Life in the Soupbowl

50 Book Challenge: 2012

2012-01-13T11:12:00.005-06:00

1. 11/22/63 -- Stephen King (Kindle)

2. Second Nature --Jacquelyn Mitchard

3 .Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with SensoryProcessing Issues --Lindsey Biel, Nancy Peske

4. The Grief of Others (Kindle)-- Leah Cohen

5. What Alice Forgot (Kindle) -- Liane Moriarty

6. Nothing Stays in Vegas--Elena Aitken (Kindle)

7. Three Wishes --Liane Moriarty

8. The Other Daughter--Lisa Gardner (Kindle)

A new year!

2012-01-13T11:01:00.006-06:00

Happy New Year!

So much to say, so little time, so little energy. I feel like all I do is: get up, go to work, work my buns off, get girls, get home, eat, sleep, repeat cycle. I have zero energy to blog, yet I have about 10 posts already started and I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head I want to get out, but when I actually get a few minutes to do so, I sit down, and promptly blank out. Exhaustion has done that to me. Plus, I'm now doing assessment again for my job part time, and it's A LOT of work. A LOT. Let's just say that we've got about 20 kids in process, and that is just for one team, one teacher and we're only part time. BUT- the mommy in me wants to help all these parents out, whether they realize they need it or not. *sigh*.

Things are insane at home. I need to update you all of Keifer and her sensory integration status-after a year of therapy, she "graduated" but she still has issues we deal with. She is half-way through her first year attending preschool- 2 days a week and LOVING IT. Like, I MEAN LOVING it. The girl loves school and she also recently started gymnastics, which "she wants to do for years!".

Kyla is a hysterically-funny 2 1/2 year old who will.not.stop.talking (and here we wondered if she ever would), and what a hellish week we've had THIS past week, with her being sick. Yet, another ear infection, plus coughing that required nebbing, and home 4 days of 5 with either CJ or myself. Thank God we both have sick time, but we are praying that no one else gets sick this year!

We moved this past summer into a gorgeous new home, that we all adore. It's got so much space for us, and a great yard, and we were blessed with the good fortune of having LOTS of neighbors that have young kids, mainly young girls! Keifer is beside herself when we get home each night, begging to play with at least 1 of the girls we know around our loop.

I started Physical Therapy on my right knee last month, and have my first follow up appointment tonight. I've always had bad knees, but it's gotten to the point that I can barely walk up stairs, or do my beloved new passion, Zumba, without shooting, scream-out-loud pain. I saw 2 Orthopedic doctors in the last 9 months, and PT is the first stop on the "let's see what we can do " train. Next stop: MRI that we will have to pay full price for and (hopefully) a shot of Cortisone, that might allow me to continue with my passion of Zumba. I call it (zumba) my girls' night out at the club!

CJ is good, and we have had our ups and downs. Marriage is a LOT of hard work, and its a tough road with a challenging child like Keifer in our mix. More later on that, but things are good now.

I have pictures, posts, and lots of things, as I said above, so please know I want to write. I NEED to write-it's therapeutic. I just need a week away from my life to do so (ha ha, sort of).

Anyhoo, starting my "50 book challenge for 2012". I love to read. I love to recommend good books. I cannot wait for ANY of you to read 11/22/63 by Stephen King, if you have not. If you haven't get it. I was sad it ended.

I also really enjoyed the last book I just finished: Second Nature, by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Initially, I didn't know what to think of it and wasn't all that into it. Then the middle of the book took hold of me and I couldn't put the book down. Finally, it ended much too abstract for a concrete person like myself to enjoy. But I say READ IT!

*(sidenote here: You all know that Keifer was named after a character in JM's book A Theory of Relativity, right? Not THE character, but the name)*

I was also lucky enough over the holiday break to indulge in some good ol' movie viewings, in the theater. You all know that is my #1 passion: movies. I cannot wait for this Sunday's Golden Globe presentation, even IF I am wayyyyy behind on all the movies that are nominated.

Soon, my friends, you will be bombarded by posts of the summer happenings (yes, 2011 Summer! More than 5 or 6 months ago!), and pictures as much as I can!

50 Book Challenge: 2011

2012-01-02T20:39:00.001-06:00

1. Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod --Gary Paulsen
2. Man in the Woods --Scott Spencer
3. Lost in the Woods - Danger and Survival in the North Woods -- Cary J. Griffith
4. An Object of Beauty--Steve Martin

5. Raising Your Spirited Child-- Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
6. Little Bee --Chris Cleave
7. The Adultery Club-- Tess Stimson
8. The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged -- Tosca Reno
9. Deeper Than the Dead--Tami Hoag
10. Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls --Rachel Simmons
11. Bad Blood --John Sandford
12. Winter's Bone -(the movie was based on this) ---Daniel Woodrell

13. Full Dark, No Stars --Stephen King
14. The Diviner's Tale --Bradford Morrow
15. Love You More--Lisa Gardner
16. Secrets to the Grave --Tami Hoag
17. Case Histories --Kate Atkinson

18. The Bone House --Brian Freeman

19. Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Teachers Can Do About It -- Eric Jensen
20. So Much Pretty --Cara Hoffman
21. Call Me Irresistible --Susan Elizabeth Phillips
22. Rescue--Anita Shreve

23. Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America --Helen Thorpe
24. The Fifth Witness--Michael Connelly
25. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter -- Tom Franklin
26. Sing You Home --Jodi Picoult
27. Delirium-- Lauren Oliver
28. Beautiful Lies --Lisa Unger
29. Summer and the City: A Carrie Diaries Novel --Candace Bushnell
30. The Confession --John Grisham
31. Sliver of Truth --Lisa Unger
32. Buried Prey --John Sanford
33. The Paris Wife --Paula McLain
34. Black Out --Lisa Unger
35. Die For You -- Lisa Unger
36. Bossypants--Tina Fey
37. The Silent Girl --Tess Gerritsen
38. Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock & Roll Memoir --Steven Tyler
39. Girl in Translation --Jean Kwok
40. The Murderer's Daughters --Randy Susan Meyers
41. No Time For Goodbye --Linwood Barclay
42. Never Look Away --Linwood Barclay
43. Fear the Worst --Linwood Barclay
44. Then Came You ---Jennifer Weiner
45. Too Close to Home --Linwood Barclay
46. Bad Move--Linwood Barclay
47. Before I Go To Sleep --S.J.Watson
48. Breaking Silence--Linda Castillo
49. Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss & Love --Matthew Logelin
50. Killing Kate--Julie Kramer
51. Bad Guys --Linwood Barclay
52. Never Knowing --Chevy Stevens
53. French Lessons --Ellen Sussman
54. A Stolen Life: A Memoir--Jaycee Dugard
55. Shallow Graves--Jeffery Deaver (writing as William Jefferies)
56. Darkness, My Old Friend --Lisa Unger
57. The First Husband --Laura Dave
58. Long Drive Home --Will Allison
59. Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography --Rob Lowe
60. Ready Player One --Ernest Cline
61. The Accident --Linwood Barclay

62. The Divorce Party --Laura Dave

63. London is the Best City in America --Laura Dave

64. Fallen -- Karin Slaughter

65. Washed Up -- Susan Koefod

66. Rich Again --Anna Maxted

67. The Hypnotist -- Lars Kepler

68. Sister --Rosamund Lupton

69. Being Committed --Anna Maxted

70. The Marriage Plot --Jeffrey Eugenides

71. The End of the Wasp Season --Denise Mina

72. The Liberation of Alice Love -- Abby McDonald (my first Ebook!)

73. Shock Wave --John Sandford

74. The Tiger's Wife--Tea Obreht

75. When She Woke--Hillary Jordan

76. Maine --J. Courtney Sullivan

77. The Drop --Michael Connelly

78. Down the Darkest Road -- Tami Hoag

79. Currently 40% through 11/22/63 by Stephen King on my Kindle. LOVING it. I read this at night when I put Kyla to bed, and end up sitting there for an hour or so, I cannot put it down.

Wordless Wednesday: "Treble is my best friend"

2011-11-02T06:01:00.005-05:00

So says Kyla, many times a week. A girl and her dog. B/F/F?

Home again, home again.....

2011-10-22T19:57:00.003-05:00

Home again, from the land where dreams and fairytales come true..........Disney Land! Yep, the "California Disney!"

Currently, I am typing up each day as I remember it and plan on sharing that plus some of the amazing pictures we took of the girls and Princesses and characters! Keifer was out of her head with excitement, which made for some "interesting" times but overall, for a 4 1/2 year old and 2 1/2 year old, I couldn't be more proud of how well they did!

I was so sad to leave- yes, I'm a sap. But already we are hoping and wishing to visit one of Mickey's homes again some day........

Wordless Wednesday: Sittin' in the tub, hangin' out with the bubs

2011-10-05T06:07:00.001-05:00

Finally: A Wordless Wednesday From Me: The South Beach Diet book:

2011-09-28T05:36:00.004-05:00

The book has always been popular around here, since K1 was about one years old. (when you peek, look at this and the clip PRIOR to it on the right side)

Now, her sister has taken over the interest in the book- and here, even something like being nude isn't stopping this girl!

If you could see the pages of this book- you would see the many notes and scribbles that the girls continue to add to this diet book over the years. I'd like to know what about this book is so darn interesting?

I slack

2011-09-10T10:58:00.002-05:00

I know, I slack. I have many posts in draft form. Pictures uploaded and thoughts whirling in my head. Lots of notes about things K1 or K2 has said. Doggie pics. Stories about my first few weeks back at work- and I will start with the actual students (Early Childhood Special Ed.) this Monday. Busy busy. No money for a house cleaner, so mama spends free time TRYING desperately to catch up on dishes and laundry and once a week TRYING to clean this beautiful new house. Ahhh! Tips on cleaning for busy mamas???

More soon, please don't stop watching me! :)

Papa & Grandm'a "old" chair:

2011-08-31T20:15:00.001-05:00

My good friend Allison rehabs as her hobby and stress-reliever.

A few months ago, I came across my Papa and Grandma's old dining room chair in my parent's bathroom in the basement (also the furnace room/fridge storage, and other odds and ends). I thought: Oh MY! I should have Allison take this and work some magic on it and then I'll have a piece of my beloved grandparents (who are both gone) in my new home!

And she did an AMAZING THING WITH THE CHAIR!
I could NOT love it more! Thank you SO MUCH, sweet friend!

READ HERE FOR THE PICS!

Duluth- Part 1- The girls and I visit again.......

2011-08-27T14:54:00.013-05:00

These were the girls jumping on Nana upon our arrival in Duluth last month- the last LONG weekend in July (we spent 6 days total up there).
We hopped in the car (after a pile of luggage and gear and the 2 dogs were packed) and cruised up north, excited the whole time! The girls managed to nap some, and then, as we arrived in Duluth, Keifer said the sweetest thing ever when we drove OVER Thompson Hill and we saw our first view of Lake Superior (from the freeway, overlooking the city: "Mama, It's Lake Superior! It's so, so, so....BEAUTIFUL!"
*my heart*
Yes, she said that. This girl makes ME enjoy my time in Duluth 1000 times more than I ever probably would, ever. Period. Her enthusiasm for the beauty of Lake Superior and the fun activities the Canal offers for free has my heart thumping with love for her and her unbridled joy.

So anyhoo. We arrived on a Thursday, around lunchtime. We arrived to puppy cousin, Dio, at our Papa and Nana's house, so the fur kids were all in a tizzy.
The fur kids had a blast getting to know each other, and Treble made sure Dio knew who the "male alpha" was in the house. Then, we had dinner with Aubrie and Auntie Barbara, and went swimming at Auntie's hotel (she was staying in one while her house was being taken apart due to a burst pipe under the foundation - no fun).
We all slept great that night.

Friday morning, we woke up early, as my brother Darren was dropping off Wyatt- his girlfriend's son, who is exactly one year older than Keifer girl. These 2 silly birthday twins have a combustible love/hate relationship with each other! Love, then bicker, love, then bicker. Ahh, how I adore them. Anyhoo, we hung out a bit, Wyatt attempted to play with the dogs, and then I packed up the 3 kids and brought them to my long time friend (of 28 or so years? Say that many years isn't SO!) Jessica's house. She has a lot of kids- so 3 of mine weren't anything! LOL (right, Jess?). They had a BALL with her kids......

K2 letting Nana help her put her sandals on

Wy-guy loving on Sager

Killing some time before we left with Dot Art Markers

Matching sissies, because I like it

The puppy cousins. I love this view of the 3 of them.

Wyatt and Keifer LOVED that Jess has a pool in her yard. They swam with her son Josh, and a few of her girls....

...and also took time outs to jump their little hearts out on their trampoline....

...while Kyla made friends with Jess's younger, Adalayna, who was born 2 weeks BEFORE Kyla.

However, once K2 was in that car, there was no talking her OUT of it. She loves Cozy Coupe cars. Loves them. She sat in this car for over an hour, no swimming or jumping. Just hangin' and chatting in her Kyla way with the other kids.

After we had lunch, we went home and napped. Then, we packed the 3 kiddos up and off to visit Great Grandma Hanson! (No picture of her this time, we have some from our June visit). However, my cousin Lori's son, Austin, was there visiting, so my girls got to meet him again! Here they are posing!

And then my dad (Papa) and I walked the kids across the street to the new Piedmont school- my former Elementary. Well, the city tore DOWN the old school and built a new one. Here, we explored the new playground. My kids, Wyatt and Austin gave it a thumbs -up on fun.

Here comes Wy-guy!

And here comes Austin!

Jess told me she got sick on this swirly thing. Um, yeah, I did, too, and almost vomited. Keifer, however, she loved it. Twirly girl. Just looking at this picture makes me upchuck a bit.

Kyla was blissful with her Papa pushing her in a swing.

First time on a teeter-totter

Don't forget Keifer coming down!

Cousins on a teeter totter!

Whew. It was a hot day. After this, we trekked back to have some juice, because that's K1's favorite part about visiting Grandma. Then, Steph picked up Wyatt and my parents and I took the girls to Superior for some good ol' Shamrock pizza! Yum!

Art Festival/Duluth Depot - Duluth Part 2

2011-08-27T14:29:00.007-05:00

On Saturday in Duluth, the girls and I, and Nana and Papa packed up for Downtown, where there was a FREE (FREE!) Art Festival on the streets between the Duluth Depot and Duluth Public Library. There were a lot of activities going on, plus the Depot was giving FREE ADMISSION for anyone that day.

I'm so glad/thankful it was free.
We talked about the Depot and Keifer SEEMED as though she REALLY wanted to go see the trains and walk around. Um, yeah. The trains don't move. She was NOT HAPPY. So, the museum was NOT AS COOL to Keifer as it could've been. Kyla was still a happy camper! LOL. We promised Keifer that we'd take her on the North Shore railroad on Monday...so she was happy with that....

The other cool thing about the Depot is that I used to work there in High School! It was my first job- I started when I was a junior in high school, scooping ice cream at the ice cream shop, working the gift stores, as well as moving up to the Front Desk. Ahhh, it's crazy how walking into the Depot - the smell of it hit me and I had flashbacks to being in high school. Crazy how that is! Keifer didn't really care at ALL that Mama used to work there! LOL

K1 and "her" Papa Dale

Movie star Kyla, ready to go

Keifer wouldn't pose, so Kyla did w/her Papa and Nana in front of some of the old trains.

Touring some train cars

Walking along the tracks

Mama's girl!

Outside, there was face painting.....

...so Keifer got a Butterfly! How beautiful, just like our K1!

Later that afternoon, while the girls and Papa napped, Mom and Nana went to see the movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. We were so happy to have some time away, together, watching the final Harry movie! That night, we all went out to eat, and had a great time at the Elbo Room in Superior.

Fun day in the SUN with Friends- Duluth , Part 3

2011-08-27T13:45:00.011-05:00

Hey, Cooper, I hear you are the same age as me!?
Yep, Cooper and Kyla are exactly 2 weeks apart! Cooper's Mama is Peggy, a long time good friend of mine from High School /College years. Cooper was also born early, like our K2, and spent a little bit of time in the special nursery as well! I like to say it's fate that they'll be pals, then, just like their Mamas!

In Duluth, Mama got together with Peggy and Cooper, as well as our friend Alicia and her 2 boys, Talen and Soren. Fun was had on the most BEAUTIFUL day ever in the Canal area of Duluth.

Here, Keifer is behind the infamous bridge sculpture and Cooper and Kyla pose.

Silly girl!

Teaching Cooper how to throw rocks into Lake Superior-the most BEAUTIFUL lake in Keifer's eyes! Watch out, Cooper! LOL

Be fearful of flying ROCKS (um, KEIFER!??)

On the bike, ready to ride!!! We all fit- this was the most fun EVER! I suggest you try it when you have a chance!
Kyla & Cooper in the front basket. Me, Keifer and Peggy in front seat (Pegs and I pedaled)
In back, Soren, Talen and Alicia (Alicia pedeled)

Just the kiddos!

Alicia and I switched mid-way as the one on the right could only pedal alone-- it was tough for me! LOL A back view of riding down the path....on the most beautiful Lake Walk/Board walk you can imagine....

Close-up of the Aerial Life Bridge as we biked right by it.....

Oops, the picture of Alicia with my girl and her 2 boys....Keifer LOVED Alicia and held her hand both to and from the place we ate at.....here they were exploring a fountain.

This was taken from the bike ride--- you can see what a beautiful place Duluth is.

Splashing on a hot day on the side walk.

LUNCH TIME - where all our kiddos did GREAT!
Pegs, Cooper, Keifer, Kyla, Me, Talen, Alicia and Soren

Back to the cars....

...so we can drive down the road to the ROCK BEACH - where the kiddos cooled off....Keifer looks cold but she had a ball in the water.

Kyla, well, she did not. She was overtired (no nap!) and exhausted/pissed off. She does cry, people! She was OK!

After: Kyla passed out in the car and this was her after her short nap. Crazy girl! We had SUCH A GOOD TIME!!

Mama and the girls are blessed to have such awesome friends and to have had such an amazing time....Miss you, Pegs and Alicia!!! Soon! Again!

Later, that night, after dinner, Mama escaped ALONE (HA! BLISS!) to the movies again, this time to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. This movie? I LOVED IT! GO SEE IT if you haven't. I love love loved it and have a huge new crush on Ryan Gosling. I've always admired him, but his character in this movie made me swoon. And for the first time, I was not annoyed by Steve Carell, and instead, really liked his in this!

The girls' first TRAIN RIDE- Duluth Part 4

2011-08-27T13:30:00.002-05:00

Is this not the cutest picture of Papa & Nana holding hands w/the girls and Wyatt?

On our very last day of our "girls" vacation up in Duluth, visiting Nana & Papa, we took the girls and Wyatt on the North Shore Scenic Railroad, which was a 90 minute round trip up the Lake Superior Shore and back. To say the kids were excited was an understatement!

Here it comes!

Upon boarding the train, Keifer was truly (not acting!) thrilled beyond belief!

Getting silly with her tongue!

Watching out the window w/the Wy-guy!

After awhile on our way back, Wy and K1 decided to bicker like true family, so Nana had to go give them a talking to. Poor Keifer wanted to sit by Wyatt and he didn't want her to. We tried explaining about how much she loves him but that didn't work. Threats of no more treats did the job! LOL Ahhh, kids..........

That night, we all had dinner with Uncle Darren, Auntie Steph (Wy's Mama), Auntie Barb, and Aubrey. The line-up :)

And this was on our way home to Daddy, after all our travels and vacation, we had to stop and get a SMOOTHIE for the girls! Keifer is modeling hers.....

...while Kyla just practices on her sucking skills! LOL

To say we were all tired out is an understatement. It was SO MUCH FUN in Duluth! The girls and I played "tourist" and had a blast doing so. We all got to see more family and friends than we've ever been able to in one trip (only!) and had so much fun every.single.day we were there. Plus, the weather this trip was unbelievable. Sunny, not "too hot", and lovely to sit in.
We were all tiredand Keifer ended up getting really sick a few days later with a nasty fever for 4 days, that had us in the ER for some length of time..........but we were all so happy to be in our new home and be with our Daddy/CJ! HE was also very happy to see us! I ended up dropping the girls off at home and running away to the mall for some "mommy time". Six days with just me in charge, and oh boy, were the girls cranky messes. Sorry, CJ, I left them and ran! However, we can't wait until next summer, to do all these fun things again!

**Yes, we are able to visit in the Winter, but with me working full time, it's a lot harder to swing trips up there and visit for any length of time. Sad, but true. Sniff**

Goin' to the County Fair!

2011-08-27T04:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, CJ and I packed up the girls in the morning, and headed down the road to our local County Fair. We hit the fair LAST year, with some friends, and it was a HOT HOT HOT day, so it wasn't very "fun" per say. Lots of sweat and eating greasy foods that gives mom a tummy ache.
This year, our brave Keifer girl was oh-so-very brave! She has overcome her anxiety about RIDES and was willingly put onto many kid's rides with no hesitation at all! She loved the rides! Loved them, and wanted to ride them over and over!!! Kyla didn't remember the fair - we hit our State Fair a few years back, and did the County Fair last year, but this year, it was fun. It's nothing like the State Fair, but enjoyable for our girls just the same.........

Before we did ANYTHING, Daddy has to get his Cheese Curds! This is true at EVERY FAIR we go to!

Sissies discussing the pony. Keifer decided that she would TRY to go on a pony ride this year.....last year she was terrified upon encountering the horse......

This year, there was NO PROBLEM (YAY!) She kept saying "Giddy up, horsie, giddy up!"

Next to the pony rides were the jumping trampoline things, that hook the kids into the ropes, and let's them jump as high as they can go! Keifer became brave this Spring, and has done this a few times at our Mall.....and at the City Wide celebration last month. However, I don't think she has EVER gone as high as she did this year! And she LOVED IT! OYE! Mama's heart!

Sissy got bored, so we headed to the ferris wheel with daddy ( I watched, I'm terrifed of them!), and the Merry -Go-Round, where Keifer also graduated from riding on the SOLID, non-moving bench to the actual Up-and-Down horse! YAY for Keifer on this ride as well!

And you want to talk about JOY? Pure joy -on Kyla's face as the sissies zoomed around on the cars!

Taking a break to share an Icee drink.

And Keifer also braved the kiddie roller coaster; how she doesn't have whip lash is beyond me! LOL

Pool /Slumber Party!!! ECSE Friends!

2011-08-17T11:15:00.000-05:00

Above, you see Kyla with a pull up - NOT a swim diaper on. Oops. Mama forgot the swim diapers; I unknowingly grabbed THE WRONG pack, and hence, 20 pounds of water was clinging to poor Kyla's bum within 10 minutes.
As you can see, it resembled "Baby Got Back" in quite an exaggerated way! Poor Girl!

And so began our bi-yearly get together with my good college (ECSE) friends and their families for a swimming/slumber party! It was a month ago already (sob) that me and my 2 girls descended upon Louise's house with our bags and swim gear. My other friends and their daughters were there, and upon arrival, Keifer was nude and then in her swim gear in less than 2 minutes. LOL. After figuring out that Kyla's swim diaper was (gasp) NOT a swim diaper, I got to make a quick 30 minute adventure to the local grosh to pick up some overpriced appropriate swim diapers.
After we came back to the house, all was well, other than Kyla THINKING she is bigger and more competent that she really is. As in, she THINKS she knows how to swim, and doesn't want any help, but she really does NOT. LOL.

Now, Keifer, on the other hand, she has turned into QUITE the little fish this summer. When she is wearing her life jacket, I have little fear that she will flail or kick around. Instead, she is pushing the limits of TRYING oh-so-hard to swim underwater and do tricks with that vest on. Don't worry- just because she has a vest does NOT mean I don't take my eyes off her. Oh, no. This mama is super freak about safety in the water! But man, oh man, did my K1 have a blast with the older girls and their swimming activities! It warmed my heart so!

Natalie, Anna, Avery and Keifer hanging out in the pool -- what a perfect day!

Swimmer girl

Mama and her girls

Emma and Avery both had the same Princess suit on, and Kyla completed the "3 some" of Princess swim suits.

My little WANNA BE independent girl!

After swimming and eating, the little girls lined up on the couch to watch a movie. Kyla was smiling at Avery about her baby Princess Tiana in this picture...... but check out the next one: Pure COMEDY! Look at the scowl on her face! LOL

Keifer and her beloved Avery- reading old posts here you can see how much these 2 are pals! Hopefully that friendship will last a lifetime!

And an attempt at the "group" line up, minus a few of Michelle's kids......
Emma, Avery, Natalie, Keifer, Madeline, Anna, Haley and Kyla (trying desperately to escape! LOL)

Until we meet again..............

50 book challenge? MET, DONE, and onward.....

2011-08-17T10:43:00.004-05:00

I did it, I completed my 50 book challenge again this year, and am continuing to try and devour even MORE books before I return to work in the next few weeks.........

LINK is here - CLICK for the entire list and I'll let you know, the one I"m telling EVERYONE to read is "Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson. GOOD STUFF. If you like the movie Memento, ( I loved it!!) or 50 First Dates, it's a great mystery/thriller along those lines. Do not trust your husband? Waking every morning with no memory of who you are? Why? Get it. It's good!

I was also a fan of Linda Castillo's "Breaking Silence-" this is the 3rd in her Amish country detective series. I really enjoyed them, and they are easy and fast to read, and always have some sort of twist.

I also JUST found out that Chevy Stevens has a new book out, so I just put it on hold a the library; she was the author of my favorite, "Still Missing" last year.

I read a lot of Linwood Barclay; although I enjoyed his "No time For Goodbye", I got tired of his style (even though I read more of him). I do really like Lisa Unger - her first book "Beautiful Lies" and the follow up "Sliver of Truth" were really good. The next few- so so in my opinion. Fragile was good and apparently the followup to "Fragile " is now out......

Julie Kramer is fun to read. She writes about the twin cities here in MN (where I live) and does it in a humorous yet creepy way. The first book she wrote introduced her "Riley" TV news reporter character and all her books follow Riley through different mysteries.

For something different, I loved "Girl in Translation", about a young Chinese girl's experience after moving to America with her mother. And thanks to my coworker/friend Ruth, I discovered "The Murderer's Daughter's", which I honestly didn't think I'd like, but could not put down!

Go on, read some new books,and for sure, let me know what you think!! I was so happy to have read some of the things I did this year, and hope to find some more little "nuggets" of gold out there for you to read!

In a new Tutu, you can.....

2011-08-11T13:31:00.002-05:00

In a new Tutu from a garage sale, you can dance like Keifer......

...rub daddie's back with a roller...

....and pretend to be a Ballerina, even when you have a fever (like K1 did in this picture!)

Water Play Date Reunion

2011-08-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

This past Monday, we had a chance to be reunited with our old neighbors, Denise and her kids, Hayden and JJ. Hayden and Keifer were best pals in our old neighborhood, and we haven't seen them since Kyla's birthday party (or something like that!), so Keifer was SO excited to go see their new house and swim in their neighborhood pool. It was a sweet reunion- Hayden was waiting outside for us to pull into their driveway and he and Keifer exchanged a HUGE HUG upon arrival. We toured their new house and then made our way to the POOL, where the kids had a great time splashing, jumping, diving, and jumping (if you were Kyla). Friends forever!

Kyla and JJ didn't really care what the other kids were doing, they were all about themselves!!

Puppy Cousins Play

2011-08-04T11:05:00.003-05:00

Last week, I took the girls and fur kids up to Duluth for a long weekend with Nana and Papa, and the puppers got to meet their puppy cousin: DIO! He is my brother's pup- whom he adopted about a year ago. The puppers were simultaneously overjoyed and ticked off to find another dog in THEIR PAPA'S HOME! (gasp). It was fun to watch them play and run around like crazy goofs, but Treble liked to show Dio just WHO the elder boy of the house really was a few too many times, and had poor Dio crying in fear a few times.

I'm not sure why the following few pictures are sideways, they aren't like that on my computer.....

Waiting for Papa Dale to come home

Dio barking as he tries to figure out why this Sassy girl dog took his place with Treble

Sassy Sage gets in the mix

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Duluth- June- 2011

2011-07-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

The girls, puppers and I packed up one morning in late June- prior to our move --and headed up to visit w/my parents and some family and friends. It was another whirlwind trip, as it usually it- trying to see and visit family and friends. I'm' hoping to visit more friends the next visit we do - so know that IF I haven't seen you this summer (Duluth friends) - we'll be home for a long weekend again soon! :)

When we arrived, Kyla was so excited to play with the old Fisher Price Airport!

Kyla made sure she didn't walk too fast for Great Grandma - she kept the pace alongside the wheelchair

Cousins! Aubrie, Keifer, Kyla & Wyatt! * and I should explain Kyla- she think she is using her phone to take a picture of ME* LOL

Visiting Great Grandma!
Click HERE for a video clip of the chaos that defined who we were when we were visiting! Music, Ipods, Dancing, Whoa.......

Visiting Mama's good friend Alicia and her boys- Soren & Talen - Keifer called them "wild boys" - LOL - but she was just as wild as them!

Visiting our favorite spot in Duluth- Lake Superior! This was Kyla's FIRST time throwing rocks into the BIG LAKE!

Keifer was a bit crabby once we got down there. I think the HYPE of getting down there tired her out, perhaps?

Doing our pose! Aubrie, Keifer & Kyla

The girls saw a baby crawling in the grass and quickly became friends with her and her family!

Aubrie & Keifer checking out the fountain on the street

Nana Di, Me holding Kyla & Aubrie, Keifer and Auntie Barbara!

Mama's sweaty baby, taking a lunch break

Ready to get back out and walk, with baby strapped in!

Aubrie & Keifer holding hands with Auntie!

Lots of fun was had in the whirlwind trip. Next time, we'll be staying for a longer period of time and have a lot more people to see! It's exciting for my girls and makes me all the more excited when they are so happy to visit. We are hoping to FINALLY take the girls out in Papa Dale's boat when we are home - it's unheard of that my girl is 4 years old and hasn't been in a boat or fishing yet (yikes!). Let's cross our fingers for some more NICE weather and good sleeping nights!

Mary, Don't You Weep

2011-07-26T11:53:00.005-05:00

This past Sunday, Keifer and Mama took part of our church's Worship Band's rendition of "Mary Don't You Weep". Keifer adored it, and Kyla came along for the sway factor.

Sissy See, Sissy Do (otherwise known as "world's smallest hair pony?")

2011-07-26T11:29:00.004-05:00

Sissy had ponies in her hair, so naturally Kyla wanted one in HER hair. It was finally time- her hair had gotten to a long enough point that we could put an itsy-bitsy pony in! She also insisted upon the barrette!

Pretty girl, pleased as punch! We now put little ponies in her hair about 4/7 days of the week! When she decides she does NOT want to wear one (while getting dressed in her crib) she'll tell me, "no pony, no pony" to let me know her decision ahead of time!

Friends (and Sissies!) give Friends (and sissies!) a hand!

2011-07-26T11:02:00.002-05:00

*thanks to the Fresh Beat Band, I can't get the song lyrics out of my head when I watch my girls play together and help each other out*

Wordless Wednesday: Serious "Beaver" Fever

2011-07-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

Ice cream social- 2011

2011-07-18T11:20:00.006-05:00

Every year, at the end of the school year, and as a kick-off to summer, our daycare, Elaine, has an "ice cream social" for parents to come and enjoy some ice cream treats w/their children, and get to socialize with the other parents. This year, the girls were part of the singing brave, and showed us how they learned a song in sign language! Keifer was VERY proud to demonstrate her signing knowledge! Kyla knew some of the words and signs, and as you can see in the video at the end, she also is very good at "rolling" her arms/hands for the song, too !:)

Keifer and her buddy, Brandt, playing chase

Friends Mazzy & Mia enjoying ice cream w/K1

Smiley Swinger!

K1 enjoying Eddie...

as well as her friend, Maz!

Enjoy!

Wy-guy love

2011-07-18T11:03:00.004-05:00

My brother Darren, and his girlfriend Steph, and her 5year old, Wyatt, visited us for a night in June. Did I mention before that Wyatt and Keifer ADORE each other? Um, yeah. So they were in hog heaven. I think it's the first time Keifer has EVER played with someone separated from me for hours at a time! I love it- and I love him! And I love Steph! (sigh) Oh yeah, and Uncle! LOL

Lovebirds out to eat

Getting ghetto fab letting our kids run around in their undies! LOL

Enjoy Keifer and Wyatt running through the association's sprinklers! Yeah, we're "those" people! LOL

Mama's Girls!

2011-07-18T10:42:00.003-05:00

Mama has bragging rights, right? :) My girls- a few random shots here and there from last month.....Princess K1, out to eat, Kyla in her new PJ's from her birthday-complete with her socks, that she insists upon wearing (and ironically, she matched her jammies! LOL).

Mama & her girls before a mom's night out! I liked how I looked- rare that I do-so I had to grab a shot or two! Kyla dressed herself, yes!

And this was my last official day of work in June!!! Where is the summer going?

"Mom, I Loved my Picnic!"

2011-07-18T08:35:00.005-05:00

Katelyn, Keifer, Brynlee & Teah

At the end of May, in our "old house", we had a sizzling hot day of sun and warm weather. I invited our neighbor friends over, and they obliged happily! Keifer ADORES Teah, Brynlee and their older sister, Katelyn! We had 2 pools (Sharkie pool!), water table and another neighbor's slip n' slide that CJ blew up for them. What fun! Three straight hours of sun and water and our girls were exhausted!
During a break, I served the girls a "picnic" snack on a blanket in the shade. It consisted of raisins, apple slices, crackers and juice. Two months later, Keifer is STILL commenting to me on how much she LOVED her picnic with her friends!! Ahhh, so sweet!

The Little Mermaid swim suit girls!

The picnic!

Hot dogs supervising the fun

Slip sliding - yes, our yard was FULL of water fun! Keifer's jumping on her knees hurt MY knees just watching! Ouch!

I love this- Kyla is hugging her friends goodbye while Keifer cannot wait to strip down to get her wet things off for me. LOL. Naked baby in the HOOD!

I found this hooded Princess towel at a consignment sale- Kyla adores it.

I think she resembles a future Jedi or Ewok, no? LOL

And the swallows that invade our garage every year, were in the process of rebuilding their nest yet again. It is now complete and they are in it.

How do we pick? 4 & 2 year pics!

2011-07-18T08:12:00.005-05:00

How to pick! How to pick! How the heck do we pick which gorgeous pictures to display around our spacious new house? *sigh*. Not that I'm complaining, but it's so hard for me to pick which pictures to order! Any favorites stand out to you? :) Yes, we did this in early June, for the girls' 2 year and 4 year "annual" pictures, but finally getting around to figuring out what to order! We used a girl who did our friends' newborn and family pictures- I like these!! My girls- my heart-on display! Enjoy!

Father's Day

2011-07-07T07:23:00.008-05:00

We have some new friends in our neighbors (from our "old house") that are photographers and one day after Zumba (love it!), Tamara agreed to take a few "natural" shots of the girls and fur kids for me to put together a collage for CJ and our Papa's Father's Day gifts! :)
Keifer wrote the "Happy" all herself, Kyla was beside herself modeling and make sure her baby was helping, and the poor fur kids were so confused! LOL Enjoy a tidbit of our photo shoot and the collages I did turned out great-Walgreens had a special that weekend for a free 8x10 collage, which turned out GREAT!

We MOVED ! And my update on books..........

2011-07-06T14:30:00.002-05:00

So this past week has been a blur of moving, packing, unpacking, hiring movers for 4 hours that turned into 11 hours and then 2 additional days of people helping us empty our "old" house. I visited our "old" house on Monday night (yeah, we didn't do much for the 4th of July this year!), and I sobbed as I walked around the empty, echoing rooms. It held so many memories. I stood in the guest room downstairs and remembered how excited I was to pick out paint colors, frame our pictures of the sunset on Captiva Island that I took on our wedding night, and when Mooshie and Maddie stayed with us to do the egg donation. Twelve days they stayed in that guest room. I stood in the girls' nursery and sobbed as I looked at their pictures on the walls. Kyla kept asking "cows new house?", and I kept telling her, "no, cows old house". She loved her nursery, as did I.
I know we'll make memories in our new house. But, I'm allowing myself the grief to get out of my system so I can heal and move on. I already miss our new neighbor friends. *sigh*. But we'll make new friends. Keifer has already made sure of that! LOL.

In other news, while waiting for Keifer at her numerous appointments, I managed to squeeze in Bossypants by Tina Fey and found myself laughing OUT LOUD IN PUBLIC (gasp). I highly recommend the book if you like sick humor and/or Tina Fey! Check out the rest of my book list - I'm up to 36 or so and it's only July. I have high hopes for more books! And yes, I've been on a Lisa Unger kick. Loved her first 2, not the next 2 so much, and then really liked #5 by her (Fragile). I'm on hold for the follow up to Fragile.

BOOK LIST

Otherwise, bear with me. We are surrounded by boxes and the puppies are slowly adjusting to their new position in a new window (to the their world). Love to you and more soon!

Kyla's 2nd birthday!! Yes, it was in MAY!

2011-06-29T06:36:00.000-05:00

The above picture is of Kyla cuddling with Nana Di in the blanket after her pre-birthday party bath!!

Yes, it was in May, but yes, Mama has been running around like crazy since school ended- as we are closing on our new house today (Wednesday, June 29th) and I've been packing, trying to get to the gym, trying to catch up on DVR'ed non-important but important-to-me shows, visiting family up North, going out with friends, having play dates, and again, packing.

So Kyla Whitney had her big 2nd birthday bash on the weekend following her 2nd birthday, on May 19. We had a bash at home, and were so excited to have a few friends from daycare and a few friends from the neighborhood, as well as family, join us.

The day started out hot and humid and pouring rain. I was devastated that all the outdoor activities I had prepared (new roller coaster riding toy, bubbles galore, wagons, bikes, etc.) would have to be put on hold and everyone would have to squeeze into our house for the party. However, begging for prayers worked! The skies stopped pouring out rain and instead, the sunshine took over an hour before the party began! Thank you, God! It was gorgeous! A bit on the humid side, but gorgeous, nonetheless!

My parents and Chris and I were flying around all day- cleaning, picking up supplies and food, cake, etc., decorating and oh yes, cleaning! LOL Nana Di could not stop even upon my telling her to STOP and sit down, but we were so thankful for their help! We had a basic lunch of Hot dogs and baked ham for sandwiches, rolls, fruit, veggies, chips and dips, and baked beans. Keifer pretty much decided the lunch- she told me that maybe Elaine (their daycare provider)could make some beans to bring because she makes the best beans! LOL My mom did the beans, and they were fabulous!

The party guests arrived and the day was gorgeous! The kids enjoyed riding on their toys I had suggested they bring, as well as our toys that we own. Here is Miss Birthday girl herself, in profile enjoying a juice box, while her friends and their families look on.

Obligatory family picture - per Mama's request! :)

Buddies! Keifer's fave neighborhood girls, sissies Brynlee and Teah, and our friend, Aidan!

Kyla and Eddie: friends forever. She was trying SO HARD to help pull his car along. She eventually figured out that pushing him worked better! :)

Keifer ready to ride in the wagon with Eddie. My niece and nephew (Abby and Mason) worked hard on providing wagon rides for all the kiddies!

Sager welcoming you to the house with the "Barn Yard" theme! :)

Most of the kids squeezed in around our table! What a fun sight this was! Keifer and Kyla were in hog heaven with their friends at their house!

Everyone loved Kyla's birthday gift from Mama and Daddy.

The birthday girl enjoying her cake! I am NOT kidding when I tell you this girl had 2 pieces of cake and ate every last piece. She was literally the LAST ONE at the table, enjoying HER cake!

Sweetest 2 year old ever!? I think so!

Mama yakking away, as usual, and waiting for the only child left inside to finish her cake! LOL

Aidan was very excited to help Kyla enjoy her birthday wishes!

Playing!

We opened the few presents later- I am a mean Mama: I requested no presents, as my girls are spoiled beyond belief, but some people still gifted her! :)

The cake! We put the invite on the cake- as all the kids apparently enjoyed her invite that Mama came up with and my friend made!

There are so many, many, MANY more pictures, but that's enough for one post, yes? :)

"hi, honey" (mwah mwah)

2011-06-26T18:23:00.002-05:00

Introducing the talented Miss Kyla, who LOVE LOVE LOVES to pretend play with "people" aka Little People. She loves to take any "people", some Barbies and the infamous Annie doll (that Papa Dale got off Ebay a few years ago!) and have them talk to each other. It's quite adorable to hear this tiny little voice directing "People" around. "honey, honey", I hear and wonder if she's talking to ME or the people.

I also hear "C'mon, honey", or "Mwah mwah" sounds, as she has her people give each other smooches. Yes, melt those heartstrings!

To make things especially cute, I found the "people" in these places in the dollhouses a few nights back. One person sleeping in the crib.

And a few more people watching as the blond "people" tap dance on their dining room table! How cute! LOL

I love to see her dance

2011-06-09T20:56:00.006-05:00

So I am a slacker, as usual. These pictures were just some of the many that we took of our dear Keifer girl, in early May, as she performed in her final "dance recital" for Miss Gwen's "AB3's" class. She loved the class, making friends and twirling and dancing to her delight. I loved that Miss Gwen had routine and structure and repeated the same things, over and over, which our girl loves. I was sad to see the year end, especially as Keifer is not sure if she wants to continue in dance. She wants to do Tap, but that isn't until she's 5 at this studio. Who knows? We may have a future gymnast or swimmer on our hands......

Look at all the beautiful "stars"

Saying goodbye to Miss Gwen for the summer

Wordless Wednesday: They say reading is cool

2011-06-08T05:56:00.003-05:00

Taking thing literally! things K1 said

2011-06-06T11:46:00.003-05:00

So Princess K of the Milky Way. Last week at dinner, she dropped her cup onto the floor. "Oops", she said, "Oh Lord, thank you! You gave me the cup, to drop on the floor!".

Are you scratching your head? I was. LOL At least she is a thankful little person.

Posing for Papa Dale in her Birthday Crown, that she worked so hard on.

Grinning because Nana Di got her a new dress. She is obsessed with wearing dresses lately. I shopped a consignment sale last month, and THOUGHT I got plenty of dresses for her to wear. Apparently not enough; she goes through them like water.
During the day, before Kyla's birthday party started a few weeks back, Nana Di was singing, "Heaven, I'm in heaven.....".

Keifer looked at her, very sternly, and said, "No we're NOT, we're in Lakeville!"

*Hurmpf* Yeah, Nana, get your locations right!

Also a few weeks back, I was trying to start the explanation process about how Auntie Mooshie helped mommy be able to have Keifer be inside my belly to grow. I was talking about the "special eggs" and how she gave us part of her, so that we could all make her. Keifer looked up at me, astonished and quietly asked, stunned, "She helped, with GOD?"

Yep, baby, God was certainly a huge part of that process, wasn't he!

Because our girl is right smack dab in the curious stage of HOW things get made, and right now, she is really into God,and how God made our teeth , and he made our hair, and how God made us to be kind to people, to love each other (that's mama trying to influence her to be a kind and empathetic person). This message is really getting into her head, because many times Keifer has pondered where God lives, what does he look like, and (really!) when is He going to come down to our house and visit?

Man, the things she says hit me right in the heart.

LOTS to tell you!

2011-06-02T10:06:00.003-05:00

Not only do I have to fill you in on my BABY GIRL's 2nd birthday party, my mother's day, my birthday, my work news, Keifer's therapy news, the GLEE CONCERT I went to last night, and all about how we've been house hunting....with plans to rent out our town home....but......we just found out yesterday:

OUR BID WAS ACCEPTED on a new house!! We will close in 4 weeks on this house, in the SAME city we live in now (which I so wanted, which I THOUGHT might be impossible), and it's our "dream home!" More to come soon! We are excited, to say the least!

Wordless Wednesday: She was SO sad Haley had to go home :(

2011-05-25T05:57:00.001-05:00

Keifer broke our heart last week watching the American Idol "go home "night. She was in love with Haley and sobbed for about 10 minutes when she learned she was the one eliminated that night.

Kyla's 2nd Bday: The Day of (and some stats!)

2011-05-21T09:57:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday morning, I woke up Kyla in her crib. She had her foot up on the side (she's a lounger) and she covered her eyes and WOULD NOT make a happy face for the camera! She peeked, but no posing! Wake up, sleepy head! Happy BIRTHDAY, to my baby girl! Two years old!

We got her dressed, all cute, and she put on her own sunhat, albeit a bit tight on her Soupy melon head. She was NOT into posing, as you can see.

I took the girls to daycare, and they had a fantastic day! Kyla was "Child of the Day", so she not only had a "happy birthday' sticker on her back, but she got the "child of the day" one, as well. Big hot shot! They had a great day, and then it was time for cookies (yum) and singing to her. I missed the singing by about 2 minutes,but was there to enjoy cookies and ice cream cones (mini-ones!) with my girls and their friends! That night, we just hung out and did a family walk. Kyla had no idea what was going on, so it was OK to start cleaning the house for the family that was about to descend upon our house on Friday!

Elaine had her birthday stickers up in the window upon our arrival!

My girl, with her Elaine Birthday Crown, enjoying her time in the spot light!

Some of her daycare friends (and sissy across from her!)

Enjoying her balloon from Papa Joel (Elaine's hubby)

Taking her time and enjoying each and every gift from Elaine and the card that Jack & his mom made her! :)

Big sissy was pretty excited for her baby sis!

Friday AM, Keifer and I took Kyla to Dr. J for her 2 year check up! She is doing well, despite having had 2 ear infections since her tubes in January. So far, the ears are cleared up again, and she "seems" to be doing well! Her language has certainly exploded! She's telling us stories all the time, in her slow, methodical way. She takes little breaths (or pauses) between words, to generate the words, but is able to communicate very effectively! I especially love when she tells me what is going on at home (ie: narrates, such as "Keifer, cry" or "Daddy, pull, Keifer, off!".

She is in the 75%ile all around for HEIGHT, WEIGHT and head circumference. Hard to believe that 2 years ago my baby was a little peanut preemie. Now she's growing so fast!

Stats:

29 lbs -- 75%ile

34 1/2 inches long - 75%ile

Head is 19 cm - 75%ile

We had a wonderful birthday party on Saturday with family and some friends. Kyla was in heaven all afternoon with her friends and toys around her, and I'll post pictures this week!

Happy 2nd birthday to my littlest rock star!

2011-05-19T06:34:00.003-05:00

It's Kyla's 2nd birthday today! My little angel baby will be 2 at 11:00 PM on the dot tonight! To say Mama is in disbelief, is an understatement!
We love you SO Much, angel girl #2! You're the sweetest little clown we know!

More to come later!

Wordless Wednesday: Strollin' with Papa & Nana Soups!

2011-05-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

My future's so bright........

2011-05-16T06:06:00.005-05:00

Shades in the house- inside the fort that Keifer made all on her own. Babies, purses, cash registers and sunglasses. Nothing better.

Kyla would NOT take the sunglasses off for quite some time upon arrival at Auntie and Uncle's house last weekend.

She also (surprise, surprise), refused to take her shoes off. Fashion diva!

They Match!

2011-05-15T11:10:00.005-05:00

Can someone please tell me where my baby girls went? I now have a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old. I look at these, and first off, my heart melts when I see how much love my girls have for each other (95% of the time this is true!). Secondly, when did Keifer stop looking like a toddler and looking like a big girl? *sniff* She is just so beautiful. CJ and I often find ourselves watching her sleep and admiring her beauty. *sniff sniff*. And Kyla, *swoon*. Love this tiny dancer. At least she's getting a bit more hair! LOL
This week, they discovered the stack of Little Golden books we have on their bedroom bookshelf (in their closet). We have books galore in this house, and it is always fun when they get on a "kick" with some of the books for a week or so.
You would NOT believe some of the stories K1 has been telling me lately. She will (literally) sit on the floor next to me, with no book or anything, and make up the wildest stories. I can't keep up- I need to write them down, but I just savor the imagination she is displaying these days!
Nana Di bought the girls these matching outfits at the end of last summer. We are lucky they both still fit! How adorable! Kyla was proud as punch to walk out of the bedroom wearing the same thing as "sissy'.

Cute hat!

2011-05-15T11:01:00.004-05:00

Nothing to say in here other than look at how darn cute my baby girl is. She's going to be 2 in less than 4 days. *sob* Where did the time go?
She loves to try on people's hats! She thinks she is pretty darn funny doing it. I think she's darn adorable.

Trying on big sissy's hat.

Trying on Mama's hat!

"You're so big!" "I know, I always wanted to be big!"

2011-05-15T10:33:00.004-05:00

The title of this post is actually an exchange I had with Keifer not too long ago. She is pretty sure of herself these days (most days). She's also our little goofball, and loves to be silly. Especially if anyone is giving Kyla ANY sort of attention: then the funny girl come out, because then you can't NOT look at her as well!
I picked up this super cool (in her eye) Big Wheel at a consignment sale for next to nothing. I also got K2 a Radio Flyer trike for her riding pleasure, but she (K2) just wants to throw balls around, for now. Keifer, however, loves the Big Wheel. It gives her something to exchange with her Dora bike (that she is quickly outgrowing! Gasp!) and her Princess Scooter, below. Don't you love how everything you try to buy for a child has to have a character on it? I mean, I'm not OPPOSED to Princess scooter or something with a character if K1 or K2 doesn't care, but for once, why can't I just choose between purple or pink instead of Sponge Bob or Dora?

Home with Daddy on this day. She had the norovirus for a week, that was good times (NOT). And yes, she picked her own clothes out here.

~~Another day, Keifer woke up from her nap and came walking downstairs. She asked me with awe in her voice: "Did you clean the carpets? The hallway looks FANTASTIC! It's so clean!!"

LOL. Oh girl, I wish we had the carpets cleaned! LOL

~~ My favorite K1 funny of late: "Mom, I know when we're going to California Disney (we are ! In October!). OCTOBER (she was right!)."
I asked her how she remembered that! Her response: "I have good minds. Wanna see some of my good minds?" She then stopped, looked at me, then had her eyes look to the right, blinked her eyes super fast a lot of times, and made a silly face. "See my minds? I have LOTS of mind!"

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy's Jumpy girls

2011-05-11T06:34:00.002-05:00

The eggy time of year: Easter!

2011-05-10T06:22:00.007-05:00

Above, you will see a yard full of Easter eggs- full of fruit snacks and chewy candies, just waiting for kids to find them! Some were easy to find, some weren't so easy to find. This was at my friend (and co-worker) Leanne's house. She had her grandchildren over - 2 of them, plus her niece Eli, so I drug my kids up north to her house to partake in the Easter Egg hunt! :) It was a cold, rainy, dreary day, but the girls had a blast! They had previously done their first (memorable to them) egg hunt at Elaine's (daycare) the day prior to this, so they were fresh into looking for as many eggs as possible!

Look, K1, it's in a tree!

Hunting eggs

Under the bushes!

The girls had a blast tearing their eggs apart inside the house and finding all the candy treats. We had lunch at Leanne's and then stayed for awhile to play. Both girls had such a blast playing with new friends, and getting to know my friends a bit better, too.

We got home, did our naps, and FINALLY dug into our OWN Easter Egg coloring that night! Keifer had been begging to color eggs for days, and we finally boiled up 2 dozen eggs and were able to explore all the colors Friday night. We made it into a production- Daddy was in charge of buying the egg coloring systems, and he went hog wild buying quite a few 'gadgets' , if you will. All Keifer cared about was making sure each and every egg was dipped into EVERY COLOR POSSIBLE. Yeah, there was no PLAN to her egg dying, other than making sure they had touched each bowl of color.

Finding out what the next color makes for this particular egg. Mama was in charge of writing on the eggs prior to the dipping into colors.

K2 didn't care so much about any of it. She was busy playing with her apron and trying to crack the eggs!

Mama showing a really interested K2 the egg she had started to color. Yeah, she's really impressed. LOL.

This is the only picture we got Easter morning prior to leaving for Church. Yeah, sorry, Daddy, but I left you in charge (Dad) of taking a picture of the girls in their MATCHING blue shirts with a matching skirt. SO adorable, they were. But this is what we have to show for it. Oh well, how adorable are they? So in love with each other (most of the time) and so excited to leave for CHURCH!!!!

A few days later, I remembered we never got a picture of our eggs! Here is a sampling of what we colored on Friday night. Notice the amazing words on them? Nana, Papa, Treble, Sage, hearts and stars, and I LOVE YOU. So much fun! These poor eggs recently hit the garbage, so we all said "bye bye, eggs" a few nights ago!

I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter this year! Yes, I'm behind, but it was not forgotten! :)

Being a MAMA: Mother's Day, 2011

2011-05-09T05:51:00.005-05:00

For years, I ached to be a mother. I ached to hold a baby or two, and to be honored on a day especially for Moms everywhere. I have a memory of being at a house where there were mom's celebrating their "Mom hood" on Mother's Day, and I was devastated to be in that same house. I can still recall the tears and how my heart was so hurt.

Well, yesterday, I was proud as a peacock to hold the title of "Mama". I am a mama to 2 beautiful girls, and 2 adorable fur kids. My heart is bursting at the seams with love for my 4 year old drama-filled Keifer and my *(almost)* 2 year old loving clown, Kyla. Treble and Sage are my cuddle partners, and I can't imagine my life without any of these beings. The fact that my belly has a little extra bulge that doesn't want to move is my testimonial to the joy I experienced as they rolled around and grew inside my body.

Me and my shadow, Keifer, prior to our church singing experience last month

Mama and Kyla, sharing a play moment on the stairs, where she directed me very strictly to "sit, sit", while she hoarded toys and her lovies on the step behind us.

I was lucky enough to be able to sleep in yesterday on Mother's Day. I had a headache so the sleep was not as enjoyable as it should've been. However, once the rain started pouring a few hours later, my headache was confirmed ( I swear I can predict weather with my headaches and knee pain!). After lounging around with the girls and Papa and Nana (who were visiting), we enjoyed a lunch that Daddy picked up. Keifer and he had been to Urgent Care, where she was diagnosed (Again) with a double ear infection. ENT - here we come?

After lunch, Daddy and the grandparents took the girls to the Dollar Store for some fun toys, and Mama spent a blissful afternoon doing errands, and looking at open houses: all ALONE. BLISS Is right. I had also enjoyed an hour alone on Saturday getting a pedicure- my first for the spring/summer season! Ahhh, joys in the simple things.

After the errands, I arrived home to pick up the family and we all looked at some open houses - "just because". Who knows what our future will hold. Then we picked up some Chinese - Keifer's request, but Mama concurred that that sounded delicious. We had a low key evening, and Mama got to catch up on some DVR'ed shows: alone! ALONE ALONE!

I used to be so sad about being alone, now I treasure my few moments alone so that I can re-charge my batteries and renew my spirit.

Walking into the grosh a few weeks ago with a smiley Kyla

Here comes big Sissy

And last, but not least, MY MAMA! I love you, Nana DI!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mom: she is the best!

Justin B. Fever Part 2

2011-05-05T12:43:00.002-05:00

The rest of the singing/crooning. I'm telling you, this girl loves Baby, Baby, Baby, Ohhhhh....

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Justin B. Fever Part 1

2011-05-05T12:42:00.002-05:00

Enjoy our Kyla girl- she's now on the Justin Bieber Fan Train, thanks to her older sister! LOLEnjoy her crooning, and disregard sissy yapping away in the background :)

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She's a 4 year old: Stats!

2011-05-03T06:12:00.003-05:00

At her 4 year old check up on April 11, Keifer was (as always) in the higher range for a girl her age. She is measuring:

47 pounds -- 97%ile
42 1/4 inches tall -- 90%ile
She now wears a size 6x or 7 in shirts, and a size 5 or 6 in bottoms.
Her shoe size is 11 on one foot and 11 1/2 on the other. WIDE. The woman who helped us commented on how she has a "wide and thick" foot. (*Hey, it doesn't look too thick to me!*)
At Stride Rite the other day, they gave her a 12 for her sandals. My goodness, I have a large 4 year old. My BAB just keeps on growing! She's currently at the 95%ile for her BMI - and of course,the doc had to give me a handout on "healthy eating" because she's so high on the chart. Plus, she's jumped in height from even December, so she's growing at a fast rate.

She is a healthy and very active (VERY VERY active) 4 year old, who adores her sister and loves her friends and family very much!

Keifer's observations:

2011-05-02T11:02:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago on American Idol, Keifer's favorite pick, Haley, wore a dress that really impressed her. She had fallen asleep on the couch next to me while waiting for Haley to perform: I nudged her when Haley came out, and the first thing K1 said was, "Haley's really rocking out!". Then, as she sat and watched Haley sing for about a minute, she then observed that "Haley's dress looks just like the toucan at Papa and Nana's house."

Um, what? Yep, the girl has some wondrous observation skills:

See the picture? and then compare it to Haley's dress below in the video: My girl has some keen eyes, huh?

In other Keifer musings, she was telling me about her fear of any and all bugs. Yes, she is deathly afraid of bugs, even ones just sitting on a sidewalk! Poor girl. So we mentioned mosquitoes and she told me she was so scared of them, and did I know that mosquitoes also live in India?? I asked her how she knew that, and she replied, "Elaine told me!".

Speaking of India, she also introduced one of her blonde Barbies to me in play, telling me her name and that she was from India. I asked her some basic questions, one being what was her Barbie-from-India's favorite food? Mexican. Of course!

~~~~~~

One morning, my voice was froggy after sleeping all night and having been blessed with allergies. Apparently, I didn't sound just right to Keifer, because she stepped back from me and said, "Mom, your voice sounds.....dirty!"

~~~~~~~

I was eating cornflakes one morning, when Keifer asked for a bite. She liked them, and so she said to me as I was walking into the kitchen, "Mom, I sure like those snowflakes, can you get me a batch?" *giggle*

~~~~~~

And , nothing like the honest truth from children's mouths. I was getting Keifer dressed one morning. She started sniffing at my face, wrinkled her nose, and asked me "Mom, are you wearing your mask?" (she often seems me wear my Proactiv Mask and will smell it, as it is a really smelly mask).

I told her no, I wasn't wearing a mask.

She points to my forehead, and says, "well, what is all that shiny stuff there?".

That, my dear, is greasy morning face. Thanks for pointing that out! HA!

There is nothing more delightful on a Monday morning.....

2011-05-02T09:21:00.001-05:00

...than waking up to your 23 month old, whom you were worried wasn't speaking enough.....singing to herself, some Justin Bieber: "Baby, Baby, Baby, Ohhhhh....".

Yes, Kyla Whitney has the Justin bug, thanks to big sissy, K1. It really is quite sweet to hear them sing along together in the back of the van as I drive.

I can do it, by myself!

2011-04-29T05:47:00.002-05:00

Well, not really. But K2 is trying so darn hard to put her own socks on! The girl pretty much insists upon always having something on her little tootsies- be it shoes or socks (or feet PJ's).

Here comes that Chef Hat again. It looks good with her new puppy PJ's that Mama scored at a consignment sale. Add in the Buddha belly, and listening to sissy's Ipod, and we've got a character of a girl on our hands! Love this child so!

A backpacking Chef

2011-04-29T05:36:00.003-05:00

Meet Kyla's latest obsession: wearing the M&M Backpack. She adores filling it with toys -books, mostly, and some food from the pretend kitchen.

Then, she grabs her Chef Hat and she's off! Sometimes she teeters a bit, as the bag has the potential to get really heavy! But she manages. She's a strong Soupy girl - just like sissy! And yes, she was being a silly girl in the picture below!

I personally love her Buddha belly!

Fun

2011-04-29T05:34:00.001-05:00

New birthday twins?

2011-04-22T17:41:00.002-05:00

The above girl is not a birthday girl (yet). She was trying to copy the three girls you see below- in posing at our favorite restaurant, Teresa's, on Keifer's actual birthday a few weeks ago.

The girls below? They were seated in the booth directly behind us at Teresa's, and we overheard them as they were getting done eating and posing for some apparent BIRTHDAY PICTURES! We overheard them comment on it being one of the girl's birthdays!! The little girl on the right of Keifer- she turned 5 on the same day Keifer was turning 4! And she also had a little sister along with her, just like us!
The 4 girls became instant best friends, the only kind you can become when you are this age, and all that you know is that moment and that person. The 2 birthday girls loved having a shared birthday, and the younger girls enjoyed finding someone other than their older sister to devote some time to! In fact, the other younger sister, she confidently took Kyla by the hand and led her to the front of the restaurant to watch the fish in the fish tank.
The girls all enjoyed a few minutes watching the beloved fishies in the tank, and we chatted with their mama for a bit about our deliveries 5 and 4 years prior. *sigh*. Ahh, memories! What a fun birthday night for my 4 year old!

New digs for the B-doll

2011-04-22T17:27:00.004-05:00

What is Papa Dale doing, on this Sunday of Keifer's birthday, with Keifer's assistance? Why, he's working very hard on constructing her new birthday gift! A new Doll house!
By far, Keifer's very favorite Birthday gift this year has been this new dollhouse - MANSION! She has just been getting interested in Barbies, and a few months ago, she commented to me that poor Barbie had grass in her hair, because she didn't fit in the other house we have, and so she had to sleep in the grass! Along the way, there have other small comments about Barbie not fitting in the house and sleeping in her car, etc. etc. so I finally told my mom that Barbie NEEDED a new home, to put Keifer's mind at ease. And I must tell you, her comments were not done out of WANTING a new home- she had no idea a bigger house even existed! If you could've heard the squeals when she opened this house up!! Oye! JOY! Both Keifer and Kyla have had many hours of fun walking their Barbies (and her new Ken from Auntie Barbara) around the house, and Kyla has even let a few Little People join their festivities! The completed product- and I have to say, putting up with Papa Dale's swearing and grunting and irritability was worth it all for the 2 hours Sunday AM he put it together, with Keifer's "help" *giggle*

"I just want to be in a different FAMILY!"

2011-04-22T17:13:00.003-05:00

*HURMPF*

Yes, that is what Keifer told me about a month of so again, just because I wouldn't give in to her demands for a specific snack (or something like that). I swear, this girl is like Jekyll and Hyde! People don't believe me when we have playdates, but spend a little time at our house in the "after hours".....

Here she is, last weekend, taking all night Friday and most of Saturday to complete a birthday gift: a sticky mosaic Princess crown! She was beyond proud to have made it and I was so proud of her persistence on the actual DOING of the art!

Princess K!

K2: 23 months. 'Nuff said.

2011-04-21T06:48:00.004-05:00

A few days ago, K2 turned 23 months. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that in one month's time, she will be turning 2 years old. The same age her sister was when SHE arrived early into this world. Unimaginable to me, that K1 was this age as we prepared for K2's arrival.

Following her idol, K1, as the prepare to watch their balloons flying into the air

To us, Kyla is still "a baby". She is using lots of one word utterances and gestures and PLENTY of dramatics to communicate with us. It's sometimes hard for people to understand her "Kyla talk", so I typically will translate for her. Lately, she's been combining 2 words here and there, usually to say, "No, ___" or "clean mess". The girl cannot stand a mess- if we spill some drops of milk or she over looks the living room from upstairs (from behind the gate), she'll get agitated about the mess. Takes after her mama in that aspect! LOL
I've noticed that although she's still in 18-24 month, or 24 month, or some 2T clothing, she appears a wee bit taller to me these days. She's a full season or almost a year behind K1 in the clothing department; I was digging out things that K1 wore at 15 months for her to wear this summer! Her shoe is about a 6 1/2 or 7, and depending on the sales person, it may or may not be wide like older sis.
She adores wearing zip up sweatshirts, and insists upon wearing socks if she's barefoot at home, and has a hard time taking her shoes off. The girl loves her shoes. Shoes, shoes, shoes. I admit, her obsession and difficulty taking shoes OFF makes me a tich nervous. Like, what does that mean?

Here she is with a brand new sweat shirt from Nana Dian. She adored it; couldn't wait to put it on, zip it up and NOT take it off all night!

K1 has some crazy-good fine motor skills. She requests to "color, color" often, and will climb right up into her chair at the table. She does a VERY good job of holding the tools- she has a better grasp of markers and crayons that her sister! Here, she is showing me that she stuck the Mickey Mouse stickers each onto a glass of water. This is called 1:1 correspondence, and it's a higher level skill! Blew me away!

Last night, we were counting something (Barbies, dolls, cars?) and after CJ said "13" , Kyla said "14!" but never said it again. I think there is a lot of knowledge bumping around inside that gorgeous head of hers, and it's coming out in bits and pieces, like her sister! She understands everything we tell her, and thrives on her routine. Oh yeah, and she LOVE LOVE LOVES her sister! *sigh*

Here, she is modeling her "sticker and stamp" tattoos, that she did all on her own!

A belated April Fool's Joke? Snow?

2011-04-19T06:31:00.005-05:00

Yes, SNOW! It snowed here this past Friday night and we awoke on Saturday morning to about an inch of super wet and sticky snow! Keifer was thrilled- Mama not so much. Daddy was out of town helping with the flooding up North, so Mama hauled out the snow suits and boots that she had JUST WASHED AND PACKED AWAY in the closet! *grrrrrrr*

Mama made a very special looking snowman. The snow was so sticky, it was near impossible to mold and let me attach the facial features! Keifer really liked the grass hair do!

A scene of Keifer similar to Peter in The Snowy Day. She really enjoyed rolling her body down, down, down the hill. The snow literally STUCK to her entire snow suit and hat!

Kyla girl was not so excited to be out and bundled up. She (we found out the next day) had a raging (her 2nd since TUBES) ear infection, drippy nose and kept pulling her mittens off! Plus, the wind was COLD!

Keifer, however, was a very happy 4 year old that morning.

My 4 year old Birthday Princess

2011-04-15T15:25:00.000-05:00

Keifer with 2 of the main men in her life: Daddy & Papa Dale!

Do you know what month it is? It's Keifer Lynn's birthday month! It was her birthday this past Sunday, and we celebrated with family and friends for 4 straight days! Hence, Mama's lack of blogging and sharing ALL THE PICTURES and video clips of our Princess Rock Star birthday girl that we collected.

Last Friday, Papa Dale and Nana Dian swapped cars/van with Mama and picked the girls up at daycare. Keifer had been counting down the days until their arrival / pick up day ("Is today tomorrow yet, Daddy?" she asked last Thursday, the day prior to their arrival. Having them pick her up at Elaine's is one of THE BEST things that could ever happen to this young child. Sorry, Nana, but to say she is in LOVE with her Papa Dale is hardly stressing enough just HOW MUCH THIS GIRL LOVES HER PAPA! She literally hangs all over him, as well as jumps all over him, when he is at our house. Cuddles galore, these 2 do.

So Friday night, we celebrated by going to Teresa's for our annual birthday dinner! It was just the 6 of us that night....more pictures to come soon of that! We had so much fun, and Keifer not only was serenade by the staff (no birthday sombrero hat this year, sadly), but she also got free ice cream and THEN on top of that, shared our traditional dessert, the Fried Ice Cream, which she calls "Friday" Ice Cream. We all gobble that up.

Then we went home and Keifer opened a bunch of gifts from Nana and Papa for her birthday.

Here is our girl, upon arrival of her birthday ice cream treat!

Saturday was quite the day. We had a "Rock Star" party for Keifer (another post to come with the details, pictures, cake, and music lists) at our church. We had her Mickey Mouse themed birthday party (ballroom dancing party!) there last year, and we were lucky enough to be able to use our Fellowship Hall once again , for all 15 or so (yes, I said 15 or so) young children to "rock out!". Keifer was as hyped as could be, but she had the best time. Mama did, too, leading all the festivities, and I was exhausted. Saturday night was spent lazing around and visiting with Aunties and cousin Aubrie.
Sunday was K1's actual BIRTH DAY - so after breakfast, we shopped at the Mall with Papa and Nana for new "play" sandals for both girls, and Nana also purchased them dresses for their yearly pictures (which Mama has to schedule). We had lunch at the food court-which is just SO MUCH FUN for K1 - and then drove home, after a sad farewell to Papa & Nana. K1 then had her dance pictures (dress up for 10 minutes for a pictures in the middle of a Sunday afternoon!), then we hit Cub, and then attempted to eat at The Cracker Barrel- Birthday Girl's choice, as she wanted their mac & cheese for dinner.

Well, that didn't happen. After waiting for at least 20 minutes to be seated, upon being seated, NOT ONE person greeted us. No waters, no hellos, nada. Nothing. I complained after about 10 minutes to the host. Nothing happened. CJ got heated and complained, and as he was gone complaining, the waitress came rushing up, flustered and apologizing that she didn't know we were "her" table. Didn't matter. At that point, Keifer was under our table, crying she wanted to go eat at Teresa's and Kyla had just pooped her pants, and was crying as well. Lovely time.

So we got in the car, headed back to Teresa's AGAIN, and indulged our birthday girl (it WAS the big day for her), and enjoyed Teresa's. More on pictures of ANOTHER birthday girl soon.

Monday at Elaine's (daycare), Keifer brought the M&M cookies she had picked out at Cub the previous afternoon to share with her friends. Silly Mama forgot the Yogurt sticks she also wanted to bring (geesh, Mama!). She was "Child of the Day", which meant it was HER day to be showered with attention, and get to make all the first choices in each activity. Things that she loves. So of course, she had an amazing day. Elaine gifted her with her traditional book and toy, and the kids celebrated with cookies and ice cream. The pictures of Keifer above are of her wearing the crown Elaine made for her.

Whew. We are a wiped out family. Yes, its' Friday and I'm finally getting to the birthday post. Daddy left town Tuesday for his hometown of Grand Forks, to help with the yearly flood that always seems to occur. He is coming home tomorrow, so in the meantime, not only has Keifer been "coming down" from the 4 day birthday attention, but her routine has been altered by only having one parent be able to shower attention on her and her sibling and 2 fur kids, so times are a little rough at home right now. Let's just say we're working on things. Turning 4 is a BIG DEAL, because now she is a BIG GIRL. A big girl, who SOMETIMES likes to remind me that although she is a big girl, she's also a LITTLE GIRL when it is convenient for her to claim so.

More to come soon: I promise. Great pictures, great friends, great family, and great gifts!

Wedding bells ring

2011-04-15T06:24:00.003-05:00

So way back in October (feels like forever ago!), this happened: Keifer's gash on her forehead. Go ahead, read all about it.

Yep, that was the weekend that Daddy and Uncle Corey's good friend Nick got married - and at a super cool venue, at that! I had to miss the wedding, due to K1's mishap, but was in time for the dinner and super awesome live band they had for the reception, at yet another super cool venue!

I joined CJ, thanks to my Dad driving me downtown to meet up with him (yeah, I felt like I was in Junior High!), and imagine that, CJ was at the bar, chatting up some old friends who have moved out East.

Here we are, being reunited and me looking a bit more dolled up than I did when he left for the wedding!

Here we are with Uncle and Auntie Jill

Here are the brothers with their Mama!

And yes, I snuck in this picture of my dress in it's entirety - pre-wedding. I was a bit nervous about wearing it, as it felt a bit "boxy" to me....but I wore it and enjoyed it!

Mama and Daddy having a picture taken again! Two times in one night! That rarely happens anymore!

Auntie in the super-cool unisex bathrooms! LOL

And Mama, pulling a move/look that I was famous for back in my wilder, college days! LOL

Ahh, what a night. Makes me feel old, when I realize we never get to go out and whoop it up anymore, like we did that night. Do I miss it? Not really. I had a super fun time, and it was fun to get dolled up and have date night with my hubby, and get to dance the night away! But MAN! The next day I always pay for it - and wearing heels really does a number to my body! Makes me feel doubly old! Ha! I'm happy and content to stay home with my girls, dogs and CJ, and cuddle and play and try to catch up on DVR's shows together. That's my bliss, now! :)

Getting excited over Chocolate

2011-04-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

"Who, me? " asks Kyla, with traces of the brownie on her lips.

These 2 silly sissies were loving the brownie I got at Panera at lunchtime and took home to share with them!

Yes, she looks very angelic here.

But there is a mischievous side to her! And Kyla, too!

My 2 class clown divas!

So happy, together.....

2011-04-04T13:19:00.005-05:00

Look at how Kyla is looking at Keifer in the above picture. So much adoration! She never takes her eyes off her dramatic older sister. She's always looking for her and calling out to her: "sissy, sissy". So sweet.

Below, the 2 sissies in their tent. Hanging out and enjoying life. I love it. I love them.

Drawing on their box. Side by side.

Watching a Mickey Mouse before dinner, after an early evening bath time.

Consoling Kyla, sitting on the coffee table.

Watching "Mouse" as Kyla calls it on "T.B" (as she also says)

"come back, there's a wolf out there"

2011-04-04T12:55:00.002-05:00

The girls love to play together inside their Princess tent that was a hand-me-down/Christmas gift from cousin Abby. In and out they go, and it's a lot of fun to listen to what Keifer has to tell Kyla in the privacy of this tent.
In this video, she was warning Kyla that there is a WOLF out there! LOL I love it.

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Attempting our own hip hopping

2011-04-04T12:52:00.002-05:00

K1 has a new semi-favorite show (when not watching a few others) - The Fresh Beat Band. She loves it for all the music and dancing they do, and is insistent that we HAVE to go and meet the cast of this show RIGHT NOW! (she doesn't understand that it's fiction!)

Anyhoo, here she is showing Nana Di a few weeks ago how the ending dance goes: Enjoy:

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Look Mom: new shoes!

2011-03-30T21:57:00.003-05:00

I ordered the girls new sandals last week, as Kyla had found a too-small pair in my "getting ready to sell" bin, and decided she NEEDED to wear them all around the house, all day long.
I found them each a pair at the site 6PM.com and oh MY! The deals they have on this site! If you hit this site on a good day, you too can own 2 pair of Umi sandals for little girls for less than $50 - and 3 pair of sandals for Mom (including 2 pair of Born and 1 Keen) with shipping for only around $80! Insane, I tell you!
So anyhoo, once the box with the new shoes was opened, Kyla has not taken her sandals off. She resists to her full extent any attempts at taking them off her feet. And that includes when she is wearing FOOT PJ's.Yes, my girl stuffs her PJ -clad feet INTO the sandals. And yes, she looks adorable!

Chef Soupy K2 at your service!

2011-03-27T16:07:00.002-05:00

Watch out, people. We have another iron chef in our makings: K2! She adores wearing her Chef hat they made at daycare a few weeks ago - and it's SO entertaining to watch her cooking away in her kitchen!
This one if my favorite: it looks like K2's little onsie is pulling on her BUDDHA belly! :) So sweet, my girl.

A tattoo artist in the making?

2011-03-27T16:03:00.002-05:00

You see the above artistry on Kyla's slipper? That would be thanks to older sissy, who decided drawing on her own feet while inside their favorite BOX, would be a fun activity to try. I did allow her to write on her feet, yes, and I have to say I was quite impressed with K1's flower drawing skills and her perfectly matched flower on each foot. Adding a dash of violet to the flowers added an especially sweet touch, one that I would be proud to say, could be a tattoo artist skill someday? LOL

Oh, Sisters, Let's Go Down

2011-03-27T15:54:00.004-05:00

Today in church, K1 and I participated in a special worship choir's rendition of "Down to the River to Pray". It's one of our favorites - so when an email went out requesting people to volunteer to be a part of it, K1 and I eagerly volunteered. She woke up this morning, talking about singing for church, so she was VERY excited and so proud to perform. We go down right away during the "sisters" part. The girl loves to be a part of singing for show!
Sadly, Kyla woke up yet again with another fever (AHHH!!),so Daddy wasn't able to come and watch. Thank goodness for kind friends at church to video tape for us!
Enjoy!
*and it may be hard to see K1 singing, but you CAN see her litle mouth moving and once in awhile,she nods her head with drama as she is singing. I could hear her sweet voice if I listened closely while up front with her :)*

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Meeting CARS!

2011-03-23T11:08:00.003-05:00

Thank Goodness I've started listening to Talk Radio these days! Yesterday, on my drive to get my hair freshly colored, I heard that the characters from "Cars" and the upcoming "Cars 2" would be posing for a meet and greet at our beloved MOA for one day only!
EEKS! I thought! Keifer adores watching the movie cars, and would LOVE to meet Lightening, up close and personal!
So, after I had my hair colored and trimmed up (love it, fresh red and copper), I picked up the girls, and raced over to the MOA. Luckily, the lines weren't so bad,and we waited about 20 minutes to "meet" the new character Finn, Lightening, and our favorite, Tow Mater.

No, we didn't really "MEET" them, per say. They were just regular size cars that started up, but didn't talk. LOL. But I had Keifer all excited to meet them. She was really excited to see them, but her excitement pretty much waned after waiting in line. She posed for the free pictures, and as you can see, Kyla really could've cared less, as well! But it was a fun experience, anyways.

After the posing, I told Keifer if she continued to behave, we'd go eat dinner together (as daddy was stuck at a computer programming workshop), and then we'd walk around the Park (aka amusement park), and look at all the ride. We enjoyed a highly overpriced Mexican dinner together, at a restaurant that overlooked the park - it kept Keifer entertained throughout the dinner (watching roller coasters through the large glass window next to our booth), and we did then enjoy a stroll through the Park. Both girls held a hand of mine, and they both giggled and swooned over the loud and noisy rides. Kyla even started talking to the Dora statue!
I told Keifer she did such an excellent job of behaving for me this time, that perhaps me and her daddy would take the girls after daycare on Friday for a "rides" visit! Let's hope the good behavior continues!

Wordless Wednesday: Here sissy, I'll help you

2011-03-23T06:59:00.001-05:00

Who is this big girl? sniff

2011-03-22T12:01:00.003-05:00

Only a few more weeks,and my first baby girl will be 4 years old! WHERE THE HELL has the time gone? *sniff sniff* I was just telling her last night, as she excitedly talked about her upcoming birthday party, that it felt like I had just given birth to her! And I told her I was sad to let her outside of my warm womb, because I had her all to myself. *sniff*
She is just such a good big sister. She adores her little Chap-stick toting sissy, and both tolerates and teaches her so much. She even told me last week, she thinks we should have another baby- a baby boy, and we'll name him Jack, just like the baby Jack at daycare! Um, sweetie, I think mama is done with babies (*double sniff*
And I just told CJ last night, but our little book lover appears to possibly know how to read some things? I'm not so sure, but the other night, she took her smoothie cup from Old McDonalds (as we call it in this house), and read "Smoooo-thie" off the side. No prompting. Yes, it was obviously her smoothie cup, but how did she know what that WORD was on the side? Hmmm. I wouldn't doubt it, she adores sitting with books and pretending to read them to herself and K2.
And oh, how I adored this outfit she is wearing in the picture. And how disappointed I was/am that she could NOT stop chewing on the damn collar (cowl collar) and so, she can't wear it without making the neck line saturated with saliva. Lovely. Oh, K1.

Baby, baby - how K2 loves her baby!

2011-03-22T11:36:00.004-05:00

Eat, baby. Here's your bottle.
Kyla loves to feed and hold and push her babies around in her stroller. The baby in the pictures here are the ones she loved on PRIOR TO Nana Dian coming this past weekend and gifting her with a NEW baby! Oh, boy, watch out, old babies. The NEW baby is the object of K2's affections now!

Posing with baby on the steps. So much love for her little ones.

See the baby??? Watch this!

Into the sink she goes- for a bath!! And a snack (as she pretends to pour milk into a bowl and sticks the bowl into babies face!)

All done! Just fine!

Last night, Kyla was pushing her new baby around in the stroller, talking to her and asking her questions none of us could decipher ("Kyla talk"). I told Kyla it was time for her bath. She took baby out of her stroller and climbed up stairs, so I let her take baby into the tub.
She pretended to wash her baby, all on her own, with a washcloth, and poor baby had her face under the water for quite some time (eek). After the bath, we wrapped baby in a towel, similar to Kyla, and as I clipped Kyla's toe nails, she held out her baby's foot , saying "toes, cut, toes, cut". So I clipped baby toes as well. Then, she brushed her baby's teeth, just like she brushed her own!
It still amazes me how much our little ones pick up and how their mothering to little wee ones is just as warm and loving as ours is to them. Kyla had my heart fluttering with her little mothering, and watching her take care of her baby was so sweet *sigh*.

The Soupy Cousins

2011-03-13T15:59:00.005-05:00

These pictures and video at the end were captured about a month ago- right before Kyla girl got hit with pneumonia and Keifer with her breathing "stuff". We visited Auntie and Uncle's house, and Keifer was in hog heaven playing with her cousins. Here's Abby, modeling her mom' s new heels, which had never been worn! Can you believe this beauty is going to be 10?

Keifer Lynn, trying on Auntie's shoes as well, but clomping around a bit loudly.

I love this one- the 3 cousins admiring the "beautiful sunset" (as my Keifer put it! She loves when the sun goes down and it's pretty) We were also debating whether that smoke streak in the sky was REALLY a plane's exhaust or was it a shooting star?

Kyla girl, eating as usual, and modeling her Uncle's Fighting Sioux wardrobe.

You think Abby and Mason are fun for Keifer?

Ashes, Ashes, they all fall DOWN! I love how they all fall so dramatically in this video- and if you really listen, you can hear Kyla giggling like a maniac!

Funny girls

2011-03-13T15:56:00.003-05:00

She wears her sunglasses inside

She has a TAIL!

Big cousin's flip flops!

Tubby bubbles

2011-03-11T20:07:00.002-06:00

Nothing better than tubby time with your sister (big or little). K1's new favorite tub activity is blowing bubbles with straws, which also has the added benefit of working on her core muscles -which, in turn, leads to a calmer state all around. I'm all for calming my girl down, especially when it gets her clean at the same time. Kyla is loving the new company in the tub.

And the cutest thing ever is whenever I say "bath?",Kyla will jet over to climb upstairs, go into the bathroom, saying "bath, bath" and now will open up the drawer that holds her ear plugs and says to me "pugs, pugs". She's one damn smart girl!