New skirts for Nia

I whipped up a couple of new skirts for Virginia on the sewing machine this afternoon. They were quite easy to make and so cute! I got the idea from the blog, http://soulemama.typepad.com/.....don't quite remember how I came upon this blog but it was through a friend. :) Soule mama had a link to the free pattern for these skirts...http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/08/lazy-days-skirt-free-pattern.html. I was immediately inspired.

Jesus is my friend

The Patience of Baz Dog

As I was cooking dinner the other night, I had to sternly tell Aubrey, "Aubrey, don't drive over the dog (with your scooter)!" Poor, patient Bazarov. She has been the receiver of much Aubrey love over the past year. I began thinking back on other "do not's" that have surfaced between Aubrey and the Baz Dog.

"Aubrey, don't sit on the dog!"
"Aubrey, don't pull Bozzie's tail!"
"Aubrey, don't eat Bozzie's food - your dinner is coming!"
"Aubrey, please don't lick the dog's tongue!"
"Aubrey, be GENTLE! Don't hit the dog! The dog is not a drum!"
"Aubrey, Bazarov does NOT need to eat play dough, nor do you!"
"Dude, Bozzie's back is not a train track!"
"Be careful! the dog is not a bridge for you to crawl under!"

Aubrey's response: "hah, hah, huh, hah. DOOOH, dah, DOOOH dah!"

Bazarov just gives me that look that says, "Save me!"

Cousins

Virginia's Pizza Prayer

"Dear God, thank you for this wonderful day! Thank you for this delicious food! Amen."

P.S. - As I was crawling into bed last night I thought of one more "money well spent" item....my contour memory foam pillow.

Money Well Spent

My sister-in-law, Andrea, called me this afternoon inquiring about where to purchase a travel sound machine similar to the Marsona one we own. I told her it was definitely worth every penny. We are a family who loves to travel and this small piece of electronic equipment goes with us wherever we go......along with the ear plugs and Tylenol PM.

As I was spending yet another afternoon painting in the apartment building that we now own (and are working to get fixed up and rented as quickly as possible), I began to ponder on other household items that I have deemed as money well spent.

Here goes:

1. The i-phone. I could go on and on. Here are some of my favorite highlights:
- Movie entertainment for squirrelly children on long flights.
- Ordering take out at home and while traveling....finding not only the website and phone number online, but also the fact that it pulls up a map of the location simultaneously.
- Weather forecasts
- Maps and routes
- Checking and deleting lots of junk mail so you don't have to when you get home.

2. My serrated tomato slicer knife. Also works great on soft fruits like strawberries and peaches.

3. The Keurig Coffee maker. Yes, you have to invest a little more money into the coffee K-cups, but talk about convenience! Plus, it also makes hot tea and cocoa!

4. My Shark 14.4 volt hand vacuum.....perfect for cleaning up left over crumbs and dirt on the floor, the high chair, the rug, or my kids. (Note: the higher voltage is key here.....none of this 7 volt rubbish.)

5. Lastly, the digital SLR camera. I used to get so frustrated when I would miss "the perfect moment" with our previous camera. No more! I love this camera.

A Day in Luray

Today's forecast called for beautiful weather. I decided to load up the kids and drive to Luray. We enjoyed a nice walk along the Hawksbill River followed by swimming at Lake Arrowhead. It couldn't have been nicer!