this and that {fun stuff too!}

My TO DO list feels like it's a mile long these days, yet here I am taking a little lunch break to jot down some random stuff that's on my mind. Why is it that the "want to's" all get done and the "have to's" seem to never disappear???

1. Homework. The little pumpkin begs for homework. Yes, really. {I know...give her another few years and it might be a different story} She's sad when she has none. I had to make up homework over the Christmas holiday. She especially likes it when it involves fun stuff like a night scavenger hunt focusing on using the senses.2. Dentist. Yay for another great visit for the little pumpkin! No cavities - woo hoo! You may recall we didn't start off with such a positive experience (see HERE), but a switch in doctors made all the difference. Lesson learned = stick up for what you believe in... especially where your kids are concerned.

Big, show-me-your-sparkly-teeth smile after today's visit - yay! 3. Chipotle. Yes, we're jumping right from 'dentist' to 'food'. HA!
I ♥ Chipotle. In fact, I wish I was eating a burrito bowl right now! I blame THIS post from Meg. Yum!

4. French fries. Yes, I'm hungry. Sorry for all the food talk! Have you tried Wendy's new natural cut, sea salt fries? Not sure how long they've been out, but I had some the other day. Soooo good. Yea, definitely not on my diet. Want to try some? Click HERE to get a coupon for free value size fries.

5. Valentine's Day. I looooove vintage valentine's day cards. I have my friend Michelle to thank for that. Anyhow...my friends Angel & Amy have the cutest little v-day tees for sale. Just $15 (+$2.50 shipping)! Order yours right HERE! Hurry they're selling fast!

6. Soon. Exciting things are happening around here!More soon!

7. Party Favors. March 12th is just right around the corner and I need help from all you creative folks out there! What's a fun party favor that ties in with our Atlantic City Boardwalk theme???

8. Giveaway. Who doesn't love a fun giveaway, right??? Stay tuned for a fun new giveaway coming really soon! Like lickety split soon. :) Is the suspense killing ya yet? :)

60 is Fab! {mom's birthday}

If you've been following my blog for any length of time then you know I'm pretty crazy about this sweet lady...Yes, that's my mom! Her real name is Virginia (don't think I've ever called her that on here...or in real life for that matter!) but these days she mostly goes by Noonie thanks to these two little ones right here: Saturday was her birthday and my stepdad AJ threw her an amazing party. He really outdid himself, doing all the cooking and planning sweet surprises for her. He's great like that.As soon as we made it to their house, the little pumpkin ran in and handed Noonie the card she'd made her. Lots of food... Lots of drinks...and lots of friends... ...sure make it a party to remember!
And all thanks to this guy: While the grown-ups partied inside, the littles partied outside! Thank you Pop for pushing Grace on her beloved tire swing. Time to shake off the dirt and go back inside for......a surprise serenade! Mom had no idea and she was so touched by the whole thing. Of course Grace & Hudson loved the idea of helping Papa J with the maracas. And then it was time for cake! Truth to the matter I was co-host...but really in name only. I was only responsible for the invitations and the cakes. Lemon and Italian Cream...two of her faves.
Easy peasy ;)Make a wish! Noonie got all kinds of sweet gifts like these beautiful flowers from their 90 year old neighbor and dear friend Doc, and even a crucifix blessed by Pope Benedict from their priest Father Jose. Of course she had a very cute little assistant helping her unwrap the gifts. I wanted to get mom something that symbolized just how much she means to me. She is an amazing person, beautiful inside and out, and always willing to lend a helping hand to everyone around her, especially those in need. I wanted something classic and beautiful - just like her, and this is what I came up with: The outer layer has 4 words that describe her perfectly: strong, graceful, beautiful, faithful. The inner ring describes how I/we feel about her: loved beyond measure. And of course the pearl is her to a T. A huge shout out to Erin and her amazing team at The Vintage Pearl (find them HERE) for creating this amazing piece of jewelry that I know my mom will treasure forever.

Here's to you, mom!
Happy 60th Birthday! I love you with all my heart and I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world to be the only person who can call you MOM. May the next 40+ years bring you indescribable joy and unimaginable blessings!

WINNER!

The last eligible comment was Allie's at 11:19 pm yesterday evening, for a total of 166 comments.

Hmmm...how will we ever pick a winner??
Enter Random Number Generator!
But...can we trust it?Well, it sure beats printing all those comments and cutting little pieces of paper!

And the winner of the
Wee Whimsy Couture dress giveaway is.................................................... That's right, #45, mstawnya, who said...

Wow! Way cute! My fave is the kitty & fishbowl dress.

January 12, 2011 12:21 PM

Awww...CONGRATULATIONS, mstawnya!
{I didn't see an email linked to your profile, so please email me at: littlepumpkingrace@hotmail.com with your contact information, dress choice & size} And THANK YOU Monica of
Wee Whimsy Couture for sponsoring this fun giveaway! Thank you guys for entering!

the golden G, sewing club, pins & jackpots!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free dress sponsored by
Wee Whimsy Couture! Enter HERE!

This past week has been soooo busy. It was G week/Transportation Unit at Grace's preschool which meant she got to wear "THE golden G". All weekend I had no idea what she was talking about but come Monday I finally figured it out. Each child gets to wear a golden letter during the week that corresponds to their first name. This "G" was for sure the little pumpkin's "golden ticket"!

I've been pretty lucky lately - hope I don't jinx myself - with blog giveaways and stuff. Right before I won this adorable stamp, I won a super cute toddler backpack from
o & el. I picked out this fun robot one for Hudson:

Thank you Carie and thank you CoolKids for hosting the giveaway!

Then a good friend of mine blessed me with an amazing lot of little boy hand-me-downs, including some adorable spring/summer smocked jon jons for Hudson. Yay! Her little guy is 2 years older than Hudson but both were born in the same "season" so the clothes are the perfect size. Thank you dear friend! Isn't this little guy getting so big???
{Love the skittles tongue!}
Grace's class went on a field trip to the bowling alley. They were so excited to check things out! The class got divided into 2 groups and it just so happened that our group was all girls so they quickly named themselves the "Kitty Cat Girls Team" - so funny those 5 little girlies! Grace was super excited when she had a surprise visitor...her Daddy! Lance was able to take off work for a bit to come see her and she was soooo happy!Grace & Kennedy I'm sooooo excited about our get together tonight! My friend Ashleigh has organized a Sewing Club and tonight is our first time to meet! Yay!!!!

{photo via here}

And then tomorrow.....................{drum roll please}......................it's my Mom's 60th Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! Can't wait for the big celebration! I'm soooooo excited about her gift. I'll post more about it later, but for now all I can say is THANK YOU, ERIN! You came through in a BIG WAY!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wee Whimsy Couture {giveaway}

Word has it that I'm a bit...how should I put this...fashion obsessed when it comes to the pint sized set. I'm not usually one to go along with labels, but...if the shoe fits {yes, please make them red, with white polka dots}...

Enter Wee Whimsy Couture, a fun new etsy shop filled with sweet designs for little ones at budget friendly prices.

What do you say we get to know Monica, the designer behind
Wee Whimsy Couture, a bit better?

Name: Monica
Age: 38
Location: San Antonio, Texas. GO SPURS!!! LOL, I love basketball.
Etsy Shop: Wee Whimsy Couture

How long have you been designing/sewing kids' clothes?
I have been designing and selling for a few months, but have been sewing for over 10 years. I took a sewing class to learn to sew pillows and home décor, then I started making pj pants and shorts, then little dresses for my friends' daughters and have not stopped since.What led you to open your etsy shop?
My best friend found Etsy, she bought some bows to match a few of the dresses I made for her daughter and she talked me into selling my designs. I am so glad she did, I LOVE Etsy! What inspires you?
I am inspired by well, almost everything LOL!How many kids do you have?
I have 5 kids, 4 boys and 1 girl. My oldest son is serving in Iraq at this time. I miss him so much! Thank goodness for Skype and the internet! I am able to talk and see him at least once a week. I have another son who is following in his big brother's footsteps and is in boot camp right now. My daughter and another son are in college, so that leaves me with only my youngest son still living at home, which I told him will have to be forever!How do you describe your design style?
I think my design style is fun and whimsical...as you can tell by my designs I LOVE polka dots! What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I play Xbox Kinect games with my youngest son and husband, as well as watch movies. I also read books. I got an e-book reader for Christmas and I just LOVE it.Thanks so much for letting me share a little about myself. I look forward to this giveaway and making a dress for one of your blog friends!
~Monica

Yes, you heard that right! Monica has graciously offered one of her adorable dresses for this giveaway! Even better...WINNER's CHOICE!

To Enter:
1. Visit Wee Whimsy Couture and come back and tell me your favorite item (1 entry).

For Additional Entries:
2. Add Wee Whimsy Couture to your favorites on etsy (1 entry).
3. Become a follower of this blog or tell me you already are! (1 entry).
4. Blog or facebook about this giveaway, leaving the link in the comments (1 entry).

Please leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest runs until Sunday,
January 16, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Winner will be chosen randomly and announced Monday, January 17th.

THANK YOU MONICA for sponsoring this fun giveaway! Someone is going to be very happy come Monday!!!

So what are you waiting for...go visit Wee Whimsy Couture!