What do you think?

I think real butter is better.

{It just tastes amazing and it's natural.}


I think you should play a ridiculously addictive iPhone game every now and then.

{It keeps your brain smart. At least that is what I tell myself}


I think kids should get to splash in the pouring rain. Mud puddles and all. Every now and then.

{It's just so fun and mud can be cleaned off bodies and clothes. Memories are better than worrying about being dirty.}


I think central heat and air conditioning is the only way to go!

{Window units are for the birds. And zone heating is even worse.}


I think puppy breath should be bottled and sold.

{The smell is intoxicating and puppies grow so fast!}


I think watching shows such as Real Housewives of OC makes me a better friend.

{I don't want to have toxic friendships and those ladies teach me how NOT to treat people.}


I think siting in silence is an amazing feeling. Total and complete quiet. Ahhhhh!

{I love my children, but they talk more than either of their parents! I know...shocking huh?! I once had a shirt that said, "I'm talking and I can't shut up!" Layla needs one!}


I think accepting flowers from kids even if they are weeds is wonderful.

{There is nothing cuter than a plastic cup on the kitchen counter spilling over with dandelions!}


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Sundaes on Sunday

We had baked tacos for dinner.  Baked tacos are the best!  The best dessert served with Mexican food would be sopapillas, but I didn't come through with those.  The kids wanted pudding.

  Pudding really is the best dessert.  We used Aldi pudding cups and we topped them with lite cool whip, sprinkles and a cherry.

I think that is the best Sunday dessert ever!

another awesome field trip & picture overload

I posted about one of Hayden's preschool field trips earlier this week.  It was really fun, but I think the field trip to the High School Career Center took first prize.  The kids had a great time and so did the parents!

Once we arrived at the career center the kids got name badges just like the high school kids prepping for college.  They also got a pencil and these awesome glasses.

After everyone had identification the kids got to being the tour of the school.  The first stop was the cosmetology classroom.  The girls got their nails painted and the boys decided to get their hair spiked up.  Hayden was thrilled to have a pretty girl doing his hair.  They even painted the tips with hair paint.

He thought he was the coolest kid ever with his hair-do!

His friends had their hair done too!

Next stop was the landscaping department.  The kids got to see how high school students study to be golf course managers and landscape engineers.

Hayden loved the putting green and loved learning about how to make the grass 'putting green' ready!

The next classroom was all about the medical field.

The students picked the kids up on this net and moved them to a wheelchair just like they do in hospitals and nursing homes.  The kids were so so so excited about this.  It was cute to see their excited faces.

Once the kids were in the wheelchairs they got to have wheelchair races!

Finally the last stop of the tour was the sports medicine department.

The prechoolers got to participate in an obstacle course.

Hayden was running like the wind in this shot, so it is blurry.

The huge workout balls were so stinkin' fun!  The kids played SimonSays with the balls and then they got to free play with the giant green balls.  They were rolling all around the room and us parents were laughing so hard.

Our preschool kids felt really special having the high school students hang out with them.  I think the high school kids had fun too the preschoolers definitely made them laugh too.  Hayden told me more than once that it was the 'best day ever!'

I am so happy to have found Hayden's preschool.  He has learned so much and I am thankful for his social and educational development over the last few months.  We received his acceptance letter into the kindergarten program here in our new town.  I just know Hayden is going to love school and now we know he is officially ready to attend!

Daisy Mae is 2 !!

Our precious little pup turns 2 years old today!

She is the best little girl!

She is a camping dog, a lap dog and a barking dog. Lately she barks non-stop at our neighbors. Our houses are very close together and I don't think she like that!

She loves to lay outside in the sun. She loves to chew on bones in the grass!

She loves getting pretty at the groomer. I think she likes being pampered like a puppy princess!

We are so thankful for both of our pups. Daisy out dainty little lady. If Layla had it her way we would invite a group if other over for a puppy party today. We sure do love celebrating birthdays around here!

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Nature field trip!

Hayden's preschool class has the best field trips!

Yesterday the kids got to go to the Ohio River Wildlife Refuge.  Each child got a magnifying glass to enable them to get up close and personal with plants, bugs and rocks.

Hayden had a ball!

He acted as if he'd never seen a dandelion..

The kids got to see a bird nest in a tree.

The got to see milkweed and it was defiantly different than the milkweed in Texas.

We hiked down to the river and that is the point I was ready to leave because ticks were falling from the trees.  YUCK!  I love to camp and be outdoors, but I was afraid of the ticks.

We hiked back up to the main area and Hayden fell in love with this giant boat.

Once we got inside the building the kids got to watch fish and turtles eat lunch.  It was really fun for the kids to see a snapping turtle eat a giant worm.  I think we all had a fun time, minus the ticks!  Hayden and I love being outside and he told me this trip made him excited about camping this summer!

comfort food and an evening at the park

That my friends is Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled salmon.  I have been a little stressed lately about the process of selling our house in Texas.  When Gary got home last night I said I needed a huge bowl of pasta.  Comfort food was necessary for this chic!  I wasn't able to cook at home because there was a showing.  Our rental is on the market, so we decided to leave the house to let the people look in peace and quiet.

We like to make the kids try new foods, so we ordered Fried Calamari.  The kids tried it and didn't really like it very much.  At first we told them it was chicken, and they didn't really believe us, but they tried it.  I don't think either kid cared for it, but I love that they tried it.   I was perfectly ok with them not eating much of it....more for Gary and I!  Yum!

After our dinner out we went to a nearby park to work off some of the pasta we ate.  We were all so full and ready for bed, but we still had time to kill.  The kids had tons of fun jumping and sliding and swinging.  I enjoyed taking tons of pictures!

I am awake super early this morning because I couldn't fall back asleep after Hayden woke me up for some reason.  Then Lily was trying to eat my slipper, so I'm awake and not so bright eyed and bushy tailed.   I love my sleep, but I just wasn't able to get myself back to sleep.  Oh well, I have done a few loads of laundry and I am on my second cup of coffee.  I'm ready to take on this Tuesday!!

snail obsessed

The kids are loving their pet snails.  Hayden is showing me what the snail does with his eyes.  "His eyes go in and out mom!"

Hayden caught a snail and we kept it in a plastic storage container covered with press n seal wrap. I think we threw away all our fun bug containers when we moved.  The kids were thrilled when I brought home these fun critter keepers.  I decided to get Layla and Hayden each their own container and I'm glad I did. We currently have 5 snail friends!

Hayden is the master of the largest snail and Layla is owns the smaller slimy friends.

It really is cute to see the kids clean the cages, replace the grass and water the snails.

Every single day is an adventure in our house...I love it!

I found these awesome containers at Toys R Us!

another post in which I'm excited about springtime

Hayden and I helped celebrate his girlfriends birthday this week.  We had the best time having lunch with Haley and her mom, Erin.  I just love this picture of the two H's.  I always joke with Erin saying we are arranging their marriage.  They are cute kids and great buddies.

I am so sad about the explosion that occurred last night in West, Texas at a fertilizer plant.  West is closer to Waco, but still close to Fort Worth.  We passed through West many times traveling all over Texas.  I have memories of eating pizza in West as a kid.  I have memories of running a FunRun in west.  I have sports memories in West.  One of my bosses was from West.  I went to WestFest many times.  I loved stopping for Kolaches during our travels.  Ahhhhh.  It's just so sad.  My heart hurts for the families that lost homes and loved ones.

My little sassy girl is killing me with her spring wardrobe.  She is so stinkin' cute, but I am about to go bonkers.  This girl will not stay in bed after we tuck her in at night.  Every night she thinks of an excuse to get out of bed. I thought the older they got the better they followed the rules.  Sheesh....

The number one reason for getting out of bed?  I need another hug.  HOW DO YOU DENY YOUR KID A HUG??  She knows the buttons to push huh?!

 If I am hugged and tucked into bed you better bet I am staying.  I'm so tired, I love sleep.  Why do kids fight it?  She will be 8 years old in July.  I can't believe she is still getting out of bed.  Gary and I are about to put our foot down and tough love is about to make an appearance.  Go.To.Sleep.Sassypants!

We played at the park today before we got Layla from school.  Ahhhhh!  The weather was amazing and this city is greening up so fast!  I love it!!!!

Hayden had soccer tonight.  He got so red faced and I was hot at practice, but I will not complain.  I loved it.  I walked about 3 miles today and then ran a mile too.  I don't know what has come over me.  I haven't ran in YEARS.  I've ran a total of 3 times since I moved here and I'm sorta liking it. I can't believe it, but now I want to beat my current one mile time.  haha!  I'm so competitive.  I'm glad I have good running weather.  Spring is here and I am thankful for all the outdoor activities we can do while soaking up the sun.  Hopefully there won't be anymore snow!