Memory Making at Wrigley

Earlier this month the kids and I were able to make a memory with Papa.  Papa Trout used to play baseball and sometimes is able to do really cool things with the Cubs still.  He was throwing out the first pitch and singing the 7th Inning Stretch, so the kids and I tagged along.  We had a blast with Papa, seeing him in his element and hearing him "sing" was so fun.  For me, it was extra special, because I have memories of my dad taking me on the field and running around and having fun, and now my kids were able to have that experience too. The Engineer went with when he through out the first pitch, it made for great pictures.

Dandelion Queen in a Midspring Night's Dream

Peaches is everything I always wanted in a little girl. She can be rough with the boys, and she can host a perfect tea party for all her dolls.  She is a mixture of sass and sweetness and boy can she charm you to get what she wants. If I had a dollar for every time someone told I was going to have my hands full when she gets older, I would be rich!  She is my free spirit, my charismatic child, that I love and would never, ever change, even if she pushes me and tests me almost every day...I love my girl and my husband snapped these pictures of her while I was working one night and I edited them today.These pictures just touch my heart because they seem to get to the heart of Peaches, they capture her perfectly.

Midspring Night's Dream

My Dandelion Queen

Merriment at the Zoo

Did you ever find a place that you knew it was special?  That it would hold a special place in your heart and that you want to tell everyone about, but keep it a secret at the same time? I have a few places like that, some to remain a secret, but one I will share.

The Michigan City Zoo is one of those places. Located just off of the beach on Lake Michigan, it is a small zoo that has all the charm and characteristics of a forgotten treasure.  There is a couple of tigers and some bears and zebras, but the really special place is the bird house. You need to visit this at the end of summer, when all the vines have covered the ceiling and cover the wires, so you forget that you are actually in a large cage. The birds fly around and you can get a stick with food on to feed them.

When you are walking around there you can feel like you have your very own zoo just for you. If I had a million dollars, I would share with the Michigan City Zoo!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Merry Memories

The woods behind my grandparents house is filled with wonderful memories for my mom and her siblings and my cousin and I.  I think my kids will have memories in these woods too.  For a week in the spring the normally dirt brown ground turns into a blanket of yellow.  It is truly a beautiful sight.

Here are pictures from our little outing in the 

yellow woods.

Happy Mother's Day!

Proverbs 31

Who can find^* a woman of worth?^a

Far beyond jewels is her value.

11Her husband trusts her judgment;

he does not lack income.

12She brings him profit, not loss,^*

all the days of her life.

13She seeks out wool and flax

and weaves with skillful hands.

14Like a merchant fleet,^*

she secures her provisions from afar.

15She rises while it is still night,

and distributes food to her household,

a portion to her maidservants.

16She picks out a field and acquires it;

from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength;

she exerts her arms with vigor.^*

18She enjoys the profit from her dealings;

her lamp is never extinguished at night.^*

19She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her fingers ply the spindle.^*

20She reaches out her hands to the poor,

and extends her arms to the needy.

21She is not concerned for her household when it snows—

all her charges are doubly clothed.

22She makes her own coverlets;

fine linen and purple are her clothing.

23Her husband is prominent at the city gates

as he sits with the elders of the land.^*

24She makes garments and sells them,

and stocks the merchants with belts.

25She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and laughs at the days to come.^*

26She opens her mouth in wisdom;

kindly instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over^* the affairs of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband, too, praises her:

29“Many are the women of proven worth,

but you have excelled them all.”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.^*

31Acclaim her for the work of her hands,

and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.

So blessed to have all these wonderful mothers in my life. They are Godly women who are great examples of the qualities of Proverbs 31.

Merry Making Birthday!!!!

GaGa's Golden Book Birthday

Gaga turned ONE on May 1st! To celebrate I hosted a Little Golden Birthday party for him, all book themed of course!  

The invitations were from littleforests Etsy shop. They were beautiful!

All of the food for the party was themed off of our favorite children's picture books.

More Pictures from the party

Each child got to pick a book as a present and we had lots of book worms to munch on! Golden balloons filled the dining room.

The Cake, Oh the Cake! Auntie Emme's Buttered Buns did a fantastic job! It was almost a shame to eat, but it was so delicious!

The look on his eyes while we sang happy birthday was so special. I think he enjoyed his first birthday cake!

Spring=New

New Name
This winter I was so sure I was going to start this blog that would become an instant success. Then I did two blog posts and didn't make it much further.  I think I had the wrong name for the blog, Madame Merriment is super cute, and maybe one day, I will be her, but right now I am Mommy. Mommy Merriment is also super cute and much for fitting for my life right now. This is something I know and can write about! Maybe now I have actually found my voice!

New Opportunity
I will also be posting about my new adventure into photography.  I have always had a love for photography. I will have to try and find this picture, but one day when I was babysitting my brothers (7 and 9 years younger) I tacked up a blue sheet on the wall, but them in their bathing suits and filled the frame with seashells, boats and sea life.  My very first little photo shoot. I didn't tell my mom what we did while she was gone and when she picked up her film from the grocery store she had a big surprise. I still remember her reaction of surprise and laughter when she saw how I made my brothers pose! From as long as I can remember I have been dressing people up, making them pose and taking pictures or making movies.  My great grandfather was a professional photographer in Chicago during the depression. He was Hungarian and actually studied in Europe too.  My grandma has the most amazing pictures of her and her four siblings growing up. He was also an artist (didn't get that talent!) and would paint a scene and then transpose their images onto it.  These paintings and pictures are true heirlooms and priceless treasures.  This was during a time when having your picture taken was a true luxury as well.  I also believe that on my father's side a great grandfather owned a Kodak processing store...but those facts need to be verified. Don't you just love family heritage?

So, photography is kind of in my blood. My parents are also very talented photographers, but never pursued it any more than just a hobby.  It is with a thirst for knowledge and a want to learn and grow that I jump into this new endeavor in my life.  I can't wait to see what comes of it!

The Engineer, Peaches and Gaga will be happy for me to finally have some new subjects to dress up and take pictures of!