our FANCY NANCY dinner

So MISS ELLA begged me (in pure desperation) to use of china to make a "Fancy Nancy" restaurant dinner for Daddy when he came home from work. So the VERY FANCY dinner I had already made (yes, said in sarcasm) was set out: chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, garlic bread, cottage cheese & fruit cups, and of course the kids favorite a heart cookie on a plate AND diet soda! They were SO excited.

I LOVED Asher's face drinking with his "Special cup" and getting soda. He loved it! Also the cookies were homemade from earlier in the day. And Ella told me "this is the most special and fun day ever. I wonder what "adventures" we will have tomorrow." It was really cute and sweet. Reminds me of the little things we do as mothers that REALLY makes their days! Love these guys!

PARENTING! The Hardest & Most rewarding

I just read this article about parenting and liked it. I know for myself parenting can often times be hard, but also SO SO rewarding and wonderful!

So here are a few reminders for all my blog followers who are parents:

1. Give yourself a break—you don't need to be so hard on yourself.
2. Just say no! What are your real priorities?
3. Take time to write it down. Journaling will bring clarity to your life.
4. Slow down and savor living in the moment.
5. Plug into your kids so you can really connect with them.
6. Don't forget about your husband—intimacy is life-affirming!
7. Reach out beyond your family. It will enrich everyone.
8. Make your physical and mental health a priority.
9. Is more always better? Simplify everything.
10. Be a little selfish—you deserve it, and it will make you a better mother.

Here is the FULL article:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/parents-who-hate-parenting-the-latest-trend-2466533/

Ella in Dance Exploration

Anyone who knows our Ella knows she LOVES to dance, perform, and POSE for pictures.

This is way belated but these are her Christmas Dance recital pictures. We put her in a dance Exploration class (they do a bit of ballet, tap, gymnastics, and just learn rhythms, etc.) NOT hard core dance. But she LOVED it and actually did GREAT on her performance.