Let the Christmas shopping begin

Sounds crazy, right? Well last year about this time I started gathering stuff for the kids for Christmas as I found good deals. It worked out perfectly and come the month of December I didn't have to stress about what to get them as I had a closet full of stuff ready to go. Today, marks the official start to my Christmas shopping. I went to Target today and of course had to swing by the $1.00 section. Really, there are marketing geniuses at Target that have to put this wonderful stuff right at the front door, you can't help but walk right through it and say, Wow, only $1.00 I need that. When you see something is $1.00 it's no longer a want, rather a need. What's better though than the $1.00 bin?? The $1.00 bin when there is a 75% off sale going on. Yes, that's right, toys, puzzles, and books for only one quarter.

Here is a picture of what I scored, and would you believe my total was only a little over $5.00

Cody's First Visit to the Dentist

Today Cody visited the dentist for the first time for his very first checkup and cleaning. I was nervous about how he would do simply because my Little Man is very strong headed and likes to do his own thing. Also, the appointment was in the middle of nap time so we braved the dentist without having a nap. On the way to the dentist Taylor was the perfect Big Sister and telling Cody exactly what to expect. Her pep talk must have paid off because as soon as we got into the dentist Cody was a perfect angel and did everything the dentist asked him to. Cody even sat still for the xrays and didn't even throw a fit about having those xray films shoved in and out of his mouth (he did better than me, I hate that part, why is it that they make those pieces of film so big when our mouths are so small, and the sharp edges, oh man?). After the xrays and exam Cody went to the hygienist and got his teeth all polished up. The best news of all, no cavities for either Cody or Taylor.

On Vacation -- No, not from Blogging

I figured I would have a ton of time to Blog this week since...I'm on VACATION!!! However, that is so far from the truth it makes me laugh out loud. I decided I need a break from the stresses of work and time to focus on myself and the kids so I did just that and took some much needed time off work. A chance to detox, relax, and reorganize. That being said I promised myself Monday morning that I was going to focus on what I planned during this week and not get sucked into the World Wide Web. The results, well worth it, I have had a great week spending time with the kids and the house is looking better than it has the past few months. The kids rooms are coming together nicely (watch for the blogs on that) and I even have started to gather stuff for their upcoming bathroom re-do, out with the duckies in with surfboards.

Spa Di Da Kids

Today my mom took Taylor out for her very first Spa Day. In just a few short weeks Taylor will be starting Kindergarten so today was her special day to celebrate and enjoy being a girly girl in preparation for the big leap into school. Spa Day was done at the perfect place for kids, Spa Di Da Kids. From the looks of the pictures, and Taylor talking about it nonstop since she got home I would have to say she had a really good time.

(I can't take credit for the cute titles for each picture, I stole those from my mom)

Before: Spa Di Da

Step 1: Get the perfect manicure

Step 2: Orangesicle Facial
Step 3: Apply makeup carefully

Step 4: Sparkle like a Rock Star

Step 5: Wash your hair

Step 6: Have curls put into your hair

Step 7: Make sure every curl is in place

Tada: After Spa Di Da! Super Star DIVA!!!

Aguas frescas

I think I found my new favorite drink, aguas frescas. This stuff is the best. For lunch today we decided to stop by the brand new Vallarta they just built down the street from our house. With lunch I decided to try this aquas fresca stuff that my dad, mom, and sister rave about. I got the pineapple and Jeremy got the mango, both absolutely yummy. It's like water with fruit and sugar. I love how refreshing tasting it and not sugary like soda but not plain like water. While at the Vallarta I also pick up some of their catering menus and decided that is where we are going to get the food for Cody's party. And the best thing ever, they sell the drink mix stuff so I can make some aguas fresca for his party too.

Monthly Organizing Round-Up - Master Bathroom Part II

A few days ago I posted the outcome of my master bathroom organizing round-up. Laura, being the awesome Org Junkie she is, advised me to add some baskets under the sinks. Who would have known that a few simple baskets would make such a difference. The following is a synopsis of my original post, with the updated baskets under the sink pic and a few other drawers that I was happy with the outcome of.

Under the sink before...

And after...Love the baskets!!!

One of my drawers before....And after

Finally, the biggest transformation drawer...

Ahhh...and after...

QHYSA Finally Found It

So this may not seem like much to you but to me it's super cool. You see, when my sister and I were younger we used to play softball on a league through Quartz Hill Youth Sports Association. It was the greatest league ever for those wanting to just play some good old softball/baseball/t-ball and not have to worry about who was the best player out there on the field and scouts watching you. It was really just a good fun times sorta of thing. Practice was once a week and then a game on Saturday so it didn't take up too much time and still allowed for other activities. A few years ago when Taylor was three I was looking for a website or something for the league to get an idea of when Taylor would be old enough to play. Well I couldn't find anything on the league, the age requirements, or how to sign up. I got pretty bummed about it and put it in the back of mind for the last few years. This weekend though, something told me to go to the trusty old Google and see what I could find. And low and behold, I found an entire website devoted to the league now, QHYSA!!!! Not only was it a gold mine of information, but I also found out the best news ever. Taylor will be old enough to join the league and play t-ball next year. I took a stroll down memory lane as I read all about the league, looked at pictures, and the newsletters. I can still remember getting those newsletters every week hoping to find my name in the Player of the Week section. I'm so excited that Taylor will get to experience the game as I did growing up.

Skateboard birthday party

That's the theme that Cody has decided on. Ever since Taylor started dance class and Cody goes to the park and sees the "big kids" on their skateboards at the nearby skateboard park he has become obsessed with them. Of course, to top it off the other day when we were at Costco picking out which cake he wanted he picked the one with the boy on the skateboard and got all excited. So it's official now, a skateboard party he shall get for his 3rd birthday. Now I just have to figure out the invitations and set a date, August is a very busy month so this should make for some stressful times. But in the end it will all work out, simply because it always does.

Off work today but not for a good reason

Yesterday Jeremy noticed Taylor feeling a bit warm and sure enough she had a fever of about 101. We got some Motrin in her and the fever dropped but of course at time wore on the fever crept back up. We have since been keeping Tylenol and Motrin and it seems to be keeping the fever down. On top of that now I feel sick too. Not a good time to be missing work as it is crazy there with our upcoming move. The next three days in the office are going to be insanely crazy but somehow I'll manage. The good thing is that Taylor seems to be getting better and Cody has steered clear from catching whatever we have.

Monthly Organizing Round-Up - Kids Bathroom

I was so pleased with the results in the master bathroom (especially after I followed the tip from Laura on baskets for underneath the sink...more to come on that later), that instead of waiting I decided to tackle the kids bathroom right away. And boy, I had no idea that their bathroom was so bad...eek! I think they put everything in one drawer when they are done with it regardless of where it goes. No more of that though, with the baskets and organizers everything has a place.

The "junk drawer" of the kids bathroom

Ahhh..nice and clean

Under the sink a jumbled mess of stuff

And now an organized save haven for all bathroom related stuff.

I even broke out the good old label maker to give it that finished feel.

These challenges are so much fun!! It feels great to once again get some order in my hectic crazy life. Walking into a nicely organized bathroom makes me want to do the whole house. But that will have to wait as I do have homework, work, and kids to tend to.