Seriously?? I could have just fell over dead right there.
She makes my day better and because of her, I try to be a better person.

She also makes me realize that it's the little simple things that you can say or do to one another can really makes someone's day.

So, in the spirit of making someone's day...
I have decided that all (3) people who commented for the label giveaway is going to win a set of (25) labels. So Stephanie, Meg and Tamsyn, please e-mail to me what address you want on your labels and where I should mail them.

Send the e-mail to: donahue_jackie {at} yahoo {dot} com.

Thank you for entering girls!

Have a great weekend!

win it!

So sorry that I have been away. I have been super busy at home with home improvement projects and I was backed up with orders from my etsy.com site.

To make it up to all of you...I am giving away a set of these pretty new labels that are now available here.

(woot, woot!)

Just leave a comment and you will be entered.
Winner will be chosen on Friday, August 12th.

P.S. Please tell your friends :)

Happy Tuesday.

par-tay time.

When we have a party, it's no holds barred.
Some things you can expect:

A good spread, a variety of drinks and ice cream!
Multiple exciting activities.

Exhibit A: 12ft x 75ft of fun!

choo, choo!

Such a fun weekend we had!

We went to a birthday pool party with our cousins...that was fun, although as soon as we got there, Leighton insisted on going in the pool and because, obvs she can't swim alone (although she thinks she could), yours truly had to sport a bathing suit for all the fam to see. Still a little uneasy about that, but I did it for the happiness of my daughter (I'm a good momma, ha-ha). She was jumping off the ladder within 10 minutes. And then...we couldn't get her out of the pool - just cried and carried on when it was time to get out.

On Sunday, we went to the Huckleberry Railroad, which is about 20-25 minutes from our house. There are train rides and paddle boat rides. There is even a small amusement area consisting of a ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. So fun! Another cool thing is that during Halloween, they decorate the train as the Huckleberry Ghost Train Express, have trick-or-treating for the kids, a straw maze, an enchanted forest, an old fashioned magic show and yummy cider and donuts! I am really looking forward to taking Leighton there this fall!

The train!

Pictures in the caboose.

All aboard!

The paddleboat.

Magnificent!

Whee!

After our train ride adventure, we had dinner at The French Laundry in Fenton. If you ever have a chance to go there, do and stat! Not only does it have a Parisian flair that I adore, but they have the best sandwiches and salads around. De-double-lish!

How cute is this?

the latest.

I just finished these note cards up. Took me a longer than usual with all of my projects & mommy duties mixed in. I think they are pretty swell. They are available for every state, even though only Michigan is featured in my etsy shop. I think these cards would be so fun as a 'moving card' for those of you who are might be jumping states or as a gift for someone you know that moved...