Allie-Ann

I've realized that many of my pictures lately have been just of Belle so I thought I would share some Allie-Ann pictures and updates. 

Where do I begin with Allie-Ann. She is one spunky kid. I've never seen any 4 year old be as outgoing and friendly. She has such a big heart and it makes me so proud to be her momma. This doesn't mean that she is perfect, by all means, this little girl can get under my skin big time. But for the most part, she's a pretty good kid. I will say that Allie-Ann has some essentric qualities though, like for instance, she can't watch movies that have conflict or drama....so no Disney movies for us. She hasn't watched one single Disney or Piscar movie. One time we tried to watch the Fox and the Hound and she cried and cried. No go. She continues to love reading and her books. Nonfiction is her choice reading these days. I can't begin to tell you how much she is learning in school. Her school offers Spanish twice a week and she's coming home speaking Spanish. In addition, they teach Hebrew and she's learning a few words and songs. I'm toying with keeping her in Kindergarten but I believe I'm still in favor of public school education for her, we will see. Although she loves learning, her most favorite thing to do is draw. Allie-Ann can really draw, I'm not just saying this as her momma but the girl can really draw. I will just put it this way, she can make people figures better than me. 
But, one of the best qualities Allie-Ann has is her sense of humor. The other day I had to put her in time-out and since she wouldn't go to her regular spot I just told her to sit on the floor until timeout was completed. It wasn't but a minute later that I saw her in the military crawl position, inching her way into the kitchen (like I wouldn't see her...geesh). Then when she saw that I noticed her, she immediately started laughing...but I had to laugh too. Dang this parenting! As hard as it is sometimes, this little girls makes me so proud and I can't wait to see what she becomes one day.

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Pretty cute, huh?

Wrong....this little cutie gave both her mommy and daddy the stomach bug! 

Can Spring Come Earlier???

I generally like to stay a positive person, but I tell you I'm at the end of the rope as far as all the illnesses we've had to face the last 3 months. Our fridge has been stocked full of antibiotics since before Christmas, we've gone through three tubes of eye drops for pink eye, we've had surgery for tubes, and now we've been hit with the dreaded stomach bug. Poor Belle just can't get a break. But, it could be a lot worse, so I'm not going to complain...although, I just did. But surely the warmer weather will take all the germs away....right? We finally took advantage of the sun being out and the girls feeling well enough to visit some of our most favorite animal friends. I just love that we have a zoo nearby that we can just take the girls to on any given day. Allie-Ann is finally starting to notice the animals and wonder about them, in times past she would just run through the entire zoo just to get to the carousel. Belle is starting to be more independent too, which makes it even more fun. We've got a busy week ahead and I'm counting the days till spring break. Enjoy our pictures. 

 Can you spot us????

Happy Belated Valentines!

I love Valentines Day! It's one of my favorite holidays because you just shower those around you with love. I didn't go all out this year because it's been so busy with the girls sick, and now my husband, I just didn't get a lot of shopping time. But, showing love doesn't have to come in a package, it's the daily hugs and "I love yous" that means the most. I was very surprised though that my husband, who has been very sick managed to get me a card and a gift certificate for an hour long massage.....ahhhhhh! I was so surprised by this and I'm so lucky to have him.  

We are spending the weekend at the beach away from the girls and I'm so excited. As much as I love my girls, having time away from "mommy responsibilities" is so nice. I woke up this morning without a 4 year old tugging on my pjs to get up to fix her some milk. I didn't have to change a single diaper and as I'm writing this post, I don't have a 19 month old banging on the keyboard. I'm in heaven right now, but even in my overindulgence my thoughts aways return to my girls and thinking about what trouble they are getting into at their grandparents. But for right now, I'm going to enjoy my weekend free from being a mommy. 

 Of course I had to make heart shaped pancakes...per request from my 4 year old. 

Friends...

You know I was nervous about taking Allie-Ann out of her preschool and moving her into another school. I was afraid that the friendships she developed for over two years would be forgotten but thankfully they have not. Her very best friend Charlotte sees her each week in gymnastic and we plan play dates each month. It's so nice because quite frankly, Allie-Ann is not meeting a lot of new friends at her new school. I ask her each day if she played with anyone and I get the same response, "No, mommy, I played by myself." Now, I know this can't possibly be true but I just think it's been hard for her adjusting to the new school. She's in a 4K class which is one year ahead of where she should be so the children in her class are already 5. They are slightly older and I think that's been tough. I know she will make new friends soon but I'm just so thankful that we have made an effort to continue meeting up with her friends at her old preschool. 

Belle is doing much better, I'm praying for an uneventful week and I'm so looking forward to this weekend sans kids at the beach....Can I Hear An Amen!!!

Belle enjoying her banana!

Playing dress-up

 Play Date today involved decorating Valentine cookies...fun!

Allie-Ann with her buddy, Jackson. I could seriously agree to an arranged wedding with these two. He's adorable!

 Love these pictures....Charlotte with green teeth from eating fun dip, Allie-Ann wearing a chic cowboy hat, and Jackson wearing a pink helmet.  

Belle Has Tubes

When they told me that the surgery was going to be quick, they weren't lying. No sooner was I sitting down to say a little prayer to myself that the doctor came in to say that she was finished. She was a little fussy when we got back to her but after about an hour she was back to herself again. I'm praying that the tubes will do the trick and that I will finally have a healthy baby for longer than a week. It's been a roller coaster ride and I'm so ready to get off. Allie-Ann ran a fever yesterday while at school and we had to take her to the doctor to find out that she had a double ear infection. Now, I don't want to blame this all on going back to work full-time because I know children just get sick but it's totally bad timing since I just put them in school this past January. Hopefully their little bodies will adjust soon. Bring on the warmer weather.....please. I'm just so thankful for all the prayers and support and that everything went well today!

I know these pictures look terrible and you might feel so bad for Belle, but I promise, five minutes later the little bug was climbing all over the bed and clapping and laughing. 

 I wish I could have kept the little gown she had to wear, it was so cute.

Girls Day Out

We had a fun girls day out today. I took the girls to get their hair styled and cut. It was due for both of them and Allie-Ann got her nails done. I'm telling you with two girls, it's going to be an expensive future, I believe. But, they look so cute and it's well worth the money spent for the simple fact that I don't have to chase them around to cut their hair. They seem to do whatever anyone else ask them to do over when I ask them. So whatever works. 

Belle is feeling much better and we are so excited about that, Allie-Ann has another little cold but she is overcoming that as well. I'm so looking forward to a normal week, hopefully we will get one this week. With that said, here are some pictures I took of the girls. 

Belle showing that she can have some fun while eating cookies. 

This is a picture of Belle before her haircut. I usually cut her bangs myself, but thought it might be time to get them shaped better. 

 She's not impressed....

 Allie-Ann's hair before her cut. It's amazing how fast their hair grows!

 Belle after her cut...still not impressed.

 Allie-Ann getting her hair shampooed. 

Allie-Ann after her haircut. I wanted the bob cut for her. 

 This is what I have to contend with at night after bath.

 This should be a little easier to comb at night. 

 Picking out her nail polish

 She looks two years older in this picture to me