Throwback Thursday

I hope everyone's day was a good one.  I got my toes done this evening, which was much needed, so I'm feeling a little fresher.  I chose another round of random pictures for this Thursday.  Enjoy:) 

Mark and Mike...Further proof that they've always been cool.

Andrea graduating!  Can you tell we loved us some self tanner?  

Some of my beautiful bridesmaids!  I'm not sure where the others were.  

My first baby, Maggie.  I miss her.  

Maggie and Cooper, our sweet puppies.  

On our honeymoon!  We were so young!!!

A-Okay

Can I just say, the Apple Cake was a huge success.  It was super duper simple and tasted so good.  You definitely need ice cream and some water to wash it down, but it was really tasty.  The recipe is here, if you are interested.

Dinner ended up being easy, too.  I made black bean soup in the crock pot.  I just covered the black beans with water in the morning and then around noon I added chopped onion, salt, and McKay's chicken seasoning.  Then about thirty minutes before I served it, I added a can of diced tomatoes and a can of diced potatoes.  Separately, I cooked some white rice, which I added to each of the bowls before pouring the soup in.  We garnished with cilantro, green onions, sour cream and grated cheese.  If you are vegan, you could always omit the sour cream and cheese and add fresh salsa or avocado.

We were out of the house during the morning when Monroe and I usually work on her letters and after naps in the afternoon we went for a walk and to the park, so we didn't get time to do it today.  Rosie was pretty bummed, but while I was making dinner, I looked over to find her doing this...

Look at all of those A's!  She loves to practice them.  What a big girl!  

What's For Dinner?

We went on a little adventure today.  We headed to the Lululemon store, because I've really been needing some longer workout pants.  Maria was in the market for some new pants, too, so we made it a group shopping trip.  As soon as we arrived, I realized that I didn't have the stroller.  This was not a good thing, because I feared that Kiki would be all over the place.  It's a thirty minute drive there, so I was willing to risk the craziness, though. We crossed our fingers and what a pleasant surprise to find the sales girls were so wonderful.  They put the four girls in a huge dressing room with some blocks to play.  The girl that was helping us even babysat for us while we shopped, so it made the whole process so easy.  They are really awesome there!

I ended up with a new pair of pants, a yoga mat strap and a headband--all in my favorite mint green color.  I could really go nuts in that store if I had more money.  Everything is amazing!

I've had a lot of problems with ideas for dinners lately.  Scratch that, I've had problems with ideas for every meal (breakfast, first snack, lunch, second snack and dinner!)  Kids eat a lot and very often.  I'm horrible at meal planning, but I've realized I need to get better.  I look in my pantry and it's stocked full of food, but I can't for the life of me come up with what to do with it.  Do you have any bright ideas/recommendations/tips?  Please share if you do!!!!  I think I'm going to try to use my crock pot more.  

We never have desserts during the week, but I saw this recipe on Pinterest yesterday and it just really called to me.  I have a big bag of apples and it's just so easy, so I thought I would give it a go.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Well, I better run and do some things while the girls are resting and if I can throw a nap in there, that would be good, too.

Gigi's Pajama Pants

I just finished up Gigi's pajama pants and I thought I would show you the results.  I've proven, once again, that clothes are NOT my forte.  They will work fine though, because let's face it, it's for a doll.  It's also for a doll that looks like she stepped right out of the eighties, so I'm sure that she's not too picky with her clothes.  

I had this flannel in my stockpile from a project from years ago.  

I folded Gigi's other pair of pants (which happen to be stonewashed jeans) in half and used them as a pattern.  I didn't take pictures of the process, but if you have any questions, I'm happy to share.  

The finished product. 

I didn't feel like messing with elastic, so I used a drawstring instead.  

I didn't show you the back, but apparently, Gigi has a lot of "junk in the trunk" and her pants barely  cover it all.  She doesn't seem to mind, though.  I'm too tired to start on the pajama shirt.  I'm also pretty clueless on how to start.    

Snow Painting

Our day definitely shaped up.  Rosie changed her tune and was a much happier camper after our rough morning.  Today, we did a little shaving cream play for her to practice writing her A's.  She called it snow painting and she had a blast.  She's a kid that hates to get dirty, so I was a little unsure how she would like it, but once she saw that it was okay to go nuts, she let loose.  We'll definitely be doing it more often.

  

Kiki woke up on the right side of the bed after her nap.  She was quite fun and had us all in stitches with her antics.  She has started calling Rosie, "Monroe" and I think it's so cute.  I don't know why she's chosen Monroe, because we rarely call her that, but Monroe it is.  Whenever she wakes up from her nap, the first thing we hear her say is, "Monroe!  Come, Monroe!"  

I learned last week that I've been watching WAY too much HGTV.  While Rosie was playing recently, I overheard her saying, "The house has 2 beds 3 baths and is 14 sq feet!  Time to turn the tv off:)  

Tonight, I'm going to start sewing some pajamas for Gigi.   I'm pretty horrible at sewing clothes, and I fear that sewing tiny clothes will be even harder, especially without a pattern.  Wish me luck!

Quiet Time Basket

It's a gloomy day here in NC and it appears the girls seem to be very affected by weather.  They have been pretty atrocious...Rosie, especially!  I'm attributing the crankiness to them waking up at the crack of dawn.  Luckily, Kiki is currently napping and Rosie is taking some quiet time to get herself together.  I'm hoping it works.  Gigi had to be taken away because of an earlier incident, so, yes, it's been a traumatic morning.

I did want to share my take on an idea from another blog that I've been trying out during Rosie's nap time/quiet time that I've been getting good results from.  There are many days that instead of sleeping, Rosie will just play quietly in her room.  It doesn't bother me, because I feel like it gives both of us some much needed down time.  However, I have hated going in her room after to find that the quiet playing led to her completely destroying her previously clean room.

I've started putting together a "Quiet Time Basket" each day.  In it, I put a few different things that she can use to play with during her down time.  She's not allowed to get out any other toys, but the ones in her basket.  I've told her that if she gets tired of them, then she should just rest her eyes.  I usually put about four or five items in the basket.  Here are some of the items I've been using:

2 or 3 books (I try to use books that she's not read in awhile or new books that are only for quiet time)
Sticker books
Coloring books and a few crayons
Magnetic Paper Dolls
Puzzles
Blocks
Dominos
A baby doll and bottle
A doll with hair and a brush
Letter/Number Magnets and a Magnetic Board
Polly Pockets and a few accessories
Toy Cars
Lacing Cards
Etch-A-Sketch
Magna Doodle

So far, Rosie really looks forward to the surprise of what's in the basket for the day and I appreciate the piece of mind that I get from knowing her room won't be destroyed.  It's a win-win!    

Rosie and her Quiet Time Basket 

She's a Maniac, A Maniac On the Floor

I realized that I hadn't taken enough pictures of the girls lately, so I made it my mission to take tons today.  I thought I would share a few.  The first ones are from yesterday.  I came home from running errands and Mark had redressed the girls to go to the gym with him.  Kiki looked straight out of the 80's.  

Her hair is something, isn't it?! 

She's a Maniac!

Let's Get Physical, Physical! 

Good Morning, Kiki! 

Rosie, enjoying her fifth bowl of cereal!  Both of the girls gorge themselves at breakfast and hardly eat lunch.  

Today, Rosie and I have started working on her letter recognition for a few minutes a day.  She loves it.  This week is "A" week.  

Her finished products! 

Rosie REALLY, REALLY wants an American Girl doll.  She has a Bitty Baby, but she's convinced that she's ready for the upgrade.  I'm not quite ready to foot the bill, but I found her a doll that I thought was pretty sweet to fill in, until we're ready to make the plunge.  We have settled on the name Gigi, which is a big improvement from some of the earlier ideas.  The options, "Owl" and Bowl" were thrown out, so when she mentioned "Gigi," I grabbed on.  I was telling my mom about our "Fake American Girl" and Rosie overheard.  She got rather upset with me and said, "Mommy, Gigi IS American! She's American!!!"  I hated to break her heart, so I've kept mum.  She kept looking for Gigi in the American Girl catalog that came in the mail this weekend and she's not having much luck. 

Meet Gigi! 

Kiki had a rough morning.  

Give the kid a snack and she usually perks right up.  

The girls can be so sweet...

and so not sweet!

Kiki loves to blow kisses...when she's not pulling hair and hitting.  Ugh...I've got my hands full with this one.  

The story of my life.  I see that mad face ALL.DAY.LONG!  It can be frustrating. 

But then they do this and I melt! 

And this. 

I mean look at those eyes! 

Daddy stopped by today for a minute on this way from a meeting!  We were glad to see him! 

I loved Rosie's face here.  

Wow, I really went nuts with the pictures today, huh?!  Thanks for bearing with me.  I'm exhausted tonight.  I went to Zumba tonight for the first time since I've been sick.  It was hard, but it did feel good to sweat.  Now, however, I feel like I've been hit by a truck.  I'm just going to lay here on the couch and watch Bachelor Sean make poor decisions.  

Which Mental Issue?

Due to all the sickness lately, Valentine's Day came late for us this year.  We chose to celebrate last night.   We got a sitter and decided to have dinner and do a little shopping.  We ended up at our favorite Indian restaurant.  Well, the food is my favorite, but not so much the service.  The male waiters will never acknowledge that I'm alive.  They ask all questions to Mark, won't make any eye contact with me,  and they won't even listen when I ask for things.  It makes me feel a little bit belittled, but it's the food that keeps bringing me back.  Anyway, after our very favorite meal of mutter paneer and garlic naan, we headed to the mall, for some light shopping.  It was a lovely evening.

I'm feeling MUCH better these days.  The pneumonia symptoms are almost completely gone and all that remains is pleurisy.  It's a pretty painful ailment, but it seems to be lessening every day.  The doctor confirmed it today, but all I can do is take tylenol, unless I want him to prescribe a pretty powerful cough syrup that contains hydrocodone.  I decided against that, because the last thing I need right now is to get addicted to something.  Nope, I'm going to ride this one out.

Anyway, as I mentioned, I went to the doctor today.  It was for my yearly GYN appointment, which I learned today will now be every three years thanks to new medical recommendations (HOLLA!!!).  I have to say though, it was the best gynecological appointment I've ever had.  My doctor is sort of a friend, which I thought would be weird, but NOT AT ALL!  We spent much of the time chatting and laughing.  It was really a fun time and I never thought I would ever say that about an appointment where my legs are in stirrups.  There's a first for everything.

Something kind of funny happened while I was there.  After arriving at my appointment, the front desk lady called me up to ask a few questions.  The first thing she said was, "What is your mental issue?"  I must have looked surprised and immediately thought, "Is it THAT obvious?!"  Luckily, she restated the question before I started in on my long list of mental issues.  It turns out she had said, "What is your middle initial?"  Whew, it was a very close call!  I almost got to add a new embarrassing moment to my list of many!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What a wonderful weekend.  One of those that you hate to end.  I had such a wonderful time recuperating with Kaylee and the girls.  We didn't do too much, and it was perfect--just what I needed.  The camera didn't come out as much as it should have, but here are a few pictures I did get...

Rosie, all ready for her Fun Run with Daddy and Mattie. 

Little Lila

The girls getting ready to leave for the race.  

Mattie, showing off her medal! 

Lila, really enjoying her yogurt.  

Uncle Mark and Lila this morning!  She was REALLY sad to say goodbye! 

Kaylee didn't want me to take her picture because she hadn't done her hair yet...Mark to the rescue.  

I was pretty torn up to see them leave.  There were many, many tears shed, but I know we'll see them again soon.   Kay is such a huge blessing in my life and I'm so happy that she made the trek to see me.

One bad thing did come up, I either broke a rib from coughing or I have pleurisy, either way, the pain is pretty overwhelming.  Saturday night my chest just started having sharp pains.  I had a hard time breathing, laughing, coughing, moving...you name it, it's been hard.  So anyway, I feel like there's really not much more that could go wrong, so hopefully I'll be feeling like myself soon!  I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, so I'll find out more then.

Drugs Are My Friends

Well, I'm happy to say that I'm feeling sooo much better.  Thank goodness for antibiotics.  I'm usually not one to like to depend on medicine, but I'm a big believer in those.  I went back in for my follow-up appointment today and although I'm still a little wheezy, my oxygen is back up in the normal numbers, so my doctor was pleased.  I realized how bad I must have looked on Wednesday, when all of the staff kept commenting on how much better I looked.  I'm not contagious and don't pose a threat to society, which was good to hear.  I didn't even have to wear a mask in the waiting room.

I was especially relieved to hear I was not contagious, because we have three little visitors arriving tonight!  Kaylee decided to make the long trip from Memphis to spend a few days with us and is bringing along the two girls.  We're so excited!  We haven't seen our bests for quite some time, so it will be a sweet reunion.  Mark is a little salty that Brandon couldn't come along, but Bran and Reese have a special man's weekend planned.  Maybe next time.  Kaylee is the most low-key guest I know and I love that.  We normally try not to change out of our pajamas, unless it's absolutely mandatory.  I see a lot of sweatpant wearing and couch lounging in my near future and I'm very okay with that.  

Today was spent dealing with the aftermath of the last few days.  To say it looked like a tornado came through our house would be an understatement.  It was like a tornado on crack.  So yeah, it was an undertaking that thoroughly wiped me out, but it's so worth it now.  I love sitting down and relaxing in the glow of a clean and sanitized home.  There's just something about it that makes me feel so happy and calm.

A few weeks ago, I found an amazing deal on a rug online and I purchased it.  How could I not?!  What a treat for it to arrive this week!  I really love it.  The only negative is the new rug shedding that's happening.  If I don't sweep every hour or so, it starts to look like we're running a pet grooming business out of our living room.  Hopefully, the shedding will dwindle with time.  

Our new pet rug 

I feel very lucky to have a little girl that appreciates all of my purchases.  You should have seen Rosie's face when she saw the new rug as she came downstairs yesterday morning. "Mommy, what a beautiful rug you bought.  Thank you!"  Out of nowhere today, she said, "Mommy, I really love the new curtains.  They look really good. Thank you for getting them."  I have to admit, her enthusiasm keeps me buying.  

We've decided to postpone our Valentine's night out until next week.  I have to say though, our night turned out pretty great despite all of the craziness.  Mark brought home Panera and we sat on the couch and watched a Valentine's movie.  We laughed and talked and just enjoyed each other's company, so really it was just perfect.  I wasn't able to get Mark anything yet, but he outdid himself and got me some new wonder unders from lululemon.  I LOVE them!  I had seen the bag in the back of his car a few days ago, so I had an idea what was coming, but I love the style and can't wait to put them on.     

Well, I think I might rest my eyes for a bit.  Wishing you all a happy and healthy weekend!