February

Everything is looking good with Baby Charles!  During February we spent every weekend packing and fixing up the house.  We occasionally get out to do something fun..

Like go to Central Market.  Are you really into food?

A sick day for Elia

Gianna made her own Valentines.  They were really creative.  This was my favorite!

Someday I won't be lame and forget to take pictures of my sweeties.

February Flew

My cousin and I got together while she was in town on business.

A chilly trip to the FW zoo- best time of year to go- the animals were so active in the cooler weather!

Happy V day!

Oh and yeah- we bought this beautiful new (to us) minivan!

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day

Chris had to work Saturday morning, so we got ready for Valentine's Day.

First, we wrote down all the names on our valentine's bags.

Then we pulled these out of the fridge (we made them the night before)

 

And carefully counted out 10 yummy cookies for each friend.

Then we painted with Valentine's colors and used sponge hearts.  Fun!

A Love Letter to My GIrls

Sooooo Valentines is all about romantic love, but I thought I would write a little note to my girls. Yes, I love Chris, but my love letter to him will remain private. I got him Call of Duty Black Ops because I love him. (because Lord knows I do not love video games.) So here goes, a love letter to the other loves of my life. Grandmas, Aunt Shanny, Aunt Jenny, Aunt Colleen and Uncle Bobby get a hanky! (cuz I mean seriously, who else reads my blog? haha)

Dear Gianna,

I LOVE your imagination. Your stories never cease to amaze me. From taking a train or plane toSerap or California, all the way to worrying about lava and sharks on the ground and we have to be on the couch or chairs to stay out of harm's way. I love how you keep telling me (it seems like daily) that I need to get pregnant so I can have a son for Daddy. I love how entranced you are with babies, and would rather play with one than any cool toy. I love how sweet you are with Elia. Helping her take her coat and shoes off when we get home, giving her hugs when she is sad, and not letting me give you a treat unless Elia can have one too. I love that you are constantly coloring pictures for me, Daddy, Elia, and your friends. I love that you would rather help me make dinner than watch tv. I love you so much G!

Dear Elia,

I love your cute ponytail. Without it, your hair is a constant, hot mess. I love that when you wake up at 5am (or 3am or 4am) and I bring you into bed with us and Daddy tries to snuggle with you, you say "No, Mama!" (as in, get away from me dad, this is mommy and me time) But on the contrary when Chris opens the door every night coming home from work, I love that you stop everything you are doing, usually throwing whatever it is you have in your hands on the ground and yell DADDDDDDDYYYYY and run to go give him a hug. I love that every time I pick you up from the Kids Klub at the gym, you run as hard as you can to come and greet me. I love that whenever the music moves you, the only way you know how to dance is to run around and around (and around and around) in a circle until you fall down, but still keep going by crawling around in a circle on the ground. I love the way you say Gianna and do whatever she asks of you. I love that when I ask you to say please, you won't, but when Gianna asks you to say please, you say it right away. I love you so much Elia!

Without you girls, my life would not be full. I love you girls!

Best V-Day Ever

Well, Chris and I have been together for 10 years (almost 5 married) now so there were some really good Valentines Days, I'm sure, but this one was pretty durn good. He completely surprised me by having Uncle Tim and Ashley come over to babysit this morning so he took me out to brunch. We went to a place that has bottomless mimosas. Uhoh! Just kidding, it was so great. We both got some amazing food to go with the amazing mimosas. Ah, a date alone with the hubs makes all the little things in life melt away. Thanks baby, I love you.

My amazing flat bread breakfast dish

Waiting for another round :)

He even got breakfast(donuts) for the girls this morning so I didn't have to do any of the work. :)

Valentines Day Parties

Love is in the air. Gianna had 2 Valentines parties this week, and I had 2 as well. Thursday was G's preschool party, and she got Princess and the Frog Valentines for all her classmates. She came home with some good loot- including a cookie popsicle that was devoured by both girls after lunch that day. Probably one of the worst ideas ever is to get preschool aged kids Fun Dip. But someone gave a pack to Gianna and she brought it home to make a big mess!

Friday was Pray N Play's Valentine Party, postponed from Wednesday due to ice. The girls had lots of fun decorating their own bags and then passing out treats to all of their friends.

Then Friday afternoon, I went to my future class' V-day party to meet the parents and pass out Valentines. This school is amazing. Half of the parents were there helping, and instead of having a pig out fest, they had kids make Valentines for sick kiddos at Children"s Hospital. So sweet. (oh, and the parents did everything- while L and I just watched!) I used this time to get all of my student's names down, and I think I know most of them. I have a feeling L is going to go into labor this weekend, and with her due date this Wednesday, I am bound to start working this week sometime.

I enjoyed my last week at home!

Too Cold for Me!

Yesterday, there was another ice day. Schools had off, and lots of people had late starts. We had plans to go to our church's playgroup Valentines Party, but it was cancelled. So Gianna and I made some more button cookies (recipe here), but this time we did them Valentine's style with pink m&ms. We gave some to her teacher, and made some for her playgroup friends, which we will see on Friday!

Like her pigtails? She won't let me adjust them, so they are totally uneven. Elia is so creative when she has to entertain herself!

I was determined to get out with the girls after they took a nap, and by 4pm much of the ice had melted and major roads were clear and safe. So we went to the gym and back in one piece, phew! The cold was biting though, especially with it being so windy out. But running errands today was pretty easy, with just a few ice patches to worry about. I hope we are out of all of this wintery weather- this is not what we signed up for when we decided to stay and live in Dallas!

We went to ikea Monday night and the girls, like last time, had a blast!

I would so buy this chair- but its $80!

We want to put this color yellow in our room- the "pop" against all the grey,blue, and white. Literally, this is the only item(a lamp shade) ikea carries in this color. They like their reds and blues and blacks!