Family Fun

It's been a while since I've posted some fun family pics. My DSLR isn't getting much use these days, so my trusty iPhone is responsible for immortalizing my kids' childhood in pictures.
 
Tatum and I treated ourselves to pedicures when the big sisters went on a youth group retreat.
Gentry had a friend over for a sleepover and they worked on perfecting "The Cup Song" routine. A million times in a row.
 This is my view for several hours a day these days.
Thanks to our tradition of adding a charm on each first day of school, the girls' bracelets are filling up. This makes me both happy and sad.
For an outside dog, Charlie sure spends a lot of time inside in the kitchen. It's been hot this summer, and even the most cold-hearted non-animal-lover wouldn't begrudge her an hour on the cold tile floor.
The backstory on this one:  When Tatum was a baby, she had a febrile seizure. It scared me to death, 911 was called, and firemen and paramedics rushed into our home. Ava and Gentry were very young and scared as well. I needed to ride in the ambulance to the hospital with Tatum, so the friendly firemen volunteered to stay and play with them until Tye could make it home. The older girls vividly remember the day the firemen were their playmates, and we've always been so grateful for their help in an otherwise terrifying situation. We live in a different city now, but we try to take cookies to our local fire station whenever we can to say thanks for serving our community. Tatum tried a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies that were amazing!
My new favorite candle is Granny Bee's Creme Brulee. It's not going to last much longer at the rate I'm burning it but I can't help it. It smells delicious.
 Another baking experiment the girls tried, this time with cupcakes and just a few sprinkles.
If you don't hear from me in the next 6-8 weeks, this is where I will be hanging out. Soccer pretty much dictates our schedule until early November. We weren't sure how Tatum would do since her knee surgery in January, but she seems to be good as new. Many prayers answered.
 I think this one speaks for itself.

Bibs and Burps

 
 

Spirit Shirts

I'm covered up with orders and the blog is taking a back seat right now, but here's a quick look at some shirts I've completed for the beginning of the school year.





Name Pillows

The pillow orders are rolling in again, and these are some recent ones that just shipped. The mail clerk saw me walking in with my boxes this morning and she said, "Oh, The Chocolate Zebra is up and running again!" I guess she missed me over the summer.
 





Bibs and Burps

 

 


Teddy Bear Shirt

This sweet bear shirt is for a special little boy named Garrett. His nickname is "G-Bear" so his mom requested a shirt for him with his initial and a teddy bear. I LOVE this cute little teddy, and how the stitches make him look "fuzzy".


Hooded Towel

A friend of mine has 4 boys and just recently brought home a sweet little girl from China. It's been a blessing to watch her adoption journey, and especially to see how those big brothers have loved on their new little sister. I didn't know what she needed or what size she's wearing, so I thought a hooded towel would be a practical gift for her. God bless you, little Emma!
All packaged up and ready to go.