A competitive mini me...

Allie ran in her first race this weekend, and all she could talk about was how many kids she passed. I tried explaining to her that it is just for the fun of running and as long as you do your best and have a good time, it doesn't matter who wins... well, she nods, but then talks again about her coming in 2nd. :)

Hmm... wonder where she gets her competitive spirit?? Though, when it comes to running.. that is so not me..

Barbie....

As with all girls, Allie and Shannon are becoming interested in Barbie, but I have been doing everything I can to delay this interest. I have been telling Allie for over a year, that she cannot rent a barbie movie, because it is for 5 year olds....well, now that doesn't work anymore.. and in the stores, I keep telling her she doesn't really want a barbie...

then recently we were away for a weekend, and a friend's daughter brought along her barbie princesses (you now, belle, ariel, Cinderella..) And Shannon AND Allie spent many hours playing with them....

So, this week I broke down and bought them one... and then I had a realization that made me a bit sad. I remember hours and hours of fun playing with barbies... I even remember still playing with them in 6th grade. My best girlfriend and I talked about how we still had fun playing with barbies, even if the other 6th graders didnt... so, we did... (though, i don't think we told anyone else...).

Anyway, my dislike for Barbie did not come to be until I was adult responding to all the media and social pressures against barbie for her "perfect" and not so realistic figure.... and all else that she represented. I mean, when I was little, I did not care that she always walked on her toes or what that would really do to her calf... or what her actual bust and waist size was in comparison to her inseam. I mean, I did not care at all. I just dressed her and played... all in good fun.

So, instead of giving my girls those same memories, I have been avoiding it due to outside pressures that do not really exist for Allie and Shannon (at least not yet). So, girls.. enjoy them.. play with them... have tons of fun.... and don't worry, there are more barbies in your near future (Easter basket is just around the corner...)....

Baking Bread

Don't you just love fresh bread?? the smell? the taste?? And so easy...

I am that person...

Ok, so the coupon craze is all over the media.. there is a show on TLC about some crazy couponers, etc. Now, I have begun couponing after a presentation at a moms group, and have found it fun. I am not trying super hard, in that I have not ventured into stores I do not normally frequent (rite aid, etc). However, shopping at mostly Safeway and Albertsons, armed with my new found knowledge and patience (and a folder of coupons), we have cut our grocery bill by 30%. Nice.

OK, now this week, I may have crossed the line... Darn safeway coupons. This week there is a lot of stuff on sale, including cereal, frozen veggies and fruit snacks. (NOTE: I am not a huge fan of fruit snacks, preferring the whole fruit fruit leather at Costco, but for a special treat....) Anyway, back to the point... I have found myself making multiple trips to Safeway each day, in order to stock up... and when I say multiple, I am almost embarrassed to say I mean 6!!! ok, six in one day... that meant 16 bags of veggies, 10 boxes of simply fruit rolls, and 8 boxes of cereal. Then, of course, the next day.. I went back!!!!

All in all, I have spent under $20... and have a stocked pantry in fruit snacks and cereal... and frozen veggies.

Finally...

After much anticipation..... it finally arrived. Our first snow day of the year....

I love snow. It is clean, pure and beautiful. Makes me think of the hymn.... "White as snow.."

MOPS Angels...

After much talk, the gals from MOPS got together with a couple firearm instructors and spent a morning learning about hand guns, safety and shooting!! There were about a dozen guns to try, and countless rounds of ammo... So, needless to say, it was a fun morning.

I had never shot a gun, so I was a bit nervous at first, but in the end, it was not a big deal... but I also would not describe it has "fun". I mean, the whole day was fun, shooting with friends and all, but shooting is not something I would do regularly for fun.... I will stick with scrappin'. :)

Conversations with....

So,I remember a while ago reading about or seeing a book called "Conversations with God". Now, I will be honest, I have not read it nor did I open it... but I remember thinking, that would be interesting... and wondering, what would I talk to Him about given the opportunity...

Then this week, I was hit by the amazing conversations I have with.... my toddler. Why hasn't anyone written this book? Conversations with Toddlers. I mean, it could be educational, humorous, foreign language, religious, self help.. this could be a best seller. just sayin.