The Expression Says It All

Count Your Pennies

Join us for the Fourth Annual 31 Cent Scoop Night. We are once again paying tribute to local fire fighting heroes and thanking our loyal customers by lowering the price of Baskin-Robbins scoops to just 31 cents!

On April 28, America’s favorite neighborhood ice cream shop is partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring fallen fire heroes and assisting their families and coworkers.

As part of the event, the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will make a $100,000 donation to the NFFF. Participating Baskin-Robbins stores will help raise additional funds for local firehouses by inviting fire departments to the event to collect donations.

We hope you can join us on 31 Cent Scoop Night!



Did you all make it out to Baskin Robbins last night? Who can resist ice cream for .31 cents? Not our family.



The kids grabbed their piggy banks, counted their change, and dashed for the car as soon as dinner was complete.



Although the line was long, it was worth it. The kids (and I) got a fabulous scoop of ice cream and lots and lots of smiles. And we supported a good cause. Who can ask for more?

Bathtime Fun With My Babes

Paloma's Plug

Yesterdays dinner experience was atrocious. They children were obviously wild and had an exuberant amount of energy at the arrival of their father. I was trying hard not to squash that energy, but things were certainly getting out of control.

Finally, I had had enough. Paloma was acting like a crazy monster ~ running around dancing, singing, spilling things. She was cute in the process, but this was still my dinner table.

I stopped her in her tracks after heading several warnings and simply said, "Paloma, where did you come from."

Paloma's response "The zoo."

Based one her actions, I simply could not disagree with her.

Here's hoping tomorrow is a little more settled.

Girls Night Out

Calling all moms.....



Have you checked this place out yet? One word: Fabulous.



Daddy's plane was supposed to fly in this afternoon but not much to our surprise - it didn't. I'm not sure who was more upset, me or the girls. Since I hadn't planned anything to do (I thought we'd do nothing but hang with pappa tonight), my first response was to panic. Silly - but I like to have a game plan.

Without a second thought, I called this new little salon in town that specializes in children. After a brief description of their services, I decided tonight was officially "girls night."

Told the girls to change their shirts, wash the chocolate and finger paint off their faces, and jump into the car for a spa night and dinner with mommy.



The girls were each treated to a manicure followed by a haircut and fancy hairstyle.






The finishing touch - glitter. Fancy shmancy hair glitter.



Feeling absolutely like a princess, I took them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant - Souper Salad! It was a lovely evening except that I was running low on patience at the end and so everyone went to bed in tears ~ but I'm truthful in saying the rest of the evening was fun. Mattea thanked me for a nice night as she shoveled in salad and cornbread. She loves her curls and of course Paloma is loving her braids.

Check this place out moms - it is truly a great experience.

Wordless Wednesday

Spring Has Sprung

What a glorious and blessed (not to mention warm) weekend we had. I was lucky enough to have the entire weekend off to enjoy with my family (which was a blessing since Dave headed out on business late Sun. evening). After kicking butt to get all of my ridiculous chores done last week, our family was able to "play" the entire weekend.



We started off Saturday morning with a family run followed by lunch at the park. We topped out the afternoon with lots of family fun and then an evening at church.



Sunday was just as magnificent as most of the day - scratch that - all of the day was spent outside blowing bubbles, gardening, playing in the sandbox, and roller skating. How can you possibly beat that?

TV Trance!

Imagination

At my house, free play involves nothing but creativity and imagination. My kids have a knack for it. Every time I turn around, they are playing nurse, Costco lady, Schwann man, delivery room, shoe salesman, and now married people.

Not to long ago, we hosted a wedding at my house. Both Mattea and Paloma wanted to get dressed up and get married. They often look at our wedding album and ask a lot of questions - which I never mind. Of course, it is a learning tool for me to talk about the institution of marriage and how absolutely wonderful it is. They are still in the fairytale bubble that they will be marrying their daddy - and I just don't have the heart to tell them that that Prince Charming is already taken. I do hope they find men that are just as wonderful and godly as their daddy though.

So the girls got dressed up, put on some fancy jewelry, gathered some accessories, and asked if I would watch their ceremony. They took turns walking up and down the aisle. Their time will come - more quickly than I'd like I'm sure. But it made for a nice, cute, imaginative afternoon.

Ugh!

So a quick (and I mean quick) note to let you all know where I've been. I miss blogging and certainly have many posts that I'd like to write. I have a little problem though. You see those two kids in the picture above? Sweet aren't they? Well as sweet as they are, they are needy. Needy, needy, needy. "Mommy play with me, mommy wipe my bumm, mommy I'm thirsty, mommy I need a snack, mommy mommy mommy." Ah yes, the familiar tone that rings in my ear. And now, it rings in my ear all day because both girls have decided that napping is for babies. Yep, my world has been turned upside down, literally.

I have no time to do anything!!!!! The only reason I'm posting right now is because I got lucky and Mattea is reading a book to Paloma. But holy buckets - life is sure different now. And I can't help but say that I am sad. I used to be so good about staying up on laundry, dishes, cleaning, bills, projects, etc. That is a joke. My kids wake up in the morning and don't stop until their little head hits the pillow. I'm working hard at encouraging them to play alone otherwise my whole house will fall apart - but Paloma lasts for only about 15 min. in her room and she comes out bugging for a playmate.

Keep me in your prayers this week as we continue to adjust. Mommy has been a bit cranky not to mention downright tired. Where these kids get their energy I'll never know, but I'd sure like to find some. I now find coffee to be an afternoon staple instead of an afternoon treat. Oh heaven help me.....

Randomness

Think in your mind for one moment of a bright, warm, sunny day. Think about packing up and heading to the park to enjoy the beautiful day God has created. Think about packing snacks, drinks, extra panties (you know for those inadvertent accidents that are still occurring - sigh!). Think about grabbing a bottle of water for yourself, a snack, your cell phone, and the newest edition of Parents magazine. Think about making that last final potty stop (to avoid those inadvertent potty accidents), grabbing a jacket and getting loaded into the vehicle. Think about how much fun your going to have spending the entire afternoon at the park with your babies.

But try not to think about a packed park full of moms and their children who are thinking about the same thing you are. Packed parks don't bother me - mothers who spend more time staring at my bald head than paying attention to their heathen sons who are beating other children with a stick does! Are you kidding me. It is as if they have never seen a person without hair before. Seriously, women. Pull it together and try not to make it so obvious that you are gawking at me. It really is unbecoming.

On the flip side, try to think about the sweet little girl that I teach in Sunday school who we were fortunate enough to see at the park who approached me and said, "you have really short hair." I replied, "yeah, and you have really curly hair." Her response, "yeah." And off she skipped. Didn't bother her any.

Easter Fun 2010

A look at our Easter celebration from this year. We are truly blessed as a family and are fortunate to know our Lord Jesus. This is a time of celebration - a time to remember exactly what Christ sacrificed for us on the cross. Thank you Jesus for all you've done and continue to do for us.











He is risen indeed!