Sisters

My favorite days are when we don't have anything on the schedule and the girls just play. Earlier this week I found them in Mia Kate's room just playing together. They got out all of their princess dolls and little ponies and were just playing so content. I hated to interrupt them to take a picture, but they were just too sweet.

Also, notice who is completely dressed and who is wearing her pajamas and no pants.

Iceman & Maverick

Sand volleyball has resumed a night on our weekly schedule. The girls and I went along for the ride this week. Letting them dig here is much better than having a sand box at home. Jillian was much better with the sand than last fall. She is now permitted to return!

Hi Fountain!

70 degrees? You better believe I broke out the summer dresses!
Such a pretty little thing!

So happy.

No, she didn't fall in, but came quite close.

This evening we decided to go to the Legends for some family fun. It was so nice out that we wanted to do something outside. Mia rocked at her 4 year check up today so she got to pick where we went to eat. Of all the choices there, she chose Sonic. Oh well, more time to walk around the Legends.

Her goals for the evening were twofold. One, see the fountain. Normally we hit Carter's, Gap, and TJ Maxx which are on the opposite end of the big fountain. All winter I told her no because obviously it was too cold to walk the whole strip. Mia Kate could watch the fountain for hours. Second goal, get ice cream. Both goals were achieved!

Jillian of course greeted the fountain when she saw it, and every other inanimate object she could name. Also, she debuted her "squeaker" sandals passed on from cousin Camryn. They are hilarious and her little legs run so fast the shoes sound like a rubber duck on speed. I need advice Bry on how to take out the squeaker part. Of course that would definitely ruin her fun. Actually I think they encourage her to run, so maybe I will keep the squeak in for awhile! Overall a great start to the weekend!

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Night & Day

How can two little sisters be so different?

Deanna Rose

Earlier this week we made it to Deanna Rose for the first time this season. While we were there another mom overheard me call my Jilli by name. The mom asked me if that was her name, she also had a daughter named Jillian. I asked how old she was and she said "Two next month." I asked when and she said the 18th. How funny, two little Jillian's with the same exact birthday!

My little Jilli was so excited. She is quite the chatter box and her personality is becoming quite outgoing. She rode in her wagon most of the time and as we passed each animal she would call it by name "Hi Chickens" and then "Hi Horsey." She also mastered the wobbly bridge and the slide on the playground.

Mia Kate loves the farmstead. She was very interested in Pippi the cow, along with the horses and really wants to go on another hay rack ride. She is the opposite of her sister in the outgoing category, but surprised me when the other Jillian's big sister asked her to play on the playground together. She smiled so big and said "sure" and they were off playing. She is coming out of her shell, slowly and on her own sweet time, and that is okay.

Slacker

That would be my ironing pile that I spent 3 hours on today. My grandma started doing my ironing when she watched MK. Brad got spoiled by her crisp lines and she kept it up for me until about 2 months ago. Well, now Brad has to dress more professionally and the turn around is too fast. Also, you know (sigh) I am going to be 30 soon, so I guess I better start pulling some weight around here. If G.B sees this picture she will tell me "All you have to do is hang it up straight out of the dryer and it won't be that bad." I really need to get it into gear in this category of homemaking.

I was really trying to be positive about the whole situation. With each squirt of the spray bottle I thought I REALLY wanted to complain about this chore but trying to be optimistic I told myself.....

1) At least he has a job.
2) At least I am home to do this.
3) At least he has enough shirts that I can put this off for a month :)
4) At least I have a helper, Mia Kate was the "squirt girl" and hangar helper.


I have a basic laundry system that keeps it under control, but now I must tackle a system for this chore, hopefully with a smile on my face?

Le-a

This was an email forward, but I thought it was hilarious.

SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO THOUGHT THEY HAD HEARD AND SEEN IT ALL? WELL OKAY.
How would you pronounce this child's name? Le-a (written justlike that)
Leah? NO
Lee-A? NOPE
Lay-a? NO
Lei? Guess Again
It's pronounced, "Ledasha".
Yes!........................... you read it right. This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, LA. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong. SO, if you see something come across your desk like this, please remember to pronounce it correctly.When the mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "The dash don't be silent."

An Apology Letter

Dear Kenmore Bisque Side by Side Refrigerator,

What has it been a month now? I am so sorry that I have already betrayed you! You have been so clean and efficient and I have aged you before your time. Let me explain and maybe you can forgive me?

I was just trying to speed up the chilling process of my Diet Cherry Coke. If you haven't figured me out yet, sometimes I drift into what I like to call "la la land." Apparently, I went there on Friday night. Your master opened you on Saturday morning and I think quickly shut you. He passed on to me that I had "quite a mess to clean up." Oh dear!

Maybe you will forgive me because I did spend 3 hours cleaning your freezer. We got really close, but your attitude was quite chilly. I think you were mad. Hopefully this doesn't cause you too much stress in the future. If it makes you feel any better I was sick to my stomach thinking about how I had ruined you so quickly. You should be extra clean now, and just as beautiful as before. Hopefully you have forgiven me?

Quite Ashamed,

Your Crazy Mistress

**I was so mad that I did this! Doesn't surprise me because I often roll like this. While I was scrubbing I mentioned aloud that I was such an airhead and Mia said "No you aren't Mommy." While I was cleaning (and it seriously took me 3 hours to clean the whole thing and the food that was in it) I stuck my head out and told Brad that he might as well take my picture because I deserved to share this story. Brad had to dismantle the ice maker because frozen soda was up in it. He was more amazed that the can actually exploded, being that he had heard it would happen, but had never seen it before. Um, it does.

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter! Our day started quite early with plans for making 7:00 a.m. mass. We were both a little nervous about it, but the girls were perfect. We usually go at a different time, but knew it would be crowded because the Archbishop was celebrating that mass. Not that we are making it a habit to go that early, but they were excellent, minus Jillian's voice. My friend Jessica just commented on her daughter's lack of volume control, which was a problem for Jillian today. I shouldn't have taken books that she has memorized to mass, because she spent a lot of time "reading." She ticked off the people in front of us during her rendition of "The Going to Bed Book." Oops.

Jillian collects her eggs!
Fancy Nancy's in the dining room!

Next we came home for an egg hunt and to see what the big Easter Bunny brought, because who has time for that when you leave for church at 6:45? The girls didn't really care about their baskets because they LoVeD hunting eggs again! After the hunt we loaded up for a fabulous brunch at Paulo and Bill's. It was delicious and a nice treat! Once again, volume control was an issue. We were all finished, minus Jillian and her chocolate mousse. Both Brad and I told her it was time to go but she sat there in the booth telling us "I STILL EATING!" Brad and Mia got up and told her bye, she repeated "I still eating." They left. I then told her I was leaving and she said "Bye Bye, I still eating." I then just picked her up and her chocolate mousse and carried her out.

Once home we played, went on a walk, napped, grilled out, and hunted eggs at least 3 more times. Mia Kate was a treat helping set the table for dinner and passing dishes. She was so proud that we were eating in the dining room. She also enjoyed hiding all of the eggs again for each of us. Overall, a very nice day, we hope your day was great too!

Mia Kate takes off her "wedding" shoes?

Mia is ready to hunt!

Egg Hunt

Our good friend Alison caught wind that we were staying home for Easter and asked if she could host the girls for an egg hunt on Saturday. This was Jillian's first actual hunt (last year at 11 months she couldn't walk and was CRANKY last Easter) and I knew she would love it. Mia Kate is an old pro at hunting eggs, but enjoyed every minute of it. Alison is very crafty and surprised the girls with Easter cut out cookies, along with their initials in cookies. We really enjoy having Dirk and Alison down the street! On the walk home we asked the girls what their favorite thing that they found was and Mia Kate said "Lip gloss" and Jilli said "Eggs."

Mia was so excited to find a Reese's Peanut Butter egg! Earlier in the week she had found one at her ballet class egg hunt. Once home she was allowed to eat, but Jillian was persistent "Tiny Bite Mee-uh! Tiny Bite Mee-uh!" So being the nice big sister she let her have a "tiny bite" which resulted in Jillian quickly scarfing the whole thing. What does that equal, drama.

A Great Day

The spring air is so refreshing and we enjoyed every minute of it! We started off with a walk with our friend Alison. Did a little laundry, played a little dollhouse. Next I loaded the girls in the bike buggy and we met friends at the park for playgroup. Came home and played in the driveway for an hour. Nap time followed lunch and then off to ballet/gymnastics. After dinner the girls played outside while their father mowed the lawn. Scrubbed their little bottoms, said a prayer, read some books, lights out. Now, Mom has to do all of the chores I missed playing outside!

Jillian has inherited the tricycle. Her legs actually reach the pedals, but she loves the bell and you must push her around in it.
Sweet Miss Mia loves to swing.

Mia Kate is getting pretty speedy on her new bike!

Sisters!

"My Car! My Car!" Jillian had to push her car all around the yard.

Plus, Dad brought them suckers home from the office.

Jillian shared that "My helmet really hurts. Take bow out!"

Hmm, wonder where she heard that?

Meanwhile her dad must really have to "go." Ha Ha.

McTeacher Night

Q: Who takes pictures of their kids at the Play land at McDonald's?

A: Moms who take their kids to McDonald's for the first time at age 4 and almost 2.

Brad was embarrassed that I was taking her picture there, ha ha.

Jillian was a little nervous about Playland. She was just fine putting her crocs in the little cubby and watching.

Mia's preschool hosted a McTeacher night at a nearby McDonald's. We ate dinner at home and then took the girls for ice cream. Her eyes lit up to see her art teacher working behind the counter. Later she mentioned "Mom look there is Joel!" and then "Mom look it is Abby!" Another little friend Ella came over and said hi to her at the table. She loved it and was so proud that we went as a family to her "thing."

Steppin' Out of the Box

My mother-in-law gives me a subscription to Better Homes & Gardens magazine each year for a gift. I LOVE IT! Anyways, the recipes are do-able for my cooking skills (which are sub -par). I sort through the pages each month tearing out decorating ideas for my "dream house" file and recipes for my recipe collection. I have been doing a overhaul of my recipe stash and found a recipe from BHG. I made it this evening and enjoyed every morsel.

Grilled Cheese & Fruit Sandwich (did you think it would be something fancier?)

2 slices whole wheat bread
1 green apple in thin slices
peach jam
2 slices Havarti cheese
butter

Spread the butter on bread just as for a regular grilled cheese. On the reverse side of the bread spread the peach jam. On top of the jam place a slice of cheese, followed by the apples, and then another slice of cheese. Top with the other slice of bread and grill for 5 minutes. Delicious!

Here it is more logically......
butter
bread
jam
cheese
apples
cheese
jam
butter

Something Right

I was playing Tinkerbell with Mia Kate the other day when her words melted my heart. She has a Tinkerbell play set with the coordinating fairies, the whole nine yards. Anyways, I was in charge of setting up the tea set and she was going to "fly" each fairy to the party. I noticed that we only had two tea cups and there were six fairies. So I said "I only have two teacups so just pick two fairies." She knocked my socks off by responding "Um Mom, we will just do it like Jesus did it. He just passed the cup around to his friends and then the bread." I asked her when Jesus did it and she said "You know, at the Last Supper."

Quality

Brad discovered a new t.v. show and it is a beauty. My lamp is broken on my nightstand and I have been to lazy to a) get Brad to fix it or b) crawl under the bed, unplug it, and switch it with his. Therefore, I have been at the mercy of his programs. I secretly act like I am not watching them, but if I lay and face away from him I can watch it in the mirror of my dresser. I pretend not to watch shows like this.......

until something crazy happens and I laugh. Last night he ruined it for me and told me that the show was staged to "protect" the people getting their cars repossessed. I think that watching fabulous television like this is the reason we have actually discussed getting rid of cable television. Better go, Keeping Up with the Kardashians is on in 14 minutes!