Once upon a time, I was 13 years old. I know it’s hard to believe that I’m not STILL thirteen since sometimes I (might) act like a teenager trapped in this aging body, but it’s true, 13 was a long, long time ago for me- maybe around the year 1990. The advantage to this is that there were some really awesome gals going through those junior high years with me. Proof:
(l-r, back row: Kim W., Holly P., me, front row: Alecia S., Tiffany E.)
This picture was taken at our eighth grade dance, just a week or two before summer break and the transition to the high school. The next season of our lives broke most of us up- I hung out with these girls almost everyday at lunch for awhile, or on the bus ride to school and back home. I have such GREAT memories with these gals-and by the magic of facebook, I’m still in touch with ALL of them. I recently said I could throw all of my yearbooks away since everyone I’ve ever met seems to be on that site (and plus, Andy and I went to the same schools, so why hold on to duplicate sets?)!
I had the opportunity to visit with Alecia in real time a couple of weeks ago when she was heading down to visit her parents (she grew up around the corner from me) (we’ve actually known each other since 5th grade when she won the school spelling bee and I did not) and Edwards was (sort of) en route! No one outside of family comes to visit us here, so imagine my delight when she made the drive inland instead of the coast to stop by for lunch!
She was totally deserving of an apron! I made her model it, too 
She had her 18-month-old twins in tow, so we let them stretch their legs and have some freedom in our house. I have already forgotten how much 18-month-olds LOVE to “discover” blocks! Books! Legos! with hands-on exploration… and spread out their findings.
(l-r, Ethan and Sawyer)
I did not mind one bit- it reminded of the time I had discovered my own 12-month-old Sarah pulling out every. last. tissue. from the Kleenex box and I just sat and watched and thought HOW CUTE! Truth be told, Ethan and Sawyer are just as adorable and I could only watch and observe and smile at their antics. In fact, we discovered them “reading” in a pile of Lolo’s books. They are absolutely too sweet and I love, loved having them here!
Our lunch and conversation time just flew by, and with an impending naptime and school pick-up, we caught a photo of us together right quick before saying our good-byes. We’ve seen each other just a handful of times since high school- and it’s always been neat to me that we knew each other way back when and can come together as if no time has passed, picking up our last conversation in between years and chasing down stool pushers (a fun activity invented by her sons).
Can’t wait to do it again this summer- thank you again for visiting Alecia, you’re one special friend to come to Middle of Nowhere, CA for a visit! I’m pretty sure the drive out the south gate solidified her decision to never get off Highway 58 again
Doesn’t everyone need a few resuable produce bags to grab and take to the farmer’s market or lcoal grocery store to fill with fresh fruits and veggies?
Download your own 
She always gets a kick out of when we play “Airplane!”- she likes to reminisce with me since I once told her I used to hold by brother up on my feet and fly him around, too. “Do the airplane to me like you did when Tyler was a wittle boy!” It rarely gets old.
Lauren’s preschool class learned the most adorable song and she brought it home and taught us- you’ll have to do a search under youtube and listen in: A Tooty Ta! is the song title. Here she is busting out the moves- “Thumbs up! Elbows back! Tongue out!:”
(I guess you can’t really tell, but it did create a more substantial apron)
I was mostly pleased at my live model I had on hand to show off the finished product (more on our visit, soon!):
More cutie pie aprons to come…!
iPhone photo
My favorite part of this skirt (besides it being SUPER easy to make!), is the flattering tie that complements the main fabric of the skirt.
Here’s a more accurate picture of the colors of the skirt (well, maybe). I’ll try to do better next week 
Interested in making
All the kids were decked out in their best red, white, and blue gear:
And waving their flags to and from during You’re a Grand Old Flag bit:
There’s a little bit of a WHere’s Waldo going on up there- can you find my Sarah?
Her mama was pretty proud, too, and maybe a little bit sniffly by their sweet lyrics.