Opryland Hotel

We love it when out of town guests come into town because we can visit the tourist spots that we don't frequent on a regular basis.  My oldest biological brother, Robert, came into town with his girlfriend so we tried to hit a few of Nashville's hot-spots.  We dined at Baja Burrito, Burger Up, and had Uncle Bud's at Murray and Jaime Sanderson's adoption fundraiser.  We stopped in Fisk University's galleries, which house some pretty amazing art (Nashville's best kept art secrets!) and a fancy, old Bible given to Abraham Lincoln by 'Colored People'.  I've never been all that interested in history but talking with Robert, who is an avid history buff, makes it a bit more palatable.  We also played at Centennial Park and spent some time at the Opryland Hotel.  Robert is not a big fan of country music so I didn't drag him to the Grand Ole Opry or to the local honky tonks but I think that the next time he visits, we'll have to hit a few anyway.
We got some great photos at the hotel!

 Alexander loves any sort of adult attention (and he loves showing off).  Robert kept giving Alexander dollars if he could read random words.  I wish someone would do that for me.  I'd read the dictionary out loud if I got a dollar per word!

 Even though this photo is a little blurry, I like that it looks like we're in a tropical paradise!

 Someone's legs got very tired!  They both had fun walking through the hotel like this!

LOVE! this photo!  Alexander just thought it was cool that he was nearly as tall as the horses!  Charlotte and Peter were at home while she napped.  They missed out on some fun and ice cream.

Auction success!

So, I totally forgot to do a post about the other auction item that I made for Murray and Jaime Sanderson's adoption fund silent auction.  I made a cute sundress and matching purse.  The sundress is from a pattern by Tricia Smith of Tricia's Treasures.  I actually learned to sew from Tricia; she teaches classes at the Children's Corner.  If you're ever interested in learning to sew, I highly recommend classes at the Children's Corner.  Every class that I've taken has been great!

I think my contributions to the auction were well received and I'm happy to report that the auction pushed the Sanderson family above their fundraising goals!!

Here's the dress and the purse

Close-up of the bodice

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Favorite Book Character Day at Glendale

Alexander decided that for Favorite Book Character Day, he would dress up like Andrew Dubble from the book series, Andrew Lost.  Of course he couldn't just choose a cowboy, pirate, or spider since I already had those costumes.  The series is all about Andrew who invents all sorts of wacky things and gets into some precarious and hilarious situations.
I decided to make this costume easy and bought two clearance shirts at Academy Sports (they were less than $2 apiece).  I removed the sleeves off of one of the shirts then cut two pockets off of the other.  I sewed the pockets onto the first shirt and hemmed it.  The finished product is my version of a safari vest which Andrew wears in several of his adventures.  Andrew's best friend, a robot named THUDD, is always in one of the pockets so we made our own version of THUDD using a crayon box covered in foil, pipe cleaners for antennae and arms, and springs for legs.

'Safari vest' complete with THUDD the robot, and accessories!

THUDD

Alexander was pleased with his costume but I forgot to get a photo of him wearing it.  Oops.

To-go Tea party

For those who think I may have stopped blogging, rest assured!  I have about 5 posts in my head that I just need to get typed and posted!  I had the flu and it's taken nearly three weeks to begin feeling like myself.  And, now the kids are sick!  I am praying that they don't have the flu since Peter and I have a date scheduled on Friday and then we're all going to celebrate my brother's 30th birthday.  Matt, I can't believe you're that old!! (I'm pretty sure that he never reads my blog so no need to censor his old age!)
So, on another note, now that I'm well, I'm sewing again!  I can't tell you how many people who have requested that I sew something for them.  Well, your opportunity to purchase one of my creations is here!  No, I'm not starting an Etsy store, although I'm sure that Peter would appreciate me paying for my hobby.  I made an auction item for some dear friends of ours who are in the process of adopting a three-year-old girl from Ethiopia.  Her name is Dinkenesh and we're all so excited to meet her!  Check out the Sanderson's blog to read about their adoption journey!
So, what is this auction item that I'm hyping you up about?  It's a to-go tea party!  It's a little drawstring bag that flattens out into a table cloth and it holds round placemats, napkins and a cute plastic tea set!  I've had to put it away in a cabinet because Charlotte kept asking for the tea party, tea party tea party!  I did let her test it out and I think it will be a hit with any little girl who likes pretend play!  Oh, and just so you don't think that I'm the brains behind this fabulous idea, please check out the Prudent Baby blog with complete instructions on how to sew your own tea party!  Here are a few photos:

Charlotte pouring tea for her babies (and bears and pink dragons).

Close up view. (Thanks to my friend, Melody, who let me borrow her awesome sewing machine while mine's in the shop)

This is the bag with the drawstring pulled!
Just sling it over your shoulder!

Stay tuned for a few more pictures of a sundress that I'm also making for the auction!  Don't forget, the only way that you can bid is to attend the dinner.  You can find the dinner information on the Sanderson's blog; you will not go away hungry and your soul will be full as well!