1983

When I think back to when I was five, I consider it to have been a pretty easy, carefree time. I watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. I climbed trees and played school with friends in my clubhouse. The most vivid memories of kindergarten I have are playing with the kitchen set in the classroom, sitting on little square pieces of carpet for story time, and stealing a magic wand from the little girl I carpooled with (which made for a few uncomfortable weeks back and forth to school everyday after getting caught...) 
I know we did a lot more during my 181 days in school, but the only things I can tell you that I actually remember learning are my address, phone number, and writing the letters in my first and last name. Luckily, my mom kept a journal while I was growing up (which I do now for the girls and find it to be such a useful tool and know they will too when they have little ones) and she kept track of what I accomplished each year in school. At the end of my kindergarten year, she (who was an elementary teacher herself and knew the ropes) wrote that she was so proud that I came out knowing the facts I listed above and had word recognition of 8-10 sight words.  That was obviously a long time ago.
Fast forward 30 years..(which is crazy in itself to think it has been 30 years since I was 5, considering there are days that I feel like I am still 18...and then of course there are some that I feel like I am 89...)  it's 2013 and Bug is over halfway done with her year in kindergarten. At the beginning of the year, she was given a list of sight words that she was to be able to recognize by the end of the year. Needless to say, there were more than ten...ten times that to be exact. They are reading 10-15 page books. They have weekly sentence homework that requires them to not only compose the letters correctly, but also correct the capitalization, punctuation, and spelling errors. One night while she was working on her sentences, TOH put it perfectly...'When I was in kindergarten I'm pretty sure I was learning how to cut out a circle?!'
I'm sure this is how it goes with every new generation and I am just really showing my age with all of this, but I cannot get over how much different the life of a little one is now. While everyone out there is working so hard on new gadgets to try and make life 'easier' on everyone, I feel like it is only getting harder on these little guys. They have so much competition and so many standards to try and live up to and I feel that a lot of times we forget that they are still these sweet little beings that want to play hide-n-seek, dig in the dirt, and have tea parties. We are really trying our best to keep it as simple as possible for them, to keep them as innocent and worry-free as they are, and allow them to enjoy and embrace this short, fabulous childhood as much as they can...because those first five years go by at lightening speed, and before you know it, they are reading, forming circles of their own friends, and becoming responsible little people right before your eyes no matter how badly you want to turn back time...

February Favorites

Candy hearts are on the table, valentines have been sent, and fun plans for V-Day are in the works.  Lots to love this month. And for each day until February 14th, the little ones are waking up to this...

 

Every day when the girls wake up, they find a new heart on their door telling them something that we love about them. Simple, fun for them (and me), and adds some free decor as well!

It finally snowed here..liked really snowed. A whole 4 inches. The munchkins are over the moon and going out to play in it every chance they get. While they're outside with Dad, I have been trying out some great new recipes. And although I can't promise they are the healthiest, they're definitely amazingly delicious.
I could eat appetizers all day, everyday.  These are two that would for sure make the cut. I've made both of them for parties, and I wasn't the only one who was in love.

Not sure if it was the cheese, the crackers, or what, but trust me...and thank me later.

 



Jalepeno Popper Dip

White Pizza Dip







February also brings Awards season, which I have been a huge fan of since forever. The stars, dresses, hair, you name it, I am hooked. My favorite-and also big winner-this year is Downton Abbey. It's making quite a name for itself lately on it's quiet little PBS station, and TOH are proud to say we have been watching since the very beginning. It's not something that would probably catch your attention as you flip through the channels on a Sunday night, but watch one episode and you'll be running to the library to catch up on the first two seasons.

 







 

For the little girls, my favorite lately is Princess Sofia on Disney Jr.  They literally count down the days until Friday (and I really appreciate that it is only on once a week-I think that is one of the reasons I like it so much) and I honestly sit down for those 25 minutes and find myself laughing along with them and loving the lesson that is taught throughout each show.  Winner.

 

And last, but far from least..my number one for this month is the fabulous app that I found for my new...iPhone!! Pigs are flying, cows are jumping over the moon, and money is growing on trees! I am no longer the owner of a pre-historic, Atari-like flip phone! And as I've been playing with my new toy, I've come across what I can say is the best invention ever. If you know me, you know that I'm a texter. I've never really liked talking on the phone, but texting..I'm a crazy person. Well, my friends, goodbye mass texting, hello Voxer. It's essentially a walkie-talkie app that allows you to send verbal messages back and forth like text messaging, only it doesn't require you to type. Not only is it quicker and safer, but it's way more fun when you hear your friend's voice ask you, 'what are you wearing tonight?' rather than reading it in a text! A definite must-install.

 

Oh..and there's one more reason to love this month..because it's the month before Miami! Lots of love for February, but come on March!

 

 

 



At Ease

So...the holidays are always full of a little chaos, right? Well, this year between school, work, snow, and schedules, all kinds of crazy made the past three months a little too packed for this mama to shoot out a blog post in any free time that was left.  The last time I was here, Bug was turning five and starting Kindergarten. She is now registered for first grade and Kater-tot is preparing to start preschool in August. Why is it that the older you get, the faster time goes? I was always told that would happen but never believed it. Well, those 'crazy' people hit it head on.

We embraced every minute of the last few months of 2012. They brought birthdays, weddings, dancing, fun in the snow, and holiday visits with family and friends.


4th Annual 'Thanksgiving Before Thanksgiving'
Best Idea EVER.



Congrats Aunt Kiki and Uncle Jordan!
(The wedding was way more fun than we look in this picture...
we were saving up our enthusiasm!)

 

Never would have imagined anyone loving dance more than Bug.
Enter Kater-tot. She lives and breathes ballerinas.
It's the first thing she puts on in the morning
and we have to beg her to take it off at night.
Love her.

 My little Betty Crockers.

 

Played in some snow.
(This was our version of 'a lot!'..notice the grass poking through!)

And then of course had to eat some.

And finally, had to try and catch some before Santa came...

They left a key out for Santa this year...they were in full blown 'believe' mode.
It was magical and perfect.
We could not have asked for a more wonderful holiday season.
Our family is so blessed..so lucky..so thankful.

 

So, a new year is upon us, and although we didn't ring it in officially until the next day and with sushi rather than pork, we are for sure it is going to be another amazing one. After all of the chaos and craziness that we welcomed with open arms, we are back into 'relax' mode, and for those of you who may have had a thought that the reason I was so quiet was because I was hiding some 'news'...I can put your mind at ease in saying that we could not be happier than we are with our family of four!

 





Happy 2013!

A New Perspective

She's five. No more terrible two's or troublesome three's...she has entered into the fighting fives. She doesn't always use her manners, doesn't agree with everything we say, nor does she want to participate in every 'spectacular' idea we have. She has her own thoughts, ideas, and suggestions and she wants them to be heard. She wants to push every button she can and try to see how far she can get us to go. She is suddenly fearless.

This is a whole new world to us...and none of us, including her, are sure how to handle it.  Yet another part of parenting that we have both been warned about...

But despite her new 'change'  as I like to refer to it, months in advance, we promised her a big #5 party...her first 'let's make a big deal about it' celebration. She was given the choice of who she wanted to invite and she decided on a '5 year old only' party (with the exception of her sister). It just so happened that 'Finding Nemo 3-D' came to the big screen at the exact time, so off we went...all nine five-year-olds (thank God for my good friends who offered to help out!!) for a fun afternoon at the movie theater...and yes...it was as chaotic as you could imagine, but a blast all at the same time!

~the invites~

 

 

~All the girls~

 

 

Followed by treats at her favorite spot,

Orange Leaf

 

This was her perfect day. She had a constant, beaming smile on her face and she did not want the day to end. She was surrounded by so much love from so many good friends that she could not have wished for anything more.  Despite her ever-changing ways and moods, she has been and forever will be the sweet, caring, little Bug that we have raised from day one. We are so proud of the little person she has become and it is evident by looking at the amazing friends she has made over the years that she is one pretty awesome girl.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives to celebrate these special moments. Thank you to everyone who helped to make her birthday (over a span of a few weeks!) so fantastic...she loved every minute of it and we for that, we couldn't be more thankful.

 



That Was Good...Really Good.

The weatherman said we may want to consider kicking on the heat tonight. Pretty sure he wasn't kidding. 45 degrees. I have a thing about giving the gas company any more money than they already get before October 31, so I guess I better break out the blankets. There is something about cooler weather that inspires me to be (like) Martha. The mums and pumpkins have been placed among the decorative cabbage and kale in their planters on the porch and the fall decorations are calling out my name to find their spots throughout the house.  So while they wait a few more days, we cook. We bake. And we enjoy these oh-so-delicious treats which I had to share because they are too good to keep to ourselves.

I found this awesome recipe for banana bread, which the girls can't get enough of, and I love the fact that applesauce and honey are used in place of the sugar and oil.  It was gone in a day.

 

Looking for a super-easy dinner..few ingredients, cooks on its own, tastes amazing...check this chicken out. Made it yesterday-huge it.  The website that it came from is pretty amazing as well.

 



 

 

Later that day, we got a little crazy and made some homemade applesauce. I've had a lot of homemade kinds before, but I kid you not when I tell you this was the easiest (aside from peeling the apples) and most delicious applesauce I've ever tasted. The magic ingredient...lemon.  And while it's low maintenance cooking away in the crock pot all day, it's spreads one fabulous smell throughout the house.

 

 

If we didn't have enough goodness, we dove into these little bits of heaven...

 



 

Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kiss cookies. Thank you for finding me.

 

One of my other new loves is quinoa. It's so easy, so quick, and it's a healthy replacement for rice or pasta.  The girls love macaroni and cheese, so this was a great way to make everybody happy and get some veggies in there as well!

 

Cheesy Quinoa Mac-N-Cheese

 

And I wouldn't sign off without one more idea for those one-of-a-kind Pumpkin Kisses..as you can tell, I can't get enough of them. I am a big fan of every type of puppy chow mix that's out there, but this one takes it for me. Pumpkin Puppy Chow. It has three ingredients and takes all of five minutes to make. Sold. And then there's how fabulous it is. I had to hide it in the closet so everyone would get their hands out of the bag. The problem now is the fact that I'm the only one that knows where it is.

 

 

It's now time to go for a walk, a run, and do lots and lots of sit-ups...but so worth it!









So long...

It is anticipated for months, then passes by so quickly each year. But as I am learning, as does everything these days. My favorite season is upon us, and with that we are saying goodbye to one fabulous summer.

We celebrated many very special friends and family as they tied the knot, and the girls loved every second of their roles as flower girls (and will again in a few weeks!)

Bug danced her heart out at her dance recital and I miraculously held back on the waterworks this year.

We camped in the middle of nowhere for a few days, started a new tradition spending a week at Topsail Beach with lifelong friends, went horseback riding for the first time, and in between all of our travels, we soaked up every minute of that wonderful sun that we could. Summer 2012 was definitely one to remember.

 

So as we wave goodbye, we have so much to look forward to as I sit outside on this gorgeous 75 degree, not-a-cloud-in-the-sky, windows wide-open day...

So long A/C, hello cool breezes.
Until next year iced coffee, hello pumpkin spice latte.
See ya dead grass, hello green lawns and colorful trees.
Goodbye summer reruns, hello long-awaited premieres.
No more last-minute dinners, hello planned out white chicken chili and tomato pies.
Bye bye flip flops, hello riding boots.
Adios sunlight until nine o'clock, hello mulled cider candles lighting the room.
Later popsicles, hello cinnamon roasted almonds and homemade applesauce.

 

So for now, so long sweet summer. We fully enjoyed every minute of you.

My wishes for you, my sweet girl.

Today, she blows out another candle. And for now, I wish all of these for her.

A more detailed, in-depth, personal post will follow, but tonight, I came across this and it could not be more perfect. If I could wish for anything for her on her birthday, this would be it.

Rules for Mothers of Daughters.

25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters.

Source: Pinterest- meggielynne.tumblr.com

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

Source: Pinterest: art-e-zine.co.uk

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

Source: Pinterest: sp2.fotolog.com

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle-gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet mr. right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

Source: Pinterest: crazycraftycousins.blogspot.com

5. Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she would rather wear her brother’s superman cape with high heals, allow it. If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.


6. Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that woman can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment for yourself- not just your husband or children. Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

Source: Pinterest: flickr.com

7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

Source: Pinterest- 500px.com

8. Let her get messy. Get messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls: just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9. Give her good role models- you being one of them. Introduce her to successful woman- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts, or authors. Read to her about influential woman- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational woman- Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know that anything is possible.

Source: Pinterest- google.com

10. Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. “I love yous” and Eskimo kisses go a long way.

11. Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years-old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the mall, hold on to her always- this will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

Source: Pinterest- weheartit.com

12. Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date, or the first day of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

Source: Pinterest- weddings.halbergphotographers.com

13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14. Love her father. Teach her to love a good man, like him. One who lets her be herself…she is after all wonderful.

Source: Pinterest- blog.hgtv.com

15. Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5 by 5 dorm-room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16. Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

Source: Pinterest- instagr.am

17. Teach her how to love- with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry, and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you love or hate like you hate. So, choose love for both you and her.

18. Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her- even if it sounds or looks horrible. Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later, let her blast noise and headbang in her bedroom with her door shut if she wants. Or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics- like The Beatles- and listen to her latest favorite- like Taylor Swift. Share the magic of music together, it will bring you closer- or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

Source: Pinterest- thehollywoodgossip.com

19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter, you are not only her mother. Be her friend too.

20. Teach her manners. Because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away. Whether she has classmates who tease her because of her glasses, or a boyfriend who tells her she is too fat- let her know she does not have to listen. Make sure she knows how to demand respect- she is worthy of it. It does not mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth fighting. Remind her that some people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and walk-away. Teach her to be the bigger -the better- person.

22. Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words: she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds the one. And when she finds the one, tell her.

Source: Pinterest- justquotes.org

23. Mother her. Being a mother—to her—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood, so one day she will want to be a mother too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother’s love for their children.

Source: Pinterest- marrabelle.deviantart.com

24. Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets- no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday when her husband rubs her back in attempt to comfort her...she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."
 

25. Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you: welcome her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news: embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you: find her. When she needs advice on boys, schools, friends or an outfit: tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor- where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile: be home. 

I love you, bug. For everything you are, everything you have brought to my life in these past five years, and everything you have yet to be.  I am so thankful for you.