On Feb. 28th I took Hannah and Gabrielle to the Girl Scout Exhibit at the Indiana State Museum. We saw alot of great things.
Father and Daughter Dance 2-6-09
Leia, my baby girl. She has been getting up really early lately and crashing after dinner.
I like this picture because this is her mad/upset face. She is in the process of reaching for the door to close it...lolWe are getting closer to Spring! Thank Goodness! At Hannah's school they are celebrating the 100 days of school.
Plans from now to Spring: Not in order
Valentine Pictures of the girls
Enroll Gabrielle in the full day kindergarten
Father/daughter dance
Girl Scout cookies delivery and booth sales 1st year
Kings Island for family vacation
My weight loss will be a daily task
Furniture buying- living room couch and curtains and lamp to match
Dentist, Vision, and Doctor visits for everybody
Swimming lessons for Hannah and Gabrielle
Soccer for Hannah and Gabrielle
Turn holey jeans into capris...maybe
Schedule mommy time and mommy and daddy time...when???
I know there is more but you get the idea.
O Help Me NOW!!! Thats what I was thinking. I've been through this before but not by choice but because there was another baby coming. This time around I don't have that situation. Instead I took my time and this is the second time that I took the crib off. The first time it didn't work out. Leia wanted her bed back, she would cry till she was put back in it. This time, the ease was a lot better. During Christmas she didn't have her crib for three days so that might have helped.
She lines her babies all up on her bed and sometimes covers them up and she's right beside them. This is what she does when Im not beisde her helping her go to sleep. Last week we let Leia fall asleep with us then carry her to her room. This week she has been in her room while she falls asleep and Daddy or I will go and sleep in her bed and sneak out when we think she's sleeping. Twice she has went to sleep by herself with her babies. So this journey has been very good.
Her older sisters never stayed in their room so I always used the baby gate. Leia has been so good that I havent had to use the gate. She actually stays in bed!!! Well except for nap time, once I've used the gate. There is no more nap time. But she plays quitely. Goal- Take a picture while she is sleeping and a picture of her babies lined up. Coming soon..lol
Yesterday Hannah came home and she told me she got her report card. I can't believe how well she is doing..well I can because I've got a letter from the township saying they are considering her for the high ability program. Hannah's teacher also confirms all the time that she is one of the smartest in her class. After I look at her report card I look at the school's newsletter and there it was...the Honor Roll list!!!!! Hannah was on it!!! That was so exciting. I want my bumper sticker, My Child is a Honor Roll student!!! LOL
Last night was Hannah's Girl Scout Bake off. She made the dessert all be herself, with a tad bit of help called White Chocolate Suprise with the new cookie Dulce de Lache. The bake off is supposed to be done as a troop by our troop didnt want to give up their Friday night, oh well. They had games, and face paintings and tatoos and then a performance from the Dancers of the townships high school. They also had a cookie stacking contest and afterwards they named the winner of the bake off. I don't know how many was entered but the winner was Hannah's cousins troop. In my opinion Hannah should of won. I have reasons why I say that but don't want to blog about it. lol Hannah got her Bake off badge and everyone tasted her creation! That was a fun night!!!!
We didn't do much but we did spend it together. Our Family went to my husband's parents and spent the day over there on New Year's Eve. I know we can't make it to midnight so we stayed as long as we could. We played several games of dominos. I've never played it before and I thought it was a boring game but it was very simple and alot of fun for the girls to play.
I DVRed all of the countdown shows bc I never stay awake till midnight but my husband did and he woke me and we kissed and I went back to sleep.
New Years we had dinner with more family and had a fish fry get together. The girls/women played Uno and the men played card games.
Last night we had a very special dinner with my inlaws and had sparkling grape juice and used my mother inlaws china. She said she had to have it for a dinner party but then decided to use paper plates and she hasn't used that set yet wanted to use it, so she made a special dinner just to use the china. lol
New Years Resolution: Make more friends and/or get closer to the ones I already have. Read more books.
My girls are so excited about Christmas. Gabrielle tells me everyday what she wants from Santa. We've had conversations about we don't always get what we want and that's okay because we are thankful for things that we have. The next day she forgets that talk. It's a constant circle with her. I hate to disappoint her but she will not be getting Biscuit the FurReal Dog for Christmas.
Anyway, Hannah is doing so well in her class. I talk to her teacher on a weekly basis and I had lunch with Hannah on my Birthday last week at her school. It was a holiday lunch, very special. I forget to bring my camera to show everyone. They had the piano playing and candles on the table. We had turkey, gravy, mash potatoes, dressing, green beans and a roll, and you cant forget the chocolate milk. lol
I got a couple of hugs from the other kids. I helped tie some shoes. It was a great afternoon.
Hannah's teacher said she is doing so well that she past 2 of the 3 tests to be excepted in the accelerated program. The third test will be after the holidays. I am such a proud momma!
It's Taleia's turn. :) It's amazing how fast they get bigger and even faster when they have older siblings. She is talking full sentences, using the potty chair sometimes. Some people think I'm slacking on that but I am in no rush to get rid of the diapers. I hate pull ups. I think that they takes longer for kids to get potty trained. So in the Spring when it gets warmer we will do it full force potty training boot camp! lol
So my Birthday was last Wednesday. I am 26! I finally bought a woman coat for myself. It's a black wool peacoat with a hood. I think that's what people call them, peacoat? Very City like, I love it! If you know me, you know I hate coats, they are bulky, hot, I feel that they restrict my movement. So I've always wore a heavy hoodie. Not only that but my husband bought me my first Dooney&Bourke!!!!!! It's supposed to be a Christmas present but I picked it out a couple of weeks ago and when it had a really good price at Macy's, so I told my husband about it. So It is wrapped and put away. I feel really good this year, like I haven't left myself out.
My husband turn 30 this summer. He works really hard. I should give him more credit for our happiness. I tell him sometimes what he's missing out, like the lunch at Hannah's school. But I see that it's my benefit bc I stay at home. I'm not a father so I don't know what the balance should be. My father was a workaholic and climbed the ladder and once he was on the top he worked long hours and was dead tired when he got home. I think that's what I see sometimes my when I see my husband. He's doing so good and improving at his job that he's going to miss things at home. I just had a light bulb moment. They should have a father daughter out to dinner night.
Goals for next month- I am going to get Gabrielle's school shots early because they have kindergarten round up in February for all day kindergarten. So I really hope that we get in the program.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Saturday morning we went to the mall and Gabrielle got her pictures taken. Had lunch and took Hannah to the High school. Tamika Catchings # 24 for the WNBA Fever team was hosting a great event for the kids called Catch the Stars Fitness Clinic.
When we arrived we signed in and donated our can goods. We walked in the gym and Hannah had a hard time being shy. Tears were running down her face bc she didn't know anybody and she didn't know what she had to do. The volunteers were great and got her a buddy and I had to go bc it was sort of a drop off thing. With 200 kids and the volunteers there's no way parents and siblings could stay for safety reasons they asked parents to go.
While Hannah was at the High school we decided to use that time wisely and go grocery shopping. We went home watched a movie then after that we left to get Hannah. We got there a little early so I got her on video doing a relay race. At the end, Hannah got all kinds of goodies and I got Hannah's pictures taken with Tamika Catchings! How awesome is that!!
The day after the Election I went through the storage closet and I wanted to see what our tree looked like since we got it from a very generous person from freecycle. Freecycle is a website where you post things that you would like to give away for free. It's great! Anyway I took the box out and open it up and the tree is absolutely perfect. It's a prelit tree and there's only a couple of lights that don't work but overall I couldn't ask for a more perfect tree.
Since there's nothing wrong with it I had planned on living it in the box for at least a week . I really didn't feel like putting it back into the storage closet because I arranged everything back really neatly, and the girls had plans of their own. They insisted that the tree has to be up. It was a 1-2-3 step tree so easy. We are saving the decorations for after Thanksgiving!
Is it me or does everybody just love Christmas decorations and collections! I can not figure out how I want my tree. I'm going through all of the collections and I really do love them all. I love the gold, bronze, silver, white, and even the more modern neon colors. So I ask my husband which colors do you like and he says the same thing. Since I can't make up my mind we just going to do the traditional red and green. This year I'm seeing a change.... The display trees don't have garland instead they are using ribbons and I'm thinking of doing the same.
I thought it was alittle crazy to put the tree up early...way early. But I think it's great. I think the holidays is a reminder that it's the people that count in life and now that our tree is up, I think it just helps us remember that much more.
It's National Chemistry Month and we got free tickets to go to the Children's Museum. We saw some of the new exhibits and did a couple of chemistry experiments. The girls had a lot of fun!
September was a busy month! Soccer practices and games, cheerleading, girl scouts, Labor Day weekend we did it all and still doing it! Last weekend was Hannah's birthday party. she invited 7 girls and I think 6 girls came. She had a really good time. In the pictures where Hannah is opening her presnts, it seems Leia was having just as much fun as Hannah! Earlier that Saturday Hannah and Gabrielle had their soccer games then Hannah and I went with the Brownie Troop for Apple picking at Anderson's Orchard. It was a very nice place. Great Apples, Apple Slushies, and Cider.
This weekend is the End of Soccer and Cheerleading but Hannah has the option to continue with Cheerleading for the Winter. I've missed alot of Gabrielle's soccer games bc Hannah and Gabrielle's were at the same times and I usually stayed home during the practices. So during the Games I watched Hannah's and Daddy watched Gabrielle bc he was the soccer coach this year.
I LOVE the month of October! The weather is beautiful and I love the Autumn activities. Sometimes this month we are going to a pumpkin patch, hopefully. For Gabrielle's birthday, I plan on taking the girls to the Children's Museum Haunted House and no doubt we'll go to Chuck E. Cheese. Gabrielle really wants a pet..any pet. She tell me all the time she wants a puppy. But since we cant have a puppy she has settled for either a turtle or a fish.
Leia makes full sentences now. It's amazing how well she speaks. I haven't tried potty training only bc Im not ready for it. I'm not ready for the panties, pull ups, struggling to get to the potty. Maybe in the next month or two we will start our journey!
McDonald's at Riley. Mommy had to get breakfast at 5:30am
6:30 Getting ready
These are the wonderful Nurses that took care of Gabby
Gabby right after surgery, it took about 2 hrs.
Later that evening, Daddy Got her the Pinkie Pie Pony that she's been wanting.
Back to sleep!
Ready to go home!
The first two is Hannah and Gabrielle's last day at their swimming lessons. Monday 7-28 Hannah jumped off the diving bored the first time. Gabrielle did not. Wednesday 7-30 is when the videos was taking of them at their swimming lessons.
7-26 Was Leia's birthday party. She is opeing her present. I wish I took more video of this day!
Hope you like it!!!!
Thursday 24th Oficially Two!
Community Festival Saturday Afternoon
Birthday Party in the evening! We had tons of fun!!!!
Happy 4th of July! We went to see Kung Fu Panda and did fireworks at home!
Hannah and Gabrielle enjoyed their swimming lessons and going back July 7th.
Strawberry Festival on the Monument Circle downtown. We had a great time! Afterward we went to the Civil War museum. The girls thought it was boring but I thought it was neat!
One of many sleepovers in the month of June!
Hannah in her Daisy Smock!
Leia being a Big Girl!
My new bedding!
Gabby at her soccer game!We wanted to go somewhere for Spring Break but it's really cold so we set a date for Kings Island in May a week before school ends. Hopefully it will be nice but something like this can always be reschedule. Gabrielle will be having an evaluation with the ENT specialist to see weather or not to go forth with her tonsillectomy tomorrow. I am almost certain that they will do it and it will be scheduled sometime in June bc they are so busy. Soccer and Swimming starts the same week. Gabrielle is praticing holding her breath under water.
I got the girls pictures taken at Sears for the first time and the first time with Easter dresses on! I realized I had none of them looking so pretty in dresses. Hannah poses so well. She watches ANTM, America's Next Top Model for those who dont know what ANTM means. :)
The girls are growing everyday and their attitudes are coming through. Hannah and Gabby are two years apart and now that Gabby is getting school aged the gap is almost non existent wish means Hannah is struggling with her role in the house. I try to make it fair; that they take turns doing stuff like help cooking or the dishwasher, or whatever it is.
Hannah and Gabby will be starting Swimming Lessons April 7th.
And we know where we are going for our first Spring Break. Nickelodeon Universe at Kings Island. Hannah is tall enough do some of the family rides but Gabby is just barely over 40" which is perfect for Nickelodeon Universe. I remember last year going to the state fair was a struggle to find rides and the roller coaster at the zoo she was way too small that I had to go with her. Tarryl doesnt mind just as long he doesnt have to do anything too crazy. I guess he had a bad experience with a roller coaster. I told them if its okay for small kids it will be okay for him. lol
I got the great idea for Behavior charts on the last blog. It's a 6 week chart and at the end of the week they get a small reward, at the end of 6 weeks you get a toy! I like this idea bc It controls the toy purchasing and I can use it as leverage and bribery! I've never needed one bc my kids listened to me but lately it's been a struggle. Gabby has trouble cleaning her toys , she still has Hannah doing it. So this has many benefits! Small rewards consist of… Happy Meals, Bounce @ the mall - Its $1 for 5 minutes, and movie rental. SO they get to pick which one! That's a good start. I'm sure we can negotiate at the end of the week..
This came in good timing bc Hannah got her first yellow square at school today. Which means a 5 minute time out. She was talking too much. She was probably telling her friends the her mommy made her mad bc I wouldn't let her wear he Hello Kitty dress shoes this morning! They're alittle too big!
So I finally got my digital camera! It does everythig a big camera does but smaller and cuter! It takes movies and all kids of things! It awesome I get to share pics with family that lives far away and people I dont talk to on a monthly basis. I have a public album on aol if any one wants to look but most of them are on myspace. I just hate cropping pics to fit myspace, its a hassle! And I finally got a computer desk! Im so picky and working with a budget and amount of space makes things even more difficult but we finally got it. Whats amazing is that I looked high and low for a desk and where do I end up getting one at...Walmart! Ofcourse. It was simple to put together, perfect for the space and low on the price! Anyway. Life is good. Between the family we were sick for 2 weeks but all better now. Leia got all of her big teeth in, top and bottom, while being sick! Gabby is getting more independence and being more stubborn, and I have to be more patient and talk things out . With Hannah I only had to say things one time. Gabby I have to repeat myself 4 times to calm her down. ANd there going through greedy stage, where they want everything. I've created monsters and im losing control! Sounds like I'm talking bad about my kids! But they're still good I just need to fine tune come trouble spots! lol I think Im going to do a chart for being good, instead of giving things and going out places. Like they love going to Applebee's and Red Lobster. They have to earn that from now on. Anyone else like that idea???? More about my kids, I signed them up for the Soccer in the Spring. I think they start the end of March, Gabby is so excited to do what Hannah did last year. I'm looking into a dance classes for the summer but they haven't posted summer dates and prices so I'll talk about that later! So for awhile we was thinking about getting a house but that has changed. Were staying here. They aren't going to raise the prices just yet.. They probably will in August...lol It was just an idea!
SO what have I been doing besides taking care of my sick family...well nothing. Calling Headstart to see if Gabby can go to school next year, scheduling doctor visits, cleaning, got my nails done a couple of times! Thats about it. Getting the kids spring clothes which I always look forward doing and the kids know it! I wanted to do something special for my husband by getting him some Gap shirts and a pair of pants but he hasnt bought himself clothes in such a long time that it feels foreign! Tarryl likes his dvd's! Tuesday is his favorite day!
The new pictures are from Takoda's 3rd Birthday party! Kimmy filled a pinata full of candy, beads, sticky lizards, and some more stuff! My kids loved it! I love seeing little people grow up...it's so amazing!
I took Hannah to her Daisy meeting tonight and it was a blast. We had so much fun and People actually showed up, I didnt count but we had to hav had atleast 10 girls there. Hannah had a great time and socailizing with other moms was kinda cool. I guess being a SAHM...ya that would be cool. lol She will be giving her valentines presents to the nursing home next friday with her group. And sometime in March they will be going skating. I wondered doing this Daisy thing would benefit Hannah in some way, but making friends out of school, or another activity, I guess thats a plus. Growing up, I never heard, what moms say bc my mom wasnt around, SO Im feeling like am I doing the right thing by putting Hannah in these activites bc I wasnt in any. But Im glad we went and a BIG plus is our troop leader said she will be sticking with our group as they get older, So we will hav her forever I guess!
I finally got my pictures developed from all the way back from July...I went to get them and I said my last name and the woman said, "I remember you, you hav 10 of them, I did them all" That was funny. I got some really good pics of the kids and my friends and me and my husband, and all the events that happened...Its nice to look back on them and think , O ya, that happened! ***So don't be surprise if I wait long but I dont see that happening since walmart is 2 minutes away and I should be getting a digital soon..I hope!
Okay so I got Hannah those shoes right? Well they are alittle on the small side but size 1 was way too big and they don't come in half sizes. SO after she takes her school pictures (full body pose) I hav to take them back and find something else.
-We didn't go to the Daisy meeting bc of the snow snorm that was suppose to happen . Then this morning I look online at some of my bank transactions and Finish Line charged me twice so I'm out $72 till sometimes next week. Hopefully the manager can fix it. I talked to her this morning and she said the same thing. And I hope our family pictures turn out great bc I really need these, we havent done family pics since Gab was a baby.
Guess What! Hannah is going to her very first, someone else's house sleepover. I'm frantic about this. This is why I am getting gray hair. If I waited to hav children 10 yrs later, gray hair would be normal! Anyway I tell all the do's and don't s and made sure she knows the phone number. But I don't think I will be getting much sleep tonight. But the good thing is when I'm stressed , my house looks really clean. Any advice?????
So I take Gabrielle to the doctor to get her tonsils looked at yesterday and she said Gabrielle has strep throat. For one Im thinking she hasnt been sick well over a month for her to test positive for that. Anyway Im still going to give her the antibiotic, even though my insticts might be right. Unless I take her to one of those minute clinics. BTW the reason why I took Gab to the doctor bc her endocrinologist suggested it. Gab has always had large tonsils, she burps like a man..lol (I thought that was a normal 4 yr old..lol) Its fun when you learn how to get on ur parents nerves) And she snores like one too!
Today I got Hannah new shoes bc she has another picture day next week and I wanted her to have new one to show off. I got the new Pastry shoes by Phat Pharm...I've been watching them for awhile and they are in high demand so I thought for sure that they would be sold out. I got lucky today!
I want some for myself! We are also getting our family pics done this friday, I've scheduled it before but I think somone was sick or I got lazy..who knows!! Tomorrow is Girl Scout -Daisy meeting day and I hope more kids show up!
SO yesterday we went to the Endocrinologist and everything is right on schedule. Gabrielle is a normal growing 4 y/o. She got her blood drawn yesterday to check her thyroid levels. The task to get it done was another story...She completely freaked out and she is so strong next time Im going to hav another person help me to hold her arm. We went to the New Walmart and it's literally in my backyard it's so close. It's so nice. Extremely Busy but Im hoping the that will fade, bc those lines were crazy! It's really nice to hav a walmart near by instead of driving more than 20 minutes to go shopping then do the lines and back home, thats our normal 2 hr trip and now its cut in half...What will I do with all that time!? lol OOO I know more Laundry! WOO HOO! What sucks about the walmart is that I was hoping it would hav a Picture Studio, But it doesnt...Instead it has a Eyebrow threading place... Wow Im wondering which will make more money..hmmm! Anyway That still means I hav to go to the Super Target in Carmel to get the pics done bc my Target and Meijer doesnt have a Picture Studio....I think the only thing close is JC Penny. SO My baby is teething ...and very grumpy today!
So I made that meatloaf last night and it was alright...nothing to brag about. The bread at the bottom of the pan work but made the meat like it didnt get done like i liked it to so I cook for 30 more minute and before I decided that i was going to throw it out -my husband decided to cook it longer. I didnt do the cheese sauce on top, I thought that was to much work for a stupid meatloaf...lol I wont be doing that one again. Atleast I tried right? :)
So anything new for the month of January, well not really Tarryl is still working lots of overtime, which is fine and all but Im trying to make our evenings alittle more relaxed or eventful. Going to the Library last monday, they played puzzles and read books with daddy and they had lots of fun doing that, more fun than doing it at home. I meet some new mommies also that night.
Leia is talking all kinds of words right now. Ofcourse some of it I can only understand but its so darn cute! She is so tall that she wears 24months clothes/sleepers. Gabrielle has grown alot this year. Last yr she was still wearing a 3T and in the spring I started buying her 4T shirts and now they are short on her. She has her Endrocrinolgy Appointment tomorrow so I will let everyone know how well that goes. For those who dont know she has a low thyroid which effects her weight and growth among others things. Hannah, she is doing awesome. She now thinks shopping is apart of her weekend plans. and she know that I look at our favorite store online to see if they got any new stuff in, the Children's Place, so she ask me to see it when Im online now and tells me what she wants now..she's funny!
So I have a couple of personal goals to achieve in Febuary and I will get them done..I will, I WILL, I tell ya!!! lol They will get done! One is a new one that my husbad suggested, I should become a registered and licensed child care home that way I can be in the database incase someone needs a babysitter. I thought that was brillant...why didnt I think of that.
These are just random things to talk about....Thanks to kimmy I hav a new love for Dots....Let me tell ya...I hate patterns, florals, stripes, that included dots, But now they are everywhere. I love Dots. They are so youthful..lol SO I got a new comforter set the has pink and green polkadots and some stripes for the girls room. Very cute. O and also thanks to kimmy I check CraigsList often...why I dont know but I did get a cute rocking pony that makes sounds for $10. My kids love it!
It was great reading the 2006 memories I thought I would do it again for 2007.
1. I think I start every year saying I will lose weight but I havent made that commitment. If I see chocolate, hands down I want it! So this yr Im just going to move my butt more. More outdoor activities!
2. The Spring of 2007 Made our first major furniture purchase...Our Queen size bed.
3. Summer* We went to the pool a couple of times, celebrated Leia's first birthday, that was fun! Tarryl worked alot of overtime to accomadate my spending habits! Hannah started school! Got on the school bus for the first time! Hannah made a friend outside the home! We finally got cable!
4. Fall* Hannah joined her soccer team for the first time...lost all the games i think but it was fun to watch my baby play sports! September I lost my best friend of 13 years from complication to Cystic Fibrosis. October we had no money bc a company change. November he lost his insurance benefits. Also in Nov. the new company took over and gave everyone a good starting wage salary and a raise. Went to Washington D.C. for Thanksgiving.
5. December* I turned 25. I know 25, I cant believe myself! Hannah joined Girl Scouts.
I enjoyed hanging out with Kimmy more and her family coming over. Hillary moved far away. Tarryl worked really hard this year. Alot of weekends we didnt do anything bc he was gone. Tarryl and I went out more this year. We ate out alot...sad to say but we did. I even got my nails and feet done which hardly ever happens! I think Overall, it was a great year. The new thing that I tell myself is..what will I regret not doing? I need to have more fun, and go out more, and see new things, talk to new people. I think I hav enojoyed this year bc I wasnt in my sheltered everyday box.
