Sophia my friend

     Lately I have felt like everything Sophia does is the end of my rope! I didn't like it. What happened to my sweet, fun, sassy girl that used to make me laugh at her silly antics? Normally I would analyze it, her routine is messed up, she isn't napping anymore, delayed reaction to Joel being born. Maybe it was partly all of those, maybe it was me expecting that a 2 yr. old should understand that a baby needs me and she needs me and someone is going to have to wait their turn. Then I realized why would a 2 yr. old understand that? All she remembers is that mom used to be hers and isn't anymore. I also realized that I needed to remember what it's like to only have one child every once in a while.

      So Sophia and I started hanging out. I decided we needed our own mom and daughter time. We started going on dates. The first one was amazing and I was hooked! So was she! On our first M&D date we started by running some errands for me then I took her to the Disney store (Sophia heaven!) and we just walked around. We stopped at whatever toy she wanted to, touched anything she wanted to, said WOW, I want that, and Not right now to almost everything ha ha.

     The best part she just listened to me, smiled at me, didn't argue, she definetly new this time was special and didn't want to ruin it! So we have done it a few times more. Each time as much fun as the other, all kind of randomly planned, all special to me and her. I can let her have more independence which she loves and she behaves like the angel child I know she can be and we are both at ease.

     Our last M&D date was my favorite. We had just finished helping Sara pack and move to Ely. We got home all tired and not dressed for the day but with no plans. I grabbed some clothes for both of us said see ya to Tyler and we headed out the door. We just went shopping at some stores but I let Sophia walk through the clothing stores just with me. No stroller no cart. She walked in the door and goes "WOW Mom it's BEAUTIFUL!" Ha ha Then as we are walking down the isles her little fingers are stroking all the clothes and fabrics the other hand held firmly to mine. She kept telling me how pretty it all was. She even sniffed some clothes ha ha!!  The times when I needed to let go of her hand she twirled in a circled right next to me like a princess in her closet. It is one of my favorite memories ever of her!

     At our last stop I told her we could go get a treat on the way home I asked her what she wanted. She said very excitedly Water! ha ha I asked her again when we got in the car. What do you want for a treat? Water!! ha ha so we went and got big ice cold waters. I also bought her a cookie because she asked for one earlier that day but he was perfectly happy with her ice water.

     I love these dates and plan to start them with Joel as soon as he is old enough! They remind me how much I love Sophia's personality. They remind me we are friends to as well as mom and daughter. They refresh our patience level with one another. They give me awesome memories! I hope she wants to do these forever!

I love this picture! It shows Sophia's personality to a T. Sassy, Cute, Funny, all while remaining her composure. 

"There's power in looking silly, and not caring that you do."

-Amy Poehler

~A

Valentines day and crazy train

     We don't usually go to crazy on Valentines day. Mostly because our anniversary is a week before. So we will stay at home have a nice dinner and celebrate with the kids. This year we also had Sara and Addie over to play that night, they had been over pretty much every night that week and Sophia was loving it! She asked me everyday for aunt Sara ha ha! She still does. Anyway we had a yummy steak and mashed potato dinner with chocolate covered strawberries dipped in toffee. So Yummy!

     My mom always got us little gifts for every holiday, I like to do it for my kids to. It is so much fun especially around Sophia's age! So she got some socks, a little Minnie mouse coloring page, a chalkboard flower thing I made her and Addie and some candy. The babies also got socks but instead of candy the got puff snacks and yogurt melts! Cost me under 5 dollars for everything and it just made the day so fun!

     Tyler was a champ this year and got me an awesome mani, pedi, and facial package that I can't wait to use! I got him a candy bar ha ha like I said we usually go small. He very much surprised me, which was great!  Thanks love!

SO I have been on this crazy decorate my house thing. Which is weird because we have lived here since Sept. and I haven't even hung up my picture frames, and if all goes according to plan we will be moving in April. I know weird but oh well.

With some of my birthday money I got us some new bedding and sheets! I liked our old bedding but my colors were brown and green and my room was just dark. I love our new Yellow, grey and white set! It brightens up our room and makes me want to spend time in there, but now my dark brown and green headboard didn't match. I made that a couple years ago out of an old GIANT window! I was pretty proud of it but it needed a makeover.

So i pushed out the middles, sanded it, gave it a coat of grey paint, and hung a wreath on it! Super cheap makeover and I love it! Now if I could just find some curtains. 

I finished these embroidery hoop art things awhile ago I just never hung them. Then I got the idea to add Sophia's name. I had these letters from before, they were red and black. I sanded them down painted and hung everything. Voila.

I saw this idea on Pinterest and I loved it. So with some of my birthday money I bought some pillow forms from the DI. Cleaned them and made myself these bow pillows for my living room out of burlap. Super cheap and so cute. 

My kitchen was in desperate need of some curtains. I found this fabric for like 2 dollars a yrd. Made myself some curtains and a matching little window drape.

I am also in the process of recovering my storage tubs in my living, pics to come when finished, and these little square hollow things were under the lid of the all. I took them off for re-purposing needs and decided they would make really cute knock off Canvas things, so I made some decorations for Joel's room.

I love them! 

I don't know why I am on this crazy train of redecorating my house but I have lots more planned including redoing my rocking chair and storage tubs, curtains for mine and Joel's room, Pillows for Sophia's bed, and whatever else I come up with. Notice none of those were hanging my picture frames ha ha. You win some you lose some.

~A 

Roller Derby

One word.. AWESOME! 

With names like VaKilla Cupcake, Bunz Bunny and my personal favorite, Harry Slaughter, how could it not be awesome. 

For some reason my video won't upload and it's making me really mad so I'll try to figure it out and check back later!

Once you get the hang of the rules and start to understand that there is some actual strategy in what they are doing then it was so much fun to watch!

Tyler really wants me to join a team! I told him I need to practice on my skating a bit ha ha. I think the last time a skated I was in like Jr. High but I could see myself shoving some chicks around ha ha.

Seriously though, we will be going back! 

Their mascot, scaring some kids.  

It was a good time! I am glad we went for our anniversary. Oh and the best part, most of the money they make at the games goes to local charities and they feature the charities at the derby each night! 

Good enough reason to go? I think yes! 

~A