I Don't Think We're In Kansas Anymore...

When we moved this past Spring, we noticed a huge change in the weather patterns.  We moved from living in a valley to living in some low laying mountainous terrain.  It's more windy here, the thunderstorms are more intense.

This afternoon, we faced our first true tornado watch.  I kept an eye out on the cloud formations and things were looking pretty scary for awhile, so I very calmly told the girls to get some things together just in case we had to go to the basement.  They happily listened to me and kept busy for about fifteen minutes.  To make a long story short, the storm blew over and when I went downstairs the following morning to run a load of laundry, I found this:

Jewelry boxes and a bunch of stuffed animals

Thankful Even After Thanksgiving

It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving for me to be grateful.  I am thankful.  

Everyday.

(Did I mention that she's just a few days shy of 5 months?)

Selfie Saturday

I'm not a huge fan of selfies, but every once in a while, the girls will be acting silly and what better way to show a genuine smile?

Introducing Gabrielle Rose

Baby girl is here!

Introducing Gabrielle Rose

Born on 11/22/2014 at 9:51 pm

8 lbs 10 oz  20-1/2"

Thankfully, I had a very healthy pregnancy with Gabrielle, but my doctor was concerned after she discovered my amnio fluid was on the high side.   So I was asked to come in a week early to be induced.   After 24 hours of calling the hospital every hour to see if a bed is available, we were able to head in.   I checked in about 8:00 am on Saturday and by 12:00 pm, I was hooked up to the Pitocin. Contractions didn't really start until later in the day, and by 8:00 pm the doctor broke my water and things started happening.

Halloween 2013

Introducing:

Our Tooth Fairy and our royal Princess!

The Madore-ables waiting for Nanny to open her door for trick or treating. 

A New Set of Wheels

Samantha accomplished a huge milestone last night.  We finished dinner early, and had quite a bit of sunlight left over.

We Have a 1st Grader On Our Hands!

So this morning, Samantha accomplished another milestone in her life:  she not only rode the bus to school, but she is now officially a 1st grader!

We were fortunate to meet and speak with Samantha's teacher yesterday, and got the chance to look at her classroom.  Sarah is very anxious to hear if Samantha chose a pink locker, or a blue one this year.

Cheap Entertainment

I came to the realization yesterday: it's been 2 years since I last bought the Madore-ables any play-doh since finding a great home made recipe on Pinterest.

It's also been 2 years since I made my last batch.  The girls used it so much that it dried itself out.

The recipe is very simple (not too mention very inexpensive):

1 cup flour             2 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 cup salt           2 Tbsp baby oil
1 cup water         (optional) food coloring

(1) Mix the above ingredients (minus water) in a medium sauce pan.

(2) Add desired food coloring to the water in the saucepan.

(3) Stir ingredients over medium heat until dough forms into a thick ball and no longer sticks to the pan.

(4) Knead dough on a countertop...but be very careful!  The dough will be hot!!!

We store our cooled play-doh in Zip-loc bags.

You can substitute veg oil instead of baby oil, but I learned that veg oil turns rancid where baby oil does not.  (An added bonus: baby oil smells fantastic and softens your hands in the meantime).

Consign-mint

Well, it's that time of year again where I attended our local (and did I mention amazing,  fabulous, wonderful) consignment shop for their Summer $10.00 a bag sale. No limits. No rules. Go inside and choose whatever clothing you want for $10.00 a bag. And as many bags as you want! I've only been shopping there for 3 years, but I am still a kid on Christmas morning. 

Here's what I picked up this time around:

- 29 shirts
- 12 shorts
- 3 pairs capris
- 3 dresses
- 1 denim jumper
- 5 infant outfits
- 3 cotton rompers

All for a grand total of $20.00. All brand new or next to brand new clothing.

Summer Vacation!

Dear Sarah,

Today you finished your first year of pre-school.  It just seems like yesterday that Daddy and I were registering you and walking you to your first day of school this past Fall.  Here you are on your last day, and Daddy and I have no idea where the time went.  You clearly enjoyed going each time we dropped you off.

This year, preschool has taught you to:

• Write your name, although we have to work on your "S". We're getting there!
• Color inside the lines.
• Draw (family, faces, self portraits)
• Sing a whole variety of songs, even if it means singing "Frosty the Snowman" in June.
• How to make friends, and be silly with them.

You've learned so much in this past year.  It makes Mommy and Daddy so happy to hear that you took so much away from school.  You're so grown up.

We love you and are just so proud of you and how much progress you've made.  

Love, Mommy and Daddy

First day of Preschool:

And the last day:

The Eyes Have it!

Today, we also took Sarah to her very first eye doctor appointment.  Sarah's optometrist was very pleased at the results and Sarah doesn't have to go back until 1 year from now!

The doctor did have to dialate Sarah's eyes during the appointment, so Sarah was able to wear some very fashionable eye ware home. Look out Versace!

Consign-Mint

Yesterday I attended the Annual $10 Bag sale at Kids Karousel.  Twice a year, they run these awesome sales, and twice a year really get my money's worth. I make several trips to the store every year, but I really stock up at these $10 sales.

I was especially excited this time, because I was 3rd in line.  The ladies behind the counter handed out numbers to their loyal customers.  So, when I went in a few weeks ago, I had mentioned that I was looking forward to the bag sale, and I will be attending my 3rd one.  So, I was automatically handed the number 3.  WOO HOO!  (This just means that rather than have a hundred people rush through the front door, and risk injury, everyone receives a number 1 through 60-something.  I was just fortunate to receive a lower number).

Sarah's First Field Trip

Yesterday, Sarah had another milestone in her little life:  she went on her first field trip with her pre-school class.  Sarah's class and the parents went to Smolak Farms in North Andover and were very fortunate to have a ride on a tractor/wagon ride to the apple field AND a cider donut and a apple cider juice box. I must add that Smolak's cider donuts are totally worth the drive for ; )

Sarah held her hands together the entire wagon ride.



So many apples, so little time.

Sarah just figured out what's happening after the wagon/hayride...

And after cider juice boxes were emptied and cider donuts were floating around in the kids tummies, Sarah and I walked over to the little playground where we found Sarah's friends.

Mommy found one quarter in her wallet and Sarah decided to feed some deer because 

(and I quote)

"They have freckles Mommy!"  

So we gave the freckled deer some corn feed.  Feed the freckled folk!

The Class Of 2027!

Sarah has now added a new milestone to her life as of yesterday:

She is now in Pre-School!

Last week, Sarah had her orientation day.

Mommy?  Put the camera down and let's go to school!

Sarah missed her furry 4-legged friend "Yetti" over the Summer. 

He was waiting for her when we arrived for orientation.

Sarah talking to her teacher

Sarah in "circle time" and singing songs

Sarah was beaming the entire morning of orientation.  And it wasn't even the first day yet!

Sarah's 1st OFFICIAL day of Pre-School

(Samantha had just enough time to sit with her sister before she had to go to school)

Proud Mommy

Walking inside to school

Such a little ham!

Hanging up the backpack.

Congratulations Sarah!

Today a Pre-Schooler.  Tomorrow a college graduate.

Welcome to the class of 2027!