Days 2 Of The Elf Invasion

So, our second day of having Tinsel and Sparkle went pretty well. The girls woke up early and ran into the livingroom to see the elves. They were surprised to find them gone from their window perches...and then searched the house looking for them.

They found the report from Sarge...



as well as Tinsel hanging from the kitchen table chandalier and Sparkle dangling from the microwave handle. Tinsel was mischevious and messed up some of the crayons that Kyla had left out, while Sparkle helped herself to some banana chocolate chip muffins. Would have shown some pictures, but they didn't turn out.

Tomorrow morning, the girls will hopefully enjoy the morning search again...

Midnight Visitors From The North Pole

About an hour and a half ago, I was getting ready for bed when I heard a commotion in the living room. When I went out to investigate, look what I found...



The elves that the girls requested have arrived.



This is Sparkle.



And this is Tinsel.



They even have a letter of introduction from their boss at the North Pole.



Hopefully the girls will be on their best behavior around these two.

Today Is My Baby's 2nd Birthday!

Here are just scenes from the great day that we are having today...



(Snoozing on the floor while breakfast is being made)



(Feeding the cats)




(Breakfast with daddy)



(Frosting cupcakes with the boyfriend)



(Bubble bath playdate!)

Cannot believe that it has been two years since this beautiful girl came into our lives...

Signs That My 6 Year Old Is Growing Up

(1) She is now waking up on her own and getting dressed without my help. I'm proud of her, but a part of me is also crying inside. She doesn't need me as much anymore...

(2) In front of the Special Assembly at her school today, she told everyone that she was going to be a ROCK STAR when she grows up.

(3) Just look at this photo...



Where did my little girl go?

Having Fun In Sonoma

Wasn't sure that we were going to make it here because we kept getting lost trying to make our way out of San Francisco.

Went to 4 wineries today. Kunde Family Estate Winery was really nice. We enjoyed the Cave tour as well as a couple of tastings. Had a wonderful pourer (John) who gave us a great tip on a smaller winery...so off we went to find Loxton Winery. Loved this place! Every wine that we tried at Loxton was fabulous...and our pourer (Jeff) gave us the name of another small winery to try...so off to Wellington Vineyards. Had a great time talking with the couple that was pouring...and followed their recommendation to try Little Vineyards. Loved their wines too.

So, it looks like we are going to be coming back with alot of wines. Party at my house... :0)



(Try not to judge me on this photo. I'm jet-lagged and fighting hay fever. Gotta love Harvest Time.)

The Cruel Things That Siblings Do To Each Other

Growing up, my older sister and I loved to torment our baby sister. It seems to be a favorite pass time for the two of us to dream up new ways to torture (but not hurt) the baby of the family. Why did we want to make her life miserable? Because we "always" had to babysit or take her with us when going out with friends.

Well, all these awful things have now become favorite stories for our kids to request to be told over and over again. Many a family gathering will end with us sitting around sharing the many terrible things that she was put thru. And being a good-hearted and forgiving person, she just sits and smiles...as well as adding details that we left out.

The all time favorite story took place on Halloween when an enlisted friend dressed me up in his military camo, complete with face paint...and he did such a great job that no one knew who I was. As I was getting ready for bed that night, I heard baby sis getting ready for bed too. She had just arrived home and was not around earlier to see me all dressed up.

Well the "evil older sister" in me decided to wait until she when into the bathroom and then see if I could scare her. The military issue knife that my friend let me borrow would come in handy as a great prop too.

Now little sister had grown wise to the horrid ways of her older sisters. She locked the bathroom door...but that didn't stop me. I put the knife between my teeth...quietly picked the lock...threw the door open...jumped into the middle of the room...and screamed like a mad person.

Poor little girl was so surprised and scared that she screamed, tried to jump up off the potty, got her feet tangled up in her pants, fell back down on the potty, then slide between the toilet and tub where she became stuck. And that is when I started laughing...

Well in honor of my baby sister who still loves me after all of the evil things that I did to her, why don't you tell me something evil that you did to one of your siblings?

Potty Training Mishap

See what happens when an almost 2 year old decides that she can "do it herself"?



Was it wrong to take a photo before helping her out?



Afterwards, she thought it was pretty funny showing everyone her wet bum...

(DISCLAIMER - no child was hurt in the production of this post. She was just frustrated that she had to get mommy to help.)

I'm A Bad Mother...

because I have been spending too much time trying to get all the PTA membership sorted and not enough time making sure that Bryleigh doesn't run a-muck.



Looks like I've failed. She is already taking romantic bubble baths with her boyfriend.

Good Bye Patrick Swayze

You were one of my first crushes...



I loved you as the caring older brother in The Outsiders.



Was afraid for you in Red Dawn.



Loved your man in uniform look in The North & The South.



Wanted to take dancing lessons from you in Dirty Dancing.



And Pottery Lessons after watching Ghost.



Considered surfing because of Point Break.



And just adored looking at you in Road House.



I even enjoyed your performance in To Wong Fu Thanks For Every Thing Julie Newmar, but had a hard time looking at you as a woman...

I will continue to watch your movies every chance that I get.


(August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009)

You will be missed...



My condolences to your lovely wife, Lisa Niemi.

Busy Life = Lack Of Posts

Sorry to be such a bad blogger, but the craziness of "back to school" is still taking over my life. So, I'll offer this photo as a peace offering...



Isn't she the cutest? Now you see why I have to nibble on her face every chance that I get...

Only 4 More Days

until College Football Season 2009 begins. Is anyone else as excited about this as I am? I mean besides Haute Mama (Tennessee), Laura (Alabama), & WPMomOf2 (LSU). Even though I'm a Gator, I'll still cheer for your teams because they're SEC...but look out when we meet on the gridiron.

In all of my giddy excitement, I learned some really interesting facts that many of you may not know about my incredible boys in Blue & Orange.

Did you know that...

(1) UF has allowed the fewest punt returns (56) and fewest return yards (231) in the nation since 2005. That's an average of only 4.1 yards per return.

(2) The Gators have blocked 26 kicks (16 punts, 7 field goals, and 3 extra points) since 2005, the most of any team in the Country.

(3) The Gators were the only team in the SEC to pass for more than 30 touchdowns and rush for more than 40 in 2008.

(4) Florida has scored 411 points off turnovers created by the defense since 2005.

(5) Florida returned a school-record 5 interceptions for touchdowns last year. They tied for the most in the nation with Boston College and Missouri.

(Credit for these facts goes to Mike DiFerdinando, Tampa Tribune, 09 01 09)

View From The Flu

The Flu bug has bitten my house and doesn't want to leave.





We are now going on Day 4 of our self-imposed quarantine. I am so over this...

Summer Is Over And School Has Begun!

Here was Ky's expression this morning as I tried to take her picture before school.



She told me that she is too grown up for Mommy to walk her into class...but Daddy was allowed. So, I trailed behind and shot a couple photos when she wasn't paying attention.

You can see the rest of them over here.

Guess What The Girls & I Did Yesterday?

It has to do with these...



Go here to learn more.

Please Tell Me That I'm Not The Only One "Weirded Out" By This Doll.

Your daughter can breastfeed her baby "just like mommy does"!



Don't get me wrong. I am pro-breastfeeding...but honestly I do not want to buy a doll that makes sucking sounds when my daughter puts it to her chest...after she has put on the special halter top with the strategically placed daises that she can lift up and acts just like the nursing bra that mommy wears.

Is this beyond creepy or what?