Steal!

A few weekends back we finally started our project of sanding and painting the kids dressers. Elliot's dresser was one we inherited from our friends when we moved here, it did the job but wasn't perfect. Clay started sanding it but then ended up taking the sides off which means it was done for, no more dresser! During nap, while the boys slept (this was on our anniversary) Gabby and I headed out to a few stores to see what we could find in terms of a replacement. Nadda. Later that evening after a romantic dinner of Papa Murphy's pizza (we just got one here in VA, and it is REALLY close to us- PERFECT) we strapped the kids into their carseats and off we went, on the hunt again. We wanted a good quality wood dresser, that was sturdy enough to handle E, but didn't want to pay a hefty sum. This is how it worked, pull up to a thrift store- I jumped out and did a quick run thru the store, nope nothing. No use getting the kids in and out of their seats if they don't have anything worth looking at. It got old, the closest we came to finding anything was old, non perfect, wood dressers at the Salvation Army where they wanted $200. No. It was late, almost 7pm which means we should have been home getting the kids ready for bed. One last stop, the DAV thrift store. Sitting outside was a big ugly white dresser. Clay guessed $400. I hopped out and said "498" yes meaning for the steal of $4.98 we got this monster dresser. Including tax it came to $5.23. It isn't solid wood, but it is strong and for that price it is AMAZING! It had a sticker inside a drawer, I looked it up and the retail price is $550!

Before, complete with broken knobs and a fancy bow.

The kids were excited it was done. I hauled it by myself into E's room today after I put all the clothes back in it last night (so much easier to do without "help"). I used cardboard to help slide it, and tried out a few arrangements in the room.

Done. notice another bargain of mine, the Mickey Mouse poster (he loves MM) was $1 at my local Dollar Tree!

The total cost went up for the dresser once we bought the paint, and knobs but it still worked out to just under $50 I think!

Beauty and the Beast

Saturday afternoon Gabby and I had a date, she saw her first play! Seth joined us for it, and the three of us had a great time playing around and watching Seth's mom perform! Beauty and the Beast was a great play, with a sold out crowd! The first time Gina came on stage Seth yelled out "THAT'S MY MOM!" it was very cute! Both kids did well, better than I expected. The Beast didn't even scare them, which was one of the big fears.

After the play, while Gina changed out of her costume, the kids got ice cream to finish off a great day!
It was an exciting day, playing at a toy store, riding escalators, watching the play, seeing fire trucks who had to back up right in front of us on its way to a call because a road was closed, then ice cream!

Seth came to our house Sunday so he could play with us while Gina did the last show. Elliot and Seth were so cute in just their jeans, almost could be mistaken as brothers too!

pillows and potatos

Twice in the past week I have come home to every single pillow, and cushion in the house being made into a pile on the toy room floor! Clay directs the kids as they climb up on the bed, jump off onto the pile, then repeat! On Saturday morning after my short run (really trying to get back to running since this cough came and made it impossible) they were jumping and referring to themselves as Tough Nut (Gabby) and Rough Nut (Elliot).... we just watched How To Train Your Dragon!

I used up some of the sweet potatoes I have had sitting around, making them into this delicious nutty sweet potato soup! I loved it, as did Elliot. Gabby thought it was too peanut buttery and Clay doesn't like PB flavor in things or sweet potatoes! could easily be made vegan too- using vegetable stock and omitting the honey (which really isn't that necessary). I stood at the stove testing the soup for my lunch!

Ballerina

Gabrielle had her first ballet class tonight! We were the first ones there, as of lately she has been paranoid about being late to things. These pictures were before class, as she was showing us her moves. Parents sit outside the room during the hour class, the kids seem to do better under those conditions. I peeked in the window of the door a few times, once Gabby was crying because the teacher had told her she could go first to gallop back to the other side but somebody else was going first! Oh the girl has a competitive and stubborn streak! She learned a plie , and danced like Tinkerbell- flapping her arms! So far ballet is a hit, we just need to work on not getting upset when things don't go the way YOU want them to!

writing

It is not even 9am, yet I have started making nutty sweet potato soup. I have most of the ingredients needed on hand, but a few we need from the store. Gabby wrote the grocery list while I chopped up the sweet potato:
Oh how I love the girl. So smart! Then she started telling me I was making her work too hard, like Cinderella! Hahaha! Cinderella is on her brain, it is a game we play very frequently! Off to the store we go, to buy honey and tomatoes (diced, but spelling each letter out for her I try to keep it short!). happy Friday!

7 Years!

Seven years ago I married the man of my dreams. Our relationship has traveled thru many states, and countries but where ever it takes us it becomes home as long as we are together.

We have grown from just the two of us, Clay living in San Diego and me finishing school at Western. 6 months after we got married we finally had our first place together- in San Diego. We have traveled so many roads since then, but no matter what state or country we are in- when we are together we are home! The past 20 months is the first time in 9 out of the past 10 years we have gotten to see each other daily! It is LOVE!

Now there are four of us, and life is sweet!

This spunky girl changed our world and made us a family.

This wild boy completed us, and made us whole.

here's to many more years to come with a wonderful man and amazing children walking with me in life and making it home, where ever it may be.

Style!

Last week after 14 inches of rain, Saturday was sunny and warm. We, along with everyone else who had been cooped up staying dry, went to Norfolk's Children's Festival. It was perfect after we waited in line to get in- we got to do a few fun things before EVERYONE was there. The kids got Home Depot aprons, and we built their sailboat and birdhouse at home later in the day.This is my famous friend Gina, and her son Seth. Gina is Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. Next weekend Gabby and I are going to see the play! Part of the cast dressed up in their un-enchanted costumes and did a small performance at the festival.

Seth and Gabby are good buddies, they fight and love like siblings almost!
Both G & E got really into the playdough area. E didn't even try to eat it! I am thinking it might be great to make some of our own playdough and have lots of fun tools for the winter.
Elliot and I have been sick with an awful cough for almost a week. Clay was feeling rundown yesterday after work so he tried to lay down.... impossible to rest when these two think it is a fun game to climb all over you. Clay napped, we got out of the house and all were happy in the evening.
Part of our outing while Clay slept was to Dollar Tree to get a few Halloween decorations. Gabby is really into her own style and dressing herself. Today for library she wore the following: pink skirt, orange shirt with a gumball machine on it, tall socks with stripes, NEW favorite cowgirl boots, army jacket and to top it off so her "ears don't get cold" (it was 50* out when we woke up) a knit little red riding hood hat from the dress up box!
Elliot's favorite part about library time: the water fountain!