We like it Hot, Hot, Hot!

We are LOVING this weather!!!

Sprinkler FUN!

First popscicle!

Luke LOVES being pushed... notice his #1 finger. He did this the entire time.... hilarious!

LOVE this.

Sometimes the best pictures are taken spontaneously... without the fancy camera, without the perfect lighting, without begging the kids to pose.  Here are a few of my favorites that I captured "in the moment" with my iphone. 

Not the best quality... but the very best subjects.

Call me crazy, but this one actually makes me a bit weepy.

Just a sweet little family enjoying the beautiful weather.  (Apparently, they are the next Brangelina???)

So Dad, when's tee time?

Do you think she had fun playing outside?

Swimming in March....CRA-ZY!

Weeeeeeeeeee......

Good Morning, Neighbors!

Get ready for the ride of your life! (Chuck E. Cheese)

You ready, Chuck E? 

A bond like no other....

Super Hero Power- Happy Birthday, Super Aiden!

This weekend we celebrated Mya's BFF Aiden's birthday! He had a superhero party and it was AWESOME! Each kid got his/her own cape to decorate and a superhero mask! Before cake and presents, the kids got to participate in a great superhero obstacle course! 

Mya did great, although we've realized she is totally non-competitive! This is SHOCKING because Matt and I are both pretty competitive! I think it killed both of us to see her just casually complete the course, rather than bust her fanny to get it done the fastest! 

Super Mya

All the Superheros

Super Luke

Part of the obstacle course- balance beam!

The birthday boy with his girlfriends!

Super Mya is on her way to save the day!

Mr. Ben teaching the kids how to do the course

Happy Birthday, Super Aiden!

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Consignment!

It's that time of year again! Ironically, while making returns at the mall today, Mya asked if we could go see if Santa was there (we don't get to the mall very often!).  I had to explain to her that Santa only visited the mall in December and he is back at home at the North Pole.  What she didn't realize that today, in fact, is Christmas for Mommy!

There are 2 specific weekends I really look forward to throughout the year.  Those are the weekends of the Growing Cents of Style Consignment Sale.  I LOVE getting rid of some of the kids clothes they've outgrown and I LOVE buying new (used) clothes for them! I often fill their closets with name brand clothes that I would NEVER buy for them full-price.  Let's be honest... I'm pretty cheap.  I rarely buy clothes for the kids that are full-price.  When it's absolutely necessary, it literally pains me. 

The thing I love about this sale is that most of the clothes are gently used and they only accept "name brand" items.  You don't have to sort through nasty, beat-up, stained, cheap clothes.  I even try my hardest to pass up brands like Gap and Gymboree.  I like to find the clothes that you won't see on all the kids! Part of the fun is the hunt and the rush to get to the section before the others!!

I definitely found more things for Luke than I did for Mya today.  It seems as Mya gets older, the clothes get more expensive.  But, I look forward to shopping on Sunday.  Everything looks cuter when it's 1/2 off!

Mya:
(apologies for the poor quality pics!)

ZaZa Couture dress: $12.00 This is very pricey for me! ;-)
Zaza Couture Top/Capri: $10.00
Ralph Lauren Skirt: $4.00

Nike 2 piece hoodie: $7.00
Hannah Anderson outfit: $7.00
Gap Jean Jacket: $9.00

Luke:

2 Polo Shirts: $5.00 each
Janie and Jack Shirt: $4.00
Bebe Atelier: $5.00
Ralph Lauren Shorts: $4.00
Gap Shorts: $3.00

Janie and Jack Jeans: $2.00 (WOWSERS!)
Icky Baby Hoodie: $7.00
Kid's Headquarters Shirt: $2.00

 Shoes: I know what they say about buying used shoes.  BUT... these 5 pairs were all hardly worn! 

2 Pairs of Stride Rite Shoes: $10.00 each
1 pair Stride Rite Shoes: $7.00
1 pair Stride Rite Shoes: $5.00
Smart Fit: $3.00

 Toys:

$3.00

Kid's Chair: $5.00

Doll's Car Seat: Mya has been OBSESSED with her baby doll! She literally takes her EVERYWHERE! Not only does her baby "B" travel with us, she HAS to be buckled into a seatbelt.  When I saw this, I couldn't pass it up! Now, it was $18 which seems crazy to spend.  But, I am using is as a bribing tool.  Mya is almost potty trained... she pees in the potty religiously and really hasn't ever had an accident.  She even wears undies to bed. The only problem is that she REFUSES to poop in the potty! Regardless of what the Dr. says, it drives us crazy! So..... in order to get her "carseat" she has to poop in the potty! I let her play with it for about 2 minutes tonight and she was devestated when I took it away. Hopefully this will be the incentive she needs to POOP!

Probably unnecessary but I thought this $4.00 baby bag would be perfect for Matt to take when he's out by himself with the kids.  Pretty manly, hunh?

Hopefully, no one is adding up my total (Matt!). But, just remember, I'm making money too! I consigned 90 items and am looking forward to my payout!

My Main Squeeze

I was just playing around with my camera... and what better of a model is this?

Swimming Lessons

We decided it was time that Mya enroll in swimming lessons. I was a little nervous about how she would react to being in the class. This is the first time she was going to have to be in a class without knowing anyone.  I tried to get her excited by buying her a new swimming suit (new clothes always make me feel better!)... but it didn't work. From the get-go she was resistant.  Thankfully, I dropped Luke off at the YMCA daycare before taking Mya to class. This was the wisest decision I've made in a LONG time! She completely freaked out and refused to go into the pool! The poor lil' 15 year-old teacher had no idea how to handle the situation. I tried staying out of sight, but Mya just screamed louder.  Finally, I rolled up my pants, and walked into the pool with her.  She finally warmed up to the idea and ended up enjoying her class.

Unfortunately, we had to skip last week because I took the kids to my parents' so Matt and I could take a mini-vacation to Florida.  Even more unfortunately, I realized as I am typing this that we FORGOT about class tonight. UGH! CRAP! Maybe we can do a make-up class tomorrow?!!?

Not so excited to get ready for lessons! But... how cute does she look???

Very hesitant

• Even the lifeguard was trying to lure her in!

YAY!!!

She even jumped in!

We Love Projects

We've been keeping busy with some projects....

Valentine for Daddy

First things first, get Duke in one position and entertained.

Gluing is Mya's FAVORITE!

 Making a HEART crayon

Peeling crayons kept Mya busy for at least 15 minutes while I made dinner.

I thought we goofed here.  When I took it out of the oven it resembled...well.... a piece of heart-shaped poop.

But, wahla! The otherside was beautiful!

Marshmallow Building

Aiden came over to play too. I think they ate more than they built!

 Finger Painting

I spelled MYA with painter's tape.  Then, let her finger paint all over.  After the paint dried, I peeled the tape and there was her name! (we had a little leakage...this always happens to me when I paint too.... what am I doing wrong???)