Input, por favor.

This is sweater is darling, supposed to be easy, and I'm going to make if for Ella. I am thinking about making it solid sweat pea green, instead of sweet pea and lamb mix (like the photo). Oh, I'm horrible at making decisions! Tell me what you think. Green? Mix? Yellow (ooooh, yellow. didn't even think about yellow!)? Bag the sweater all together? I can't decide! Share your thoughts. Please?

TGIF!

I'm So In The Mood

My brother used to listen to Simon & Garfunkle. There's a part during the Central Park concert, right before they sing American Tune, when Art Garfunkle says, "I'm so in the mood." It's ridiculous, cheesy and hilarious. I remember riding in the backseat of his car with my brother B laughing our heads off at the fruitiness of it. Turns out I happen to be a Simon & Garfunkle lover ... cheesiness and all.

I'm so in the mood. That's how I feel about blogging lately. I don't have much to say and not much is going on but I can't stand the thought of doing the laundry or cleaning my kitchen for the third time today. Instead, I'll blog.

And I'll blog about knitting. I'm not trying to turn this into some knitting blog but it seems to be all I do lately. I think that comes back to the whole laundry/kitchen issue. So sorry if you don't like knitting.

Speaking of kitchens, the pots I cook with weigh 114 pounds. A sissy girl like me has a hard time lifting them suckers so I have to lift while holding further down the handle. This is dangerous because the handles get blazing hot. To solve the problem, I made this -See the little pink coat on the handle? Genius! This honestly saved my digits today during lunch. It doesn't hurt that they're cute too! I knitted this in about an hour, used leftover yarn and after it's been felted, it's nice and thick and heat-proof. I need to fiddle with the size a little bit but overall, it's fabulous! Wish I came up with the idea but I didn't. Thanks Noni, whoever you are!

Another knitting project - dishrags. I love knitting these because there are so many different variations and I can complete one during an episode of Lost. I'm all about the quick projects. Anyway, I knitted two dishrags in white and two in Robins Egg blue. They came out in two different sizes! I checked and rechecked the labels and yes, they are the same yarn and yes, I used the same needles and yes, I used the same pattern. I can't figure it out and it's driving me crazy! You can't give someone two different sized dishrags!

See the problem?? Urrgh!

If you've made it to the end of this post, thanks for reading. So, from one dedicated fan to another, I'm So In The Mood (American Tune). Enjoy!

Sad, Sad Boy

Nut House

I think I'm going crazy. It runs in my family so I'm not that surprised. Maybe it's this crappy weather. Maybe it's my cluttered house. Maybe it's my ridiculously messy kids. I don't know, but something is definitely pushing me to the steep hill of insanity.

So today, I am going to remove every chair and stool from my house ... anything that Jack might stand on. I am going to child-proof every door, closet and drawer. Mostly I am going to contemplate every nutso thing I've done in the last two weeks. And then, I'm going to make a batch of cookies to make me feel better. While I'm busy, feast your eyes on this .....

Ooooh, I need this bag. I lust after this bag. I would saw off my right arm for this bag. I could make it my church bag ... I'm pretty sure my attendance would be more regular if I had this bag. I only have 302 projects on my plate right now. I think I will make this bag Project 303.

p.s. I ordered my Girl Scout Cookies today. Good times are coming!!!

Ella's Goodnight Prayer

"Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for my many blessings. Please bless my tights won't itch and that I won't lose my pixels. Please bless that I will have my new pink shoes forever. That they will still fit when I'm five, even though I'm only four and even if they are a little tight on my toes and heels.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

What's Next?

I saw this advent calendar a couple of months ago and knew I had to have one. I have a feeling this is going to be the standby project so I better get going. If I can complete a mitten and a hat each month, I'll be just about on schedule, right?

I LOVE THESE!!! These mitts would be perfect for my mitts and would be so fun in my kitchen. They are felted and delicious! They look pretty easy, and I hope they are, so I can make 400 of them.

And then there's these. They're called Cranky Pants (which would be perfect for Jack) and I think they are so dang cute! My friend sent them to me for my next project but without a pattern, I doomed. I guess I'll have to just get on the year long waiting list. Bummer! Monster Cranky Pants

Sock Monkey Cranky Pants

The Year Of Lacey

When I look back on events in my live, I usually don't catalog them by year. Oh sure, I graduated from high school in 1997. I got married in 2000. Ella was born in 2004. However, I got braces when I was 12. My first kiss was when I was 16 (ok, that's a lie, but whatever). I went to Israel when I was 19. I got my ears pierced at 10, my stomach pierced at 17. My parents separated when I was 20 and I swallowed a gold fish at the ripe age of 18. What I'm saying is that I remember stuff by my age.

Around the time of my birthday, I usually get some sort of inspiration about the way my life should be. Last year didn't work so well -- 29 was a doozy. But this year! Ahh, the inspiration has come! I had this same sort of divine intervention two years ago and it was fabulous! I've decided to follow suit and make 30 the same sort of year. Here it is .....

This year is all about me! The year of Lacey! Selfish? You betcha! I am focusing on me. I am taking care of me. I going to make a point to have a good time. I'm going to improve myself physically, spiritually and mentally (well, hopefully mentally!). I am going to be more proactive. I'm going to be even more social (Gator is going to be thrilled about this). I'm going to be a good friend, a nice wife and a fun mom.

I am going to find extra things that make me happy -- aprons, red shoes, good smelling laundry detergent, books, yummy lotion. And I'm going to bake cookies once a week because it makes me happy.

I have specific goals for myself that are too personal to share, but I'm excited and surprisingly, not overwhelmed!

So, here's to 30, here's to me and here's to you ... who are all going to benefit from me being so flipping happy!

Oh, and you know what else makes me happy? THIS and THIS. Enjoy!

The good, bad and ugly!

Christmas is over, the crap's been put away, family parties are DONE and could I been any more thankful? I love, love, LOVE Christmas but the last 2 weeks have been LONG! Last week I refused to do another post until I got my laptop (which I still don't have but hopefully this week) but realized I have a lot to say so I might as well get sayin' it!

1. Let's talk a little more about Christmas. I was really excited this year -- perhaps more excited than Ella. It's fun having a school aged kid during Christmas time. Christmas programs and projects seem to bring out more of the Christmas spirit.

Christmas morning was fun. We didn't have to stay up too late and luckily the kids slept until 7:30 (unheard of!). Ella got the hang of unwrapping gifts real quick and we had to reign her in a couple of times. Everybody got great stuff -- we all must have been extra good this year. Other than Jack crying from the minute he woke up, we had a nice, relaxing day.

2. Christmas gifts -- what was my favorite? Earplugs. Seriously! Gator got me a pair while he was at the gun store and I'm pretty sure I love him even more for it. I've used them a couple of times already and they have absolutely saved my sanity. Although they don't block the kids out completely, the really take the edge off. Oh, I know what you're thinking and yes, I understand this probably makes me a bad mom but you know what? Take Jack for a couple of days and you'll be beating down my door for a pair!

3. Worst Christmas gift? How about the stomach flu! Oh, it was miserable! Two days after Christmas a couple of us woke up feeling crappy and it didn't go away for an entire week! When Ella is throwing up, she's old enough to know you throw-up in a toilet, bowl, or some other container. When an 18-month old throws-up, they just stop in their tracks and let it loose. Fortunately, Jack didn't throw-up on anything that required a steam cleaner, but the panic I felt with every cough, sneeze, or gag was enough to multiply my symptoms! I'm considering removing the rest of the carpet in my house!

4. Gator finally got his gun! You can't image the guilt I've felt over this gun! As some of you are aware, I had to have a little surgery done on my mouth a few months ago. We found out that it was going to cost a lot of money and the insurance would only cover a tiny portion of it. To help pay for it, Gator pulled a wad of cash out of his drawer and told me to put it toward my surgery. Turns out it was the money he had been saving from past birthdays and Christmases to pay for the gun. Oh, the sadness of it! I felt horrible! Luckily, by some twisted piece of luck, we got a random check in the mail for $1700!! Gator bought his gun and I am relieved!!

5. Speaking of my mouth surgery, remember how I said it cost a lot of money? Well, turns out the statement they gave me included a procedure that can't be done until later this year. We didn't have to pay as much this year and ended up with extra money in Flex Spending! Good news is that we had $600 left! Bad news is that on December 31st, we had $600 left. We hadn't been keeping receipts to turn in because we figured it would all go towards my surgery so we had a lot of money to burn through in a day! Need contact solution? I've got loads of it! Need Tylenol? Come on over!

6. HAIR IS THE PITS! (no, not hairy pits, although that sucks too.) I finally broke down and got a new flat iron. Over the last couple of months my hair has been a disaster! I have some funky hair, plus I'm growing it out which always adds some extra funk, so I didn't think much about the feathered/flip do I was sporting. I finally saw a picture of myself and realized I was in a really bad way and it finally dawned on me that my flat iron wasn't pulling it's weight. I did a little research and found the iron I wanted was only 125 bones (I'm talking a lot about money, aren't I? Yuck!). However, I hopped on ebay, went through some nerve-wracking minutes and spent $65 on the same iron! I love good deals and I love ebay! I'm feeling much better about my hair ...

...except for this - ENJOY Shine and Smooth. I love this stuff. I have used this on my hair for the last couple of years. I went to my favorite hair supply store (good old Classy Chassy!) to replenish my supply and the price has doubled. DOUBLED!!! How is this possible?? $33 for a small bottle of serum? I've been going without for the last couple of weeks and honestly, I might as well have saved my flat iron money because without the combination of the two, I'm doomed! Any suggestions? Do you use anything on your hair that you love? Something that smooths and shines and would protect my hair from my brand new 6000 degree flat iron? Help!

Also, the girl that does my hair and eyebrows decided to head off to Florida for a year without telling me. I have been loyal to her for years and she didn't tell me!! I'm ticked she left and I'm ticked I had to push my appointment back 2 weeks with someone who doesn't know my funky hair! I'm a mess!

7. Did you all see that Utah game? Go Utes!

8. Did you all make resolutions? I'm currently drafting a post on this. Stay tuned!

9. I've got some major house projects that are going to be starting soon. I'll talk about this later too.

10. My new church schedule starts at 8:30 am. Church was done at 11:30 this morning and it was fabulous! Only 8 1/2 hours left to rip each other's throats apart!

* I have some pictures to post but I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to venture to the dungeon to load them onto my computer. It's -40 degrees down there! Maybe later.

Deck the Halls!!

1. A week or so ago we got our Christmas tree! I shelled out way too much for it but I do love my Christmas tree! I know people who can spend hours looking for the perfect tree, traveling to different lots and agonizing over the decision, hiking up the mountain to chop it down - not me. Takes me one lot and 15 minutes. I've never been disappointed! This tree looked a whole lot better when I first decorated it. The bottom half of the decorations have disappeared. I was hoping Jack would be able to restrain himself ... wishful thinking, I guess.

2. When Jack was taken from my stomach, I'm pretty sure the doctors also pulled the plugs on my tear ducts. I can cry at the drop of a dime! I'm not talking about getting my feelings hurt or something like that, I'm talking more of sensitive moments ... and some not so sensitive. Books, tv, music, news, Christmas ... urrgh! We attended our first church Christmas party earlier this month. Everyone was singing a festive round of Jingle Bells when Santa pops through the door. Something about the moment made me mist over and I had to thank my lucky stars I was standing in the back with Jack. Oh, the humiliation. I'm pretty sure this isn't normal and I'm pretty sure none of the other 300 people in the room had tears in their eyes.Jack was terrified and Ella said Santa smelled like a reindeer. Hmm.



3. Two fabulous friends found me my domestic goddess apron pattern! I'm thrilled! As soon as Christmas is over, I'm whipping one of these things up!

4. Speaking of projects, I've been looking for another knitting project to tackle and I came across a couple of things that I love! Check out these wrist warmers! I'm tempted to make them and give them to someone who could actually pull them off! I would never look normal wearing them.

I've never in my life worn a pair of leg warmers. A shame, I know. But once again, someone other than me could pull these off.

5. Gingerbread men. I love the sight of yummy gingerbread cookies, all lined up waiting to get some clothes one!6. And gingerbread houses. Ella helped me with this one.

7. Just wanted to give a shout-out to our fabulous Mayor Roundy. She has cut the budget for Kaysville snow plows this year so neighborhood streets don't get plowed. Lovely. Isn't this somehow a safety issue? I understand the fact that she didn't want to lay-off city workers but if she really wants to save some money, how about getting rid of those ridiculous newsletters of hers.

8. Biggest Loser Finale is tonight. Anyone watching? I've got my stash of treats ready! I hope Vicky somehow fell off the wagon and gained 30 pounds.

9. I am loving the snow! Luckily, I haven't had to drive much in it and I tend to have an anxiety attack every time Gator leaves in the morning, but still. It's beautiful and Christmasy and fun!
10. Nothing else to say. Hope all your shopping is done (mine's not). Hope you don't slide off the streets of Kaysville. Hope you have some fun family parties to go to. Merry Christmas!

Oh, yeah. 11. Jack pooped in the tub. I know lots of kids do this, Ella did this once, but this was horrifying. I'm still not ready to talk about it. Just wanted to let you know.

Weak Wednesday

1. For all you Netherlanders out there, Happy St. Nicholas Day! Ella has a preschool teacher that likes to talk about Christmas around the world. I absolutely love it when I get a note from the teacher explaining that we need to remember to put shoes out so St. Nicholas can fill them with candy and that the kids will be talking about their loot during preschool. While I actually do love this kind of stuff, this is the second year that I have forgotten and have had to run to the gas station late at night to buy crap to stuff in her filthy shoe! But Ella loves it, which makes it worth it, which is why I run to scary Maverick late at night to buy crap ... with a vengeance!

2. He sees you when you're sleeping ... Is it wrong to threaten your kids with Santa? I know most parents have used the Santa card when kids are being naughty but have you ever told your child that you know Santa's number and that you're calling him RIGHT NOW!!!? Oh, and have you ever actually picked up the phone and pretended that you're talking to Santa's assistant? Sad thing is, I'm pretty sure it didn't help the situation and now Ella thinks I'm best friends with Santa.

3. Speaking of Christmas, I'm trying to get my neighborhood gifts out ... which always takes 45 hours longer than I think it will. I love my neighbors and wish that I could give them sunshine and happiness, but really, do we have to give gifts? Can't a honk and a wave relay my affection? Urrgh, I know when that last ribbon is tied I will feel better. I start out really excited and full of Christmas spirit and then after the 5th mistake, I start to loose my cheeriness.

...great, now my neighbors are going to read this and think the gift I leave on their doorstep is filled with bah humbugs. They're not!! I love pirated music, crafty labels and colorful bows! I'm going to go and kiss every single one of them right now!!!

Oh, and if you are a neighbor that doesn't get one on your doorstep ... I got sick of working on them. I'll give you two honks next time I see you!

4. I took a trip down memory lane last night Have you ever had a Chick - o-stick? I love them. I haven't had one for a really long time but last night reminded me how much I do love them. There was a really short period in my life when I spent lot of time time in Orem ... and sometimes Provo ... hanging out with a certain someone. Most of you know I don't like to venture down there much but Provo and Orem? They are are two slightly different towns. How do I know? I can buy a coke in Orem, I can't in Provo. Nuff said. Anyway, I was spending a lot of weekends down south and would drive home in the wee hours of the morn. Before the trek home I would stop at this little gas station in Orem (the only one open) and buy a Chick-o-stick and a coke. Ahh, the next 45 minutes were pure bliss!! Chick-o-stick ... try one!

5. Thanksgiving was good. I have a lot to be thankful for.

6. I braved the crowds and participated in my first Black Friday. I was in line by 3:30 am, in the rain, with a bunch of crazy people. We are talking rush the doors, steal items out of people's carts, Red Bull crazy. I have to admit that I got caught up in all the excitement and ran when people ran and grabbed when people grabbed! I ended up with some good stuff and learned a few lessons. 1. Always go with a plan. I didn't have one. I had an idea of what I might like, but that doesn't work when people are going bonkers. 2. Take a friend. It's lonely when you have to wait 30+ minutes for the doors to open. Friends also help when you have a plan. 3. Wear layers.

7. It's the Christmas Season! I love Christmas! I'm a little slow in getting my decorations up but I'm pretty sure that's because Jack has his sticky mitts all over everything! Some of the decorations might have to stay in the box this year. However, this weekend I'm hoping to talk Gator into getting the tree. He always wants to wait forever. I can't figure that out. It can either sit on the lot or in our family room. Looks prettier in the family room!

8. I haven't worn a belt in I don't know how long. I don't tuck shirts in and I'm not fashionable enough to know what to do with them. I recently learned belts aren't just for fashion. Did you know they actually hold your pants up? Amazing!! A couple of weeks ago I unearthed a earthy canvas belt from my tree-hugging days and slipped it on. Absolutely changed my life! No more tugging for me!

9. I finally did it! I bought my shoes! I have wanted clogs FOREVER!!! I know they aren't the cutest shoes in the planet ... a lady at the shoe store kept reminding me how ugly they were... but they are honestly the greatest gift to my feet. For people with screwed up feet like mine, you can either shell out money for these ....

Or these. Take your pick.

10. Have you seen my cute kids before? I stole these picture off my neighbors web site (sorry, heather! is this illegal?) and couldn't help but share. My kids were crazy but she got some really great ones ... even some of Jack! Not sure what Ella is doing with her mouth but she's still cute! Thanks Heather for chasing my kids!

Well, I'm off to burn more cds and tie more ribbon! Wish me luck!

Monday

I need a laptop. That's all there is to it. It's way too hard for me to venture down to the dungeon in the winter to boot up my way too slow computer. I'm currently accepting donations.

Beware, this is a compilation of previous posts over the last couple of weeks that never got posted.

1. Last week Jack got his first real haircut. My mullet trims weren't helping with his Frasier hair-do so I bit the bullet and took him to a shop. Poor Jack thought his ears were going to be cutoff but he got through it and it was worth it.

Here's Jack trying to figure things out. They try and distract him with fancy movies, fancy firetrucks and fancy tile floors.

Poor Jack ... no longer distracted. It really was so sad.

My handsome man can sure drag it out but he was thrilled with the balloon. Thank goodness for the balloon!

2. A couple of weeks ago was Ute Sunday that was actually held on Saturday this year. Sadly, I couldn't make it to the festivities but my kids had fun! B's lawn turned out great once again and luckily the date change didn't jinx the team!

3. Papa Murphy's Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. Have you tried it? A couple of days after my mouth surgery I saw the commercial, realized I hadn't cooked anything for dinner and sent Gator to pick one up. I usually don't go for this kind of stuff but the drugs may have been strong and I wasn't in my normal state of mind. If you like Cheez Wiz sauce, fake-steak, and the smell of barf, buy this pizza. You won't be disappointed.

4. I have a book that I have been renewing over the last couple of months at the library. Problem is, I don't have this book. I am absolutely convinced I returned it but am terrified to tell the librarians that they made a mistake. These people are frightening, with their ID lanyards and bifocals. In the meantime, I guess I'll keep renewing?

5. I am obsessed with knitting ... which happens to be another reason why this blog hasn't been updated.

Every time I start a new project Ella tearfully asks if I'm making her a scarf. Knowing that she would probably never wear it, I knitted her a scarf just so she would stop asking. I thought I could just whip up a quick pink number but when I gave her the thumbs up, she walked right over to my yarn bin started digging and said, "I want this, and this, and this, and this ... with stripes." So much for my quick afternoon project! Anyway, it turned out cute and sure enough, after 30 second into taking this picture she said, "I don't like this. It itches." Guess the Ultra Soft yarn wasn't so soft.

6. Speaking of yarn, I decided to venture to a new knitting project. This is my first Felted bag. The colors aren't my favorite but there's slim pickins in the yarn isle at Michaels. It was easier than I thought and other than a few mistakes in the directions (and my part as well!) it turned out really fun! It's still a little wet in this picture so it still needs to be shaped a little more.

7. Speaking of Michaels, I never want to got there again for yarn. Valerie and I paid a visit to the Needlepoint Joint in Ogden and it sure was something! I didn't know what half the stuff in there was used for but it was heaven! I used to want to be a Barnes & Noble Hobo ... no more! Well, not this year, anyway. I want to be a Needlepoint Joint Junkie and live there for a week and paw the $80 cashmere yarn, sniff the wood flooring and shelving, and knit 30 pairs of socks. Although, I'm not really sure they allow treats and cokes in there and the owner is a little scary ... if she could not be there when I come for my vacation, I would appreciate it.

8. Lately, I've been getting glimpses of my life with Ella 10 years down the road. For example, a couple of weeks ago we were getting ready to go to a dinner/party and Ella was chatting with me while I got ready. I put on a sweater and I had a glimpse of my future -

E: "Uggh, you're wearing that again? You wear that every dang day. Uggh."
L: "Honey, I don't wear this every dang day and maybe I don't have a closet full of cute clothes to wear like you do."
E: "Well, maybe you should get some cute clothes to wear."

Here's another. Last week, Ella comes home from somewhere, maybe dance or something? I don't know, but she starts talking about a girl. Let's call her Wendy.
E: "Mom, today Wendy's hair was up to here (indicating short hair) and uggh, it was awful!
L: "Ella, that's not a very nice thing to say."
E: "Oh, I didn't say that to her!"

I guess I can be thankful she uses discretion when speaking. I can only imagine what will come out of her sassy mouth when she's 14! Yikes!

9. Tonight was Ella's Christmas Dance Recital. I was a little nervous because she is in an older aged class and I was afraid she'd end up being the puny girl who can't keep up. I had nothing to worry about - she did a great job! I love watching her dance!

10. Saturday I turned 30! I'm excited to be 30! This is going to be a good year for me, I know it. I got to spend my day cheering on the Utes without my crying kids and I loved it! The game was fantastic, we had great seats, great weather and great food!
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Ten for Tuesday

1. I love Halloween but by the time it's over I sometimes feel like it took as much energy as Christmas! Gator and I got to go to a Halloween party -- it's been years since we've been to a no kids Halloween party -- and it was fun to be with friends dressed like a bunch of goons. I had my soup/cookie party, Ella's preschool program, the annual Short Family Spooktacular, and 20 pumpkins to carve ... it was a lot of work!

Short Family Spooktacular. Spooky, huh?

Heading out for the goods.

Ella at her preschool program.

2. My cute neighbor H. took pity on Jack and brought over some boy pj's. They are red and have ferocious dinosaurs tearing off each other's limbs--- very boy! She also got nervous about the fact that Jack might be wearing a pink puff coat this winter and sent over a coat that Jack won't be embarrassed about! Thanks H.!

3. I can't tell you how glad I am that this election is over tonight! It gets a little rough when you're married to a political junkie!

4. Whoever came up with Daylight Savings Time needs to have their eyebrows plucked out one hair at a time. The word is that you're supposed to be getting an extra hour of sleep but amazingly that doesn't quite work out at my house. I'm actually getting less sleep! If I get to bed at 11, that's really 12 body time. My kids certainly aren't sleeping in an hour longer so when I roll over and see a big 5 on my clock instead of a 6, that doesn't really work for me. I guess if I look on the bright side of things, I get to have 1 extra hour with my kids during the day .... anyone who knows me knows how thrilled I am about that!

5. Do any of you watch this show? Gator thinks it's hilarious. It freaks me out.

6. You want to know what else freaks me out? This -

7. I did 8 loads of laundry today and I'm still not done. Blast this laundry!!!

8. I also made a real dinner for 3 nights in a row ... that is absolutely a record for me! I might need a break tomorrow night.

9. I've got a crappy day coming up on Friday. I may blog about it, I may not. Let's just say it's a crap deal that's costing us a lot of money. Boo for Friday!

10. I love, love, LOVE November! I love the teasing of winter and I love the smell in the air. I love the pilgrims and indians. I love the taste of Christmas without the insanity. I love Ute Sunday. I love my birthday. I love my Thanksgiving Tree. Happy November, everybody!

Six for Sunday ... or whatever

So guess what? Five for Friday doesn't really work for me. I was trying to get it mostly done on Thursday night and then finish and post after running Friday morning. A couple things have caused conflicts. First, Thursday night is when I watch TV. So until they start showing reruns, that won't work. Second, I stopped running in the mornings. It's too flipping cold and too flipping dark and I'm too flipping lazy. So until my kids start sleeping in (hahaha! hohoho!) I don't have any alone time to finish my post until later. By that time, I don't want to do it. Make sense? So I'll be trying Six for Sunday ... or something like that.

1. I voted today. For me, it's over! I refuse to read anything political, listen to anything political or talk about anything political. I was pleased to find that they asked for my ID but was disappointed to find out they only do that for early voting. What's the deal?

2. Ella came home from preschool this morning with some new words. She is adding "blah blah" after her sentences. For example here are some things that have come out of her mouth today-

"I can do whatever I want blah blah."

"Sam always thinks he's a Jedi blah blah."

"Dang it! Blah blah." (actually sounds like "Dane it blah blah.")

"Jackie's breath stinks blah blah!"

"Daddy said it, not me blah blah."

It's driving me crazy and I don't think she realizes she's doing it. Let's hope she forgets about it by morning!

3. Finders keepers? This bike has been sitting on my front porch for the last few days. It's a lovely pink and purple Schwinn, great condition, that I'm sure Ella would love to have. How long do I have to display it in my front yard before it becomes mine (or Ella's in this case)?

4. Poor Jack. Because we had a girl first, he gets the short stick on a few things. The cold nights hit and I wasn't prepared. Jack doesn't have any warm jammies so I have pulled out Ella's until I buy boy ones. That was at least a month ago and he is still stuck in pink . Sadly this is the case for snow hats and gloves and snow pants. Hopefully people will assume Ella has a friend over when they see the tiny pink marshmallow playing in the snow!

5. Crush the grapes! Remember that movie Walk in the Clouds? I had this crush on Keanu (who might actually be the worst actor ever playing in possibly the worst movie ever) and couldn't wait to see it. Too bad my experience was disasterous as I ended being in the same theater with my boyfriend (who wasn't my boyfriend yet but who I desperately wanted) with his girlfriend (who I later took the place of) fighting back tears because I had to watch the most romantic movie ever while watching my future love-man cuddle up next to some wench (who I later became good friends with. Confusing, I know). Anyway, over the weekend Gator and I got to have our own Keanu/butterfly wings moments when we visited the Gatherum family vineyard to make grape juice. It was an experience although not nearly as romantic.Here is some of the family picking grapes. There on the right is Mr. Gatherum himself, owner and President of the Gatherum Vineyard.

Jack ate at least 5 lbs. of grapes. He's had slight gastrointestinal issue the last day and a half but I think it will be better by tomorrow.

6. Last week a little boy in our neighborhood died unexpectedly. He was around Ella's age and I have had a really hard time dealing with it. This weekend was exhausting with the viewing and funeral but I couldn't help but love my kids even more. I have a lot to be thankful for.

*Pay It Forward winner ..... Jessica Rawson! As soon as I get my act together I'll get a you a little surprise!! Bet you can't wait!