Hobby Lobby...

I have heard wonderful things about the store Hobby Lobby from family and friends. I had the chance to go to one last summer in Florida with my Mom and picked up scrapbook supplies for my kids school days albums. However, we didn't really have time to look around the whole store nor did I have room in my suitcase to take a lot of stuff home.

The closest Hobby Lobby to our house is 50 minutes away. When my girlfriend/sister-in-law, Susie, suggested a night out for dinner and a movie with our other girlfriend Michele, I said how about a trip to Hobby Lobby instead. I knew they would be up for it, they love stores like that. That's just one of the reasons were friends, we love scrapbooking and we love craft stores.

We spent 4 hours walking around in Hobby Lobby. Yes, we are crazy, but we had a blast. We covered every square inch of the store except for the jewelry and woodworking aisles. We wanted to see everything and make sure we didn't miss something cute or a bargin.

We all purchased something. I got some mason jars and items for Easter baskets, as well as searched for frames for my mother-in-law for our ladies retreat this weekend. Susie found a cute "Train Station" sign for Sammy's train themed bedroom. She also purchased things to make a burlap wreath, which we are excited to see finished. Michele got a mirror for her room and some other goodies for a project she has coming up.

We are DEFINITELY going back sometime. Loved the store! I so wish we had one closer.

To top off our outing we found a tiny restaurant called Mix-n-Mac. Their menu is filled with all different varieties of mac and cheese dishes, or you can make your own. It was so good. I had chicken cordon bleu, Susie had chicken, bacon, ranch and Michele had traditional with a little bit of BBQ sauce added. We were so hungry and it looked so good I didn't think to take a picture of them before we dug in. We as well will be visiting this place again.

Learning to Tie Shoes...

We started working with Brayden a week or two ago in learning how to tie his own shoes. It has been a step-by-step process with first just being able to put his shoes on and then cross the laces and pull one through. Once that was achieved we went on to loops.

It wasn't easy and sometimes ended in frustration, but we would take a break and start fresh the next day. Practice makes perfect.

 

He was so excited to go to school the next day and tell Mrs. Arnoldi and his friends that he knew how to tie his shoes. When I was putting him to bed he said "Hey, maybe I can teach some of my friends how to tie their shoes. Sydney, knows how to tie her shoes, but she doesn't know how to double knot." 

Proud of our bear and his accomplishment. Next thing he wants to achieve is learning how to snap his fingers.

Snow, Snow, Snow...

We have had our fair share of snow this winter, more than I can remember in a while. Jason thinks we have probably gotten over 4 feet in total, if you combined every storm in January and February.

I really have not minded the snow. It has been nice to have the kids home extra days because of school being closed. It has been nice to be confined indoors to work on some projects I have been wanting to finish. It has been nice to sit on the couch watching the snow come down and snuggle up with a blanket.

However, this week I started feeling a bit different about the snow. It was nice until we used up all our school snow days plus 1. It was nice until the ice came. It was nice until our snow blower stopped working because of a phone book that was left on our walk way buried under snow. It was nice until it started piling up EVERYWHERE and now all you see is snow in yards, side streets and parking lots. It was nice until only one car can drive down our street at a time because the snow piled up in the streets.

My AMAZING husband always blows us out, so thankful.

It was nice, but now I am over it. Looking forward to warmer daysOnly 27 more days till spring.

Love Is In The Air...

I love the scene from the movie Elf where Buddy giddily runs into a board room and shouts out to his daddy and strangers "I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it." I couldn't agree more with those words. I have my favorite 3 that I am in love with and I love telling them AND everyone else how special they are to me and much I care about them especially on Valentine's Day.

"How do I love thee...". I started on February 1st and each day added a heart telling my 3 the different ways/things I love about each of them.

Extra notes and treats were awaiting the 3 when they got up.

We got a handmade card from Brayden. Cherishing these special notes from our little bear.

Our Friday ended up being a snow day for the kids despite the sun shining. Never quite sure how they make those calls, but it was a treat to share the day with them. Brayden is always asking if he can go to work with Daddy, so he got the gift of being able to. Sarah got to shop with me at the grocery store and Marshall's. We all met up for lunch at McDonald's with FaFa.

Brayden's big gift for Valentine's Day was an Angry Bird Swimmer. It is a balloon with a remote control. What boy, especially this one, doesn't love anything remote control?

 

Sarah found some perfect gifts at Marshall's for herself, a shirt, perfume and a candle. Sweet Pea is one of her favorite scents.

The kids got lots of love from their grandparents as well. PaPa & MeMe sent their love via messages in bottles.

FaFa & Grandma sent their love in cards and M&M candy (a favorite!)

 

We spent the evening at home together having dinner and of course chocolate dessert. Jason hurt his back shoveling snow right as he got home from work, so it was a quiet night for all of us. It also meant I didn't get a picture of me and my main squeeze. Another time. The pics of my BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, TALENTED kids will have to do. I can't get enough of them. To many cute pictures of them not to share. 

Love. Them. So.

Happy Valentine's Day...

Awards...

Last Saturday we got a special letter in the mail from Brayden's principal telling us that he was chosen as STUDENT OF THE MONTH for January.

Wow!! We are so proud of him. Brayden, of course, was so excited! His character and work is showing off to those around him even if his favorite things at school are still buying lunch and playtime at centers.

Math problems he did on his own at school

I attended the award ceremony on Tuesday morning for both Brayden and Sarah.

Being congratulated by Principal Frick.

Brayden was so proud walking back to his seat.

Sarah also received certificates for being on Honor Roll for 1st and 2nd marking periods.

Principal Frick and Mr. Murray, her homeroom teacher, congratulating her.

I love when my kids are honored and recognized for their character and hard work.  Proud Mommy.

A Day Off...

Sarah has been quite busy since the beginning of the year. School work, drama practice twice a week and sometimes three, guitar/voice lessons, youth activities, GCT school field trips and teasing her brother every now and then are some of the things keeping her busy.

However, this weekend she had nothing on her schedule except a friend's birthday party and that didn't involve any work other than having fun.

It was nice to be able to sit back, relax and do whatever she wanted.