a trip to Sweden

Well, not really... we just went to IKEA for the day! I had to get out of the house since it will be a long day! Doc is on a business trip in California, so my days are long. Thankfully, it is a short one and he will be home tomorrow afternoon.

I sent my good friend Lisa (Ava's mommy) an email at 10:30 and and asked her if she wanted to meet me at IKEA in an hour for lunch. She agreed, and I jumped in the shower and off to went to have lunch! See that big ole piece of chocolate mouse cake?! Yep. That was mine. ;-)

The main reason I choose IKEA was because of smalland - the kids play center. They will watch your kids for 1 hour (and if you're a member 1 1/2 hours!!) So, we dropped these two off to play and off we went.

We had this little cutie in a stroller.

And this little tired thing in a stroller.

As soon as we dropped off the older ones and started strolling, Kinley was out like a light. She snoozed the whole time we shopped. It was so nice. I definitely got my break!

We went to pick up Austin and Ava in the play center. It looks like so much fun! They have this HUGE ball pit. I was ready to go take a jump. ;-)

We had such a fun time! Thanks Lisa for meeting me and spending the afternoon with us.

Today, has been MUCH better than yesterday, thank goodness. I don't think I could handle stressful days like that every day. I'm taking it easy tonight and just fixing some frozen pizzas for dinner. I know two little ones who will be thrilled with that!

Have a wonderful evening. 

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one of those days

Today was a very difficult day to say the least. From dropping off at preschool, the call I received from preschool, saying goodbye for a couple of days, exhaustion, two strong willed children... all I can say is I'm so thankful it is 8:00PM. I put BOTH kiddos to bed at 8:00 on.the.dot. I'm laying on the couch watching American Idol and I have no plans of moving off it. ;-)

Can we say a prayer that tomorrow is easier and I have some patience. I hope that a good nights sleep with make for a happier little boy too. ;-) I'm exhausted.

Daddy, this is for you! *hugs & kisses*

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short and sweet

After a day at home doing laundry, deep cleaning my dirty kitchen, dusting, and picking up after two little people, I decided it was time to get out of the house! We I wanted something sweet so we went and got some icee's!! Check out how thrilled Kinley was with hers. ;-)


I'm thrilled for tomorrow - it's school day and I get to have some time with Kinley and of course running errands. I'm of course not thrilled about the rain we're supposed to get. :-(

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curled and painted

We were getting ready for church this morning and I plugged my curling iron in so I could curl my hair under. I had just blow dried Kinley's hair, and since she was right there in the bathroom with me I decided to sit her up on the counter and curl her hair too. I thought for sure she wouldn't sit still. Oh, she did. I have the girliest girl there is, I swear. She sat so still and after each section of hair she would say, "hot!" It looked so cute.

Sure made it look fuller than our normal 'flat' hair. ;-) It will be so much fun playing 'hair' the older she gets.

We loaded up and went to church!

This afternoon after Kinley woke up I was looking at her toenails and said, "we need to cut them". She ran to my bathroom, grabbed the bottle of hot pink OPI polish and brought it to me to paint her toenails. I told her she'd have to sit in her booster seat. ;-) She was ready!

It's so much fun the older she gets. It makes me sad that she is no longer a little baby girl, but also so much fun! I look so forward to the girl times we have ahead of us.

She just loves her pink toes. She tells me, "pretty". The other night at dinner she said, "I'm pretty". Oh, goodness. That scares me just a little. I think maybe we tell her she's pretty just a little too much. ;-)


I wanted to share with you all my baby sister - she's 26 weeks pregnant!! I can't believe how fast it goes. I'm sure she is thinking the opposite. ;-) She isn't finding out what she is having until the day the baby is born. I am so excited to be an Aunt for the first time.

Only a few more weeks and we get to visit her and her husband for her baby shower and Easter. I had such a STRONG feeling in the beginning that she was for sure without a doubt having a girl. Then, I thought maybe boy. Now, I'm starting to think girl again. Her belly is so little, and she's carrying high. I still have to think girl. ;-)

I showed this picture to Kinley and she pointed and said, "Mallory". She knows!

Gosh, it's already the start of a new week!! I hope that you all have a wonderful week. I have some fun stuff planned for this week. And on Tuesday I'm hosting bible study at my house. It's going to be fun!! Enjoy your week!

Off to get two kiddos in bed... night!

super dad

I just love the weekends for one reason... I have help! :-) It's always more fun with daddy around. The kids get so excited on the weekends when they wake up and daddy is home. Doc was awesome this morning and cooked everyone breakfast. Let me tell you, THIS is a rare thing. He never ever cooks. Not because he can't or he's not good at it. Quite the opposite. He is an amazing cook. I WISH he would cook more often. Well, not really... then I would put on even more weight! ;-) The real reason he doesn't is because I actually love to cook and be in the kitchen.

Doc was also a wonderful daddy this morning and got Kinley out of bed when she woke up AND dressed her after she took a shower with me. ;-) I blow dried her hair this morning and it looks so much blonder.

Then, he watched these two little rascals today while I went out and did some shopping. ALONE TIME! :-) I picked up a couple of pizzas on my way home and we had lunch.

I put Kinley down for an afternoon nap and away I went out again. I love it when I can get out of the house alone. I love browsing TJ when I get the chance. I was 'nice' and picked up the kids some green shamrock shakes from McD's on my way home as a special treat. I tried one since everyone always raves about them. Yuck. I didn't like it at all. And I love mint.

The guys are doing yard work, I have a big pot of split pea soup simmering, and we are going to relax tonight. It feels AMAZING having no dirty laundry to do and a clean house. I am for sure doing all of my laundry and cleaning house on Friday's. It sure makes the weekend that much more enjoyable. I hope you have had a great Saturday!

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Friday at home

This is just a picture that I took of Kinley last night, wearing her new pajamas. It's so much fun getting to buy cute little night gowns and all of that girly stuff. Don't get me wrong, I have just as much fun buying boy clothes too. ;-) But, there is something about having a little mini me to play dress up with.

It's Friday! I was so thrilled that I had no plans, we were staying home all day, and I could sleep in and just relax. Well, that isn't exactly the way it went. I was up around 6:45am - I can't ever sleep in anymore. Doc brought Kinley to bed around 7:00 before he left for work. She decided she wanted to get up early too. ;-)

We stayed in all day. I did all of the dirty clothes that were piled high in the laundry room and cleaned house. It's so nice to get caught up and not have any plans.

I decided since the house was perfectly clean, my laundry was done, and we had nothing to do.... I might as well bake some cookies! ;-)

Why not make a huge mess after just cleaning the entire kitchen?! ;-) The kids loved the Friday afternoon treat. I made our family sugar cookie recipe. I don't make my own frosting though, I just use the store bought. ;-) I asked Austin what color frosting he wanted, he told me blue. (it is actually blue, my phone camera makes it look green)

The kids had fun today. Look at the mess! I am usually so uptight about the house staying 'perfect' and everything picked up and cleaned. The past few days I have been letting go and just let them play, let the house remain a mess. I am calmer and the kids are much happier because I'm right there playing with them. All of the laundry, dishes, and mess of a house can wait. I have learned that I can do it at night after I put them to bed instead of worrying about it during the day. It's just a house. It's just a mess. My little ones are growing up so fast right before my very eyes and I want to be right there to enjoy them before they are both in school and I'm sitting here at the quiet, perfect house, wondering where those years went.

My sweet boy. He is such a sweet, loving boy. The things he says to me just blow me away. He listens to everything I say. After getting mad at him today - he turned to me and hugged me and said, "I love you, Mom". Ugh. I just love him. He often tells me, "you are a good Mommy". I am so lucky to have such a loving and caring little guy. Don't get me wrong - he definitely has his moments and can be a little terd too. ;-)

My sweet girl - she just loves being held and loved on. She's perfectly happy just being in my arms and held all day long.

We had such a relaxing day at home. Kinley napped super early since she woke up way before normal and Austin didn't nap at all. Both of them were in bed at 8:00. So nice!

I hope that your Friday was a good one! Enjoy your weekend.

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boys wear pink * a check-up * and the mall

Today was 'wear pink' day at school. Once a month they wear the color that they have been studying for the month. Austin used to have the cutest little pink polo shirt, but that was oh a couple of years ago! I ran out on Tuesday in a panic to find a pink shirt for him to wear. I always like for him to participate at school. Even if it does mean 'wearing pink'. :-) I personally love pink on guys. I told Austin, "Ava is going to think you look so handsome" that made him feel more sure about wearing pink! ;-)

After Kinley and I dropped off Austin at school we rushed to the 9:30am 18 month check up. We were exactly 1 month behind. Today my little miss is 19 months old. Gosh, how did this happen??!!

She is such a little petite tiny thing. She wasn't in the mood to stand on the scale, so I just sat her up on the table scale. She is only 21 lbs. and 10oz. TINY!

After she was weighed we were taken into the 'Farm room'. Every room at our doctors office has a different theme. It is so much fun seeing which one we will get each time. Kinley just LOVED this room. She sat up on the tractor.

She was not in the mood to be checked today. She was so shy and scared. She just sat in my lap the whole time and held on tight. Dr. Chang just checked her from my lap. ;-) She's such a mama's girl.

She played all over the room. They had a cute farm rocking chair, the tractor, and a huge farm wall mural. It was so cute hearing her call out the animals names. The nurse heard her and said, "Oh, well I take it she is talking really well".

Her appointment went wonderful. She's a healthy, tiny little girl.
Weight: 21 lbs. 10oz. - 10%
Height: 32 1/4" - 50-75%

She is ALL done with shots until 4 years old. She only had to have 1 today. I of course put on the numbing cream, gave her a sucker and she didn't even know it happened.

We went to the mall after her appointment. Who doesn't love to go shopping to feel better!? :-) We found some adorable Fancy Nancy pajamas and a smocked dress in Dillards. CHEAP. People, they are 40% off the clearance price. Cheap. I love to buy all my kids name brand clothes like this.

After we were done in Dillard's it was lunch time. I got Kinley some chicken nuggets - she ate nothing. Just drank all the chocolate milk. I of course had to have my sushi.

While we were sitting at the little table. Kinley looked up at me and said, "I poo". I said, "did you poop?" She replied, "yeah". I checked her, and sure enough she did. She has been telling us lately when she goes potty! We recently got the potty chair down just to get her used to it. I sat her own it and sure enough, she peed. Another time she sat on it and said, "poo" and she pooped on it in her diaper! I think we will start potty training BEFORE 2.

She had fun at the mall. We walked around and she looked over the railing at the carousel below. She's getting so big. I miss not having a baby anymore. It is getting so much fun though.

Another thing she has been saying lately is, "ewwwww sick". It is so funny! She draws out the words and uses it in the correct context too. After having her sucker at the doctors office her hands were sticky and she had a hair stuck to her fingers. She said, "ewwww sick" I just laugh and laugh. 

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Happy Birthday, Papa!

We wish we could be there to celebrate with you on this very special 60th birthday! We are all so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful Dad and Papa! You are always putting others first and always give to your family so selfishly. Thank you for always being there for all of us. We love you so much! We hope that you have one awesome birthday and a special weekend getaway in Charleston! I love you, Dad!!

Austin and Kinley wanted to sing Happy Birthday to you!

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Kinley is 19 months old today!! She has her 18 month check up this morning, so I will post again later this afternoon. I hope that you all have a wonderful day!

First day of Lent and friends

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season and occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday. This year I have decided to give up Diet Coke. I also am taking the time to read my devotional bible daily. What have you given up? Are you doing anything special during Lent? In case you're wondering what bible verses to read for Ash Wednesday, here are some that are particular to Ash Wednesday.

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 14, 17

2 Corinthians 5:20- 6:2

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

I was so excited to meet Lisa and her girls today for lunch at Chili's. Today was Kids Eat Free at Chili's. So we were excited to go have some good food and enjoy the great company.

We lucked out and had this huge corner booth for just the six of us. The girls sat at the end beside each other.

Ava and Austin were all over the booth! ;-) These two are just the cutest little things. All they talk about the whole time they are together is about getting married! HA!! I have to say, I would be thrilled if Austin was to find such a wonderful family to marry into. I just hope that he waits oh... 25 years from now!

After our lunch at Chili's we went to our neighborhood playground. The weather was GORGEOUS today. Seriously, can it stay like this from now on??!! I'm in heaven. You all know I am a heat and sunshine kind of person. It was 82* today and sunny. LOVE IT.

Kinley loves the swings. She was almost singing herself to sleep on that swing. ;-)

They ran all over, Austin even found a ball on the basketball court. Papa, I think he is going to be your next basketball player! He made the shots!! I was impressed.

I just love hanging out with Lisa and her sweet kiddos. The kids all love being together and we enjoy visiting when we aren't chasing after or yelling at one of them! ;-) I am so excited for this summer. I see lots of play dates in our future this summer.

Oh I just love these two! He loves her so much. We had such a fun day at lunch and the playground.

Everyone started getting pink and red and we were afraid they were getting burnt, so we called it a day. Kinley is home napping and as soon as they get up we are headed back outside. It's gorgeous!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Wednesday. Doc is coming home early this afternoon so we can go to evening mass for Ash Wednesday. Enjoy your evening.

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girls day and school pictures

It's Tuesday, one of my most favorite days of the week. I get to spend most of the day with this sweet and sassy girl. ;-) We ran all over town checking things off of our to-do list.

I needed a few things at Sam's today and saw a huge pallet of these gorgeous Spring flowers in this adorable little picket fence box. Too cute, right? It was only $12.98, I just had to have it for my kitchen.

After running all over this morning we had to make a stop at home to drop off our stuff. We had lunch, played for a little bit, and headed back out.

It's so nice to be able to have one on one time with Kinley two days a week while Austin enjoys playing with his friends at school. I usually try to make time for just Austin and I on the weekends. I take him to the movies, or just take him out with me to run errands.

We went to pick up Austin from school and I checked his folder and his school picture proofs were in there. I didn't preorder the class photo because I just *knew* that he wouldn't smile and it wouldn't be worth it anyway. LOOK at these!! They are adorable. I went online and ordered his class photo AND this photo of just him as soon as we got home. A little pricey, but so worth it for me to look back at them when he is grown.

I actually had to wake him up out of bed this morning at 8:30!! He told me he was so tired, he just wanted to sleep! WHAT??!! Is this my kid we are talking about? The one that runs in my room every morning when the sun has barely risen to tell me, "get up mom, the sun is up!"

They played outside for a while today and he is worn out. Snoozing on the couch! In case you're wondering, the sleep 'training' was piece of cake. He does so well. Whenever we tell him it is bed time he goes straight to bed (with a movie on sleep timer) and goes to sleep. He sometimes gets up in the middle of the night, but will go right back to bed and sleep. I'm so thankful that we got him in his own bed again.


It is absolutely gorgeous today. The sun is shining bright and it is 72*. This weather is keeping me in the best mood!! I can't stand winter time, it totally depresses me. Literally. I'm so energetic and happy when it is sunny and hot out. Bring on the hot temps and sun. I'm ready for summer and the pool, and being outside. Oh, and a tan for sure!

I have my girls bible study tonight and I'm so looking forward to it. I hope that you all have a wonderful evening.

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