Hula Girl

(Please excuse the crazy 2-year old harassing poor Austin in the background. Seriously, why does he sound like more of an animal than the dog?)

Here They Come to Save the Day

Super Mac kids on their way!

You might be asking, "What is up with the diaper under the Mickey Mouse underpants?" Well, this is the only way we can get Aidan to keep a diaper on. He had pajamas on over this, but of course we had to lose those immediately upon waking up this morning. He is determined to wear nothing. So far, he likes the underpants so much he'll leave them on over his diaper.

(Thanks Kellie for these killer capes!)

Grandmother Shower

A few friends and I hosted a grandmother shower here yesterday for a very special lady, Debbie. Her daughter is expecting a son, Cash, in April. It was so much fun, and it was nice to see some people I taught with and haven't seen in almost three years. Debbie is a wonderful friend, and she is going to make an amazing grandmother. Little Cash is one lucky guy.

Allison was the big helper of the day. She entertained Macey and helped with the gift opening. She had so much fun and is still talking about it today. Thanks Debbie for letting her be your assistant!

Innocent Smile?

Isn't this a lovely, little, innocent girl?

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Looks can be deceiving. This was Allison's breaking news for me on the way home from pre-school today.

Allison: "Mommy, I want to marry Eli because he's so cute."

Me: "Oh, really?"

Allison: "Yes. We play together well, and we look happy when we play on the playground."

Me: "That's really nice Allison."

Allison: "Also, when the teacher isn't looking at me I look at Eli and smile like this (see picture above)."

Me: "Really!?! What does Eli do?"

Allison: "He is watching the teacher. I only do it when he's not looking at me because he is cute."

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I immediately called Tyler at work to repeat the conversation back. He was as thrilled as you can imagine. And so it begins.

Streaker

"Ooh, you caught me again!"

Aidan has decided life is better spent naked. A few minutes ago I went in to check on him during his nap, and he had stripped off his clothes and diaper. The completely dry diaper was being used as a pillow. He's now awake, and his sheets and blankets are in the washer.

I spend so much of my time trying to get him to keep his diaper and clothes on and cleaning up after him when he's too quick or sneaky for me.

This afternoon I have given up on the clothes, and he's playing outside in just a diaper. Since he's in a diaper Allison wanted to play outside in a nightgown. I know, bad Mommy.

Sorting blades of grass

Laughing at me

What's the problem lady? You're the weird one for wearing clothes.

The monkey

A Fort and a Geyser

Today we built a mega-fort in the dining room with attached tent and playhut.

Aidan in the fort

Then this afternoon Allison said, "I'm not sick Mommy." I simply said, "ok" and went on with doing the dishes. A few minutes later she was headed to the back yard in her swimsuit. I guess she was ready for this warmer weather.

We started the process of making our traditional heart sugar cookies for Daddy, but the batter was not quite right. I'm not sure what the issue was, but it looks like we're going to make our cookies a day or two late. Oops. That's ok. Daddy knows how much we love him! We'll have the traditional Valentine's beer waiting when he comes in the door instead. Ha!

Last Bit of Ugly Gone

Yesterday the master bathroom was completed. Thanks to my friend Kelley we had some great faux finish painters do our master bath, half bath, and art niches. I am so glad to have the house looking more like something Tyler and I would pick out instead of someone else. It was six months in the making, but the last bit of ugly is officially outa here!

Master Bath Before

Now

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Half Bath (this picture is not good at all, sorry!)

Art Niches

Kitchen

Our kitchen needed help. Re-doing a kitchen is a rather pricy expedition, so here's what we accomplished as a temporary fix for a few years.

Before...

Sweet valances and padded wall beneath the breakfast bar (contain your envy laides)...

Now...

My last challenge are those plantation shutters above the sink. I tried to start staining them, and it was a complete disaster. I have now bought spray stain, but I'm nervous about it. Once we have some still, warm weather I'll tackle them. I love the projects, but those shutters might be the end of me!

Park Time

Last weekend Omie and Papa Fred came up for a visit. We headed to the park while we could. We knew this week was bringing some ice and cold, so it was great to have a beautiful day in the middle of this wintery mess.

Stuck Inside

Today we were pretty much stuck inside, somewhat by choice. Allison woke up with a little cough, and Tyler was already scheduled to work from home. This is how most of the day was spent:

After breakfast some sisterly and brotherly love...

Watching "Alice in Wonderland"

Watching "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"

Now, you do realize this is my blog right? Do you really think we would spend the entire day watching movies. Ohhhh no.

DJ Jazzy T and his assistant A-Mac started the party around 5:15.

Check It

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(Yep, my 5 and 2-year olds love Lady Gaga) The tunes are still spinnin' as I write this.