Tea Party #2

This morning before school Bella decided we should have a tea party. She had been looking through the old blog books and saw a picture of a tea party we did a few years ago. She looks so little in that post.
The girls had so much fun. They are so lucky to have such a fun big sister.

Lets Get Physical Physical

The words of Olivia Newton John are ringing through my ears when I see this picture

There's Only One Me

This morning Claire was looking through the family scrapbooks and blogs books and she came across a picture of herself and showed it to me.
Teasing I said "Who's that? Breanna?" and she said "No, mom it's Claire Bear. There's only one me! There's only one Claire!'

So true!! And I wouldn't want it any other way!

Happy Valentines Day

We have had such a great Valentines Day!
The girls woke up to a present from mom and dad and then it was on to visit all the grandmas at work. We surprised all of them with cookies and valentine the girls had made the night before.
Bella was very excited for Valentines. She picked out her outfit the night before. Red sweat pants (her favorite thing to wear), red shirt, red head band, red socks and pick sparkly shoes. She looked adorable! She was also excited because at school they were having a valentines party and then a primary valentines party after school.
We went to see grandma Brown, grandma Okland, and grandma Jan. It was a busy morning.
We also took cookies to the girls primary and nursery teachers. (yes the twins have been going to nursery). Crazy! They're actually not old enough until next month but they love it and haven't even looked back to me the last 2 times.


Here are the finished products. I'm not very crafty. So I was proud that I did this much.


I was going for the Mrs Fields look, but I think they tasted even better since they were homemade

Weekend Getaway

Seth surprised me with a weekend getaway for my birthday and valentines.
It was so thoughtful. He took care of everything. He coordinated all the babysitting between our parents, took care of the nice hotel room and even made dinner reservations at Ruths Chris.
It was a much needed break. We love our kids, but man did we need a break. In fact the night before we left we sat across from each other at dinner and said "Is it time to leave yet?".
It was so nice not to worry about the kids. I knew they were having so much and being taken good care of.

why does Seth look like he's trying to get away from me?

My birthday dessert from Ruths Chris

Dads & Donuts

Last week the school had Dads and donuts in the morning before school started.
I don't know who was more excited..Seth or Bella.
They've both been talking about it for weeks.
They all had a great time.

Super Cheap or Super Smart?

Earlier today I called Seth and said I wasn't in the mood to cook.

We had a gift card for Rumbi and a punch pass with a free meal. So all we would have to pay for was the kids. I was thinking since they are all little eaters we could get away with 2 kids meals split 4 ways.

Well, it just so happens as I was on my way to Rumbi a thoughtful friend called to tell me that Barbacoa was offering free kids meals and free chips and queso , with no minimum purchase!

So of course I went straight there and ordered a kids meal.

At the drive through I was told one kids meal per car. That's understandable.

But when I got to the window and she saw who was all in my car she said I could have 4.

Again, no purchase required. I actually tried to tell her no but she insisted.

I was feeling a little guilty so I bought a drink.

My original plan was to take everyone to Rumbi and Seth and I would eat ours and the kids could eat theirs.

But all I could think as I was driving to Rumbi was "Am I a total tightwad or just smart with my money?".

I've never actually taken my kids to a restaurant and had them eat something from another restaurant. It felt weird.

In the end we never ended up eating at Rumbi. My kids were acting horrible so I sent Seth a text saying to meet us at home and we'd just eat all the free food there.

But really, tell me the truth. Am I cheap or smart? I won't be offended. I'm pretty sure I already know the answer and it isn't smart.

Homeless?

I heard the car pool honk for Bella this afternoon and as I glanced up to say goodbye this is what I saw...
I had to take a picture, because all I could think was "she looks homeless".

Her coat and boots are too big, she's wearing sweat pants and a shirt that looks too big.

I wish I could say she looks more put together other days, and that this was just a bad day. But the truth is she looks like this pretty much every day.

I'm torn because part of me wants to pick out her clothes and do her hair so she doesn't look like she just woke up from sleeping in the yard.

But the other part of me wants her to be independent and let her feel good about what she picked out.

I thought I had come to a happy medium. I've told her that on Sundays and special days like picture day or something like that, I get to pick out the clothes and the way we do her hair.

But then today, and after seeing this picture I'm having second thoughts.

I really should be more embarrassed about this picture of the twins. Granted they were a little cranky right at the moment I took the picture. But the hair do's they're sporting aren't too far off from what they look like everyday. And yes, sadly this is how they look at church too.

I think the reason their hair looks so bad is because the second and I mean second I pull it up or put in a clip they pull it out. Or one of them will keep the clip in and then the other sister will pull it out.

At least I have one child who will let me dress them and keeps things in her hair.

I just never would have guessed it would be Claire.

17 Days

That's how long it's been since my last post.

hOrRiBle

I could ramble on about how busy I've been and all the excuses I have for not blogging, but that's not me.
So I'll just promise to be better.
(This little speech was more for myself)

My Cute Claire Bear

I just wanted to journal about Claire.

Tonight as Seth was putting her to sleep (Bella is with Kenny) she said mom, will you cuddle with me?

How could I say no?

As we were laying there I just felt such an overwhelming love for her.

She just chattered away. Telling me "secrets" and telling me about her best friends.

I said to her "Claire, will you always be a good girl? Even when you're a teenager? Will you still love me?". And she said "Oh yes, mommy. I love you the biggest".

I'm so thankful to be her mommy!