A great song

I know this song isn't new anymore, but I love "Lucky" by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat. I love the melody, I love the harmony, I love the lyrics. What a great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZVOJCIdEw

But- the video... not so great...but, who cares? The song carries it.

Some organization

Here I sit at 8:15 at night thinking and looking at a house of disorganization. The other day, I popped out of bed at 5 am, went running, took a shower, actually dried my hair, put on makeup, cleaned the kitchen, read scriptures...all before 7:15 when people started waking up.

If only I could do that everyday. Unfortunately, it is more like rolling out of bed at 7:15 with everyone else and trying to survive.

But, for me, if I were to wake up at 5 am, I need to go to bed really early... which is just hard to do...and requires some serious organization and planning.

In a way, it would be really awesome to be a stepford wife... just be able to do it all and look perfect all the time... but BETTER yet, wouldn't it be awesome to HAVE a stepford wife?!

Of course, not really...but these are the thoughts that flow when I don't have the will to pick up one more "fill in the blank."

A night of Magic!

When I heard that Disney on Ice was coming and featuring "Princesses on Ice," I knew we had to take her. The problem is- it isn't cheap! But, nothing that a little craigslist can't solve.


Past her bedtime and going to watch princesses iceskate? Could heaven be any better?

Up the escalators... the smile is worth a thousand words.

The ice skaters were pretty good... we were both thinking how we could get that gig.

The finale was every little girls dream come true- all of the princesses and princes dancing together.

I have to admit, I know a lot of people can't stomach this stuff, but I was grinning the entire time. I think we'll definitely go again.

A few parties later

We have been up to a bit of hosting parties lately! A baby shower on Saturday and a Halloween party on Monday- totally different, but really fun.

I didn't really have time to pick up my camera for the shower, but here are a couple of pics-

The "mom to be" said she liked brown, so I found this brown table cloth to go over our make shift table that Steve put together to sit 10 people. (it will be nice to get real furniture soon). I borrowed the silverware, plates and cups... and I think it went together really well... phew.

My friend made this really cute cake... that I heard was delicious. (so sad I couldn't taste it.)

We made homemade crepes, strawberies, blueberries, homemade cream, homemade jam (steve's special touch), quiche and croissants. It was a perfect menu.

Congratulations B and C!

On Monday, my friend and I threw a Halloween party for Maddie and her cute church friends. It was really fun to put together, but a little chaotic. I hope they had fun?

The menu- I wish I took a closer photo of the cheese ball goblin on the right hand side. It was funny.

The healthier version of black/orange.

Black/orange to dip in the cheese...

I printed these off... I thought they turned out really cute.

We decorated cookies...

Played pass the pumpkin and sang, went fishing for treats...

Had a dance party, and then settled down to a Halloween movie.

Yay! Happy Halloween!

Books, SF and Dad

On Sat, the girls and I visited the Friends of Palo Library Booksale and stocked up on tons of books for $13.00!!!

They had a bin full of Disney books, and of course we went wild with those- especially the Princess series...

M was very excited.

We then headed up to SF to visit some friends...

M had a blast running up and down the steep streets...

...lounging in my friend's very beautiful house...

And last, but most importantly...

WELCOMING DAD HOME FROM A VERY LONG TRIP!!! WE MISSED YOU!

Eating can be a lot of fun

Two perspectives:

A. Feeding kids takes FOREVER and you have to do it over and over again.
B. It can be fun if you make it fun... so here was our attempt...

Small pieces of bread, peas or chicken? Which one will she choose?

Very good question... let's see.

Peas it is!

Delicious.

Walk... no run!

I posted about hating 100% cotton shirts. I almost gave in. Almost. I was just too tired of looking and finding nothing. But, my friends... it pays to wait.

I drove to Gilroy Premium Outlets (if you live nearby, it may be worth your drive).... and I found some GREAT deals on lycra/cotton shirts!!! YIPEE.

Usually, I don't shop at this store, because it is pricey. But, if it's an outlet, and their having 30-60% off sales... and you have a 25% coupon in your pocket...and they have the shirts you've been searching for...

I just couldn't resist.

A full fledged conspiracy I tell you

I will NOT buy another 100% cotton shirt in my life. (ok, extreme, I know, but hear me out). I was taking to a friend the other day about this very conspiracy- and we both agreed....

GAP, Banana Republic, J Crew, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Anthropologie, Target, Walmart etc etc. They are all in on it.

100% cotton shirts look fabulous at the store, but you wear them once, throw them in the wash, and it looks ok. Wear it again, throw it in the wash, and it's not looking so good. Wear it a third time, throw it in the wash and you've got a ragged/ratty mess that even your dog won't wear.

So- what do you do? Walk on over to the store again, and buy that 100% cotton shirt to repeat the process OVER and OVER and OVER again.... which equals $$$$ for the above.

What happened to the lycra/cotton or poly/cotton blends?? I bought some of these shirts from Banana a while ago, and they are still golden-- 2 years later!!

I think I've been to almost every web site and store over the past couple of weeks searching for my lycra/cottons, and they are no wear to be seen.

and don't fall for the "supersoft" cotton! It's made with cotton/modal, which I hear is even WORSE than $100 cotton.

What is a girl to do?

When the cat is away (or taking a shower)

...the mouse decided to cut her OWN hair?!! She got a hold of the scissors and cut herself some nice 80's bangs. Beautiful.

She wanted to make sure I posted her shoes that she wore today.

Boo

I have been anticipating October for a while... it is just too much fun to decorate for Halloween. The challenge: decorating on a budget. I think I did our decorations this year for $20 + pumpkins? Not too bad?


Here's the entrance... a spider paradise. I got the idea from Martha Stewart 3 seasons ago? I LOVE the spider sac idea- and it's cheap.

Old nylons, matting and spider rings with the "ring" cut off... and you've got a super scary spider sac.

These windows are spectacular (ok- gross exaggeration) at night... but they are pretty cool.

We strung these ghosts from invisible wire from the tree to the side of the house. I think these are my favorite, because they seriously look like ghosts flying in the wind. The kids love them. (trash bags and marker)

And, what is Halloween without rats? 0.39 cents at "House of Humor" glued onto the pumpkins. I wanted to carve holes in the pumpkin and have the rats going in and out, but we all know how pumpkins mold so quickly...

Off to our costumes...

My little beans

I've (had and will have) my two little beans to myself for a while...we have been spending some quality time with each other. It's been a nice change from the rustle and bustle... I get to watch and play with them more.

Here's ham little #1.

Getting ready for Halloween! I'm so excited (my favorite holiday). Ghosts? Check. Spiders? Check. Black cats? Check. I'll post the front of the house soon!

Little Ham #2. Almost everyday, people tell me "What a beautiful little boy you have!" I have to laugh- because she kind of does look like a boy- especially when I dress her in blue. But- blue is my favorite color- and she has the prettiest blue eyes I've ever seen. (of course I'm biased)

She on the verge of crawling!! Right now she's on her elbows and knees going back and forth...

Trying not to cry over spilled milk!? It made a good pic.

Strawberries and cake. Yum.

I'm making Emi's Halloween costume, which consists of a red pilots cap... it was so cute, I had to buy the white one. I am in love with these hats.