Worn Out and Blankies

Violet usually naps pretty well, but one day she just wouldn't sleep.  She got pretty cranky as the day wore on.  Before I knew it she was crashed on her comfy pink chair with her blanket and her Sunshine bear.  Poor thing.  Her blankie is her absolute crutch.  She hasn't been able to sleep without it for years.  It goes straight in her mouth and she will suck on it.  It is present for nap times, bedtime, when she is particularly sad, or just because.  Thankfully she hasn't needed it out of the house, but I'm sure she would if we were to stay somewhere overnight.  The blanket has held up pretty well.  It used to be a beautiful pink color on the opposite side of the polka dots, but is has become an ugly grey.  I have tried giving her other blankets, but she won't try anything else.  The worst part is how stinky it gets.  I wash it as best I can to get out the aroma of spit and sogginess.  Baking soda the other day seemed to help.  I have never had a child that latched on to something quite the way she has with her blankie, but emotion just oozes out of my last little one. 

Produce Galore!

I'd heard of Bountiful Baskets for years.  It is a produce co-op where you usually pay less for produce, but you need to pick it up at a certain time, and make an effort to volunteer every so often.  I had never tried it due to the drive to the locations and the early morning pick up.  One day I found out from a friend that there was going to be a location right by my house.  I jumped at the chance to finally try it.  I was quite amazed at how much produce we received.  We got a few extra things for volunteering as well.  It is a fun challenge to try to use your produce each week and it forces you to try something new.  There are some weeks where we don't seem to get as much, or we struggle to use what we get, but I have decided that it is worth it for us because it forces us to eat better and branch out from our usual meals.  It can cut into the weekend sometimes, but we try to make it work as much as we can. 

Little Green Men

Adelle never lets us forget St. Patrick's Day.  She gets so excited to put out little dishes, plates, furniture and toys.  This year the little green men didn't dissapoint her.  They left each of the girls little treasure chests whith chocolate mints. 

Lydia and Adelle also got little glass blocks.  Carved inside the glass was a vase with flowers.  

Of course there is the letter that Lydia and Adelle wrote as well as the response.  I'm glad there is still magic in our house!

Making it My Way

When I was a kid I absolutely loved play-doh, clay, silly putty or anything else squishy!  I loved getting my hands on the stuff.  One day I ran across a recipe for homemade play-doh and I just couldn't resist.  It claimed to be just as close as you can get to the real stuff without buying it.  All homemade play-doh I've

ever seen is that satly, grainy stuff.  Lydia and I decided to give it a try.  When we were all done we were quite pleased with the results and all of the girls sat around the table squishing, molding and chatting.  It really was pretty close the stuff, minus that heavenly play-doh smell.  

 Violet was quite intrigued and jumped right in, jostling and fighting for the best tools.  I've never known a more bossy little girl.  I often need to reign her back in.  Despite how independent she can be she really can be super sweet as well.  

 See how smooth and heavenly it is!

 It was an unexpected night of simple fun with my three favorite girls.

Lydia's Night with Shakespeare!

I have one of the most amazing daughters ever!  Lydia decided to participate in Shakespeare Night this year.  She worked and memorized one of  Titania's monolauges from Midsummer Night's Dream.  She really did it all on her own with very little help from Wes or myself.  The night of the event there was a huge snowstorm but we managed to drive the couple of slippery blocks to the school.  When it was Lydia's turn I held my breath.  As she began I was absolutely tingling with excitement and was absolutely amazed at her poise and passion!  I couldn't have been prouder of my oldest girl.  While she didn't win she was given compliment after compliment from her peers and the teachers.  She was so happy! I wish we could have all attended, but at least I got it on video.

Every Girl Needs a Shopping Buddy

Pooh Bear is the ultimate friend. He is soft to cuddle up with at night, he can keep you company when eating breakfast in the morning, he is a shoulder to cry on, and he is a great shopping buddy, especially for my little Violet!

Time Alone with You

Valentine's Day went by without too much of a fuss this year. Small gifts were exchanged. Flowers were given. Brownies were made. I think Wes just had a craving for chocolate though.

After Erica and Phil's wedding I was really longing for some alone time with my sweetheart. I decided I would surprise him with something really special. I arranged for Ellen to babysit and then gave Wes this special invitation.

You are hereby invited to join your Queen for a Royal

Evening of Romance. The festivities will begin on

Friday, February 25, 2012 at 4:00. You will be

treated as a King and will enjoy every leisure and

comfort on your royal outing.

Wes seemed excited for our adventure. We headed out first to Pei Wei for dinner. Wes kept trying to figure out what we would be doing. Was their a Renaissance festival going on? It was great to see the wheels turning in his head. I usually am unable to surprise him. Granted that is because I get too excited and spill the secret. This time for sure though I didn't want him to know. My lips were sealed.

After dinner we did a little shopping at the mall and walked around. Finally I took him to our destination.

The Castle Creek Inn in Sandy! I had packed bags for both of us in secret and put them in the trunk. I was grateful Wes didn't open the trunk when cleaning out the car right before the start of the date.

I reserved the Palace Royale Suite. It was oh so wonderful to get some alone time with my man and a much needed break!