Haven's Ballet Recital - May 30th, 2009

Haven did such an amazing job at her dance recital. She loves to be on stage and just had a blast being with all the other dancers. She totally loved getting flowers at the end and her best friend Oliver came to the show with flowers all dressed handsome in his tie! Nana bought her an adorable ballet frame and included a pictures with her ballet bear that came with her costume. I got her some gorgeous ballet charms for her charm braclet. We celebrated at our house after with pizza and a yummy ballerina cake that I made. We all enjoyed watching the kids play together and had a great time connecting with family and friends.



We also celebrated Lily's birthday with Grandma and Grandpa that day - we had loads of fun and really enjoyed the new ball pit that Lily got. I have enjoyed bouncing around with the girls, brings back lots of memories from when I was a child.






It was a great day!

Princess Lily is 3!!

Hear ye, Hear ye, Princess Lily is 3! I can't believe that my little girl is not a baby anymore. I am truly amazed at how Lily has changed over the past year. She talks non stop, wears big girl underwear, loves to use her energy and imagination, she has great confidenence and determination and is just truly beautitul. She loves to be independent and most days she dresses herself. Some days she puts her favorite skirt back in the drawer instead of the hamper because she tells me "she wear it again tomorrow". I personally think that it's adorable and can't complain because that means a bit less laundry for me!!




We celebrated Lily's birthday in style - I made a GORGEOUS Princess Belle cake - quite amazed at myself actually. Lily opened presents all day long and had a blast tearing into the paper and bags. At one point she was so excited and ran up to me and told me " Mommy, this present is HUGE!!" with the sweetest face I've ever seen. I am glad that I picked up the princess tent as a last minute impulse buy. She got tons of clothes which she loves, nightgowns, bathing suits, Belle Barbie, princess bike and some books - Blessed that's for sure.







It was a great day and I am looking forward to our daily adventures of my 3 year old "ninny".
Love you Bugarooni XOXOXO Mommy

H's Morning Coffee Talk

We are on spring break until the 20th as well. Poor Haven is lost without school but I told her that I am sure we'll do lots of fun things. I thought the zoo might be fun as long as it's in the 50's and sunny. I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning up this computer and trying to get more running space - I went from 1G free to 7G - so hopefully it will by us some time until needing this one serviced or getting something new.

Yesterday one of the mom's at preschool wanted to see my accessories to see if I had something to match her daughter's easter/ graduation dress (she's in 8th grade and will move on to HS next year!) - She was thrilled and bought a bunch and this opened the door to just 3 other mom's who LOVED my things and couldn't wait to see more. I made $40 just at school pick up! I really need to get my website going - I am trying to do a free one on google, but it's really hard. I use to be so computer savvy and now, I am clueless. Then the mom in charge of the big school live auction with dinner and dancing approached me and asked if I'd like to donate something to the auction. I totally accepted that because they print a gorgeous program (with all my info) - that goes out to 100+ families, plus all the guest at the main event! Talk about advertisement. I'll just donate a bow holder, hat/flower combo, sampling of bows, and clippies! We are going this year to the auction too! So it will be nice to see what people bid - I think it will be part of the silent auction! Oliver's parents are going with us - so it will be fun. I was so disappointed that we didn't go last year.

Yesterday the girls and I made a easter egg tree - well that is what it was suppose to be!! - craft project didn't work so well. I envisioned something that I can't figure out how to hang or stand up! The girls had fun doing it so I guess that is all that matters. Lily was cute matching the eggs together. She is so smart. I could not believe that she counted all the way to 10! First time she didn't skip some!!

I am heading over to my parent's house today. I might try and run out to do some errands without the kids. That would be heavenly! Albeit I shouldn't spend money. I want to save all my coins for Florida in 2 weeks :)

Storytime with Sparky!!

Little did I know that Sparky was not a real dog! Here I go pumping up the girls that they are going to see a real dog at the library and a fireman and instead they get a giant size stuffed costume with a "rookie" inside. It was really cute to see Haven and Lily sit down and listen to the stories. Ed and I kept cracking up at the guy inside the suit - you know it has to be the new guy on the squad! Lily was on the move constantly and at one point I told her to sit on Haven's lap and she did. I laughed so hard at her face. She didn't freak or over-react so that was good. Afterwards all the kids got a book and a chance for pictures. Both my girls seemed to scared - so I didn't force it. I just love the library :)

What do April Snow's bring???

The weather in Michigan can sure be unpredictable! Woke up yesterday to a slushy mess and it continues on today. I had so much fun despite the cold, wet weather. I took Haven to school, and came home to grab Lily to take her to her music class at the library. She did OK this time, still extremely shy and not a fan of sitting with the other children. I love Ms. Ann at the library - she is really great with the kids. She plays fun songs - like yesterday her topic was spring and we sang great songs including jingle bells since the weather was more winter like than spring, and little bunny fufu - remember that song. My only fear is that Lily may start to bop me on the head like the rabbit bops the little field mouse!! After the library we picked up Haven and came home for lunch. The girls and I both napped which was great because it gave us loads of energy to play in the snow. We made a really cute snow bunny! I can't decide who had more fun, the girls or me!! And then we made a small centerpiece for the table in the backyard - I should take a picture of that one too.







I let the girls stay up later than normal to see daddy and to watch dancing with the stars. Haven just loves the girls gowns and she loves telling me the scores. So it's a little math lesson to her as well since she reads the numbers to me. Then after the girls went to bed - Ed and I watched poor Michigan State lose the National Championship game - I was really hoping that they could pull off that game - but the other team was in total control. I guess Obama should be happy since his team won!! Then we stayed up to watch 24. Hopefully I won't be too cracky today from going to bed at 2am.

Luckily today is a lowkey day. Not much planned except for getting the house ready for Easter. The girls and I are going to "decorate" with all of our springtime stuffed animals and shred paper for our easter baskets. I have convinced Haven that we are going to reuse our baskets from the past years - since it's better for the environment!

Jeah Sure!

Lily being super cute at breakfast Monday morning. We had a great time just the two of us :)

Can I just tell you how much I love it when Lily says "Jeah, sure" - she always says it at the right time. I think she picked that up from me as I am always saying "yeah, sure to another show, or another story, or another 5 minutes at the park..." - I just think it so adorable that these little peeps of mine are mini creations of Ed and I. Haven is just like her daddy and Lily is just like me! Not sure if that is a good thing or not but I'll take it :) I wonder if it has to do with birth order? Ed is the first born as is Haven and Lily is the second born like me. An example is when Haven is doing something or having a snack - she never asks if Lily will have some. Where when Lily is getting something, she immediately asks about Haven too. I just love to see each of my girls personalities growing. Truly amazing.

So, today was a good day. I managed to get some cleaning done around this place and worked out hard at the gym. I am seriously doing it this time. There is no reason for me not to be able to have some time and today I did almost 5 miles on the ellipitical machine. I was happy. I stayed on for an hour. I had not a care in the world and just kept my focus of being a healthier me. I've had success over the year, but I am so ready for a drastic change so there will be no stopping me and my exercise routine. I've felt so great these last few weeks with my diet and calorie counting and my focus in on becoming stronger. Maybe one day I could do a marathon? Not based on time for me - but to be able to go the distance. Goals. Setting them higher than normal - but why not put yourself on the pedistal - Yes I can.

Lily did really well today at storytime. The theme was farm animals and they made the cutest barn craft with rubber stamps and glue sticks, just so fun. Haven had a great day at school - she is really excited that they are studying the letter "H" - because that is her letter. I am just amazed that she can write her entire name HAVEN YOUNGBLOOD - truly amazing since she is just 4 1/2! I am really going to help her feel more comfortable with the lower case letters - she really wants to read, but isn't overly confident in the lower case - so that is making her frustrated. I just love watching her learn. She made me a letter at school today that had a picture of herself inside with her name on it - she loves art. I want to find a kiddy art class - she has some talent.

Ok - dinner is calling me. We are having sloppy joe's, ww buns, and french fries.... hey, I did work out - so I'm not feeling too guilty.

....rambling on

So my workout itself was GREAT. I chatted on the elliptical machine with an old friend from college - she is super athletic so I pushed myself harder. However, Lily screamed for 10 minutes when I left her in the daycare and Haven screamed and wailed when it was time to leave. So the stress that I worked out - was quickly back. I have just been doing really well lately with diet and exercise, that no matter how stressed these little girls make me - I am doing this. I devote all my time to them, and I need this for me.


After we got home I made them dinner and while I was starting to cook the chicken for Ed and I - Lily fell 1/2 wway down the stairs. She has a huge welt/burn down her spine. I iced it and gave her motrin - and today is so bruised. I told Ed last night that we seriously need a carpet runner up the stairs. I am going to start quoting that out.


I stayed up way to late last night watching 24! That show is so good. Too bad it's not on every day like a soap opera. I need warm weather! It is still below freezing here and I am ready to shed some layers. Enough with the hats, mittens, snowpants, coats already.



And about the storytimes that we go to. During the musical one that we went to yesterday, Lily was on my lap - moving, bending, standing, climbing all over me. They have small chairs, but she won't even attempt that!?!? Most of the kids are not focusing on anything and that's what is so cute about it. During the regular storytime Lily also sits on my lap and is constantly moving and poking me. They have an oval mat for the children to sit on! So if your library has anything like it, try it out - I am sure if you read stories at home to your kids they will pay attention as much as the other kids do. It is great for Lily to interact with other kids - she rarely is around kids her age so this I am hoping will help with preschool in the fall.


Ill be back - just lost my focus because the girls need me to play the witch locking someone in the tower. I'll be back after I get the girls haircut!!! and visit my parents. Haven knows that Nana buys her a little something when they are away :)
Have a great day.