D Is For DRESS UP

The girls have a huge trunk full of fun dress up clothes. They often come up with some great outfits from their trunk, but sometimes the dress up trunk is not enough. They often OOOH and AHHHH over my goods. Laney is always asking if she can have "so and so" when she grows up! I always tell her that I will save "so and so" for her! Ha! :)

Yesterday, I decided to surprise the girls. I got out SOME of my jewelry and other accessories and placed them in my closet. I called them up and told them that they could pick out ANY outfit. Their eyes about popped out! Laney was grabbing everything right away, while Emily had to think about the perfect outfit. Here are some of their outfits:

After the Dress Up Show, we wrote down the letter D and sounded it out. We talked about words that start with the letter D. Emily loved this. She is now reading and just loves letters and words. Laney? The Dress Up Show was more up her alley! :)

Our Autumn Weekend

This weekend has definitely felt like fall. I've been in pants and long sleeves every day! ...And it's not even Labor Day! (This picture was taken this afternoon!) Friday was a dark rainy day. We took our weekly trip to the hot dog and ice cream stands for dinner and dessert! Those two places always make our family smile! After, we went to Jon's parents to visit! Jon's dad just got a new tractor, and this "child size" version came with it! Hopefully, when Henry gets older, he will enjoy Papa Larry's tractors (child size and life size). I'm sure that he will soon take his first ride in one!

My SIL Suzanne, BIL Kyle, and two nieces, Megan and Madison, also visited Grammie and Papa Larry. Here are the girls playing house underneath the pool table! The four girls are always making up little games!

Emily had a soccer game on Saturday morning, then we went into town to do some shopping. Henry has hit a growth spurt and with the cooler temps, I had to get him some fall clothes! I found some bargains at Old Navy! (I have a Banana Republic card that also accesses Old Navy and the Gap. I'm always getting coupons! I had a $10 coupon and got 20% off of my total purchase!) We then ate at our favorite pizza place...Arni's! Look, Henry is now in a high chair! He loves it! We then hit Hobby Lobby! Jon took the girls to another store while Henry and I just shopped! Oh, I could just spend hours in HL! We did pick up some great fall accessories at 50% off! We all then hit the grocery store. After talking with friends and family, we decided to buy "hormone free" beef and dairy. We think this change will definitely be healthier!

Today it has been beautiful, but it is only in the 60's! BRRRR! Jon and his dad rode a 100 mile bike ride, so the children and I just enjoyed a relaxing day. I took my summer decor down and am making potato soup and grilled cheese for dinner ! (Potato Soup recipe at end of post.)

I am sad that summer is ending, but fall is just a beautiful season! Every spring, we plant a garden on our land across the road. (It's mainly for the girls...a great spring/summer/fall activity that we can do with them.) I guess Mother Nature is ready for fall... we even have an "early bird" pumpkin that already came off of it's vine! I'm soooo excited that we have about half a dozen more growing pumpkins!

ANDEE'S POTATO SOUP (My sister, Andee, gave me this delicious recipe and I often use it!)

8 cups chopped, peeled potatoes (5 lbs.)

1 small onion, chopped (1/3 cup)

1/2 pound sliced bacon, crisp cooked, drained and crumbled (If I'm in a rush, I just use bacon bits)

1 -8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

3- 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth

1- 10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup

Optional: salt, pepper, celery and carrots

1. Boil potatoes. Add rest of ingredients except bacon.

2. Cook low or simmer.

3. Add bacon and optional ingredients (if desire)

4. Garnish will (lots of) shredded cheese

I hope that you all had a great, relaxing weekend!

Oh No, You Di-int!

Once upon a time, on a dark and gloomy morning(today), all three of my children each pulled a "new one".

First of all, Emily said she wasn't going to wear the school clothing that I had picked out. WHAT? This is my baby that has NEVER questioned what I put on her! I always say that this sweet angel would wear a clown suit if I put it on her! To top it off, this was once her favorite dress! Emily said she simply "didn't want to wear" her High School Musical pillowcase dress and asked if she could "pass it down" (Ummm, NO! Your cutie sister has a matching one! How extra cute is that?). We talked a bit about why I chose it (Today was "spirit day" at school, so the children were asked to wear white and blue.). I also told her that the cute paw print hair bow would be cute with it (Emily's school mascot is the Cougar, but the ribbon could also be for the HSM Wildcats.). Finally, she didn't question and was happy to wear it! WHEW! (And for the record, if Emily wants to pick out her clothes, no problem! She is pretty sweet! She does like to look nice and enjoys clothes. I have many friends and familymembers that have "picky" kids when it comes to clothing, so I've prepared for this. ) :)

Next, Henry realized that he could climb the stairs! He squealed in delight as he made it up the second step. I was right behind him already realizing that I am going to have to watch him even more than before (if this is possible)! Our stairs are open on one side; therefore, we cannot put our mesh gate up until step number 4. Jon taught the girls to slide down the stairs on their bellies as soon as they started climbing. Guess who will soon get this lesson?

Finally, there is Laney. Laney may look exactly like her daddy, but she is so her mama! Laney and I just love, love red licorice. Daddy bought us some last week and we just gobbled it up. I went to kiss my sweet pea this morning and here's the conversation:

Lauren: Oh, Laney! You smell like red Twistalers (her name for red licorice)!

Laney: I just had some. See? (opening her mouth to show me... YUM!)

Lauren: Honey, where did you get them?

Laney: The trash can!

Oh, my dear Laney. We then had to have a talk about not eating from the trash!

Looking at the "Big Picture"....My favorite three people are pretty darn good!

C Is For CAT

Henry decided to join Laney and I during our Alphabet Activity. Our letter was C, so Laney suggested the word CAT. We combined two cat toys and filled one with fresh catnip!

Henry thought he was a cat! Hey, kitty, do I look like you? Oh, the real cat George loved his toy! (Our other cat, Puffy, is smart. She hides when Henry is active!)Later, we tried a new "after school snack" recipe. Go to Sarah's creative blog (here) for this wonderful and EASY recipe! All you need is 4 basic ingredients!

Since we were working on the letter C, I changed the snack's name to Chocolate Chip Crackers! Once again, Emily was loving her after school snack!

And...A special HAPPY DAY to Laney! Today, she is 3 years and 10 months! Here she is after Nursery School this morning. Another HAPPY DAY to Henry! Today he is 8 months! (Yep, both were born on the 27th!)I cannot believe that my babies are growing up so fast! I hope the long cuddles, fish kisses and bear hugs never stop!

B Is For BANANA BREAD

For our alphabet activity, Laney and I made banana bread yesterday! We wrote the letter B and sounded it out, then got ready to bake! After a bit, Laney was more interested in the camera than the bread. Here's a picture of the Blue ring that Laney bought from a quarter dispenser at the grocery store. This are Laney's fingers. She wanted to know if there were germs on them! Ha! And the results? After school, Emily gave it a Big thumbs up!

Meanwhile, when I went to get my prince up from his 4 HOUR nap, I noticed the "Royal Blowout of 2009"!!!! After a bubbly bath, some diaper rash cream, baby lotion (not in the diaper area...ouch), and fresh linens, here's my sugar bear! How cute is his wet, comb over? He was a gem through it all, even offering me his pacifier once he was clean (Maybe it's his "Thanks for cleaning me up, Mama")!

So, everyone partook in "B Day"!

A Is For ACORN

Yesterday, while Emily was at school and Henry was napping, Laney and I did a little acorn project. We "hunted" for acorns along our lane. Papa Dave (Jon's grandpa) showed us an acorn jackpot site down by their (G.G. and Papa Dave's) house. I got out my markers (Laney NEVER gets to use markers, so she was extremely excited) and we made some acorn people! Laney spent so much time creating! We talked about acorns and what letter they start with! Laney's "Miss Mermaid" acorn!Hmmmm....Uh oh! Laney got a little too creative with the PERMANENT marker on our front porch! I tried rubbing alcohol and fingernail polish remover. Today I may try bleach. I plan to do an activity with Laney for every letter in the alphabet. Hopefully, letter B won't be for banished!

And just some side notes....

I don't like a two story house for this reason! A favorite napping spot! The dog cannot get down the stairs, Henry is lured over to the stairs to grab a tail of fur, and it's not too fun stumbling over a near 20 pound feline who won't move for much! Doesn't he know that kitty stripes and leopard print clash? :) Love you George!

Guess who tasted fruit puffs for the first time last night? I seriously think he said, "Mmmmm!"

I'm still all for a nice relaxing day by the water, but enjoying times with these little ones tops the cake...or fruit puffs!

Work, Baby Faces and Relaxing

I took both girls to school, swept the house, steam cleaned the girls' carpets, folded one load of laundry and am washing and drying two more loads...all before 9am! Wow! I'm trying to take advantage of the time I have while the girls are in school. Henry is ALL OVER THE PLACE, so I had to put him in his exersaucer while I worked. He had a great time though! Here are a few baby faces of this sweet guy. Yes, he's almost always a happy baby!

After my morning work, I would love to spend the rest of the day relaxing (ha, ha)! Summer's end is quickly approaching. Sigh. But...

Here's my PERFECT (alone) day:

I could soooo easily be this gal! I would spend my day here. I would have an endless amount of home decor magazines and books. Add red licorice and cookies and cream ice cream...maybe some ice, ice, cold water to drink....and maybe a hammock! Pure bliss! (and since it is a PERFECT day, I could eat all of my yummies and not gain a pound!)

I love to watch water...whether it's a river, lake, the intracoastal (another favorite) or ocean...it's all so relaxing. I'm not stepping in though. (Only into a pool.) You never know what is lurking under that water!

Happy Monday!