that is what the 4th of July was about for me.My cousin, Shellie, is someone very special to me,she has been my closest friend and confidant since she was born three months after me.She has a heart of gold, she loves kidsand makes a difference in the life of every one she touches.Just ask her studentsor Alexandra. During our trip to east Tennessee last month,Shellie and I put together a plan to spend this 4th of Julycelebrating the ever growing independence of a wonderful, beautiful, sweet, caring, and just all around awesome girlwho just happens to be mine.So, we set off for a day of shopping with many secrets along the way for our girl, Alexandra.
one of the major secrets was our plan, to stay overnight, just us girls.A very special thank you to Shellieas well as her hunka-hunka Damon who made it possible.....
to stay at the infamous Opryland Hotel...What a beautiful place
Alexandra was in awe of the place.After seeing what valet parking was all aboutand seeing chandeliers hanging in the breezeway, which was OUTSIDE,she thought she was staring in her very own version of Disney's Zack & Cody,but instead of staying at the Tipton, she was at Opryland!
We quickly found our room....
I believe I actually heard her say,"Ah-h, this is the Life!!!"
she quickly had to call home and tell them all about it.*****After shopping till we dropped and making a hilarious, yet disastrous trip to the Marble Slab Creamery,we went back to the hotelwith plans to spend the night hanging out and doing makeovers.
Alex was to be the make-up artist.
First, it was Shellie's turn
Alex gave her the royal treatment...
and after the big reveal...
Shellie was quite impressed...not bad for an eleven year old.
then, it was Mom's turn.
Alex didn't hold back with the liquid eyelinerand soon, I was laughing so hard I was crying...
which resulted in this!!!
after calling me a difficult client...she threw in the towel!!
Alex is at the age when she is all about wanting to wear make-up.I usually let her wear some lip gloss and maybe a little blush,but since it was a special night, I thought I would doll her up to.
She loved it.
so to say thank you,she put on a performance for us.
*****
she looked so grown up...
it was like having a chance to glimpse to the future & see how beautiful she will be as a woman.
the next day..
she was back to being 11 again.
before checking out we took a few quick pictures
Alexandra & Shellie
the flowers were absolutely beautiful, I could've snapped pictures all daybut this trip wasn't about me, it was about...
my wonderful girl.Me & Alexandragosh, I love that girl!
they had some really neat water features and we didn't even see a fourth of them.I hope to go back and visit just to take pictures!
Me & ShellieThank you my dear cousin, friend, sister for helping make this possible for my girl!
just a few...
of the beautiful....
sights to see....
at the Opryland Hotel.*****We checked out, spent some more time shopping, and finished up by taking in a showwhat else could it have been but"Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Movie"!We ended the fun getting lost on the way home, singing and acting crazy to the latest Disney tunes,and having a good ole' heart to heart.*****There are many photos herebut so many others I could share, but won't.It was a wonderful time...a time I'll cherish forever.It was a great 4th of July weekend..it was Memories in the Making.
Alex, I LOVE(!) your outfit, very cute. Girls it looks like you all had a great time.
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