Bella Boo

An updated photo of Miss Belle! She will be 5 months on March 8th. We took her last week to get fixed and have her Rabi shot. When I called to schedule her appointment I asked what the surgery cost was because I knew my darling husband would be asking:) I'm thinking it doesn't matter because no matter the cost we would be doing it anyway, but that's what makes us "us" :) Anyway they gave 2 prices, 1 price for if she weighed less than 30 pounds and 1 price if she weighed more than 30 pounds. I thought we might be close but still under 30 pounds because we had just been there right before the Florida trip and she was a little over 21 1/2 pounds.

Well the day of her surgery the doctor called and talked to Brad after and told him everything went well and we would be able to pick Belle up the next day. He also told Brad she is growing and looks great. She gained 12 pounds, yes 12, since her last appointment. So I was right we were close to that 30 pound mark but on the over side. So she officially weighs more than our almost 4 year old.

I am happy she is growing and healthy. She has definitely added some excitement around here!:)

Sign of Spring?

Today when I got home and was outside with Belle I saw a cardinal. Not the one in this photo. I didn't have my camera with me and knew I wouldn't have time to run in and get it before it flew away. While I know that these beautiful birds can be seen here in the winter I liked to think of today's sighting as a sign of spring.

While at work today there was much talk about the snow that is suppose to descend upon us tonight. UGH!! Not ugh because I don't want more snow (although I don't) but UGH because you would think it meant that we were going to be hit by an asteroid. People are so negative and so whiny. It's snow. Nobody wants it, everyone is ready for warm weather, but seriously just get over it. Of course it's not enough to just mention it but lets spend ALL day analyzing it, checking every weather outlet possible on the Internet and analyze it some more. Needless to say it was a day that I listened to my headphones a lot.

So what a nice reprieve to see a cardinal flying around today! I once went to a psychic and she told me that when I saw them it was a sign of luck from my grandparents who have passed and that it also means they are with me. So not only do I look at the bird as a sign of spring today, but I always feel happy when I see them. I usually give a little wave too, just incase:)

Construction Zone

Each year we do a couple projects around the house. Sometimes indoor and sometimes outdoor. Really by "we" I mean Brad generally with assistance from his Dad. My role in these jobs is to occupy the children, both the furry and non-furry kind, and keep them out of the way. My secret to being successful in my role...go to my mom's:) So soon our family room and basement stairs will have new carpet. New paint will be placed on the walls in the family room and hallway, and furniture will be moved. Some upstairs, some into the basement and some to the curb. The process has begun, as I've started to reorganize some things and clear some things out. So stay tune for the big reveal:) Until then this is my mess. It's got to get worse before it can get better, right?

We've Got The Fever

It's been looming around our house and I hope it's almost ready to make it's exit. Started on Friday with Kaylee. Poor thing missed her Daisy Bake Sale on Saturday and Daisy meeting on Sunday, thankfully Monday she was fever free and ready to go back to school. Today little Miss A was bordering a fever so we stayed home to be safe. Generally sickness is the easiest thing for siblings to share.

Poor Ainsley hit the fever level before nap. She is still her generally happy self but without the spunk. So we will have another stay home day tomorrow and hope that the fever is ready to exit this house soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh Valentine's Day how sweet thou are! As an adult, I have never been an over-the-top Valentine enthusiast. Why? It's a day where people are romantic because they are obligated, mostly by Hallmark. My husband has been known to do special things on an average day, i.e. pick-up flowers for me, pick up some of my favorite bubble-gum while shopping at the store, or will have fixed me a margarita and let's me know it's in the freezer after I come down from putting the girls to bed, to name a few. These are special because they aren't days that are celebrated by Hallmark.

I do enjoy this day because of my girls. They are always excited to pick out their Valentine's, get crafty and make special treats. All the same reasons I enjoyed the day as a kid myself.

This year we were treated to a program at Kaylee's school. The Kindergarten class does one every year. It was so sweet. There was poetry, singing, dancing and even a special picture each child drew of why they love their parents. They each took a turn and walked to the front and held up their picture and said "I love you because...." Kaylee's was "I love you because you take me to Florida." As a 5 year-old I suppose that's as in-depth as one gets. It was very touching and truly a special memory. Hallmark ain't got nothing on that!

I hope all of you had a special Valentine's Day for whatever the reason and I hope that Valentine's Day may leak into your days throughout the year.

Snowed In

As forecasted we got quite a bit of snow this week and were snowed in. Brad stayed home Tuesday and I went into work, his punishment for having more vacation time then me:) Fortunately we closed at 12:30 so I headed home and while it was snowy out the roads weren't really bad quite yet.

We settled in and got ready for the BLIZZARD! Over the past few days we have been keeping busy. We've worked on homework, watched movies, made cookies and other yummy treats, played in the snow, colored, played dolls, did some Karoke, played some Wii, Kaylee and Ainsley played photo studio and hotel, and many other activities. Of course I took advantage of some of the time to clean and organize:) It's a sickness, I know.

Here's a little photo recap:

Late Tuesday afternoon this was our front outside view.


Back outside view.


Belle was loving it and made it challenging for us to get her into the house.


What to do in a Blizzard make some of your own!


Kaylee helping to open our Blizzard ice cream supplies.


The next morning Brad went out to snowblow the drive off and when he opened the garage door this is what we saw.


Belle again was loving the snow and was running laps making breaks in the snow wall that had formed.


While Brad cleared the driveway Abby and Belle played in the snow. They are always such big helps. As were Kaylee and Ainsley while they were out too:)


Now the snow has stopped and sun is out. Thankfully our power stayed on for the most part, a few blips here and there, but nothing major, suprisingly. Kaylee was still our of school today, so the girls and I went to pick up Brads dry cleaning and got some groceries. It was nice to get out and wasn't near as cold as I was expecting. I enjoyed the snowdays with my family, however here's hoping the groundhog was right and spring will soon be here. Because I would rather take a snow day when it's warm and sunny out:)