When a Chick Leaves the Nest...

So tomorrow is the day...


the day my dancing chick leaves the shabby chick's nest...
to spread her wings,


make some new friends,
learn the finer "pointes" of ballet from a Russian master,



and follow her Dreams.

For 6 whole weeks...

She's special...this angel of mine.


We've spent some wonderful moments together this week...
doing some fun things...
and doing nothing at all...


just being with each other...
us three shabby chicks!

We actually accomplished something BIG...
HUGE...
that we are VERY PROUD of...
we finished knitting our first project...
the colorful quilt.


It's kind of like our "sisterhood of the traveling pants"...
but it's a blanket.
Do you know that story?
you pass the jeans...or blanket around for a period of time
so you each create
special memories with it.
while Taylor is doing a white/shabby/beachy dorm room
(more on that later)
her one POP of color will come from our fun blanket of LOVE.



Her request for today...
while Jordie was having a blast at tennis camp with her besties...
Tea for Two...
So we went to out favorite little tea place...Brambles Tea Room.


How sweet it is...
to get dressed up and enjoy a tea party with your ballerina chick.



How cute is this...


and the lunch was YUMMY too!
Taylor had curried chicken salad


and I had a good old fashioned
egg salad sandwich...


follow by warm scones with strawberries, preserves and...
devonshire cream!!!


I love it:)

A beautiful day.
But wait...it's not over yet.
How about a trip to our new favorite jewelry store...
Ooh la la.



I have sensory overload every time I step through the doors.
My girl found some goodies that she modeled later at the park.


And she was soooo happy when she saw the beautiful flowering trees
waving to her in the breeze...


yes, we have a breeze.
it's just a sweltering breeze.
But who's complaining?


Not me...this time!

Catch you later...from Kennebunkport:-)

And to my beautiful girl...
Your family loves you...


and will be right here waiting to hear all about your adventure...
We''re so proud of you...our shabby dancing chick...
and when this adventure is done,
and you're waiting on the next chapter of your story to begin...


Home will be waiting...
the place where your story really began.

Say Yes to Treasured Moments

Today, I had the pleasure of taking my 2 beautiful girls for tea. What a treat! Taylor, my 14 year old, loves tea and everything old-fashioned. She was as happy as I have ever seen her. Jordie likes tea too but went along more as a good sister...and ended up having a wonderful time.

We visited a sweet little place called Brambles Tea House in Naples, FL. It is a lovely little place owned by an English couple. All I can say is if you are ever in Naples...

Taylor and I had the Pumpkin Cream tea and Jordie had the Caribbean tea. Both were good but we especially loved the coconut flavor in Jordie's tea. We had the most incredible scones and Jane, our waitress, explained how to eat them. First, you split them in half horizontally, spread the strawberry preserves and on top of that, the devonshire cream. Finish by placing a sliced strawberry on top. And DO NOT put the halves back together sandwich style:-)

Anyway, we had such a great time. I kept thinking how special moments like this are. My girls are growing up so fast. Like everyone else, I had a million other things to do today but I am so happy I said "yes" when they asked to spend the day this way. Sometimes, I have no choice but to say no, so I think they were as surprised as I was that I agreed to their request.

My suggestion to you...before automatically saying no to your child's request, stop and think if there is any way to say yes. Sometimes there isn't...but many times there is. I will always remember the special day that we had because for once I said "yes".