What’s more fun than making a cake for your child’s birthday? Not much, but making these cakes and cupcakes for my friend Roxanne’s son Sam was a blast! Sure the baking insanity took over my life for two nights and the 30 minute car ride to the party was filled with anxiety that the cake would be destroyed … but his smile when he said “Light-neen M-keen” and “May-ter” was so worth it all.
Photos courtesy of Roxanne Hack.
I can’t believe summer is over and my little boy will be starting 3rd grade in just two days. Where did the time go?
It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by … and the more I wish I could freeze time. My cuddly little boy is growing up so fast.
As I look at school pictures from the past 3 years, my mind is flooded with memories and my heart is filled with love. Through pictures like these, I can freeze time … at least in my mind.
What would the world be without friends? Where would Eeyore be without Pooh or Tigger without Rabbit?
Over the past week or two I have been going through some pretty tough times. Probably some of the toughest and most trying times I have gone through as a mother in a long time. I was at a loss for words and didn’t know where to turn.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Disney |
After watching the news with me this morning and seeing footage of the East Coast, Dylan said I wish we could help those people Mom. I told him that it’s hard to help people when a natural disaster occurs because we really have no control over it. I told him that unlike earthquakes, Hurricane Irene gives a warning. We can track the progress and estimate where the hurricane will hit. This gives people some time to evacuate and get to safer ground.
What came out of his mouth next practically put me in tears. He asked what would happen to all of their food and clothes that they couldn’t take with them … what about their new backpacks for school?
Remember, Dylan is only 8 years old.
Simplicity is Good Sometimes
|
Earlier this week Dylan and I were invited to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California as part of the aquariums first Mommy Blogger Event. The doors opened an hour early for this event and we were provided a lovely continental breakfast before touring the aquarium.
We had the opportunity to meet the staff, learn about some great programs and events offered, and best of all enjoy the aquarium before it opened to the public. Knowing how much we both love the ocean, I knew this was going to be another wonderful day. One sure to make memories for both of us. If you have a child who loves the ocean half as much as Dylan does, you need to make a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Any day he can touch an animal is a great day in his book!
I have always loved gardens and the peace I feel when my hands touch the soil. I don’t think of it as getting dirty because it’s not dirt … it’s soil. A place where my plants will call home and flourish. Living in an apartment certainly has limitations when it comes to a garden, but after my recent visit to The Dragonfly Shops & Gardens the creative juices are flowing again.
Located in historic Old Town Orange, The Dragonfly Shops & Gardens is nestled away from the busy streets and shops. When you walk through the archway of this vintage 1920’s house that has been converted into a retail store, you are instantly transported to a land of nymphs and fairies. I could have spent an hour just wondering through the front yard. Inside the house, you will wander through various rooms filled with unique treasures made by local artisans.
 |
| Can I just take this entire collection home? |
Dylan and I had the opportunity to attend a class with OC Family and learn how to make our very own fairy garden in Dragonfly Hollow. Yes, I said fairy garden. What, you don’t believe in fairies? How else do you think those little rocks get moved in your garden?
 |
| Dylan said he didn’t want to get his hands dirty … haha |
 |
| Carefully placing the rocks |
 |
| He refused to have fairy dust put in his garden because it was purple. |
 |
| Ever try getting 7 kids to look at the camera? |
 |
| Dylan’s garden, complete with a pirate! |
The kids had so much fun and I can’t wait to go back so I can make a garden or two of my own in Dragonfly Hollow. Just look at all of the items you can choose from.
These are my favorites…
Dragonfly Hollow Fairy Garden classes ($10) are offered the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 10:00 am and Children’s Fairy Garden classes ($20) are offered on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 9:00 am. Call 714-289-4689 to reserve your spot in the garden.
If you are in Orange County, you should definitely visit The Dragonfly Shops & Gardens … I promise you won’t leave empty handed or disappointed.
The ladies of Dragonfly Hollow were so nice and they even offered all of my readers a 20% discount just for mentioning Life with Dylan.
You can find The Dragonfly Shops & Gardens on Facebook and Twitter
Life with Dylan 