On a Saturday night

{on a Saturday night}

I'll be honest....it's been years since I have been out on a Saturday night....like at least 5 years. So, I can't blame it on P. I stopped long before she came along.

But this is the first Saturday night that I have found myself online watching creative Easter egg dying techniques, carrot shaped napkin rolling, and egg hunt ideas on video.

WOW right?

I love this part about being a mom.

I love thinking of new traditions, new ways to celebrate something, and ways I can make holidays memorable for P.

Not just gifts.

Ways to give back.

Ways to teach the holidays meaning.

AND

even though my beloved Valentines Day hasn't arrived yet....I've been eyeing EASTER!

(don't worry V day, I still have big plans for you)

All found at Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids

And people ask me this all the time.

Do I really buy every picture I post?

Come on...really?

NO!

LOL.

My mom taught me how to window shop. Im very good at it.

But I will collect.....for my holiday decor....and SOME of these I will "collect".

Let me tell you something about OUR little family.

Mark...born April 13th. Good Friday

Shelby...born April 22nd. Easter Sunday.

Peyton... born April 5th. Palm Sunday.

Like clock work.

{like clock work}

There are a few things in life I tend to ALWAYS forget. They slip right on by and it's not till days sometimes weeks later I realize I missed a...

birthday

anniversary

and special occasion.

I bought myself a book to help me remember...because I hate forgetting....but now I forget to look at the book.

So, even though I forget many dates even the ones that we celebrate every single year...

My body,

it NEVER seems to forget a date.

Finally after crawling out of my own skin I  went to the doctor. I sat in the room and listened to him tell me my flu's come like clockwork, same time every single year.

Why can't my body just let these things skip like my brain does a birth date?

I won't complain too much. I'm obviously feeling good enough to sit with my computer on my lap.

I wanted to remember how sweet P made me feel.

Snuggling me (P is NOT a snuggler)

Reading to me.

Petting me as she calls it. (rubbing my back)

Rubbing my face and saying Mama's so sick, bad cough. (no cough)

She joined me in my many baths and it's funny to me how they just know. She knew.

We sang the alphabet in the bath tub literally 20 times and I'm proud to say she almost has that song down!!

She's so smart.

2,4,6,8,9,10

those are the numbers she has said at least 5 different times to me today so I figure I'll write it down. It must mean something to her?

Ha ha...

I love how sweet my Sweet P is....



Crafting

{crafting}

Once again I have been inspired.

Arts and crafts should keep me off the Internet at night!

I'm having a trunk show for Matilda Jane Clothing in Feb and am getting very into it.

The decor, treats, drinks, and the display of the clothing.

I love planning and decorating a party!

Some day Ill have more room to do so.

going to put these on the snack table

these will be part of a yarn ball chandelier

My friend Val posted the pics a few blogs ago and I had to copy.

So cute

SO easy

and sadly I hoped it would occupy MORE of my free time.

The funnest part about all this crafting was shopping for it all with Peyton.

She is getting much better at this whole shopping thing...



before I was a mom

{before I was a mom}

I was an Aunt.

I am an aunt to 4 nephews and 2 nieces.

But, the first time I became am Aunt.....

was to my Colty Mo.

Colten.

8 years old.

Watched Nemo (memo) over and over and over when he was 1-2.

Loved all super hero's from day one but LOVED spider man.

He wore a spider man costume 75% of the time till he was about 6 (maybe older but I won't call him out)

He would have wore it all the time but Shan didn't like that so he would wear it underneath his clothes.

Has always loved music.

Sang Hey There Delilah to me.

Is VERY smart.

Has the kindest most gentle heart.

Is very sensitive.

Has always been so cute.

He was the ring bearer in my wedding. (almost 5 years ago)

He told everyone how he was marrying me.

He wore the "tuxkedo" a lot, it was his favorite out fit.

He ran back to help walk me down the isle.

He cried when I didn't take him with me...and it shows in most pictures.

I felt horrible.

Because I married him ya know!

Me and Colt...

always and forever.

Sometimes (now that he is 8) he will let me treat him like I used to.

I will pick him up.

Baby talk him.

Rub his face.

He just gives me a look

like

this is funny but mostly weird.

I took some pics of him yesterday and was caught off guard when I SAW how old he was.

First time it really hit me.

To me he will always be the little boy that stole my heart.

Colt.

Stay sweet and sensitive.

Keep doing the things YOU love.

Always sing....I promise...you melt all the girls hearts.

I hope you always care about school as much as you do now.

I think you have missed 3 days since Kindergarten.

Stick with singing and playing instruments...your good at it.

You are also good at soccer and baseball!

You have the cutest smile so ALWAYS smile.

You have had a way with girls from the start...and now you have a girlfriend? I thought you were mine?

 Please, please, please....don't get too cool for Auntie Shelby.

I have always told you to be a model/singer Colt. You should, you should!!

I love all my nephews and nieces.

Last night was just thinking about this one...a lot.



No fear.

{no fear}

I am a person who fears a lot of things.

A fear of fear.

I always told Mark I want P to be cautiously fear less.

I don't want her to be fear less....just not as fearful as me.

I think I am going to have to settle for fearless.

She proved that to me today at the pool.

Duking in the water for TOO long, popping up to smile at me taking a million pictures.

Going down a water slide literally over 50 times....alone.

Going down a BIG water slide with Daddy laughing the entire time. 

A HUGE smile every time her little head popped out of the water.

I swear..I almost jumped in when she and Mark went under for like 5 seconds (felt like forever).

She thought it was much more fun when dad didn't hold her above the water. She would dunk her face just to get the full affect. 

I think she likes the look on my face...

when I'm in fear.

She defiantly loves the water and is NOT fearful of it.

Not at all....which terrifies me!

Her with her cousins Colten and Mason.

A fun tid bit here....

I bought the boys those swim trunks like...oh....um 3 years ago. They still fit!! I guess the ones I bought 2 years ago...are too big!

Kiss and tell....

{kiss and tell}

January 20, 2011. Peyton's first kiss.

This kiss wasn't from her mommy or daddy.

Not from her cousins, aunts, or uncles.

No!

This kiss was from a complete stranger...

who stood a little shorter than she

blond hair, blue eyes, and had his eyes on her from the moment they walked into the restaurant.

It all started out so innocent.

Flirting between a piece of glass (the window).

 She tried playing coy with a little game of peek a boo.

 She seemed less interested than he....

(she already has game)

They sat next to our table.

She paid no attention, didn't even see him.

Besides, she was too busy eating and throwing little fits.

(so UN attractive. I tried telling her)

Then just before leaving...good ol Olive Garden

(which isn't so good if you ask me)

he came to say goodbye, to the little girl on the other side of the glass.

His mom said "give her a hug bye".

And I was good with a hug.

BUT

Then she said "give her a kiss"

And he did.

And.

She did it back.

Peyton's first kiss.

Okay, okay...now I'm trying to make this all cute and silly when in all reality I was completely weirded out that a stranger would have their son come over and KISS my child. Kiss on the lips.....and P....I have to teach her not to go around kissing every boy she meets.

We had a long talk on the way home.

P ended the car ride with this...

"what that boy thinking....eww gross".

{so in love....}

{ so in love with love}

Thursday morning happens in the blink of an eye.

every Thursday morning we have tumbling

They are starting to venture out on their own not having the mommies hold their hand through the whole class.

This just reinforcing the fact their growing up too fast.

So we came home and started some crafts....again reminded of her growing up when I sat down to help and P said "go play mom".

We started our Valentine cards today.

P picked Olivia (the pig) cards.

She also picked pink and purple crayons to draw with.

I asked who should we give these cards to...who do you love.....and the list started........

" umm my Addie girl"

"Bailey"

"Brett"

"where Myshell"

"LuLu"

"Sosi"

"mm my Gracie"

"Nanny Jackie"

"my Jackie"

and that was that

her list.

The best thing about these "lists" is that she associates each member of each different household...including their dogs.

Once again....growing up too fast.

My baby...is....not so baby ish.

What feeds my soal....

{giving}

I have my mothers....

hands

brown eyes

"do it yourself" mentality

her...even if its not what you want to hear...Ill tell you anyway because I can't lie kind of thing

her softness and her hardness

but the best thing I have of hers....

her giving heart

 It sooths my soul

I live to give

I give...

love

friendship

an arm to the old man at the grocery store

a smile to all the grumpy people walking around this town

attention to detail

compliments...because everyone deserves them

sarcasm a little too much

too much information to people

anyone I know having a bad day...a reason to smile

even when I can't.

I LIVE for moments like these.

I pray my daughter gets this  fom me...because besides Mark, Peyton, and family....NOTHING makes me happier.

Their are more traits I get from other family members some not as great.....so I will share those on a day when I'm not as happy because those traits....they will just make you laugh.

Today I gave of my friendship, words of advice (even though I'm horrible at that) and when she thanked me (thanked me  for being a friend?) It made me feel great....

So when you think you cant GIVE anything...

give your time

your thoughts

and your ear.

Because that's giving at it's finest and makes your soul..

alive!



Things to remember

{because I want to remember this day}

for all the silly reasons

like

My mother in law coming down to spend the day with us girls.

Cutting her hair while P patiently waits for her turn (no cutting was done just pretend)

Peyton saying "yes, yes, yes" over and over....and how I couldn't help her with ANYTHING because she said "NO, nanny do it", and Nanny did....because that's what Nanny's do!!

Lunch which consisted of Peyton wanting to put her tongue all over everything.......everything but her food. She didn't mind the whip cream on nanny's chocolate shake!

The sweet tooth she gets from her Nanny (and dad).

Coming home and having Edna put together a toddler bed for Peyton while I do a book shelf.

FINALLY putting away the Christmas tree

and folding laundry while having great conversation with Ed.

And when P finally woke....

she went right back to bed.

She loved it...and looked so big. Nanny thought she would probably sleep in it well (since she wouldn't get out of it).

I however, got a little sad. She looked too big and too old in a bed like that.....and I'm NOT ready.

I wasn't ready for Nanny to head back to Wheatland.

When we took her to her car P thought I was leaving and said "bye mommy". And when Nanny got out of the car and said goodbye....P cried....she wasn't ready for Nanny to leave either.

I got the fly fishing Cabela's catalog today...and like a proud wifey I want to remember these......

YES people....that is my hubbs.

I know, I know........

I always tell him he has great bone structure, an amazing jaw line, nice lips, puppy dog eyes. He doesn't get it....or so he pretends.. his nickname from me is "google" (he knows everything) so, I'll let him pretend.

So, Ill tell you all.....show you all....and brag to you!



Spring Cleaning

{spring anything}

I'm really disliking this weather. Even though I have a strong NO shoe policy posted on my door people seem to never take there shoes off to walk in the kitchen. The kitchen floor that I had to have, black metallic iron tile, that shows EVERYTHING. Oh ya, and did you know I have a white lab? Black floor, white dog....bad combo.

Today has gotten away from me and I blame it on this damn cold. I scrubbed the bathroom top to bottom while P bathed. Now I'm thinking how stupid...she was breathing in all the fumes.

Next I realized I forgot about tumbling...is it really Thursday already?

Then the kitchen, it drives me crazy. Too small, not enough cabinet space, the floor......so I started organizing. P helped with the pantry....she ate more then helped...then I realized she had opened two fruit snacks, dried blueberries, and a lollipop. I traded her for a big sippy of water with some ice in it...special treat. (hehe)

I came to the living room to see my sweet sweet girl like this

She is tired, watching Toy Story. And as soon as I sat down with her she jumps up to go play.

A cute baby girl, yes.

A snuggly baby girl, not so much.

I'm hoping if I get all the Spring cleaning done, the Spring will come!

When Peyton smiles

{peeking back}

While P naps I try and figure out what to do with all the pics I have taken over the last 21 months. I snap a bunch and find them all too cute to delete (even though they almost all look the same). I find small differences, things I love about P's expression etc....

Scrap booking them all?

Throwing them in a quick album?

Do something special?

That will be the next project I take on (besides her bedroom).

A look back at some of my favorite pics

that show you my sweet P's personality best!

The day we pierced her ears! And the beginning of the VERY present personality.  "what mom"?

This is the face she makes when she is about to throw down! She has a matching vain that bulges from her neck, exactly like her daddy's!

The "silly" face I have LEARNED to love.

It really just makes us laugh....she still makes this when she is being silly.

Was trying to get a nice picture of us together and she of coarse was being....silly....so I joined in.

That is Peyton! Silly!

How angelic does she look when she is tired? This is just simply her...tired...and swinging. Once you put her in a swing...you are guaranteed there the rest of your time at the park.

And her smile.

When Peyton smiles.

Just another manic monday

{wish it were sunday cause that's my fun day}

Usually I would be heading to work however the nasty flu has my client home and marinating in her bed. 

So.....P and I have been playing and her mess of a toy room has me....

on the MAC computer downstairs...which I know how many of you will be VERY proud of me for using this........

I usually stay in the playroom (literally right next to this room) and play, or to be honest, sometimes bring my lap top down and work on it...which is stupid since this is so much closer. But, I am waiting for the day when someone can show me how to work this thing!

Manic Monday came to mind when I looked at this

It never seems to stay picked up for long

Isn't that how a toy room is supposed to look? P thinks so. 

I know, I know I need more on the walls....it will happen when I collect more of my favorite art.

If you don't know this photographer....you should!

And thats the only rule down here.

So as P and I play (i will jump off this computer soon) we will continue to imagine..

we are butterfly ferries having a tea party

with no tea

and just plastic vegetables

with interruptions often because were also volleyball players

hitting the balls off the wall

She loves that game!

Good taste already

{baby she likes it}

Yesterday morning went a little something like this:

Coffee

Breakfast for P

Music....my newest i tunes play list going

Dancing

It's not abnormal for P to start "shake a booty" as she calls it when the music turns on. She likes to shake it! In fact she shakes it well....she even gets the hips moving sometimes and all Mark and I can do is laugh....

And make jokes about it (because her other favorite thing is to be naked)

I'm sure that will change soon....I'M SURE!

So, last week my mom taught her ballet moves while listening to music of the keyboard and she hasn't stopped since.

A little ballerina? Don't mind if she does....

A little message for P.....

My sweet P....

You amaze me every day....and these dance moves...I recorded and will save and show you someday (I have like 20 and your not even 2). I have dreams for you and one of them is to watch you do whatever it is you love to do....dance,sports,music,art,debate (one  of my sisters did that so you never know) anything and everything. I will always be your number one fan....always.... I love everything about you...but these dance moves...they make me admire your silly personality, your ability to make people laugh (and you feed off this), the way you tell me "no mama" when I do a move you don't approve of, and the fact that you have a personality like no other. At 21 months you simply amaze me.
Yesterday we listened to {100 years}by five for fighting and I love this song....always have

This song makes me

hope you ALWAYS dance like no one is watching because I love this about you...and life is too short not to.

Love you baby girl.

xoxo, Mama



Toddler room

{birds and owls...oh my}

Today was like Christmas all over again.

I arrived home this evening to a box on the porch.

(always an exciting thing to come home too)

Since our daughter NEEDS nothing (for her upcoming birthday)

were moving her bedroom and making my "closet room" into P's new bedroom.

Since, she isn't quit ready for a real big girl bed and is crawling in and out of her crib a toddler bed has been bought

And to go with the toddler bed you ask?

the new toddler quilt (looks a lot like one of my old ones)

the new rug

and the cutest book ends ever

And I swear I'm not a theme kind of girl but these were all too cute and I promise to post more when its all done

Also, a fun little potterybarnkids.com purchase

Coffee anyone?

{a nice cup of joe}

Okay so, as part of my new years resolution I decided to cut back..

on sugar (on crap)

for more than one reason

to loose some extra weight (like everyone else)

to become healthier (if I don't let P eat it, I shouldn't either)

and to get into more of a routine (learn how to cook more).

So, today was the day...no more cream and sugar in my coffee....I was trying to quit coffee all together but, I think I NEED it!

So yesterday I thought black coffee was HORRIBLE. Turns out I just put WAY too much coffee in the pot!! (Mark normally makes my coffee) Today its not too bad....and soon I hope i can call it a nice cup of joe. (which btw I don't get this saying)

When P woke from her nap I decided to surprise her with a goody of her own....some hot cocoa....candy cane cocoa.

oddly enough she didn't LOVE the marshmallows

but it sure did make it look yummy

Now, one thing that will always make me laugh about my husband (and he has done this since I met him) he ALWAYS has candy on him. Fruit snacks is his latest snack of choice.....and his habit has rubbed of on my sweet little P. She walked to the pantry at least 10 times a day and says "I hungry". So instead of letting her help herself to her shelf (yes she has her own shelf) I have been tending to this snack business.....

and have been feeling much better about all this snacking.

To a healthier us