V-day

I was in Califronia this past week for my sister's wedding.  It was awesome the weather was beautiful....the only thing missing was my family.  Mattie and I went solo on this trip.  Before I left I joked with Matt that this was his lucky year because I would be gone over Valentines day and he wouldn't have to do anything.  Well the day of the 14th I was at my sisters helping set up and prep for the wedding.  The UPS guy rolled up carrying moutnians of packages that had been sent for my sisters wedding.  No joke, the guy was trying to carry 5 huge boxes at once.  It looked like Macy's was sponsering her wedding!  Then my sister put a box on my lap and I noticed it had my name on it.  I figured it was some relative that was sending her a wedding gift but got our names mixed up. (that will happen occasionsly...but mostly with my sister Lara and Jenni,  people will mix them up and think Lara is Jenni....that happened a few times at the reception, some people thought Lara was the bride)  When I opened it I saw these beautiful flowers with a little note from Matt. I could not believe that he had sent me flowers...it was so sweet!  I got to watch these beauties bloom during the rest of the week...and I was so sad to leave them behind at my sisters. 

My love hate realtionship

I have a love hate relationship with bathing. My kids love to take baths....except Mattie...she hates getting her head wet.  I love baths because it contains my kids for a bit and keeps them occupied.  I hate baths because.....Mattie will poop in them about 75% of the time.  After being a lifeguard for many years I must say there is nothing worse then having to fish a terd out of the pool....or bath tub.  Ughhh just thinking about it makes me want to vomit.... 

 Hailey loves to make the ducks pee...she thinks it is hilarious. 

 On another note...this was my pathetic attempt at decorating for valentines day.  I was headed to California and would be gone for Valentines day, but before I left I thought I would try and make the house a little more special for the girls. 

I left them some fun valentines to open....with chocolates and socks....I missed not being there to decorate heart cookies and go through Avery's valentines notes from school and make special crafts with them....I thought they would totally miss that stuff...but turns out they didn't.  They hung with their dad and had a great time.  It makes me realize that it probably doesn't matter what we do with our kids....as long as we are just spending quality time with them. 

Just a few pictures

 My first introduction to Pinewood Derby.  We had a lot of boys participate and there were some neat cars.  The track was brand new and very high tech!!!  I don't know what was more enjoyable...the boys getting into it or the Dads getting into it.

 On another note Mattie turned one years old and this is how we celebrated.  My parents came up for the weekend and while I was cooking breakfast my creative dad helped the girls make use of some old boxes.  We call the above one "robot mommy" and the below picture is their play house.

 It is amazing to me that a pile of trash can turn into hours of fun play time for the kids.  Seriously....who needs toys!

 I kept her birthday low key....I hung up my apron on this one and opted for some delicious cupcakes from the Cocoa Bean instead.  My parents had taken us out to eat for lunch at Sizzler...so needless to say we were stuffed but luckily the birthday girl found room to devour a cupcake.

 So as part of my "diet" I have been trying to limit sugar...so watching her eat this moist chocolate cupcake with delicious creamy frosting topped with a fresh raspberry ....was almost to much for me.  I felt like I was one of those cartoon characters that is starving and sees the friend as a roasted chicken....my mouth was watering and I would be lying if the thought of licking her clean did not cross my mind. 

-don't you love her chipmunk teeth?

Weekly Dinner Menu

Monday
Spaghetti, garlic bread and salad

Tuesday
Tuscan Soup and olive garden bread sticks

Wednesday
pulled pork sandwich with homemade buns

Thursday
Cilantro chicken salad with creamy lime cilantro dressing

Friday
chicken and lemon ginger potstickers

Saturday
Fish Tacos

Sunday
bacon glazed meatloaf  and mashed potatoes with green beans

Monday
shredded beef tacos

Tuesday
Chicken Chilli

I head to California so Matt has the rest of the week.....looks like a fun week of cereal and eggs and toast for the kidos!!!