New Sunday shoes?

Sunday, March 14

Usually Sydney is asking to wear her fancy white shoes with things like, sweats or gymnastics outfits.  I finally got her some new sneakers.  She hasn't worn any for a long time and her sky blue suede mary janes were looking really sad and a little scary.  Here is what she insisted on wearing to church this morning. 

They magically cause her to run around very fast whenever it's convenient and sometimes when it's not.   Sometimes she looks like this:

Syd:  "Did I look like a blur mom?" 

Me:  "No, I caught you that time!  Do it one more time and you can be a blur."

I'm so glad she has PE on Mondays!

I survived!

Friday, March 12

The last five weeks have been hectic as I knew they would be. I signed the girls up for swimming lessons 2x/week in an effort to get them and myself away from the screens in our life and get more exercise. The only bad part is that Monday through Thursday we had something scheduled until 5:30 or 6pm, which really cut into being able to cook a decent dinner. I think being able to get dinner from my personal chef twice a week really made it possible. (I love you Elizabeth!)


The good part is that the girls didn't even realize they had not watched TV, played Wii or their Nintendo during the week until just this week. It’s 4pm on Friday as I'm writing this and no one has even asked to turn on the TV.

I've been exercising at the gym at least 3 days a week, riding the bike and going to Zumba! I think I'll go celebrate by taking my hubby out to McMenamin's Mission Theater & Pub for a burger and a movie. (Thanks Maria!)

Have a great weekend everyone!


If you need a laugh, please visit Daddy Scratches.

You Capture - Quiet

Thursday, March 11

This week's photo challenge was Quiet, so I won't be posting any kid photos this week. 

Quiet are the pasta prints on the bottom of a bowl when the kitchen has been abandoned until morning.

Quiet are the blossoms in the night.

Quiet are the dew drops in the morning ...

on a million blades of my yet to be mowed new lawn.

 And yes, quiet are the children mesmerized by the dancing flames of the evening fire.

 More You Capture: Quiet

You Capture - Hopeful

Thursday, March 4

Wow, this challenge was not easy, but I gave it my best shot.  This first shot was from a few weeks ago.  My 5 y.o. at a cosmic bowling birthday party, hopeful for her first strike.

Here are a couple of boys I spotted at the park looking hopeful.  I eventually saw them make a basket and they were pretty excited.

I've been trying to get back into the exercise routine lately, oh wait I was never really exercising in the first place.  I tend to be a fair weather exerciser, only walking or riding my bike when it's nice outside.  Last fall my hubby got us a joint gym membership. I snuck this photo of some seniors hopeful about staying healthy and strong.

 I've been blessed with good genes and a pretty good metabolism, but me and my metabolism have been getting lazy.  I decided to start working out before the nice weather hits and try to lose a few pounds.  These next two are me being hopeful that the scale will show me what I want.

Click here to see the other Hopeful photos over at Beth's blog.

The Portland Rose

Wednesday, March 3

Here is Kyla holding her temporary retainer, waiting to get her new one after getting her braces off two weeks ago.

I know things aren't super clear in this photo, but it may be the best look you get at this Portland Rose.  Kyla got her retainer on Monday and chose this from about 30 different designs. 

See the little hook on the right side?   It's connected to a tiny spring so it pushes on her back molar to maintain space for the permanent teeth that haven't come in yet.   Let's hope she never loses it.  Good luck with that! 

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess

Tuesday, March 2

Did you know that it's the Cat in the Hat's 50th Birthday?  Today, hubby and I went to school with the girls to help celebrate Dr. Suess' Birthday.  I was going to say we took turns reading to our kids, but actually the girls read to us while we had Starbucks and doughnuts.  Maybe I'll have a party like that (I'm not really a cake person).

I love all the art that the kids make and display.

I love our school!

Macro Monday - Blossom

Monday, March 1

I haven't posted a Macro Monday for a while.  We're babysitting a flowering plum in our backyard and now that it's starting to bloom the girls insist that we keep it forever.