Happy 2014 !!!

As we dive into our 25th day of January 2014...I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2014! I don't update my blog as much these days, but thats to be expected with my girls growing up so fast and us trying to keep up. 

Destin's invite I ordered via Etsy

In the next couple weeks, I am going to be planning Destin's 5th Birthday. Its hard to believe that she is going to be 5 next month. We took the girls to see Disney's newest animated film, "Frozen"...and needless to say she absolutely LOVED it and switched her party plans (which were originally going to be Rapunzel). You can see my hundreds of Frozen Birthday Party Pins here via Pinterest.

Since seeing the movie about 6 times now, both girls have played dress up with their Frozen dresses too many times to count. Destin is always Elsa and Arwen plays Anna. It is beyond cute!

Besides her favorite new movie, Destin still loves Disney Princesses, playing dressup and really enjoys listening to mommy read chapter books every night before bedtime. She plans to play Tee Ball again this Spring/Summer.

Arwen loves Lightning McQueen, Scooby Doo (still), Spider Man and Doc McStuffins. She loves playing with her princesses, blocks and also playing dress up with her sister. We signed her up to play soccer starting in March.

Both girls are still really enjoying attending preschool. And I am still getting used to the idea of having time alone to myself. I am currently seeking a new prek program for Arwen next year at the moment.

In less than 2 years, both girls will be in Elementary School and my plan is to go back to the working world. Its crazy to think that I haven't worked in nearly 5 years...not sure what to expect when I finally go back.

Here are some of my favorite moments/pictures of the last couple of weeks...look for more soon!

Happy September/October/November!

Wow! I cannot believe its November already...where did September and October go? I really have been slacking on my blogging skills lately (at least, for my own that is). So without further ado...here are some pics/memories/etc. to keep everyone up to date.

In August/September, Destin started preschool. And she absolutely LOVES it!! If she had a choice, she would go everyday if she could. I can already tell that she is going to love school as much as I do! She has made so many new friends, and I just love seeing her light up when she tells me about her day.

Since starting school, she has had class visitors (from the local firefighters, and a dentist), gone a field trip (nature walk) and celebrated Halloween with a very fun party! I cannot wait to see what the future holds for my sweet girl. She is so incredibly smart, and beyond her 3 years that is amazes me everyday. 

About the same time (as Destin starting school), Arwen and I began to have more one on one time, and began our big adventure into potty training. As of now, we are about 80% done. She still has an accident or two each day, but can go for a few days with none at all. We are working on her "using her words" to ask for help and tell someone that she has to go. She does really well communicating with us, otherwise, so I think its just something we have to work on. Right now, its (potty time) more of a game for her - and at times, catching her at the perfect moment. Overall though, I am super proud of her...and can say that is wearing undies FULL TIME during the day now. 

Another adventure (sadly), that Arwen has decided to take...NO NAPS! I knew it was coming, and I actually got very lucky with her, since big sister stopped napping at 18 months (when Arwen was born). So at 2.5 years old, she is done with napping - even though, she REALLY NEEDS them. Its kind of a hit or miss thing for her. 

Other news...

Some other happenings that took place over the past few months, included Patrick working nights for about 3 weeks. That was quite the adjustment! He would from 3 PM to 4 AM, and attempt to sleep during the day. I am so glad that is was only a few weeks.

Now, Patrick is back to work during days (YAY!) and our schedule is not as hectic. Most days we stay home, play, clean (UGH!), and schedule playdates with friends.

The girls and I started going to church in September, as I mentioned in my last post (months ago). And so far, I really enjoy it. I am learning about myself spiritually, and hoping to make new friends over time. We have attended about four events thru the church since joining (Back 2 School night, 2 Family Fun Nights, and the Trunk or Treat night). Over the next couple weeks, I hope to join a small group and would like for the girls to start attending Sunday school.

Halloween was SO much fun this year...and I have lots of great pics to share (which I will in my next post). 

Right now, we are currently counting down the days til we visit Grandpa Todd and Grandma Julie in Florida at Thanksgiving. We cannot wait! The girls are so excited about going to the beach, and flying on an airplane for the first time. And I am really looking forward to taking Destin to Destin, Florida (where she is named after - where Patrick and I got married). 

I have really missed seeing my step mom...its been over a year since we last saw her in Colorado. And I know the girls have really missed seeing her too! After a year (being diagnosed with breast cancer) and dealing with treatments, chemo, radiation, and all the horrible crap you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy...I am so thankful to say, that she is now...CANCER FREE! Yay!

I cannot wait to get more great pics of my girls with them again! Until next time, have a wonderful day everyone! Be sure to get out and VOTE today!! And look for more posts to come!!

Easter 2012

On Friday, Patrick and I went to the movies for the first time in almost 3 years. And we even got our good friends, Stephen & Holly to go with us! We ate at 54th Street (with coupons - of course!) and went to the movies with my FREE movie passes from YouNeverLose.com. I cannot wait to have another double date in the future! It was so much fun!

The Easter Bunny came to our house this on Sunday...and left scooters, helmets and tons of eggs/candy!

Baby on the run!! She would not pose for me!

We spent the day with Patrick's family on Easter Sunday, and enjoyed the beautiful weather...I hope you had a wonderful blessed holiday! I am so thankful for having such a wonderful husband, two gorgeous daughters, and a family that anyone would ask for (more family pics to come...).

Baby Love Wordless Wednesday

A sneak peak at our family photos taken last week...

Enter to WIN Baby Stuff at Her Baby Stuff Baby Love Wordless Wednesday blog hop!

Is summer here already?

This week our local school district was on Spring break, which meant that we got to have a few play dates with our best friends ~ Holly, Karly & Kynly. On Monday, we all went to Paradise Park for under $5 - which was incredible...thanks to Holly's BOGO FREE coupon & Moms' get in Free day (every Monday, by the way!). 

Then on Tuesday, we all went to the Zoo, with my Friends of the Zoo pass that our family buys every year. It only costs us $75 for a family of four to go year round, including train, tram and carousel. ALL of us got in for FREE...and were pooped after only visiting "Africa" with a big group of friends. I think there was a total of six adults, and seven children.

Later on this week, we played outside and even got the water table out (see pics below). It has been 80 degree weather, so we figured...why not? The girls' absolutely love to get wet, splash, and being outside in general. 

On Friday, Patrick got off work early, so we took the girls to get some flowers to plant out front, and to visit the baby chicks at Tractor Supply company. They loved it!

On Saturday, Patrick and I spent the day together - just the two of us - while my mom watched the girls. We went summer clothes shopping, and got some great deals at Old Navy! We even got them some adorable flip flops at Walmart for $2.30? each (see pic below). I can't believe how fast their feet grow! Arwen is wearing a size 5/6 (and may need a 7 soon), and Destin is wearing a 7/8 (but will need a 9 soon). They are 17.5 months apart, but so close in sizes...I think that may be because Arwen is bigger than Destin as this age. 

Then after some shopping, Patrick and I enjoyed a nice lunch together at On the Border. Yum! It was nice to spend some "us" time away from the girls, and enjoy each others company. When the girls were younger, we hardly ever did this...but since they are older now, I don't worry about them as much. I am hoping that Patrick and I can do more things like this in the future...maybe even take a trip somewhere someday - when the money is available. 

I think we may plan another "day date" for Easter shopping in the next couple weeks...

For the past couple weeks, Patrick and the girls have been battling a cold/cough/fever/getting sick...it definitely is NOT fun. Long sleepless nights, and germs that just won't go away..I am wondering if I may need to call the Dr soon and see what else I need to do. My allergies have been up and down with the craziness of the weather...and I am wondering if that may be why this cough/cold combination won't go away for everyone else. I will just keep hoping that it goes away soon...being sick is not fun or healthy for anyone. 

On Sunday, Patrick went to the shooting range to try out his new gun that he bought a couple months ago. And the girls and I went to Kohl's to get Destin some new nightgowns. I cannot believe she has never had any up to this point, so we got some good sales and used a coupon or two and had a girls adventure. 

Then we came home and added some toppings to a frozen cheese pizza that we shared for lunch...aren't these pics adorable?

I hope everyone had a wonderful week, and a super weekend! Next week, we are going to spend some more "Spring break" time with Gma Melanie (my mom). 

Destin Paisley is 3 years old!

I cannot believe that Destin Paisley is 3 years old! I think as her mommy, I will never forget when she was born and what it was like when she was still in my tummy...the fears I had, the joys I had, but mostly the memories being made. Here is what Destin looked like a couple hours after she was born ~ full head of BLACK hair, and dark blue eyes (that eventually turned brown like her daddy's). 

Isn't is amazing how fast children grow...in a blink of a eye, our baby girl turned ONE.

Then 6 months later, she became a big sister...

6 months after that, we celebrated Destin's 2nd birthday...

Then a few weeks ago (a year later) we shared Destin's 3rd birthday for the first time with ALL four sets of her grandparents (minus my step mom). AND 2 great grand parents! It was really surreal knowing that both my parents and Patrick's parents were here in our house at one time. The last time that happened was our wedding reception which was in 2007. AND I am very happy to say that there were no arguments or mishaps - and we never thought there would be. We are really lucky to have such loving, caring parents ~ as the girls can say about their grandparents. They can put their differences aside and love us unconditionally despite what happened in the past. 

Now back to the party...we celebrated Destin's party on Saturday with our friends and family (a couple days before her actual birth date). After many weeks of debate, we decided to have a "Max and Ruby" party. {For those of you that don't know, they are brother/sister bunny duo on Nick Jr.} And after looking at all the pics, I don't think I got any "close ups" of the decorations that I ordered online {which by the way, was the only place they were sold!!}. I must remember that for the next party we plan! 

We served home made lasagna, baked spaghetti, fresh salad, fruit, veggies, garlic bread and home made cupcakes {made by Destin, Mommy, Daddy and Arwen} to her guests. I forgot to count how many people attended...but with just close family and friends, it was more than 30 people.

Destin and her best friend Karly

Destin getting ready to blow out her candle

Destin wanted to wear make-up like mommy - Can you see it? 

Arwen, Destin and Grandpa Todd

This was the first birthday my Dad (Grandpa Todd) has ever been able to attend. Hopefully that will change as he is "retiring" from the Army this year. We are so happy that we was able to come and stay for a few days, and wish that next time Grandma Julie comes too! The girls absolutely adore them both so much!

For Destin's actual birthDAY, she woke up to a cupcake...

We made plans to visit Chuck E. Cheese...but had to postpone it by a day due to a FREAK snowstorm that happened on the 13th of February. Schools were closed, roads were bad, and snow was everywhere! So, that is why both the girls have matching Valentines shirts on...because we went on Valentine's Day. 

Arwen wanted to ride "Clifford" the entire time we were there!

The girls really had a lot of FUN at good ole' Chucks'...and Arwen kept saying "Chuck E. Cheese FUN!!" over and over again. In fact, it has been almost 4 weeks since we went, and  out of the blue Arwen will say "Chuck E. Cheese FUN mommy!". Ha ha! 

Our trip to Chuck's place was also to celebrate Destin sleeping in her bed for almost 3 weeks (now it has been over 2 months!). YAY!!! The day after she got her new BIG girl bed (a twin size) she has slept EVERY SINGLE NIGHT in her own bed ~ ALL NIGHT LONG!! Can you believe it! Woo hoo!

Needless to say, we will have to start going to Chuck E. Cheese more often I think. Especially to motivate GOOD behavior and Arwen going pee pee in the potty  (consistently). Arwen went for the first time a couple days ago {at 19 months old}, and met another BIG milestone.

A couple weeks after Destin's birthday, we went to the pediatrician and got her 3 year checkup...which was neat to see how much she has grown. She was 3.25 feet tall (30%ile) and weighed 29.5 pounds (40%ile). 

Destin never ceases to amaze us...she is so incredibly smart and really loves to read, sing, color/paint, dance, run, jump, and try new things. We are so proud of her and cannot wait to see her grow in the next year...hopefully the terrible twos won't turn into the terrifying threes (which she has shown on some days over the past month). EEK! 

Something, I don't think I have shared...is that she will be attending preschool (the first time she has ever been away from me EVER) this Fall at a nearby church up the street. She is so excited, as we are as well. PLUS, she will be going with her best friend too! I know she will excel beyond our expectations, make new friends (as she does so easily), and set the bar high for herself. She is already learning how to read, and is currently trying to help mommy potty train Arwen, among many other things!

Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet girl! We love you so much!