August Bow of the Month Club Bow

I'm loving these neon colors for the August Bow of the Month Hair Bow! If you want one of these you'll have to join the club, as it's an exclusive hair bow for members only! Here's how to join:

You will receive 1 bow per month (it could be a holiday theme, or a basic solid color bow). These bows will be a surprise bow (no custom orders allowed), and may vary from month to month. (layered, single, clips, sculptured clips, characters, etc.) All bows will come on an alligator clip, unless otherwise requested.

Payment should be made through paypal. Payments will be received up front, and your bow will arrive in the mail by the 15th of each month. Shipping is included in the prices listed below. I will not ship to any other address, only those that are noted in the paypal payments.

You can choose from any of the following plans:
3 months: $ 20.00
4 months: $ 24.00
5 months: $ 30.00
6 months: $ 36.00
1 year: $ 60.00

If you are interested in the bow of the month club, you will need to either send me a personal message, email me at elainewelte@gmail.com, or leave your paypal email in a comment below.

Great day!

Today was a magnificent day with the girls. It was a day that I wish I had my camera with me because they were both so well behaved and we did some activities where pictures would've been nice to have!

We started our day at storytime at the local library. Sadly, this will be our last week going, because we'll be out of town and then G starts preschool, but we've gone the last three weeks and G has had a great time. She's been coming home and singing some of the songs, and today she sat so still while we were there.

The leader of the group is amazing! This is by far the best storytime that I've been to. They sing a hello song, and then read a book. The book is always followed by some sort of finger play or action based rhyming story, and then another book. Then, we'll sing a song or play a game. Today, they had a snowball fight, even though it was over 100 degrees outside! Then, they colored a picture of themselves to make a banner.

The last two weeks I've let G choose a few books to take home. These books are whatever her heart desires, and I try to not have any influence. Which may explain why we've been reading Christmas stories! This week, I did not let her choose a book because we're headed out of town, but I promised her we'd go when we got back and she was perfectly happy with that!

After the library, we headed to the post office to ship HPA packages. And, then we went to pay our rent.

After those quick errands, I decided to take G out for lunch, so we went to Braum's. I've been wanting to try it, and wasn't sure if DJ would really enjoy it, so it was perfect with just the girls! To be honest, I don't think i'm crazy about their food. It's typical hamburgers or chicken strips with fries, or maybe a salad. I didn't get to look at all of their ice cream selections, because I'm thinking that's what you really go there for! But, G and I both got a milkshake with our meals. G chose strawberry, while I stuck with chocolate. I'm not sure about hers, but mine was delish!

We were sitting at the table eating, when this older man walked in carrying a Bible and a few other books. He sat right at the table behind us, so I would be able to make good eye contact with him. Before he sat down, though, he kneeled down, and did the sign of the cross. So, my first guess was that he's Catholic, although I've never seen a Catholic person do this at a restraunt? In my head, I tried to tell myself to not make eye contact with him, or to judge that he might be a crazy man, but there was something gentle in his eyes. He eventually came to the table, which I had dreaded that he would, and asked if MC was a 'new baby'. I replied that yes, she was just 2 months old. MC smiled at him, and he gently stroked her arm, then her head, and yes, her cheek (which, I tried to not let him see me cringe), and then he patted her bottom a few times. He was content after that and went to order his food. I wonder what he was thinking and what his life story was. We went to the restroom before leaving and whe we came back, he was eating and doing a Bible study. I politely smiled at him and told him to have a good day and left.

Sometimes I struggle with teaching G about strangers. I want her to understand that she shouldn't talk to strangers, but strangers approach me all the time to look at MC and gawk at all of her hair. I'm use to it, because they did the same when G was a baby, but when they leave, G always reminds me that they were a stranger and I shouldn't have talked to them.

The girls and I then made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to look for fabric for their football shirts this year, and then we ran to the mall so I could get moisturizer.

The entire time, G held my hand and was a wonderful listener. We've struggled with outings over the last few weeks and I've come to be 'that mom' with the screaming kids that always gets 'the looks' from other people wishing that I could calm down my kids. But, we didn't get that today!

G had also come accustomed to asking and/or getting a toy while we were out, and not one time did she ask for one!

We were thankful to get home and out of the heat! It was over 100 degrees outside! G and I both drank a huge glass of ice water as soon as we walked in the door!

Later in the afternoon, we were surprised with a package from Nana, DJ's mom. MC received this adorable glow seahorse that plays music. I've heard amazing things about how magical they are, so we'll see!

And, G received a baby Rapunzel doll! She had to go retrieve her baby Cinderella and take her picture with both of them!

It was such a nice break from our previous stressful outings! I have high hopes after today that I can do this! That I can be a mom of two girls, and that I can get out with both of them and survive! I just need to have a plan, and plenty of water since it's so hot!

I also started reading, "How to Make Your Kids Mind Without Loosing Your Own", and I think it's helped provide a new prospective on things. I'm sure i'll be sharing more about that later!

Made to Match (m2m) Bows

I picked out a few of MC's winter outfits today and worked on some hair bows to match. She has this adorable Taggie caterpillar outfit that my mom bought her. I want to make a bow to match, but I'm out of pink ribbon, so I went ahead and made a clippie that I'll attach to a bow later.

I chose a few colors that are in the caterpillar on the shirt for use on the clippie. They're glued at various points, so the caterpillar looks a bit like he's moving.

She also has this adorable apple romper. So I chose the colors from it and made this layered hair bow for her to wear:

I know many states are having a tax free weeekend for back to school shopping! Once you purchase your outfits for the school year, you can send me photos and i'll make custom m2m bows for your little honey!

Prices begin at only $4.00 a bow! You can email pictures to elainewelte(at)gmail(dot)com and we can work together to create one of a kind hair bows for back to school!

Cloth Diaper Changing Set Up

I wanted to share my cloth diaper set up, because it seems that we all have such a different way of setting up our areas. And, it's fun to see how others have organized their area to gain ideas of how you might be able to change your area to be more functional. MCs furniture is sort of a hodge podge, we're using a desk that my father in law made for my husband when he was a boy. It's the perfect height for me, and I wish I would've thought of it when G was a baby! I placed a changing pad on top, which left enough room for a wicker basket. In this basket I place all of my all in one and pocket diapers that are already stuffed with inserts.

In the drawer, I keep my cloth wipes as well as extra hemp inserts, and my reusable liners in case MC develops a rash.

On the right side of the desk, is the 'book space'. I've placed a storage container that holds my prefolds and covers. When I want to use one, I just pull the basket out. I also keep a box of wipes there, just in case I need any of those.

Underneath the desk I have a large wicker basket that serves as a laundry basket.

I also have a trash can that has a wet bag liner inside. For now, it is open air. I don't notice a stench, but DJ occassionally does. I do have a trash can that I need to clean out that will eventually replace this open can.

I know that as MC gets older and begins to crawl and pull up that i'll have to reorganize a few things. But for now, this works very well for us.

Hair Bows

I love that I'm finding more time to work on hair bows lately. These are a few that I completed this week. I started making half pinwheel bows. These are perfect for those that don't like the over the top bows, but want something to identify that their child is a little girl.

This one is made of a baby pink and placed on a lined alligator clip.

I also worked on this navy and red stacked hair bow. It's perfect for those that have to wear school uniforms!

G's Dance!

G had her very last summer dance class this week. I was so proud of what she learned this summer and I loved watching her each week!

I convinced DJ in June, to let me sign her up for classes. He agreed, and the very next day we were at the studio. Then, we went straight to the dance store to purchase a few leotards, tights, tap, and ballet shoes. I kind of felt like crying as I had a proud mommy moment watching her try on her ballet and tap shoes at the store and dance around in them. It was something that I've looked forward to as a mom of girls. The class progressed and G would come home and 'practice' or play dance. She'd want me to be her teacher and she'd be the student.

But, as the weeks continued, she wasn't as excited about going. We used the 6 week summer session as a test to see if she'd be ready this fall to make the commitment. But, she's been telling me that she doesn't want to take dance. She wants to take gymnastics.

I'm torn, because we purchased brand new tap and ballet shoes. They won't fit if we wait another year. Should I sell them? Should I force her to take?

I'll admit, over the last week and a half, i've been trying to convince her to continue. As if it's something that she really does want to do. The truth is, she probably doesn't. But, I want her to take, and I want her to take really bad. I'm convincing myself that if we continue, she'll love it. Or, if she doesn't, then we can pull her.

But, I don't know if I should do that. Am I benefit her or myself? I need to decide soon, because classes are filling up.

Watching her perform in her very first recital, made me so proud. I was so happy that she had dance this summer. And, I may be partial, but she was the cutest sailor girl and the best dancer in her class!

Rub a Dub Dub

MC had a major blowout the other day. I was thankful that she did, because she hadn't pooped in two days, and she was getting bad gas and becoming fussy. So, when I checked on her at nap time, and discovered the poopy smell, I was glad that she had pooped, but not glad that it was all over her onesie and her crib sheet.

So, I changed her, and knew that it would get all over me too! So, off to the bath we went! This was MC's first time using the actual tub and she loved it! She was very intrigued by the baby in the mirror.

I think she stared at her the entire time!

She didn't scream through the bath, MC loves the water!

And, she was happy that she was finally all clean!

Oklahoma Aquarium

Yesterday, we went to the Oklahoma Aquarium. DJ's aunt and her two kiddos were visiting, so I thought it would be a fun outing for the family. I was super impressed with the touch tanks they had! G loved touching the starfish, as she plays with the fake ones in her Gee's bathroom every time we're there. You could also touch shrimp, and these amazingly wierd looking crabs!

I think Amy carried G or chased her the entire time! But, it gave me a break and Amy appeared to be enjoying herself!

The jellyfish- these are probably my worst fear in the ocean! They're also the reason that I cringe when I think about swimming in the ocean. I fear these more than sharks, and the aquarium had a ton of them- creepy!

Above: The octopus- yuck. I'd hate to be in the ocean with one of these things swimming around me. But, it was neat to look at!

The aquarium also let you feed the stingrays! Aunt Gina helped to put the bait on to G's pole. Thankfully, I helped G hold on to the pole, because as soon as the stingray swam over, G let go. I don't think the aquarium would've appreciated the stingrays snacking on the pole too!

There was also a shark exhibit and we quickly realized that G would not be able to go shark diving, as she fits through the hole in the dive box. But, then again, I wouldn't want to go, because those spaces are fairly large! But, it was fun watching the sharks swim over and around you. G didn't care for it so much though!

After we finished the shark exhibit, there was a touchscreen game, where you could feed the 'sharks'. I loved that it even took your picture to display on the screen while you played the game! Above is G working at the aquarium!

The aquarium was a blast! I'm trying to convince DJ to let us get a season pass to it! It will be a fun place to escape the summer heat!

New Bows

I've enjoyed spending some spare time working on new hair bows over the last few weeks! For me, it's my get-away time, and with the girls, I need a little bit of it!

These bows are all listed as ready to ship on HPA's facebook page. I love this Ariel inspired bow. I kept it simple, because Ariel's a pretty simple princess. It has a red and white dot boutique bow as the base, and a light pink bow on top.

This apple pigtail set will be perfect for any little honey's starting, or going back to school in a few weeks!

This Colts bow will be perfect for fall football- as long as there isn't a strike!

And, G asked me to create her a tap dance bow! If your little girl is taking dance, then this hair bow will be adorable for her to wear to lessons.

The surrounding loops have polk a dots, and dancing sayings, such as 'love 2 dance' and 'beautiful dancer'

Hope you enjoy these bows as much as I enjoyed making them!

Cowgirl Hat Applique' Set

As G would say, "Ride "Em Cowboy-girl!"

HPA would like to introduce it's cowgirl hat applique in brown with blue dots. It also comes with a detachable bow as a decoration on the hat.

You can also order a made to match hair bow for your little honey as she saddles up and rides into the sun.... okay, well she probably won't, but, she sure will look adorable in this matching set!

This set is $25.00 plus shipping on our facebook page.