Another November week

So last week is the beginning of the holiday season for me! This is when I really start focusing on Christmas shopping. I had to work late Tuesday night but the neighbors invited us to El Mariachi with then so we all met there. Started off great when Piper had to poop (and she tried twice in the potty and wouldn't go) and I had the diapers in my car. So I got to the restaurant, put on her diaper, climbed back in the car and waited for her to do her business in the back seat.

Finally she completed her business and I laid her down in the back and shit, literally SHIT, came pouring out of back of her diaper. Awesome. Thankfully it just got on the car and her shirt. Of course, I had no extra shirt for her so I called Steve to come back out to the car to get her sweatshirt from his truck. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. I got her cleaned up and 'dressed' and we went about our lovely dinner! Thanks Deans for inviting us!

 

Then Wednesday was Veterns Day, I try to use this day to start my Christmas shopping. However, since being slow at work I've done alot online and it's just cheaper and easier! Piper and I took our time getting ready and then I dropped her off at daycare about 9. I actually got to the mall before they opened! WHAT?

I just don't know what to buy the girls. Presley is pretty easy, she likes anything girly. Dolls, Barbies, books, anything that sparkles but the last thing we need is more of this crap around our house! Piper on the otherhand, I have no clue. She isn't interested in much so I just feel that I'm buying them 'stuff', no real 'big' gift like Steve thinks we should buy them. But you know what, they are little they don't know how much things cost and Presley is just going to count them to make sure that her and Piper got the exact same amount of gifts anyway! HAHA!

 

Friday night we got ready for our day in Iowa City! We packed the girls bags and dropped them off at my parents at 9:30 Saturday morning and headed east with my brother in law Matt and nephew Gavin (Gavin's first Hawkeye game!).

We headed to our friends tailgate and spent the day chatting, eating, drinking and catching up. Some of these friends we haven't seen in years so it was nice to have some time to talk without kids pulling us in different directions. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was awesome with the record-breaking outdoor wrestling at Kinnick during the day and then everyone getting pumped up for the big football game!

 

We got our tickets from Todd again and they are just awesome seats. Just a different experience from the 9th row! and now they are 10-0! It was a great game!

We hung out for big after the game and waited for the traffic to die down and then walked to our car. We left about 11:30 and got home about 1:30. We were exhausted! Thank you Matt for driving!

 

Sunday we got up and headed to mom's for the Packer game, which I don't even want to talk about. Other than the game it was a good day! The kids played good together, we ate too much, I finally got to see my dad's pictures from Italy and we were all in bed by 9! :)

Get to know me:

1. Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? Well, if we are talking people that I actually know (and not like Ryan Gosling or Shemar Moore) then I would pick Steve. He is super handy, funny and he can cook!
2. If you could do anything you wanted right now, what would it be? Sleep, not having anything to do at work is dreadful. I would normally say that I want to read, but since work is slow I've been doing alot of that already (shhhh, don't tell my boss)! Though if I wanted to be productive I would clean up our basement and organize our crap in hopes that we'll get rid of it (Goodwill? garage sale? donate to anyone!)....Or I would do more Christmas shopping, which I'm hoping to get done tomorrow!
3. If money was no object, what would you do all day? Travel with the family, take photography classes and I might actually work out!
4. Where do you most want to travel, but have never been? I don't have a specific destination in mind but any place tropical will do! Cabo, Bora Bora, Aruba, Bahamas
5. What is your favorite memory? I would say family vacations! Growing up we drove to Texas and Colorado and I just hope that we can have these experiences with the girls going forward. We go to Okoboji with Steve's family every summer and we all love it. Every other summer we have my family reunion too, last year it was in Colorado and next year it is in Portland! I love that we get to do this and my kids get to experience it too!
6. Who is your favorite author? No idea, I don't narrow my selections to certain people, if you have a good story, I'll read it!
7. What is your favorite book? I'm not sure I could choose. I read alot of nonsense, murder mysteries, teen romance, trashy smut but I love them all! When I read Gone Girl and Still Missing, those were two books that I told people they HAD to go read so I must have thought they were good enough to recommend!
8. What was your favorite activity in gym class? Power walking to the donut shop or line-dancing. Obviously, I'm a big fan of actual  physical sports!
9. What has been your biggest challenge? Being a mother! I just never feel that I'm doing enough or that I'm doing it wrong. I know there is no 'right' way to parent and I just hope that we are raising happy, healthy, smart children. Also finding a good combination of family, social and couple time. I think we do a good job of this, but it is challenging b/c it doesn't seem there is enough time for everyone.
10. What is your biggest success up until now? I would say having a relatively 'normal' stable life. Wonderful husband, a college education and a good job, 2 freaking adorable funny daughters, nice house, no credit card debt. I just feel right now, in this moment, we are in a good spot in life. Sometimes you don't know how long that will continue, so we'll enjoy it.
11. What does your perfect day look like? Sleeping in, a nice brunch on a patio while reading a book. It's the perfect day so there are no chores or errands that need to be done so I would have time to watch a movie (gasp!) while eating whatever I want. I would read some more, maybe take a nap. I guess on this day I'm alone, does that make me a bad mom? HA!
12. University or life experience, which do you feel best prepares you for life? Tough question, I wouldn't give up my college life for anything....but I can't say that it prepared me more for life than just getting a job and living would've done. Does that make sense?
13. What is the one thing that should be taught in school that isn’t already? Something about credit and finances and savings. Seeing peoples credit reports and trying to buy a house is a joke when they are maxed out on credit cards, have NO savings and overdraft fees and have shown NO financial responsibility...but no worries, we'll usually approve your loan anyway.
14. If you were to create a piece of art, what would the subject be? Art? I don't do art. Even the wine and canvas classes that I see so many friends doing is just not me.
15. What one thing would you change if you had to do it over? I would have the Packers win the past two games! (Damn you Broncos and Panthers!) :)
16. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? This question is causing me to think too much and I can't decide. Do I go back to a time I haven't experienced? Do I go back and experience one of my best years again? Do I enjoy my children being babies again?
17. What does your life say about you? Hopefully lots of fun, laughs, love and success.
18. How would your friends describe you? Probably as a sarcastic bitch! Hopefully funny and nice and somewhat smart too, but I think this would be a good question to ask my friends to see what it is they really think of me!

Would you rather......

Would you rather…

1. Watch, Star Wars, or Star Trek? Both? Neither? I guess I like the original Star Wars but preferred Star Trek: The New Generation (Hello, Wesley Crusher!) over the original Star Trek.
2. Read on a Kindle or paperback book? Oh I love my Kindle! LOVE, LOVE it! I used to read but then life happened and was I really going to go to a book store to buy books?! Who does that? But once I got my Kindle 4-5 years ago, I'm in love. I think Steve might be jealous.
3. Go to a play or musical? Musicals, I can't wait until the girls are old enough to enjoy them with me!
4. Go to the theater or a movie? Probably a movie...but we never go to movies either. I don't know the last movie that Steve and I saw together!
5. Hike or bike? I guess I'll say hike, since we don't really bike. I want to bike when the girls are older but I love a good hike/walk every now and then.
6. Wear jeans or chinos? Jeans (and who uses the word Chinos?!)
7. Have a Margarita or Pina Colada? If we are talking all day drinking...Pina Colada b/c they aren't as sugary. But give me a patio and some free time at El Mariachi and I'll have margs!
8. Drink a glass of Guinness or Fat Tire? If I have to choose, Fat Tire.
9. Crash with friends or stay in a hotel? Doesn't really matter, I feel bad crashing with friends, but it does save money. But you don't want your friends to feel they have to feed or entertain you, so it's a toss up!
10. Visit Europe or Mexico? Mexico! Fun, close and cheap. Beaches, sun and drinks by a pool!
11. Vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why? Probably Hawaii, similar to the above answer. However, I've heard nothing but awesome things about Alaskan cruises!
12. Go skiing or snowshoeing? Skiing, I think I would get alot further going downhill than I would trying to walk with those things on my feet, just seems like it would be exhausting!
13. Travel by plane, train, or automobile? I don't mind driving. My family grew up driving to Texas and Colorado.....however with a husband who can't sit still and kids who like to fight, we'll stick with flying and just getting to places as quickly as possible for now!
14. Enjoy a houseboat or speed boat? Houseboat....I think it would be more useful. In general I think it is better to know people with boats than it is to have one yourself!
15. Go climbing or zip lining? Zip lining, since I did this in Vegas and with my sisters recently and loved it.....and it's on my life list to do in some place tropical
16. Go to a comedy club or dance club? Dance club if I'm with my girlfriends having fun! The last time I was at a comedy club, it was just awkward b/c they weren't that funny!
17. Have a night out or evening in? If it's nice out and we can find a patio somewhere, then I want a night out. If it's cold or rainy/snowy, I don't want to leave and can cuddle up on the couch!
18. Watch TV or read a book? Read, read, read...unless there is something I REALLY want to watch, then I'll read during the commercials.
19. Go canoeing or waterskiing? Canoeing....I'm not athletic enough to waterski, but I've never tried either.
20. Camp in an RV or stay in a tent? RV if for more than one night. I'll tent camp and rough it out, but not for an extended amount of time.
21. Use Facebook or Twitter? Facebook.....I don't tweet, twit, twat...whatever it is.
22. Choose a free trip or money? Depends on where the trip is and how much money we are talking! :) Probably the free trip though!
23. Win the lottery or find your perfect job? Lottery for sure! Does that make me lazy or money hungry? Oh well.
24. Swim in a pool or the ocean? Salt water and waves crashing on the beach or temperature controlled, lovely water all year round. Could I get a pool with the sound of the waves crashing? I love the ocean but could do without the salt water.
25. Travel by sailboat or cruise ship? Cruise ship, sailboat seems like a lot of work and I think I would get sea sick! And I'm pretty sure cruise ships would get me to my destination faster.
26. Watch sports or play sports? Watch for sure...I will play some sports, but I don't like to be super competitive.
27. Play dodgeball or kickball? Kickball, dodgeball is just mean!

Weekend Update

Friday : I was able to have a girls night with my friend Sarah! We just hung out at her house and talked. It was nice to catch up.
Steve rented Home and him and the girls had a movie night (Piper sat for about 15 minutes while they ate popcorn, then she was not interested)

Saturday : I ran to Target by myself to get our weekend shopping done with. Steve got the patio furniture out and started making food, so we could enjoy one more weekend by the firepit watching football outside! I think he loves uses Iowa games as an excuse to entertain on the weekend! Piper layed down for quiet time about the time the game started (yes, we planned it that way) and she ended up falling asleep!
We really didn't have any plans for the game or night, but somehow we ended up with some neighbors and our nephew over at our house until 10:30! It was good to watch the Hawkeyes win again and have the kids go and play.

Sunday : We were all moving SO slow. I slept like crap and didn't help that I might have had some beers (or 3 or 5 or...who is really counting?) that night. The girls must have been exhausted too. We really needed to leave our house by 11 to run some errands and get to my parents to watch the Packer game at noon. I rolled out of bed at 10, Presley at 10:30 and we HAD TO WAKE UP PIPER AT 10:45?! WTF? Needless to say we didn't get all our errands done. Oh well.

We won't talk about the Packer game b/c it still stresses me out, but otherwise we had a good, relaxing time watching the game. The kids played good like always and we were still home by 4:15 to get our household ready for another week!

Rooms

So last weekend we moved the kids beds around and got them new bedding. I will say with rooms that are already painted in bright colors it is hard to find bedding that 'matches'. We knew we couldn't get purple for Piper's room, so finding something with purple and the green to match the decorations in her room was a challenge but we found something that works! (yes, we could've painted, but that was out of the question for us!) Piper has been better about going to bed, she doesn't get out as much and so far has actually taken naps in it!

We would've just used Presley's old bedding for her new bed b/c we do love it, but this bed is smaller so it didn't work. She feels SO grown up with this bed and has been going to sleep most nights by herself after we read (normally we lay with her until she is asleep).

So they should be good for many more years to come (fingers crossed)! If anyone needs a toddler bed, we have one that was only used for 6 months! Free to a good home!

My hair

So I've been told I have hair like these girls....hmmm....I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

The blond from Little Big Town




Sarah Jessica Parker


Though I love her hair in this picture, I am completely aware that mine never looks this good!

Weekend Update

Friday was Trick or Treat night! Woohoo! Both girls were very excited, both willing to dress up and allow me to do their make-up (you never know with these two!). I was a little slow at work so I left about 1, ran to Target, got home and did a quick pick up and tried to nap (I was dragging!). I picked up the girls about 4:45, they ate dinner and got ready to go to a neighbors house for a party!

Cutest black cats EVER!

We got to Sarah and Kyles about 5:45 to get the kids ready and 'posed' for a picture, this was about the best we could do, given the number of kids.....and in this picture, we have a run away cat and dog!

The mom's took the kids trick or treating and the dads stayed back, handed out candy and prepared food! :) Carver, Piper, Harry Potter and Tinkerbell (whose name was Piper too!)

After every house Piper would say 'let's do that again!' but then she was the first kid to quit. She said she was tired and wanted to go back. So I took her back to Steve and then went out for more with Presely, Boston and Samantha. Surprisingly we were only out an hour but we got back and ate, drank talked and then the kids bobbed for apples!

Collins and Harry Potter

Even Boston got one! Presley was SO close to trying but with us all watching she refused (like mother, like daughter).

We laughed that we had found Steve's twin....Zac. Too bad he is a Bears fan.

The kids were up until 11 and Saturday morning Homemakers called at 9:00 and woke us up. We had bought Presley a new bed and dresser and gave Piper hers, so we quickly got up, cleared the kids and rooms to get ready for them. I guess this is what we needed to get us up and moving! We got the rooms moved, set up, clothes moved into dressers and got ready for the day! Of course, we realized that neither kid had bedding for their bed so we made a quick stop at the JCPenney Home Store and Kohls to see if they had anything....nada. And this trip once again, confirmed why we don't take Piper shopping. She just thinks it's fun to run away from us, it's a game to her.

 

Piper had a birthday party at Outdoor Adventures, so the 3 of us girls went to that and Steve ran to Bed, Bath and Beyond and found bedding for both girls! We got home about the time the Iowa game started, so Piper had some quiet time (and actually slept for about an hour!) and we watched the game and hung out.

After the game we packed up and headed to Polk City to see our friends Lisa and Jared (and their sons Colton and Jett). We haven't seen them in way too long and they really don't live that far, but life is busy so we were happy that we could find a time to hang out, eat, talk and have the kids play!

 

Again we were out until 11 but the kids slept in until 9:30 (or 10:30 without the time change)! We had no plans for this Sunday and the weather was in the 70's! We spent ALOT of time out by the shed watching football and the girls played really good. Piper wanted quiet time again and again she actually fell asleep! So she napped, Presley played with Anika next door, I read by book outside and Steve watched football....perfect November afternoon!

Picture courtesy of Presley!

Steve made shrimp tacos for dinner and our family friends, Susie and Jeff stopped by to drop off some shoes she wanted to give me, we hung out and talked for a bit. It was a very nice Sunday night! and now back to the grind and getting home when it's dark! :)