I agreed to this...

When I had Allie-Ann my whole world changed, I pretty much quit my job because my desire and heart was pulling me too hard to stay at home to raise her. My career has been put on hold and pretty much my adult life and now that I'm going on my 4th year of being at home I suddenly find myself...at times...like Mr. Mom. For example, I went running the other day and during my run I was singing in my head the "Umizoomi" theme song. I find that much of my reading these days come from Pinkalicious, Magic Tree House, Olivia, and many other children's literature. And since Allie-Ann does not go to bed till way past 9:00 (she's in bed by 8:00 mind you) I find that I don't really even have much time for myself. It's tough and I'm not trying to complain because I'm blessed beyond measures but at times many times I just feel like I want a huge time-out. I'm not talking about 24 hours, I'm talking about a week, a month...seriously...can moms do this or think of this? I have so many projects that I think up but honestly don't have the time or mind power to do them late at night. I'm mush by the end of the day. I believe that being a stay-at-home mom is terribly misunderstood, just like other professions that require self-sacrifice. Many times I just want to pull my hair out and I'm only a mom to 2. Bless those with more, but honestly I feel that when you get to 2 you can easily go to 4....not that I will ever, ever do that. I don't know exactly where this post is going, and really I'm writing this for my own sanity but I just felt that maybe someone reading this would understand....and possibly be a babysitter for my 2 girls when I go on my month vacation to a deserted island...

Belle might need a break too...ha!

CMA Day

We have been spending our weekends with the arts. The Columbia Museum of Art has a great children's program every second Sunday of the month and you also get in free....wahoo! So we took Allie-Ann and Belle out for another fun-filled Sunday afternoon. I will say that Allie-Ann is not quite old enough to fully appreciate the art...from my chasing her around and basically threatening her for wanting to touch every piece of work that says, "DO NOT TOUCH" she was a little restless to say the least. But, I feel that your children are never too young for exposure to art. They had some really cool hands-on exhibits for the little ones that Allie-Ann had a ball with. Poor Belle is still not able to enjoy these things yet, but in time she will. 

They had such a beautiful display of sunflowers at the entrance. The design resembled a pineapple...love!

 Allie-Ann in her art studio class....totally free!

Allie-Ann's finished work...the stencils you remove after the paint dries. Pretty cool idea!

 She loved the benches..

Wicked blown glass art...I wish I could do things like this. 

Belle was digging the art....can't you tell??

Playing checkers in the General Store...I could have stayed in there forever. 

Poster Child

Could Belle be the next poster child for Krispy Kreme? 

I'm so mad that Krispy Kreme is so close to our house....it's just so darn hard to resist. I took Allie-Ann to get a donut the other day for taking her Dial-3 test and man 'ol man they have some good donuts to celebrate their 75 years. Belle found this hat this morning and loved putting it on her head. She's a butterball! I can't imagine how Belle will respond to her first donut. I pray that she doesn't have such a HUGE sweet tooth like her momma or she will be in trouble in the hips department. But, they are so good! 

In other news, it's hard to believe that school is just around the corner. Allie-Ann will be going to 3K-4 days a week. I've looked into a Montessori school for her but I'm still almost completely sure that she will be going to her same preschool again this year. She just loves it there and I know the teachers are all fabulous. And what I really want for her right now is the social development. She gets what she needs in the literacy department from her momma. 

It is also hard to believe that Allie-Ann will be 4 in a couple more weeks! I will have a 4 year old....I can't believe that. So, of course I've been wrapping my head around her birthday this year. I want simple but I also want Allie-Ann to invite some of her friends this year. In years past, we haven't done a "Friend" party but I think she is ready this year for one. I have a few ideas but gosh-darn-it, why are these places so expensive?! I need to get into kid's party planning. Wow....I mean it's nice to have everything done for you but, really, does it have to cost that much??? I found this really cute idea in Parent magazine about a "Dirty Party." I wish I was brave enough to do this with a bunch of 4 year olds but I'm too scared. But basically you put them all in ponchos and let them do different activities that will make them real dirty. Like, playing in a plastic pool filled with dirt, playing in flour, eating powdered donuts on strings, etc., It was just so cute and I know would be fun for 4 year olds. But, we will probably just stick to what is safe for now. What I do know is that she wants a Umizoomi cake. A Umizoomi cake???!!!? Oh, brother. 

Allie-Ann's 1st Gymnastic Class

Tonight we took Allie-Ann to her first gymnastic class. She exceeded all expectations for her 1st class.  She had so much fun and to me that's all that matters. Her favorite part of the lesson was jumping into the pit (which I have a video of below). She saw one of the other girls do it and thought that she would give it a try herself. I asked Allie-Ann if she wanted to come back and try it again and she said, "You bet!!" She's so funny. So here are a few pictures from her 1st lesson. 

Ready for class!

 I had to make sure her hair was all pulled up in one pony!

Growing up way too fast

You know it seems like just yesterday that we were bringing home Isabelle. I can't believe how fast time flies and at times how slow. But, when I look at my two girls, I can't help but get a little sad to know that they are growing up. Belle is helping tremendously to stay in that baby stage (personality wise)....which I love. She is totally content on being a baby and being treated like one. I know we will have problems if I have to wheel her in her stroller at the start of kindergarten. But, as of right now, I think she is such a sweet....baby!! We took Allie-Ann and Belle to the museum today for the $1 Sunday. We like to go right at the end so that we can beat all the crowds that come at 1:00. It was pretty crowded today but we still had a great time. This was Belle's first time at the museum so I thought I would document with none other than some pictures. 


If I had the time, I would seriously get into the photography business, I love taking pictures of my girls and I think it would be pretty awesome to just take pictures of little ones. I just think you can't ever get a bad picture of young children. 


I just love Belle's bangs now...she looks chic these days..kinda wish I had her hairstyle...ha!

Allie-Ann was seriously waiting on the elevator. Have I blogged about the time Allie-Ann got trapped in the elevator...can't remember if I did, but it was a traumatic experience for her and for me. So....she gets a little stressed out when we have to go on an elevator.

This is how she looks waiting on the elevator...hopefully, she will grow out of being scared of elevators. 

 Lazer tag...if I had the money to install one of these at our house, I total would. 

Allie-Ann working on some math facts with M&Ms.

 Belle with crayons for the first time. 

 This is what I used to do with Allie-Ann, it's nice that I can get a break and allow Allie-Ann to take over. 

Belle is 13 Months Old

Belley Boo is 13 months old today. Not much has changed other than her constant attachment to my hip. She is absolutely in love with her mommy. I can't get her leave my side but I don't mind very much. She is still crawling away but has started to pull up and be a little more brave with her cruising around. Lately, however, we have entered the crazed 4-6:00pm time around here with Belle. Nothing makes her happy during that time and have found that we have entered the norm of child raising. With Allie-Ann we never got this but had heard from so many parents that that is the roughest hour. It wasn't an issue for us but now I see what they were talking about...wow. Unfortunately for Belle, I find her cries and moodiness hysterical. It doesn't bother me too much and we just work through them, (basically she does) because I just ignore it most of the time. I will tell you, I'm not going to be at her beck-in-call with these crying spells. I just put her in her walker and let her go at it until she works it all out. Call it bad parenting but I'm not going to stress myself out that's for sure. 


I've been reading Bringing Home Bebe, which has been a quick and humorous read about French parenting methods. I find that reading about other cultures parenting techniques so interesting. I'm obsessed with it in a way. This book is written by an American woman who moves to Paris and can't understand how the French women are so calm and collective when raising their children. She begins researching to find out what their secret is. On any note, I find that I like the French parenting method, other than the going out for croissants during labor. It was interesting that they don't use the term discipline when referring to parenting but more of educating. It's all a process that starts very early for them, which in turn teaches their children autonomy. 


Here are Belle's 13 month pics...

 I found Allie-Ann and Belle like this the other day and thought it was so cute!

Belle's 1st Haircut

I have always known that I would never have a career in cosmetology. I've NEVER been able to do my own hair, makeup, nails, etc. As hard as I try, I always look like a hot mess when I try to get myself all glammed up (is that a proper phrase?). I'm always amazed at women who have this special talent, because I do not. But, I'm okay with that as long as my girls don't take it out on me when I start doing their hair. Take exhibit #1....Belle's 1st haircut. As hard as I tried, I could not get her bangs straight and I didn't want to keep cutting for fear of her not having any hair in the front. So.....here is proof that I should not be in the hair cutting business. 


My Belley Boo, who was once a mellow child has turned into this crazed 1 year old, who refuses to have anything in her hair. I mean, she will pull out even those tight rubber bands. I don't know how she does it but I find her hair all a mess as soon as I fix it. So, I decided that I would NOT have a 1 year old with bangs in her eyes, so I took it upon myself to cut her some bangs. If she won't wear bows.....(tear drop), then she will have to have bangs and live with it. As much as I thought Allie-Ann would be our sporty spice, I believe I was wrong, I think for Belle we will be buying football pads as opposed to tutus.