Perfect PB&J

No I am not being paid for this! But I wanted to let all the other moms know about the most yummiest, easy sandwich ever! Uncrustables by Smuckers. They are frozen and then you just take them out and put them in the lunch box or purse or diaper bag or counter and let them thaw for at least 60-90 minutes. They suggest you eat them within 8 hours of thawing. These will be perfect for car trips and plane trips. They use Smuckers jelly and peanut butter. The grape jelly ones are my favorite.





But then I went back to the store for more and found these!! Whole wheat ones!! I was so excited. Chandler and I eat these at least once a week for lunch. Add some pretzels and applesauce and you have a healthy, yummy lunch. The strawberry ones are pretty good, but just be aware they have the little seeds in the jelly.

The grape come in whole wheat too. The funny thing is Chandler does not like bread. She won't eat a regular pb& j on normal bread. But will eat these!

Buy a box and try them. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Birthday Maryn!

On Saturday afternoon Chandler helped her best friend up here, Maryn, celebrate her 3rd birthday. The party was held at a gymnastics place. The kids got to jump on the trampoline, do an obstacle course, swing from the bars and play with hula hoops. Jeremy took a cute video of Chandler at the party. In case you wouldn't be able to find Chandler, she is in the pink leotard with tutu. To set this video up: the kids were told that the hula hoops are their cars. The teacher is playing music and then instructing them on what to do. You really can't make out what she is saying but it doesn't matter. I thought that the grandparents would appreciate the video. (Oh and the talking you hear is Michelle and I . We had no idea Jeremy was videotaping.)

Sledding

Just a cute video of Chandler sledding all by herself. She is a big girl now!

Our Snow Bunny

On Wednesday afternoon it started to snow. Daddy came home from work around 4:00 so he could play in the snow with Chandler. Both our kids were so excited to get to play out in the snow with Daddy.



Daddy trying to show Chandler how to make a snow angel. Chandler just looked at him like he was crazy.

I love the snowflake that is on her nose. After playing in the snow and sledding with Daddy, Chandler refused to come inside. So we let her play in the yard with Jake.

In the past Chandler will look at the snow and talk about it but has never had much interest in being in it. But she loved it this time! I kept asking her to come in and she would not, even though I knew she was cold. I had to physically go out and get her. We got 2 cute videos of her in the snow. I will post those soon.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

This afternoon, Chandler got her hair cut for the 1st time!! Though I have to admit that sounds misleading, because we only cut off 1 inch. Just got rid of some split ends and made it a bit more healthy. We went to a fun kids place called Cookie Cutters. They had a big slide up front and cool seats for the kids to sit in. Chandler started off in the pink car, but had to move to the jet because the car did not have a seat belt.


On Monday we talked about getting her hair cut today. I told her if she was a good girl she could have a lollipop when we were done. But I had to break out the lollipop during the cut because Chandler was not cooperating.

Got to make sure it is even. I think she looks a lot like me in this picture.

Getting her hair dried while keeping a death grip on her lollipop and Minnie Mouse.

She had enough and tried to jump out of the plane. So we went home with damp hair. But all in all she did better than I expected. It certainly did not hurt that Dora was on the tv in front of her.

When Daddy got home from work, Chandler was very excited to tell him all about her hair cut and show him some of the hair we brought home. I think next time we will get a few inches cut off.

Beautiful Baby

I am entering Chandler in a Beautiful baby contest and I need your help. I am not sure which photo to send in. According to the rules, these are the top 6 I have come up with. So please look at them and then leave a comment with your top 2 favorite photos. I am hoping that will help me pick the best photo to send in.

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3


Photo #4

Photo #5

Photo #6

If you don't have a goggle account or don't know how to leave a comment, you can e-mail me your favorite. Thanks for all the help!

Double Date..sort of

This evening Jeremy, Chandler and I went over to a new friends house. Katie is in my moms group and I had only met her 2 other times but just felt a connection with her. We ran into each other at the gym a few weeks back and made plans to have a double date with the kiddos. She has 2 kids--Sam who is 20 months and Vivian who is 8 months. Can we talk about a super mom? So this evening we went over there for food, wine and play. Chandler had a wonderful time. Sam took about an hour to warm up to her, but then they were inseparable. They played very nicely together. Katie and Nick and the kids are suppose to come over to our house tomorrow for some football watching. On the way home, Jeremy told me that he had a great time. Jeremy and I have only had a few couple friends where we both enjoy hanging out with both the husband and wife. But I think we can add another one to the list! I didn't take any photos tonight but I will get some on here tomorrow. It has been a slow, hard process--but I finally feel like I am making some friends for the 3 of us here. Yay, Joy!

Update on 2010 Goals

Only 3 weeks into 2010 and I am doing very well on my goals for this year.

1. Work out regularly-- I go about 5 times a week. I have got to the point where if I miss a day I am very tired and moody. Because of the gym, I have been having more energy and sleeping much better.

2. Drink less coke--I have been drinking a lot less caffeine. Instead of 1 coke a day I am down to maybe 2 a week.

3. Date night once a month-- Jeremy and I have already had a date night this month. Hopefully we will get 1 more in before the month is up.

4. Cooking meals more--I have been cooking dinner more. I am still not a great cook by any means, but I think I am doing okay.

5. Buying less "stuff"-- I have done very well here. I have not gone to Meijer's or Walmart even once this year. I have been to Target 2 times but I needed diapers and wipes both times and stuck to that list.

6. Find dance/music class for Chandler--We are going to a free demo class this Saturday for a music class.

7. Eat better--still working on this one. Though I was very proud of myself today. I took Chandler to McDonalds after MOPS because they have an awesome indoor play area. We only played and then went home for lunch. I did not even get myself a fountain coke. I was very proud of myself!

8. Run race again--I ave not started this one yet. But hope to do so in the spring.

I think I am doing very well. And I am very proud of myself!

Wordless Wednesday

Mom to Mom

This is a new series that I am starting. Mom to Mom will stand for any accomplishment that Chandler does that only another mom would appreciate. So we had our 1st Mom to Mom moment yesterday and today. Yesterday Chandler peed in the potty for the first time!! And today she ate a pb& j sandwich. That is an accomplishment for her. She NEVER eats bread. We have tried pb& j many times before but she always told me she didn't like it. So I was pleased when she it all of it.

What Mom to Mom moments have you had lately?

Two and a half

Chandler turned 2 & 1/2 on the 11th of January. I can hardly believe it. So what is Chandler up to at 2 & 1/2??

Chandler still loves to read. We try to go to the library once a week. Her favorite books is "Miss Mary Mack". She can recite almost the whole book by heart! She still adores Jake. She loves to watch tv on her pretend Jake and have her real Jake lay next to her.



She loves watching anything that has to do with Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Veggie Tales and now Dora. Her cousin Hannah loves Dora and Chandler got hooked when we were visiting them in December. She also likes Sesame Street.


We have been working on potty training some. And so far no pee in the potty. But she has done the other twice. I let her pick out a prize. Her choice was stickers, a McDonald's toy, chocolate or lollipop. She went with the lollipop. She was so happy and proud of herself.

She loves to sing and dance. Her current favorite songs are "3 Blind Mice", "Jingle Bells", "Rudolph" and "Hush Little Baby". Many times after we put her to bed for the night we will hear her singing those songs on the monitor. She loves to go to the Kids Korner (daycare) at the gym while I work out. In fact she loves being there so much that many days she cries when I come to pick her up and refuses to leave! She loves her new friend Maryn. Everyday she will ask me if we can go to Maryn's house.

She still loves Mickey Mouse and his friends. She got a Mickey mouse clubhouse for Christmas and she will play with it for hours everyday. One of her favorite things is to bring Mickey or Donald to us and "make him talk" to Minnie or Daisy. She got a dollhouse for Christmas and the doll below, who she named Emily, goes almost everywhere with her. This day she was hanging with Mickey and Goofy.

She is still a picky eater. Her favorite foods are mac & cheese, apple juice, dried strawberry/banana fruits, raisins, pretzels, Kashi breakfast bars and rice. She will also eat chicken, hot dogs, fish sticks, applesauce, peaches, dried apples, bananas, sausage, yogurt, water, juice, milk and pancakes. She has a sweet tooth like her Mommy. She will not eat bread or any veggies.

She is very smart and very talkative. Every day she will say new words that we have no idea where she learned them from. Yesterday she used the word "accident" in the right context. No idea where she learned that one. She loves to learn new things and is constantly asking me "what is this? what is that called?" She loves telling people she is 2 & 1/2.

She is a very happy child. She is always smiling and rarely cries or throws a tantrum. Her new thing now is when you ask her to do something she will say "I can't. I just can't." Even if she can. She has also started calling me Mom instead of Mommy. I don't like it and tell her my name is Mommy and she just says "Ok Mom."

I am so blessed to be her Mommy.

Christmas Outfits

I love clothes and I love shopping. I don't know many girls that don't. One of my favorite things to do is hit the stores after Christmas to see what bargains I can get on the Christmas apparel for Chandler for the next December. So without further ado here is my adorable model in all her bargains that I found the year before.

Sweater from department store and skirt from consignment sale

Top and bottom from consignment


Same sweater as above. I just love the photo. Jake had just gotten a bath and been groomed. He is sporting his manly bow on his collar.

Snowman outfit from consignment sale.It is actually a 3T so she will be wearing it again this Christmas.

Outfit from Kohl's. They have awesome Christmas sales!

Hand-me down outfit from Aunt Jenn.

Outfit from Target for .99!

Okay this one doesn't belong in here. It is from Sparky, but I thought she looked so cute in it. Aqua is her color!

Adorable jacket that came with a Christmas dress from Kohl's. We got so many compliments when we wore the jacket.

I searched for some bargains for next Christmas for Chandler but did not have any luck. Luckily we still have a few consignment sales coming up that I can check out.

Say a Prayer

I have been talking to my mom a lot these past 2 days. For those of you that do not know, she is an immigration lawyer in Miami. The majority of her clients are Haitians. She has spent most of her adult life fighting for the Haitians and helping them become residents of the USA. So of course she is heartbroken over this earthquake that has hit Haiti. It is just horrific. All day today whenever I kissed Chandler or picked her up, all I could think about were the moms in Haiti who were holding their babies and not having a place to sleep, looking for lost children or being injured. I can't imagine how their hearts are breaking. When a disaster like this happens everyone wants to jump to help. And Haiti sure needs are help. They have for a long time. If you have a bed to sleep in, water to drink, clean clothes to wear, food to eat then I beg you to please donate money to any of the Aid organizations. Also please say prayers for Haiti. The Haitians are God's children too. And HE is listening.

Miscellaneous Monday

Think we have had some snow? This visitor came and sat on our front porch on the day after Christmas and has not left yet! I keep telling him to go away but he does not listen!

My big girl getting ready to go to church.

Loves to Read

2 cute videos that show just how much Chandler loves to read. I also love the way she calls me "Mom", NOT! She has many years to call me Mom, I still want to be Mommy.

Reading "How do dinosaurs clean their rooms?"

Reading "The 3 little pigs."

Big Snow Day

It started snowing last night and this morning we woke up to about 4-5 inches of snow. After a lazy morning, I bundled myself and Chandler up to go play in the snow. Once we got outside and she couldn't see her boots anymore because the snow was so deep she wanted to go back in.

Pleading with me with outstretched arms to "hold you".

I decided to take her to the front yard so she could see the neighborhood kids playing and having fun in it. I also let Jake come out front and join us. I brought one of his balls with us and he was in heaven in the snow.

"Throw the ball Momma."

Chandler didn't want to have anything to do with the snow. She sat inside the garage on the steps for a bit. Then I started throwing snow at Jake and she decided to come join me.

The snow plows on our street.

After we came inside and unloaded all of our snow gear, I heard the snow blowers start outside. The schools were out today and lots of people took off work. I was waiting until Chandler took a nap so I could go shovel the driveway and walkway. But I kept hearing a snow blower and it sounded like it was in my yard. I peeked out and saw this.

At first I thought it was a man who was at the wrong house. But upon closer look, I discovered it was our realtor, Al! I popped outside and asked what he was doing. He told me that he was just doing his job. He thought that Jeremy might be out of town and didn't want Chandler and I to not be able to get out of the house. I thought that was the sweetest thing.

This was as close as Chandler got to Mr. Al and the snow.

I asked Al if he wanted to come in for some hot taco soup I made last night. But he said he had to get going and hit some more houses. So I paid him with a hot chocolate.

After Mr. Al left we sat down to lunch. Chandler is the pickiest eater but she told me she wanted to eat taco soup like Mommy. I didn't believe she would eat it.

But this is the bowl when she was done. I think she did a good job, considering all the food in there was new to her.

We have had a wonderful, fun morning. Chandler and Jake are peacefully napping and I am getting ready to join them. We are suppose to get about 4 more inches before the snow ends in the morning. I am loving our snow day.