Happy Valentine's Day!

Just stopping by to share a few pictures and wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!  We had a monster of a storm yesterday but thankfully the kids were back in school this morning after a 2 hour delay.  Savannah was beyond excited for her Valentine's party so we were so thankful to be back to school.  Winter break is next week!

Savannah had to decorate a box with 100 things to celebrate her 100th day of school.  She found out after that the box would be used to collect her Valentine's at her party.  She was happy we went with a Valentine's theme.  I wrapped the box and placed the name stickers.  She did the rest herself!

She wanted to bring in fruit cups to her school party

Daddy surprised the kids with heart shaped donuts this morning

I made heart shaped pancakes

Miss Princess insisted on a dress for todays school party

My loves

 



Hope everyone has a special day with the ones you love!  Happy Friday!

Goals for 2014

Greetings!  It's the world's worst blogger checking in to share my personal goals for 2014.  I have been trying so hard to read & catch up on the blogs that I follow now that school is back in session.  I have been trying for months weeks to share a post of my own.  Here we go!

1.  Put down the phone/computer
I spend way too much time on my phone.  Like WAAAAAY.  I need to make a conscious effort to put my phone down.  All those quick checks on FB, IG & Pint.erest really add up.

2.  Be a better Mom
I need to spend more time playing and less time stressing.  I think my problem is that I feel like I am downing in "things to do".  With every day that passes my babies are growing older and older.  You can easily loose track of time & when it's gone, it's gone.  I also need to work on my patience with Savannah.  I need to remember she a child and I shouldn't get as frustrated as I sometimes do.

3.  Be healthier
Last year was probably my healthiest year to date.  I cooked more than ever, we had a bangin' garden & I fell in love with running.  Then the Holidays came around and we kinda threw in the towel.  Now that school is back in session I have a little more time to devote to health.  Not counting Monday's take-out pizza-we have been eating better.  I have ran twice this week and plan on running weekly at least 3 times.  I would be so psyched if I could pound out 500+ miles in 2014.  10 miles a week is doable.    I have also started using My Fit.ness Pal again to track my food & exercise.  For some reason I do so much better when I document.  Elizdubois if you would like to follow!
On a side note-I would highly recommend C2.5K or C21.0K by Zen Labs app if you are looking for a way to start running.  I did C2.5K last spring and C21.0K in the Fall & again now.  It awesome & free.

4.  Blog
I seriously need to blog.  It's not that hard.  Sit at the computer and type. 

So there you go.  My main goal for 2014.  I have a few small goals too.  Like be more organized, eat more veggies & play outside more (if it's ever warm again).

If you haven't already shared, what are some of your goals for this New Year?  I'd love for you to share!

Kid's Gifts

I thought it would be fun to follow along with others and share some of the kids Christmas Gifts.

In past years we have gotten the kids a "big" gift.  We just couldn't think of anything that they needed.  AND they both have birthdays coming up.

Christmas just keeps getting better and better the older my kids get.  Savannah has enjoyed making her list this year.  Hopefully Santa doesn't disappoint!


Sketchers Twinkle Toes
When Savannah went back to school, she noticed a few of her friends had these light up shoes.  I suggested she ask Santa for them & she still wants them some 3 months later.

Minnetonka Fringe Boots
One day I showed Savannah these boots and asked her what she thought of them.  I told her I was asking Santa for a pair for myself.  She said she wanted some so I HAD to get them for her.  I die whenever I look at them.  I'm not sure if Santa will bring me mine but girlfriend is hooked up.


Despicable Me DVD
We haven't seen it but I see these little yellow cuties all over the place so I figure it must be good.  And I thought it would make a good stocking stuffer.


Disney Princess The Little Mermaid Animators Doll
Savannah doesn't have this doll (or any doll) on her list.  She has made it very clear that Ariel is her favorite princess so I thought this would make for a fun surprise.



Hello Kitty Projection Clock
Savannah has been asking for a "Princess Clock" for a while now.  I did a lot of research and couldn't find a princess clock that got decent reviews.  I told her that sometimes the elves can't make exactly what you want but they do the best they can.  She will love to projection feature of this clock.


Savannah is also asking for bed sheets with "pictures" on them & a Princess make up kit.  I have searched high and low and can't find a decent kit so I ordered a princess pencil bag and I'm making my own.  She will be so excited to get "real" make up.

Shane
Shane was SOOOOOOO hard!  He has a million toys already and really didn't need anything.  I still had fun picking things out.

Tonka Toughest Mighty Dump Truck-Classic Steel
Every little boy needs a yellow metal Tonka truck.  I remember my brother having one and playing with it for hours in the sandbox.  I felt like a REAL boy Mom the day I purchased this baby.  And, it's HUGE!  Shane will easily be able to ride around in the dump body.

 Thomas Rain Boots
Shane needed some play shoes for the spring and what's better than rain boots?  Nothing!  Shane is really into Thomas so these were a perfect find.


Disney's Planes DVD
Never seen it but hopefully we will enjoy it.



Toy Story Talking Woody
A little boy brought this toy into dance class last week and I almost died when it started talking.  It was so adorable!  Shane hasn't seen Toy Story (possible birthday gift) but I know he will like his new buddy Woody.


John Deere Flashlight


ALEX String My ABCs
Shane likes the bead set that his speech therapist has & I liked that these were letters.

Shane is also getting a Thomas plate & silver wear set, Thomas DVD, new books & an Oshkosh overall outfit.

Now that my shopping is DONE I need to STOP buying things for the kids.  I am constantly getting emails & seeing cute things that I know they would like. 

For Christmas & Birthdays the kids give a gift to each other that is from the other one.  I let Savannah choose her own gifts for Shane but usually give her a few choices if she needs help.  It's so awesome to see how excited they get to open a gift from the other! 

To Shane From Savannah

John Deere Fleece



John Deere Pajamas


Talking Thomas



To Savannah From Shane

Leotard for Dance



Sleeping Beauty DVD
I'm so excited for us to watch this!  We love our princess movies!



Hopefully I can do a few more Christmas related posts.  It's my favorite time of year & I'm just so excited for everything but the wrapping!

Visit with Santa

On Friday afternoon we took the kids to a mini session with Santa.  Savannah has always been very shy when we go to see Santa or the Easter Bunny.  I knew by the way that Shane was with the characters at Disney (hopefully a post coming soon) that Santa wasn't going to go well.  And it didn't!  Better luck next year.  Enjoy the disaster that was our 2013 visit with Santa!

Apple Picking

On Friday, Jay got out of work early so we picked Savannah up after school & headed to the apple orchard for a little fall fun.  Apple picking is the one thing we have done every year since Savannah was born.  It's always so much fun.  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  Low 80's & sunny! 

 

 

Doing the side bite since she has another loose tooth

Oh these two!  Swoon.....

Before we left we enjoyed some homemade treats from the snack bar.  We had an apple cider donut & the most delicious vanilla ice cream.  After that, the kids spent a little time on the playground.

First Day of Dance

Yesterday Savannah started Dance Class!  The first class was actually last Monday but she missed it because she was sick.  She was sent home from school after lunch with a low temp & a head cold.  She was so upset when I told her she wasn't able to go to class last week.

Savannah had a great time picking out her Dis.ney Prin.cess leotards & her shoes.  She will have class every Monday for 45 minutes.  Her class is both Ballet & Jazz. They have a closed door classroom but they have a camera in the room that plays onto a TV in the waiting room.  It was beyond adorable to watch.  Savannah fit right in and wasn't shy at all.  I'm so proud of her.  She is already excited to go back.

 

Edaville USA

I have been wanting to go on a family trip to Eda.ville U.SA since last year.  So when I learned that they were having a meet & greet with Curi.ous Geo.rge & The M.an with the Yel.low Ha.t this weekend I thought it was the perfect time to go.  The 90 minute drive sounded easy since we drove to Upstate NY two weeks ago (4 hour drive).  I have learned that car rides are much smoother when your are listening to a Barney CD.  As annoying as it is, it's better than crying kids.

The meet & greet part was pretty lame.  The Man & George just stood on a little stage and posted for pictures with everyone.  No talking or performance.  Boo!

We went on a train ride around the property and that was pretty fun.  The place was almost on Ca.pe C.od so we got see all cranberry bogs.  We also saw fish & turtles swimming in the rivers along the side of the tracks.  Shane was getting pretty bored by the time we were done.

They had about 10 classic amusement rides for the children.  Shane was able to go on about half of them.  It was so much fun!

Savannah and I went on this ride together.  It was the one with the wheel in the center.  The more you turn the wheel the faster it whips you around.  Savannah loved it!