Sisters

Is there is anything in this world quite like a sister? My brothers are awesome & I love them to pieces, but there is just something about my sisters. They are always there for me...they give it to me straight, the cheer for me, cry with me, argue with me, babysit for me & listen to me whine. Love you ladies....you know who you are! Smooch! (sister-in-laws included ;) )After Z was born I hoped & prayed that she would be blessed to have at least one sister to share the ups & downs of life with. So glad Z & B have eachother. ALWAYS STAY CLOSE!

Steps to an AWESOME First Birthday Party (AKA The Details...)

Step 1: Silly little birthday girl.

Step 2: Super Cute Welcome signs

Step 3: The Spread....(plus the pizza of course!)

Step 4: Valentine Mailboxes to decorate

Step 5: Swing time!

Step 6: Decorating (& eating) heart cookies

Step 7: Sticker tag

Step 8: PRESENTS....not pictured here (what you might ask?!?!?....yeah I was opening the gifts, couldn't do that AND take pictures at the same time could I? :))

Step 9: And last but certainly not least The CAKE!!

We sure know how to party. ;)

Super Shopper Strikes Again!

So I've been at it again...scopin' out the good deals & this time I scored with the kids clothes. The Children's Place was having 50% off their already reduced prices, plus I had a 20% off coupon...yeehaw!

The Goods: (most of these items are for next fall)
1 sweatshirt
5 sweaters
1 pair of pjs (x-mas ones for L next year!!)
2 scarves
3 hats
1 pair of the CUTEST flowered tights
1 pair of mittens
2 pairs of jeans
3 pairs of pants
9 shirts

The Total:

$100.97 (that averages out to about $3.61 per item) = One happy mom!

GO ME!!

Resolutions

Soooooo, we've all been thinking about New Year's resolutions (ok I KNOW it's February...so maybe I'M the only one thinking of them right now) but, I, like many, am always ambitious and motivated come January 1st to change all areas of my life for the better...physical, financial, spiritual, emotional, relationships, etc, etc, etc. I make a huge list & fail miserably....

BUT not this year...this year I WILL succeed because I've come up with a new plan....the MONTHLY resolution. oooohs & aaaahs appreciated (along with one overall goal for the year--more on this later). This way I can focus on ONE thing per month & hopefully make whatever it is a habit (21 days to form a habit right???) AND THEN move on to something new the next month...adding a few little & a few big goals to improve the overall ME. Can you guess what January's goal was? (hint....you're reading it. ;) )

And now February has arrived & with my January goal accomplished (YEAH!!!) I move on to a new goal.....and this one's big-time...a return to the gym.

Yes, this month I am going to get off my rear end (not that I have any time to sit on it except for when I'm bloggin) & get moving....at least 3, but hopefully more like 5 times a week. Wish me luck!

(BTW I DID make it there today for a full hour of step aerobics---I AM WOMAN! HEAR ME ROAR!!---and moan due to sore muscles....)

Year in Review

How is it possible that my baby girl is one?

How did that happen?
Wasn't it just yesterday that we brought her home like this?

Watched her learn to roll over (and drool):

And sit up:

And make us laugh:

And get teeth:

And cluck: :)

And celebrate:

And PAR-TAY!!

I can't believe how quickly this year had flown by.
Happy Birthday little B. love you.

Having Her Cake...And Eating it Too

We made it through B's first birthday party. Whew! It was really fun actually, a beautiful sunny day & good times had by all. Since I am plain worn out from the festivities, I'll just share a few pics tonight & more details later on.

Traditionally we have given the baby a whole cake to do with as they wish on their first birthday, but daddy could not bear to have the large heart cake I made totally destroyed (read:more for him later), so we gave B a nice BIG slice & let her go to town (it is supposed to be the first cake they have ever tasted, but as little B is baby #3...well, lets just say it is certainly not her first treat).

This is my FAVORITE pic of the cake eating extravaganza...yes even with part of her face cropped off (probably cuz I love artsy stuff like that). I LOVE those little dimpled hands diggin in...DELICIOUS! (both the cake & those pudgy fingers!) :)

And who can resist this face? She didn't look at me ONE SINGLE time while eating her cake....man she makes me work for it!

Love you little B!

Party Planning

So here's what I'm up to tonight...party plannin'! Tomorrow is little B's first birthday party!

I did think a bit about February's resolution today as it IS the 1st, but I didn't quite get to it...Monday for sure (more on this later).

One of the quirks of my personality is this...I LOVE to plan parties for my kids...not so unusual you might think, but I tend to go a little (ok sometimes a lot) over the top. As in...the theme is vitally important & EVERYTHING must match & go along with the theme....invitations, decor, food, serving plates, bowls, cups, drinks, games, favors, crafts....and the list goes on (thank goodness for the dollar store, I may be crazy, but I am also CHEAP!)

B was born in February so that makes the theme easy...Valentine's! So EVERYTHING is red & pink with TONS of hearts. So fun for my little girl. Can't wait until tomorrow. Stay tuned for a play by play. :)