Subtle Sweetheart

Gabi was coloring and coloring, and wouldn't let me see.
GABI: Mom, I am just coloring a picture for daddy's birthday (in September)!

MOM: Oh, that is sweet!

GABI: How do you spell "Mother's Day"?

Sibling Love

I could label about 1,000 posts with the words "Sibling Rivalry." So, I thought I would post a couple photos of Sibling Love! Please note that these photos were on two separate occasions!

In the photo above, the kids had earned popsicles because they worked together to pick up! Then Will offered to read to Gabi! AAAWWW....

Granted, this photo was taken at a birthday party (for Grandpa Valet) at Pizza Ranch, and they are probably euphoric on twist ice cream and dessert pizza. But the photo was captured nonetheless.

These two have come a long way in their relationship, and I think it will only get better. This fall will be a hard test when Gabi is off to kindergarten. We just might capture more moments like this one! :)

Winter Weather Reminder

We interrupt your regular, non-weather-related blog to bring you this important WINTER WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT:

Reminder: When you see ice on metal objects, it is NOT - we repeat,
NOT - a good idea to lick it.
You will stick to it!

Now, if you are 5 and have not yet seen "A Christmas Story," then appropriate mothering actions can ensue.

But if your very intuitive mother had given you a verbal warning 2 weeks prior, then you will not receive the proper showering of empathy.

ADDITIONAL WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT:
If you could avoid doing this in a public place, then said mother might be able to show a little empathy. But if for some unknown reason you are compelled to lick the cart return racks in the WAL-MART parking lot, then you will be quickly removed from the scene, and given proper attention at home, with a photo, and blog post.


This has been a Winter Weather Friendly Reminder.

5

We have a 5 year old girl in our house as of this morning!
She said yesterday:
G: Mom, when I wake up in the morning will I be 5?
Mom: YES! You will be 5!
G: (thinking, then to self) OH, right, I will still have blond hair!

Here is a look back at all the wonderful things that Gabi did this past year!

She can keep up with the fastest of the boys on the soccer field!

She knows how to put on her best smile!

This girl can really pull together an outfit!

She can feed goats!

Ride the wildest of animals!

Clean her plate.

Act her age.

Pose for the camera.

Pose for the camera.

Look angelic.

Eat a Chicago-dog!

Enjoy some blue ice cream.

Can handle her drinks!

Walk and enjoy the scenery at Navy Pier.
(sidenote: this photo was taken right after Gabi shoved her head through the protective-metal-guardrail...
note red ear!)

Enjoy fine delicacies like Hagen Daas Ice Cream ($$$$).

Wear fine jewelery, unless they contain bugs.

Chill with a sista.

Be the life of a party.

Show a pinata a hard time.

Be herself!

Hold strong to her flower girl responsibilities, and eat cake!

Get some ink, to match her dad.

What an amazing gift-challenge-joy-love she has put into our lives!
Happy Happy Birthday, Gabberjaw!

That Girl!

We have opened our children's worlds on a new level.
We have recently switched over to the digital converter box, and now have more local channels than ever. Our kids are used to either movies or PBS, not "regular" t.v. with commercials. Today I was watching some parts of the Today show, then it went to commercial, here is what happened:
"...this weekend only at ------- Furniture Store is our big sale. We want you to save you money! Shop today!!"

Gabi turned to me and in ALL seriousness, said
"They want to save us money mom!"

too cute!

Time Out! Show me the love!

This is a little glimpse into the daily moments that occur around our place!

Some are loud, some are crazy, and I mean crazy, other times are so sweet.

THEN there are times when YOU are laughing, have to fetch the camera....& THEN discipline!

Example#1 this IS a reenactment!


Gabi is in timeout....
She has served her time...
*what did she do again?*
Oh well, maybe she will remember...


"GABI"


muffled..."hhhmmm???"
"Gabi, can you tell me why you are in time out, but 1st you need to turn around, so I can hear you..."







~yep, she has and had Mr.Potato Head lips in!~

:)

OUR PRINCESS!

"HEY Gabi, smile!"

"No, Come on! SMILE!"

Gabi =1
Mom =0...
or is that
Gabi=2
Mom= 0

How to make $30 Valentines...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and if you are a "PLAN ahead" family, like us....then follow along, and we will show you how you can spend a fortune, AND a couple of hours of "quality time", just to say that you too made home made Valentine's!

Step 1: You will need glue....LOTS of it!! A good estimate is 3-4 bottles per child.

Step2: Cool stuff, like sequins! Lots of those too!

Step3: Get the kids involved! Have your 4 year old cut out there own heart!
~holding your tongue out does improve your cutting skills by 20%!~

Step4: Little dots...LOTS of 'em!

Step 5: Start the assembly process.

Step 6: Ribbon? You will need LOTS of ribbon, especially if you have a GIRLIE 4 year old. A good estimate is 3-4 rolls per year of age for this one!
Oh, and make sure you let her cut it her self ~ she will remind you if you forget!

Step 7: Big Sis can demonstrate the skills needed to apply the GLITTER just so!

Step 8: HAVE AT IT!

Step 9: Not quite enough...add just a little more....yep, just right!

Step 10: Add your finishing touches,
let them dry for a week to 10 days, and then you are done!

YOU DID IT! You have just created your very own--homemade Valentines!
You could go to the store and pay 1.50 per box, and have your mom fill in the names for you...or you can venture just beyond the norm, and have a little fun...and glitter... to last a lifetime!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The World According to Gabi

So Gabi and I were having a nice quiet rest time today, and she said
"Mommy, if someone tries to hit you or rub your back, I will punch them!"
"Uh, Okay, thank you Gabi"

So I guess hitting me AND rubbing my back is not okay, or she WILL take it into her own hands!