Scotch Tape, Rockstars and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ella made the big transition into a big girl bed. One morning, Joe woke up and decided it was the day. I was in no big rush. Why ruin a good thing like sleeping through the night or being contained when I say it is bedtime? We just lost her afternoon nap. I wasn't ready to mess with an easy bedtime too. But, Ella was as excited as her Daddy to get some more big girl status around here. You can see the freedom in her eyes, can't you?

 Most of my fears were completely unfounded. She took to her new bed like a champ. The first few mornings when she woke up, she called me to ask permission before she got out of her bed all by herself. Then, she started getting out of her bed and knocking on her bedroom door when she was ready to be let out, which was seriously the cutest thing ever. Last night, she walked out all by herself. Now, she really knows she is free. This could get interesting! :)

Look at me! I'm a big girl!

Big sister was just as excited for Ella.

Just a little two year old who feels lots of emotions and lots of daddy love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyA0uAkh_Rg

 The girls are always playing dance class. They take turns pretending to be their dance teachers, Miss Margaret and Ms. Guin. The other day I looked over to find Ella teaching her Doc McStuffins dolls how to plie.

  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVYpNy5CKmo

Oliver was out of commission last week as he recovered from surgery. It's official. There will be no puppy making in our house. Poor little guy had to wear this cone around the house for a few days. Other than being irritated by the plastic growth around his head, he was as sweet and snuggly as ever. He healed quickly and took the cone off himself by ramming himself into the railing gate until it came undone. Did I mention he no longer stays in his crate when we go out? Like a little Houdini, he has figured out how to escape from a locked cage.

You know all that talk about getting a child who will give you a taste of what you did to your parents? All throughout Jr. high and high school, I covered my bedroom walls with photos of movie stars and posters of boy bands. It drove my dad totally nuts. The thing is I wasn't even like the average kid who wants the freedom to decorate his or her own walls. In addition to my posters, I started to tape together a collage over my bed of every celebrity I ever "loved". (For the record, there were a whole lot of pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio, the cast of Dawson's Creek and Justin Timberlake.) 

I can still hear my dad threatening to ban scotch tape from our home if I didn't take my collage down and make it on one big piece of poster board before hanging it on the wall. Instead, I hung each little picture with four pieces of tape and connected the next one to it until it was huge and covered the wall behind my bed. Can you imagine my dad's face when it was time to move it and take it down? We were picking bits of tape off of the wall for years. Sometimes I think about how much money must have been on that wall. I spent a lot of allowance buying all of those magazines to read and cut up for exclusive pictures. :)

Thankfully, Abby has no desire to hang pictures of boys and movie stars on her walls. But, she has been saving up her artwork for weeks without me even knowing it. Any little masterpiece she made was stored away in her drawer. Then, she started asking me daily for her own roll of scotch tape. I should have known then. After all, she is my daughter. When she got her hands on the new roll of  tape, all was quiet for a good hour and then she called me to her room for the big reveal. To my surprise, I found nearly every inch of her reachable blank wall space covered with TAPED pieces of artwork. She was beaming and I totally turned into my dad inside. There was tape everywhere and all of my ideas for what Abby's room should look like were gone just like that.

The thing about my dad is that though it wasn't his preference to have magazine clippings plastered all over my walls, he let me harmlessly express myself and decorate my space how I wanted without ever making me take it down. In that moment, I channeled my inner cool dad and looked past the tape to admire my little girl's beautiful artwork. I'd much rather her room be a space that she creates and loves anyway!

When I called my dad to tell him the story that afternoon, he shared some words of wisdom that I AM SURE he never said to me as a teenager during our scotch tape disagreements. Through his laughter, he said, "That's good. It's good. It's all a part of growing up!" Sounds like the words of a wise grandpa enjoying every minute of the payback moment. :)

Mom morning out taking an exercise class at the trampoline park turned out to be the most fun and most challenging workout we've had in a long time...maybe ever?

sister snuggles

hanging out with their buddies after church

excited about the progress we made framing and hanging some new pictures on our gallery wall

just hanging with my boy

My little helper doing some chores

Any Sunday when we get to eat lunch with this crew after church is a fun treat!

A window consultant was at our house discussing new windows. Ella was really curious and came out of her room to find out who was here. Her new phrase when trying to figure out who the man was is totally adorable.  "Mommy, where does he belong?"

an afternoon at the library playing boardgames with Jayden

Abby (all dressed in a pretty yellow dress with flowers): I like this dress. But mom, this is not what a rock star wears.
M: Rock stars wear dresses!
A: They wear dresses, but not dresses like this. Rock star dresses are black and silver.

Cone or no cone...he knows where home is.

I love baking with these little beauties. They are both so interested and eager to be a part of  everything that goes on in the kitchen. On this day, we were making some delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Who says you need pants to bake cookies?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies 

1/2 C. Butter (softened)
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 egg (room temperature)
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 C. pumpkin (canned or fresh)
2 1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
6 oz. chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugar; add egg, vanilla and pumpkin. In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. Slowly stir flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended; fold in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfmGlop1GTo

Grandma Week

Our week was filled with visits from Grandmas.

Joe and I were invited to the wedding of good friends, so Grammy planned a visit for that weekend. For us, there is nothing better than having to go somewhere and knowing the girls are with someone who loves them so much. For the girls, there is nothing like mom and dad being away for the evening and knowing they get so much quality time with one of their grandmas. Double win! And...I'm pretty sure Grammy is a fan of the alone time with her favorite little girls, too.  (So, really...triple win!)

Joe and I had the best time celebrating with our friends! We danced and laughed a lot! I cried like a baby (happy tears) as I watched my friend of almost 15 years and his beautiful bride get married. It was a sweet celebration!

Their little guy, Levi, walked his momma down the aisle. This may have been when I totally lost it.

my hot date

love these guys so much

friends for life

Ella has a thing for pretty shoes. When I came home with these new ones for the wedding, she was the first to check them out. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYdjgL56VsY

 On Sunday morning, Grammy came to church with us and took us out to a yummy lunch afterward. It was a chilly, fall day that called for some afternoon rests, sweatshirts and even some scarves. When the girls were done resting, they went out into the backyard with Grammy to hunt for the best leaves they could find. Grammy promised them they could make leaf placemats for dinner that night with the leaves they collected.

For some exercise, we went for a family walk to the park at the top of the street. We looked for more leaves and the girls played on the playground before the cold took over and we had to head home. Even Ollie had his share of fun at the park (see video below). The girls especially loved doing their place mat craft with Grammy! It was a perfect table setting for our very fall inspired dinner: chili, salad and pumpkin cornbread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNbauDzgEpQ

On Monday, Abby got to show Grammy her school during dropoff. Then, Ella had a special morning date with Grammy (just like Aunt Cyncy's visit). We started the morning at Starbucks, took Grammy to Barnes and Nobles where we spent a lot of time and then walked through the mall a bit. Our Christmas shopping juices started flowing. We even got a few great gifts for other people while we were out and about.

Looked over in the store to find Ella wandered a few feet away where she found lots of shoes to try on. She wasn't about to wait for us. She just went at it herself.

After we picked Abby up from school, we all came home for a quick lunch before Grammy had to head home. Not before Ella got in one more round of playing Frozen dolls with Grammy though. I had to get it on video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIMchUf8JWM

Just two days later, Grandma came to town for a couple days! We took a trip to Target, ate lots of good meals together and had loads of playtime. We spent a lot of time at home, which made for a bunch of great conversations and focused playtime.

At one point, the girls and my mom had been playing downstairs for a solid two hours. I didn't dare interrupt. Listening to my mom and girls playing downstairs is such a blessing to me. She was running mommy circles around me with her marathoner imaginary play skills. She was right down there on the floor with them making hilarious noises and throwing a pretend birthday party for Ella. It was the sweetest.

bedtime stories

It would only be fitting that during "Grandma Week", the girls would get a package in the mail from Nagymama with freshly knit (and matching) sweaters and hats and some cozy pants to go with them. When Abby saw who it was from she was tearing the box open and shouting, "It's my new purple sweater!!! It's here. I'm so excited".

And in case you were wondering how Oliver gets treated when Grandmas are around...he gets spoiled with love and attention just like the rest of the kids. Everyone else was taking an afternoon rest, so Grandma and Oliver cozied in for a quick nap too.

One of the reasons Grandma came for a visit this week was because Friday was Grandparent's Day at Abby's school. The students got to invite their grandparents to spend a couple of hours with them at school. All of Abby's grandparents wish they could have been there, but because of distance, work and Grammy's visit just a couple of days earlier, Grandma was the only one who could make it. Abby was so excited to show Grandma her school and show her school her Grandma! 

My mom got to observe what Abby's time in the classroom is like on a normal day. The students introduced their special guests during circle time. In addition to the normal routine, Abby and Grandma did a special craft together.

They even found a minute to take some sweet selfies!

These pictures have more meaning than a few words could ever capture. The Lord says: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten..."- Joel 2:25

These pictures mean years and years of prayers being answered. These pictures point to a gracious God who keeps His promises. This is God's grace and it's beautiful.

Abby's class prepared a song and performed it for their grandparents. What a sweet moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft8bEbBQ1oQ

My mom came back to the house smiling from ear to ear. Because it was Abby's special day with Grandma, Abby got to pick what Grandma bought her for lunch. I'll bet you never guess what she chose. No, I'm sure you guessed it right the first time...PIZZA! So, Grandma ordered a pie (for all of us) and had it delivered and ready for Abby when she got home.

Grandma left after lunch to head home. Once we got Ella to stop crying and pounding on the window for Grandma to come back to her, she took a really good long nap. Even when she woke up and came out to the couch after her nap, she fell back to sleep and I snapped this picture. All the fun of Grandma week wore this little lady out.

We had such a great week with our Grandma visits. Thank you both for making the trip and spending days with us. Come back soon! We love you! 

In honor of a really special week and because it was Friday, the four of us went out for some Fro-Yo at Sixteen Handles after dinner making for some family time and a great start to the weekend.

yum!

A Day in the Life

I love this season of life and every minute I get to have my girls at home with me. I wouldn't want to be spending my time doing anything else. Years from now, I know I'm going to want to think back and remember what a regular day of the week was like for us. Regular days when nothing extremely notable happens, but that make up the backbone of our life together. The regular days that sometimes seem so long, but that make up the months and years that seem to be going by too fast. One day, I'm going to miss this!

It takes a lot more effort to record the day all throughout the day, but I think it's fun to do every now and then. It always amazes me how much actually happens when I jot it down minute by minute! 

Another Monday (October 3) = fresh starts

5:20- My alarm goes off. I snooze it because I can't believe it's morning already.

5:28- I'm so cozy under my comforter...still not ready to get out! Just 10 more minutes. I snooze again. But, I know this is the last time because my anxiety about my alarm waking the girls too early starts waking me more and more. The whole point of the early alarm is to get out of bed before the girls and spend time with the Lord before the day gets off and running. The truth is when those little feet hit the floor, there is no time to slowly catch up.

5:36-Awake. I did it. I tip toe quietly to the kitchen, grab some coffee (my iced coffee in the fridge) and curl up on the couch under a blanket with my Beth Moore Bible study (Children of the Day) and my Bible. The house is so still and quiet.

6:05- Fold some laundry. Straighten up the living room. 

6:22- Abby tiptoes out to the living room and curls up with me on the couch.We snuggle for a bit and talk about the day.

6:30- Start waking up Joe. Most mornings, he is up between 5:30 and 6, but he's wiped out after a few late nights in a row. His alarm is driving me nuts. Let's just say we set our alarm for the same time last night. He has been snoozing for an hour! Poor guy just needs a morning to sleep in.

6:32- My turn to shower and get ready

6:48- Abby and I finally got him up.

The "trying to wake Daddy" face

6:50- Get Abby dressed for school.

6:58-  Pack snack, drink and note. 

7:06-  "Mommmmmmmmyyyyyyyy! I awake now!!!!!!" Ella's up! I walk in and am greeted by this sweet face.

 

7:16- Sister breakfast date. Ella is checking out the Target flier while she waits for her oatmeal. Ella's all about the hot cereal these days. 

 

 

7:30- Hair. Teeth. Backpack packed.
7:45- Try to convince Ella that she should sit on the potty before we get her dressed (a daily struggle that can take an hour!)
8:00-Get kids in the car to take Abby to school.
8:14- As always, Abby is pumped for her day and can't get inside quickly enough. Ella pleads the whole way inside for me to take her to school. Two months in and she is still hoping it's her turn today!

love seeing the joy on her face when she realizes it's a school morning. I totally get it. My heart does that same thing any time I have an opportunity to learn or go to school!

8:17-Goodbye hugs and trying to convince Ella that a morning with Mommy is just as fun as a morning at school.

8:26- Quick trip to Target with one of my favorite shopping buddies.

9:10- I'm pretty sure I could get lost in Target.

impulse buy of the morning. This is some deliciously (addictive) popcorn! 

10:26- home from the store with a little time to spare before pickup. Ella played her Magna Doodle and read a Food Network magazine while I unloaded the groceries (girl after my own heart!).

10:45- Ella and I sit to enjoy our popcorn snack and read some books together.

11:15- Time to head out and pick Abby up. Today, we are picking up Makena too. The girls are super excited for their friend to come and spend the afternoon with us.  

11:30-Waiting in the lobby for girls. One of my favorite moments of the day is when I see Abby's class coming down the hall and I spot my girl for the first time.

Ella gets a little restless!

12:00- home and ready for lunch! Mac and Cheese and drinks complete with special princess Frozen cups make for some happy girls. 

12:45- I could tell all the girls were tired, but knew that rest time would not happen with a friend over, we decided to have some down time with a movie. I broke out some popcorn and cozy blankets while the girls watched Tinkerbell together.

1:40-Ready to go outside. The girls ran in circles and argued over what to play for a bit before they finally agreed on tag. I enjoyed an afternoon cup of coffee and some sunshine while I watched the girls run free!

Ella the turtle!

3:15- We headed to the mall to meet Ms. Heather, so she could pick Makena up.
3:30- The girls patiently waiting to see Ms. Heather, Isa and Isaac.

3:45- We walked together for a bit and spent some time catching up before heading home.

Isa and Ella

the crew

4:15- Headed home to get ready for dinner

4:27- Daddy's home! 

4:45- Girls play with Daddy while I put the finishing touches on dinner and pop Cheddar Apple Meatballs in the oven.

 5:13-Abby starts helping me set the table. Kiki is her pretend waitress name, so if I ask her to help in any way around dinner time and simply call her by her alter ego name, she is always eager to help! She takes the responsibility very seriously.

5:22- Why is it so hard to get drinks poured before we all sit down to eat?

5:35- Dinner. (which means lots of reminders to continue eating and going around the table for our favorite/hardest parts of the day)

6:23- Cleaning up toys from the day. This tends to be one of the most challenging parts of the night! 

6:40-Bathtime

7:00-Daddy has to go back to work for two hours.

7:05- Getting ready for bed
7:13-Read a story from The Jesus Storybook Book Bible 
7:30- Ella is in bed.
7:33- Read two chapters James and the Giant Peach (the chapter book Abby and I are reading together)
7:47- Lights out. Goodnight my girls.
8:00- I'm not going to lie. I love Dancing with the Stars and I'm all about an evening show while folding the laundry!

9:00- Joe is done with work and comes upstairs to help with the dishes. I'm thankful for the time we get to spend together before bed, even if we are getting things done.

The rest of the night is filled with everyday business: emails, dishes, laundry and whatever needs to be done to get ready for the next day. This night, I even squeezed in some time before bed to read.

10:57- Joe and I collapse into bed and barely finish praying before I fall fast asleep. Falling asleep has never been hard for me, but these days I really can't seem to keep my eyes open when my head hits the pillow!

It's been a good day. Not one without it's challenges, but like we tell the girls...our good days are made up of our "most favorite parts" and "most challenging parts" and all the little moments in between. It's been a good day!

Just for the record, as I was putting the finishing touches on this post, a poem popped into my newsfeed.  I was already having a pretty weepy and nostalgic day on lots of levels. Then, I wrote this Day in the Life post from a few weeks ago. Then, I read this poem. Please excuse me while I try to peel myself off of the floor where I am currently sobbing in fetal position.