Party Time

Come out to find this taped to the wall.

Brian asks Hannah- What is that?

Hannah replies with "It's a party streamer!  It makes the house look beautiful!"

Hey Mom

What do you get when you mix little girls that like loud music and love to talk?

A lot of action with this guy.

"Mom!  Turn it up!"

turn the radio up

"Mom, I need to tell you something."  

turn the radio down

"I love this song."

"Mom, Turn it up but start it over again so I can hear the beginning."

start the song over and turn it back up

"Mom, who sings this again?  I want this on my radio in my room."

turn the radio down

"Turn it up but start it over again."

start the song over and turn it back up

And again, and again and again

I love how into music these girls are but sometimes I would appreciate if they could just stop talking for 3 minutes so we could listen to a full song.

Welcome home Mommy

Hannah: "Mommy, I love you and Dankie the most!"

Me:  "Me and Dankie the most?!  I am your favorite though right?!"
Hannah:  "No.  I love you both the same."

Me:  "What?!  Well, that doesn't make me so happy.  I don't want you to love me the same as Dankie."

Hannah:  "Well, I could love you this much less than Dankie." (as she shows me how much less with her fingers)

Me: "Hailey, who is your sister?"

Hailey: "Hannah"

Me:  "Who is Nash?"
Hailey: "Me doggie."

Me: "Who is your mommy?"

Hailey: "Amy"

Me:  "Who is Daddy?"
Hailey: "Me Best Friend!"

Knowing how much these two love Daddy and Dankie I guess I will take it!

Conference Day 1- It was Magical!

Today was the first day of the conference.

I gave a presentation on HMP- a success story for how to improve quality numbers using the module.

I hate public speaking but it seemed to go over ok.  People appeared engaged and throughout the rest of the time there people were approaching me asking additional questions.  Allscripts even approached and asked if I would present at ACE (the national user group conference in the fall).

The evening entertainment was a magician Dan Sperry.

His tag line- 'Magic no longer sucks'

This guy was AWESOME!

Well, that was until he pulled me up on stage with him.....

He was getting me prepared for a voodoo ceremony.

Here he had placed large needles in my arms.

It was a magic themed night....don't judge the headband.

Pictures with the CRUG board and Dan.

Christine, Michelle, me, Tom, Rochelle, Dan, and Diana

Jessica, me, Loriann, and Molly (who spells her name like Molly on Mike and Molly as Hannah would say)

IOWA or BUST

Today Loriann, Jessica, Molly and I are heading to Des Moines for the 4th Annual CRUG (Central Region User Group) Spring Forum.

We arrived in the early afternoon. We ate lunch and then got to work.

The girls started by stuffing bags- a cup, notebook, pen, laynard, folder and brochure.

The Sheraton will be our home for the next two and a half days.  

Yet another sign 'o the times

Three little iPads all in a row.....

Brian snapped this picture as the girls and I were hanging out on the couch tonight.

Check out Hannah's monkey toes...

Nobody ever said it was easy

My 2nd blog book has arrived!

It was Lindsay's Birthday party this evening- can you believe she is 10?!

I brought my new book to show Stacey and Joyce.

There were a few others there that got interested in the book and sat down to page through it.

"Whoa- you have a lot of time on your hands...."

Not really sure why but that comment kinda made me upset....

I know they didn't mean anything by it and by no means meant to be rude but it bothered me.

First of all, no.  I don't have a lot of time on my hands.

Yes. This takes time but it also isn't something that takes hours and hours.

It could be a few minutes a day or 30 minutes to 'catch up'.  I never really get that far behind that it takes me days to catch up.  Even if it did- it's worth it.

Secondly, sometimes I don't have time and sometimes those few minutes take days to find but the point is, I make the time.  I make time to assure that I leave something behind.  To assure that my children knew how important they are and what amazing little people they were.

These books are the COOLEST!  The 2010 book (black) is about 193 pages and was around $87.  The 2011 book (pink) is around 298 pages and was $121.  I thought twice about posting the price of the books but then thought that might be interesting someday.  Both books are hard cover with color pictures inside.

The 'making of the book' is extremely easy- go online, put in your details, preview and order.  5-7 days later the book is at your doorstep.

Big Girl Undies Step 2

Now that Hailey is almost a week into wearing big girl undies she is starting to act more and more independent.  She insists on dressing herself.

Today it was a tank top- size 12-18 months and shorts size 12-18 months, flip flops and a headband.

The best par is that she put one leg through the waist and the other through one leg so her waist was actually in one of the legs.  They looked like undies themselves but she was REAL proud of her choice in outfit.

It was a little cold in the basement today but she didn't seem to mind. I tried to help her get her pants on the right way but she wouldn't let me get near her to help her out so I left her.  She'll be pretty mad when I make her change when she wants to play outside but we will deal with that when that time comes. 

Big Girl Undies!

It's been 5 days!

Monday we put big girl undies on Hailey.  Since then she has been diaper and pull-up free!

She has had two accidents- one day when I picked her up from daycare (which has always been her weak-time) and then one night while we were playing outside (that one didn't make sense).

I am so proud of my little baby big girl! 

She is pretty proud of herself too.  The other day when I got home from work she came running to the door- "Close eyes!"  I closed my eyes.  "Big girl unnies!  Open eyes." 

We actually went out to dinner tonight leaving her in her undies- and she stayed dry!

Good job little buddy! 

Bob-O

Today is Uncle Bob's Birthday.

I was thinking about how unfair we all are sometimes.

Spend an afternoon with my family and you will hear people nagging him, telling him what to do, and complaining about what he's not doing that we think he should be doing.

"Why are you wearing that?  Why did you do that?  Why don't you get up and do ____? Go help ___ do _____. "  You get the picture.

The truth is, Bob does a lot for us that he doesn't get credit for.

Sure, I could talk about all of the times that he has fixed things but I am talking about something more important than that.

For me, Bob gives me comfort.  Knowing that he is with my grandma keeping her company and watching over her is very comforting.  Knowing that he is with her at all times makes me worry less about her.  If she were to fall, get sick or need something, he is there.

All those weekend trips to the cabin she has company.  Their relationship is pretty special and it's pretty rude of any of us to walk into their 'system' and try to change it.  Grandma doesn't complain at all about how much he does and actually talks about how much he helps her and you know, she's right.  He gives her so much more than any of us do.

He might not clean up after the dog or jump off the couch to help do the dishes but when we all leave he has the most important job at all.

Thanks for always being there Bob!  Keep up the good work!

Happy Birthday to you- 62 years young!

HA!

Someone sent this to me saying they thought of me when they read it.

It makes me giggle because it is so true!

I hate Tuesdays

Some people get the case of the Mondays.  Me, I am not a huge fan of Tuesdays. 
Most Tuesdays I have early morning meetings.  They start at 7:00 am and last until 9:30 or 11:00 (depending on the meeting that I am at on that day).
The meetings aren't bad and as far as meetings go, most of them are appropriate for me to be at.
What I hate is coming back to work and not finding a place to park.  I get to work late enough that there are NO spots left.  Not in the lot and hardly any on the street which means I am left to park in the surrounding neighborhoods.

At least the weather is getting better and it is isn't snowing or raining on me.

Just wish I wasn't running in to go to another meeting :-(

Draw Something

It's always something.

With our iPhones, iPads, computers, the numerous amount of apps that one can get hooked on....there's always something to find that will waste fill hours and hours of our time.

Most recently it is the App-Game Draw Something.

You find another user to play with (through sign-up on the app and then knowing their user name or through your Facebook friends).  You are given three words to choose from- worth 1, 2, or 3 coins.

You draw the picture, it is sent to the other person, they have to guess what it is.

They are given some letters and the blanks to fill in.

Once they have gotten it right you both get the coins.

So, you want them to get it right.

Coins can be used to buy color groups or bombs.  Bombs can be used to blow up some of the unused letters or blow up your word choices and gives you new words to choose from.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

7:30 am
Girls wake up and find their Easter Baskets
Hailey's was in the corner, next to the couch, behind the table
Hannah's was in the linen closet

Hannah got Peeps, Pop Rocks, Pez, Swedish Fish, Peanut Butter Eggs, Headbands, a Big Time Rush T-Shirt, and a baby carrier with stroller

Hailey got Pop Rocks, Pez, Swedish Fish, Peanut Butter Eggs, Pony Holder, Big Girl Undies, and a baby carrier with stroller.

12:30 pm

Lunch at Grandma Bauer's

Egg Hunt

Lots of pictures and time with AUNTIES!

Jennie's attempt at a chickie egg- it's cute because I know what it's suppose to be :-)

My Bird's Nests- super cute  but apparently not too tempting since hardly anyone ate any :-(

These girls made out like bandits!  FULL ice cream buckets!
Hailey LOVED running through the yard- More! More!

Poor Hailey- a little too short for Grandma to notice that she was down there

These are my PEEPS!  LOVE. THIS. PICTURE.

4:00 pm

To Grandma and Grandpa Parmley's!

Crafts

Dinner

Egg Hunt

More pictures....

Hailey's Chick- made 100% by herself

Hannah's Bunny

The Girls

First picture of the Cousins- Eagerly waiting for the egg hunt to start and being photo bombed by grandpa!
Hailey- little goof ball :-)

First mow of the year

The first mow of the year!

I have a picture of Hannah mowing the lawn with her daddy when she was about this age.

Today Hailey was playing with the bubble mower, she saw her dad mowing the lawn and started to join him.

It made me smile.

We also colored eggs this afternoon- this year we went with the Glitter ones.

It was a Good Friday

Today is Good Friday.  Jackie's is closed so I am off with my girls today- using my paid Easter Holiday.

Kim and Kristin were also off today so we decided it would be a good day to hang out.  They came over around 10:00 am.  I didn't tell the girls they were coming.  I was in the kitchen and all of a sudden heard Hailey yelling "Hi" out the front window.  Hannah went walking over to see who she was talking to and in a very confused but excited voice said "Kimmy and Kristin are here!" 

A few minutes into their visit Hannah was checking out Kristin's bird earrings.  They started talking about the earrings and how/when Kristin got her ears pierced.  Kristin whispered in Hannah's ear and then Hannah came walking towards me.

Hannah:  "Mom, can I get my ears pierced today?"
Me:  "Huh?  Are you serious?"
Hannah:  "Yeah- can I please?"
Me:  "Well, let me check with your dad."

I texted Brian and he said it was fine so I told Hannah we could.  She was super excited but I was convinced that she didn't really know what she just asked me to do so to be sure we sat her down and explained what would happen. 
"Hannah, they are going to put little guns by your ears and then poke the earrings through.  It is going to hurt a little bit.  They won't hurt forever but it is going to hurt for a little bit.  You sure you want to do this?"

She was.

So, we packed up and headed out.  There was definitely a little bounce in her step as her and Dankie made their way inside (Of course I let her bring her Dankie- she was going to freak out after all and I needed her to have something to help her deal with what was about to happen).

We talked about it one more time.  (I was glad she didn't see the girl before her leaving the store screaming and crying while her mom carried her to the car- yikes!)



She climbed right up

Sat perfectly still while they cleaned and prepped the area

Looked at me while they counted 1, 2, 3

And left with earrings and an "I just got my ears pierced sticker!"

She was crazy brave!

We called Brian right after so she could tell him all about it.

In her words "I was so brave.  I didn't even cry one drip!"

Mom on the other hand....I may have shed a few.  The feelings overwhelmed me while I was sitting there in front of her holding her hand while she was sitting so brave getting her ears pierced.  When did my little buddy grow up so big?  I was so proud of her and I was a little nervous that she was going to freak out- when she didn't I realized how much she probably is 'ready' for and wondering if I am really ready for this.

I think those girls injected her with a little more self confidence that day.  The questions have begun as my little Bean Machine wants to know everything about what this new bling means to her over the next few years.

"Do I sleep with my new earrings?"  Yep

"Can I shower with them in?"  Yep

"Will I have them for my Birthday?"  Yep

"Oh cool!"

I was 10 yrs old when I got my ears pierced and I remember that day.  It was my birthday and we were at Maplewood Mall (pretty sure).  We went to Circus pizza and I got my ears pierced at a place in the mall- not sure if it was Claire's back then too.  It's amazing how it instantly makes you feel like a different person.  You are SURE that everyone around knows what you just did and convinced that you MUST be blinding everyone with your new ear candy.

Hannah was that same way today.  She is so proud of herself and is so exicted to tell anyone and everyone!

Guess what buddy- Mommy and Daddy are proud of you too!

Kim and Kristin were AMAZED at what a good job she did- they let her pick out 3 packs of new earrings- cupcakes, dangling hearts and flowers- it's gonna be a long 6 weeks waiting to change these.  Until then- wash you hands very good with soap if you wanna touch them and clean them two times a day.  Wiggle to the front, wiggle to the back, spin, spin, spin, spin, spin, spin.



I must make this look fun

Everytime I vaccum the house, the girls fight over who gets to help vaccum.

I remember not too long ago both of these girls were scared of the vaccum.  Whether it was too loud or they thought it was going to suck them up- they would run from it and a few times even broke down into tears.

I must make this look pretty fun because now I have two little girls willing to help and take turns to clean the floors.  Not gonna lie- sometimes I wish they were still scared and would run into Hannah's room and hide- get done a lot faster that way.

Best Daddy EVER!

Brian:  "Hey Hannah.....nevermind."

Hannah:  "What daddy?  What were you going to ask me?  I'll do it for you."

Brian:  "Nothing, nevermind."

Hannah:  "Daddy, what were you going to say?"

She followed him into the bedroom and then came running out.

She stopped in front of me and starting running in place.

Hannah: "Daddy said we can go get me a new bike tonight!"

She ran over to Brian, wrapped her arms around his legs and shouted out "You are the best daddy ever!"

She was so excited that before the rest of us had our shoes on she was already out in the truck starting to buckle up.  During all the excitement Hailey followed Hannah out to the truck and soon there were screams coming from the garage.  Brian found Hannah in the truck, closing the door- on Hailey's finger!  OUCH!

Hailey came in and as she was showing me her 'broken finger' she looked over to see Brian walk back outside- she started freaking out because she thought they were leaving without her.

It took her all of 30 seconds to forget about her throbbing fingers, jump back in the truck and off we were.

Hannah got a new bike and Hailey got to pick out a new helmet and bell for her bike- Dora of course.

Calling clock

There are some nights when the girls just won't eat.

They are usually being silly or talking too much. 

Few times they are actually being defient or naughty about it.

During these nights of no-progress-being made at the table, we will 'set a timer'.  "You have until the hand points to the ^insert number^ to finish eating or there will be no treats tonight."

Lately the girls have been 'calling clock' on each other- part of their being silly instead of eating behavior.

Hailey will make a silly-grumpy face at Hannah and then point to the clock and say "cock!" and then they both breakdown in a sisterly gigglefest.

It's hard to watch them 'taunt us' at such a young age- we gotta watchout for those two!  At least I like to see they are sticking together.

Just like daddy does

Hailey went to put her shoes on.  She ran into the kitchen, grabbed the shoe horn and stepped into the shoe.

WHAT?! 

Another reminder that these little ones are watching and copying our every move.

Breakfast with a Bunny

Each year my work hosts a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event for employees and their families.

Loriann and I were talking about it and both were going back and forth about whether or not to go and finally decided that we would go.

We had a waffle, egg, and sausage breakfast and then the girls got their faces painted.

Then we were off to an outdoor egg hunt and pictures with the Bunny.

Hannah, Marlee, Talon, and Hailey taking a break from hunting to take pictures for their mommies

St Paul Fire Dept was there with a fire truck that the kids were able to climb inside and check things out.

Surprisingly Hailey climbed right up there with Talon and Hannah and started chatting with the fireman.

The firemen were fun and you could tell that they were enjoying their time with the kids- excited to show off.