On Saturday, Lillie went to a birthday party for twin girls that are friends from DC.  The theme was an Animal Safari.  The day started out with some Model Magic and the kids could make any animal they wanted

 Lillie decided to go with her present favorite animal...the butterfly.

 Then it was off to play an animal game, loaded with props, some charades slash pictionary, and a lot of fun.  Notice the creature in black and white to the right of Lillie.  That was one of the birthday twins.  There was a professional face painter hired for the party.  Lillie usually NEVER likes face painting of any kind.  Mainly because it often gets her itchy and she worries about her eczema.  BUT....

 Look who took the plunge!!  It's the Asian Tigress!  Seriously, how cute can she be!!

 After asking for a mirror and trying to see her reflection in the tv, refrigerator, and anything she found shiny (I'm totally not exaggerating!), we went out for a little pinata fun!

 Go Tigress!!

 It was a very fun party, where Lillie got a soft clay butterfly, a book, "Bread and Jam for Frances", some treats, a cheese pizza lunch, lots of play time, and a makeover that lasted until she took a bath that night!

 "GRRRRR!"

 And of course, look who had to get involved!!!  Daddy Tiger!  ha ha

The County Fair...Woohoo!!

Well, it was sort of a woohoo. A smaller fair came into town at the beginning of the month, but we told Lillie to hold off until the big county fair came. The whole county closes school for a day during the fair - FUN, huh??!! Anyway, she agreed and waited. Well, the week of the fair was not the greatest weather! It pretty much rained the whole time. So on the night we planned to go, we packed our umbrellas and, slightly grudgingly, drove to the fair. On the way, we told Lillie that if it rained too hard, we would need to leave early. Well, as luck would have it, it rained the whole time we were there...ugh! Not too hard, and barely a drizzle at times, but we tried to have fun anyway. It's a good thing that all the rides Lillie wanted to go on were covered!

The first stop, however, was the lion's den! Lillie was NOT that happy, but I had to get a shot of the cool white tiger!

Then after some great carnival food (the best pit beef sandwiches EVER!), it was on to the rides! Carousel first...twice in a row.

Then Mr. Alligator took Lillie for a ride.

Lillie couldn't pass up the speed boats!

Then we ended with the all important ferris wheel.

Blurry, I KNOW! Just remember...rain, umbrella, moving object.

"I'm DONE!" Not really. Lillie loved every minute of the fair. I know through pictures it doesn't seem like a lot, but Lillie rode many of those rides twice and sometimes THREE times! We ended with some freshly squeezed lemonade, cotton candy, and some fried pickles! YUM! (I know, one goes a little crazy with the food choices at the fair!). Lillie would have stayed all night, if she could. But alas, we headed home with a full belly and some great memories.

So it's been a little while, and a few things have taken place since.  First of all, with some MAJOR help from a friend, I tried my hand at making a dress for Lillie.  True to form, we didn't follow a pattern completely.  In fact, we used the top pattern from a dress, a different skirt pattern, some made up stuff here and there, a few snips, and tucks, and voila...here it is!

 I can see all the flubs along the way, but Lillie loves it, and that's all that matters.  The circle skirt gives a BIG twirl, which you know earned BIG points from Lillie!  Happy Twirling, Baby!