levi

This is Levi. He's a one and a half pound, two month old Yorkie. He belongs to a friend of ours. The girls met him the other day and instantly fell in love. I had to remind them several times about taking turns.

Sweet little Levi was at the yard sale this past weekend and Morgan played with him for hours. He'd lick her and she would pet and cuddle him. She even played a game of chase with him, although I'm not sure who was doing the chasing.

The girls love animals and so do I. I basically grew up on a farm. I'm not against having a dog, cat, fish, hamster, etc. I'm just fully aware of how much work and time goes in to having a pet. We are surrounded by friends and family who have plenty of pets so the kids surely get their animal fix when they need one.

I want them to have an animal to love and bond with, just not right now. None of us are ready for that responsibility yet. In the meantime, we'll have puppy play dates with Levi.

she's a big girl now

I was an emotional wreck. I was preparing for the yard sale and decided to take the crib bedding off to try and sell it. It was about that time for us to convert the crib to a toddler bed so it was no longer needed. Five years we used that bedding. I remember setting it all up as soon as I found out we were having  a girl. And when we found out we were having another girl it just made sense to use it again.

Then reality hit me. I'm not having any more babies. I've made that decision and I feel it is the right one, but there's just something about babies that makes me emotional. Especially when you think about your own.

Then it hit me again. My own baby is growing up. No more baby stuff needed. She is a big girl now.

I cried. I cried some more. Then I laughed, hugged my girls and cried even more.

Addison is so excited that she can get in bed with Morgan now. I secretly wait for the days when they wake up in the morning and climb into bed with each other. They can read stories, play with dolls and just cuddle.

Her first night in the bed was a success. After putting her down the first time she did get up twice, but then she made it through the night with no problems. I think it was just the newness of being able to get out on her own. She gets so excited to sleep in her big girl bed and every morning brags about how she didn't get up last night.

The rolled up blankets were to keep the paci's from falling through the rails. That got old quick so on Sunday we quit the paci cold turkey. She gathered the three of them up and walked them over to the neighbor. She told April that they were for her 7 month old niece and that she didn't need them anymore because she was a big girl. She never looked back and hasn't asked for them once. I'm so glad that's over. This week we're going to let her wear panties to bed.

So much, so fast. But she can handle it.

Mommy...not so much.

big girl bike

Addison got a new bike for Christmas and her old one has been hanging out in the garage. Last week we put Morgan on the 12 inch bike just to see if her feet could reach the pedals. They could, but I think the size of the thing freaked her out. It's only been a couple of months since she's mastered the tricycle so she wasn't ready for the big girl bike.

But then something happen. Michael and I were spring cleaning the yard and the flower bed while the girls played in the empty garage. I could hear them in there making an obstacle course and pushing things around, but didn't feel the need to look in because there wasn't any tears. Almost an hour later we go in and see Morgan riding the bike.

It may be one of the cutest sisterly things I've seen to date. Morgan was pedaling as hard as she could, but sometimes got stuck. She didn't have the momentum to go forward once she stopped. Big sister came to the rescue. Addison would give her a push and walk next to her, helping her along. The next night Michael took the girls on their first official bike ride. He said Morgan rode the bike like she had been doing it for years.

That's the story of how Addison taught Morgan to ride a big girl bike. Way to go mom and dad.

mosh

Last week we hopped on the little school bus and headed downtown to the Museum of Science & History. We've never been so this was a first for both of us.

They have a lot of fun stuff. First we did the Sesame Street planetarium show which was really well done. The story line was cute and the kids really enjoyed it. Then we had about an hour to explore the museum with our group of 3 kids. Addison and her friends checked out the big eyeball and the robotic arms used in surgeries.

They have a lot of fun exhibits for the kids. The body exhibit showed real organs. I think I was more freaked out by the real heart than Addison was. We got to see how big a whale was in the aquarium exhibit and even some live creatures. By far, the dinosaur bones were Addison's favorite.

A lot of the exhibits are hands on so the kids can see how things work. Like the magnets above. We also had a good time making the rocket blast off. Towards the end there was a lot of running up and down the stairs and we were all tired. The bus ride home was certainly quieter than the bus ride to the museum. Fun times!

haircut

Morgan got her second haircut EVER! I love that my good friend Jess cuts our hair. The girls feel comfortable and listen pretty well during the process. I was a little sad to see her blonde locks on the floor.

She was so excited! Her hair looks so much healthier and thicker. And it grows so fast that it will be back in no time.

the leprechaun

The silly little green guy came to Addison's school on Friday and she couldn't stop talking about it. For 30 minutes straight I heard about the scavenger hunt they went on to find the jewelry and money he stole from the class and all the crazy things he did in the classroom. They have this cute book that tells all about his antics. I thought it would be fun if the leprechaun came to our house.

All of a sudden, right before bed, Addison didn't like the leprechaun anymore. She thought he was going to steal her stuff and she wouldn't get it back. So right before bed we wrote a note to the leprechaun. She made me put it down low so he could read it. You can see it at the bottom of her door.

Addison woke up first and came running to our room. She was so excited to see all the sneaky stuff the leprechaun did. He left a mess in the playroom and turned all the dollhouse furniture upside down. Addison was not happy and was quick to clean it up.

He left a green kiss on Morgan's arm while she was sleeping. Addison would have gotten one also, but she said not to come in her room. So he left a green heart on her note. He put green water in the toilet.

Green milk.

He turned pictures sideways and left treasure, or in this case Rolo's, everywhere he caused mischief.

The girls had a blast running around the house looking for stuff that he did. I know Michael thinks I'm nuts, but it's all worth it. They smiled, laughed and joked about the leprechaun all day.

green

The girls and I decked out in our best green today. Addison loved wearing her headband.

Morgan was not in a picture taking mood this morning. This is what I got from her. She liked that hammer more than me.

But then I caught her.

The leprechaun is coming to our house tonight. He has all sorts of suprises in store for the girls. Can't wait to share pictures.

spring carninval

My mom, brother and the rest of the crew came up on Saturday for the school carnival. It turned out to be overcast, windy and a little cool, but the kids had a blast. They enjoyed seeing cousin M for a little bit. Trying to get a picture of all three of them together and looking at the camera is nearly impossible. At least they're close to each other.

Addison and Morgan both got their face painted so I thought I would join in on the fun. The girl doing the painting told me I was her stillest customer all day. The girls loved that I had a flower on my face.

Nutritious meals went totally out the window on Saturday. They had treats from the cake walk, cotton candy and lollipops all before lunch. Then it was hot dogs and chips for lunch. There are some days when you just have to throw in the towel and let it be. This was one of those days.

Morgan was all jacked up on sugar, but still managed to go down for a nap right when we got home. She loves sleeping just as much as me.

There are still stick on earrings, train whistles, bracelets and other assorted carnival treasures floating around my house. Except for the sweets. Those were brought to work for others to enjoy.

date night

Every quarter my work bunch goes bowling. Since we're a small bunch and get along so well we have a great time. Michael normally doesn't go because it's during the week and it's just easier for him to stay home with the girls. This time I made him go. We're working on the date night thing.

We had a really good time and walked away $140 richer. I only broke even, but who knew Michael was such a good bowler. The next night we went out to dinner and I got a steak.

I don't think spouses are going to be invited next quarter.

life

Life is a little crazy right now. CraY-Zee! There is end of the month deadlines and tax season stuff at work that keeps me glued to the computer most of the day. The girls have birthday parties to attend, school carnivals (including baking and volunteering) and activities almost every weekend. The calendar is marked with notes and reminders and I think there is one free weekend between now and mid May. Addison and Morgan have birthdays right around the corner so I need to get on the ball as far as planning. Any ideas? I've got nothing. I'm trying to schedule doctor and dentist appointments for most members of the family, a family vacation, a NY trip for me and Addison, and hopefully a getaway for just Michael and I. The logistics of it all are making me insane. Every morning is a fight about outfits, shoes, hair and teeth brushing. Like they aren't used to it by now. And then add in the migraines. Oh, the migraines. I'm saving those for a whole separate post.

But I'm not complaining. I just needed to write my thoughts on e-paper. Life is good. Just busy. I'm thankful and blessed for everything I have. Especially these two little munchkins. Snuggling with them makes it all worth it.

We try to get out of the house and do fun stuff as much as we can. Walks, bike rides, the park. The girls love being outside and it makes some of the stress over all the other stuff just go away. One Friday night we got Chick-fil-a and went to the park for a picnic. Spring weather in Florida is the best!

I wouldn't trade this life for anything.


*For more pics, follow me on instagram: erikag8r. Love my new iPhone.

growing up

I never bring my phone into school in the morning. It's hard enough to keep up with my keys. There's always a little person who wants to steal them. But this morning I brought it in to take a picture of a poster for the school carnival. The stars must have all been aligned because Addison let me take a couple pictures of her.

This past weekend I took her for a haircut. I love her long hair, but it's kind of like mine. Fine, straight, and just hangs there. And she still whines and complains when I try to style it. So my friend Jess chopped it off to shoulder length and added a few layers.

My sweet baby girl. She looks so grown up.