Pumpkin with an L: The Lumpkin Family: 2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Day at the Park

During a recent "mommy & me" day at my store, Gentry Claire and I snuck out for a long lunch break and to visit the park. We are SO ready for spring weather!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Friday, February 20, 2009

We took Gentry Claire to her first rodeo... The Dixie National Rodeo at The Jackson Coliseum. So, the last time Gentry Claire has been to the fairgrounds was to see Santa at Mistletoe Marketplace. When we pulled into the parking lot, she immediately started saying "Ho Ho - Where's Ho Ho?" We had to explain to her that Ho Ho (her name for Santa) was back at the North Pole and he wouldn't be back until next Christmas. But, being the stubborn carbon copy of her mother that she is... she insisted that Ho Ho just HAD to be there. So, we compromised and said that we would have to look for Ho Ho, that maybe he was there in disguise. We went in to the coliseum, had fun picking out a cowgirl hat (a cheesy one at that... but we'll get a better one next year), a toy pony, a cowgirl purse, and fudge for Paps! She LOVED the activities and was mesmerized by the animals and all of the action. We had all but forgotten about Ho Ho, and it was time for the musical act to perform. Out they came on their trailer and stepped onto the stage that had been lowered down from the ceiling... and Gentry Claire yelled out... HO HO!!! It was hilarious. There Ho Ho was, on stage with a long white beard and black sunglasses, and singing with the Oak Ridge Boys!!! So now, in case anyone is wondering, we know what Santa does in the off season!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

A little sentimental... my first years as a working mommy

Ok, here it is... my first sentimental blog... it was just a matter of time! It has been a hurried and busy holiday season! Between traveling to see both my family and Brian's family and moving A Southern Affair from Lakeland Drive to our fabulous new location in Highland Village... there was hardly time to digest what was happening.

We closed our doors on December 30th @ 6pm and reopened in the new location on January 2nd @ 10am. It was a packing and moving experience for the record books. Now that everything has gotten back to normal, it has given me some time to reflect on how my daughter,

Gentry Claire, has grown up at "mommy's shop."

I opened A Southern Affair bridal boutique and event planning's first retail store front in November 2005 (previously, I ran the company from my home offices.) We found out we were expecting her the following month, on Christmas Day 2005!

She was born on August 29th, 2006 and has truly grew up there!

She loves the new shop in Highland Village and has already transitioned pretty well to "mommy's new shop." She loves the near-by stores... enjoys being able to run around the courtyard not worrying about cars or traffic... thinks the cupcakes at Crazy Cat Bakery are soooo yummy... runs up and down the stairs inside... but her favorite thing to do is to throw pennies into the wishing well with paps!

We are enjoying making all of our new memories.

Here's to remembering my first couple of years as a "working mommy." Enjoy!

OK, Baby Bjourn... the best invention ever!

I highly recommend it, whether you're a working mommy or not!

It makes multi-taking a possibility once again!

She loved to watch me work on the computer!

Naptime at mommy's shop!

Uncle DD visiting from D.C. He has that goofy looking smile on his face

because he knows how much I can't stand a headband like that on my baby :)

OK, much better!!

Double trouble! Gentry Claire, along with every other child that ever stepped into my shop, was fascinated by the mirrors. Thanks goodness for my window cleaner, Braxton Stephenson...

he has lots of little fingerprints to clean.