Days to Remember

Window Mistreatments

2009-03-07T21:44:00.009-06:00

I love the name, right off the bat you can really do no wrong... The Nester aptly titles her no sew, no fuss, window treatments as "mistreatments". The trouble is, though unconventional, they are beautiful. We like easy, inexpensive and beautiful don't we??? The other point is that these are noncommital. If you rent, change you colors often, or want to take them with you if you move...you can. No sewing machine, no needle, no thread, no lie! Here's my first go at it. It is seriously so easy. Pick out some fabric you love. This took 1 yard. You can also choose trims like fringe, beads, tassels...Buy some upholstery tacks. I got all of my supplies at Hobby Lobby. Get out your glue gun. Ready???

I just folded over the cut edge of the fabric and make a more finished edge/hem. Glued the fringe along the bottom, gathered up the sides and actually glued the tassels onto the fabric.

Used a hammer and 2 upholstery tacks to hang it into place.

I think you could probably push the tacks right into drywall without the hammer if you are strong enough.

If you happen to stop by and look for this mistreatment in my house...you'll have to go into my closet. It's where I hung this one. I was a closet mistreatment maker. I was afraid it wouldn't work out!

Another idea is to buy ready made panels/valances and embellish them with fringe, beads, fur, buttons...anything that makes them extra special and more importantly completes your space.

You can always use straight pins to add your trims, in case you want to take them off and reuse them again.

Get creative. Can't find the right fabric, what about a table cloth or sheet?

Buy plain panels and add some other fabric at the top or bottom for drama. Check out the Nester Link and the Window Mistreatment area for many other examples. Please by all means let me know if you have questions and post links to your mistreatments here!

Depression Decorating

2009-03-07T21:13:00.004-06:00

I could start off with excuses as to where I have been and why I haven't been blogging...but what would that prove? Instead let me tell you why now I have decided to blog. I have been inspired. The economy, my last short subject, has let's say, taken a turn for the worst. We all feel it. It's unavoidable. In the mean time we wait. We sit in our McMansions worth McMuffin's and wonder...what does the future hold? What good will that do? I have decided to use this moment as a time to take an inventory of what matters. What's always mattered. There is a silver lining in this time we are living in. It's forcing us to get back to basics. What's the worse thing that can happen while we wait? We could get reaquainted with our family. We could rediscover a faith that maybe wasn't so present or needed in the good times. We could find beauty in nature and in everything that is without monetary value.

As we hopefully emerge from this long, cold midwestern winter I have been renewed by my love for creating beautiful things with what I have or what I find in my bargain hunts. I have been helping a few friends with some decorating projects. I jokingly told my friend I have a company named Depression Decorating...a non-for-profit! I have been making some changes around our home. For me its therapeutic. It lets me use some of my creative side and also operate in a role other than Mom for a bit. Soo...what I am hoping to do here is inspire you, to share ideas, and see your creations in return. I have been so inspired by The Nester's blog. I will be the first to tell you I am not dreaming all of this up. I am mostly finding ideas from others and trying them on my own. They won't all be perfect so Martha Stewart types need not check back. There will be no tests, no judgement, just a peek into my world and the world I am trying to create for my family.

Root Street Economics

2008-09-30T09:44:00.003-05:00

The recent headlines about the financial meltdown occuring on wall street and main street have started me thinking about my earliest lessons in economics. My parents were born in the 30's during depression times. Their experiences and the values and experiences of their own parents were passed on to me during my childhood. I think it would have served many Americans who now find themselves in financial ruins to have been raised by my parents or in any house on Root Street, the street I grew up on. We were part of the working middle class. We were the people that got up everyday in the dark to start their day and punched a clock or filled out a time card. We lived in a nice quiet neighborhood. When you had the money you were able to become a homeowner. The ability to own a home was not a right. It was and should still be a privledge that only comes to fruition by earning it.

My parents were cash people. We did not carry credit card debt. You either had the money or you didn't need the item. If a major appliance or car repair came up my dad walked into their bedroom into some secret spot and came out with the money to buy that new wash machine or get that transmission fixed. They had saved for rainy days. There were no bailouts in those days. There was something called pride and responsibility for your own family.

On Root Street people washed their own cars and their own floors. And oh yeah, the cars they were paid for too. People waited to buy things until they could. Isn't that a concept that is sorely lacking today? I could barely leave a room and my dad was around the corner turning the light off and scolding me that the electric company had plenty of money. For fun, my dad made homemade sausages, fishing jigs, grew seedlings in the basement under growing lights to later be transplanted into our garden outside and crushed aluminum cans to sell back for cash. These were simple hobbies with valuable output that also provided contentment. Today people drive around searching for what they can buy next to fill that emptiness and whatever they find will only be a temporary fix. Coffee came out of a can, there were no $6 lattes. There were no disposable diapers for that matter. Your days were filled with the work that comes with a simple life. There was not a lot of downtime. Weekends were for yard work, house work, changing your oil and church. Vacations meant a trip to the Wisconsin Dells or the Saint Louis Arch.

When you became a teenage in my family you got a job. A work permit could be obtained at age 15, prior to that you were already babysitting for spending money. If you wanted a college education you studied hard and hoped for a scholarship. If not you took a student loan, and you paid it back on time upon graduation. You got a job, then you got your first new car...this was age 22, not 16 as most spoiled teens now expect.

Somewhere along the line, and probably near an election, politicians decided that the American dream was a given right, simply by being a citizen (or having some paperwork that claimed you were anyhow) you now deserved a home, cars, furniture all bought on credit. The banker, the broker, the builder, the salesperson all knew these loans would probably never be recouped as they shook hands on the deal. It didn't matter, once the deal closed and they made their money no one worried about the outcome...until now.

I am so thankful this was the way I was raised. It will go along way at getting me and my family through the tough times ahead. I am down right disgusted at the fact that now I am expected to bailout people who should not have had what they were given in the first place. I am sickened by the greed of banks whose CEO's walked away with hundreds of millions and will not feel the effects of this bailout. I am dismayed by the politicians who even in the face of this upheaval only have time to continue to position themselves for the next election. I am shocked at how little our leaders know about the economy and how instead of tapping into the wealth of knowledge available to them in academia and beyond they feel they can throw something like this package together and jam it down our throats like they know better.

In the meantime, I will continue to cut coupons, avoid buying what I can't afford and hope that there is something for my kids to strive for when they grow, and I will teach them what my parents taught me just in case...

Close At Hand

2008-07-21T21:37:00.008-05:00

My new favorite thing is my mother's ring. I had seen an ad for one of these rings by nelleandlizzy in Jan. 2007's issue of Parents magazine. I tore out the blurb and stuck it in a folder. I looked at it a few times since then, and a few weeks ago I decided to order it. My mom has a traditional birthstone mother's ring. My girl's have the same birthstone, and a ring with 2 of the same birthstones didn't really excite me. The thought of having their names in individual bands that are intertwined seemed like a simple and precious way to always keep them "with me". It isn't fussy or expensive, but now that I have it, I value it greatly for what it represents.

The one pictured is obviously not mine...my camera, despite many attempts could not capture it so I stole this from their site. They will forgive me when you all order yours. Another similar option, untraditional, but with a little different flair is by Carved Creations

Job Security

2008-07-17T09:02:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you but my laundry has skyrocketed as we have gotten into summer. The girls go through about 3 outfits a day. I have been going through a few myself + work out clothes for me, add in swimsuits, towels...and I have job security for a good long while. This picture captures what summer and childhood is all about.

It's always better to get dirty and enjoy the fun times!!!

Our Club

2008-07-15T10:03:00.000-05:00

We belong to a private beach/boating/camping club. It is close to our new house, so we spend a lot of summer weekend days there. It is a huge club with acres of mature trees, a ski lake, plenty of lake for boat fishing, a beach, snack bar, and camp grounds. There are several pavillions where you can hold large parties/cookouts.

I camped once...haha not for me, I love the whole experience minus the sleeping outdoors on the ground in a tent. I told Tony I will stay and do everything with him and the kids, get them to bed, cruise home into my 300 threadcount sheets and then come back for breakfast!

Anyway, the girls love the beach, here are a few shots from this past Sunday.

Some shots from the 4th...

2008-07-15T09:59:00.000-05:00

a little late I know, we are busy having summer fun!!!

My Stand By Recipe...

2008-07-14T12:10:00.000-05:00

Everyone has something that they are known for making. You know the thing people expect you to bring to the annual family reunion, cook out...for me my tried and true recipe is Apricot Squares.

Here's what you need to make these delicious bits of heaven.

flour, sugar, lemon juice, 1 jar (18 oz) apricot preserves, 1 lb of butter (yep, the whole pound)

and eggs (4 yolks), powdered sugar (not pictured but recommended: chopped pecans )

I use my stoneware jelly roll pan, but any jelly roll size pan will do.

Start with 4 sticks of softened butter.

Add 4 egg yolks and mix like below.

slowly begin adding 2 cups of sugar, mix mix mix

once that is finished, begin adding 4 cups of flour, one at a time, mixing after each

ideally, your mixture will look like this, it works best when it forms this crumbly sort of dough

makes it much easier when you are putting it together later.

In a seperate bowl, add 1 jar of apricot preserves.

Add 1 tbsp lemon juice, and mix

Get your dough, apricot mixture and pan ready to assemble.

Start by putting about two thirds of your dough into your pan and pressing to cover the bottom, like so...

Next pour your apricot mixture on top, I like to use a small spreading trowel to get it evenly distributed.

There's my ever present and helpful assitant!

Next, this is where your crumbl dough makes it super easy...just sprinkle your remaining dough on top. *Typically I add chopped pecans to the top before baking, I didn't have any the day I made these, but highly recommend you add some to yours.

Bake in a 325 degree oven for approx. 1 hr or until golden brown. Allow to cool.

After they are cooled, I top with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve.

These freeze well too.

A Quick Recipe

2008-06-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

I had a good response to my first recipe, so here's another one. I tried this for the first time the other day, its easy and a new take on an old cookout favorite...coleslaw.

With the exception of cooking the bacon, Ava or any of your 4 years could put this together.

Here's what you need:

Bagged coleslaw, Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Miracle Whip, Bacon and Peanuts.

I double my recipe on this day, so I used 2 bags of Coleslaw, 8 slices of bacon, ...

Start by frying your bacon

Next combine 1 cup miracle whip, 2 TBSP sugar, 2 TSP cider vinegar

You can adjust to taste and how creamy you want your coleslaw.

crumble your bacon and peanuts

Like so...

And Whamo, mix it all together and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

I think next time I would add shredded cheddar cheese. I thought it was tasty and definitely easy to prepare.

Oops we did it again!

2008-06-21T07:43:00.000-05:00

This is our latest casualty. Ava jumped off a swingset at her end of soccer season party and hurt her foot. No major fracture but an area of concern of her xrays regarding her 2-4 metatarsals.

She is in a "wee walker" walking boot. She didn't walk on it for the first several days, but then in Ava style she decided to come all the way upstairs to show me she could walk as hasn't looked back. She is her old self, doing crazy things with the boot now. Hopefully she will be out of it this Tuesday.

Donut Sunday

2008-06-21T07:38:00.000-05:00

Ava and Tony make "homemade" donuts. (I am struggling between typing doughnuts and Donuts...ok you get what I am talking about right?)

They use refrigerated biscuit dough which they fry and frost with canned frosting. Ava gets such a kick out of making and of course eating them, as they are laden with sugar.

Spring Things!

2008-05-18T14:27:00.000-05:00

It's been too long. But an exciting thing happened since my last post...Spring arrived!

We had been cooped up in this house for 6 months with more illnesses and injuries than any one family should endure. Since the weather changed we have been nearly living outdoors.

Gia is so much happier now that we can be outdoors. Wish I could say she was sleeping in because of the fresh air but that is not the case. So here's what we've been up to..

planting this tree, a prarie fire crab tree and some dwarf lilac bushes

creating, digging, planting and caring for our new garden. we have a new "green" area

in a private service yard, it houses our garden, a retractable clothesline, trash and recycling containers

we have been visiting our local parks, in an effort to visit 10 parks, which is part of a contest our park district is sponsoring.

This was from a visit to a local farm to buy mothers day flowers. I call it the "free zoo"

We celebrated Ava's last week of preschool with a school music program and a family picnic.

I promise to try another recipe for you soon. I just need to get organized and have all of my ingredients ready to go. I will try to post again soon...I think I may need a laptop since my time indoors in limited these days. Happy Spring!!!

My Homage to Pioneer Woman...Let's cook!

2008-04-11T14:04:00.000-05:00

I am in love with the blog Confessions of a Pioneer Woman I describe what she is doing there in the cooking section as food porn. It is absolutely enough to make you drool and informative enough to make you think you too can do it in your kitchen. So...today I had planned what I would make for dinner and decided to try it out for all of you. Once you visit Ree's site and see the fancy pants way she has everything set up and how magnificent her photos are I doubt you will be back here, but try not to forget us all together. Ree, try to ignore the elementary set up of my page, the very amateur photos and design...it was all done with love. Thanks for the inspiration.

Today I am making Cornbread Taco Casserole.
Anyway, shall we get started???

Here is the cast of characters...

Not pictured: Water, Milk and 1 lb ground beef (be patient I am learning, and besides I had to call and borrow the milk from my neighbor...!)

Preheat your oven to 375degrees and add your raw meat to your pan.

Cook until brown, drain fat and return to heat.
Add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. For some of you these first three steps may be considered advanced cooking (Joel). If you want to stop here and have tacos I won't judge.

Once your taco meat is done turn off the heat, add 1 cup cheese, I used cheddar here, monterey jack is also a good choice. Next add I can of Chilli Magic...this stuff is not the easiest to find in the grocery store...check by the chilli, or by the beans. Combine and set aside.

In another bowl add 2 boxes of Jiffy or similar cornbread mix to 2/3 cup of milk. In this case I had 1/3 cup and my neighbor Lynn brought me the other 1/3...sometimes it takes a village.

Next Add 2 eggs.

Stir Stir Stir...Ava is doing this for me in this picture.

Add one 15.5 oz can of Fiesta Corn or as I lovingly call it "mexicorn".

Add 1 cup of cheese...In my opinion cheese like butter makes everything better.

Mix and Set aside.

Layer your beef mixture in the bottom of a jelly roll pan/stoneware pan. If the need for the pan I just listed is the deal breaker on whether you will make this or not you could always use a 9x13 pan, the finished product will just be deeper and may require a bit longer in the oven. If you don't know what a 9x13 is...call me I will recommend a good take out place.

Who wouldn't like this recipe you ask??? Here's one little punk who is not digging it.

Throw some M&M's or other blackmail item to the distraction and press on... Spread your corn bread mixture on top of the beef mixture until it is completely covered.

Stick it in the oven for 15-20 minutes...longer if you go the 9x13 route...until golden brown. Once it's ready pull it out of the oven and cut into squares. You can garnish with sour cream as I did, and/or black olives, tomatos...whatever you like.

Yummo!

Mom Always Said "Don't Play Ball in the House"!

2008-03-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

Four days after my last blog posting I broke my Ulna in my lower arm. I was having a blast playing kick ball with Gia. Running full speed in your socks on hardwood floors when you already have a history of clumsiness is not a good idea! The good news is that so far my bone that had to be re-set is sticking and I won't have to have surgery. The bad news is I will have to wear this cast for 6 weeks. This is a challenge when taking care of 2 little girls all day everyday, but I am adapting pretty well. Did I mention I am left handed??? Nice added bonus.

Here's a picture of me and our Dear friend Joel taken today. He too broke his left arm, under much more adventurous circumstances, while hang gliding in Mexico.

Peek A Boo!

2008-03-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

Here are some candid adorable shots of Giada peeking from behind the dining room curtains. This child has an adorable personality. She is talking up a storm and since she has been ear infection free for a month now, she is a happy camper!

Filling My Shoes

2008-02-28T12:22:00.000-06:00

I never imagined when I picked out my wedding shoes almost 10 years ago that I would be blessed with a daughter who loved to wear them around the house while playing dress up.

I am also sure my parents probably never envisioned a beautiful grandaughter one day prancing in this dress when taking me to pick it out for my 1st communion.

These are the moments where we come full circle...I wore this dress as a child, and these shoes as a young woman and felt like a princess on both of those momentous days and now I can watch with awe as my daughter does the same.

Formal Pictures

2008-02-12T13:27:00.000-06:00

I have been slacking on getting the girls 1 yr and 4 yr pictures done. Between the holidays and illnesses it just hasn't fit in to our schedule. Last week I took them to JC Penney's and here's a few of proofs. I am surprised any of Gia turned out, she was very afraid the entire time. Ava as always was her supermodel self!

Cinderella's Ball

2008-02-08T09:09:00.000-06:00

Ava and Tony attended the Annual Cinderella's Ball, Daddy/Daughter dance at our local park district. So sweet and so cute to see how beautiful she is and how excited she is to go on her big date with dad.

Click here to see all the pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaMm7Rs3asmLow

Good Stuff

2008-02-01T15:49:00.000-06:00

In an entry sure to rival that of Oprah's Favorite Things, I thought I would give kudos to a few products that I have tried for the first time recently and loved!

I tried this Secret Deodorant, KuKu Coco Butter, this smells delicious, reminds me of vacations in Florida, that said it may be more of a summer scent. It works and works, I will be going back for more. I hope they keep this one in the line-up!

Next thing I tried and love is the Clorox Anywhere spray. I have been spraying and wiping this up all over the place. Clearly it is a mix of less than 1% bleach and "other ingredients" otherwise known as water, but I fell for it and it makes me feel that there are less germs around here!

Then in another category, laundry, I found 2 stain removers I am crazy about!
I am a laundry snob, I am particular about how my clothes look and how they are washed...

The first is Dreft Laundry Stain Remover spray, you can find this at babies r us in a large bottle or a small travel size, I have both. I spray this on the stain, scrub and then wash as directed. I have found this will even get out the paint from Ava's preschool, nothing else has worked. A mom at the school recommended it to me.

The next I received as a sample with something I had ordered in the mail. Its called BIZ and it saved me when I realized an item I had sold on EBAY had a stain!!! Stress!
It took it out completely! I will be buying this next chance I get.
You can find it anywhere but it was new to me.

That's all I have for you today, I will share when I find something else that really surprises me! To my blogging friends, let's see some of your "good stuff" on your blogs.

My bag

2008-01-27T11:56:00.000-06:00

I got "bag tagged" by my friend Jill in France. So here's what I needed to do...

1. Show a picture of your bag
See mine below. I bought this at a Nine West outlet store in Las Vegas last October. It is giant sized.

2-Show a picture of ALL the contents

Hmm...what all do we have here.

1-wallet

2- coupon organizer

3- 2 diapers

4- wipes

5- a pair of underwear for Ava, in case of emergency's!

6- 2 barrettes

7- An dishwasher detergent sample from Costco

8- black leather gloves

9- 2 pairs of Gia's socks

10- 3 lip glosses

11-one baby toothbrush

12- package of Extra gum

13- container of Cheerios

14- 2 coupon books from Haunted Trails (we were there for a bday party yesterday)

15- prize tickets from haunted trails

3- tag 5 of your friends....well this will be hard, I have no blogging friends
but if any of my valued readers want to share I would love to see your stuff!

Party Time!

2008-01-26T14:25:00.000-06:00

We had an outing to our dear friend Carly's birthday today. They have a ride called the Bone Shaker. Ava loves it and today Gia took her first ride. SHE LOVED IT! I am glad both girls are not afraid, I have been waiting for a roller coaster partner for a long time since Tony won't go on them.

My happy girl!

2008-01-18T13:07:00.000-06:00

There's that old familiar face...I think this antibiotic may be doing the trick. We are having many more smiles these days! Yippee!

Please Write!

2008-01-18T13:04:00.000-06:00

I set up this mailbox on Ava's bedroom door. Saw this idea in this months Family Fun magazine. Anyway I have never seen a kid more excited in making or receiving greeting cards/mail...so if you have any time and would like to send her something I will make sure it makes it to her box!

My little Pony

2008-01-15T10:22:00.001-06:00

Awww, I remember the first time Ava wore a pony tail she looked so grown up.
It's the same thing with Giada this morning. I may be trying to make a lot of of nothing, but it fit into the pony tail holder so I think it counts!!!!

Wishing for summer...

2008-01-14T14:57:00.000-06:00

Ava decided to pretend it was summer today. I really couldn't argue with her, I know I am sick of being cooped up in the house and sick of everyone being sick. Gia is now on her 3rd antibiotic since late Dec. She has double ear infections. I hope this one does the trick and I hope that groundhog does NOT see his shadow in a few weeks~!

Group Shot...All together now...Say Cheese!

2008-01-07T18:38:00.000-06:00

Ava asked to borrow my camera today. Then she methodically set up her subjects. "That is their Grandma in the wheel chair mom." She is such a creative kid which can get her into a lot of messy trouble, but I am begining to see that she needs to be cut a little slack because she is a little artist.

2008-01-01T14:25:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year friends! I hope the new year keeps you and yours happy & healthy!!!
Ava made it to midnight!!! what a trooper!

In the meadow we can build a SNOWMAN!

2007-12-28T18:30:00.003-06:00

Ava and Tony built the cutest snowman today!!!!! I used my old camera as my new one needed charging, hence the pink snow!

Christmas Morning 2007

2007-12-28T18:23:00.000-06:00

The girls enjoyed all of their gifts. Some more than others and Gia is still at the age where the paper/boxes are more fun. Just realized I have no pictures of Gia opening her gifts! Doh! She was too busy running around.

Christmas Eve 2007

2007-12-28T18:17:00.000-06:00

A few shots from our get together with my family at our house.

Holiday Shots

2007-12-28T18:01:00.000-06:00

These were taken December 22nd, at our house and at my in-laws. We got together early to open our gifts to avoid rushing all day on Christmas day.

I love this picture! Ava looks so calm and quiet and Gia is screaming like a banshee!!!

The two of them on our kitchen island. Gia holding one of her many toothbrushes.

How cute it this little one?!

This cradle was made by Tony's late Nonno Chuck. Papa Tom refinished it and Nonna Yo sewed some cute new bedding. This is supposed to be for her baby dolls, however she fits in it quite nicely too!
Proof that Ava can take a bad picture!

Testing, Testing, 123

2007-12-18T21:04:00.000-06:00

Here are some new pictures of our holiday decor with a working camera!!!!
Yippee, no more rose colored skys or frames! Also, I have been checking out my other friends blogs and mine is sooo elementary. If I ever have free time I wi ll try to fancy it up for you. (meaning when the girls are grown and move out of here!) anyway thanks for bearing with my technical difficulties. Ava's Christmas Program is tomorrow night so I am thrilled to have a working camera and will post those shots soon.

Village Tree Lighting

2007-12-08T14:37:00.001-06:00

Ava's preschool sang at the Village Tree Lighting ceremony. Santa showed up at the end and I was able to get some much better shots than the overpriced picture I posted a while back.

Gia Kay 12/6/07

2007-12-08T11:54:00.000-06:00

A few shots of our little firecracker. I didn't think God would bless me with another child with this much energy...I was wrong!

Our decked halls

2007-12-06T20:22:00.000-06:00

Took some pictures of the house decorated for Christmas. I did a little more this year than last. I would love to do more outside, but Tony does not do outside lights, so I do what I can. One of the pictures is the view from the floor of our foyer ceiling. I hung large ornaments with fishing line from the chandelier. Kind of looks like the solar system from this perspective! Sorry about the bad pictures,my camera is still broken and likes to give everything that "rose colored glasses" kind of look.

Hello Gorgeous!

2007-12-05T12:31:00.000-06:00

Tony and I are in love with someone new...the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. It is our Christmas Present to us from us with love!

If you haven't experienced it yet, I can only tell you as far as I am concerned it is worth it's weight in gold! We are experimenting with different recipes. We are loving fresh mango margaritas...gasp...almost nightly. Hopefully the novelty will wear off or we could be in serious trouble. It should be a fun Christmas Eve celebration at our house this year!

Memory Lane

2007-12-05T12:27:00.000-06:00

My girlfriend since Kindergarten, Michelle Haro, sent me these pics of us as children. How precious it was to see these and how scary to see how much Ava looks like me as a child. What's more wonderful is to have a friend with whom I have this much history, we have so much to reflect on when we get together. We are currently planning a 20 yr grade school reunion, that should be a blast!

A visit to Santa

2007-12-05T12:23:00.000-06:00

At our local mall on Nov26. A rip off for 2 3 1/2 by 5 photos at $19 something with tax, but they won't let you take your own anymore, so what are ya gonna do. Now I find out Santa will be at Ava's tree lighting ceremony tomorrow night. The problem is my camera is broken...so I can take some stills with our camcorder but they won't be the greatest.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2007-10-31T10:05:00.000-05:00

Four!

2007-10-31T09:57:00.000-05:00

Our last October birthday has come and gone. Ava is a big 4 year old now. The day of her actual birthday she was already telling me things that she wants for her "5 birthday!" She is obsessed with numbers. She wants to know what size shoes people wear, their clothes, their ages, their heights...she has to make sure her clothes say 4T, if I try to put a 3t on that still fits her she will make a big fuss about it. She is such an independent girl now, so creative and artistic. The artsy part is definitely from her Daddy. She was recently promoted to level " Little Starz" at her gymnastics class. Most of the kids are 6 years old and tower over her. Her coordination is another thing she got from Tony. I am proud of her!

One!

2007-10-23T12:48:00.001-05:00

Gia's birthday has come and gone. Over the last month she has gotten her first 6 teeth. It seems funny to see her toothy smile. Along with the teeth came a killer appetite. She is eating everything in site and then some. At her 1 year appt last week she weighed in at 18 lbs 10 oz (10th percentile) and 29 1/2 inches long (50-75th %) Long and lean like mama---HAHA! We are hoping this growth spurt will get her to 20lbs so she can move into a carseat and out of the infant seat . She is hilarious...walking and trying to talk a lot. She and Ava make quite a team around here.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2007-10-04T20:48:00.000-05:00

I am waxing on the passing of Gia's babyhood. Her 1st birthday is next week. I remember balling my eyes out when Ava turned one. Some wise friends told me that each year will bring more amazing memories and milestones and while I have learned that this is the case, and have witnessed it as Ava has grown into an independent preschooler, it doesn't make it any easier this time around. In fact, I think it's tougher because I have such an appreciation for how quickly these years fly by. I can honestly say I have savored every moment of this year. Most people that see me with her everyday are surprised to see her detached and walking all by herself. I never set her down until now, I was holding her as long as I could.

Ava's First Field Trip

2007-09-29T21:52:00.001-05:00

Ok, so I may never catch up on the old posts I promised, but here is something recent.

Friday was Ava's first preschool field trip to a local pumpkin farm.

She enjoyed hanging out with her new BFF Catherine and held hands with a boy named Alex.

It was a gorgeous fall day. The pictures came out so nicely. I am excited to be able to experience all of these things all over again as an adult!

A whole month...

2007-09-27T21:41:00.000-05:00

has slipped through my fingers without a single post...
I have no excuse...but we have been plenty busy with milestones.
Ava began preschool, Gia began walking, Gia sprouted teeth. I went to Las Vegas with my sisters and mom...w/o kids....or the hubby...Tony stayed with the girls! (what a guy!) I have photos of most of these that I will post soon.
Plus we have the girls birthdays next month, so I am busy planning the festivities.
Anyway, I will try to be better at this.

She's on her way

2007-08-29T09:55:00.000-05:00

Gia is standing unassisted now, she is thinking about taking steps, instead she just throws herself your way! It won't be long before she is walking.

Prayers

2007-08-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

We have recently started nightly prayers with Ava. I couldn't have imagined how much this routine would add to my spiritual life. It is so cool to hear her thank God for the littlest things that I don't even notice or take for granted...and as is often the case with Ava there is no shortage of humorous moments. Here is a quote from last nights prayer.

"In the name of the father and...what's his name again? pause ...Dear Lord...Thank you for everything in the world and all of my bee-utiful dresses. How did you make it all??? you are really fabulous!
Amen"

Lambs Farm

2007-08-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

On August 3rd we met up withour friends at the Lambs Farm in Libertyville. Hailey and Ava are both October 2003 babies. Her mom and I became friends on a Expecting in October web board back in 2003.

Since they live in Wisconsin, Libertyville is a nice meeting point. They girls pick up where they left off every time. The adorable little guy is Hunter, Haileys little brother who is almost 2 and as tall as Ava!

Hair!

2007-08-01T08:35:00.001-05:00

Gia is getting a hair-do! It doesn't hurt that it is in the 90's and humid as can be, nevertheless, she is sporting a cute new do. It looks like she will have the curls that Ava used to have.

I love being a princess!

2007-07-25T21:46:00.000-05:00

Ava was excited to have her friends Carly (3) and Corinne (5) over this afternoon. As usual the gowns were out in full force. I took a picture of the girls once they were done primping.

Baby Kaleb

2007-07-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

If you haven't already heard the story about baby Kaleb which has taken over the My Space site and much of the cyber world please read on.

Kaleb Schwade was a perfectly healthy little boy born in Nov. 2006. He is a victim of shaken baby syndrome. While the litigation against the person accused is just begining, Kaleb's fight is not. Since May he has been fighting for his life. In addition to severe brain trauma he also contracted menengitis while hospitalized . Miraculously he was able to come home last week (with around the clock care in his home.) He had some setbacks and is now back in the hospital. Please check out his mom's site, she blogs almost daily with his progress. This is a great reminder to each of us of how quickly our circumstances can change. Count your blessings, kiss your babies and thank God for everything you have. Please pray for Kaleb. Their site is at http://www.myspace.com/kristyreynolds

Gia, my little pumpkin

2007-07-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

Took Gia in for her 9 month visit. She weighed in at 15lbs 9 oz. That is in the 4th percentile for weight! She is a peanut. She is 28 inches long which is 57th percentile. Long and lean like her parents I guess, LOL. Ava outweighed her by 2lbs 3oz at the same age.

She is in good health, just tiny. She had to get one shot. She screamed like crazy. Next visit is at one year. I can't believe she will be turning one already!

The View

2007-07-12T14:04:00.000-05:00

I broke a mirror in December. Technically, I ripped the passenger side mirror off of my car while pulling out of my garage after consuming my first post-partum alcoholic drink. I did this while my mother-in-law watched. We were both laughing hysterically. I am not usually superstitious...but the events that have followed have made me wonder. Today a large rock flew off of a truck in the oncoming lane and hit my windshield. Nice. I now have what looks like a bullet hole-like crack in my lower left windshield. Last week my " check engine" light came on. Yesterday after a visit to the dealer, I was given a laundry list of things that I could have repaired...all to a tune of $1100!!!!
Add to that Ava's accident, Gia's broken leg, my central A/C that went on the blink, my new dining table showing up damaged....I am thinking I am the recipient of some bad JuJu. Boy that upcoming Vegas trip should be a load of fun! Should I write that check directly to the casino right now?!

Sweet Corn!

2007-07-11T20:28:00.000-05:00

It's that time again! Glasscock's corn is ready. Glasscock's in a local grower and they have the best calico sweet corn ever! I stopped today and picked up a dozen. YUM! It is one of the things about summer in the Midwest that I look forward to all year!

Is it sad that I took a picture of my corn? If you know me you had to figure food would show up here at some point.

9 mos. old

2007-07-11T09:38:00.000-05:00

Giada is nine months old today. Seriously...how did this happen???

She is such a joy and just as I wondered the night before I delivered her how I could ever love another child as much as I loved Ava, today I struggle to remember what life was like before she stepped into our hearts!

I did it

2007-07-11T09:11:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to establish a blog. I send so many pictures of the girls out via e-mail. This way I can let people know they can find us here and watch the girls grow at their leisure...without clogging their inbox.

I am also looking for an outlet for blogging on various topics in the news, and just things that are on my mind, so I will use this forum for that as well. I welcome your comments and views.

Thanks for letting us into your day. We are glad you are here.