Under My Umbrella

I remember waking up from a nap when I was about five or six and being surprised by my parents with a gift they had made while I snoozed; beds for my Barbie dolls, made from shoe boxes covered in calico with matching mini quilts. One was red with little flowers, the other yellow with the same flowers. At last Ken, Barbie and Skipper had a place to sleep.

There is nothing better than unexpected, "just because" gifts in my opinion. With this in mind, I try to surprise my kids with handmade gifts when they least expect them. I have been secretly working on this embroidery for Avery for some time, and finished it today while she played at a friend's house.

The piece was inspired by a Kidz Bop song that received a lot of play time around our house(under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh), a drawing from an old children's book, and the fact that Avery is up to my shoulder now (how did that happen?). Our CD player is broken and interest in Kidz Bop has waned, but this song will always be remembered fondly.

Not a big Mandy Moore fan, but I prefer this version over Rihanna's or Kidz Bop.

Enjoying a rainy day today, the chance to complete a project and the opportunity to surprise my favorite girl. She will always have a place under my umbrella.