Yesterday when I got off work and picked the kid up I decided to go to Target for a little fun momma/daughter time while we waited for John to get home from OKC. We browsed aisle after aisle of Target heaven, looking at all the stuff we so DO NOT need. We started over in the book section because I want a really good LOW CALORIE cookbook (any suggestions out there?) and made our way over to the Wii games. We continued on our way through sports...fitness...blahhh...making our way quite quickly to their "world bazaar" home items that just set and is now already on clearance. Ok, so whatever..we keep walking through the aisles when Ava yells "STOP!!! MOMMA STOP!!" I'm thinking she lost a shoe or something for her to be THAT dramatic. Nope. Wrong. What was it that caused such a commotion? Yep, Hannah Montana. This time: a fleece blanket. Well, actually, the whole darned bedding ensemble. I'm like forget it. No way. I have spent a small fortune redoing her room to look so cute. I told her no, watched her pout, and then finally pursuaded her to get a pair of hot pink glitter "princess" slide on shoes (but pitched to the 4 year old as HANNAH MONTANA shoes)to use "on stage" during her "concerts". SOLD!! I couldn't get out of Target fast enough. I knew John was going to just shake his head when he saw another pair of those glitter shoes in the house. But I knew he would be ok when he found out I "gave in" over a 14.99 pair of shoes instead of a 39.99 Hannah Montana blanket.

Well, just so you know: I got played. All I heard about today was how much she needs the blanket cause Emma has a Hannah Montana blanket. And how much she needs the blanket because her room is cold at night and she is coughing because she gets so cold. (She has a down comforter and a nice Serasoft blanket on her bed.) ALL DAY I HEARD ABOUT THIS DARN BLANKET. ALL DAY I SAY.

Anyways, we went to WalMart tonight for some groceries. Me and the kid. I wait until 9pm when I know no one will be there and I can get in and out. I walk down the aisle to the much needed DT Dr Peppers when she does it again. MOMMA!!! STOP!!! What? I look over to see a lifesize Hannah Montana cardboard diplay unit that is on the main drive aisle of the girls clothing pad. On it: Hannah Montana blankets. Oh dear God. Did I do this as a child?

Price for the Hannah Montana fleece blanket at WalMart: 16.00
Price I would have paid to have a picture of John's face when we walked into the house with the Hannah Montana blanket: well, that was priceless.

Damn Disney.

Turnaround time

I applied for passports for myself and Ava on January 13. I received my passport on January 23. I would like to thank the US Government for being on top of their game. Since I didn't get the passport application complete until mid afternoon on the 13th, the process probably didn't begin until the 14th. So, by my calculations, there were only 8 business days from start to finish. That has to be a record right?? It HAS to be a government reccord.

I have to send out my kuddos when deserved...so...KUDDOS to the government for being fast, friendly, and efficient.

(There IS a GOD!!)

I love lazy Saturdays. Days when nothing is planned (except for returning the rental car), naps are essential, and the cozy fireplace warms the chill air.

I love lazy Saturdays. I love turning the phones off, playing a few games with the
big kid and the little kid, and stealing hershey kisses out of the candy jar.

I love lazy Saturdays. Sausage and eggs for breakfast, movies in the mailbox (Netflix) are great in the afternoon, and a fun recipe to follow for dinner.

I LOVE LAZY SATURDAYS!!

My E-Reader

The best thing about my new e-reader is how easy it is to read while I am on the eleptical. I was on the machine for 45 minutes and didn't even realize the minutes had passed. My mind was all caught up in my last book, The Reader, and I didn't notice the throbbing in my calves until I stepped off the machine.

I knew requesting this little piece of electronic heaven would be good for me!

A few pics from the past week.

On this night she gave a huge "LIVE" Hannah Montana performance and wiped herself out. She was dancing and singing and shaking her hips...so cute...then she laid on the ottoman and sang herself to sleep. Look closely, she is still holding the microphone. My little rock star!!



The next day she decided to pretend to be Hannah Montana (at school) and wear obnoxious tights. These are her Miley tights that she said she HAD TO HAVE or else she would be SUPER SAD. I'm not really for sure if this follows dress code or not. I'm guessing it's ok since I didn't get any disapproving looks.



And finally, Ava as a little 4 year old girl not pretending to be a super star. She got this dress from Grandma Wahl at Christmas. We have to make sure we take pictures in her dresses because she has so many clothes she typically wears her dresses once or twice before moving on to the next season. Somebody is going to score BIG TIME when I decide to get rid of her clothes.

Another tag...so here goes.

I have been tagged about 6 times with this, so here is my list of 16 things about me (that you might not already know but I am sure you do).

1. I drink Dt Dr Pepper every morning by 7am.
2. I am extremely anal about my house--it must be clean--minus my bathhroom. I need the maid just for my bathroom.
3. I love Coach purses. I love them so much I have bought both my mom and my sister purses to feed my obsession. I don't think they GET it.
4. I call 3 people every (work) day at 5pm. John, Becky and Susan. In that order. Usually Becky doesnt answer on the first try, so this year it might go John, Susan, Becky.
5. I always have my phone on me but seldom answer it. If you really want to talk to me and want me to answer, the secret is to text me and tell me your fixing to call. Then I will answer.
6. I LOVE MY WII!! Best Mother's Day gift EVER!!
7. My all time favorite show is Friends, but the show that gives me pure happiness is The Office.
8. I "get" my sister in law. Bethany, that is. I totally get her and I love her!
9. I used to love El Chico's but one bad experience has ruined it for a lifetime. Just the thought of that place makes me want to throw up.
10. My favorite cousin is Katie Berend. She is the funniest person I know.
11. I LOVE Sam's Carrot Cake. YUMMY!!
12. I regret not taking the time to get to know some past work people.
13. I have a crush on the Under Armour mannequin at Dicks Sporting Goods. He is HOT.
!!SHUT UP!!
14. I get disciplined daily by Ava because I leave a trail of lights on and that really bothers her.
15. I love my dad's pig raising/pig butchering/pig seasoning skills.
16. I have a very hard time forgiving people who have spoken ill of anyone in my immediate family. Let me clarify that: I won't forgive and I won't forget. And I don't care if you want to pass judgement because of that.

My late Christmas post.

We had one of the best Christmas holidays to date. We were able to go home and see almost every family member I have. I missed a few cousins, but overall, I think we all had a great few days back in Windthorst/Wichita Falls.

On Christmas Eve we went to Mass in Windthorst, then headed to WF for my mom's family Christmas. I did not have my camara available there, but John and I both made out extremely successful in the Chinese Christmas gift exchange. Of course it took some tag teams efforts to get the gifts we wanted, but our strategy worked just fine!! Christmas with Sandra, Nancy, and the rest of my mom's family was the most enjoyable get together yet. Ava had LOTS of fun playing with Taylor and the rest of her cousins. Hopefully we can get those kids together more often.

After we left Sandra's house we went to the MIL's house to spend the night. Carolyn always has her refrigerator stocked full of all our favorite treats, so of course John and Ava went to town on all the food. Ava loves going to Grandma Wahl's house because she has a PIANO that is REAL!! Christmas morning we opened presents with Carolyn. Ava's big gift:


That's right...Barbie is homeless thanks to my mother in law. She went right on QVC and bought the thing out from under poor ole barbie. This thing is HUGE. That's all I will say about that!


Some of Ava's favorite cartoons.

After the Wahl Christmas we headed to Windthorst for my Grandma Berend's party. As usual I was told to sit in the dining room and eat, which I avoid like the plague. As a kid my cousins and I always tried to rush to get a good seat in the dining room, but we were forced to eat in the kitchen. We were told back then the dining room was no place for kids. They should not wonder--they being the "adults" aka my Mom, my Aunt Sherry, my Grandma--why we "kids" now REFUSE to eat in the dining room. That room is for old people only!!!


Ava Grace and Emma Grace

Of course Ava came home with MANY MORE stuffed animals this year. Once again, she has more stuffed animals than Noah had on his ark--so ENOUGH STUFFED ANIMALS!! Ok, yea whatever, I know she LOVES ALL OF THEM!