Post It Note Tuesday

It’s Post it Note day on over at Supahmommy’s place!  Make sure you head on over to play along!  This is my first time!!

So fun right? Head on over and play along!

Going Green is fun..when it is this cute!

While out and about in search of the infamous Twinkle Toes this weekend, I found these pretty things at TJ Maxx!  This year I am trying to be a little more green.  Now before you go getting all excited – we are talking about small changes!  One of which is we actually started using our recycle bin!  We have recycle service every Friday but have never used it!  However, Sofia’s school has a “Green Team” that must be doing some pretty serious recycle educating at school because she came home preaching to me about going green, recycle symbols and all kinds of stuff.  So we have started recycling our stuff and just this past week out the big, blue bin out for the very first time!  I was actually amazed at all the stuff in it that would have normally filled our trash can!  Now don’t go thinking I need an award or anything…I still leave the water running while I brush my teeth!

Anyway back to the cute things I found at TJ Maxx..see for yourselves!

  

These shopping bags are huge!  How cute will I be at the grocery store with my cute plastic bag not needed, preppy pink and green reusable shopping bags?

Best part - .99 each!  I bought 4 to add to my collection of shopping bags.  I also use these for Goodwill donation carting, take them with me to the farmer’s market and to yard sales!  I say hurry on out and get some of the fancy “do-gooder” bags!

All About MEme: All about Books

brought to you by SupahMommy & MommyBrain

So I just started reading SupahMommy’s blog and her blog is great!  Always a laugh and super fun topics.  Today (well Monday really) is All About Books.  Make sure you head on over and play along!

What are you currently reading?
Nothing right now –in a reading lull.  I go up and down.  When I am reading – I am reading ALL THE TIME!  But it has been a few months.

When do you find the time to read?
At night after Sofia is in bed.

Where do you do most of your reading?
I usually read in bed or at the dance studio while waiting on Sofia.

How do you choose what you read?
What does the cover look like?  Read the inside panel.  I only read fiction.  I will admit, I like a little smut – or at least some romance!  Yes, I also read the entire Twilight series…twice.  Team Edward all the way.

From where do you get most of your books?
From the Goodwill or other thrift stores. Sometimes yard sales.  I like to own the books I read (in case they  get wet in the tub, etc.).  Plus, I also do not want to pay $20 for something that I will be done with in a couple of days.  I buy them cheap at the Goodwill, read them, then I usually donate them to the “Friends of the Library” group so the library can sell them too!

What do you do with a book after you've finished reading it?
see above.  I will also just give them away to folks at work.

What are your book (reading) quirks?

hmmmm, well not sure.  I hate the paper cover things and remove them ASAP.  I never use a book mark (I fold down corners) I don’t read anything set back in time.  Only GWTW.  I need current stuff.  Also, I do not like to read anything that contains characters who would be speaking with an English accent.  I know, crazy but when I read I hear the voices of those I am reading about and well, this southern gal just can’t do a good English accent.  I did however make an exception for the Shopaholic series. 

How about you?  What are you reading this winter?

Party, Party, Party

Whew this month is a whirlwind of parties for Sofia’s friends!  She has 5 to attend!  Yesterday was the 1st.  It was such a beautiful day outside – perfect for a party.  Princess Lauren turned 6 today and Sofia had a great time celebrating!  Lauren’s mom gave lots of prizes for games and a scavenger hunt!  Also, VERY yummy cupcakes!  Lauren is a triplet (with a brother and sister) so next week we will be back for her sister’s party!  This mom will be exhausted after all these parties this month! 

What about you guys?  Is it busy birthday season in your neck of the woods? I usually spend $15-20 per present. Is that enough?  I also find it a little tough to shop right after Christmas because there really is not a lot of new stuff in the stores.  We shopped at Target and struggled to find something that was just right. 

That’s it for now!  Stay tuned for a post on how a shopping trip made me realize by baby is growing up TOOOOOOO fast!

The Beautiful Birthday Girl!

Sporting her handmade candy necklace, working on her photo album and doing a Barbie word search.

    

Waiting on the scavenger hunt to begin and showing off her prize – a glittery baton!

 

yummy princess cupcakes!   

I love this next picture!  The look of anticipation on their faces is timeless!

 

Happy Birthday Lauren!

KIDS ROCK 1 Mile Race

Make a Smilebox photobook

Sofia belongs to her school's running club and throughout the year they participate in a few local races with 1-mile runs. This morning after ballet we had to scoot across town for her to run in the PF Chang's KIDS ROCK 1 mile race (tomorrow is the PF Chang's marathon in Phoenix). She had such a good time at the race with her friends from school! She finished in about 12 minutes - I was so proud of her! She was very excited about the medal they have her at the finish line!

Black and White Wednesday

The Long Road to China is hosting a fun Wednesday series - Black & White Wednesday! Go check out Long Road to China for more details and to play along! I actually just posted this picture but it is of course my favorite black and white of Sofia!

She is ina big bathtub in Las Vegas! We had just gotten back from the National Finals Rodeo and she just could not part with her hat! Bathtime is one of her favorite things in life so she was a VERY happy girl!

Ten on Tuesday

I saw this super fun post on Simply Smithwick’s blog and thought it looked like fun!  Cruise on over to Roots & Rings to play along!

 

1. Are you usually late, early, or right on time?
I am 99% early.  Too early as a matter of fact.  Early enough that it gets a little annoying with Sofia in the car because she does not like to wait in the car.  I get upset at myself (and others) if I am late.

2. What is your middle name?
Erin

3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone number?
2505

4. How big is your bed?
Ahhhh, king size!  I can not “do” a smaller bed!  When I travel I will pay extra just so it is a king.

5. What are you allergic to?
nothing at all and it is glorious!

6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
potty, brush teeth, weigh, shower, turn on music on the computer

7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
Little House on the Prairie or Saved by the Bell.  Loved when summer time rolled around and I would be able to watch all the tv I wanted! 

8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?
I am nearing 16 years post (YIKES) and to my knowledge, our class has not had any reunions to date.

9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?
Yep – the animals hear it.

10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention? (You know, since sliced bread…)
Internet.  Especially SKYPE!  Love talking to my friends across the country (and world) FOR FREE!

This was a lot of fun!  Head on over and check out the blogs I mentioned above and play along!

My Little Orphan

Little Orphan Sofia that is!  Sofia auditioned for a local production of Annie tonight.  She tried out for the part of Molly along with a bunch of other little girls.  Of course, most wanted to be Annie.  Sofia wanted to be Molly, Sandy (the dog) or any other part.  I get the feeling she will be Orphan #7 or something like that!  She sang “Hard Knock Life” and had to sing all by herself.  I was very proud of her!   She should hear in the next week which role she will have.  Each child will have at least one solo line in a song or in the play.  Should be lots of fun!  There were serious stage moms present.  Some children brought props with them.  Wow.

On another note, Sofia got her first report card (as seen below)

Pretty good overall.  No “N'” areas so that is a good thing. 

Moving on – The Bachelor---OMG CRAZY show!  CRAZY women!  This is going to be a drama-filled season!  I have not watched this show in several years but I think I picked a good year to start back!

Warning: do not let this family have any more pets…

I love animals.  Honestly I do.  But I think I do lack that gene that makes me a “pet lover”.  See I  don’t want to have to walk my dog unless I happen to be going for a walk.  I don’t want to have to worry about things being torn up.  I don’t want to have to take you to the dr. and pay more for you than I do my own child.  I am not gonna buy you a monthly prescription.  I’m not gonna dress you up in clothes or let you ride on my lap as I drive my car around.  I’m not even gonna let you ride in my car with me to pick up my child from school.  Now there is nothing wrong with all those things and  sometimes wish I felt that way about animals….but I don’t. 

Sometimes I think it would be lovely to have good ole’ buddy sleeping at the foot of my bed.  But then I start thinking about good ole buddy making my comforter stink or doing who knows what while I am sleeping. 

That being said, I have almost always had a dog.  But when it comes time to part with them, it is easy for me.  I don’t have that attached feeling to them for some reason.  Recently we added Lilly to our family. Remember?  Well, Lilly is bored.  Lilly tears up everything.  Lilly is wild.  Lilly is huge.  Lilly barks too much.  Lilly got the cops called to our house for barking.  Lilly made angry neighbors beat on my door last week.  Lilly is now living in Prescott! 

Funny part is – Sofia was not  the least bit sad to see her go.   I think she knew it was unfair for Lilly to be alone all day.  So I am telling you we do not need another animal.  Oh and of course Sofia is already asking for another puppy. NO!!!  Maybe when she is older and she can care for it on her own.  We are way to busy – 3 hours of dance per week, 2 hours of church on Wednesday night, 1 hour of Children’s Theatre plus a little thing called school and Work. 

I know I am terrible.  In fact if you have been following my blog for long, you will know this is the 3rd dog we have had in 2 years.  We also had a cat.  We also had a fish.  We also had a bird.  We had a guinea pig that died and was replaced (darn).  Pretty sure my picture should be posted somewhere with a warning to not allow me to have a new animal. 

Having said all that – my dear pet loving friends – I love your pets and will be happy to let them sit with me and heck, even sleep at the foot of my bed!  Kinda like grandparents and their grandchildren – the spend time with them and spoil them rotten and then send them back to their parents for the raising!

Time for a change

Trying to redo my blog tonight and just can't make myself hire someone to do it! So I think I will go back to this style and smaller pics.

Roll Tide Roll!

What a great night!  Last night Sofia and I went over to some friends house to watch the game.  Now you gotta understand, folks out here that are not from the South or from the SEC – they don’t do football like we do!  But I must say, my great friends (who are from Minnesota) did not disappoint!  They had the game on their projector thingy so I watched the game in like 12x12 format on the wall of their family room – awesome!  Add to that pizza, Doritos and Oreos and it was a perfect night!

 

Some things I’m thinking about for the New Year

So those of you that know me, know that I have trouble sticking with anything for a realllllly long time.  So of course, resolutions usually fail.  SO this year instead of calling them resolutions, I’m just going to try to work on the following:

• keep my car clean cleaner than I have done in the past.  I mean, I am paying for the darn thing for a few more years so I need to take care of it.
• lower my weight.  See I think if I say lower it instead of lose “x” amounts of pounds it seems a little more doable.  I do have a number in mind and it is a lot.  Like losing the amount of weight that Sofia weighs lot. ok moving on….
• SAVE MONEY – enough said.  I am not a saver. I suck at it. I am the worst at it.  I have got to change. 
• STOP SPENDING MONEY -  same as the above.  I buy stuff for no reason and then end of giving it away so I never have enough put away for big events or emergencies. 
• FOLLOW A BUDGET – see the previous 2 bullets.
• Have more FUN – with Sofia and with my friends. I’m not that old – but boy I feel too old.
• Travel outside the US. I have my place in mind and I hope to do it in June.

There – now it is up to ya’ll to help hold me accountable!

On the lower my weight front-  I walked/jogged pushing Sofia in our new bike trailer/stroller on Friday for nearly 2 hours and yesterday we hiked up a mountain and back for 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Man Sofia is tough!  Today I did weights at home. I have been tracking all my foods since Friday using Daily Burn.  It is a really great site and easy to use.  Oh and free.

I have taken 3 loads of stuff to the Goodwill over the last 3 days!  I cleaned out every closet and cabinet.  Huh, no wonder I do not feel like I have been off of work!

Now for the most important and major news of the weekend…..

Sofia has eaten 3 of these since Saturday:

this is huge – remember no fruits or veggies are eaten by this child.

and even bigger than the bananas – she ate this:

Grilled Mahi Mahi – FISH!!!  Yes the first time ever!  No this is not what ours looked like, I didn’t take a picture.  Yes – I did lie to her initially and tell her it was chicken.  Then, when she was finished I cheered and said “Way to go Fia – you just ate fish”!  She smiled then started crying!  So mad at me for tricking her! She later calmed down and we chatted about sometimes our head telling us things and holding us back from trying new things. So then today – guess what she wanted for dinner?????  You got it – FISH!

It really is the little things that count!

On to more random things.  Last night I worked for 2 hours organizing all the photos on my computer and getting rid of 3097 a few.  When I got my new computer last January, I was not able to bring over many of the photos from my old system.  So basically all pictures from 2005-2008 are scrapbooked or on Snapfish – but not on my computer.  So I spent a really long time on Snapfish doing “save as” to the pictures (I am only done with 2005 and some of 06) and saving them to my computer.  They would not be print quality, but at least I now have them and can insert them here or Smilebox, etc. 

So after looking at all those pics and remembering all the fun times – just thought I would show a few of my faves I came across over the years.

and perhaps one of my all-time favorites – in Vegas, in the bathtub, wearing her cowboy hat!

My bathtub cowgirl!

2009 Highlights

Preschool Graduation

Disneyland

Surfer Girl

First Day of Kindergarten

Turning 6

Performing in the Nutcracker

Oh and this one is for me…

New Moon Girls Night Out

Happy New Year

Make a Smilebox greeting

Is it bad that…

I’m a little more happy to have the tree down and all the “stuff” put away than I was to have it up?

I took it all down yesterday.  I mean I love my decorations, but man, I love that clean house feeling when it is all put away until next year!

 

Today for fun, I went to the Dr. who then sent me to the ER for a follow-up EKG because my arms and hands have been almost completely numb for 2 weeks.  EKG in Dr.’s office came back abnormal but at the ER it was fine.  So I spent 5 hours waiting to be told I had severe carpal tunnel and should see a specialist for it. Then did give me some nifty arm braces to wear though!  Wonder how much this is gonna cost?  Thank goodness the new deductible year had not started!

Yeah, that’s hot.

Fun with Fia

Yesterday Sofia and I had a great day of fun!  We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks – super cute.  Then I took her to lunch at Benihana – she had never been there and loved it!  After that, a little bit of  Target time and then we headed home for more Wii fun.