the close of one chapter, and the beginning of another

Before I start... don't forget to go give me a blog name idea!!!! Post is HERE

So Friday was the kids last day with the daycare provider. We are heartbroken that they are leaving, but every end of a life chapter is the beginning of a new chapter. For a VERY small increase per week, we're going to be able to get a nanny! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! I mean over the top THRILLED. We had hoped to be able to afford this sort of thing this SUMMER, but weren't really expecting to.

What this means... FAR less stress in the mornings about getting the kids ready and out the door. If they have a runny nose or are just sick enough that we have to consider other kids, not a worry now. We can justify a membership at Amazement Square and the Y because they will actually get USED. We'll be spending less in GAS, but paying more for food in our house. I think it'll cut down on our eating out, too. I won't have to worry about going to pick up the kids, then getting home, getting the dog taken care of, getting the kids settled and THEN starting dinner. I'll be able to come right home, spend time with the kids, and then do dinner. It also means that we can have things that take a little longer in the oven b/c I'll be home so much earlier or if I get it together the night before, I can ask N to put it in for me. I'm just so excited.

The downfall... we'll be back to having no kids Riley's age around. We were already so limited since the only other little kid we are friends with was the sitters son and now we don't have that. However, if we get a Y membership, I'm hoping to do swimming lessons with Riley, so maybe we'll meet friends there. It'll work out just fine.

Now with all that... Friday was their last day, but N doesn't start until the 22nd. So guess who is home with the kids this week? NOT ME! Who cares that tomorrow is Presidents Day and everyone else in the U.S. has off... my work won't close! No, we are THAT dedicated! So... Ryan will be home Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. May the force be with him... and I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the mishaps. Thursday and Friday my absolutely AMAZING in-laws will be here!! Riley is going to be beyond thrilled when she figures it out. Big week ahead of us!

And here are some photos for you...

a little dance w/ some butt crack... (oh yea, she picked out her outfit.)

and a sweet smile (on a beautiful quilt made for him by a family friend!)

new blog help

So, in addition to tracking the adventures of life with 2 kids, a husband, and a crazy job... I'm going to start a crafting blog!!

All (or 99%) of the 'crafts' will be done with fabric.

The problem, you ask? I don't know about a name!!

So post name suggestions in my comments and become a follower! The winning name will get a baby blanket, bib, and burp cloth set. You pick the fabric!!

And pictures

In case you were wondering... the work kids were not ridiculous at all today. I was quite shocked. It was a very pleasant surprise. Supposedly we have another storm headed our way tomorrow in to Wednesday. The snow amount keeps increasing. I'm not pleased. At this point we only have a 1 hr delay tomorrow... I guess they are trying to see if it starts before school. We shall see!

Now pictures from last weekend. I'm gonna have to do a couple of blogs with them b/c there are just so many!

Trying to wade through the snow...

Smile!
Trying to clean off my car...
On her way to see me taking pictures

She WAS smiling...

Checking on our LOUD heat pump...

what happens when you get 'snowed in'?

You get antsy. When you get antsy you start doing ridiculous things...

Let's see. I finished up a project for a friend... here are some pictures of what came of that...

(they are onesies)

Then I did some baking. A lot of baking!

We've had "Ultimate" Peanut Butter cookies. But those were just break and bake. I honestly will never buy them again. They weren't bad but they were nothing spectacular. I can make peanut butter cookies just as easy for a lot cheaper.

Yesterday afternoon I visited the Bakerella website. Nothing good (for the waistline) comes from visiting that site! Last night I made the Peach Crunch Cake (minus the walnuts. Our friend has a peanut allergy and I wasn't sure if that included a peanut allergy or not. Found out - it does not. Maybe next time I'll add 'em). That was FABULOUS. Today for the SuperBowl FryFest, I made dessert. MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmm. I love me some good dessert. I made the (super easy) Lemon Bars and (super easy) mini cherry cheesecakes! Both were a SMASHING hit with everyone. I tricked them in to thinking I slaved over the oven for hours upon hours. I surely did NOT.

Another weekend accomplishment. I sold off the tall dresser in Riley's room. We've been meaning to put it on Craigslist for a while now, but I keep forgetting. So while I had nothing better to do yesterday, I listed it for $50. I really only expected to get $20 for it. Lucky me... I had about 10 or so offers and only 1 was offering less than what I was asking. The first person to email us got it and they picked it up this afternoon! YAY!!

Tomorrow we go back to school. 1 hr delay. THANK YOU, GOD. I am ready to be back to 'normal'. The kids have had a week off b/c of the weather and they are going to be INSANE. With the delay, at least we can ease back in to it. The day seems to FLY when we have a delay. We only need 3 more snow days this year to start before Labor Day next school year... I think we'll make it.

I'll try to put snow pictures up tomorrow... but for now I must go to sleep. I'm exhausted!

Julie & Julia giveaway!!!

Go check out Mama Wants a New Pair of Shoes RIGHT NOW!!! She is doing a drawing for Julie & Julia!

...and be on the lookout here for a giveaway in the next week!

Want pictures?

Plotting where to go play...
this smile will never get old

and look at that cute little butt with NO DIAPER!!!!!! She's so old!

Can you even believe how old Riley is getting? We are fully potty trained while she is awake!! Nap time is close, but not quite there yet. Night time training will be a long while. I asked the dr about it when we were in last week for ANOTHER ear infection and she was just impressed that at 2 years 3 months, Riley is -for all intents and purposes - potty trained. Being dry while she sleeps will come in time. I'm just amazed each day at how much she is growing and changing! She is fully of hilarious things to say!

About 4.5 months... first time getting "food"! He wasn't real sure at first...

All smiles!

and goofy faces!

::sigh:: Asher is growing too fast, too. He is rolling belly to back and back to belly. He is eating all kinds of new foods. He talks a mile a minute. His favorite thing though... when Riley gets all up in his grill and talks to him. He just smiles and giggles the whole time. I LOVE IT!!!

To my dearest 2 yr old

Dear, dear Riley: When you go to bed, we are well aware that you play. For future reference these toys do NOT help you be discreet about it: Chatter Phone, your talking Foofa (and the giggling that follows), the Laugh'n'Learn Puppy that sings all kinds of crap, and your potty book (that you obsessively push the flush ...button on). At least play with something QUIET when you're supposed to be sleeping. A little effort goes a long way, my dear.

Thanks,
Your (highly amused, yet somewhat aggravated) mother