365:Day 89 ~ YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!

So yesterday afternoon, Carly Anne turned some kind of corner and now completely seems to have the hang of going tee-tee like a BIG GIRL! It was an awesome day for her in the potty department … she filled up her chart!!! She is so excited to go and pick out a toy from Target that she can barely stand it! She went potty right before bed, got her very last sticker, and could.not.stop.talking about going to the store tomorrow! Pretty cute! She’s proud of herself and SO ARE WE!!! :)

365:Day 88 ~ I Was Just Wondering...

…if you think that I need to organize my tupperware cabinet?

Cause I don’t. I like it like this. And it’s been this way for at least 6 months!!! It doesn’t at all annoy me every.single.time that I open this cabinet to get a tupperware, which is pretty much every day. Oh no. I love it like this.

Let's recap, just so we’re clear.

This is my tupperware cabinet. And I love it like this. It does not totally bug me on a daily basis. Uh-uh. Not me. Doesn’t bother me AT ALL.

And speaking of things that I love - don’t you just love it when something get continually pushed to the back burner over and over and OVER…and then you don’t think about it unless you’re trying to utilize it??? I love that, too.

So, what about you guys…do you have this cabinet in your house, or am I the only lucky one? :)

365:Day 87 ~ Accidents Happen

Yep. Today, our little Bix had her second public tee-tee accident in the past two days. Now a big deal really, but a bit of a pain in the tush. During dance, Erin and I decided that we needed a Dr. Pepper {for various reasons}, so I took Carly to the potty before we left…knowing that since she just had a giant cup of lemonade that she would need to go. Also, she seems to go around 4pm each day. So, all 4 of us…me, Carly, Erin, and Landry…went into the giant handicap stall and hung out for close to 20 minutes. When she didn’t go, I decided that we’d run and get the drinks and come back and try again.

I know that you can guess where this is going, but as we were standing at the drink machine Carly proceeded to pee all.over.the.rug in Café Express. Super. So, I told the guy behind the counter that my 3 year old potty training toddler just peed all over their rug {which he was really cool about}, took her to the bathroom, rinsed her off in their sink with warm soapy water, washed her plastic flip-flops {thank goodness for flip-flops}, and got her some clean panties and capris.

In the past 2 days, I’ve washed her in two public sinks and washed those flip-flops 3 times! I’m becoming a pro, but I wouldn’t mind if this is as pro as I get! :) PHEW!

365:Day 86 ~ Little Señoritas...OLAY

Grandma just got back from an AWESOME cruise that visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, as well as several other really cool places. And of course, Grandma brought back some really cool souvenirs for the kiddos! She stopped by after dinner tonight and brought the girls their goodies!

How cute are these dresses?! The hand stitching is beautiful on the white frocks and the purple dresses could not be more adorable! Macy and Carly immediately put on the purple dresses and started shakin’ it! Macy informed Bill and me that it is her most favorite dress! I can’t wait to snap some pics of them in these precious little Mexican duds!

Oh, and Joanne also brought them each a cute little wooden “Nemo” bobble fish to be a friend for the little bobble turtles that she brought them from her last cruise! Also a huge hit!

Thanks, Grandma, for spoiling these little señoritas rotten…AGAIN!

365:Day 85 ~ Control

Do you ever feel like something else is in control of your life?

Well. Right now, I feel like potty training is currently the center of our universe here in the Leonard house…it seems to be in control. But for what it’s worth, I’m glad that it’s in control right now because at least that means that we’re moving forward! I do apologize that it seems to be controlling this blog as well, although it is a 365 blog that reflects our ever day life…and currently potty training is our every day life!!!

So, with that being said…I really heart these Gerber Training Pants. They’re cute. They’re pink. They’re easy to get on and off. They’re thick and absorbent for our occasional dribbles. AND they sure look adorable on some delicious little 3 year old buns.

365:Day 84 ~ Two Stars!!

WOO-HOO!!!

... 'nuff said ...

365:Day 83 ~ I Double Dog Dare You...

...to tell me what's cuter than 4 little red-faced friends that had a ton of fun on what was almost a yucky, rainy afternoon, but turned out to be sunny, nice afternoon {although it was quite windy} ... even if they weren't super in to me taking their pic?!?! I can't think of a thing.

365:Day 82 ~ Do You Like Peas?

My husband loves frozen peas ... today.

And I adore him ... more than he knows.

365:Day 81 ~ Messy Marvins...

This afternoon we had a very spur-of-the-moment playdate / dinner with Aunt Rebecca, Celia, and Julia! Let me start by saying that we had a ton of fun…the girls played and played, and Rebecca and I talked and talked!

I don’t know why, but I am always amazed at the teeny, tiny, short amount of time that it takes for 4 little girls to completely destroy a playroom! I mean no time at all! As we were cleaning up, I noticed this little display of food under my dining room chair and had to laugh. Little tornados they are.

Such a fun impromptu afternoon…

365:Day 80 ~ Pretty Pink Potty Progress...

Well, I think that I can officially say that we are starting to make some progress with Carly going potty like a big girl…although it’s VERY small progress. Baby steps, if you will.

Today, our Carly Anne sat on the potty not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Believe me when I say that’s a breakthrough in itself! And that’s not all. For an hour tonight, she wore some cute little Elmo panties. I asked her every 10 minutes if she needed to go potty, and she kept saying, “No mama…I not need to go. The tee-tee is still in dare.”

Then, as we were walking to the bathroom to try before we read a book – literally as we were headed back there – she went tee-tee in her panties and proceeded to FREAK OUT! But…I still call today a success. It’s pretty pink potty progress!!! Hopefully tomorrow will be more of the same. Today is the most interaction with the potty and panties we’ve had to date! Gosh, if she could just make it happen in the potty I know she’d get the hang of it! Keep crossing those fingers…

365:Day 79 ~ A Yummy New Snack!

I love starchy foods - chips…popcorn…crackers…etc. - much more than sweets. I’m always trying to find healthier “snacky” stuff, and I happened upon these crackers. They are yummy and kinda different…and they’re not as fattening as MANY other choices {very little fat actually}. I had a handful for a little snack this afternoon and thought I’d share my find with all of you. You should definitely try ‘em out…

365:Day 78 ~ CRASH!

So, yesterday when the dudes were delivering the furniture the girls were very excited and wanted to watch every move. I had asked them to stay out of the way as they were bringing it in, but told them they could come watch while they took off the plastic. Carly was trying so hard to see what they were doing that she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going…and proceeded to slam her head into the wall. I mean she nailed it…right into the CORNER of the wall! OUCH!

It was instantly a purple bump, but it looks even worse today. I tried to get a good picture of it…but just could not seem to do it justice. You can barely tell in this shot, but it looks pretty rough. We had lunch with Gina and the Bryce’s today, and after Gina got over the shock of Macy’s toothless grin, she said…“and I see that Carly hit her head. Glad that things are normal!” Yep. That about sums up our second kiddo…she’s such a little head banger! This wasn’t the first, and somehow I’m certain it won’t be the last!

365:Day 77 ~ In With the New...

Even though I’m a little sad to see our old furniture go…I’m SUPER excited to have our new stuff! It arrived at 11:20 this morning – an hour earlier than expected – and the girls and I were THRILLED! And Daddy can’t wait to get home and feast his eyes on our new family room! The first thing the girls suggested was that we should have movie night on it tonight…and I think that’s just what we’ll do!

365:Day 76 ~ Out With the Old...

For some reason, I’m feeling a little sentimental about getting rid of our furniture. Well. I shouldn’t say for some reason. I know the reason. I’m a sentimental, mushy sap.

This furniture was our first major purchase together. The very first thing. We actually bought it before our wedding because Bill was moving into our apartment and needed it. We bought it in January 1998 and got married in July.

Anyway…it’s 11 years old. And extremely loved on ~ by the two of us, two doggies, and two girlies! It’s definitely time for it to go, but I couldn’t help but think of all the “good times”…

Both the couch and chair are so comfy and deep … I graded countless papers … we watched countless movies and football games … it’s been in our apartment and both of our houses ... we snuggled both of our dogs … it was a very cozy spot for me when I was preggo and SO sick with both of our girls ... we snuggled and fed both of our babies … I folded TONS of laundry … we had family movie nights … it’s been jumped on by both kiddos … it’s been sat on by our friends and family at gatherings and birthday parties … it’s made sick girls and sick parents feel better … it’s been home to lots of giggling … and it’s been in the center of our family room – the heart of our home – for more then a decade.

And I cherish these memories.

Sentimental – yes. Sappy – yes. Dorky – probably. But I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t all of those things.

365:Day 75 ~ Up, Up, and Away...

Carly brought home a bunch of cute artwork in her backpack today, and this was my very favorite piece! It’s a hot air balloon! I don’t know how they did the paint {couldn’t get it out of Bix}, but it’s so bright and colorful that I couldn’t resist taking a picture of it!

Not to mention that she was SUPER proud of all her stuff! Isn’t toddler artwork awesome?!?! :)

365:Day 74 ~ Jodi Leonard Brownies

Let’s face it. Betty Crocker I am not. Like at all.

I don’t particularly enjoy cooking, nor am I particularly good at it. However, I make some brownies that are a huge fave with my family AND my friends. In fact, these brownies have been nicknamed “Jodi Leonard Brownies” and I will not be let in the door to a gathering with our friends without them in tow.

Those of you who know me well, know that I don’t even like chocolate. It’s ironic that at just about every get together our dessert is these brownies…that I bring…but don’t even like! :) I guess it keeps me from eating dessert, huh!

Wanna know the other ironic part about these brownies? It’s a box mix. A Betty Crocker box mix to be exact.

I had bunco tonight and I brought some Jodi Leonard Brownies with me. This was all that was left when I got home!

I guess it’s safe to say that when I “work with” Betty Crocker…then and only then, can I actually be “called” Betty Crocker. Ironic. And funny. But all my peeps love them. So, I’ll just have to keep making them and basking in Betty’s glory!

365:Day 73 ~ Have You Ever Seen...

…a car on fire?
I haven’t.

Until TODAY!

Erin and I and the little girls were taking our usual walk during the second half of dance class today. As we were finishing up our first lap, we found a car that was on fire parked right in front of the dance studio. I mean on fire. Like flames that were 3-4’ high coming out of the hood and the air was full of smoke. I’ve seen cars smoking heavily before, but never actually ON FIRE! Whoa.

We were a little concerned about getting back inside with the big girls {just in case something exploded}, but the fireman had it out in NO TIME at all! Carly was kinda freaked out, but Macy and Ashton weren’t the least bit concerned!

It sure made dance a little more eventful today! Just not something one sees on a regular basis…

365:Day 72 ~ I Know...I'm Weird.

Okay. So do you remember this post and this post about me volunteering in Macy’s art class when they were working on a Jackson Pollack project? Today, I had art duty again and the kids were working on drawing some exotic rain forest birds. Seriously. That’s what they were working on. Anyway…they were blowing me away with their drawing abilities, as well as their choice of vibrant colors.

Their art teacher was doing a direct teach to the class, so there wasn’t a lot for me to do in the classroom today. So, she asked me to go and laminate the kid’s Jackson Pollack finished masterpieces! THEY TURNED OUT FABULOUS! So, I {of course} offered to bring them home and cut them out….but kind of for wacky reasons. Yes, I’m happy to help the teacher out, but this is why I say I’m a little weird. I actually like laminating. And I like cutting out things I’ve laminated. In front of the tv. Something trashy that my hubby probably can’t stand. It’s one of those odd things that I miss about teaching. I mean aside from the great kiddos and molding young minds and all. Ahem.

Anywhoo…Macy’s is on top in this pic. The animal she chose was a dog {natch} – which is what her poem is about. It says:

Dog{s} be good.
Dog{s} lick me.
I love dogs.

And it was no surprise that Macy chose warm colors for the splatter painting. That’s just who she is. Warm and delish.

Isn’t her dog cute? Isn’t her poem funny? I heart this kid. And art class. And laminating. :)

365:Day 71 ~ Eggcellent!

We hope your Easter was as

hoppy and eggcellent

as ours!
{no one ever said that I’m not a huge cheezeball!!!}

365:Day 70 ~ Super Bark!

Thanks to a recommendation from the Bryce Fam, tonight feature presentation was Bolt! It’s a cute story about a superhero doggie named Bolt and he has a “super bark”! The girls loved it and Bill and I enjoyed it too! It was pretty much over Carly’s head, but she didn’t mind at all…she LOVED all the animals and humor. And Macy was good to go with a little bit of explanation! Definitely a cute movie worth watching for our family movie night!!!

365:Day 69 ~ Lan.Lan P

We didn’t have school today…unlike the rest of the metroplex we only used one snow day, not two during our “winter blasts”…so we got to enjoy a little day off. Well, us Leonard Ladies had the pleasure of spending a couple hours this morning with the littlest Bryce, Miss Landry Paige, while her mommy and daddy took care of some important business!

For as long as I can remember, Landry has taken one sock off and kept one sock on. I have always thought that this is the cutest thing. The minute that little munchkin got here this morning, she was sporting just one sock. And I couldn’t think of anything cuter than her little tootsies for my pic today! The girls and I had lots of fun with Lan.Lan P...the one sock wonder!!! :) Wow. Kinda sounds like she's a super hero!

Dat, dah, dah, dah...

LAN.LAN P - THE ONE SOCK WONDER...

to the rescue!!!!

365:Day 68 ~ Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh Lolly, Lolly, Lolly...

Several weeks ago, I made lunch plans for today with my bloggie buddies, Meredith, MaryBeth, and Katie. Today was our lunch date, which also happens to be Daddy’s day off! So, Bill decided to have a little daddy-daughter date with Carly after he picked her up from school!

So, while I was having fun chatting with my new friends, he and Carly were having a cute little date! It was a little cool and misty outside, so Bill took Carly to the mall for lunch and a little playtime. She got to have French fries, they played in the play area, AND they went to the candy store! She picked out some itty bitty gummy bears and a two big lollipops for dessert after dinner…one for her and one for her sissy!

Okay, let’s review…

I had a awesome lunch with the girls.
Daddy and Carly had a fantastic date.
And Goose and Peanut LOVED these sticky, messy, colorful lollipops!!! :)

365:Day 67 ~ Feeling Blue?

WE’RE NOT!!!

Because we spent a perfect, sunny, 80something degree afternoon with the Bryce Fam in a B.E.A.UTIFUL, gigantor field of bluebonnets!

For those of you who don’t live here, the bluebonnet is the state flower here in Texas. Like most families that live in the Lone Star State, taking bluebonnet pics in the spring has become a family tradition for us!

So.

Think of this as a little teaser. We took 283 pictures. Erin and Bobby took another 400+. It will take me a little time to sort through and pic my faves for the post that will be on our family blog. But be on the lookout for it in the next few days! I really can’t wait to show you the great shots we got!!! Until then…you’ll just have to bask in the beauty of this pic. Gosh, I’m so mean…

365:Day 66 ~ Our Tuesday Tango

As mentioned about a billion times, on Tuesdays Macy has dance with Ashton {at the BEST dance studio EVER}. She's taking two classes this year – ballet and jazz – and she LOVES them both! For the past several weeks, their teachers have been teaching the girls their recital routines. And can I just say that I’m pretty sure that they could.not.be.any.cuter!!! Their ballet routine is to some Nutcracker music {I think}, and their jazz routine is to “I’m Walking on Sunshine”! Too cute for words.

And although hanging out for 1 hour and 15 minutes is a bit of a beating for Carly and Landry {more accurately…for Erin and me because we’re trying to occupy to bored toddlers} – it’s really one of my favorite days of the week. I love that Erin and I can chat, I love that now that it’s warmer we’re taking walks outside, I love that we sneak down to Café Express or Starbucks to grab a “mama drink”, and most of all I love to watch Macy and Ashton shine. And shine they do. I honestly have a little lump in my throat just typing that. I love those two little dancing fools, they love each other, and THEY LOVE TO DANCE! Our Tuesday Tango rocks…

365:Day 65 ~ Out with the Old...In with the New!

I’m super excited to report that we ordered some new furniture for our family room this afternoon! FINALLY…it’s been needed for about 2 years now! Here’s a pic of the leather we chose…it looks a little red in this shot {from the flash and the maple stained table, I think}, but it’s actually chocolate brown. WAY more brown ... not red at all really.

I’m excited to start accessorizing! I’m just really MOST excited that if the girls spill it will wipe off no prob…there’s a 5 year warranty that covers just about everything known to man, and we’ll have a whole new look goin’ on! FUN! Yeah for redecorating!!!

365:Day 64 ~ Snip It!

Macy has been asking for probably about a year now to get her hair cut to somewhere in between her chin and her shoulders. She wants her hair to look like Aunt Farrah’s {which I think is adorable}, BUT I really have to be able to get it into a ponytail and a bun for dance, etc. So, we made a deal. I told her that she could get THREE INCHES cut off to right below her shoulders. So the we headed out and got her hair snipped this morning. 3" ... gone.

It looks adorable – unfortunately more grown up – but 3" sure does look like a lot all over the floor! Wow. {Oh, I will post an after photo on our family blog, so be on the lookout!}

And P.S….yes, I STILL desperately need a haircut! I’m next on the list! :)

365:Day 63 ~ FINally!

For those of you who ever call me, you know that my cell phone has been jacked for about 6-8 months now. I don’t receive texts and voicemails…sometimes until weeks later, sometimes it doesn’t ring at all, sometimes my 7 doesn’t work, and sometimes the phone just shuts off involuntarily.

Well, I am happy to report that I FINALLY got a new phone! This fancy touch screen phone {that I’m pretty sure I don’t know how to operate}. :) AND it has a cute pink protective little case! Cell phones are one of those things that I hate to spend money on. It always seems so silly. But I think what was silly was waiting so long to get a new one!

So, feel free to text me or leave me a message and now I will get it in a timely fashion – LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD!!! :)

Okay…I’m off to choose my new ring tone!

365:Day 62 ~ Ask And You Shall Receive...

So. Today started off a pretty usual day around here. I had to “wrastle” Carly to get her clothes on and hair done, we went to the gym, grabbed a few groceries, and got home at lunch time.

After I got Carly’s lunch going, I ran in here to see if there were any emails. To my giant surprise, there were 40somthing in my inbox! As I scrolled down, I discovered that 30something of them were from Paige and Lindsay…two of my most favorite people in the world! I was laughing before I even started reading – but THEN, once I started reading I was just about in tears because I was cracking up!

I tell you what. These girls are hilarious. It honestly made my day. Carly was calling to me from the table, “what so funny, mama?” because I was laughing so hard!

And of course…one of their emails said that they thought a picture of my inbox full of 2000 emails from them should be my 365 post for today. Well. I couldn’t agree more. After all…these endless, funny emails DID make my day. :)

I know I’ve said it before, but I completely adore these two girls. Paige and Lindsay mean the world to me. What I loved about these emails is that I could hear them. I could actually hear the words that they were typing…just as though they were right in front of me chatting. Even though we live so far apart. There’s just something about my Buddy and my LinsPins. I love them. And I’m so glad that they can bring a smile to my face – a smile to my heart – on any given day!

LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!

Thanks for making my Friday so happy!!!
xoxo, Buddy, Jodes, Jodi Loans…

365:Day 61 ~ Wash, Rinse, REPEAT!!!

Sometimes I feel like all I do is laundry. Then fold all of it. And hang it up. Anyone else feel that way? Tonight while Bill and I watched tv, I folded the girl’s laundry {which has been washed and sitting unfolded in a basket since Monday night}. I guess tomorrow I’ll put it all away…and wait for it to be dirty again. And need to be washed, folded, and hung up. Again.

Laundry is always.calling.my.name. Can I get an amen?!?!

365:Day 60 ~ Macy's Decorating Tips...

Today as I was passing through the dining room, I noticed something different about my centerpiece. A certain 6 year old added some fake flowers {that are from her play kitchen} to my glass bowl that is filled with various sized twig balls and some green moss balls. I guess she though that my way was a little too bland.

I’m always finding Macy’s little decorations all over the house. Pictures taped to doors. Ribbons tied to chairs. Bracelets on doorknobs. I think it’s super cute that she likes to add her touch around the house. Cute girl.