SMITTEN HEART MODEL SEARCH WINNERS!

My little boutique, Smitten Heart has been running a local model search the past few weeks. Via new Facebook rules, I am not allowed to announce winners directly on our fan page; so to protect ourselves - we are announcing the winners here.


I want to first say, THANK YOU to each & everyone of you that entered. I am thrilled with the turn out & would have loved to have everyone be apart of our Holiday shoot, however, I couldn't possibly make enough bibs/bows in time! And I'm sure Victoria wouldn't be pleased if I showed up with 23 babies under the age of two for her to photograph all at once! OH! but the look on her face would have been priceless!

I just want to remind everyone that this was a judged contest. The judges were various boutiques, & close friends of mine. None of the judges knew the models that I am aware of. There is a total of two photoshoots for our Holiday line; one for our bib collection & one for our "party bow" collection. The judges chose the top three models they believed fit these two categories the best. They were chosen by style, ability to model the products in the shoot, & photo personality. They were not decided by photo quality.

So, without further ramble! The winners for the bib shoot are



SAWYER & SOFIA!



The top two girls chosen for the bow shoot are




HAILEY & KALANI!


Everyone who entered will receive 25% off their entire purchase valid one time through the end of the year. Just let me know you were part of our Holiday shoot! I will keep everyone in mind for future shoots, & once again, thank you to everyone who entered.

Runners up will be notified if anyone cancels or if I decide to add additional models to the photo shoots.

ONE APPLE JACK COMES AFTER ANOTHER { time doesn't stop }

I walked into the living room; ribbons hanging from my arm & a bowl filled to the brim with Apple Jacks from a freshly purchased box. My son glanced up at me, "Ooh! What's that?"

What's that... simple. It's the next 45 minutes.



At first he thought it was bowl to eat, (which trust me in the end, he ATE!) but after showing him a few times how to string the cereal onto the ribbon he realized exactly what the idea was. Infact, he thought the idea was brilliant!

His sister on the other hand, she preferred the task of eating them.





Eating them. Spilling them. Playing with them.





Just seeing them sitting near each other, enjoying a simple task together, is one of the most amazing things that could have happened. I love watching them interact. After all this time, they are finally learning to share quality time together.

Oh, I remember the days he wouldn't let her within two feet of him. I'm so glad it passed. Yet, I know... someday, this stage shall pass too.





I wish we could stay here forever. Just like this. But than, we'd miss out on such wonderful things that the future has to hold. I look at Daycen, he's three years old. Three. I can close my eyes and remember him the age his sister is. His chubby red cheeks, his bald spot, & unusual love for the jumperoo. I loved every second of that time, but I also love watching him grow & communicate. I thought I knew him back than, but I'm just now really getting to know him.

And I love it.



I'm also going to love really getting to know Miss Ripsi.




My kids loved the simple craft we did this afternoon. I enjoyed every moment of it as well. It couldn't have been a more perfect Friday for us. ♥

Since you didn't get a tasty treat yourselves, I'll leave you with one inspired by Kelle Hampton & give you the simple pleasure of our every day life this past week.

ADMIRATION. { the older sibling. }

She looks up to him. She watches his every move. In a moments notice, she memorizes & stores everything in her mind, prepared to bring it back & use it when she grows a little bit bigger. She's a lot like me. She loves her older brother a whole lot.


And when he isn't in direct sight, she waits. Listens. Anticipates.



Until he comes back.



He is teaching her everything. How to work hard, how to have courage, to take risks, to enjoy the small things in life, to make every day fun, & most importantly how to survive. He doesn't realize it. He doesn't see it. He's teaching her to crawl, walk, talk, eat, play & so much more.

She is teaching him as well; how to accept & share. He doesn't see that either.






It doesn't matter how silly he looks, or how naughty he is. She looks up to him.



She'll always look up to him.
(Trust me on this one. He's going to be A LOT taller than her in the future. She has my short chunky legs. Poor girl.)



It amazes me watching how she reacts to her brother. I envision that perhaps I was the same way with my older brother. I'm am almost 100% sure we are the same. Just years apart. A mother & a daughter, but a similar person.






My brother asked me to stand up in his wedding. Of course I will. I've been standing by his side long before I could even stand.

Let's be honest. We are all hoping they become as close as me & my brother.



and I really, really think they will.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR. { a holiday wedding }

The weather this holiday weekend has been anything but beautiful. It's been overcast, rainy & awfully chilly. However, despite that, we were able to find beauty. On Saturday we attended an outdoor turned indoor wedding, that even with the glitches was extremely cute.

"because I am your man & you are my woman."





♥ There is just something about a mother & a son that gets to me.







I'm not a wedding photographer, but I sure do love capturing their beauty. I love how no matter what goes wrong - no matter if it's sunny or stormy - nobody seems to notice. All that matters is those two; showing their love & taking that step forward. Congratulations, Dan! I'm so glad you found the one to share your life with. ♥

Of course, Aripsemae was thrilled to attend her first wedding. She stayed late & partied hard. Just what every little girl does.



And it was the first time, in a long time, that she wasn't the center of attention.
♥

WE'RE BACK IN ACTION.

Where has all the time gone? Can you believe, it's September?! Can you believe I've been absent for OVER A MONTH? I can't. Honestly. Time has literally been blowing past us these past couple months. We've spent a lot of time enjoying the weather, & each other while focusing on the future & all the bright things that is coming our way!

I've had a handful of you contact me, missing my posts. I missed you too.

Here is a brief preview of what has been going down for our small family. ♥ I promise, you didn't miss much!


We've been enjoying the great outdoors ... between here, the 400 block & the park we've been out & about enjoying every moment of the sun before the cool weather kicks in. (I'm ready for it today too! My goodness, our house is like a sauna! Yet, the yard hasn't dried up enough to go outside)



We are 9 months, & practicing our moves!



... no success yet however.


We are learning to play.... & hopefully one day share.



We've been crafting up a storm, Smitten Heart has moved some inventory into Hazel Home ♥



Our teeth have finally started coming in! Hello solid foods!



We had a vendor booth at the ABC Kids consignment sale. We had a fantastic time & met a handful of wonderful people.





And life has exhausted us...



We are back though. Making time for each & everyone of you to enjoy the simple pleasures in our lives. I can't promise you every day, but I can promise you I will make time.

I also wanted to shout out a congratulations to my Brother on his engagement, & to The Starr's on news of their newest addition on the way!

THREE TIMES THE LOVE.

I plan on finishing up finalizing the big birthday post this afternoon and instead of leaving you hanging a day, I figured I'd share a couple pictures. I fell in love with the idea of making sure to take a picture with the kids on their birthdays each year. After all the commotion & guests had left, I was able to pull Daycen aside.



He normally hates to get in front of the camera. However, I was able to bribe him that if he took a picture with me - I'd open that deluxe pack of Disney Car's.

After I spent some time clicking away with Daycen, I continued onto Ripsi. Who is always into getting her pictures taken!



Daycen has been playing side by side with his sister for very short periods of time lately. I actually was able to capture that moment to share with you guys...





The large track, thanks to my brother. Always leave it to uncles to give over the top birthday gifts.

Oh, and a sneak peek of Daycen's birthday theme...

POOL TIME ISN'T JUST FOR SWIMMING { It's about learning }

Aunt Leane came to town this past weekend again - I know, this blog makes it look like she comes every other weekend, but it's nearly months between visits. We were just blessed these were only three weeks apart! Steve & her allowed us to join them at the hotel pool for a little swim session before Daycen's birthday party. (thank goodness, too! It was nearly 90 degrees by mid afternoon!) I don't think it could have been a better pregame activity for the newly three year old!



He practiced his swim moves, & actually figured out the method of kicking the water!



He learned there is a lot more fun things to do in the water than just lounging in it.



He learned to jump in!



What he has yet to learn is his sister is madly in love with him.

I know someday he'll notice her admiring him.