A New Project

As if I needed another obligation... but this one is fun. It's part of the 365 Project Challenge.

The 365 project aims to collect photos documenting 1 year of your life. We want to build a picture of the little day to day things that make your life so special and unique. Everyone can take part and join in! All you need is a camera.

I've put The Shopping Mama spin on the project and am documenting 365 Days of Children's Clothes. So if you're looking to get your Jack and Ellie fix, pop on over to the Children's Clothing Blog and see what they're wearing every day.

An Official Announcement. Sort of.

As if it wasn't already clear, I suck at maintaining this blog. The Shopping Mama just takes all the computer time I have. And more, actually. I'd love to update this as often as I used to, but at this point it's not realistic. I have deadlines and responsibilities on the other blog (and Twitter and Facebook and the ShopAtHome.com blog) so all that usually takes priority.

The good news is that I often post about the kids - like Jack's soccer photos, Ellie's birthday party and funny things toddlers say - so when you want an Adventures of the Lord Family fix, check out The Shopping Mama. You never know, you might discover some awesome kids' toys, find something fun to buy or win something. Cheyenne did!

Five Fat Turkeys - a Thanksgiving Production

Jack's pre-school class "performed" a song at today's Thanksgiving Luncheon. It's hysterical. Jack was very eager to sing, as evidenced by his announcement he's ready to sing and the fact that he started singing before the music started.

Enjoy!



And, Saturday is Ellie's first birthday party! She turned one on Monday and I've been so busy since that I haven't updated this blog. The other has totally taken over. So, if you'd like to see how she spent her big day, check out this post on The Shopping Mama. And then Sunday Kevin and I hit the waters for a "media" preview cruise on The Oasis of the Seas. It's the new Royal Carribean boat and it's the largest cruise ship ever. We only have to pay for Kevin's flight there and everything else is covered. Ca-razy! I'll update when we get home.

Help a Mama Out

If you're not reading The Shopping Mama, now's the time to start. If you're reading The Shopping Mama but not entering giveaways, now's the time to start. I'm participating in a Get Cool for School giveaway bash with 7 other blogs and we have some AMAZING prizes up for grabs.

All the giveaways are open for entrants on all 8 blogs, which does mean your chances of winning aren't as high as usual. But I'm listing 2 new prize packages every single day for the next two weeks!

Here's why I'm begging asking for your support. The giveaway entry form keeps track of who entered from what blog. I am the newest blog participating and while I've obtained some good sponsors (think Stephen Joseph Gifts!) I really want to pull my weight and show them The Shopping Mama is a good, influential blog.

So head over and enter the Get Cool for School GRAND PRIZE Package giveaway today. Valued at over $600, it includes a $400 gift certificate to buy fall/winter coats, See Kai Run shoes, Stephen Joseph rolling backpack or luggage, clothes and MORE! Click here to enter all the Get Cool for School giveaways!


Other upcoming prizes include a PlasmaCar, a Keurig Platinum Brewer (and if you don't win that one, I'm giving one away on The Shopping Mama later this month!), Radio Flyer wagon, gift certificates to The Container Store and The Children's Place and tons more! There's seriously something for everyone.

It's been a while since I've posted about The Shopping Mama blog and things have changed as it's grown way bigger than I imagined. But, ask away if you're curious about anything or about how it works!

Not Sure What to Call This Post

So we debated whether or not to share this video... It's kind of crazy!

You may remember The Shopping Dada's Drifire review on The Shopping Mama? Well, the PR company for Drifire asked us to take video of each other answering some questions. They sent us a video camera and a list of questions. We recorded one another talking and returned the camera.

Here's the result. Don't make fun of us!


What do you think? I think I could have at least styled my damn hair. I also think my name is funny. Oh well.

Laurel Parade

Jack and Sarah running on "the green" of Mount Holyoke before the parade.
A little history for those unfamiliar with MHC's Laurel Parade:

In 1932 the laurel chain ceremony was integrated into the annual alumnae parade and since then has remained the parade's highlight. This moving ritual, which takes place during commencement weekend, marks the transition from MHC student to MHC alumna. During the parade, seniors--linked by two 275-yard laurel chains--process through the ranks of returning alumnae to Mary Lyon's grave. After weaving the chain around the grave site's fence, they sing "Bread and Roses," a poem-turned-song that was taken up by strikers demanding reasonable hours and pay at a textile mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1912. The seniors and all the alumnae parade participants dress in white, a tradition that began as a show of solidarity with the suffragettes who wore white when campaigning for women's right to vote.

Read more about the history of Laurel Parade and about this year's Parade.

One of two women in attendance from the class of 1934! Do that math... they are OLD. There were also 12 women from the class of 1939.
The 50th Reunion Class. A sign carried by the class of 1984.The class of 1999! Apparently I make this face at Jack when I'm excited to see him. Poor kid.

With Heather and Alec and Kira pushing Nate. Kira was my roommate first year and Heather lived next door to us! Still some of my closest friends in the world.
My favorite class of '99 sign. Trust me, that doesn't mean much at Mount Holyoke.
The graduating class!
Ellie and me before her first Alumna Association meeting.
Notice her dress (white, of course) says MHC '31.

If you don't cry while watching the Laurel Parade, check your pulse. It's amazing and I'm tearing up just looking at the photos.

Skulls Christmas Party

The 85 TES Squadron Christmas party was Saturday night. It was held in a fancy gathering room at the Emerald Grande in Destin. We made a mini-staycation of the night and took our circus on the road. Memere, Papa Lou, Kevin, Jack, Ellie and I spent the night in a gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath suite. Memere and Papa Lou were on kid duty while Kevin and I attended the party.

It's clear we don't get dressed up all that often by Jack's reaction. When Kevin walked into the living room Jack said, "Dada cuuute." A few minutes later when I was saying goodbye to Jack he pointed to my high heels and said, "Mama shoes cuuute."

We hoped to catch the sunset Saturday night before the party, but it was really foggy and we couldn't see a thing. (I will not complain about the weather given it was 70something during the day.) The party was a lot of fun, but Jack sleeping in a strange bunk bed in a strange room was not. We got few pictures of the view Sunday morning once the fog lifted.

Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

I am so, so lucky...

I've been looking for an excuse to post about my new necklace and pictures of me and my little ones will have to do. It was a gift from Kevin and I love it.

Long Awaited Pictures

No words, just pictures! Enjoy!

We're Home

We were released from the hospital earlier today and are so happy to be home as a new family of four.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Keep checking back for updates and lots of pictures!

Meeting Baby AJ

Deb, Russell and baby AJ are on vacation in Destin and they made the trek over the bridge to hang out with us yesterday. Deb is one of my closest friends from law school and she and her husband Russ welcomed baby AJ 6 weeks ago. The coolest part? He was born at Ohio State and my mom was one of Deb's post-partum nurses.

Jack was very excited to meet AJ. AJ, on the other hand, was not so sure.
Jack tried to comfort AJ with a kiss.
Deb and Kate with our boys.
Deb and AJ.

Bump Watch - 36 Weeks

Here's the bump. Although, that word is kind of sweet and makes the belly sound small. It is not. I am clearly large and in charge.

The One and Only Mullet Festival!

The weekend we've been looking forward to since we found out we were moving to Niceville finally arrived. It was time for us to experience the one and only Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. Sadly, the Festival celebrates the fish and not the hairstyle, but it was fun nonetheless.

Jack and Kate on the "midway", if you will.
Kate dressed the part by wearing the most classy of maternity t-shirts (a TDY gift from Kevin). A definite highlight of the day was Kevin and Jack's ride on a VERY big blow up slide. Please enjoy the action photos and notice how the look on Jack's face changes. He goes from very excited to not so sure to scared out of his mind. We did some fine dining, but did not partake in any of the Festival specialties.

The performer on Sunday evening was country singer Sara Evans. Jack danced to a few songs before we went home.

If any of you are planning to visit, you should clearly plan your visit around next year's Mullet Festival. It is not to be missed.