Absolute Mommy

InstaFriday Photo Dump {my apologies}

Happy InstaFriday. I didn't have a post last week so I apologize for this photo dump in advance. But I had so much fun last week and took lots of pictures. I treasure my iPhone, and not just because I can check Twitter every two minutes, but also because it captures all the moments I would miss.

One

Tried out a new chocolate frosting recipe.

Grad cupcakes to celebrate my little grad.

I hear they were good.

Two

That's me and my gal Jenn.

Both our babies graduated preschool last Thursday night.

And we were happily heartbroken at our little people growing up.

Three

Getting ready to leave for Graduation.

New dresses and all.

Four

The weather at 8:25 am on graduation day.

And it was every bit of 100 degrees by 6:30pm.

Very Fresno this time of year.

Five

Celebrating with "celebration" popcorn.

Popcorn + melted white choco chips + sprinkles

EQUALS

happiness.

Six

The Graduate.

Bittersweet.

One

Mac and her BF.

She loves that cat.

And the cat likes her ok.

Two

Mac has this thing about ears.

She likes to pull on them for comfort.

Especially when she is tired.

Daddy's ear was all she needed on Sunday.

Three

Double Stuffed Oreo Cakester Faces.

Four

When I'm blogging before the kiddos go to bed,

this monkey climbs in the chair behind me.

And wraps her monkey arms around my neck.

So I decided we needed a picture of that.

And blogging got interrupted.

Five

Fighting for face time on the iPhone.

They are so ready for their closeups.

Six

Sunglasses.

Grocery store trip.

Lazy Sunday with my girls.

As a side note, aren't Caitlin's glasses awesome?

Caitlin and her blogger bun.

Highlighted on the blog on Monday,

but I had to show this picture again.

I just love those glasses.

Oh and this outfit was for a trip to the pool!

So in love with this picture.

Mac said she wanted to "hide".

Which means she wants you to count.

So I counted and my mom when to find her.

On the left is what we found.

On the right is her saying "hi".

Love that kid!

So that's whats been happening around the Crutchfield house lately.

What have you been up to?

Are you addicted to Instagram?

Have you heard about Operation Feed the Lambs?

Cat put together this project on her blog Stuff I Love.

Check out how she is trying to raise money

to end hunger for children world wide.

And while you are there check out some of her delicious recipes!

WIW: Preschool Graduation {Plus BNO}

Dress: The Loft Outlet

Shoes: Coach (the ultimate deal!)

Caitlin's black wedges: Payless Shoes

Mac's gold sandals: Payless Shoes (Dora the Explorer)

Sure it was about 100 degrees that night.

And yes, I wore Spanx.

After babies, Spanx is my go to.

But nothing was going to stop me from dressing up.

Because my usual is jeans, tank, flip flops.

The dress is a Mother's Day gift I bought for myself.

I have an unhealthy addiction to stripes, and

a co-dependency on anything nautical.

Of course I worried about the right shoe.

Tried on thousands (over exaggeration).

This pair was in my closet the entire time.

Yes, my Coach "to die for" gold heeled sandals,

that I stole from Macy's.

Well, not stole, so much as paid only $38.00 for them,

when they were originally close to $200.

The girls brought their own style.

Look at those wedges Caitlin picked out.

She's got style folks.

Just a matter of time before I let her style me.

And Mac?

Well Mac loves these gold beauties for two reasons.

One, they have Dora on them.

Two, they light up.

Seriously, what more do you want in a shoe?

In addition to Preschool Grad Night, I got dressed up again last week.

Let's talk about me wearing make-up two nights in a row.

Yes, I'm serious!

It really happened!

Top: The Loft Outlet (obsessed much?)

Shorts: Mossimo for Target

Shoes: DUH! Toms

Hair: Friar Tuck!

Friday night was BNO, (Bloggers Night Out)

hosted my the lovely Tiffany.

Natali and Andrea were there as well.

It was a great night of conversation and drinks.

We talked shops, blogs, and how to get out name out there.

We also talked about a beauty box swap...

The {Preschool} Graduate

It happened friends.

Last Thursday my first born graduated from Preschool.

I'm still not sure how that is possible.

That same day a good friend of mine was in labor.

All I could think about was the day that Caitlin was born.

The weather was the same, hot and restless.

My emotions were all over the place.

I was excited.

Anxious.

Elated.

I tried to do lots of stuff to take my mind off of the idea.

But in the end, 6:15 pm was staring me in the face.

So were a room full of preschoolers.

I took my seat and waited.

And when they called her name, I whooped and hollered with the rest of them.

Them being all 15 of us in the "Crutchfield" cheering section.

And I didn't cry when her name was called.

I hadn't even teared up.

Not when I got her dressed.

Not when I combed her hair.

Not even when I put her cap on her head.

I didn't cry until I posted this status on Facebook.

My status reads:
"My princess just graduated preschool. We made it Caitlin. Mommy loves you".

And then finally I cried.

Because five years go this was a stretch for me.

Emotionally anyway.

In that moment I did feel like we had made it.

To another major milestone.

Proof I was doing this motherhood thing just fine.

Because sometimes we're still not sure.

That all our blood, sweat, and tears are going to payoff.

Sometimes we wonder, "Will the bad always outweigh the good?"

Then a moment like this answers all our questions.

Sponsor Love:

Delilah is one funny...

Well I won't say it, but girlfriend brings the laughs.

And the tears too, so be warned.

We met on Twitter.

She blogs about all the joys of motherhood.

Even the ones that involve poop.

Check her out here.

What are you waiting for?

Moms On Mondays {Meet Jelli and her Linky Party}

Caitlin and her bloggy bun.
Just like all you bloggers out there.
Tutorial Here.
Easy peasy!

My "friar tuck", as per Annie Sauce.
Tutorial here.
Video Here.

Happy Monday friends. Today I'm going to introduce you to a new friend. Jelli blogs over at Jellibean Journals, and her life in Costa Rica. Her blog has recipes, product reviews, and helpful hints on motherhood and life in general. All from Costa Rica! Recently she started a Monday Link Party called Monday Mom Musings, where she asks us to link up all things mom. Fun right? Get to know Jelli better here, and until then link up your latest today. Like I said anything and everything "mom", and if you're not a mom yet, link up something that would help out a momma friend. Like say a delicious, DIY, beverage that includes alcohol... Just saying!

So since I'm co-hosting with Jelli today, I wanted to give you some easy momma hair for the summer. Pictures are some Instagrams taken over the weekend (major Insta recap is in the process, you have been warned). The first is beautifully modeled by my princess. It's the bloggy bun, well, that's what I call it. I learned the how to from Ashley at The Shine Project, and also Ilene of Much Love Illy. Both gals have style way beyond my comprehension, but they can give a tutorial like nobody's biz. The second is the "Friar Tuck", as coined by the amazing Aunie Sauce! Did you know that if you do this with wet hair (which I did) and let it dry, you will get the most amazing waves? I took mine out before it was completely dry, but there were def some waves!! So check out the links above, and enjoy some effortless beauty this summer.

Jelli is giving the directions below, So let's give her some love! While I try to find a million and one other things to do besides laundry!

Now it’s your turn! Please join me and link up your

{Monday Mom Musings} ;

anecdotes, game & activity ideas, gems of wisdom, crafts, recent triumphs, or anything else that you’ve learned or would like to share with us this week about parenting.

HOW do I link?

Mama “MUSTS”:

Make a pal! Visit {at least} the two posts ahead of yours & COMMENT!!
Make it family-friendly {of course!}
Please link to your specific post, not your homepage

Optional, but appreciated per Jelli:

*Follow me, pretty please!

*Place the Mom Musings button link on your post.

Button Code (copy & paste):

Link up now, Lovelies

Looking Back: 1984 {Linky Party}

March 1984 I turned six years old.I can tell you that Cabbage Patch Kids, Hello Kitty andStrawberry Shortcake were important in that order.I remember watching all my faves on MTV.Like Madonna, Talking Heads, and Billy Joel.Yes! Talking Heads.I also remember being in Mrs. Johnson's first grade class,and fearing for my life.She was an old crone, but I think she really taught me a thing or two.She also introduced me to a book I will never forget:The Little Old Man Who Couldn't See.I've been searching for it for years.It's about $100 on Amazon!When I think about 1984 I think about:16 Candles: Saw it when it came out on VHS;Trips to Monterey with my Dad;Going to my Grandma's after school;and my mom reading me Little Women for the first time. So this link up was a total no brainer!Finding all these photos to share with you was a blast!So here is a look at Absolute Mommy, when she was just a girl,with big dreams and a Cabbage Patch or two.

One

Me, laughing out loud, before it was a "thing".

With my Grandma's high heels, in a terry Jumper.

So WIW before that was cool too.

Two

Me and Julie, my 2nd Cabbage Patch.

I remember this Christmas because I had the stomach flu.

I'm totally digging my boots!

Three:

More Christmas.

I think we are showing off the presents under the tree.

I'm cheezing it up, as always.

I'd just like to say, I remember most of the ornaments on that tree,

and a few have made their way into my house!

Four:

WIW: 1984

Toothless grin.

Slicked back pony tail.

Red and white polka dot dress with ruffle.

Leather flip flops.

One

Me and my cat Tomas.

Yes, Tomas.

Because I'm Mexican and loved Tom and Jerry.

Check out the Nike's!

Oh and my sweater is monogrammed!

(see pic #4 as well)

Two

Yes, I posted this.

Yes, it's super awkward, but also hilariously funny.

I'm in my PJs.

My hair looks like it's sticking up, but mom has assured

me it's the tail of a bun.

I'm showing off my missing tooth.

I'm awesome!

Three

Me and Edward my first Cabbage Patch Doll.

He was my guy!

And we still have him.

Caitlin has him dressed like a girl or something.

Poor Eddie, he's still living the dream!

Four

More monogrammed sweater!

Very preppy chic!

And that velveteen dress?

High Fashion in '84.

Look at that lace bib and rose!

OneLet's talk about the pastel pants.Let's pretend I was "in" fashion.Along with that jacket.Now let's forget the clothes and talk about me feeding these pigeons.That are basically the rats of the sky.Really though, my dad took me to Monterey almost every Wednesday.Wednesdays were his day off, and after school it was just the two of us.On crazy adventures with his 35mm camera.Most of the pictures in this post were taken by him with that camera. TwoMe asleep on my grandma's couch.I fell asleep watching the 1984 Olympics.Where I was dreaming of being the next Mary Lou Retton. Three:Me at a wedding.I don't remember who's wedding, but I remember it's a wedding.I love that I'm wearing pigtails, a favorite of the six year old me.I love that my teeth are making an extra effort to come in.This is pretty much what I looked like in the summer of '84. FourMy sixth birthday at Chuck E. Cheese.My dad still points like that.And I still have that look on my face sometimes.What you can't see is that I'm wearing rings.I'm super fancy.Also as I pointed out to the hubbs, the hidden gem in this photo is my dad.He's drinking white wine at Chuck E. Cheese.By the carafe. So that's 1984 Absolute Mommy style before she had style!I hoped you liked it.Where where you in 1984?And if you say "not born yet", I might just die of old age!

Join us for this awesome Link up!

Megan- Shaping Up To Be A Mom
Kelly- The Houtz House Party
Megan- Absolute Mommy
Brooke- Covered in Grace