Big Girl Bed

You might remember that Anna Ruth got a big girl bed for her birthday. We found the actual bed on Craigslist. I knew a white bed would look better in her room. Clint did a great job sanding and painting it. Now it's perfect! Earlier in the year I scored one of my all time favorite fabrics on eBay for a HUGE steal. I wanted to use it somehow for her bedding. We were so blessed to have a very talented lady sew the (long) bed skirt and pillow sham. I still have a few more finishing touches but I just love the way it all came together.

Before

After

She even "quilted" the pillow!

Gatlinburger

No typo here...GatlinBURGER is what Anna Ruth calls it. Recently, we took a long weekend and headed to the Smoky Mtn. Of course that meant a visit or two to Dollywood. With season passes (thanks Joe/Lo) we have turned into a DW family. Clint and I probably love going as much as AR does now. We also took at drive up in the National Park and saw the gorgeous fall foliage. We had a great time!

Dollywood day 1

Anna Ruth's DW show debut. She interacted with the cast so much during the performance that they brought her up during the last song. Our girl isn't shy to take the spotlight!

Group photo with the cast

And of course, felt the need to hug them!

Moving on to our scenic drive up the Smoky Mtns.

This is what AR saw on the ride up...

And was a wee bit upset when I told her to take the sucker out for a picture.

"Fine, put it back in..." Notice the switch in mood that occurred in less than five seconds! Ahh, 3 yr olds!

Back at DW- day 2, season passholder's breakfast

Happy Fall Y'all!

Fashion Show

It's defiantly not a secret that I love dressing up Anna Ruth. Clint calls it one of my hobbies--I'm fine with that! My absolute favorite is dressing her for church. And just like with everything else, I have to take a picture before we leave the house, to document her cuteness! 😀  Some of my recent favorites:

Of course I loved this tulip dress so much that I had her pictures made in it. Everything from the color to the style is so sweet.

Vintage dress I found--I think I can let the hem out of this one and get another year of wear.

Custom smock dress--again, should be able to wear next year too. I love Swiss dot fabric!

Earlier in the summer. This jumper has hidden pockets which always get the seal of approval from AR. Like her mama, she loves a dress with pockets!

This is another favorite. We have worn it multiple times. "Happy as a Lark"--my Nanaw's favorite saying. Look for this dress to make another appearance around Halloween.

Clint's mother made and smocked this dress for his sister. It's going to AR's new cousin Gwyn next so she can wear!

This wasn't a church outfit. I bought this vintage pinafore off eBay. It has a really sweet story that I'll have to share sometime. I love little girl's vintage dresses!

She has her church bag and is ready to go!

By far, this cherry dress is one of my favorites!

Explaining parts of the leaf to me...cute AND smart!

Again, not church but an everyday outfit. I love her in pink!

And this is for my records to have proof that there is still some blonde in her hair!

Silhouette Love

I've been wanting a silhouette of Anna Ruth for a while. And not just any silhouette, I wanted one from Tim Arnold. He has been cutting silhouettes for over 30 years and I knew I wanted to get while the gettin' was good (so to speak). Not only is he from Tennessee (extra points) but he has cut silhouettes for George H. W. Bush's grandchildren (extra, extra points). If you know me, you know I love the Bush family...in particular Laura. So, add those together, TN native and good enough for a president and I am sold!

Also, I purchased the traditional black oval frame from the company he recommends, Wright Frame Company- also a local TN neighbor- and it's stunning!

Preschool

Anna Ruth started preschool this year. (Same church she has been going to for nursery school just moved up to a new classroom with preschool curriculum.) She was so excited to be with the "big kids." I will say, she looks like a big girl compared to last year's first day!

2yr old/ 3 yr old

The Big 3

Our little lady turned the big three on Sunday. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that she was a tiny infant but in others it’s hard to remember life before her.

Favorites:

-School. Sometimes, she even asks about going on Saturday. She loves being with her friends.

-Peanut butter & Jelly. It is still holding strong for favorite meal. She would eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner if she could. It’s always a good indicator that she is sick if she refuses a PB&J. But, that being said, she has started eating more and is less picky than she was this time last year…thank you Jesus!

- TV. We limit her television/iPad time so when she gets to watch it, she is glued! Current favorites are still Curious George, Sophia the First and Mickey Mouse.

-Books. Even though she enjoys her TV time, she still really loves books. We can spend hours on our bed or in the rocking chair reading book after book. I’ve had fun sharing my favorite childhood books with her this year.

-Singing. You never know when she will bust out in song…she is 100% our child!

-Playground. Many fits have been thrown when it’s time to leave the playground. I think she would be perfectly happy to live at the Warrior’s Park playground.

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My Precious Anna Ruth,

I simply cannot believe it’s already been another year and you are three. For some reason, mommy is having a hard time with this birthday. You seem so grown up now and want to do everything by yourself.

You talk from the minute you wake up to the very second we put you down for bed. And, we sure wouldn’t have it any other way. I begin smiling when I pull into our driveway once I get home from work because I cannot wait to see you. As soon as I walk in the door you scream, “Mommmmmyyyy” and run into my arms. I hope I always remember that feeling of joy…because little love, you bring me such great joy!

As time continues to pass, I think there is no way you can make us any happier and you always prove us wrong on a daily basis. You are such a cheerful girl that can be so sweet one minute but show your sass the next. You have mastered the pouting lips and enormous tears when you don’t get your way. (This is where your Mimi Suz would say I’m earning my raising, for sure!) But, you are learning your boundaries and what it feels like to not always get what you want. I promise that it will serve you well in the future. 

I look forward to watching you learn and grow over this year. I look forward to so many more fun times together with you and daddy. I look forward to seeing your personality continue to shine and reveal itself. But, most of all, I just look forward to being your momma! 

I’m praying every day for your future. And, I’m praying that you come to understand that as much as your daddy and I love you, the Lord loves you so much more, special girl!

You will always be my sweet baby,

Mommy

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Her gift from us was waiting on her when we returned home from Dollywood. She has been telling us for awhile that cribs are for babies, so we knew she was ready for a big girl bed. She was so excited about it!

Birthday Parties

This year, we celebrated Anna Ruth's birthday on Friday with cupcakes at school, dinner at Clint's parent's house with his grandparents and Saturday with my family. The lucky birthday girl got to have 3 birthday parties! On Sunday (her actual bday) we went to her favorite place- Dollywood. She loves DW and had a great time. They gave her a birthday button and each ride she went on they gave her a birthday shout out before the ride began. It was a HOT day but not too crowded.

Of course the weekend was well documented...as you can see, we are partied out!

Cupcakes at school on Friday.

Dinner at Nana and Pappy's house with Granny and Papa

Present Time!

New table and chairs from Nana & Pappy

Loving on Nana & Buzz Lightyear (gift from Aunt Brooke)

She loves her great-grandparents! Funny note- Papa was selected to hold her Buzz while she took a bath that night-big honor!

Saturday party in Rockwood- this is now one of my all time favorite pics of AR and my Nanaw

Requested Mickey cake--We gave Daddy a break this year on cake baking since we were traveling

Making another wish

This picture makes me happy & miss my mom but so thankful to have this family!

Dollywood birthday girl!

Taking Aunt J on one of her favorite rides

Pretty hot at this point (Abe went with us but was taking the picture.)

And, I think this is just the sweetest--AR sure does love her great-grandfathers