30 weeks

Lately I have grown - roughly the size of a small Killer Whale.
No worries - I will enjoy the last 10 weeks, by eating whatever I want.

Then, when I get to have this beautiful Baby Boy, I will pay for it, by working all summer trying to lose the baby weight!

PS its really hard to get a decent photo when your mirror is dirty!

Say Hello to my Little Friend

If tired of reading about Dehydrating- stop reading.

I told you I ran out of apple slices, and did another batch- then 1/2 that batch gotten by family. They were interested in how good they were... sneaky little people, its not like they have never had um- they just wanted to eat um! 

No biggie... Mom brought me down a box of apples, and I also did some banana's slices (K loves them more then the apples!)

So this is what I am still up to-

AND THEN. The Dehydrator I have been stalking FINALLY came IN STOCK!!

I will no longer have to beg, and borrow from KIM!! Not that I think she cares, but  I am super excited to have one of my VERY OWN! Thanks to my MOM for spoiling me! ~I even ordered 10 more fruit leather trays~

And this little girl, got a booster seat this weekend. She is growing so fast! For the last 3 days every time we get in the van she screams "My new Booster!!" Oh the joy!

Not much

Navajo Tacos

Last week, I learned how to become a 8 cow wife. Well- kinda
I did one of the classes- cheap date ideas. I thought it went rather well, and the ladies had lots of other ideas, and suggestions - our ward is full of 8 cow women!

Anywho- One of the date ideas I had was, take your partner to old haunts.
A Date night where you do things together that you used to do in High School- for me, I thought of walks with Chocolate Chip Mint Ice cream, Playing TONS of practical jokes, and Grottos Pizza where they make the most fantastic Navajo Taco's!

So Last Night for Dinner- We had a blast from the Past.
I made Navajo Taco's and we rate this 5/5 stars!!

These are the mini ones for the girls. They ate them all up!!

Fry Bread:
3 cups of Flour
3 Tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
2 TBSP shortening
Warm Water
Sift Flour, Baking Powder and Salt together. Cut in shortening and add enough warm water by the tsp until you make a dough that is not sticky. Pinch off some and roll or pat out until 1/8 inch thick. Fry in Deep Fryer or on griddle.

NOTE: I halved this recipe- and it was the PERFECT amount for my family (2 adults and 2 children) to each have 1. Remember these are super filling and we all were full at the end of the night.

You top the Fry Bread with enchilada sauce (or just tomato sauce), then taco meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce and tomatoes.

It was fantastic, our family loved it- and it even got added to our "Meal Ideas" list.
Come on, people give'm a try... there so yummy!

Stressful Week- yes its only Wednesday

Trying to keep busy

Instead of stressing about 

Added later: K learned a hard lesson in consistency today. Usually I give her countless warnings.... in fact lately warnings is all she seems to get. So Today I told the girls if they helped clean the basement AND listened to mommy, they could have a popsicle. I told K she got 3 warnings before her popsicle would get taken away. 

It only took her 10 mins to lose all three chances and her popsicle. She was being such a pill- yelling at A, not picking up 1 toy. She then yelled "I'm not gonna live here any more" and ran upstairs.

Thats when she used up her last chance and lost her popsicle. It was really sad listening to her cry about losing her treat, but she did help (a little) and I am almost 100% postive the lesson sank in when she watched A eat her's and she said to me "next time I listen and get a popsicle?" 

Apple Slices, Sugar and Changes

Remember last Fall when I dehydrated apple slices for the first time?
In case you were wondering, how it turned out (haha-nine months later)- my children LOVED them.
They are a special treat they get on Sundays during Church or road trips and we ran out on Sunday. All that work of doing about 30 lbs of apples, finished :(

Sooo... thinking fall was way too far away, we picked up more apples yesterday and borrowed Kim's dehydrator again. Not 30lbs or anything, but 2 big grocery bags full.

This year I am buying a dehydrator- and its looking like I need to plant a tree or two!

MOMMY NOTE # 354
When its bedtime snack, and your two year old really wants Chocolate Chip cookies for a snack, DO NOT GIVE IN.
Usually for bedtime snack the girls get goldfish crackers and yogurt or strawberries- but then... on Sunday night A really wanted Cookies for a snack, and me, not wanting the fight, gave in. Guess who paid for it two-fold. A did not fall asleep until 9:30p.m!! Bed time is at 7:15 and she was still WIDE awake at 9:15!! So I paid for it with a mad child in bed for 2 hours, and then.... she still awoke at 7:15 AND was super duper cranky all day. Joy. A and I learned our lesson.

And as for changes, the Raymond Stake underwent huge changes on Sunday. The stake was reorganized and we stayed in the same ward!! The boundaries got switched up and messed about, and to be honest I am excited.

Don't get me wrong, I am really going to miss all those who got moved out of Raymond 5th Ward, in fact, all the ladies I am closest too got moved..... but change is good- right?? So Goodbye all my 5th ward friends who are gone, and hello to all you new friends I will soon be making!

♩♬Shaving Cream be Nice and Clean♪

♩♬I have a sad story to tell you
It may hurt your feelings a bit
Last night when I walked into my bathroom
I stepped in a big pile of

Shaving cream, be nice and clean
Shave everyday and you'll always be clean

Our baby fell out of the window
You'd think that her head would be split
But good luck was with her that morning
She fell in a barrel of

Shaving cream, be nice and clean
Shave everyday and you'll always be clean
An old lady died in a bathtub
She died from a terrible fit
In order to fulfill her wishes
She was buried in six feet of

Shaving cream, be nice and clean
Shave everyday and you'll always be clean

Sorry- if you have taken a class from Mr. Patterson- you get it.
All those kid friendly blogs I visit, have great ideas.

Shaving Cream- something my girls like to play with at Parent Preschool, so when I
saw shaving cream painting... I figured Why not?

This is a super easy thing for you to set up. 

Shaving Cream with a couple drops of food coloring = 
hours of Bath time fun!

Thanks to Meet the Dubiens for all your fun ideas!! 

Our First Library Trip!

Yesterday we journeyed to the Library for the first time!!

My girls have always loved books, but I have waited until they were both old enough to be careful and respectful of the books and setting. I loved the Library growing up, and I think I was more excited then the girls.

They LOVED it. We looked around the whole Library, read some books, looked at the different movies and choose a couple to bring home. 

I think this may become a twice a month activity. I figure every other week, might be sufficient for this age. 

For our first time the girls choose:

Katy Duck by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really BIG Adventure by Kristina Stephenson

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Elmo in Grouch Land- movie

The Aristocrats- movie

More Projects!!

Always browsing for new fun Projects!!

First one- outdoor play tent, by 2 little hooligans

Thinking about sewing this up soon. That way when baby #3 comes in early June, the girls can have it hanging from the porch to play in whilst mommy nurses or cleans or laundry or cooks.... you get the idea.

Source

Not a project. But I think this may be my next bike...... if it wasn't for the 1500$ price tag.

Heres the link

These old school Horses will be fun to run around with!

Aunt lindy's paper dolls panel

This is a fabric panel that I am gonna Iron on heavy interfacing on the the clothing then cut them out. Then I will make the dolls- stuffed with velcro on them for the Clothing!

This will be for Sunday Time.

Thanks to Grandma for ordering it for us!

Source

I think this would make a great addition to my Photo Wall- not sure if I like the saying though. What do you think?

Tutorial

Funky Camera straps are "so in", maybe I will need to fashion one up for me!

Pioneer Women Donuts

Ok- so Donuts is not really a project- but I'm thinking of trying these this week.

Tutorial

Gonna need one of these soon too!

Zipper Pouches

I sewed these Lined Zipper Pouches up for our Activity Day Girls. We are having a Birthday Party on Thursday to celebrate all the girls birthday's at once.

We are going to individual pinatas and cupcakes- its gonna be fun!

I got the tutorial from Skip to my Lou and once I got my grove going I could do 1 in 20 mins.

P.S. Something to remember about lately... K is going through a picky eating phase and HATES Potatoes. It almost kills me! What strikes me as odd, K rather eat rice and fish then potatoes and roast!! Every time we eat something she doesn't like, it is a huge fight.... a fight that we fight... I am determined NOT TO HAVE A JUSTIN EATER!

About me by 3 Year Old K

On Sunday K and I came home after Sacrament Meeting. She is still not feeling well and so we spent a couple hours cuddling and talking. It was so sweet, I love her little personality. There are so many things about her that are easy to love. She is so caring to her sister, and when A gets displined or hurt K is always there saying "Come here A, sister will hold you." And I love that eyebrow raise of her's when she is so happy!

About Me

by K age 3

How old are you? This many (holds up three fingers) Mommy- "hold old is that?" I forget Mommy!

Who is your best friend? A

What is your favorite color? Pink just like Mommy in that Picture

What is your favorite movie? The Lion King, Tarzan, Cinderella and Duck Tales.

What makes you happy? Our Baby when he gets big, I hold him.

What makes you sad? Potatoes, Daddy makes me eat (this almost brings her to tears, Mommy quickly changes questions)

What is your Favorite snack? Fruit Snacks

What is your Favorite Dinner? Noodles with sauce (Alfredo sauce)

What are your favorite books? Books that match my movies mom!

What is your favorite part of school? First we go into that room and play, then the other room for a time then snack- Mommy "which part do you like best?" Moooom First I like that room, then the other room.

What do you like to do at home? Paint with my feet.

What is your favorite song? I sing at Primary so you can't hear. Just I go to Primary. Mommy "what do you like to sing at Primary?" Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

HORSES!

Justin has worked with Mike Duce for a couple years, and every so often Mike invites Justin to come ride horses with him. Now Justin, being raised a city boy, has only been on a horse once (I thought he had never but he said he sat on one once) kept putting off the invitation. 

Saturday Justin finally took Mike up on his offer. So we took the girls to Magrath to the riding Area and all the way there they talked about horses and K kept say "I am just so excited" "A are you excited?" "Daddy go this way to Magrath it's faster!!"

When we first got there, A freaked out. She would not touch or go close to the horse. Julie (Mikes fiance), Dianne (Mikes Mom) and I spent 10 mins or so trying to convince her everything was fine... but she wouldn't budge. She finally walked a little ways up to the calfs and just as she was walking one sneezed and that sent A into a sobbing freak show. Justin got right on the horse and started giving K a ride, and A just hung on my legs.        K had a great time, she wanted to go faster, and would giggle as the horse trotted. She thought it was fantastic, and once Mike started roping calfs she was ticked we wouldn't let her rope calfs! Instead she held a rope, it seemed to work!!

 After about 15 mins of watching K ride with Daddy, Mommy got on the horse to show A it was ok and she finally got on with me. I walked the horse up and down the arena and she was laughing by the end of it.

Although there was NO room in the saddle for her to sit and she ended up riding on the horn- sorry A. But once she was comfortable she went on with Daddy, K went on with Julie, and they had a great time. We spent over a hour riding and petting the horses and the girls were only done because they were cold. The girls had a fantastic time, and have talked about it constantly. They LOVED it. Hopefully we can go again some time with the Duce's. Thanks Again! 

Animal Heads

Do you watch the Anthropologie web site?

Laugh out Loud- these paper mache animal heads are at least $70 each!!! LOL

Maybe I should change BB nursery!!! 

          Actually I think they are adorable! STINKING Adorable,  I am thinking maybe I will make the Zebra and Giraffe and put them on the wall behind the glider in BB's room.  I wonder if it will be hard? 

Alright what do you think??

Training

All week A has been taking off her diaper, and she screams to use the potty.

So I figure maybe its time.

Today we are trying panties- so far 2 times pee on the potty and 1 accident.

ADD LATER:

I guess she's ALMOST ready. Day 2 did not go well, in fact after 3 accidents in the morning her diaper went back on. She was crying for it, and Mommy was willing to give in.

Oh well- when we potty trained K it took a couple different times before she was right ready to commit.

Painters Tape

Ever since doing BB Room, mostly the taping off part, the girls have been fascinated with Painters Tape.

Yesterday after pretty much ignoring the girls all morning whilst I did taxes, the girls were getting restless and needed some attention after naps- so's

We made a Barbie Painters Tape Car Play Matt Thingy

It started out with 2 roads.... a house and a barn... don't forget the gingerbread shape house as well.

Then my K decided her Barbies needed a Dance Floor and a McDonald DriveThou.

I loved watching her get so involved with imagining what her Barbies were doing!

We also kept busy getting all of the girls ponies hair re-done. ALL of the PONIES needed a new hair-do apperently, so that took us a while to get sorted out.

K was playing so well, A was too busy crying and fussing- she is NOW Teething her 2 Year MOLARS! Both of her bottom ones are coming out and she has been rather miserable..

Until A discovered something better then cars to use-

Enter in Mommies and Daddies shoes, filled with baby Barbies and animals.

I know this is kinda lame- But this painters tape kept them busy all afternoon.

We even left it over night so Ashleigh and Conner can play with it today too, K woke up at 6:45 asked to play with it right then!

Extremely Simple Thing + A 3 year olds Imagination = Hours of fun

Love Languages

Yesterday in Parent Preschool the Topic was Love Languages.

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

We mostly talked about which Love Languages your children need or respond to- I have been thinking about this non-stop.

I know right now my children respond to Physical Touch and Acts of Service- but remember my girls are 2 and 3. Still rather young for anything other then hugs and serving them everyday by taking care of them. 

So for now I know how my girls respond.... what about the Mister?

No worries. 

This post is not about to get mushy

I fact: I know which one Justin responds to- the some one MOST males respond too.

The only "recent-as in the last year"
photo of just us together.

But my thoughts have been moving away from those 5 points of Love Language and onto and how we show Love in our Communicating.

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

Heather says "At least Pretend that you love me!"

Justin says " I was!"

Heather says "Give me a hug"

Justin rolls his eyes emphatically

Justin says "Bye"

Heather says "I love you"

Justin says "Bye"

Now there are many more examples I could share but as you can see we communicate MAINLY with sarcasm and jokes.

But he does do extremely nice things like brings me a Caramel Chocolate Bars in the middle of the day when I'm craving one :)

 Justin and I know we love each other, but I'm thinking we need to slightly change our Language so our children know that we love each other.

Man theres a lot more to this parent stuff then first meets the eye!

BB Room

Done-ish


Before:

After:

(the stool is wet from being washed)

Our first attempt at something Boyish and I think it worked!
Yes we realize its ready 3 months early, but once spring hits Justin has less time and energy to work on things after work!

Just a few more finishing touches: window treatment, Justin wants to hang up some photos of tools or a shelf- something, and possibly recovering the chair. Should I recover the chair?

First tape off the main feature wall. And decide which color each rectangle should be.

The finished main wall- well kinda this is before we touched up the white lines.

The girls wanted to help paint so bad, so we had them help for 2 minutes and it seemed to fill that need!

Below is my favorite photo of the week- A spends as much time as she can with Justin.
This week while doing Bs room, Justin has also been working after the girls bedtime @ Aunt Karens house doing a new countertop for her and backsplash. So Justin came home for Dinner, then spent 1 hour painting, then off to Karen's- so A would literally HANG on him- until he could convince her to just sit by him. And once he started rolling the other walls she would lay in between his legs!

Oh A you are SUCH a Daddies girl!