Ruidoso Vacation

Oh, the week before school started we spend 6 days in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  We had a great time - very relaxing.  Maybe too relaxing!!  We actually came home a day early.  We rode horses, played in the creek and had a picnic.  We visited the grounds of the Inn of the Mountain Gods (in the rain).  We shopped in the charming downtown store.  We played LOTS of card games (Farkle, dominoes and 99) and we colored LOTS of pictures.  Let me correct that - Olivia and Papa colored LOTS of pictures.  Faith and Josh played lots of Nintendo DS.  We went fishing, enjoyed the deer and turkey who frequented our little cabin and got soaking wet at the amusement park.  Here are just a few pictures from our trip.

Words to Remember

I use this blog to remember things for my scrapbooking obsession.  Today I'll share some funny or clever things that Faith shared after the first day of school.

First, about what they did on the first day:  "We mostly just observed what 2nd graders do so we could get a fell for how things are going to work."  So serious!!

About Mrs. Nay - last year's teacher who was amazing and just under 5 feet tall:  "Hmmm.  Mom I think she grew over the summer."

About her new teacher Mrs. Williams who is a lovely woman, very petite and sophisticated looking, and also a grandmother when I asked her to describe her new teacher: "Well, she's really sweet and she probably about 35 years old."  She even stuck to her guns when Brad tried to offer some "perspective" and told her he's 44.  Didn't help.

Faith is officially a second grader. In Ms. Williams class. She is so excited and a little nervous (which always surprises me about Faith!!). The whole family arrived at school together to walk her inside. Her back back (see pictures below) was loaded so heavy with supplies, she could barely carry it all. But she looked darling and I already miss her - and our laid-back summer routine. Oh well, it is inevitable and actually it helps us all get back on a much better schedule. The box you see is my traditional 1st Day of School surprise for Faith's teacher.  It's an "Emergency Kit" with lots of snacks, and stickers, and supplies!!  Here are a few pics of the big day!!

Frozen Grapes

When is the last time you tried frozen grapes? Yum!! I had completely forgotten about these tasty treasures until a friend at work offered me some this week. The next time I went t the store I bought a big bundle and we've been snacking on them ever since. It's just the perfect summer snack - and both girls really like them. Best part - IT'S NOT CANDY!!!! Yeah!! will try to be better about updating this blog. Sorry for the delay!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello!! We really have had a great day and I wanted to share some of the details. First, both girls had parties at school and church so we've been eating lots of candy (ugh!!). Brad hand-delivered 12 long-stem roses to me at work Friday and they are beautiful. Of course both girls made homemade Valentine's boxes and notes, and we got them a gift with a ceramic heart craft project and the new movie "Up." And we baked a Valentine's cake special just for dad - chocolate cake with white icing!! Yum.















Now for a sweet idea I found on my favorite blog (Becky Higgins). She created this "Love Notes" box for some special friend sand we did the same thing. It's a pretty simple idea...a plastic container filled with pens, post-it notes and candy. But most important a note explaining the process. Each family member should spend the week leaving little notes in unexpected places - sharing their thoughts with each other. Specifically what they appreciate or love about one another. We've had lots of fun with ours - it's always exciting to discover a love note around the house.




Finally, a look at Olivia's latest art project. They made these cute tool belts in her class and she thinks she's pretty cute wearing it!!

What do we like?

I plan to add to this post as I think of things!!

Food:
Whole chicken, apple slices, yogurt/go-gurt, cereal (Lucky Charms, Frosted Flakes, Cinamon Toast Crunch), cheese burgers, stir-fry, Toaster Strudle, homemade baked goods (mostly with banana right now) granola (homemade, broccoli (can you nelive the girls will even eat it raw!), pizza

TV Shows
GLEE!! Favorite show of the year!! Sponge Bob (Ugh...but it keeps them occupied when I'm desperate for some time), The Good Wife, FOX News, iCarly, The Big Break (Brad's favorite TV show), So You Think You Can Dance (we all love it even Brad), High School Musical (Olivia will watch this over and over again), Dora/Diego, Grey's Anatomy, Brad's favorite's Fringe, Hero's and we like Damages

Pastimes
Faith - her DS, playing on the computer, playing PS2, reading (although we often have to encourage her that way), saving money for an important cause (right now it's Haiti but she also colects money for sick kids and "poor people") She always wants to set up a lemonaid stand or have a garage sale, etc., cleaning - she loves chores

Olivia - art, coloring, cutting, gluing, TV, playing dress up (she calls them her High School Musicals)

Mom - scrapbooking, cooking, reading (Valerie Bertanelli and Twilight books right now), pedicures

Dad - reading, TV, golf

Our Schedule

I know we do to much and go too fast. But I want to remember what all we do on a wekly basis. So here's a sample schedule.

Monday
5 - 6:30 a.m. Olivia wakes up and comes into our bed
6:45 a.m. Mom wakes up
7:00 a.m. Wake up Faith
eat breakfast (Toaster Strudle, Cereal, bacon yogurt)
dress, fix hair, brish teeth, look over homework one more time, pack teh backpack for the rest of teh day
7:30 a.m. Brad takes faith to School and 2 days a week picks up Morgan and Meacham
7:55 a.m. School starts / Brad at work
mom dresses Olivia, cleans up the house and gets ready for the gym
8:30 a.m. Body Pump
10:00 a.m. go home to play, cook dinner or do chores or take Olivia to school
2:00 p.m. mom goes to work
3:15 p.m. Mom picks up Faith from school
3:30 p.m. go to CBS 7 to do homework
5:00 p.m. Brad picks up Olivia at school and then Faith at CBS 7
5:30 p.m. Brad takes faith to Gymnastics
6:30 p.m. Brad picks up Faith or Steve brings her home
6:45 p.m. Mom comes home for dinner
7:15 p.m. bathtime
7:45 p.m. read a book
8:00 p.m. Strict bedtime!!
10:45 p.m. Mom gets home
11:30 Parents go to bed

In short: Monday - Gymnastics; Tuesday - Tap and piano and soccer; Wednesday - Awanas; Thursday - Balet; Friday - soccer; Saturday - birthdays and family time; Sunday - church and fsmily time.

There - that's not so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else can we do?

A Few Favorites

I think two people read this blog. So to be clear, part of the reason I update it is because I want my family and friend to know what's going on in our lives, but the other reason is because it's a great way for me to remember things that happen in our lives. The things we do. The things my girls say. They way we dress and think and spend our time. Hopefully someday all this stuff will make it into a scrapbook, but until then - please know - some posts are just a way to remember the special moments!!

Here's a Top Ten list of what we're "in to" lately.
1. Piano lessons. Faith started in January 2010 with a former teacher of mine Kathy Lollar. I have no idea if she has any natural ability, because I do not play a note. But she seems pretty smart to me when I see that she can read the notes and count the rhythms!! Only time will tell but seeing her sit at her keyboard is oh so cute!!

2. Go-gurts. Olivia loves Go-gurts. I'm not sure that's even how you spell it but they're awesome. It's like a frozen yogurt Popsicle. Actually Olivia like all yogurt right now. Good. That's healthy.

3. Body Pump. It's the class I'm taking at the gym I recently joined. I'm trying to do something healthy and active for myself but I feel guilty working out (oh and I hate it!!) and leaving Olivia in the gym daycare. So here's the god news..Olivia LOVES the "playroom" at the gym. So I can workout guilt-free and show her that a healthy body takes hard-work. She's so cute peeking at me while I'm lifting weights.

4. Cooking. I've been getting weekly, and very informal cooking lessons from my friend Meghan Sewell who might as well be Martha Stewart. She's amazing. So far I've made a whole chicken (so easy and tasty and it can last for several meals), pork tenderloin, couscous, pinto beans (but with a really cool twist!) and lots more. It's makes me feel like a woman to have dinner ready. And the house smells so good.

5. The Good Wife - this is easy. Brad and I love this show. We've really scaled back on our TV viewing but this is a keeper.

6. Shopping at the Dollar Store. The girls are really into "earning money" for chores. Well, actually - Faith loves it. Olivia doesn't accomplish much. Then we take our $1 or $2 for a shopping spree. Olivia is quick - she chooses the first two things that catch her eye (this week an Elmo coloring book and some purple bath gel) and Faith contemplates (she chose a brightly colored pinwheel for the garden and a toy gun that;s supposed to shoot balls - it didn't work).

7. My new black PJ's. Not much to say here. They're soft. Comfortable. And make me feel not so frumpy around the house. I'm going to try to remember to buy PJ's at least twice a year instead of wearing them until they fall apart.

8. Pencils, markers and the "art table." This is the place where Olivia stays busy for at least 30 minutes at a time. That's a blessing. I don't really feel the need to keep an eye on her all the time - but I will admit we've found marks on a few walls. Still, she seems pretty artistic by nature. With crafts and with her song-and-dance style.

9. Mary Kay. I've discovered I like Mary Kay. I like the daily eye cream and moisturizer. The foundation. And for sure the Satin Hands!! My friend at work began selling it and I went to a house party!!

10. iCarly. Ok I shared Brad and my favorite TV show. Now the girls. iCarly!! They are obsessed. And it's kind of unusual because it's too old for Livi. Still she loves it!

Ok, boring. I know. But I want to remember the small stuff.

Now the Uh-Oh!!

I ran out of space. (read post below first) Ok, now for the "best" or in my opinion the worst detail. Olivia cut her own hair. We knew it was coming. She is obsessed with scissors. She has access to several pairs of "kiddie" scissors and she loves to cut and style her barbies!! She cut about 3 inches off...leaving about 3 inches...just at her right temple. When she did it, she ran into the kitchen and said "Look Daddy. I changed my hair." I'll say. We have a professional appointment in two days!

Food, Fashion, Athletics and an Uh-Oh!!!!

So much to tell!! First, let's talk about how we've started our 2010.
We began with a big New Year's Day breakfast at home. This is one of our favorite family activities. Mom made homemade pancakes. Dad cooked bacon and eggs. Yum!! Then all the girls too a turn using one of Faith's favorite Christmas gifts...The Big Top Cupcake. (Straight from "As Seen on TV). I'm not sure which phase is More fun...creating it, cooking it, or decorating it. Side note: we never even ate one bite of the finished product!!
























Next, mommy has been busy too. Trying to turn over a new leaf by cooking more often and making different stuff. So here are two experiments. First, pork tenderloin with leeks (thank you Meghan Sewell who also gave me a lesson on how to do it in her kitchen), mashed potatoes and corn










And of course a dessert: Black Bottom Banana Bars. I think I ate them all!!






The rest of this post is about Olivia. Or as we like to say "Oh-livia." I'll save the "best" for last. Let's begin with the tripod. Have you seen her do it? It's hilarious. She just starting throwing this dance move one day and it stuck. Brad named it "The Tripod" and no it's her signature move. I finally caught it on camera so we can embarrass her as a teenager.




Now Olivia's fashion. She is SO opinionated about what she wears - from head to toe. It was about 32 degrees one day and she walked out of her closet in this springtime outfit, determined that this was her ensemble for the day. I just let her go for it (which I would have NEVER done with Faith) and put a fleece zip up over her so she wouldn't be cold. Love the black socks too!!

Vistit to Grandmother's and A Special Dress

Oops - forgot this one. On Thanksgiving weekend we went to see Grandmother in Abilene. Here are some pictures of the weekend.













And a final dazzling photo! It's SOOOOO Olivia!!!

Christmas 2009

We had so much fun during Christmas this year!! Too much to share in a blog - but here are a few highlights. First, Christmas morning Santa brought the girls several goodies. Faith scored BIG with an ipod Touch, a Little Pet Shop Dog and several accessories for them both. Olivia got her long-requested Mermaid doll~!!! Yeah


















We went to Granny and Aunt Liz's and got too many gifts. Then we had lunch and promptly left to drive to Amarillo. That's where we found snow, and hung out with all our cousins!!

A Double B-Day Party

Since both girls have November birthday parties...we decided to do their party together. We settled on "The Jumping Party" a place in Midland that has huge inflatable jumpers. We had about 30 kids and so much fun. Plus it's super easy. The staff does everything for you!!