365:Day 59 ~ Oh, What a Tangled Web She Weaved...

I bet that this pic gives you a pretty good idea where I'm headed with this little story, but here goes...

Tonight as Bill and I were fixing dinner, the girls were playing dress-up. They ran past us into our room to check themselves out in the full length mirror {which is not uncommon...happens almost daily}. We called them to the table and Carly came running out, but Macy didn't. We called her again. Still no Macy. We called one last time and she walked out of our room with a look of complete terror on her face, along with the above brush COMPLETELY tangled in her hair.

She instantly burst into tears...I think she was more scared than it was hurting her...but I didn't have the heart to snap a picture of her while she was in hysterics! SO, this after shot will have to do.

You can see all the hair that the brush pulled out. It took both Bill and I, but we successfully got the brush free...WITHOUT cutting one hair on our poor girl's head. She had tried to get it out herself, which of course only made it worse. The hairs were going in all kinds of crazy directions, but somehow no haircut was needed. I think that it's pretty safe to say that she won't go near that brush again with a 10' pole! When I asked her what she was trying to do, she said, "I was just trying to curl my hair". Bless that poor baby's heart. What a hard way to learn two things:

1. In our family, we have stick-straight hair that is hard enough to curl with a curling iron ~ a brush would NEVER do the trick.

2. This particular brush is really just for grown-ups to use.

Huh. I have a tiny glimpse of a memory of doing the same thing with my mom's brush when I was a kid. Maybe it's a girl thing? Anybody else?

365:Day 58 ~ I ALSO Heart This Girl...

those lashes.
that hair sweeping her forehead.
that cute freckle beside her nose.
that adorable grin.
those fingers by her face – just so.

... and that’s all I have to say about that ...

365:Day 57 ~ What Could Be Better Than...

...two freshly bathed girlies and a Daddy reading a bedtime story. I just can't think of a thing. Nighty-night!

365:Day 56 ~ We've Got Chills ... They're Multiplyin'

Does anything seem odd to you about this picture … in March?

This picture was taken this morning. Because the cooky Texas weather dropped to 30 degrees in the middle of the night last night. So, Bill turned on our heat when we went to sleep last night. But when we woke up this morning, it was 50 degrees in our house.

50 DEGREES. In our house. Our heat wasn’t working…like at all. So we spent the morning bundled in our jammies WITH sweatshirts, played games, and watched movies cuddled under blankets … with a fire in the fireplace and a space heater blowing warm air into the family room!!! Luckily, Bill’s brother Terry came to our rescue at lunchtime and got it working. It took several hours for the house to warm completely back up … it was close to 5:00pm tonight before it felt normal again. THANKS, UNCLE TERRY! You’re the best!

What I don’t understand is why we can’t just pick a temperature and stick with it, instead of this up and down dance we’ve got going. Can I get an order of 75-78 degrees to go, please?

365:Day 55 ~ 3, 4, 5, 6...

Why is it that sometimes I’m so on the ball with taking pictures and other times I’m SO not?

After school today, we had a little playdate with my friend, Amanda, and her two sweet girls, Lainey and Gracie. Macy and Lainey haven’t seen each other since they were under 2, and Carly and Gracie have never met. We keep up with each other all the time through blogland and facebook, but just haven’t gotten together to play. We knew that the kids would have a lot of fun…they are so close in age…3, 4, 5, and 6 actually. How cute is that?!?! Macy and Lainey were instantly the best of friends – like they’ve known each other forever – and their little sissies toddled around chasing after them! Such fun!

Anyway…you guys are probably going to think that I’m a lush after Wednesday’s pic and today’s, but I promise I’m not! Amanda was sweet enough to bring over this delicious bottle of wine and a YUMMY dip! I highly recommend this wine…I’m almost never a fan of white, but it was SO GOOD! If I was a lush, I might plan on grabbing a bottle on my next trip to Target. I’m just sayin’…IF I was a lush. Ahem.

For some reason, I got extremely lost in chatting with Amanda and just did not even snap ONE picture. So my only documentation of our super fun afternoon is this pic.

Thanks for coming over to play Amanda, Lainey, and Gracie! We all had a great time and can’t wait to do it again. And next time, I promise I’ll take some pictures. :) This was the perfect way to end our week…

365:Day 54 ~ MckMuffin...

I can’t stop.

I can’t stop checking on this precious little boy. I must check this blog 50 times a day…hoping and praying for another MckMiracle.

I know that most of you who spend any time in blogland probably follow this blog. For those of you who don’t yet know MckMama…she is a hysterically funny, inspirational mom of four beautiful kiddos. Last weekend, her youngest son, Stellan {5mos.} was hospitalized for heart failure. It’s heartbreaking. Literally. I can’t stop thinking about it. I'm praying for this little baby boy. I'm praying for this family. I can’t stop.

Please join me in praying for this precious boy. And you should definitely take a look at MckMama’s blog to see Stellan’s whole story…you will instantly become a follower! I know you won’t be able to stop either.

365:Day 53 ~ Swirl!

Wonder if they call this a “swirl” because it makes your head spin. What do you think? Actually…this restaurant calls it a “Mambo Taxi”. Huh. Spinning or not, I can tell you that it is DELICIOUS!!!

Thanks for another fun night of "bunco" ladies! One of my very favorite days of every month!!!

365:Day 52 ~ DWTS

Wanna know what these 30 tootsies were doing while Daddy was at his softball game tonight?

We were snuggled up on the couch watching Dancing with the Stars! I can’t think of anything better than cuddling with my 2 favorite girls. As we were lying there, I saw all of our little toes together and just thought it was the perfect picture for today…something I’ll always remember! Most of the time, both girls are up shaking their thang right along with the Stars, but tonight I got some snuggles! Love them to bits…

365:Day 51 ~ YUMMO!!!

Today, I had art duty again and we worked on this project that the kids started before Spring Break. My mom decided to plan a special outing with Carly {details to follow on our family blog}, which left me with a little bit of free time after I was done at Macy’s school. I decided that I’d run to the bank and then come home and pay bills. Wah-wah! Nothing too exciting, but then I decided that I deserved a Mommy treat during my boring free-time!!!!! I swung by Starbucks and got a skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte and IT.WAS.DEEEELISH! Just what I needed in order to get me geared up to pay the dumb bills!

{Oh, and in case you were wondering…the Jackson Pollack art project is coming together so well! Really, they are so cool! They have one step left! I can’t wait to see the finished product!}

365:Day 50 ~ Do You Eat Enough Protein?

Well. This is what it’s come down to.

My current obsession with being fit {and thin….okay, thin first and fit second would be more accurate} has resulted in my buying protein powder to make protein shakes! Wow. I’m honestly surprised at myself. I’m really not that kinda girl, but I’m determined to build some lean muscle on these flabby thighs! I guess we’ll see how long this protein shake thing lasts…

But…did you know that you’re supposed to have an ounce of protein for every pound you weigh PER DAY? I didn’t know that either until about a month ago. I’ve tried to get more protein in my diet, and although I’m doing better I think that drinking a shake every day or so will really help me out. It’s not easy consuming that much protein!!! Here’s to lean muscle, baby…

365:Day 49 ~ FWZ

We had a little family outing at the zoo today! We had a great time…details and TONS of pics to come on our family blog!!! Stay tuned…

365:Day 48 ~ Daddy's HOME!

HOORAY…Daddy’s home!

Bill got home just in time for dinner tonight, and were the girls ever happy to see him! Macy was listening to every word that came out of her Daddy’s mouth during dinner about everything he saw in Las Vegas! And Carly listened too, but maybe just not to every word!

Then, after dinner Bill was showing the girls the pictures he took of all the Vegas sites {Macy was a bit more interested than Carly}, and I just could resist snapping a few pics myself. I captured this one of Macy and her Daddy, just as Carly ducked out of the shot! Stinker! But, I do love the way this picture turned out. Macy’s face says it all…she idolizes her Daddy!!!

Even though we had a fun filled week, these girls missed Bill terribly and are so glad to have him home!

365:Day 47 ~ Just Playing Around...

So. I’m desperately trying to figure out the settings on my camera so that I can become a better photographer. Well, “mama taking pictures” would probably be a better choice of words than “photographer”, but you know what I mean.

My point is that I took like 100 pics of random stuff around my house tonight – trying out a new setting on my camera {and when I say new, I mean new to me...the setting has always been there. I've just never used it!}. I landed in the playroom, and although this photograph doesn’t AT ALL reflect that new camera setting, it does reflect our playroom on a daily basis. A dress-up explosion. And dress-up shoes are always involved. Always.

Just livin’ life with two precious little girls…and trying to learn to take pictures.

365:Day 46 ~ I Heart This Girl...

those eyes.
that widdle nose.
those pig tails.
that mouth.
those cute chubby baby fingers.

... and that's all I have to say about that ...

365:Day 45 ~ Missin' Daddy Already...

Bill left for his annual Home Deport Store Manager Convention this morning. This year it’s being held in Las Vegas, which should make the trip a little more enjoyable. So, the Leonard Ladies are on our own until Friday night. None of us is used to having Daddy gone…he only travels once or twice a year, so we are pretty spoiled! We’ll be missin’ him while he’s gone, but…

…maybe he’ll hit the jackpot on the slots!!!!! :)

365:Day 44 ~ 70 Degrees

Dear Spring…

Hello!
Welcome back!
It’s good to see you.

Feel free to stick around this time. We’re ready in the Leonard house. Yep. Happy to be spending some time outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine, flowers blooming, things turning green, warmer temperatures, short sleeves, jacketless days, and everything else that you have to offer.

We’re tired of the cold. Today was fantastic! We want to run around and play in the sunshine, go for bike rides, blow bubbles, make sidewalk chalk art, and go to the park. Pretty please stick around…

Thank you SO much,
The Leonard 4

365:Day 43 ~ A Penny for My Thoughts...

Well. I’m not sure that I’d call Day 1 “progress”, but it’s a start. Right after breakfast, Carly and I had a little chat…


Carly Anne: “What deese? What dis money for”

Mama: “Those are coins that mommy, daddy, and Macy get for every time we go potty in the potty.”

Carly Anne: “Oh. Where mine?”

Mama: “You don’t have a cup yet because you’re still wearing diapers.”

Carly Anne: “Oh.”

Mama: smiling a gigantic supportive smile...“Do you want to have a cup that you can put a coin in when you go potty like a big girl?”…still smiling…

Carly Anne: “No”…and runs off.


So. Maybe not “progress”, but definitely “steps”. Carly did clap and scream like an itty bitty cheerleader whenever one of us went potty today, but is currently uninterested in having her own cup. But the article did say that it could take a few days for the kiddo to be into the idea Huh…for now, my fingers are still crossed.

365:Day 42 ~ I'll Give You 2 Guesses...

…what I’m tired of doing! Anyone, anyone?

I.am.tired.of.CHANGING.DIAPERS!!!

So. Potty training the second time has just not been easy. It actually wasn’t super easy with Macy either, but when she got it, she got it. When MG was just over 2½, I started trying to get her interested in going on the potty. She really protested, so I dropped it. But, right before she started preschool {and 6 weeks before her 3rd birthday} I had a little boot camp with her, and in less than a week she was DAY and NIGHT potty trained…with almost no accidents.

Well. I was sure that things would be easier with Carly since she always wants to be like her big sister. I even started testing the waters a little earlier with her than I did Macy – shortly after she turned 2. She was into it at first, but not so much now. I decided that I was going to have boot camp with Carly over the kid’s winter break, which was right after Carly’s 3rd birthday. It didn’t go well. She was actually running away from us yelling, “I no go tee-tee in da potty!” Nice.

So we took a little break…no more talking about it, no more asking her if she wanted to go, etc. I just thought we’d revisit it in a month or two. And here we are almost 3 months later and nothing. Nada. Zip. Stilllllll lovin’ the dipees.

The point of this LONG explanation is to say that I think spring break is going to be Carly’s time! Okay, I HOPE. A few weeks ago, Erin got her Parenting magazine for March and one of the cover stories related to potty training. I let me subscription run out in 2008, so I didn’t get this issue. So, Erin brought it to me so I could try some of their suggestions. So, this article says to have everyone in the family – except the kiddo still in dipes - participate in a reward program for going potty. Everyone in our house will have a cup with their name on it, and every time we go potty we get to put a coin in our cup. The hope is that Carly will take notice of this reward on her own and decide that she’d like to participate. Carly LOVES coins – which is why I chose that. You could use M&Ms, Skittles, etc. instead.

We’re kicking things off tomorrow! Spring break is our week, I can feel it…BUT I sure wouldn’t mind if you would all keep your fingers crossed for me! :)

365:Day 41 ~ Madagascar

So, tonight was movie night in the Leonard casa…and we took a little trip to Madagascar!

We hadn’t seen Madagascar before and it was really funny – funny for adults AND funny for kiddos! Macy and Carly both understood the kid humor, and the adult humor flew right over their heads! A perfect movie for all of us to enjoy! It was cute, the acting was great, and of course the animation was awesome! It get the Leonard Seal of Approval! We may even make Madagascar 2 our next movie night! :)

I heart movie nights with my little family. Happy weekend...

365:Day 40 ~ There's Something About...

…sisters that I just can’t get enough of.

Macy’s Open House was at school tonight {major details to come on our family blog}. Our Sweet Goose was SO excited…and Our Little Peanut was just as excited, too. She hangs on Macy’s every word and couldn’t wait to be shown all around. She refused to hold our hands most of the time…just wanted to hold her big sister’s hand. And Macy was really excited to introduce her little sister to all her teachers and friends.

It is just priceless to watch these two precious girls together. They have the most perfect love for each other. It warms my heart everyday…there's something about sisters.

365:Day 39 ~ Burr

Remember when just a few days ago it was in the 80s and we were doing a lot of this?

Well. Not today. I’m going to keep this brief because I gotta say that I’m really getting tired of hearing myself complain about the weather here in Tejas. Yes…just yesterday it was 70something degrees, and today we had this {pic taken at 3pm…shouldn’t it have warmed up by then?}. 40 DEGREES and non-stop rain. I mean almost literally non-stop since 5:30 this morning. A totally wet, nasty day.

So.

Let me review. The weekend before last it was in the 40s and 50s. Last weekend it was in the 70s and 80s. Today, we kicked it back to the 40s. All in less than 2 weeks. Phew…who can keep up?

365:Day 38 ~ Braids

Since I’ve been on the obsessive work-out kick, I’ve been wearing my hair in a ponytail almost every day. It has started giving me “ponytail headaches” several times a week. Sooo…I’ve been trying not to put my hair in a high ponytail everyday – low pony, a knot, etc.

Well, this morning after I did my hair, my conversation with Carly went a little something like this…


Mama: “You almost done with your breakfast, Sugar?”

Bixie: “Whut you do to your hay?”

Mama: smiling…“I braided it today. Do you like it?”

Bixie: “Yea. You loot lite a durl!” (translation…yea. you look like a girl!)


Hmmm….does this mean that I normally look like a dude, or that today I look like a little girl? He, he, he!

One of the things that I love most about Carly is that she makes me laugh…EVERYDAY! :)

365:Day 37 ~ Art is in Her Blood!

This morning, I volunteered in art class at Macy’s school….one of my volunteer duties once or twice a month. Can I just say that I LOVE IT! And, if possible…Macy loves it even more than I do! :) She beams every time I’m up there, and asks me almost every Sunday night if I am coming to art the next day.

I love this experience for several reasons. I love to be up there and watch my kid in her element. I love that Macy Gwynne loves having me there. I love that for just an hour a couple times a month, I can be a teacher again.

Today’s lesson was about Jackson Pollack. The class started a two-part project, and I will actually be volunteering again the week after spring break when they finish the second part. Today, they chose and object or animal, drew it, cut it out, and wrote a little poem about it. Next time…they get to splatter paint it – just like Jackson Pollack. I’ll be sure to snap a pic of the finished product!

Carly Anne usually stays with Mimi or Aunt Rebecca. This morning it was my mom, and she looks just as forward to the alone time with Mimi as much as Macy and I do for our little QT. Carly and my mom had a blast. It’s nice because my mom gets to see Carly in her element without her older sister around.

So, in summary...art duty = lots of happy campers!

365:Day 36 ~ Bone, Thugs ... and NO Harmony!

This morning we were about to leave for the gym when I told Carly that it was time for me to do her hair. She informed me that she wanted a “bone”. At first I thought she said “bow”, but then I realized that bone = bun. A bun is what she wanted.

Unfortunately for Bix, I told her that we were in a little bit of a hurry and that I would be happy to put her hair in a knot, but not a bun.

Which is what I did.

Which is what caused this reaction.

A full on crying fit from our strong-willed, very 3 year old little girl. Over a knot, instead of a “bone”. She is so three. Tears…screaming…no harmony.

Bone, Thugs…

365:Day 35 ~ Skinny Cow

So. In an effort to try to stick to our healthy eating / working out plan…Bill and I decided to try Skinny Cow desserts. Bill is a HUGE sweet fan – I’m just an average fan of sweets {prefer salty, most of the time}, but my biggest weakness in ice cream. I could seriously eat it every night! And, I wish that I could….HOWEVER…I have not had ice cream even once in 2009. I think that the last time was for Carly’s birthday dessert on December 19th. SO hard for me!

I’ve heard lots of good things about these Skinny Cow treats...yummy and low in calories, fat, etc. I mean, Oprah likes them! :) I’ll have to let you know what we think. We’re about to try them when Bill gets out of the shower for our dessert. I can say that no matter how good they are, I will not be eating one every night – as much as I might like to! I don’t want to create anymore bad habits!!! BUT…it sure would be nice to have one once a week!

365:Day 34 ~ Another Bloggie Friendship

Today, after Carly and I went to the gym with Katie and Cole for our usual workout, we met Erin and Landry for a yummy lunch at Corner Bakery! YUMMO! Katie and Erin had only communicated in blogland until today! I so love that our little blog community is growing into real friendships.

Cole and Landry didn’t feel much like sitting still in a restaurant today, so it was a quick lunch {which is also why not one of the three of us picture-taking addicts snapped a pic of the kiddos in the restaurant}! BUT, it was definitely long enough for us mamas to get in some good gabbing! If there’s one thing that I can confidently say about Erin, Katie, me……we all LOVE to talk! We have the gift of gab, we do! And of course, we quickly decided that next time we’ll ditch the kiddos so we can really get our talk on…and maybe even a little wine! :)

365:Day 33 ~ Carly's Castle...

This dollhouse is quite possibly one of the BEST gifts we’ve ever given to Carly. She.loves.it! Today {and like just about every day} when we got home from Target, she ran directly into her room and started playing with her dollhouse…she just spews imagination from every inch of her little body. All the people talk and have personalities, there are sound effects…the babies even cry. It really is just fantastic to watch. I quietly sneak a peek at her as often as I can without disturbing her.

The funniest thing about it is when Bill and I were birthday shopping for Bix, we were in the “dollhouse department” and asked another parent about it being age appropriate. She told us that Carly would be way too young, and that she didn’t give the dollhouse to her daughter until she was seven. We decided that with Carly’s imagination and love of dolls, barbies, etc. that we’d give it a shot. We’re so glad that we didn’t listen to the goofy lady {with a freaky, unimaginative kiddo}! It is hands-down Carly’s favorite toy right now! And we get so much joy from watching her…

365:Day 32 ~ MMC Tradition

Somehow since school started this year, the girls and I have accidentally started a tradition. A tradition that’s just for us girls…a Mommy.Macy.Carly tradition. Bill almost always closes on Wednesday nights, and somewhere along the way, I started taking my two favorite chicks to Sonic Happy Hour on the way home from school on Wednesdays. Just the 3 of us. It’s a fun little treat…the girls get a lemon or apple juice slushy and I get a sweet peach tea {of course}. Then we come home and I make them some popcorn to enjoy with their slushies. It’s definitely something that we all look forward to! I’m so glad for every tradition that we have with our completely precious girls…big and small.

364:Day 31 ~ Accessorize!

In the last 6ish months, I've become a little addicted to accessories! I’ve outgrown the little box thing that I've been keeping my accessories in and have been in search of a “jewelry box” to accomodate all of my chunky bracelets for a few weeks now. I’ve made 2 purchases at The Container Store that didn’t work out.

BUT, I guess it’s true what they say…the third time is a charm! Today, I went back up there again for my third exchange, and a sweet associate pointed me in the direction of a mug holder. Well, this mug holder makes the PERFECT jewelry box for me! It’s deep enough for my chunky bracelets, fits nicely on top of my shoe boxes in my closet, has handles and a lid, and has enough room for me to add to my collection! Hmmm…maybe I should start adding to it tomorrow…

365:Day 30 ~ The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony EVER!

Yes, that’s right. Once again, Chris Harrison – host of The Bachelor – promised that tonight’s finale was going to be the MOST DRAMATIC EVER! And oh boy, was it!

Erin, Natalie, Kim, and I headed over to Gina’s for a Bachelor Finale Party…full of junk food, wine, sweet tea, and a whole lot of oohing, ahhing, gasping, pausing to make predictions, and most of all disgust. Ew.

I will not go into the details of the MOST DRAMATIC FINALE EVER, as I’m sure most of you watched it unfold! But, I will say that I definitely had more fun watching it with these four girls than I would have all by myself! Thanks for hostessing, Gina! I had a blast!

In fact, I had such a great time…and it took us a.very.long.time to get through the show since we kept pausing and discussing…that I didn’t pull into my driveway until 12:04am! What a perfect night with the girls! :)

365:Day 29 ~ Sprinkles

Since we were out for dinner last night, the girls and I continued Daddy’s birthday celebration today and made him his very.favorite.cake, which happens to be a Leonard Family Tradition…chocolate cake with peanut butter icing!

The girls added a few sprinkles. And I use the term “a few” very lightly! :) Don’t sprinkles make everything taste better?