List Galore!

Maybe it is because I enjoy being organized, or maybe it is because I don't like to forget things??? But one thing is for sure, I enjoy lists! To do Lists, Shopping Lists, Idea Lists...You name it and I have probably have had a list for it! Now this has really hit home this week as we prepare for a two week vacation. As my dear friend Jamie and I have discussed list are a "good thing" in our minds, although we justify many things like this because we are simply so much alike! As I am preparing to pack for the four of us, I have found myself with list for just about everything I am planning to pack for the four of us. Is this completely my Type A personality or is it just plain ridiculous? Probably a bit of both. But, I enjoy it and one thing is for sure the four of us will be prepared for vacation and I just hope we don't forget much...As Kevin says (he is my balance in life) don't worry about it we can always run out to get it while we are there, so true!

Binky Girls!

Tess and Mommy washed all the Bee-Bees! Every child has their items they are attached to...Blankey, Teddy Bear, Binky... Both our girls enjoy their binky, which Tess Nicknamed at a very young age her "Bee-Bee" Now while some feel these items are something that children should part with quickly, Our household finds them to be a healthy part of childhood. Now, we realize that Tess is approaching three and the time will come very soon when she needs to part with the "Bee-Bee", (We are not anticipating this will be an enjoyable experience for the household). However, the bear can stick around as long as she needs "Beeper the Bear". Having snuggley girls is something we are both happy with! I think that feeling secure and loved truly helps to build a loving bond and self-esteem. We are enjoying it and I will jump at any opportunity to snuggle my girls, while they enjoy their "Bee-Bees", Blankeys and Bears! Did you have a security item as a child?

Irresitable Crayola...

Little Ones are quick, and our Tess is no exception! She also is very good at taking every opportunity available to have a great time! We were recently having Art Time and drawing pictures with markers. While this is a fun activity, it is a highly cooperative activity with Mommy because it can get messy! WELL, Mommy had to use the potty during art time, so Tess and I ventured to the restroom. She quickly disappeared, I returned quickly to find her enjoying a green "Washable" Marker. I asked "What are you doing Tess" (silly questions, clearly Mommy I am having fun with markers while you weren't here) Her reply...Putting on "Make-Tup"...I Love the Honesty!! So here's to our Little Ones and their ability to make every opportunity count! Notice the marker does match the shirt!

ZZZ...Drifting Off to Dream, Slowly...

Bedtime routine, or routines in general a important at Our House, however, flexibility is a virtue as well. We sure experienced this tonight. While our typical bedtime routine for our 2 1/2 year old consist of this... Bath time, Maybe a short TV show while cuddling on the couch, Brush teeth, saying prayers, turning on instrumental music, XOXOXO, Story time, and then typically falling asleep during the story....Tonight was different... It went some thing like this... Meltdown because we did not want to go to bed...Calmed down for Mommy...Laid down...Got up.(repeated this step a few times for random things)..Said Prayers...Said More Prayers...Read Story #1...Story #2...."Okay Tess, No More stories...It is bedtime"..."Shhh, listen to the music"...Tess singing to the music, with her own words (adorable)...Request for "Night-Night Milk"...Rubbing Mommy's Hair..."Okay Tess...Time to sleep, ...Mommy "Lay Yous Down with me Peas" (Who can turn that down? Not Me!) ..."Tell Me a Story"..."Where is my Blankey"...Tess started talking about random things...ZZZZ! And Our Angel Sleeps (Of Course some of the details were left out...I could go on forever...Although, I will look back some day and wish to have this precious senario repeated... While this took a bit longer tonight and I could have tucked her in and said good night, our little Tess has much more strong will then that, she would have been making an appearance in the living room. Now, is part of this our fault for "Giving In" maybe, but it is our decision and we see it this way: She is only little once and ...the time was very well spent! Yes, there are times for a more forceful approach, and we do that for certain situations...But for now, We are "enjoying the entire journey" and savoring when we are needed...Life is good...We Love You Tess. One final note, Thank you to my Mom for the many nights of sitting with me until I drifted off to dream, I think I had many "sweet dreams" because you did that for me...and I think I turned out just fine :) I Love You Mom! Our girls are now sleeping and it is time for everyone to get some rest!

A Great Playdate!

Briana and Tess enjoying their playdate!

My cousin Christy and I had our girls just three weeks apart and we are so glad about that. However, we don't get together nearly as much as we should, she is so dear to me. Today we finally got our little peanuts together to play. We were a bit concerned because they both can have a "loving" strong-willed side, so we were curious how it would go....Needless to say, it was wonderful. The major conclusion, we need to do this more often! As we go through life it is so important to have good friends (cousins too) that we can bond with and enjoy the many moments of our lives. We loved our special time and how wonderful the fact that it was family time as well...Our Grandparents are were peeking down from up above smiling today at the sight of their Great-Grandgirls playing together! Looking forward to the next playdate! Hopefully, Bailey can join us next time!

Season Crisis.....

"I am ready for Vacation Mommy & Daddy!" We are going to be going on vacation soon and while I was going through warmer weather clothing Tessa had a great time trying on clothes. At this point in the photo she was showing off her "Winter Swim" model look. She is a "Hoot" I find myself laughing all the time at her innocent creative ways to play! She never seems to be without something fun to play and all the while she is Happy Go Lucky...It is so fun being a Mom and watching this special time!

Baby Smiles

In my mind every moment with your children is precious! One of the most enjoyable is the lovable smile that they share with their parents and in this case with her sister. Tessa loves talking to and "reading to" Ella. It is so fun to hear her imitate us by reading a book to her. That is what she was doing at this moment. It was so special to see Tessa enjoying her sister and to see Ella smiling at the sweet sound of her sister's voice...We are enjoying every moment, they go by all to quickly!

"What to Wear???"

I picked these outfit out myself Mom & Dad!

Tess has always had a thing for shoes!

Tessa Loves Making a Fashion Statement

The one of the Many Joys of raising daughters is the excitment about clothing. Or in the case of our 2 1/2 year old... the question is what to wear or what not to wear?? She would go to the grocery without her outfit on if we would allow it!?! I think she finally got the message that clothes are a good thing, now she is on a mission to make sure she has on at least 3 outfits a day. She will just disappear and come back fashioning her latest choice of outfit! It is very humorous and just one of the many joys of raising "Our Girls"!!

Random Acts of Kindness while shopping!

While out shopping today, we experienced some true acts of kindness. I had Ella in the front carrier and Tess in the cart while we were out and about. I truly feel that it is important to take the girls out shopping with me...for many reasons. First of all, they are girls, and shopping is a fact of life for us girls! Secondly, I feel that all our time together is precious and an open door for learning. Tessa is learning often when we are out and about, we practice counting, colors, and kindness while we are shopping. Today, we witnessed some kindness to learn from.

While we were at the store, individuals were opening doors for us and willing to help out when Tess would drop something out of the cart. Tess was sure to say thank you! I am constantly amazed at all the details of what children model after us. Her sweet "thanks so much" really gave others a smile today. She also gave others a smile when she pressed the "emergency exit door" in the ladies department, although the alarm sounded and Mommy was not fast enough to stop the pursuit, the lady working said, it is no problem, others gave a kind grin at Tessa's adventure for the day, she told the lady "Sor-we". The girls and I had fun together, and that it what is most important, enjoying our time together!

The Joys of a Simple Balloon!

I Love My Balloon Mommy! Just recently, on a journey out, we went out to lunch with Grandma Sherry! Tess was very please at the sight of balloons in the restaurant! She chose a beautiful red one and made the comment..."I Love my balloon Mommy"... She gave it a hug, you will notice from the photo, the balloon in not red???? Unfortunately, the wonderful wind had a run in with Tessa's balloon. She was sobbing, I felt like sobbing myself when I saw the sadness in her eyes when she said,..."My balloon went up, up!"...So needless to say, we had to get a pack of balloons when we went to the store. Mommy blew one up, and as you can see, she was very content with her Pink Balloon!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By YOU! We sure do love these two girls, having daughters gives a whole new meaning to this holiday. For now we are enjoying the love in our household. For example the fact that we had a 5 a.m. visitor equipped with her Teddy bear in hand, how can one resist those precious moments... we can't. "Climb on Up" were the words we expressed this Valentine morning! A great gift for Daddy, Mommy, and Tessa! But just think someday our girls will be recieving Valentines from someone other than Daddy...I sure hope time goes by really SLOW! Tessa sure thinks her sister is pretty special and at times she even gives her some "Bear Hugs..." We find ourselves saying "Be gentle" quite often...she just loves her. As far as Kevin and I we are just enjoying each other this holiday and taking it easy!

Here it Goes....

Well, thanks to some convincing from my dearest friend Jamie, I am entering the "Blogging World"... I know it is a jungle out there. My main motivation, to keep my dear family and friends updated on the events of our lives and to share the joys of Our Journey! My husband Kevin and I have daily joys in our household with the two girls! I am anxious to see how the blogging world works and hopefully have some fun along the journey as well... We will see ..."Here it Goes..." I hope I have as much fun as Jamie!!