As I was pulling away from Aubrey's school this morning a truck backed out of a spot in front of me. Ainsley yelled "watch out!" I told her that I saw the truck and I am a careful driver so she doesn't need to worry. She retorted, "You wasn't a careful driver when grandma and grandpa were here and you bonked into that car!" She went on to say, "You said it was an accident and then I got to get yummy treat from the restaurant." Yikes, she's got a great memory and quite a mouth!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
As I was pulling away from Aubrey's school this morning a truck backed out of a spot in front of me. Ainsley yelled "watch out!" I told her that I saw the truck and I am a careful driver so she doesn't need to worry. She retorted, "You wasn't a careful driver when grandma and grandpa were here and you bonked into that car!" She went on to say, "You said it was an accident and then I got to get yummy treat from the restaurant." Yikes, she's got a great memory and quite a mouth!
Monday, February 08, 2010
My Silly Kids
Aubrey was being an owl and I think Ainsley was just making a silly face. My girls are loving make believe. It's fun to watch them create elaborate storylines for their games. They are also big fans of board games. We have been playing a lot of Sequence, Old Maid, and Chutes and Ladders around here. Toddlers and Pre Schoolers are fun, fun, fun!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
I followed through!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Yum!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Helping Haiti
Wow, I have been on an emotional roller coaster with the devastation the 7.4 earthquake brought to Haiti. I know a lot of people are feeling strapped for cash and thinking they would love to help if they could. Well, I am here to tell you that you CAN. Americans have SO MUCH. Haitians had next to nothing prior to this tragedy. Please pray about how much you can give and then do it. I have been brainstorming some ways to create money for Haiti and here's what I came up with so far...
Give up Starbucks for a week or two
Brown bag it for a while and send Haiti the difference
Suspend your Netflix account for up to three months and send that to Haiti
Give up the bottle of wine you were planning on buying for dinner this weekend
Skip the car wash this month and use a coin operated one instead
Have a girls night in instead of a girls night out.
Every penny helps and no donation is too small. Find an organization and give hope.
Give up Starbucks for a week or two
Brown bag it for a while and send Haiti the difference
Suspend your Netflix account for up to three months and send that to Haiti
Give up the bottle of wine you were planning on buying for dinner this weekend
Skip the car wash this month and use a coin operated one instead
Have a girls night in instead of a girls night out.
Every penny helps and no donation is too small. Find an organization and give hope.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Future Teacher?
I overheard a sweet conversation between my girls the other day. Here is the essence of it, although I am sure I have changed bits and pieces. I'm pretty sure my heart doubled in size during this exchange.
Aubrey "Ainsley, I have three bites of waffle left, how many will I have after I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "TWO!"
Aubrey: "That's right, Now how many bites will I have left after I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "SIX!"
Aubrey: "Look at my plate, I have two bites left, if I eat one bite, how many will be left?"
Ainsley: "One!"
Aubrey: "Good Job. Now how many will I have left when I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "It's all gone."
Aubrey: "All gone means zero, there are zero bites left."
Aubrey "Ainsley, I have three bites of waffle left, how many will I have after I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "TWO!"
Aubrey: "That's right, Now how many bites will I have left after I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "SIX!"
Aubrey: "Look at my plate, I have two bites left, if I eat one bite, how many will be left?"
Ainsley: "One!"
Aubrey: "Good Job. Now how many will I have left when I eat this bite?"
Ainsley: "It's all gone."
Aubrey: "All gone means zero, there are zero bites left."
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Resolved
I resolve (to try really hard) to keep my kitchen counters and staircase free of clutter (that is created by all four of us, not just me).
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A New Tradition
One new thing we did this year was having the kids pick out a gift to give each other. I took each girl on a special shopping trip and they were able to shop for the perfect gift for their sister. Well, as perfect as you can get for under $10.
Ainsley knew she wanted to get Aubrey a puppy to sleep with. Ainsley sleeps with a puppy every night and Aubrey frequently asks if the puppy can sleep with her. Ainsley picked out this cute little guy and Aubrey has been sleeping with him/her every night.
Aubrey took a lot more time window shopping. She went through all the toy aisles and eventually landed on a Little Einstein doll of June. She wanted to get her Annie, since Ainsley loves to sing, but the store was out of the Annie doll. I suggested a Mr(s) Potato Head since I thought it was more fun, but Aubrey assured me that she found the right gift and that Ainsley would love it. Aubrey was right!
Next year I want to find a way for the girls to "earn" the money that they use to buy the present. I have a while to figure that out. The girls loved giving a gift that they had ownership of and they were very pleased to receive a gift from each other. It is a sweet gesture, and I am excited to make that a part of our Christmas celebration in the years to come.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Dinner
We had a fabulous Christmas and dinner was no exception. I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and embrace a boneless leg of lamb this year. It was by far one of the best meals I have ever cooked. I kept waiting to bite into something I didn't want to devour, but it just didn't happen. I definitely think that we have a family tradition in the works. The girls loved the "roast" but didn't believe they were actually eating a lamb. That's fine by me! Looking at the picture, I wish I would have thought to put my table runner on and that I would have used all white serving dishes instead of one glass, but that is just further proof that I should be in a padded room somewhere. I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday, and if you didn't, consider having dinner with us next year, you'll love it!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Gingerbread Houses Text
We made graham cracker houses today as part of our Christmas Eve celebration. Well, okay, they are more like tents or relief housing after a natural disaster, but the thought was there. I will study up and learn how to add a roof for 2010. My icing didn't quite cement as promised and I am fairly impatient. If the kids didn't have such a great time I would have felt like it was an epic failure. Their happy faces (pictured below) speak for themselves. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas Letter 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
This year seems to have moved at light speed. We had a lot going on and time flew by. Rachel was able to travel out to Southern California in April and July with the girls. We took a family trip to Wisconsin in June, had a few visits from life long friends over the summer, visited Northern California for Thanksgiving, and had several visits from our families throughout the year to beautiful Colorado.
Mike transitioned to a role as Sales Manager with WJ Bradley Mortgage in Castle Rock after two years with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He is excited about the new position and the challenges and freedoms it accompanies. He still loves playing electric guitar weekly for the worship team at church and his monthly poker nights with “the guys”.
Rachel spent the first part of the year training for her first triathlon which she completed in August. It was exhausting, but very fulfilling to know that she set a goal and accomplished it. She has also taken on a weekly volunteer teaching role at Community Bible Study nurturing three year olds as they learn about God through His Word. She continues to stay at home with the girls and enjoys many cuddles and lots of silliness each day.
Aubrey is now four and a half and such a little lady. She loves to color, play board games, and live in a world of fantasy full of Barbie's, princesses, and the occasional “naughty” guy. She is happiest when wearing a dress, but will tolerate pants on occasion. She loves pre-school and Bible Study and cannot wait to start kindergarten next year.
Ainsley is two and a half and a little fire cracker. She enjoys doing whatever Aubrey is doing and has little difficulty keeping up. She lives in a musical and sings her converations throughout the day. She has a two hour Bible class once a week and routinely recites scripture or the latest song she has learned.
We hope this letter finds your family happy and healthy. This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike, Rachel, Aubrey, and Ainsley
Christmas, 2009
This year seems to have moved at light speed. We had a lot going on and time flew by. Rachel was able to travel out to Southern California in April and July with the girls. We took a family trip to Wisconsin in June, had a few visits from life long friends over the summer, visited Northern California for Thanksgiving, and had several visits from our families throughout the year to beautiful Colorado.
Mike transitioned to a role as Sales Manager with WJ Bradley Mortgage in Castle Rock after two years with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He is excited about the new position and the challenges and freedoms it accompanies. He still loves playing electric guitar weekly for the worship team at church and his monthly poker nights with “the guys”.
Rachel spent the first part of the year training for her first triathlon which she completed in August. It was exhausting, but very fulfilling to know that she set a goal and accomplished it. She has also taken on a weekly volunteer teaching role at Community Bible Study nurturing three year olds as they learn about God through His Word. She continues to stay at home with the girls and enjoys many cuddles and lots of silliness each day.
Aubrey is now four and a half and such a little lady. She loves to color, play board games, and live in a world of fantasy full of Barbie's, princesses, and the occasional “naughty” guy. She is happiest when wearing a dress, but will tolerate pants on occasion. She loves pre-school and Bible Study and cannot wait to start kindergarten next year.
Ainsley is two and a half and a little fire cracker. She enjoys doing whatever Aubrey is doing and has little difficulty keeping up. She lives in a musical and sings her converations throughout the day. She has a two hour Bible class once a week and routinely recites scripture or the latest song she has learned.
We hope this letter finds your family happy and healthy. This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike, Rachel, Aubrey, and Ainsley
Christmas, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Humph!
I don't know what is going on with blogger, but it doesn't let me put text and images in the same post. I know! What in the world is going on here? So the post below is pictures from trimming our tree. The kids basically did the whole thing without help. I hung a handful of ornaments on the higher branches and moved a few around in the days that followed, but for the most part, a two and four year old trimmed the tree. You have to understand that I am completely anal about holiday decorating. I evenly distribute all ornaments by type (snowman, angel,hallmark) and also by what they are made out of (wooden, glass, metal). And I didn't get to do any of that this year. The kids took over and had the ornaments on the tree as quickly as I unpacked them. Ainsley was having so much fun she even hung the left over hooks on the tree (picture below). And for the most part, I was okay with it. Ahhh, growth! We have also been making decorations right and left and they are all hung on the lower third of the tree. This is such a special time of year and I am happy to see my kids embrace the magic.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Just Announced
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Old Maid
This is a picture from our trip to Mike's parents that we recently returned from. The girls had a blast on this swing. Me, not so much. I totally fell off it, backwards, while holding Ainsley. Oops. She was quick to forgive but quickly announced she wanted to swing with Grandma. Smart kid!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
2 Years Ago
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Little Me
While I was doing dinner dishes tonight I observed the cutest thing. Queen Aubrey was sitting on the couch giving directions to Ainsley to organize the coffee table. I heard statements like "It's right in front of you Ainsley, I know you see it." and "You need to pick up five more things to be done." and "All the figurines too, Ainsley, they need to be in a basket."
Now the funny part is that Ainsley rarely picks up toys willingly. It is always a battle. But somehow, Aubrey got her to do it. Ainsley was even calling her "Your Highness." Dude. I was a little bit jealous at that part. Then I heard more, "Two more toys Ainsley and you can pick a treasure!" So Aubrey was bribing her... with bingo chips. Yup, that was the treasure! Aubrey was totally imitating all of my parent talk. Sheesh, nothing like a 4 year old parrot letting you know how you are performing your job. Luckily she was giving direction and offering incentives. That's good stuff! And don't worry. It's some sort of game so Ainsley has been the Queen too, just not while I was doing dishes.
Now the funny part is that Ainsley rarely picks up toys willingly. It is always a battle. But somehow, Aubrey got her to do it. Ainsley was even calling her "Your Highness." Dude. I was a little bit jealous at that part. Then I heard more, "Two more toys Ainsley and you can pick a treasure!" So Aubrey was bribing her... with bingo chips. Yup, that was the treasure! Aubrey was totally imitating all of my parent talk. Sheesh, nothing like a 4 year old parrot letting you know how you are performing your job. Luckily she was giving direction and offering incentives. That's good stuff! And don't worry. It's some sort of game so Ainsley has been the Queen too, just not while I was doing dishes.
Toddler Drama
Our little Ainsley is fighting hard for her rights.
... the right to suck her thumb.
... the right to use the potty for number one, but not number two.
... the right to leave her room continually after being put to bed.
... the right to sleep with Mommy and Daddy for a good portion of each night.
We are trying to fight back, really, we are. She is PERSISTENT and we are TIRED. The new saying in our home is "She won't always be two." April 20th cannot come quickly enough. We are anxious for the three year old version and praying that it resembles the sweet compliant girl we used to know. Sad side note. She has an "owie" on her favorite thumb and can't suck it currently. She is devastated and it does break my heart a little bit. At this point I would gladly have a thumb sucker if she would give up the other three vices.
... the right to suck her thumb.
... the right to use the potty for number one, but not number two.
... the right to leave her room continually after being put to bed.
... the right to sleep with Mommy and Daddy for a good portion of each night.
We are trying to fight back, really, we are. She is PERSISTENT and we are TIRED. The new saying in our home is "She won't always be two." April 20th cannot come quickly enough. We are anxious for the three year old version and praying that it resembles the sweet compliant girl we used to know. Sad side note. She has an "owie" on her favorite thumb and can't suck it currently. She is devastated and it does break my heart a little bit. At this point I would gladly have a thumb sucker if she would give up the other three vices.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Unexpected
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Geez!
Monday, November 09, 2009
On the mend
All four of us are through the worst of whatever that was. It was a special kind of virus that just kept kicking us when we were down. Although we still have stuffy noses and lovely coughs, our voluntary quarantine is over. Wash you hands and take your vitamins, these germs are nasty that are going around.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Harvest Parade
Monday, November 02, 2009
Mommy Brain
I had planned on making Butternut Squash Soup for dinner on Halloween, but I had neglected to buy heavy cream at the store so I made Tortellini Vegetable soup instead. Today I bought heavy cream so I could make my butternut squash soup, BUT, I used my stock making the Tortelini soup on Saturday. I guess we're having fish sticks instead...
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Pumpkins
Then I noticed the two very small pumpkins the girls got on our pre-school field trip to the pumpkin patch the day of the first freeze. They were about 6 and 8 inches tall. We crossed our fingers and went for it. Aubrey wanted a sad pumpkin, which looks kinda scared. Ainsley wanted an angry pumpkin. Although they refused to help scoop out the seeds, they enjoyed the activity. Carving small pumpkins is really fast which is great for a short attention spans, mine included.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wow!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Winter Cold
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Healthy Start to the Day
I tend to cycle through different breakfast foods. I used to be addicted to Special K cereal. There was also the oatmeal with raisins and sliced almonds stage that lasted through the summer. Last month it was whole wheat toast with cinnamon sugar. I know, not the best start to the day, but oh so yummy. Now I am on an eggs kick. I have been making egg sandwiches daily for a few weeks. I think I perfected it this morning, cutting out a few extra calories. Today it was half of a high fiber english muffin, a slice of warmed canadian bacon, and an egg over medium. That's only 135 calories, which leaves lots of room for coffee creamer. :) This week I plan on adding a side of fruit too. I am loving this combination and hope I can get my kids to try it out. What is your morning breakfast ritual?
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