A First Haircut & A Stylish Trim

Lauren had her first haircut on February 22, 2010. I took the girls to get their haircut at Atelier Salon in Basking Ridge. They just both needed a good trim. Lauren's hair is short but it was getting a little knotty in the back and I knew a trim would help. Jess' hair was cut first as Lauren watched. I had a feeling Lauren wouldn't sit in the chair for her cut so she just sat on mommy's lap. It is tough to take photos that way but I just tried to capture our reflection in the mirror. They both did great. And I've got a little lock of hair as a keepsake.

Jess' shampoo:

Getting her cut & style:


Lauren's Turn:


Drumroll please......


I think their hair turned out great. Forget going to a kids salon. I wish I could've taken better pics. Jess' hair looked so good. I have to learn how to blow dry her hair. And Lauren's hair was exactly what she needed and it looks so cute on her.

Same Kind of Different As Me

While Scott and I are were in Philadelphia, I decided to bring the book I was reading in hopes that I could make some actual progress on it. Usually I try to read before bed but most often I fall asleep 2 pages into the book. It makes it really hard to even follow the book and I usually forget what I read the night before. I'm working on it though because I do enjoy reading and usually have a fiction book and non-fiction book going at the same time. Well, I did make quite a bit of progress on my book while in Philly...I finished it!

The book was called Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It is based on a true story. The chapters switch back and forth as Ron and Denver give their voice to their own pasts and we eventually see how their lives cross and change them forever. The book really impacted me. I even cried which I normally don't do when reading a book. Isn't that one of the great things about books? The authors were so honest. Ron's wife Debbie, as we read in the book, is an amazing woman. In her commitment to helping the homeless, she really just wanted to love and help them without judgment....she cared so purely. Not because she wanted to feel better about herself but because she wanted them to know that if they thought nobody cared about them...she did. Pure.

I could go on and on about this book. It gave me so much to think about and it certainly is a book I would read again and recommend to anyone. It was beautiful.

Valentines Day 2010

Happy Valentines Day! We had such a great weekend. Scott and I planned an overnight stay in Philadelphia while the girls stayed with Grandmom, Pop Pop and Nana. We had a wonderful time in Philly. We stayed at the Westin and checked in around 2. Scott had a little work to do so I hung out a bit and then we were off to grab some lunch at the Midtown Continental (a little chicken caesar salad for me and lobster mac 'n cheese for Scott). It was really cold out and Scott had a work call to take so we headed back to the hotel to hang out until it was time to go out. Scott worked and I cozied up in the heavenly bed and read my book (Same Kind of Different As Me) and watched the olympics. It was nice to just totally "veg". Afterward, we got ready and headed to Moriarity's to watch the Flyers game before we headed to Buddakan for dinner. It was nice just to talk together and catch up. We had a yummy dinner. I had the Asian bbq pork tenderloin that was totally delicious. The next morning we grabbed breakfast at a cute breakfast place near the hotel and made our way back to get the girls. Even though it is just one night I miss them so much. I love walking through the door to pick them up. Scott & I didn't exchange cards or gifts. We felt making this time for us was the best gift we could give each other. Life can get so busy that it is easy to lose sight of each other and I love having the chance to reconnect and just rest. But we did pick up some Godiva chocolate while in Philly...gotta have a little chocolate on V-Day. It doesn't always have to be so fancy but I love taking the time outside of the home where there are so many distractions.

I wasn't sure how to handle Valentines Day for the girls since we would be away part of the day. We decided to celebrate on Saturday morning before we left. Friday night I did a little decorating, made the girls their cards and we put together a little treasure hunt for the girls. We cut out hearts and wrote something we loved about each of them on each heart. On the back, we wrote where they could find the next clue. They finally ended up in our dining room where there were some little surprises for them (sticker books and imaginetics for Jess, a dora backpack w/ stickers and a puzzle for Lauren) and their cards. We made heart shaped pancakes and just enjoyed a nice family breakfast together before we got ready for the big weekend. Jess really enjoyed the treasure hunt. I really liked making their cards this year. Jess made cards for her grandparents and great grandparents and gave out little boxed hello kitty and ironman cards to her class with pencils. I am always looking to create special and meaningful traditions for our family...it is sometimes a little trial & error but I think the treasure hunt and making valentine cards will be sticking around for next year...and probably heart shaped pancakes.

Snowed In!!

Well it started snowing last night and it's 8:30 pm right now and its still snowing. I hear it is still supposed to snow most of the night. I am not sure how many inches we have right now but it is over a foot but certainly seems like more. I'll have to go out and measure with a ruler tomorrow. Schools are closed again tomorrow for the second day in a row. Scott didn't even go into work today. But he worked all day in his office. It was nice to have him around for a nice breakfast and to help with bedtime. I thought we would make it out to play in the snow but it never happened. We'll definitely go out tomorrow.

We were supposed to have our valentines party today but we had to cancel which was disappointing. Today I let Jess make valentines with the supplies I had bought for the party and she made valentines ALL day. Give this girl some scissors, glue, stickers and crayons and she is one happy camper. It was nice just hanging home together. We practiced some reading, saw a cooking show together, made pasta fagioli and just played. I am thankful for days like today.

The only bummer is that we are supposed to get our house appraised tomorrow and I need to do some straightening up tonight. :-O

I am off to straighten up and figure out some activities that we can do tomorrow on our 2nd SNOW DAY!

Good Night!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Last week Scott celebrated his 38th birthday! His birthday fell during the middle of the week but we didn't want his special day to go by without celebrating with him even though he had to work. We sent a special box of chocolates to him at work and he came home early enough to have dinner with us and some cupcakes. The girls each gave him a "Daddy's Girl" frame with their picture in it for his office at work and the cute cards they decorated for him.

I just want him to know how much he is loved and appreciated in both his roles as husband and father. He carries a lot on his shoulders but never seems to show it. We know that our family is his greatest joy. He is loving and loyal. He is my rock to lean on and I love him more than words can say.
To the girls, he is daddy (a.k.a. the tickle monster)...the one who loves to have them in bed with us, the one who wants to hear all about their days, he is their protector, he is the one they go to for piggy back rides and I know he couldn't love them any more than he already does.
We know how hard he works so that I can stay home with the girls and we are beyond thankful for all that he provides. He is patient and isn't quick to get angry. He loves us completely and whole heartedly...just as we are...


We love you Scott....completely. Happy Birthday!!!

Super Bowl 2010!!!

We had our annual Super Bowl Party on Sunday February 4th. We had a great time! It amazes me that we were able to accomodate approx. 16 adults and 10 kids. The game had the Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints. The Saints won 31-17. Apparently it was an upset but I wouldn't really know much about that kind of stuff. :-P

Now, in order to help with planning for next year, I want to make a few notes. We ordered a tray of wings and a tray of chicken fingers and a big order of french fries from The Office. The chicken fingers were all gone. We definitely should order more next year. We made this new chili recipe (from the Neelys) and it was super spicy. If you like spicy, you'll really like this chili. We also served 2 trays of pineapple wrapped in bacon and 2 trays of pigs in a blanket. There was also our usual crudite platter, cheese and crackers, guac/salsa and chips. For dessert, I ordered 10 football cookies and 10 football mini cakes from Natales and we just had an extra package of chocolate chip cookies. We definitely need to order more football mini cakes in 2010...everyone loved them and we could've used more.

It was just a great time hanging out with friends and family. We really enjoy having the opportunity to open our home and spend time with these special people. It's nice to see new little babies and also see how much all the kids have grown. Our youngest guest was little Jude Vandenberg at 6 weeks old. It takes a lot to get ready and set everything up to accomodate that many people in our home but its well worth it.

Looking forward to 2011!!!

The Strain

Well, I am starting to feel the strain. It happens sometimes where I feel I have a lot on my plate and it seems like nothing is getting done well. There is the itch to reorganize and declutter the whole house too. We have upcoming parties which I really enjoy but they do cause me to stress out too. I wish I was more laid back sometimes. I keep reminding myself at the end of the day that there are much worse problems to have and we all have those times where we feel like we aren't "together" or just "behind". Yes, I do wish my basement didn't look a tornado went through it or that all my laundry was done and put away or that there were no stacks of paper anywhere etc...but for now I'm just going to reflect on what I am thankful for:

~ A wonderful husband
~ 2 wonderful daughters who teach me so much about myself - they bring me pure joy
~ A warm house
~ Food to Eat
~ Healthy families
~ Good books
~ Hot Cocoa
~ Warm blankets
~ Hot Showers
~ Rose

...and that's just a few things. I need to remember what my priorities are in this season of my life. They'll only be little for such a short time.