Update

If Butler wins again, Jilli can tie with Brad for winning our brackets. That little munchkin never ceases to amaze me........

p.s. This is her "wedding dress" actually a hand-me-down petticoat. She wore it pretty much all weekend, except when we left the house.

Easter EGGstravaganza

Yesterday Mia's school hosted an Easter event. She attends a Methodist preschool very near our house and they excel at their Children's ministry. The event started out with a concert by Mr. Stinky Feet, followed with crafts, and then an egg hunt.

This was my favorite craft. The girls each made a linen banner with purple hand prints in the formation of a cross. They are such a great addition to our Easter decor.

Of course the girls enjoyed decorating cookies and snacking on them too!

This craft was making a popsicle cross and then planting it in dirt and grass seeds. Both girls voted that this was their favorite, not sure if I can get it to grow though.

Jilli always gets this face when doing projects at Mia's school events.

Concert watchers.......


Mia decorating her cross.

Notice the red cheeks. I about froze my rear end off running that morning. Therefore, I dressed them thinking the hunt would be outdoors, I was wrong, and they were toasty.

Cold Turkey

Last Saturday we decided the time had come to get rid of the good ole' paci. We told her that we would take her to Wal-Mart and she could pick out a new toy in exchange for her paci. At first she was thrilled and then when it came time to go, she screamed at us for about 15 minutes telling us how much she loved it and needed it.

We told her okay, she didn't have to get rid of it, but she was still going to the store. Once in the store we casually walked by toys and she yelled "Wait! I want to stop." She then got out of the cart, picked out a My Little Pony remote control scooter, and shook my hand in a deal.

Once home I went ahead and made matters worse by cutting the entire "sucker" part off right in front of her, evil I tell you, just evil. That set her off and she cried and wanted me to "glue the sucker back on." All the while I was calm and just kept saying "Jilli, you are too big for your paci, it will be okay." I said this over and over while I was unwrapping the MLP scooter. Once out of the package she quit crying and played with her toy.

At bedtime, Brad wished me the best of luck, and eagerly read to Mia. To my surprise, she went straight to sleep, without a tear, and hasn't asked for it since, seriously. It has been over a week now and we survived :). She seems like such a big girl now, and is really starting to look like one too!

Your Thing

Mia Kate was invited to join two different teams this spring, soccer or t-ball. I decided that since I am 99.9% in charge of organizing, enrolling, chauffeuring, dressing, etc. for school, swimming, dance, etc. that I would put this in Bradley's hands, I said "It is 'your thing'." He can do the "ball" sports, he thought t-ball would be a good choice, cue me to sign her up.

I then announced that he would need to take her to get her equipment and forwarded him the email about her practices. His first comment was "She is not getting a pink glove." After an unsuccessful impromptu practice last week in the back yard, and the email that practice is this week, he quickly took her on a little shopping trip. Mia Kate came home with

my kind of glove. Cave much Brad?

Then he had me put the glove on and "Let's show her how to use it." I quickly realized why I am not in charge of "ball" sports. Holy swear word, not a good idea. Do not throw a ball at me, it scares me, any kind of ball flying at me for that matter. I quickly motioned to Brad that it wasn't a good idea for her to see me being such an incredible wimp. I think he understood and now knows why I REFUSE to play on his sand volleyball team. You couldn't pay me to do that.

I would also like to note that this glove cost $9.99. He came home with just the glove, his total was like $11 something. Had I went to Target it would have been something like this.......I would have browsed the dollar aisle, then remembered that we need yogurt, which reminds me that for lunches we might need lunch meat, might as well get some cheese, maybe another gallon of milk, hmm probably some more Diet Cherry Coke, Easter is soon, should probably go ahead and get that candy taken care of and maybe some Egg Dye, oh yeah some Easter cards, what if it is cold Easter, the girls might need tights, hello $60 Target trip.... and didn't I just go to Hy-Vee on Sunday, Wal-Mart Monday, and Costco Tuesday? I am thinking that groceries should maybe also be "his thing" too.

March Madness

Brad and I have always done a friendly NCAA tournament bracket together. Mia did one the last couple of years. Last week she asked Brad when were were going to do the "rackets" and finally we figured out that it was the brackets. Brad printed off a 4th bracket for Miss Jillian. It isn't like they have any clue about the teams (or me for that matter) but it is fun. Since Brad watches the tournament extensively, this gives me some interest as well.

Tonight we sat at the table and just read the teams' names and they would say their choice. Mia clearly has been trained properly and has the Jayhawks going all of the way (as do Brad and I). Smart little Kansan she is!




Jilli's turn started like this: first choice "Jilli, who do you think, KU (insert extreme emphasis here) or Lehigh?" Little Miss Black Sheep shouted "LEHIGH" as quick as she could. I am excusing this with the fact that it sounds a lot like "Ni Hao" as in a show on Nick Jr. called Ni Hao Kai Lan. After completing the rest of her bracket it was clear that she just likes the names.

She likes Morgan State (15 seed) because of her babysitter Morgan. Wafford (13 seed) is going to the Elite Eight with her because "it sounds like waffle." She is going with Notre Dame (6 seed) to the championship game, "because it sounds like Dane", her little cousin. But apparently to an ornery little 2 year old, family, friends, future college, and food are always beat out by potty talk because she has Butler (5 seed) going all the way because "Mia, did you hear that, it says Butt!" At which point she covered her face and starting squealing with laughter.

Go Butler Bulldogs?

St. Patrick's Day Parade

On Sunday we attended the annual St. Patrick's Day parade here in town. Our neighbors across the street enter a family float each year and this year we spent many hours watching them assemble it outside the dining room window. The girls were so excited to see "Dennis' float!"


At the last minute I grabbed some grocery sacks to take for the girls to put their candy in. Brad thought it was a bad/embarrassing idea. I just remembered parades in the past with pockets full of candy. After the parade started we noticed that pretty much every kid had a bag, so we got them out. It was more like trick or treating than running out and picking up the candy from the street. The parade participants were walking up to the girls and putting the candy directly in their bags?

In their green! MK was thrilled to wear her new green tutu to the parade and had a near breakdown when her evil parents made her wear a raincoat that almost

"COVERED UP MY TUTU!"
Jillian really smiled like this.


You can still see the tutu!

Here comes Dennis! In the white truck, not the photo below.

We do not claim this guy who entered this car last year as well.

Really?

We drive around a lot it seems and notice crazy advertisers on the streets.

The crazy Little Caesar's guy was his own entry.

Collecting her candy.

Another "crazy" guy the Liberty Tax Service Statue of Liberty gave the girls these foam hats.
Mia told us later that "The white part on the hat is just paint." She is always investigative!

Jillian should be getting her endorsement check in the mail soon because she has since worn the hat to Lowes, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart. You know it's a good day when you see the Statue of Liberty sucking a paci in a shopping cart.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Party!

Miss 5 Year Old enjoyed her birthday party with her friends last weekend at the dance/acrobat studio! Here are some highlights from her party!

Inspired

I recently discovered another blog titled Bless Our Nest. The author has wonderful ideas, and I used a few in my own nest. Typically I have issues finishing a project that I start, but finished these in a couple of hours.

1. Lamp Cord Issues: I have had this lamp in my storage room and always wanted it in my hallway bathroom, but the cord was so long. Found the solution!

2. Chalkboard Tray: I thought this was a cute idea. I used chalkboard paint (from Lowe's) to paint the center of this old silver tray that I found at a consignment store. It was very easy to do and dried nicely. I barely used any of the paint, so I expect another chalkboard project in my near future!

A Whole Hand!

Miss Mia Kate turned 5 on Friday, which blows my mind that she somehow went from itty bitty to such a little lady. I took her for her 5 year well check this morning and I can remember taking her to her first ever well check, same pediatrician. I remember what we were both wearing, ha!


Brad and I are so proud of Mia! She is blossoming into such a little student and socialite at school and has accomplished many skills in acrobats class and swimming class. Mia is also a fabulous sister and plays so well with Jilli. At home she is starting to "pull some weight" and has been taking on some chores. Her favorite activities include playing dolls, watching Martha the Speaking Dog (at 6:30 a.m.!), playing "Mommy/Kid" with her sister, and doing craft projects. She is a little thinker, and often a lot of drama. We wouldn't trade her for the world!

In completing her baby book I asked her some questions, here are her answers.


Favorite Sport to Play: Gymnastics
Favorite Book: Ramona
Favorite Food: Grapes
Favorite Treat: Nerds
Favorite Toy: My new ponies (My Littles.....)
Favorite Thing to do Outside: Swing
Favorite Restaurant: Fritz's
What do you want to be when you grow up? Ballet Teacher
Most proud of learning when I was 4: Riding my bike with 4 wheels
Goal for being 5: Ride my bike without training wheels

I haven't posted in a while because last week was spent preparing and celebrating!

On Thursday Jilli and I attended her snack at preschool. She chose to take cookies and apple slices. I loved snack time at her school. The kids are trained so well and they pour their own water out of a mini pitcher and have such good manners. They even clean up! The best part of the day was seeing her face light up when they sang to her. The second best part was a preschool FIRE DRILL! I was trying not to laugh, it started with a little bell being rang and then as we tramped through some woods to a parking lot these kids grabbed sticks and were sword fighting. Of course MK was in front of the line holding the teacher's hand, such a good student. Anyways, I told her that in kindergarten the fire drills were a bit more hard core. Definitely not a good idea to sword fight there.

We stayed for recess, such a beautiful day!

Her actual day! I picked her up early from the sitter and we went to Wal-Mart so she could buy a gift with her money from Grandpa. She chose a car for her My Little Ponies. Then we met Brad for dinner!

On Saturday was her "Family Party." Above is my assistant helping me get our balloons from the grocery store. Love, love, love the mini carts at Hy-Vee.

We are big on themes and she chose "Little Mermaid" months (like 6) ago.

We dined on an "Under the Sea" theme, including Clam Chowder, Shrimp Cocktail, goldfish and jello salad. My sister-in-law Laurie made the cutest jello salad with gummy sea creatures in it. I am going to use the idea next time we have snack at school. If you notice the tablecloth it is one we have used at each of her birthdays. The guests use fabric markers to sign it each year.

Brad made the cake, for real.

Happy 5th Birthday Mia Kate!

We Love You!