Friday and a Future TV Star!

Ok, Amy tagged me so I have to start with this little thing. So grab a snack like Ariel and read on!


10 reasons I stink-

1. I am really sensitive at times. I totally take situations or comments very personally. I am working on developing a thicker skin.

2. I hate dusting!!!!!!! There are way to many dust bunnies around here, and yet part of me doesn’t care. Wow, bad housewife eh?

3. I have issues with things missing. It drives me nuts and I tear the house apart until I find it. If I can’t, then its REALLY ugly.

4. I hate the phone. I rather email, strange but true. Can’t stand ordering food via phone, its like I think they are making fun of me once I hang up. Can you say issues?

5. I have a BAD temper when set off. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen much.

6. I can’t do spontaneous stuff, I stress. I need to plan, plan, plan!

7. I have an addiction to stuffed toys. Ask to see my Beanie Baby collection sometime. Hee.

8. I can be very impatient… sad but true.

9. I hate flying and traveling in general. Usually anything longer than a week is too long. I am such a home body.

10. I really prefer to do things myself, I am uber picky. Haha. Its my inner Martha!

OK, so now to the 10 reasons I rock!

1. I love surprising people and spoiling them.

2. I am kicking butt on this weight loss thing! Over 40lb lost, woot!

3. I am the arts and craft girl. Bring it on, I love it all!

4. I love being a stay at home mommy, it’s the best job!

5. I love my freelance work, it keeps me creative and keeps me at home.

6. I love to cook for my family, and presentation is just as important as taste.

7. I love music! I play it loud at home and dance in the grocery store when no one is looking… ok, sometimes they are looking. Haha.

8. Don’t tell me I can’t, because I will show you I can!

9. I love being involved and connected to our church family and community.

10. I have the most amazing husband and daughter, it doesn’t get much better than that!

Ok, I tag Dianne and Brenda.

Now onto life in general. Things have been pretty crazy around here. Ken is preparing for leaving next week, and he has the PIXAR event at the school all weekend, so it makes for some long days. Hence the lack in blogging. He is taking the Monday off before he leaves so we can spend the day together. We need to go buy him new pants since he has lost 15lb himself while eating the same foods as me. Woot, looking good babe, not that he had to loose anything, but he is pleased regardless. Getting healthy rocks.

Another big announcement was that Ken got a raise at work! Woot! We are celebrating tonight with a special dinner from the Boot. Yum. He is such a wonderful, hard working man and fantastic daddy. Such a blessing he is. Ariel loves him so much, she is always hanging off him. Hee.


Mommy! I wanna see the picture!


Some early morning coloring is good for the soul.


Well after our 2 nights of crib climbing and mommy pulling her hair out that we had to move to the toddler bed, Ariel has since ceased! Yes, the past 2 nights she fell asleep like an angel and no escaping. Yay. I don't know if she was just in a better mood, as we have 2 little eye teeth poking out of her top gum now! Can I get an AMEN! Or that it wasn't fun anymore. Either way, the toddler bed transition as gone to the back burner until further notice. I am hoping we can wait till her birthday, but we shall see. I guess this part of my blog is brought to you by the number 2.

Not much else to say about the past few days. Ariel got a new cup from Safeway. Its a little freezer cup with a straw. The girl LOVES straws, and its been her favorite cup to use.


Today we had swimming class in the morning. We had to sign release forms today because it turns out the little local tv station is coming to film our class next week. They are doing a feature on the water babies class and what happens in one. Very cool, but now what bathing suit should Ariel wear?

Pink turtle...


...red strawberries...


...or blue fishies?


At this point, I am leaning toward the fishies... but I will take your thoughts into consideration so let me know! I am trying to distract the fact that I will be on tv in my bathing suit as well. Gack!

In other news, the garage sale stuff has pretty much left our house! Yay! Youth Pastor Dan and his team came and picked it up, so I am very happy to have our hallway back again.

I also have been busy online (whenever I get a moment, not much lately) looking at Disneyland stuff. Remember the above statement, I must PLAN!!! I joined a Disney message board and have gotten some fun ideas and craft projects to do for our trip. I want to make us some t-shirts and a few more 'character' outfits for Ariel. I found some cheap Nemo material and plan to make another little sun dress for her. I also found a cute Little Mermaid dress on ebay. Its being handmade for her. I got a great deal, and for a gal who sews, I know the price I paid isn't worth the time in making it! How cute is this! I love the fabric!


I will post little goodies as I make them. I can happily say next week I have a sewing date with Stella to start the Cinderella and Tinkerbell costumes!!!!!!! YAY! I would have started sooner but I hate to cut without a good table and an extra set of eyes. Its stressful to make that first cut!

Well I just got a call from Ken, he is swamped at work, so its gonna be a late dinner celebration. Oh well, better late and never. Good thing Ariel stuffed herself at lunch with Nana and Papa. She had them both feeding her, and then she had who knows how many chocolate chip cookies. Did I mention her favorite number is 2. You say one cookie, she says '2'. Yeah, its a good thing your cute. Haha.

A New Trick

Well, last night Ariel wasn't happy about going to bed. In fact, she was down right angry about it. I have on several occasions let her cry it out. Usually she gives in and sleeps, sometimes she needs a cuddle... last night she didn't want to do either. In complete shock, I found my little baby girl climbing out of her crib. Excuse me?!

I put her back once she calmed down and again she did it. Good grief. I had no choice but to have her go to sleep in our bed and then transfer her back to the crib. In the morning she was kind enough to demonstrate her new trick for the camera.


I was fearing the worst at nap time today, but she went to sleep. Tonight for bed she went down with no problem, only to cry later and proceed to climb out. I do believe if the rest of the week continues this way, its toddler bed city for us. Thankfully, Ariel's crib transforms into a toddler bed, so I just need to pull down the pieces from her closet. My baby isn't a baby anymore... she is pure trouble. Haha.

Today Ariel and I had to run out to Michael's Craft store to pick up some supplies Ken needed for puppet building this week. He leaves next week for San Fransisco and will be filming his lessons for the online course. Very cool. However, we got stuck finding everything he needed. It only took 3 phone calls to his cel to get it all right. Haha.

We came home and went for a walk around town. It was really nice today and actually kinda warm too! While out I ran into several friends and got to chat it up. We came home for lunch and naps. I spent most of the afternoon reading Disney message boards. I have been reading some great tips and have been making notes for our upcoming trip. Whee.

After Ariel woke up, I had to change her outfit since she was a big drool mess. Thanks so much eye teeth. I ended up putting on an outfit she got at her birthday from Julie and her family. It is JUST fitting now, the skirt is still baggy on her, but the tops fit well. When I stepped back I saw a girl... not my baby. Wow.


Tonight we had chicken burgers, yummy, and as a treat I added some avocado as well. Dang those where soooo good. Then I watched the finale of the Biggest Loser, and was totally thrilled that we FINALLY have our first woman winner! Yay pink team. Even Ariel clapped along.

Tomorrow we are stuck at home... blah. We are waiting for a delivery from the UPS man, a special package Ken needs for his trip. Sooooo, I hope it comes early enough so I can get out for a bit. If not, its gonna be a long day.

Let the countdown begin!

We have an official Disney ticker! Woot! Yes, as of today, we are 5 months away from our trip!!! Gosh, it seems like such a long time but I know its going to go by so fast. Eek, I am very pumped, if you couldn't tell! Today also marks Ariel's 20 month birthday. Wow. 4 months away from turning 2. Yikes.

We had a great weekend. Saturday was mellow and included some walks around town and little else. Ahhh. After Friday night, we needed that. Ariel hasn't gone on the potty since last week, but I am not really surprised. No pressure yet. She did show us a new way of sitting on it though. Haha.


Sunday morning at church we had a special Faithweavers friends service. Ken was helping out since he is one of the regular 'storytellers'. Basically this program runs during our regular service for kids age 3 through to grade 5. What they wanted to do was share what exactly happens upstairs when the kids leave.

First we did some fun songs. (They are playing the cd to sing along with, my hubby doesn't sound like a girl. Haha)



Ariel ran up to join her daddy on stage, very cute!


Then Ken did a little Kermit puppet bit with one of the kids.



Afterwards we were all split into groups to go off around the church for stations. We got to go to Snack at Cafe first. We made yummy graham cracker buddies. I am proud of my work. Lol.


Then we got to go to crafts. I made a lovely door hanger for Stella. I must say its fun being a kid again. Hee.


Finally we got to go to the last station of games outside. Adults playing freeze tag is pretty funny... although watching them jump rope is even better.


After the service it was a soup and bun lunch day! Woot! Ariel loved her broccoli soup, especially dipping her bread stick.


Would you like some of my cake mommy?


Julie and the girls were visiting our church today since her hubby was out of town. Ariel is always excited to see Molly.


We came home in the afternoon, Ken and Ariel both napped and I went for a nice long walk in the sunshine. While out I found some cute cupcake candles and cookie cutter. I am slowly finding things to save for Ariel's birthday party in August. This year's theme is 'Sweet Treats'. Like ice cream, cupcakes etc. I was pretty set on using brown and pink for the colors but that could change.

I was up early which worked out well since Maria had some work for me before she was leaving for Edmonton. Can I say how much I LOVE working with her! I am soooo happy!

At 10am went over to Nana's house to sit with Papa while she had to run out to an appointment. Ariel spent the whole time on his knee with the cracker tub. How many crackers did she have... we have no clue. It did entertain both her and Papa, so thats all that matters.


Ariel then did some cleaning for Nana with the hokey. Such a pro!


In closing, I wanted to share a letter I got from a lovely gal who has been reading my blog.

I just wanted to thank you for your amazing blog!! Somehow I stumbled upon it and I have completely enjoyed reading it!

I have a little girl who is almost a year younger than yours, and a son who will be 4 next month, and I am trying to raise them alone while my husband is in Iraq, so I really need inspiration at times. Your blog provided that for me in so many levels!

Thank you again!

I was so moved and honored that I was helping someone this way. I sent her an email back thanking her and how I thought she must be pretty incredible to being a single parent while her husband was away. I can't even imagine what that would be like... so remember as you do little things like blogging that you may be helping or reaching out to people that you have never met.

One thing I look forward to with our Disney trip is getting to meet some of my online friends finally from the mommy board. We are starting to plan where to meet up and I am so excited. Its these moments like these that make the world seem so much smaller. See you guys in 5 months.

Action Packed Day

I am tired... I mean really tired. Today was a very full day, and even though at times it was a bit overwhelming, it all worked out and we had a lot of fun.

This morning we had a photo shoot with Maria at Frozen Reflections (the gal I am doing work for, and if you go to her website and click on client login, she is using a picture of Ariel and I at the moment- whee). The whole family loaded up the car and we drove out to her place. Ariel had slept the whole night through and I figured would be good to go. However, her teeth got the better of her and I think she was a bit scared of Maria's assistant Jon and she was a bit fussy.

In the end we did get some cute shots, these are our favs.


Thank you Maria, we love them! Even if we had to WORK Ariel to get them. Lol. I can't even describe what we were doing to get her to smile. It shall remain a secret. Haha.

Then back into town so Ken could take the bus to the city and we could go off to swimming lessons. We are really loving our instructor, as he is doing some great things with the kids. Today he had the older ones holding on to these floating foam barbells (one is each hand) then the parent help support the child on the tummy so they learn the feeling of floating. Then to blow bubbles in the water! Ariel is a star at blowing bubbles now, and I was really impressed that she did the exercise too! I was a little skeptical at first, but once she got the hang of it, she was glowing when her teacher gave her some praise.

After class we had to then swing by the travel agent to pick up our receipt for our trip to Disneyland. Yay! By the time we got home it was after 1pm, so I had a late lunch of sushi, yummy. Ariel went down for a nap and I rested for our next event.

Uncle Blair came to pick us up for our next outing. We were going to Build a Bear for a party for Brook. Once we got there and things got rolling, they really did start rolling... as you will see.

Since we didn't have Ariel's stroller, it was pretty much a wild evening. She was so happy to be out on foot and was running around. She never seems to get tired! So we picked out a furry friend, mommy got to pick one too.


Then we got to stuff him! Ariel liked pushing the buttons.


Then adding a heart, awe.


Of course when we weren't trying to distract her into taking part in building her bear, Ariel had discovered in her opinion the BEST toy of the night! One of the bears on display was in a stroller. Well this was too much for Ariel, she was in love with it. She did about 100 laps of the store with this thing, of course Mommy was trying to catch her and keep her from running people over. Blair was just laughing at her, thanks! Haha. Needless to say she was very entertaining and I mentioned to Aunty Deborah I would have to buy one to bring home since I thought there was NO WAY the girl was leaving it behind.


Time to dress up the bears!


Then Aunty Deb surprised Ariel... a pink stroller for her bear!


Another 100 laps of the store was in order to celebrate. She was thrilled! Thank you so much, I think this will be the most played with toy for a long time!


Then we boxed up the bears... except for Ariel's. Her bear wasn't leaving the stroller.


While the other kids took some pictures with their bears, Ariel jumped on the computer. She was quite taken with the idea she WAS allowed to play on this one.


Then the girls at the store sang a special birthday song for Brook. It was the first time ALL NIGHT that Ariel stood still and watched. She loves a good song.


While we waited for the Blair to bring the car around, Ariel and the other kids played on the bears picnic ride outside the store.


She loved the fake food! Yummy! She kept saying 'cake, cake'. I think she wanted some... and later she got her wish!


Back at the house, out came the ice cream cake! Happy 9th Birthday Brook!


Ariel thought Blair was taking too long to cut the cake and started helping herself.


We were all laughing pretty hard at this sight. The girl is so funny sometimes. Haha.


We gave Brook some new smelly markers and an 'Enchanted' activity book as a gift. The girls went to work on it while Ariel watched.


There were MANY tears when it was time to go. Ariel was overtired and wanted to stay to play with the kids. I was beat, and my voice is practically gone. (Yes, as of yesterday, I sound like a frog, its so lovely) We got home and were very happy to see Daddy. Of course we had to show him the stroller.

We gave Daddy our t-shirt we got with our bear. Looks like something he would wear around the house. Haha.


Ariel is now in bed, and its finally quiet. I am looking forward to a mellow day tomorrow. After this one, I could use it. As for our bears, here they are. When the girl asked what we wanted to name them, this is what I told her. Ariel's on the left is named 'Trouble' and mine on the right is named 'Sanity'. Perhaps this was what I was feeling at the time in the store, haha. They are sitting on the rocking chair in Ariel's room until morning... when I am sure they will be getting stroller rides for the remainder of the day.

Girls on the town!

Today was gymbucks day at Gymboree (obsession, yes I know - enjoy our summer fashion show during the post), so Ariel and I were up and out the door at 9am. The plan was to be there when the store opened at 930am... at least so I thought. When we hit the main road out of town, we suddenly realized we weren't moving... at all!


If the traffic was backed up all the way into our little town, I could just imagine how bad it was on the highway. Crap...er cow. Yes, the traffic was a cow. Mooooooooo! Making my language kid friendly proves to be challenging and yet funny. I had Ariel mooing in the car along with me. I am sure it looked weird to others, oh well.


When we hit the highway, 30 minutes later (usually a 5 minute thing for those who don't know) we managed to get over to the HOV lane. Thank heavens for that, as we made up plenty of time. I don't even want to think about how long we would have had to wait otherwise. We got to the tunnel and then things slowed again. We spent 10 minutes in the tunnel (usually a few minutes drive). I must also stress my great dislike of this, since its not only a dark small space, but also under water. Yikes. I have seen way too many disaster movies in my day to make me feel comfortable in there. I was so happy to see the light of day, and Ariel was happy the radio songs were back on.


We got to the mall at quarter to 10am, so not too bad in the long run. However, the store was just snaky busy in there at that point. Its nice to know I am not the only one with an obsession. Haha. Ariel had her snack and happily watched the tv for the most part while I shopped. While I was checking out she was ready to go, I think its because Barney was on the tv, he is just creepy. After her shopping we did some for me. Can I say how much I love shopping for myself now! Its fun finding things that fit and look good. Plus I love summer fashion, the skirts and tops. Everything out these days is very much my arty style. I got a cute couple of tops, and some casual shorts for around the house. I also found a top to wear for our pictures on Friday. Stay tune for the proofs to see it.


Then it was time to come home, and the drive was uneventful, which was good. We stopped by Nana's to visit Rose who was staying for a few days. Nana made some yummy tuna casserole, very tasty. I got to see the info package for the place her and Papa will be moving to in a few months. They are on a wait list at this point that can take about 3-6 months, so its exciting and sad at the same time.


I basically explained it to Ken as the end of an era. But this new situation is going to give them so much in the way of help, that I know its going to keep them with us longer. Thats huge to me. Plus taking Ariel to a place like that I am sure will brighten the day of so many others. Maybe that will be our new mission.


Bible study was canceled tonight at the last minute, so Ken is home with us. Ariel is happy to have him here... and me too.


So I hope you enjoyed our little fashion show during tonights post. I am off to watch ANTM and Ken has to work on the computer so good night!