Babysitting!

Yesterday the girls and I watched our friends little girls, Ellie and Josie. Katie and Maddie were so excited. They got together a bunch of toys and a blanket. Maddie wanted to feed her and hold her. Josie is 8 months old. Every time she cried the girls ran to her. The funny thing is that Ellie, Josie's sister plays and goes about her day as Josie cries, plays and does baby stuff.

They had a great time!

Cookin'

The girls and I decided to make a batch of Chocolate Chip cookies. We added oatmeal to make them a little more healthy. They make the cutest of faces when they cook!

Pretty Princess!

Today we went to take pictures for dance. We got on the tights, the leotard and the hair clip. Katie is kind of excited. We get in the car and the princess is uncomfortable. Off comes the leotard, and the tights and hair clip get a lot of complaints for the whole 7 minute ride. We get there, get redressed and then are told all the changes that need to be made for the recital. I think I am going to a foreign land for that.
She has to have the tights, her hair up, all of it. No loose ends! I should of wanted for the haircut. She needs makeup and a lot of it. Wish me luck!!!
Doesn't she look cute!

Miss. Independence!

Katie is so full of expression. She likes to do things her own way.
The brown outfit was picked out by her. She has on brown knee



high socks, white grouchos, and a brown tunic to go play in the dirt. I haven't been able to put pants on her for over a year.

The end picture is her strike a pose look.

So grown up!

Maddie is so into getting herself dressed. She changes her clothes at least twice a day.
When she puts her shoes on she says, "Is this the foot?"
Today along she changed his clothes at least
ten times.










Maddie also loves to ride her bike. She has a hard time peddling, but she has so much fun!

Wordless Wednesday!

Books!

I have been in a book reading frenzy. I have joined a book club in my Subdivision. Two of the books are mine and the rest are for the girls. I am actually reading two different books now.
One is the Total Mom Makeover and the other is Sisters, Ink. The first one is a mom self help book and the other is about sisters that love to scrapbook. The bad part about being into reading books is the loss of sleep to read them. I will give a review of each as I read them. Happy reading to everyone!

Life!

Today has been one of those days that seems to be a test of your weaknesses. My way of life has been questioned. I am the type of person that truly doesn't care what other people think. I do wish that people would at least listen to what I say and then tell it to someone correctly. I feel like I am back in HS, with the stuff that is going on. Then to make my day more stressed, my Aunt calls and says my mom is at the hospital for arm pain. They are saying it is nothing. Then they say it could be mini strokes. We will hopefully find out more tomorrow. I hate living away from family and this makes it even harder. I need prayers to give her strength and to get answers quickly. It makes the small things seem even smaller.I already feel like you need to live life like it might be your last, but the things that happen in my life make me think this even more each day. I know that we have a great life and that things are good for us. But we have lost so many lately. My Aunt had a battle with who knows what and my mom has had problems for years now. I thank God that they are OK. So please get us through this. My mom needs to be OK.

New Addition

Our friend Becky from Peoria had a baby boy very early on Sunday. His name is Caleb Alan (not sure of spelling). He weighted 8lb, 3oz, he was 19.3 inches. All went well! Pictures to follow when I get them. He has an older sister that is 4. Congrats to Becky, Troy and Mariah!

Friday Fill-ins!

I saw this on a friend's blog (Cathy) and thought I would participate.
1. The last time I lost my temper I was in the car yesterday when no one would listen to me!
2. Politics is what I'm fed up with!
3. The next book I'd like to read is Dark Torte.
4. Summer (no more schedules) is what I'm looking forward to.
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, get a new closet!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was a gift from my secret sister.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a game of scrabble, tomorrow my plans include a egg hunt at Hummel park and my parents and Sunday, I want to read the paper and scrapbook!

The Quake!

It was a pretty weird feeling. Tony and I were awaken by the bed shaking and we were not doing it. The dresser mirror hit against the wall. Tony got up and looked around the house. All was well. The girls slept right thru it.
It was a 5.4, highest since 1968.
The price of earthquake insurance just went up!
Did anyone else feel it?

Me OH My

Me or My
I have been thinking about the things I do, and all the things I need to get done. The need to get done list is much longer. With that in mind I am going to make a list of all the things I do for three days. I feel like I do a lot of wasted time stuff, more sitting then moving. We spend a lot of time in the car. With summer coming soon, I need to make a plan. Katie and Maddie like to keep busy, they also like to watch TV. That needs watch a lot less! I need to watch a lot less late night TV.Day 1
shower, that's a challenge in itself
clean up cat vomit (no fun)
check blogs
make bed
get milk for girls
make peach crisp
load of laundry
put together secret sister bag
put clothes away (8am)
do another load of laundry
put away three loads that have found a home on the dryer
water plants
feed cats
feed fish
wash dishes
take out trash
laundry again
get more milk and snacks for playgroup (9am)
Playgroup from 9 to 11:30 driving time 30 minutes
make lunch
do dishes
cut out fabric to make apron
girls in bathroom
get milk and snack for afternoon playgroup
playgroup 1 to 3:30 driving time 12 minutes (different groups)
wash hands
wash drink cups
two more loads of laundry
put summer stuff in tub, put tub in car (we are ready for the sun, sand and a lot of picnics)
put away shoes 7 pairs by front door
make dinner
wash dishes
play outside before meeting
drop girls off at Paige's
go to Crime Watch Meeting (50 minutes total)
Hang out at Paige's house ( play outside)
give girls bath, brush hair, teeth
tell one story
lay with girls
load of laundry
make Tony dinner
make Relay Bookmark sample
blog entry
read book
laundry, last load for now!
The list is long and there is still so much to do. I will have a new list for tomorrow. The day was great and we were outside a lot. Sunscreen is so needed now! Happy, Happy Joy, Joy!

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen places I would like to go this summer!
1. park
2. zoo
3. friend's houses for playgroups
4. Amy's cottage
5. Camper
6. Michigan
7. camping
8. the caves
9. My parents
10. Cincinnati
11. Peoria to visit friends
12. Shipshawna (spelling is wrong) Amish
13. Eagle Creek

Haircuts!

I told Katie we were going to get her hair trimmed. She asked if she could get a haircut. She wanted to show her neck and do some thing short. We tried to find a cut on the Internet, but found no helpful site. We got to Cookie Cutter's and looked thru a couple book. She decided on a Bob cut. She wanted it to be ear length. I talked her into getting it chin length. She really is happy with the way it looks. Now only if I could get her to smile naturally. I had the same smile in a lot of my childhood pictures.

She was amazed with how much hair was cut off. So I took a picture of that too!

Maddie got a trim too! She loves to pose for the camera. They said she has a pretty big cowlick and some really short bangs. I was thinking "OH Really!" Like I didn't know. Her bangs are starting to grow back in. You can't tell unless you pick up the top layer. What a Ham!

What's Cookin' #4 Apple crisp

Apple Crisp!

2 cups chopped diced apples (peel if you wish)
I used can't apple pie filling and it tasted great too.
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I prefer pecans)

Mix together the oatmeal, sugar and cornstarch. Line apples and nuts in a glass pan. Sprinkle dry mix over apples, then dot with pieces of butter.
Bake at 400' for 30 minutes.

I just love this recipe! I could eat it all the time. The next time I make it I am going to try peaches. I use the pie filling all the time but now that summer is coming, fresh is the only way.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

New Pets!

We have taken in some new pets.
The Beta is named Rainbow and the mini lobster according to Katie is the crabby daddy or pinchy. The crawdad is going to the creek as soon as the rain lets up. The Beta is very pretty with a blue body and red fins.
Hopefully we can keep them both alive for as long as they live in our house. The lady at the pet store said "Betas don't die, so we don't need a receipt." I am hoping she is telling the truth.

Girls!

Katie and Maddie are eating pancakes and Katie "Goes the syrup bottle is half full." Maddie chimes in "No! Katie the bottle is half empty." I can see it already how the girls are going to look at life. One will want the room cold, one will want it warmer; one will wear all bright colors, one will wear all dark colors. They will be fighting over clothes, boys, phone time and who knows what else. They are so opposite with things and then the next minute they want all the same. Girls!!! Got to love them:)

Talken!

I have actually finished a book in less then one week. That is correct under one week. I read "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. I loved the book! It has nothing to really do with knitting. It is truely about friendship. I was a quick read and a great book. It makes me look back at the friendships I have and how I have meet people. Some friends you get to know over time, some become friends right before your eyes. Each time I move to a new home it becomes a challenge to make new friends. I have made some great friends throughout my life. If you are one of those friends, Thanks for being there when I need a ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. You all have made my life better!Read the book and tell me what you think?

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen things I love to do!
1. Talk to friends
2. Cook
3. Read
4. See new things
5. Blog
6. Go out with friends
7. Anything fun or new with the girls
8. Do crafts
9. Relax!
10. Take Pictures
11. Bake
12. Buy or make gifts for friends and family
13. Travel

A day as a mom!

So I started a second blog and have written nothing. Life is funny that way, you have so much to say and no idea how to start. The day goes by so fast and so much goes on while you feel like nothing gets done. You wake up get your kids ready, drive them to school, run errands, clean the house, make lunch, wash dishes, do laundry, start dinner, read stories, make a snack, clean a spill, feed a pet, pay bills, clean some more, and anything else that goes on before 5pm. Your husband gets home asks how was your day, what did you do? You answer, "good and not much." When really you would like to list your day and scream "I'm going crazy!" That is the day I had.

Skating Again!

Katie with our friend Sebastan. Happy Birthday!
Katie love to roller skate. She is even going backwards. Now I have to get her to wear the real skates. Maddie is not into skating. Everytime we go she runs aroung in her socks. She has a great time!












The gang! Katie has made a new friend, Rylle. They played the whole time.

Dress Rehearsel

Here is the outfit Katie will be wearing for her Dance Recital May 16th. She is very excited!

Daydreaming!

Spring is here!

This weekend we went and picked the girls up from my parent's house.
We meet them at the camper or what Katie calls Gramma's little house. The girls were happy to be outside playing on the swings and checking out the water. They just love it there! The geese were out and the flowers were starting to bloom. Katie can't wait to hang out there this summer. SHe wants to fish and go on golf cart rides. Maddie wants to swing, swing, swing at the little house.

Finally Done Painting!

The painting is finally over. The browns look really good together.
I love the way it turned out. I couldn't get a good picture of the kitchen eatery area. I wonder what the girls will think?

We are going to get them this weekend. Gramma told Katie that we were coming to get them tonight and she SCREAMED "NO!" When they left on Sunday they went happily and now they don't want to come back home. Boy do I feel loved! The week has gone by so fast. I has felt odd doing things without them. Shopping has been so easy. Next week we are back to normal, school, dance, the zoo and other fun things. I will keep you all posted on our fun and exciting life.

The girls are visiting Gramma and Poppie

Sunday, the girls left with Gramma and Poppie to spent the week. They packed their bags and away they went. There was no screaming or crying. Hopefully they will miss us a little bit.
Tony and I headed to the garage to do some major cleaning. We put about ten boxes in the trash and put a lot of stuff away. We can see a lot of the garage floor. We kept thinking that the girls would come out and say "When are you guys coming in?" Dinner was pretty quiet. I talked to the girls when they got home. Maddie stayed dry the whole trip. Maddie has been dry for a twelve days.

Monday morning I talked to the girls. They slept late and were getting ready to eat breakfast. They were planning a trip to Wal-Mart and Nana's house. They had some shopping to do. I went to a couple stores to do some shopping and to get paint. I kept feeling like I was forgetting the girls somewhere. It is odd not having them with me.

Today I started to paint the living room and front room. I chose Hot Chocolate and a tan color. Tomorrow, I am planning on painting the other walls. Six more walls to do.




What do you think so far? That is the Hot Chocolate color. I really like it myself!

Our Subdivision Egg Hunt!

This weekend we had our subdivision egg hunt. The sun was out but the wind was cold. There were about 7 families. Everyone had a great time. The Easter Bunny even made a visit. Our friend Ellie won one of the Easter buskets. Maddie ran out to collect eggs as soon as it was time to go get eggs. Katie was picking hers by color.

Clare and Reed's Bday Party

Thursday Katie and Maddie went to Pottery by You to celebrate Clare and Reed's Bday. They are our neighbors. The girls had a great time painting and eating pizza. Katie made a unicorn and Maddie made a dragon bank. I will send pictures when they come in. Maddie loved to paint! Katie colored hers one color and then decided on a totally different color.
Reed and Clare got a lot of presents and had a lot of friends there.

MOPS Easter Party!

Maddie is having a good time at the MOPS Easter Party. We had cookie decorating, made sun catchers, planted flower seeds and a pinata.