Sweet & Silly

I'm having a "no lunch break" kinda week...but I can't complain. I took a 1/2 day yesterday afternoon --so now I'm playing catchup (or keepup!). My friend and co-worker Alicia and I are planning for a big press conference next Friday, and now we had an unexpected happening--our college is going to be the location for the funeral of a local soldier who died from his injuries he received a year ago in Iraq. So sad--but we want to help the family however we can--and being the liason with reporters is what we are used to doing.

So, above is a layout I worked on last night...it is a free template from Shabby Miss Jenn that she offered during a couple weeks ago on the Shutterfly Celebrations blog. These pics of the girls just make me smile. The alphabet is from Heather Ann Designs Sugar Kisses Kit.

Back to work!

Catie Locks of Love!

She did it...my little girl, sweet 5-year-old Catie, got her hair cut to give to another little child who needs it...we are sending her long blond ponytail to "Locks of Love"--10 inches worth that she got cut off tonight!

I did well too! Our babysitter Kathy joked with Catie today that Catie would need to hold mommy's hand during the haircut--but I was too busy snapping photos--while my mom took video! Yes, folks, this was a big moment..the first haircut of more than an inch or so in her 5 years of life.

Here is the course of events as it unfolded:

I am so proud of Catie...she loved looking at her new look in the mirror, and swinging her hair back and forth. Just before bed, she looked in the mirror and said:

"Mommy, I can't believe it, I've always wanted my hair cut like this, and now I finally got it done!"

It was all worth it...she looks just adorable, and (sigh) even more grown-up, too.

Long Gone!

Wow...it is 1:15 a.m. and I am just downloading photos I took of Catie tonight. I was glued to LOST...very excellent episode! Had lots to do after the show and the girls went to bed...one thing that took awhile...studying my Sunday School teacher's guide.

Yes, last Sunday was my very first time teaching Sunday School with another mom in my church. It was very fun, and the kids seemed to like it. Our church has been without a teacher since the fall, and it is such a vital piece of church life for our kids. We had 6 kids--which was an excellent start, and we're having a parents meeting in a week-hoping for more support.

Back to the reason I am downloading photos of Catie..she is getting her long, long hair cut tomorrow night! She wants to do "locks for love"---she has 10 inches to cut off!! (which is the minimum.) Mommy is going through stress moments more than Catie--I just don't want it too short--I love being able to pull it back, braid it...all the girly things. (yes, I always wanted a Barbie hairstyling head when I was little! anyone remember those!?) It really needs cutting though--and I know she'll look so grown up! She is excited to have a hairstyle like her cousin Emily or her friend Ellie!

I took photos of the last time I'll be blowdrying all this thick hair after bathtime---now, that I won't miss!

I'll post new hairstyle pics tomorrow night!!

Funny Girl

Rob and I are blessed with our two darling daughters--who both have a great sense of humor. Even though Anna is only 20 months old...she is already our little comedienne.

Here is a funny moment that happens between Mommy, Daddy and Anna several times a day:

Anna: "Guess What Mommy (Daddy)?" "Guess what Catie?"
Us: "yes, Anna..."
Anna: "got joke for ya"
Us: "let's hear it!"
Anna: "piggy walk (to) school!"

Followed by look of anticipation waiting for our big laugh--which we always do--as she wrinkles up her nose and laughs hysterically herself!

Rob took these photos of the girls the other day--and the top one of Anna just cried for me to post it...and I fixed them up in photoshop a bit...I love it! The one of boths girls, I used a trick from Kimi's blog, a pal from Jessica Sprague classes! Thanks Kimi!


In other random thoughts:

I'm getting excited for LOST tonight...they are really pulling out all the stops this season.

I got caught up with American Idol on the DVR last night...I love being able to fast forward through commercials!

P.S. Happy Birthday to my best friend Kel!!! We're so excited to celebrate with you at your birthday dinner on Saturday!

New Layout--Thanks Heather Ann!

Heather Ann Melzer had an awesome Valentine's gift for all of her fans on her blog today--an adorable little mini-kit to celebrate the day of love! It came with this quick fill template--and I was so excited to create a page. I also used her Sugar Kisses kit.

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Rob treated his 3 girls (that would be Catie, Anna and I!) to a wonderful pancake breakfast this morning!

Happy Valentine's Day!

How can Valentine's Day get any better than having these smiling little faces asking if I'll "be their Valentine?"

We were busy tonight putting the final touches on Valentines for their friends and for their sitter Kathy. I was also making Rob's card, and while I was busy doing that--Catie was hard at work on a valentine--and she couldn't tell me who it was for until she was done...and I couldnt' look!

She'd asked me how to spell "will you be my valentine?" so I wrote it out on a paper for her to copy-and the pink heart about was all her design--isn't it beautiful!? In the end...she had me close my eyes, and she presented it to me. These are those moments that being a mom are all about.

Girls Lunch

I went to lunch today with Kelly and Alicia--and it was the first time my two dear friends got to meet! Kel and I met about 15 years ago--when we both worked in TV land...now we are both publicists for colleges...and our friendship means the world to me. Alicia and I work together, across the hall from each other--the dynamic media duo...and I couldn't do the job day in and day out without her--she's an amazing friend. So, it was a blast to all go to lunch--and the two of them felt like they already knew each other--because I talk about them both to each other all the time! Love ya girls!

Hearts and Sirens

Just as I was about to start typing...sirens of all sorts, firetrucks, ambulances, police cruisers, started cutting through the Saturday night silence in my little hometown. It is VERY windy tonight (a cold front blowing into town) and I was worried it was some accident from the wind, but then I looked out our window to see the whole procession awash in the red glow of emegency vehicle lights..followed by a school bus and a line of cars honking--one of our sports teams must have won sectionals! I don't know who--but it is so cool to see the love this town gives its kids..we live right on the street leading to the high school--and we always go out to wave to the "champions" as they parade by...but tonight--the girls were asleep--it was a late welcome home--10 p.m.!

Catie and I assembled her Valentines for her pre-school friends while Anna took a nap this afternoon...I made the "treat toppers" with the Shabby Miss Jenn Love Shack kit again--love this kit! Catie loves the way they turned out...pretty cool treats, I must say!

TGIF and Last Days of 37

ooh...Friday at last. It is a quiet Friday night for me (the girls are asleep) and I thought I'd just write a few thoughts...

Alicia and I visited our wonderful friend and co-worker Col at lunch today--we brought her food from one of ou favorite pizza/salad places...we miss our teammate so much at work--and it was good to see her doing so well. It could be back to work for her very soon as she recovers from a bad fall that caused her to break a foot and severely sprain the other...it's been a long road for her--and she is amazing--her positive spirit is inspiring.

I've gotten birthday greetings from good friends and family...only 2 more days until I turn 38 on the 10th! (wow...how did that happen!?) Yesterday was my Uncle Bill's birthday and I share my birthday with my Uncle Tim--Happy Birthday to all!

My birthday will be nice...relaxing with the fam on Sunday and my darling hubby is making a scrumptious meal of "skets and balls" (as his family calls it!) or spaghetti and meatballs! His mom's famous antipasta and chocolate cake from scratch! Yes, have I said what a talented and wonderful husband I have!? He is a keeper! My mom, brother and sis-in-law Stacey will join us.

So, I guess I better enjoy the waning hours of 37!

Valentine

I've been busy making valentines with the new Shabby Miss Jenn "Loveshack" kit! It is great!

Here is the valentine I sent to our family:

valentine template: Shabby Miss Jenn Loveshack valentines kit;

Red hearts: Heather Ann Melzer Sugar Kisses kit; Love Wishes font:

Shabby Miss Jenn; signature font: Becky Higgins handwriting font

NY GIANTS WIN SUPERBOWL!!!!!

Rob is bouncing off the walls right now--in his glory that his beloved NY Giants upset the Patriots!!!! We have been screaming and his cell phone is on fire!

Congrats to Eli, Plaxico and the NY GIANTS!

Puerto Rico pics!

Ok--I promised these a few days ago...but here are few highlight pics from Puerto Rico!