Big Girl Beds

I meant to post this when it happened-- but for the record the girls got their bunks.... here are some before/after pictures!

Their Room: Before & After

Too Cute Not to Post

 

My Picnic

I work a flex schedule at TKCG which is something that is increasingly important to me, even as the girls get older and more self sufficient. Right now it's 80 hours a month, which currently equals Monday/Wednesday working 5-7 hours and 4 hours on Tuesday/Thursday. I've kept my Fridays off since the fall of 2005 and really enjoyed that. I am constantly rewarded with more responsibility and get plenty of recognition for my work, which as a mom, is NOT always something you get at home!

It makes me feel extremely grateful for the opportunity to work outside the home, because i am just not cut out for the 24 hour mommy role. I'm a better mom, when i have that time to reflect on how wonderful they are, instead of just being frustrated by all the food on the floor.

I plan to increase my hours this summer when they start an extended day program at St. Andrews. Although I'll be putting in almost 50% more hours (28 a week), I plan to keep Fridays off. I know we'll really appreciate that in the summer when we can hang out at the pool. In the fall they'll go to school 9-12 on Fridays but we'll still have our afternoons together, and I will enjoy some unadulterated alone time to perhaps accomplish some projects around the house or attend to my many unfinished hobbies.

The photo above was from this past Friday-- we had a wonderful day just playing with toys around the house. They have been cooperating really well together and games like this ("let's make a picnic") are a great example. It all started with setting up a grocery store, then going home to put the groceries in the kitchen, then cooking up this feast which we enjoyed together.

Friday was also a big day as Sydney finally gave in and pooped on the potty (too much info, i know). Every one at Mellow Mushroom Northlake now knows about this success as well.

She was promptly rewarded with the much loved Princess Fruit Snacks (glorified candy, oh well) and although we haven't had a repeat performance yet, I know it will all come together at some point. She has been successfully wearing underwear though for the past week (minus the #2). Really, it HAS to all get dealt with before June 4 when their extended day session starts at the school!

Happy Birthday To Me

The girls MADE me this cake (with a little help from Betty Crocker and GramE)...... and I was quite suprised! It was hysterical because when I walked in they kept going "sssshhhh.............cake!" which, is about as long as a three year old can keep a secret I guess.

It was a great birthday weekend including going out with Scott last night to Shaun's where we totally overdid it but it was all really good (even if we did wait 40 minutes for our table with a reservation). Spent rest of the day just hanging out but went on a mission to scope out bunk beds. It's really time but I do get nervous with them using the top bunk. Leah won't even do it, Sydney is pretty good at it. We took the ladder all over Pier One Kids and let them try climbing up.

Of course, they only liked the "fancy beds"-- especially the one that had a fabric tent on the front that looked like a house. Not sure if we NEED that accessory but it could hide a lot of clutter :)

Two Other Photo Albums

The ones from the holidays

Christmas 2006

And a few random pics from January

Random January Pics

Pissed Off

Exchange with Sydney today:

"Sydney, are you in a bad mood?"

"Yes, I'm cranky"

"Why?"

"I'm pissed off at the Beatles who are dead. John and who? Who else? Oh yeah, George. I pissed off they dead."

That kind of sums up their latest obcession with the Beatles. Yes they can name them all. Not suprisingly their favorite songs are Yellow Submarine and All You Need is Love.

Getting Back on Track

It's finally February. I'm not sure where January went but I'm personally glad it's over! It was a long hard month.

Since going to DC for Belle's funeral it's been a game of catch up with work, illnesses and I also had a vacation to Las Vegas that had been on the books for about seven months. Pics here.

Vegas January 2007

While I was out of town, Myra, Allan, Isaac and Sara came to visit for the weekend with the ladies. I know they had a great time and did lots things like going to Brody's birthday, the Aquarium, ballet class, out to eat and just hanging out and having fun.

The girls through it all have been wonderful. I'm going to make an effort to keep up with this blog again.