Did You Count Mississippily?

I got a Mystic Spray tan today and was laughing out loud to myself while I was in the booth.

If you've ever done a Mystic tan you know that there's a little booth, in a little room.  You press start and a voice begins to talk you through the process of the tan.  She, the Mystic lady, gives you all kinds of instructions like "please wait while we activate the warming phase", "please stand with your feet on the numbers 1 & 3", "turn and stand with your feet on the 2 & 4".

Well today for some reason "Mystic lady" spoke German, and I no comprende el German.  (I know, I know, that's not German.  I told you I don't speak it!)

Since I don't understand German I thought we were in the warming up phase when I heard the spraying start, so I hurried and stripped my clothes off as fast as I could and jumped in.  I made it inside fast enough that I barely missed any of that glorious mist.

As the sprayer kept spraying, the Mystic Lady just kept talking and talking, so I kept guessing and guessing, and hoping I was doing everything right.

I kept thinking someone was playing a prank on me and that I was going to turn out like Ross in that episode of Friends where he goes in for a Mystic tan.  He accidentally counted "Mississippily" and kept messing up on the instructions until he turned into a bronzed, hot mess.  Hilarity ensues...obviously.

Fingers are crossed that I'm not "an 8" on just one side.  I guess we'll see in a few hours when the tan starts developing.

You have to watch this clip from that episode.  Oh Ross Gellar , I sure miss you and your buddies.  

Walls Shmalls

I love this quote.  I love my family.  And I sometimes really love where I live. 

I need to run myself over to Costco and make one of those giant poster sized prints of this baby and pin it up on my wall.  

Or maybe tape it to my ceiling so I can remember this quote as I think my last thoughts of the day.  

I've spent way too much of my life feeling confined, trapped in my own body, and living someone elses beliefs.  Feeling like I need to be everything to everybody.  I don't know why its taken me so long to realize that that just isn't possible.  

I can only be myself.  And that is a beautiful thing.

Its time to start taking ownership of my life, break down those walls I've built for myself and feel FREE. 

The Non Fast Detox

Did anyone else turn into a big fat fatty over the holiday weekend?

By "fatty" I obviously mean fatty of the heart.  You know with all that family time, thankfulness, and love how could you not!?  Hello swelling heart!  ;)

Yep my heart got super fat.  But my calorie consumption got super fat as well.  I'm not into dieting, especially not fad diets.  I'm all about living a lifestyle that is healthy.  I have a list of ingredients I try to keep out of my house, and a list of nutritious foods I've made a habit of including in my meals.  I don't like to be too extreme, because being extreme always seems to backfire. Good news is though, the healthier I eat, the less I want junk.  Bad news is that the reverse is also true.  I've noticed that the more junk I eat, the more I crave it.

So anyway life got really delicious over the last few days and I found myself eating junk just because.  When I start feeling that way the best way to get back on track is to drink tons of water with a few extra ingredients to help detox the crap.  I use this recipe I got from Jillian Michaels, that I modified a bit.  This is not a fast.  I drink this in addition to my regular balanced meals.  But it really helps to bring back my normal energy, stop the cravings for sugary fatty foods, gets rid of extra water weight, helps me feel full, AND it's full of vitamins, and ding, ding, ding, my favorite...ANTIOXIDANTS.  Yay!

Here is the recipe:

About 1.5 liters of water.
1 Dandelion Root Tea bag (steep in hot water for 3 minutes, then add tea to mixture)
4 TBS pure cranberry juice (PURE...this part is very important.  NO SUGAR ADDED.)
2 TBS Lemon juice (I'm out today so I'm just doing it without it.)
Add a touch of Agave nectar if you can't handle the bitterness.

Drink 2 or 3 of these a day and you'll feel refreshed and full of energy!

And if you don't know about the benefits of dandelion root, google it and be impressed.  No seriously.  You'll never want to curse at them in your yard again.  (Don't tell me I'm the only one who does that!)

Thankful

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  

I have so so so much to be grateful for, 

but most of all I'm grateful for these loves of mine.

Don't You Hate It When... (Po Po Edition)

Don't you hate it when you're a new driver, sixteen and fresh on the streets, and you're in your car without a care in the world.  Nobody can break your optimistic view of the world.  I mean, you've got all this freedom.  You can drive.  You can hit up Taco Bell whenever you want.

Heavennnn.

So you're cruising along and you're car-dancing to No Diggity.  You know the musical masterpiece I'm talking about by R&B sensation Blackstreet...

Yeah that one.

Its hard to NOT feel on top of the world when you've got sweet beats like this to glide you through your ride home from high school Taco Bell.  Nothing can get you down.  The world is your oyster.  Right!?

WRONG.

Panic strikes when you spot the 5-0 hot on your tail, lights a blazing.  Instantly you start crying like a baby.

"Wahhhhh."

Okay, not "wahhhh"s per-say, but tears are flowing.   You're 16, and sometimes when you're 16 things get emotional.

You pull your car over to the side of the road.  You're desperate when the po po approaches your window.

"Oh officer I didn't realize I was speeding!  I'm soooo sorry.  I just got my license and and my parents will kill murder me if I get a ticket! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"Wahhhhhh."

He seems really nice and he obviously understands your dire situation because after he takes your license and registration he comes back to the car and lets you know he's excused you from the ticket with just a warning.  

Oh how you want to jump for joy.  (Thank goodness for seat belts or you'd be dancing on the street by now, right?)

Never have you had such a feeling of gratitude.  You feel like "thank you" wouldn't be sufficient, so instead you offer 15 "thank you"'s to that dearest Policeman.  Now you're crying tears of joy.

All is fine and triple good until that moment that the Officer interrupts your celebration and says...

"Uh ma'm.  I said I'm just going to go ahead and offer you a citation.  A citation.  In other words a ticket.  I'm not sure you understood me correctly."

"Ohhhh....a citation."

Yeah, so don't you hate it when you're in the midst of an emotional teenage breakdown and and confuse the word "citation" with the word "warning."  Man thats embarrassing.  Glad that happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime.  If not that policeman would've thought I was a nut case.

Thank goodness I'm not alone.  Thank goodness.

But seriously, that was embarrassing.

My Favorite Blondie on a Budget Hair Products

Alright friends.  Lets talk hair.

I'm no hair stylist but, that doesn't mean I don't know a good product when I find one. And since I have found some that I just can't live without, I thought I'd share them with you.

Not only are they good but they are el cheapo, which is awesome, because I'm all about beauty on a budget.  Don't get me wrong there are certain things that you just have to splurge on, but whenever I can I like to save money.  You know, so I have money to spend on all the things that really matter like my kids, (and new clothes), bills, (and new accessories), groceries, (and all the little things that call my name at Target, duh).

So here are three products that really work for me that I can't live without.

My first blondie on a budget favorite:

Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo

Light & Blonde

If you haven't ever used dry shampoo you are seriously missing out!  We all know how hard washing, drying, and heat styling can be on our hair.  My stylist made me promise a few years ago that I'd stop washing my hair everyday and to my surprise it made a huge difference in my hair's health.  I found that I needed a little something to freshen it up on the non-wash days though.  Dry shampoo is so great because it does just that, it freshens as well as gives your hair a little added oomph.

This product in particular is AMAZING because it matches blonde hair so well, smells delicious and is so much more affordable than other brands.  

Price: $8.99 Available at Ulta, Amazon, Sally Beauty etc.  

My second blondie on a budget favorite:

John Frieda Go Blonder 

Controlled Lightening Spray

My second blondie on a budget favorite is John Frieda Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray.  I found this while on vacation about a year and a half ago.  I was 600 miles from home in the middle of almost-nowhere and I had some major re-growth.  I'm naturally dark blonde/light brown and when I have light highlights its not hard to tell when things start growing.  Hello roots!  So anyway, I was far away from home and my favorite hair stylists, so I was desperate.  I happened to spot this product while perusing my favorite store (say it with me...Tarjay!!!). 

I'm very careful about what I put on my hair because I'm always on a mission to keep it healthy and long so I was very skeptical, and very cautious about trying this out.  Surprisingly, I LOVED the results.  After the first use my roots were already brighter and refreshed.

I've loved this product so much that I haven't had my hair professionally highlighted in a year and a half.  It doesn't get my hair as light as highlights would, but I'm kind of loving the more natural look it gives me.  About once a month I go through and section my hair out and give my roots a little spray.

I've read other negative reviews of this lightening spray, but for me personally, after 1 1/2 years of use my hair has never been healthier.  Just keep in mind this is not intended for medium brown or darker hair colors.  As with any other chemical hair product, don't overuse!  Try it out, you just may fall in love like I have.   Price: $8.99  Available at most drugstores.

My third blondie on a budget favorite:

Purple Shampoo

Have you ever used purple shampoo?  It is exactly what it sounds like. Its shampoo and its purple.  This stuff helps to revive your color after pollution, hard water and, sun take their toll, leaving your blonde dull and brassy.  I use it maybe 2-4 times per month. There are lots of companies that sell purple shampoo but I like to used this GVP Conditioning Shampoo from Sally Beauty because its so affordable.   Price: $6.50 Available at Sally Beauty

Don't forget to condition, condition, condition.  I'll share some of my favorite ways to moisturize in an upcoming post.  

Now that you know all of my dirty-blonde secrets, what are yours?  Do you have any favorite products I need to know about?  If you need anymore info about how to use these products feel free to ask.

The Lighting of the Riverwoods

Here's a little glimpse into our friday night through pictures.  We spend the night with Brandon's brother and dad, (We missed you Grandma Bubbles.  Hope you're feeling better.  Missed you too Aguirres.  Hope Sebastian rocked that football game!) welcoming in the Christmas season at the Shops at Riverwoods.  They had their annual "lighting of the riverwoods" where they turned on their 4 million Christmas lights all at once.  It was really fun, pretty cold, and super magical for our little ladies who got to meet "that Chrimmis guy" (as Sienna said) a.k.a. Santa. 

Carriage rides, carolers, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, Kris Kringle, and family...twas awesome because twis the season.  ;)

How are you welcoming the holiday season?

Let Me Get Back To You

Did I ever tell you the one about my Grandma coming to visit for Thanksgiving?

No?  Well let me first tell you a little bit about my Grandma Hartley.  This is the two of us a couple years ago.  Isn't she beautiful?

She is one of the kindest, most gentle, optimistic people I've ever know.  She has a sweet little giggle that follows most of her words, and she always calls people dear or sweetheart.  I remember as a kid, after having her stay at our house for a couple weeks being absolutely shocked to learn of her shortcomings.  Do you want to know what I learned about her?  You have to promise not to tell because Grandma would be horrified.  Hold your hats for just a moment here.  My Grandma, the saint, did not drive the speed limit AND she frequently used the words "little scamps".  Oh dear!

Okay so you get the point, my grandma's an angel.

I love having angels around so obviously I was excited to have my Grandma in town for Thanksgiving when I was 16.  Not only did my Grandma come but one of my favorite families in the world, my cousins, the Steeles came into town too.

The night after Thanksgiving we were all sitting around the table, my siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, parents, my grandma and I.  My grandma being the giver that she is started sprinkling kindness to each family member one by one, pointing out their talents and what she loved about them.

What a delight this would be.  What an uplifting way to spend an evening.  She started with Christopher.

"Christopher you're so kind and gentle.  You show so much creativity with the the sculptures you make.  You make friends easily and I love getting to know you.  I love the way you can fit right in to any situation.  Its a delight to have you for a grandson." (Alright these may not be exactly what she said but its exactly the way I'd like to remember it.  And I'm the one telling the story so, enough said.)

I sat in my chair so proud of my brother, so excited to hear what Grandma thought about me.  But I had to have patience next up was Taylor.

"Taylor" she said, "You are such an amazing artist, you have this natural ability that is such a beauty to behold.  I know there are great things in your future.  I just love sitting and talking with you.  You're a wise soul.  You also have great hair.  Its so thick and naturally curly." Etc., etc., okay we get it.  Taylor is awesome.  Gram Grams was laying it on, and laying it on thick, because thats what Grandmas do, especially angel Grandmas.

I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait.  What are the lovely things others see in me that I don't always see in myself?  Patience, Amy Jo is next.

"Amy Jo you can make anyone laugh, you are so boisterous and funny and you're an amazing actress.  I loved watching you play as a child because you've always been so dramatic and full of energy.  I also love that you can bite your toe nails.  What flexibility you have!" (Okay, she most certainly did not say that.  But Amy is flexible so she probably thought it.)  "You are a treasure to the whole Hartley family!"

Wow, Grams was on a roll.  What big and generous compliments a person can come up with when they're talking about their offspring's, offspring.  I was next.  How lucky was I to have a Grandma who could find something wonderful to say about anyone.  How lucky was I to be on the verge being lavished with words of praise.  I braced myself.  I told myself that when the time for her to shower me with my compliments to hold back the smile that surely would want to burst from my face.  Be cool Laurel, be cool.  Just give a humble smirk and a thank you after Grandma commends you.  You don't  hear these things a lot but don't look too excited.  Be cool.  

So Grandma turned to me and with a smile on her face said...

"Laurel."

Oh boy.  What treats does she have in store for me!?

"Laurel.  Hmm.  Laurel."  Now she had a puzzled look on her face.  A puzzled look?  What could that be about?  And then she giggled and giggles were not a good sign.

"Hmm."

"Well I'm sure I can think of..." and she finished the sentence with a giggly "something?".

Now giggles from everyone around the table.  Giggle heard around the globe, I'm SURE.  And my face, I know it was turning red.  All eyes were on me.

"Oh dear" she said "I'll have to get back to you."

Silence.

Wuh wuhhh of the century.

Grandma will get back to me.  She'll get back to me?  Nothing?  You've got nothing?  How about a generalized "you're smart"?  Perhaps you like my hair?  Maybe I'm a good friend.  That's always a good standby.  I've heard that one before.  You could tell the crowd that I pour a mean bowl of cereal.  Something.  Surely you can think of something!

Everyone's faces turned into shocked, "I'm sorry" faces.

Grandma finished her circle of love and got back to me to no avail.  But its cool guys, the story doesn't end there.  

The next day my cousins, siblings and I spent the day making our own home video version of "Ricki Lake".  I played a hooker of some sort but the details aren't important.  What's important is that that night I went to bed thinking, now I know I've made her proud.  Smart, classy, and straight laced.  I'm practically handing the compliment suggestions right to her.  You're welcome Grandma.  You're welcome.  And she never doubted my gifts (or my classiness) ever again.  (I just know it!)

 The proof of my awesomeness (and Taylor, Amy, and Abby's awesomeness too) is written all over this picture from that day.

*And by the way it should be noted that I still thought my Grandma was an angel.  I'm sure she was just overwhelmed by all the talent at the table that she just couldn't keep it all straight.  :)

I love you Grandma!

But don't be surprised if I curl into the fetal position when I hear the phrase "Let me get back to you."


What's your funniest, saddest, most ridiculous, or most whatever, Thanksgiving memory?  I'd love to hear about it.

Nakeysville.

Guys do you notice a theme here?

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Thats right.  My baby is super bald.  I wonder when she'll start growing some hair.  I mean, she'd be WAY cute with some pigtails.  ;)

The Mother Of All Quinoa Recipes

I have my vices but overall I love to eat nutritious, healthy foods.  One of my favorites is quinoa.  And its even fun to say, (keen-wah) so yeah, that's pretty cool.  Okay so if you're not familiar with the ever so delicious quinoa, let me tell you a little bit about it.  Its a high protein whole grain (technically its a seed) that provides all 8 amino acids, has twice the amount of calcium found in whole wheat, it's rich in flavonoids, and its also packed with fiber, which is always great because it helps you feel full longer.

Apparently the Incas called quinoa "chisaya mama" meaning the mother of all grains.  You say "mother of all" anything and I'm in.

This is the most amazing quinoa recipe out there.  Of course i think its the best recipe, because it is mine after all.  Well, kind of.  I found a great one a couple years ago and I've slowly adapted it into this tasty version.  I'm telling you it's not only good, its "oh em gee" good.  Anytime I make it for a crowd people ask for the recipe, my girls even LOVE it and its so easy to make.

You're like "Okay, okay, now give me that recipe!"  Fine little Mr./Ms. antsy pants, here you go.

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 Tablespoon chopped garlic
1 1/2 Cups uncooked quinoa
3 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (do 1/2 teaspoon if you like a little more spice)
2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
salt and pepper to taste


Directions:

1.  In a large saucepan combine everything except the black beans, and corn.

2.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

3.  Stir in the frozen corn and cook, uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes.  (You may want to keep an eye on it and adjust the heat accordingly.  You don't want it to be too watery, but you also don't want it to dry out.  5 minutes on medium usually works well for me.)

4. Mix in the black beans and you're all set.

Enjoy!

If I'm being really honest. Part One.

If I'm being really honest I'd tell you...

That I chose my daughters preschool based on the fact that they do curbside pick up so I didn't have to get out of my car in the winter. Education aspects are secondary to the chill factor. Obviously.

I quit dance when I was 9 because that "scoop" we did with our hips made me feel highly sexual.  I was like "What are these feelings!?!?"

In junior high as the class president of my church group I was supposed to prayerfully choose the girls in my group to lead with me. When that route provided me with no results I chose the girls MASH style. You know, the game you played when you were in elementary school to decide who you were going to marry, if you'd end up driving a limo, or live in a shack. Yeah that game. I hid in my room and used that game to decide who my counselors would be.

When I said I had to go home to put my kids to bed I really meant I wanted to sit on my couch and eat popcorn.

That twirl you saw me do as as a kid? It wasn't spontaneous dancing. I was smelling my own fart. You're like "ewww" and I'm like "I know!"

When I said I didn't care that I didn't get asked to any of the high school dances I was really crying alone in my room. You're like "awww" but its okay, its funny now. Lets have a laugh.

I did not laugh it off when I was 10 and told my mom an octopus joke with the accidental punchline of "testicles" instead of "tentacles". (And got scolded.) No I did not casually walk away like she thought. I nervously ran upstairs to the dictionary and looked that s*@t up!

Lets be honest, because the truth is so much funnier than fiction.

But before you go there's one more thing you need to know.  Chris Farley was my biological father.

Now what would you like to get off that chest of yours?  Spill it, its safe here.  

Did Somebody Say Makeover!?

This weekend I got to exploit Addie's makeover skills and get all dolled up.

I've never looked or felt better. Why have I never thought to paint my nose red with lipgloss!?  And stick figures drawn with lipstick across my forehead!?  Cutting edge.  Watch out Lauren Conrad there's a new beauty expert in town and her name's Adison Bogar.

And BONUS: it only cost me 200 Costa Rican colones.  (a.k.a. about 40 cents.)  

Sucka!  

This actually was the highlight of my day.  She was laughing so hard as she applied each new hair accessory or stick figure.  :)  And she had some great commentary too.  Like when she used my eyelash curler she said "Oh your boyfriend will LOVE this".  And then she giggled her brains out.  There's nothing better than that.  

Cents Of Style

A couple of weeks ago I did something that was really fun. I modeled for my friends company Cents Of Style.

I felt really flattered that she asked me to help her out with the shoot because I've never done anything like this before.  Aside from some pretty crazy wind that day I say things went smoothly.  

Anyway lets cut to the chase.  For whatever reason I hadn't ever ordered anything from her company before,  but after seeing so many of their products in person I became a big fan.  They're all about style on a budget.  They have some really cute stuff for such great prices.  Every girl needs to know about companies like these.  (So you're welcome.)  Affordable, cute, FREE SHIPPING, whats not to love!?

If you want to check them out their website is MyCentsOfStyle.com 

Heres whats on my Cents of Style wish list right now.

I could die over how much I love those rust ankle boots!  Lucky me, my birthday is coming up.  Now lets hope that husband of mine reads my blog.  ;)

Hello Sunshine

This is my motto.  Its simple and not amazingly deep but I think about it almost daily.  

Don't hate, Congratulate.

I have my days where I want to be smarter, have less acne, be a better friend, be funnier, lose 10 pounds, stop being so horrible with details, watch less Honey Boo Boo, be more talented, say "like" less, be more spiritual, be able to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to my girls without having major pitch problems etc. etc.  You get the point.

Sometimes I sulk about my imperfections, and then I feel even worse.

Sometimes I get Ben & Jerry's and watch garbage t.v.  But you read the reasons I get moody so you can see the problem with this "solution".

But one thing that will almost always get me out of my funk is taking the focus off my whiney little self and trying to make someone else feel good.

Maybe I'm feeling irritated by the beautiful picture one of my friends posts of themselves on facebook.  I'm annoyed.  Cut through the crap and the irritation and I realize I'm just jealous.  The truth is I don't think this friend is annoying I really think this friend is amazingly beautiful.  I remind myself to stop hating and tell them the positive things that I actually think about them.  The weight of jealousy is instantly lifted.  No joke, and I feel good.

I want to be the kind of person that exudes light and positivity.  I want to be the kind of person that makes people smile and feel good.  My own insecurities hold me back at times but at the core of my soul I really want that more than anything.

L'oreal Forever Fuschia

I'm going to post this photo all over the interweb because I've discovered how much I love L'oreal's Forever Fuschia Infallible lipstick.

Its bright, bold, and vibrant and it stays on forever! I mean forever, like 6 hours. It feels rich and creamy and never drying, and it never feathers. There are tons of other pretty options in the infallible line. All of them are highly pigmented and sure to please.

(These charades are getting exhausting. Actually I just really like this picture of myself and needed a great excuse to post it. No need to mention the exhaustive filtering/photoshopping process this photo has been through.  But remember what we talked about before? We never want to clue anyone in on the real reasons we post our photos.  Okay?)

Hehehe...I'm kidding. It really is a great lipstick though.

Control is My Thing And I've Got Lots of It

You know what's great about being a parent? The fact that things always go as planned.  Its comforting to know that the more I give and love and the harder I work the more my little people will do exactly as I say.  Their minds are fairly easy to control.  They hardly have opinions at all.  Their motto is: Moms way is the right way.

Take for example yesterday.  This is precisely how I planned for Sienna's nap to go.

When I got Sienna dressed to go grocery shopping the other day this is exactly how I hoped she'd re-style herself for the day.

When I asked the girls if they wanted to listen to the Bieb's song "Boyfriend" my intention was to start a 2 year old on 6 year old sister girl fight over who's boyfriend Justin really is.

Don't be fooled.  Sienna was strictly advised to climb these pantry shelves.  Work those muscles baby.  Work it.  We feel that exercise routines are important to start at even a young age.

Ice cream for breakfast before mom even knows you're awake and out of bed?  Yes.  Hell yes.  Calcium, people.  Its loaded with the goodness of calcium.

Lets pause for just a moment so I may have the opportunity to pat myself on the back.  Control is my thing and I've got lots of it around here. 

Yeah, that might be a slight (total) stretch of the truth.

 Embracing flexibility has been the most important thing I've learned to do since I became a mom. When things happen that throw my day off (you know, like Sienna pooping her pants and wiping it all over her room to "clean" it up as I'm trying to head out the door). I sometimes want to punch somebody.  And then kick them.  And maybe punch them again. And also wipe poop all over their room.  (Have I gone too far?)  But the days when I can find the humor in the craziness, and laugh instead of cry (after cleaning up the poop, of course), those are the days I cherish.  Those are the days I will remember with fondness.  Those are the days where I hope my girls will know how much I unconditionally love them, messes, craziness and all.  

And it doesn't hurt to see sweetness like this every now and then either.

Couldn't love these precious cuties any more than I do.

Haters Gonna Love

Guys I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, a tip, a how-to of sorts. Now this is a tutorial that anyone who uses social media will really benefit from. This is the art of posting ultra flattering pictures of yourself without appearing vain and self absorbed. (An icky sticky trait you never want to appear to have.)

Heres the trick. You need to get yourself a baby prop. A real live adorable, innocent,  baby. Trust me, you throw a baby into a picture and the people will swoon. Eliminates any potential haters, because what kind of low life can hate on an innocent baby? It'll melt any monster. And when you pretend the focus isn't on you people can feel free to give you the compliments you so desire. Comments and double taps for days.

Don't have a baby of your own? No excuses, get out there and get yourself (or your lady) pregnant.

Here are some fine examples of my family and I really mastering the baby-prop photo. (Extra cuteness points for including a precious sleeping baby.)

Sweet Sweet Prayers of the Little Ones

Bedtime at our house consists of baths, books, lots of snuggles, lots of kisses and sweet prayers like this one Sienna said the other night.

"Dear Heaveny Fawder,
Thankful for da poo logs. And thankful for da poo logs. And the poooooooo loooooooogs.
Bless the bum bums.
Amen."

How lovely.  I could not stop laughing.  Such a silly girl.

It's a Halloween Dance Off Y'all

Tin Man vs. Cowardly Lion. Who gets your vote?

Halloween Get Ups-Or Get Outs

Halloween happens to be one of my favorite holidays ever.  Right up there with, well, with all of the other holidays.  Lets face it they're all pretty great.  Any excuse to break the monotony of the day to day is a-okay in my book, add costumes into the mix and things are looking splendid.  

Addie and Sienna have been obsessed with The Wizard of Oz lately so naturally they wanted to be characters from the movie.  The girls had a throw down, shirt grabbing, over the table fight over who got to be Dorothy.  Once Addie won she admitted she truly wanted to be the Witch.  That left Brandon and I with any other choice of Wizardly characters.  The day of the party we scrambled and pulled together some pretty decent (if I do say so myself) Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion costumes.  

The highlight of the night was realizing that Brandon could barely move in his poster board Tin Man get up.  I couldn't stop laughing.  He looked like he was truly playing the "oil needing" part.  The only way we could get him to our party was by chauffeuring him "parade style" in the back of our neighbors truck.