Hop 2 It

Madelyn & Hannah hanging out while the rest of us were going down the slide.

Emma & I at the top of the slide.

Emma conquering the big slide.

Thanks, Hannah, for taking pictures and sharing them! My camera's battery has been dead since Christmas, so this blog has been sadly lacking in pics.

The girls and I went to Hop 2 It a few weeks ago with my friend Hannah and her kids Brady and Olivia.

Celebrate

Tonight Jared made some delicious breadsticks to go with the bag of frozen ravioli that I slaved over. (Ok, ok, he did the ravioli, too.) What can I say? I don't deserve this guy!

Anyway, Emma LOVES his breadsticks, and she wanted to dip them into the marinara sauce like we were. But she would dip her breadstick and lick the sauce off and dip again, never actually eating the bread. We both tried explaining to her to bite it. It took her a minute, but when she figured it out and took a big bite she started cheering for herself. I mean, she stood up, eyes wide and sparkling, a big grin on her face, arms up in the air.

We laughed and Jared said, "Wouldn't it be great if we were so excited by the little things that we accomplish?"

I've been thinking about that a lot as I watch my girls go through their day. Madelyn claps for herself when she successfully waves or pulls herself up to standing.

Emma does a little dance when she gets her favorite snack or her favorite song comes on.

I want to be more childlike. To be more grateful for everything in my life. To appreciate the day to day achievements in my life. To celebrate the little things.

Pulling my hair out

I'm officially done with being at home. This sounds really pathetic, but we got home late Sunday night and I literally haven't left our house since then. We have been S.I.C.K. since Monday night(the girls and I). Today, although we still have runny noses and coughs, I would say we are nearly better. It was a crazy flu/cold/cough combo that just wouldn't quit.

If you know me, you know that rarely a day passes that we don't leave the house for something, even if we are just dropping off library books. It is how I stay sane. So when the girls were finishing up bathtime this morning and I had a meltdown I realized how desparately I need OUT. I couldn't even go to the Worldwide Leadership Training this morning with Jared because the girls are still acting sick enough and I didn't want to expose anyone else.

Emma has been so whiny and emotional(she is probably feeling as cooped up as me!) and I asked her what makes her sad. She brought me a diaper. I wasn't even dealing with potty training while we were all so sick. But we are resuming potty training today, at her request. Never thought she would ask me for that.

Anyway, I've never been so excited to stop by the bank, library and grocery store as I am today. :) And then I'll come home ready to be a better mom.

Why don't friends with kids have time?

By the way, friends without kids, I promise I don't mind calling you in my free time. In fact, I welcome any and all adult conversation. :) Just thought this was a fun article.

(if you click on the image it is easier to read)

Do you think I could trick myself?

I haven't tried any of these yet, but they look yummy. Wouldn't it be nice if a little stick of gum could trick me into thinking I just ate mint chocolate chip ice cream or strawberry shortcake slathered with whipped cream?

Have you tried them?

Poor Madelyn

Remember my post about Emma dislocating her elbow? Well, Maddie got to experience it, too. Poor thing. She was so devastated. Maybe I should have taken the nurse more seriously when she said I needed to learn how to pop it back into place... at least it is a pretty easy fix, and she is doing great!

Soup

When the weather is chilly like this, I really like a warm bowl of soup.

But Jared doesn't love soup like I do.

To "compromise", I try to find new soup recipes so it isn't the same chicken noodle soup all the time.

I thought I'd share my 2 new favs, both by Pioneer Woman(who doesn't love Pioneer Woman, anyway?)...
Cauliflower Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup