Who Stinks?!?

Not us! Thanks to the new Dove aerosol deodorant, we are feeling fresh and clean all day long! We recently received two of these items for free to try out. I must say we're pleasantly surprised. Although it's super cold on application, it works well and feels fresh! We'e happy campers!

Trying Something New!

It's been ages since I posted, and this isn't the kind of post you're used to seeing! Recently, Kroger invited us to be on a team that tries and rates new products. For this particular one, we tried Organic Tostitos Scoops and Tostitos "Hint of Lime" salsa. First, let me say that we LOVED the chips! Finding an organic option is finally becoming easier and we certainly appreciate that! However, the salsa as not a hit in our house. We simply felt that the lime was too strong. We ended up mixing it with a jar of organic mild salsa to tone it down. If you're looking for new options for your next party or tailgating event, I highly suggest giving the new Totsitos organic line a try!

Disclosure- these items were provided to us at no cost. #mymagazinesharing #FreeSamp #tostitos

Library Time!

Grace and I had a lovely time at the library today. We usually go and get a big stack of books each week since part of Madilyn's homework is to read at least 15 minutes each night. Gotta keep the stories interesting! Anyway, after we collected some books, we stayed to play in the children's room for a bit. Grace loved it :-)

A Future Musician?

The other day I heard someone at the piano tinkering away. I figured it was the little girls playing. Suddenly, it was no longer random keys, but a melody I heard. When I went to see what was going on, this is what I found:

Matt and Grace playing side by side. Of course, he was playing and she was "helping". They were just too sweet not to catch a picture. I wish you could have seen the joy in her eyes as she sat there next to her daddy. I see some piano lessons in a certain princess' future!

First Day of Kindergarten

Who knew how quickly the years would go by? Madilyn started kindergarten today! She was a bit apprehensive walking down the halls of her new school. Right before we entered the classroom she looked to me and said, "Mommy, I'm a little bit scared." I reassured her that all of the other kids were new as well and that she would probably have lots of fun. She put on a brave face and marched into her classroom. She found her seat and within a few minutes she was happily coloring and talking off the ear of the little boy next to her. When Matt brought her home that evening, I of course asked her all about her day. She replied, "kindergarten is AWESOME!!!! I can't wait to go there again!!!" I am SO thankful that she is loving her school and making friends. Each small victory is a step in the right direction as we adjust to our new location :)

Sweet Girl

So, Madilyn's school posts pictures and updates online for the parents throughout the week. This morning when I checked in, I found this sweet girl with a note just for me!!



Have I mentioned how much I love her and her teachers?!? We are so blessed.

Just for fun, here are a couple other cute ones I found :)

Birthday Fun

Yesterday Matt took the girls to a birthday party at our neighbor's house. It's hard to believe this little girl is 3 already. She was just four months when we moved in. The girls have really bonded and we have loved having great girlfriends to play with! Here are a few pictures they sent to me.



When Matt asked Madilyn to smile, she replied with a "NEIGH!!!!!!" I think you can see it in her expression.


Grace also appears to have enjoyed her cupcake.


She came around and smiled later on :)

Surgery

***WARNING*** This post will contain images which some may find graphic. If such images bother you, stop and ignore this post!














For those of you still following, welcome! I haven't posted in a while. But, there's a good reason for that! I finally had surgery to correct a congenital defect on my foot. (While I do have it on both feet, only one foot can be fixed at a time)

Here's a "before" shot.



You can see how one toe is much shorter than the others. This also means one joint is not in alignment with the others. It is painful, and has been for many years. A handful of surgeons have offered to fix it, but I was not comfortable with their technique. After much searching, I found a surgeon who specializes in my condition! I made a consultation, and was really pleased with what I heard.

Right before surgery. "Yes" this is the correct foot.



After surgery. All dressed up.



Here are the results so far. It's looking good, but I have a long way to go!





The scar you see on the heel is where the bone was harvested from to lengthen the metatarsal.

Whew, I think that's going to be all for now ;)

California Girls

I just LOVE having two little girls. I'm sure that boys are fun, too. But, I really couldn't picture our lives any other way. What fun it is to be surrounded by princesses and make-believe. To have tea parties and play dress up. They have these awesome little imaginations and it's such a joy to watch them learn and play together.

Until now, the girls mostly played next to one another, but rarely together. Recently, they've been seeking each other out and playing TOGETHER. This is after all why people have a second child... to play with the first. Right? Right? Maybe. Either way, it's finally working here!

This last week the girls asked to go play at the park. "No problem!" I say as we put on all our layers to walk across the street to the park. You see, for as long as they both remember, California has been home. This means they expect every day to be in the 70's. Okay, a few days in the 80's in later Summer. But usually in the 70's. It's been "cold" here recently. You know, like 50-55 degrees with a bit of a breeze. To Madilyn and Grace, this might as well be a BLIZZARD. Yes, they insist on the warmest coats, hats, etc (especially Grace). And they still complain as soon as we step out the door that it is JUST TOO COLD. Poor kids. They've no idea what Winter actually looks like!!!

Anyway.... Even though they complained, I made sure we went to the park anyway. That's just too much work getting warmed up not to finish the mission. And you know what? Once they got over the cold, they actually played really well together. For about 20 minutes. And then they begged to come back inside. This time, I obliged :)

Learning to Count

It's really a challenge to get this smarty pants to perform for the camera! But, here's a TEENY peek. She can actually count to 12 on her own, and to 20 with a bit of help from her big sister :)

Who?

Any guesses who this is? Who does she look just like??

Christmas Program

Last night we had the pleasure of going to Madilyn's preschool Christmas program. They were ADORABLE!

Week in the Life - FRIDAY!

It's Friday! More often than not, this means it's a MOPS day over here. We do two MOPS groups. One is a conventional group and the other is military. They meet on alternate Fridays. This morning was a military day. We meet at Ft Mac.

Our wonderful mentor mom did a great job setting the table!

After MOPS, we went and picked Madilyn up early from school. Grace had been up for about 5 hours at this point, and that seems to be her "max" before she just can't take it anymore and needs a nap. She shouted to me from the back that she needed her "kiki". I knew she'd be out soon. No more than 30 seconds later and I heard her snoring. She transferred to her crib and slept (yep, you guessed it, almost another 4 hours)!

While Grace napped, Madi was hard at work. She finished licking the envelopes for the rest of our Christmas cards. 

And then she put away the silverware.

We also had a nice playdate! I love having wonderful neighbors. This is our neighbor Lydia. Her mom Ann took the baby monitor from me so she could "watch" Grace sleep while I took the girls for a walk to the grocery store. Lydia was just 4 months when we moved here. They're great friends!

After Lydia left, our sitter Gracie came over to watch the girls. DATE NIGHT!!!! Tonight we tried out Mama D's with our friends Becky and Charlie in Manhattan Beach.

The food was great and the friendships even better!

They even brought us fresh cookies after our meals. 

But, we couldn't just stop there. Across the street was a really yummy ice cream shop. We all had some awesome ice ream cookie sandwiches. 

And to finish out the night, we took the scenic route home and looked at Christmas lights. What a great day!

A Week in the Life- THURSDAY!

Since the girls got to bed a little late last night (around 8), Grace slept in a little bit today. Madilyn crawled in bed with me and we snuggled and watched Lady and the Tramp together while we waited for G to wake up.

We also did a bit of laundry. She's a very good helper!

When Grace gets up, Madi always wants to be first to her room to say good morning. It's adorable :)

Can't go downstairs without her puppy and "kiki" (blanket).

MMM, breakfast time! Waffles today.

After breakfast, it was out the door and off to school. No traffic today. What a nice treat!

One the way back home we stopped at the grocery for a come yogurt and coffee (essentials, right?).

We also picked up a movie. I had a free rental code- hooray!

Then we scurried home to watch our neighbor Charlie so his mom could go to the dentist. I think we got the better end of the deal! They both insisted on a snack before playing today.

While they ate, I tossed dinner in the crockpot. I love the crockpot and try to use it anytime I can!!

And then I started to clean the kitchen. Whew, what a mess.

And emptied the dishwasher. (Bored with the housework yet??)

After snack, Charlie and Grace did a little cooking of their own.

I noticed the floors needed some TLC, so I vacuumed. 

The kids played some more :)

Once Charlie went home, Grace curled up next to me on the couch. She enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich, banana, and cup of milk while we watched the backyardigans.

Naptime! I finally wrapped the first present today. Then made progress on some more!

A little after 5pm, and Grace still looked like this:

Poor sleepy babe. I woke her so we could get Madilyn. I can't remember the last time she was so quiet.

The girls had some snacks in the car on the way home from school. They sure love some munchies :)

Dinner was crazy tonight- so no pictures. Both girls were really wound up! Is there a full moon I don't know about?

I tucked this sweet girl into bed.

The moved on to Madilyn's room. (Natalie, I took this to let you know you're not alone. Madi creates a disaster zone in here room, too!)

We read her nightly advent story, said our prayers, sang songs, and Madi got a back rub. Out!

I'm tired. How about you?!?