Catching Lizards, Catching Ants

I think we need a pet! Todd and I keep using the excuse that we can't have a dog or any other animal until Daegan is a little older. So to satisfy their need to have an animal around they bring in the wild. I know a lizard and some ants seem harmless, and it is very cute how Daegan thinks that he's catching an animal when he brings in some ants, but I am seriously worried. Living so close to the lake we encounter all sorts of wild animals in our neighborhood including SNAKES! I run into one now and then when I go out for a run and I know that it is only a matter of time before one is in my yard or in my kitchen!

For the Love of Dolls

Every summer the City of Folsom holds a Thursday Night Market in the historic part of town. They shut down Sutter Street and allow people like me to sell aprons or other fun stuff. Last summer Emma and her friend Sadie opened an Otter Pop stand adjacent to our Domestic Darlings booth and were very successful in their efforts. They used their profits to buy several Webkins (a very popular stuffed animal) for themselves and their brothers. This year their new goal was not spend money on a bunch of stuffed animals, but to save it all up for an addition to their American Girl Doll family. This week was the third time this summer these girls charmed the locals with their cuteness. In 3 hours time they were dancing in the street to their new Miley Cyrus CD because they had sold $80 worth of water and Otter Pops and had finally crossed the finish line. They now have enough money to buy their dolls and have learned a little about saving money.

Meet Kathryn

I decided to introduce Kathryn this week because it is this doll that has kept Emma busy and entertained all summer long. Kathryn (Emma's middle name after our good friend Kathryn Scott.) is Emma's Just Like You Doll from American Girl. She joined our family last Christmas and has turned out to be the best $100 I ever spent on a toy. She (the doll) has spent every single night of her life in Emma's bed. She has inspired Emma to read many, many American Girl books, learn to do hair and even design clothes. (The outfit she is wearing in this picture Emma designed this week all by herself with some left over apron fabric. She even used a needle and thread to sew the back seam together.)

A few days ago we finally coordinated schedules with her best buddies Sadie & Sara (fellow American Girl & Miley Maniacs) and went to see the movie Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. It was really a good movie and it's not just because I love doing this this mom & daughter stuff. The film had a great message and one very relevant to what is happening in our country today. Later in the evening when we got home Emma I had some serious discussion about some of the themes in the film. I was just amazed that at 9 years old she had a grasped economics 101, understands adversity and knows how important it is to be grateful for what we have. Those people over at American Girl really have a great thing going on and I look forward to a few more years of throwing more money at what they have to offer.