All smiles...or not even one

Since I was going to be home for a few days I thought it would be a great opportunity to take the girls in to get their pictures taken.
All the way there we were talking about it and Hailey was acting as though she was going to humor me and actually smile for the camera.

We checked in- Hailey was still ready to smile.  The guy got Hannah set up and called over to Hailey.  She buried her head in my shoulder and that is where it stayed until we left.
Hannah did great and her pictures turned out super cute.  Hailey wouldn't let us even get one so I guess we will have to try another day.

When we got home I decided to try to snap some of my own.  They turned out cute but by now they were ready to just play and were not interested in cooperating.

Although looking back at these now.....they are pretty darn cute!

Vacation Day 3

Today it's raining.
Figures that with the gorgeous weather we have been having, I am off work for this week and it has rained everyday so far.  It's hard not to complain about it although it is only March and afterall, it's suppose to rain in the spring.

Good thing we are planning to be inside today at a movie.
We went to see The Lorax with Kim.
This will be Hannah's second movie and Hailey's first.

We paid for our tickets, got our snacks (popcorn, Icees, Diet Coke, and  pretzel with cheese $24.00!!) and headed into the theater.  Both girls were super excited to pick our seats and settled in.
I tried to take a few pictures but they didn't turn out at all so I will refrain from posting them here.

Both girls enjoyed the movie.  They laughed at the funny parts, danced during the songs and showed concern when there was trouble on the rise :-)

Tonight my family is coming over to celebrate my birthday.

Hannah treated us all to a puppet show- of course it was none other than 'Sexy and I Know it by LMFAO'



And Kristin played Beauty Shop with the girls and did their hair



Vacation Day 2

So, this is what it feels like to be spoiled?! 

AGAIN?!

Today is my Birthday and I can't think of a better thing to do then to meet Brian for lunch

and head to Benihana!

I got my present in the car on the way there.  A new iPad?!  YAY me!

Wonder how many hours will go buy before the kids con me into playing with it?!

The girls really enjoyed watching the 'cool guy' cook our food.

Hannah kept squeezing my hand under the table and giggling about how cool this guy was.

Hailey just kept making her expressive faces and pointing to him.

Hannah tried the shrimp and loved it, Hailey enjoyed the chicken.

Got home and this cake was waiting for me.

Apparently that is daddy helping me down the stairs since I am wearing glass shoes
Notice the Hannah Mom message- love this!
(relax- the new iPad is still kid free- that's the old one :-) )

Vacation Day 1

Today was my first day of vacation.

The plan was to run a few errands- Costco, Target, a few returns and then home for lunch and naps

We made it as far as the driveway.

Brody was over next door and the girls wanted to play.

We spent the day outside riding bikes and blowing bubbles.

It was a little chilly- more like March in Minnesota weather but still warmer than usual.

Oopie

Jennie took the girls for me today since Jackie is in Hawaii for the next two weeks.

I so appreciate being able to have a few days where I can go to work but am also looking forward to having the next 8 days off of work (after today).

Hailey's cutest new word is "Oopie".

Time for some turtle surgery!

Everybody's Talking

You are NOT from Minnesota if you aren't talking about the weather these days.

Truly- it's been absolutely incredible- record breaking shattering everyday!

Today Brian was washing down the driveway and the kids couldn't resist.

OH- and guess who's been wearing big girl undies!

Yep- this one!

She has been dry at daycare for weeks and has had many nights where she has stayed dry so the ultimate test- big girl undies.  For the most part she keeps them dry.  Still has had a few accidents, realizing she needs to go potty when it's too late to hold it.  No major spills yet, just a few tinkles here and there.

Good job little buddy!

Before

After

I could get used to this kinda March each year!

Happy Green Ketchup Day!

Burger King was giving away free French Fries with green ketchup today in honor of St Paddy's Day.

The girls and I ran out to Albertville Outlet Mall for a few stores and when we were done we decided to have lunch.  Even though the green ketchup just tasted like regular ketchup I couldn't eat it.  There was just something about the way it looked.....

We also celebrated Maddie's Birthday today.  It was a gymnastics party and the kids had a GREAT time!

Hailey won't stop talking about how she was hopping and Hannah won't stop asking when she can start gymnastics again.

Afterwards we all went back to the Busta's to hang out.

We were sitting outside and Lindsay came over and sat on Gretchen's lap.  It wasn't until I found this picture on my phone the next day that it really hit me just how old Lindsay has gotten. (she'll be 10 in April)

Lindsay, Carter and Tyler used to be my little buddies and now these three are grown kids.

Time has gone by so fast and now that I have kids of my own it seems like my friends kids are growing up even faster.  They have all turned out to be great kids and I love being able to have a special relationship with them.  I sure miss haning out with them all the time and spending all of our weekends together.  You would think as our kids get older it would get easier but it is actually the opposite.  All the kids are in activites and have friends of their own that it's harder to get together.  At least we still have birthday celebrations!



Cross Country Dance Party

I wish this picture was better.

I did take a video of this so maybe later I can get a better picture from within that video to post.

We called the boys in Ecuador this week.

Tin was busy doing homework and then wanted to play so Hannah, Kas, Hailey, Kari and I got to spend some time together.

At one point Hannah wanted to play Kas her new favorite song- Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO

Kas knew this song so he stood up and started dancing.  Hannah joined in and there they were thousands of miles apart having a dance party.

Gotta love Skype for giving us this opportunity!!

Bunny ears

I know I should be proud.

I know I should be happy.

But I'm kinda sad.

OK, really, I am SUPER proud and VERY happy

Hannah learned to tie her shoes today.

A while back we had shown her how to do it and every once in a while I would catch her practicing.

Well, today she was trying it all by herself and within a few minutes SHE DID IT!

Once again I am forced into the next stage of our lives.  The girls are getting older and soon I won't have any more babies in my house.   It makes me a little sad but at the same time I look forward to being able to do 'big kid things' with them. 

Step 1 is finally over

It's done.

The temporary crown has been applied and appointment has been made for two weeks to get the permanent one put on.  Whew- I m glad that is over with.

It was not bad at all- didn't hurt at all.  In some parts it was a little uncomfortable but that is to be expected, I would think. 

Anyways, it's finally over.  I was finally an adult and finished through on this obligation.

It feels good to have this behind me and even better to not have a hole in my tooth anymore.

Nice catch

Nash loved being outside with us this weekend.  He especially loved catching snowballs that we would throw at him.  The girls got a kick out of watching him run around the yard- like a puppy- chasing the snow that we threw into the air.

LIVE from the Grandpa Dan Studios

It's the Grandpa Dan Show!

Actually LIVE!

My dad called and asked me to make tickets for him.

He was putting on a live puppet show at his condo and there would be limited seating available.

Of course the girls and I would also be invited.

Jennie went with us yesterday so before hand we went to lunch at La Casita and had a 'Girls Day'.

The girls enjoyed seeing the Grandpa Dan Show live- just about as much as they enjoyed seeing Grandpa Dan :-)

Too nice to be inside

Well Spring is here.   There is NO doubt about it.

The weather has been incredible, in the 60's and 70's.  Today the kids wanted to play outside in the snow so we put their snowpants and boots on and it felt wrong.  It was warm outside but since we knew they would be playing in what was left of the snow we thought they'd better dress for it.

So we built a 'ramp' for the slide and spent the day playing in the snow.

By the end of the day the kids were sweating and the snow was melting.

My poor baby

This morning we were outside playing.

We came in to eat lunch and Hailey was just 'off'.

She was crying and acting out of sorts.

We put her to bed soon after we came in and within 20 minutes of laying her down she was screaming "owie!"

As soon as I walked in her room I knew we were in need of a doctor.

We packed up, headed to the Minute Clinic at Target and within 30 minutes had a Rx for Amox and numbing ear drops.

Inside this cute little ear is a bulging red ear drum trying to bust open :-(
Not if Mama has anything to say about it!

While we were checking in/registering as a new patient at the clinic Hailey was holding her ear and screaming and crying.  We were done filling out the necessary screens on the computer (finally) and sat down and waited to get called back.  Hailey continued to cry which broke my heart and you can imagine what happened next.

Yep- mom started crying along with her.

Then if you know Hannah you know that as Hailey and mommy are sitting there crying she was taking care of us.  Holding our coats and purses and asking the lady when it would be our turn.

Our 'mom' got us back into the room and as the Nurse Practioner asked us about the symptoms and history I was happy that she was there to help fill in while I got myself together.

Of course I wasn't blubbering and I was fine to talk but it was crazy to watch that little 'mommy' step into that role and take over for me when she thought I needed it.  Thanks buddy! 

Hiway Robbery...literally

It's hard to stomach the trip to the pump these days.

I don't know what the solution is but I can tell you that something needs to happen.

When I first started driving when I was 16 gas was 98 cents per gallon.  I remember filling up for less than $10.  Over the years the prices have increased but I doubt that this can continue.

If it does, our kids could potentially be expected to pay $7-$8 per gallon by the time they are grown up.

How in the world do we fix this?

Are electric cars or fuel substitutes the answer?

I hope someone can get this figured out...

Lesson: You've GOTTA restrict

Lesson to ALL parents, iPad a'nd iPhone users

Go into your settings and set restrictions requiring you to enter your password with EVERY App Store purchase.

I installed a game for the kids.  Within that game there are options to 'buy up' additional things.  You can buy extra tokens, money, more bonus rounds.  Most of the time these in-app purchases are 99 cents or $2.99.  I have seen a few as high as $4.99 but this one actually took my breath away when I looked over at the screen that Hannah was tapping away at.  YIKES!

Whew!  Good thing I already have the restrictions set.

Can you imagine if I allowed In App purchases without requiring a password??!!

Nash the Dino

There is a Dino at the corner Sinclair station that is constantly changing.

With each season or upcoming event, Dino is all decked out.

The girls get excited to check him out when we drive by and are always looking to see 'what is he today?'

 I guess this has given Hannah an idea of her own.

The tickets are here! The tickets are here!

We went in with 10 others on a season ticket package for the Minnesota Twins.

Tonight was our ticket draft. We met at Buffalo Wild Wings and by the end of the night left with full bellies and an envelope full of tickets!

I am most excited to have a few 'date afternoons' with Brian this summer.  Our little secret.  Get games during the day while kids are at daycare.  Take the day off and spend some time together for a change.

Looking forward to putting these tickets to use this summer!

Bad Toof

Hailey came up the deck stairs with this in her hands.  She was so excited to show me. 
Hailey: "Bad toof.  Happy toof."

Those words sound SO cute coming out of her mouth! 
I love it!

There's Something about Hailey

Last night while I was out scrappin' the girls were playing quietly in Hailey's room.    They had gotten into some type of lotion or something and Hailey decided it would make a good hair product.

This is what she looked like when I picked her up out of her crib this morning.

Reminded me of this

180 ladies, 12 hours

Today was an event called Ladies Day In.

It was a benefit/fundraiser for MS.

It was held at the National Sports Center in Blaine from10 am until 10 pm.

There were vendors there from Tupperware, Stampin Up, Thirty One, Close to My Heart, Usbourne Books, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Creative Memories, Tastefully Simple, Lia Sophia, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef and many more.  All of them donated items for a raffle and throughout the day there were demos and make and takes.  Tammy has done this before but it has never worked with my schedule.

This year I was able to go and glad I did.

It was a lot of fun and I was actually pretty productive.  Here are some of the pages I was able to complete- completed two more but still working on a few details with them so they aren't ready for viewing yet.

(these pics aren't the best but you get the idea)



Learn something new every day

I took today off of work.  I needed a day like today.

I am going scrapbooking with Tammy tomorrow and I needed time to get my stuff packed up, needed an oil change, had a couple of errands to run, and just needed a day away.

When I was called to get my car I hopped in and looked around for my keys.

Hmmmm....there they are.  I had NO idea that that little cubby existed.

I later learned that that is where I would put my keyfob if the battery ever died in it.

Good to know.....Good to know

Snowed In

I was suppose to be at an all day Leadership Conference yesterday for work.

I left the garage, pulled out into the street and stayed there.

Put the car in drive- wouldn't move.

Put the car in reverse- wouldn't move.

Luckily Brian was outside snowblowin' the driveway and he was able to come and help get me back into the driveway where my car would sit for the rest of the day.

Looks like you got what you've been asking for Minnesota.  You happy?!

A story from my favorite four year old on a day that comes every four years

Hannah:  "Mom, today I told Cora the story of the Hater girl"

Pause to learn about the Hater girl. 

Hannah watches a show called 'Austin and Ally'.  On a recent episode there was a girl that was trying to ruin Austin's career (he is like a Justin Beiber teen idol).  She was dubbed as the Hater girl  because of the hateful things she was doing.

Mom: "Oh really?  What did she say about it?"

Hannah:  "Well, she said 'Wow Hannah, that was a lot of words.' "

Hee hee....like I really have to wonder where she gets that from?!

I don't want to talk about it....

It's no shock to anyone that knows me that I like to talk.

I talk a lot and most people would even say too much.

I got lonely on the way home the other day and not having anyone to talk to I thought I would see what Siri was up to?  "Hi Siri, how are you today?" 

I guess I don't really know what I was expecting her to say but was kinda surprised when she actually answered me. 

Name___________

Jackie does a preschool program with the kids at daycare.

Most days they bring home worksheets and artwork (or Are Wo rk) as Hailey would say.

Hannah has started writing Mom with a heart on all of her papers.

It makes me smile.  I love that she was thiking about me during the day.

Hailey is getting pretty good at her H's. 

I remember when Hannah was first learning to write her name, she perfected the H and was like Zorro marking her territory everywhere she went.  Hailey is following in those foot steps quite nicely.

It's amazing really to think that in 5 short letters she will be writing her own name.

Love letters

More letters from the mail-ladies.

In the bathroom getting ready for the day and I hear "Mails here!"
I look down and one by one these love letters are slid under the door and then four little feet pitter patter away into the living room to create more.

I am really going to miss this when they are 15....*sniff sniff*