Goodbye 2009

Goodbye 2009! You weren't a bad year for us Wernlein's. We had a lot of fun, grew up, got smarter, but for the most part is was just a pleasant year of same-ness and that's was fine by us. This year I was ever so thankful to have my health after a very unhealthy 2008 and we are so very blessed that Frank has a steady job and everyone needs heat and air conditioning! Tonight we look forward to 2010 and wish you a fond farewell.

Happy New Year to all! May God bless your socks off this year!

Christmas pics

I'm a little late posting Christmas pics. The kids got a Wii for Christmas and Mitch and I have been in a daze playing Mario Bros. It is SO much fun and super addicting! His winter break his just flying by and I can hardly believe tomorrow is New Year's Eve! WOW!! These are just 3 of a couple dozen pics from Christmas.

Mitch and Megan on Christmas Eve...note where his left hand is!!

Mitch and Megan with cousins Jamie and Kari.
The day after Christmas ejoying a relaxing morning and all of our Christmas goodies together

Just in time for Christmas

Mitch has really had a rough go of it lately, colds, croup, allergies and just plain old hasn't felt like himself. After watching him suffer with allergies in the winter we decided to have him allergy tested. Today was the big day and we spent a good three hours for the whole process to be completed. Long story short, the diagnosis came back asthma and environmental allergies. The asthma was a complete surprise but not a total shock after all the breathing and couching fits he's had in the last month and the allergies are on the mild but not severe side. It was a relief to finally get some answers and I can actually tell he is breathing better today after a nebulizer treatment. Tonight we had to get used to administering his inhaler and meds which was new but if will just take some getting used to. I just pray for him and hope that God led us to the right doctor and the treatment we sought for him will be the one that will bring him some relief because little boys need to breath and play!

Happy 6th Birthday Mitch!

Dear Mitch,
I can hardly believe you are six. "MOM!!" I know, I know, I say that every year but you are just growing up so fast! This year you have done so much changing and really gone from a little boy to a BOY. This year you finished preschool and started Kindergarten at Lincoln Academy. You are so smart and amaze us each day with what you have learned. From the time I pick you up from school to when you go to bed you never stop talking. You love to learn! Spending time with Dad is one of your favorite things to do. You also love to go to Grandma and Grandpa's as well as have popcorn and movie nights on Fridays. This year we did lots of fun things over the summer before you started school, oh but wait, there was your broken arm! Your fifth year was a lot of fun and I am sure six is going to be just as much fun too! I can't wait to see what new adventures you have in store for us!

I hope you have a great birthday!
Love you,
Mom

My all time favorite pic of you this year!

Funner Chocolate

A friend passed this on to me...you must try it at least once!!

HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Call the Nestle Crunch Hot line at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Promise! Keep going and press 4, listen to the options, then press 7, hilarious!! Listen to all of the last choices....

Kindness

I was at our local coffee shop(that started with an S) today and the woman behind me was so sweet and kind when I was having a frustrating moment at the counter. Instead of getting frustrated she helped me out and wished Megan and I a Merry Christmas on the way out. I've been thinking about that moment of kindness all day and how much it meant to me. I think too often I(we) get so bogged down in the holiday season that we become scrooges and forget what the season is all about. I hope to keep that woman's kindness going and try to be a little sweeter to others, offer a few more smiles and be sure to say Merry Christmas.

Party till you drop

This weekend we partied and partied and partied some more! I partied so hard that I am all worn out and now I have a little cold! Poor me! It was a fun weekend but wow was it jammed packed. Friday night our MOPS group had a Dessert and Dancing night, Saturday I went to a baby shower for a very good friend, Saturday night we went out for my brother-in-law's 30th birthday and then on Sunday we all got together again for Phil's birthday with the whole family. Whew! We just party till we drop!

Frank and I enjoying a night out for Phil's 30th

Advent...Megan's version

We are in the second week of Advent and the kids are enjoying lighting our advent candle and hearing the Christmas story at dinner. Last night Megan was so into it that she wanted to read the nightly reading from our Advent book. It went a little something like this, "The Advent candle. We light the light. The wicked witch. I will get you my pretty. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. AMEN!"! It was so cute but Mitch was not impressed, of course, and insisted we read it the "correct" way. Only 16 days left and I know Christmas is going to be a blast this year.

Attack of the Christmas decorations

"I got attacked by a Christmas tree" (sung to the tune of Grandma got run over by a reindeer) is what we have been singing each time we see Megan these days. On Friday we put up our Christmas tree and decorations and she was absolutely enthralled with them. She redecorated the tree 6 times in 24 hours. She would move ornaments from place to place, stand back and admire her work with her hands on her hips, but by Saturday her work got the best of her and an ornament broke and she scratched her chin with it and then she pulled the stocking hangers down on top of her and she cut her lip open Saturday afternoon and we had to take her to Urgent Care. I thought for sure they would stitch or glue it but they said she would heal just fine(thank goodness!). It's been a long Thanksgiving break of sickness and accidents.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Just thought I would share with you what the kids told me they were thankful for today at breakfast

Mitch...Mommy, Dad, Indians, Pilgrims, stuffing

Megan...princesses and Barbies!

Family sick day

We all decided to call in sick yesterday and camped out on the couch for a movie marathon. We watched Peter Pan, Aliens in the Attic, a few episodes of Thomas and then came the grand finale...The Wizard of Oz! Mitch saw The Wizard of Oz last Fall and called it "the movie of death" but Megan had never seen it before. Her take on it was much different, and her face when the movie switches from black and white to color was literally priceless. She fell in love with Dorothy and has been pretending that Mazie is Toto all day today. Frank and I were talking about it and why wouldn't she love that movie? It has a beautiful girl that sings, a cute dog, a good witch, and beautiful red slippers, everything Megan loves! I'm sure we will be watching it again soon, but since Mitch is still the sickest he picked most of the shows today so they revolved around trains and dinosaurs, go figure! : ) Happy hacking and coughing Thanksgiving to us!

Midday Fashion Show

Coming soon...ok, every afternoon...ok, ok, every three hours Megan has to change her clothes these days, but mostly during her rest time. Her rest is usually around 1pmish and last for about an hour and in that time she will redress herself into the most stunning outfit that she insists upon wearing to pick Mitch up from school in. She has become quit famous around Lincoln Academy and very well known for her outfits. It really is a hoot. Oh, Megan!

The aftermath of the skin testing

Just to let you all know, each and every one of Megan's stuffed animals were skin tested today and also got their flu shots. Dr. Megan was extremely busy and her office will be closed tomorrow!

Scratch but don't itch

Megan had skin testing done today for her food allergies, mostly egg, but we also included spinach, strawberries and tomatoes. It was a very long morning and took a little less than 2 hours for the whole process. She was a real trooper for a three year old, and we only had one screaming fit at the very beginning when we arrived and she was yelling, "I don't want to see the egg doctor!!". It was mildly embarrassing but it quickly got us into an exam room. The nurses were also really great with her and I had packed a huge bag of tricks(I went through skin testing when I was 12) so everyone was pretty well prepared. Since her egg test came back negative(great news) she was also able to get a flu shot(terrible news for her). After we waited the 30 minutes to see if she would react to the flu shot we took her out for a special treat and she is happy to be now reading some new Princess Tiana books. So, how soon will I jump in and let her start eating eggs again? hmmm...

***added later
I should add that Megan does not have any know food allergies(thanks for the emails from many of you), but she still does have dermographism which is when she gets hives from being exposed to extreme cold or heat. She also gets hives if she gets scratched really hard or her clothing is too tight. Hopefully, this is something she will outgrow.

I heart books

For being as different as we all are, my kids and I have one thing in common that we all love, BOOKS! Right now I can hear Megan in her room reading herself the latest Fancy Nancy book that I bought her yesterday at the Book Fair at Mitch's school. Watching the two of them make the painful decision of just two books yesterday was priceless. Megan immediately picked out her two books but Mitch painstakingly went back and forth for at least 5 minutes before making his choice. When they got home yesterday they also cracked them open as soon as possible. I do this too. In the mail the other day I got a new book and I am suppose to save it and take it to book club Monday but I am just dying to crack the cover and start reading it. I just LOVE to read, and Mitch has gotten to be the same way. He could read before he got into Kindergarten but now he reads anything and everything! I love that my kids love to read as much as I do because I, personally, think there is nothing better than opening that brand new slick book and getting away for awhile.

Veterans Day

Just wanted to take a minute to thank all the Veterans in my life. Our family appreciates your willingness to serve our country now and always. I wish you could have seen the celebration at Mitch's school today when the little ones sang the songs to all the military branches...priceless!

Dad's Studio Sale

If you don't have plans tomorrow morning then stop by my dad's studio sale in

Golden from 9-2 for lots of unique pieces of art and an opportunity to mingle with

the artist himself!

Saturday Nov 7th

807 16th St., Golden

One day only!

http://www.youngmannwatercolors.com/

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

We all had a great time dressing up tonight and Megan decided today that Frank and I were going to be pirates! arrggg!! Frank is a bad pirate and I am the nice pirate that gets to wear all the jewels! Isn't she creative?! It was so fun and we had a great night!

Another snow day and pumpkin carving

We had another snow day today and Arvada hit almost 24 inches of snow, unbelievable for October! Today was a lot harder to make "fun" but we made it through and got to play out in the snow for a while. Today was much colder so the kids didn't last nearly as long as yesterday. Tonight we also carved our pumpkins so they we looking forward to Frank coming home and digging into the pumpkin guts!! The district hasn't called yet(as of 8pm) so we are hoping for school tomorrow, even Mitch.

look at that cute face in all that fresh snow!

kissing her pumpkin goodnight!

Snow Day!

We had our first snow day of the season(and tomorrow might be one too) and the kids have had a blast playing out in the snow. We've been out twice and so far...as of 5pm...we have about 8 in. on our back patio. Nuts for CO in Oct! We just hope it lets up before Halloween!

Catching up

I feel like I never have more than a little time to check a few emails here and there or mindlessly read what everyone is posting on Facebook these days. Once Mitch started school I was hoping to have more time, but instead I feel busier than ever. My Leadership role in MOPS constantly keeps me hopping, the daily chores around the house, playing with Miss Meg and driving back and forth to get Mitch from school that before I know it the day is over and then it's time to do it all over again the next day. It's a whirlwind, that's for sure! October is about to wrap up and the kids are really excited for Halloween and all of the holidays to follow. Dinnertime conversation usually revolves around what we are all going to dress up as, Mitch's birthday party and what they want to ask for for Christmas. So whether or not I like the whirlwind life it looks like I better hold on and buckle up because the kids are ready for the holidays and to them it seems like forever before they will get here, but to me, if I blink they will be her tomorrow!

Pumpkin patch pics

Last weekend my dad and I took the kids to Rock Creek Farms to pick pumpkins. We had a great time and these are just a few pics from our morning.

Mitch and Megan
My favorite picture of the day. Mitch is growing up so fast and was such a big helper!

Megan was fascinated with all the "dead" pumpkins after the freeze we had had the weekend before. It made finding the perfect pumpkin hard and many were already squishy and slimy. It added to the spooky Halloween effect!

Need a good laugh?

A friend turned me on to this blog and it is too hilarious not to take a peak at http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ Just take a minute to scroll through some of the professionally decorated cakes and see what a hilarious mess they are. It's sure to make you laugh.

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, the world's best dad and the man who loves to be silly, laugh and have a good time! I hope you get all you wished for and more! Love you!

Beading again

I've had some requests for some of my jewelry from friends and family so I thought I would share what I have been working on this week. If you like what you see, let me know and I would be happy to make you a set too, for a price. : )!!

Ears pierced, sort of

Tomorrow I am getting a tube put in my left ear. This is something they do for children, not adults, right? Not exactly. I guess if you are as weird as me and have as many maladies as I have had anything is possible. So pray for me because I am having it done in office and we have a pretty busy weekend ahead with family coming in from Seattle for a visit. I'll let you know how my new ear is working out and hopefully the frost today and the tube will help my allergies, finally!

That's not my car!

Yesterday morning was weird and two of my aunt's insisted I had to share the story of what happened to me. So here goes...I dropped Mitch off at school and Megan and I were going back to get into our car(our green Durango) and I went around to Megan's side to put her in, opened the door and noticed that the interior was grey rather than beige and the car seat was not Megan's. Confused, I heard a voice from the driver side of the car say, "Ma'am, this is my car!" I said a polite "sorry!" Shut the door and scurried off to find my Durango parked two cars away!
Yes, I might need a flower, more sleep and maybe stronger coffee in the morning or just a car that doesn't look like half the other parents' at the school!

Table Grace

We've been trying out a new table grace the last few weeks. It kind of goes with the Fall theme that both kids have been studying at school and Megan LOVES it because it is singing. The girl loves to sing. Do you know the words to this or remember it as a kid? Do you have any other singing table graces because Megan would love to know what they are!

Johnny Appleseed

Oh the Lord is good to me
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me
The things I need
The sun and the rain and the appleseed
Oh the Lord is good to me.
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen AHHHHH MEEEENNNN!!!

I could learn a thing or two from those guys!

In the last month or so since Mitch has started Kindergarten I have been watching(I'm a big people watcher) the dad's at Mitch's school calmly and cooly pick up their kids from school, hug them, tousle their hair and head home with them. As the weeks have rolled by I've started talking with some of these dads and gotten to know some of them on a friendly after school pick up type of basis. Today I was talking to one of the stay at home dads and we were talking about naps and bedtimes and he said that he tries to get his daughter down for a nap by 12:30 or 1pm but sometimes that doesn't work out so bedtime has to be pushed later "but it's all good because what I don't get done today will always be there tomorrow". He just had this calm no nonsense demeanor about him. I remember talking to him the day before home visits and he said he cleaned the house to the best of his ability but he had kids and the teachers had to understand that. Well, duh!! I really think I could learn a thing or two from this guy! Thinking about it this afternoon I have dozens and dozens of parenting books on my shelves, dog earred and highlighted to the parts about dealing with anxiety and high expectations about being the "perfect parent" but all I needed to hear was this Mr. Mom say "it's all good"! And he is right, because this too shall pass and then I will miss Megan's Diva moments, Mitch's incessant talking and the toy bombs. It's amazing where these reminders come from because I always need to remember and hear it - for this is the season I am in.

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 14:1

Home visit

Mitch had his Kindergarten home visit today. This is were his teacher, Miss Loyd, principal and dean of students all came to our house for a short visit to "see Mitch in his home environment". Mitch was so excited he was literally bouncing around the house for the hour before they arrived. I was a little less enthused and spent the last two days cleaning and straightening the house. It turned out fine though, and like most things, they really didn't care about the state of the house. Mitch and Megan monopolized Miss Loyd upstairs in their rooms showing her all their special treasures and were heartbroken when the 20 minutes were up and shehad to go on to someone else's home. It was fun to see how excited Mitch was to show his teacher his room, his books and all of the things that are special to him, and to have a teacher that cares that much to take the time to spend with each of her students. I think this will be a great year for him, and Megan is already ready to have Miss Loyd over again and play princesses.

Mitch and Megan's Secret Hideout

We got a new dishwasher today and the kids immediately took over the box that it came in and turned it into their Secret Hideout! It was really cute and they spent a good part of the day decorating and playing in it. I have been enjoying sitting on the swing out back just listening to them playing together. Very fun!

Mommy's Halloween Costume

It's only halfway through September and the kids are already excited for Halloween! Tonight at dinner they were trying to decide what I should be for Halloween and came up with a huge long list of costumer for me to pick from. Here are just a few, and BTW...I can only be big things because mommies are big, no fairies or princesses for me!
Buzz Light year
Hannah Montana
A Witch
Queen Clarion(my choice)
A spider
A cricket
Gordon(our dog)
Sally(from Cars)

this went on and on for all of dinner but I wish I could remember all of them because it was hilarious!

Sick day and sympathy pains

Mitch hasn't been feeling well and stayed home sick again today. This is his 2nd sick day in less than a week. I heard Kindergarten was hard on the germs, but seriously! He was really complaining of a sore throat so I took him in for a strep test which came back normal. He just has a bad case of the Kindergarten sickies. Poor guy! I was a mean mom and got him a flu shot while we were at the doctor. He thought it was less than funny and Megan was about ready to fight the nurse off for him when he started to cry. It was really quite a scene and I was glad they put us in the back of the office. Megan didn't get a flu shot this time around because of her egg allergy but that put a whole new spin on the morning and now we may have to go to an allergist for a "special" allergy free flu shot. FUN! What a morning! But don't worry, I topped it off with a trip to Walmart that ended in a slap down(them, not me) and they were suppose to be getting treats for being brave at the doctor. Daddy's home now, the day's almost over and I am hoping everyone is feeling better tomorrow!

Harvest Festival Parade

It was a great day for a parade! We walked this morning in the Arvada Harvest Festival Parade and even though it was cold and rainy we had a great time, even Megan made it most of the way. All of the kids from Lincoln looked so cute dressed to the theme of The Music Man in the parlor vests, arm bands and hats and for the next week I think I will have 76 Trombones running through my head! We even got to see half of the parade once we were done, enjoyed lunch back at my aunt's and then all had a much needed group nap and a movie marathon afternoon. It was a great day!

That was fast!

This week has just run away from me! And it was a short week! Monday we went hiking at Two Ponds with the kiddos(see super cute pic) and had a marvelous day hanging out and enjoying some family time. We all love 3 day weekends and extra time with Daddy. Then it was off to a crazy week which included: MOPS, getting ready for the Harvest Festival Parade with Mitch's school, and lots of other random things thrown into the mix. Mitch has also been fighting a cold and decided today would be a great day for a sick day(aka I miss my mom and Megan day and just need to hang out day!). Needless to say, we all survived the week, the kids are in bed super early and we are ready to walk in the 82nd Annual Arvada Harvest Festival Parade tomorrow with Mitch's school! More pics to come!

New boots!

Frank took the kids shoe shopping Saturday and this is what he came home with for Megan. She LOVES them! And they look really great with shorts! This out fit actually bothers Frank more than it bothers me which I find funny because if you were to ask Frank's mom I am pretty sure Frank sported the boy version of this for many years in elementary school. Hmmm.... but isn't she so cute!!??

First day of Preschool

Megan on her first day of preschool at Happy Valley

Start of MOPS

Our Charter had it's first MOPS meeting yesterday and it went really well. I was so tired from all the planning and the start of school that after I picked Mitch up from school I just zoned on the couch with the kids. I'm looking forward to a great fall with all the girls and this year I am the DGTL(Discussion Group Team Leader). It's a much bigger job than last year but I really have a heart for MOPS so I think this will be a great fit, at least for the next 2 years while Megan is in preschool. One meeting down, lots more to look forward to!

Was that a weekend?

This weekend went so fast I can hardly believe it was actually a weekend! Remember in my last post that I said the kids were going to bed at 7:30 and it was so wonderful?! Well that means that they get up at 6:30am on the weekends! Guess I forgot about kid's sleep schedules and the weekends when we had gotten used to 7:30 or 8am on the weekends. Whoa is me!

We did have lots of fun Saturday and went out to Megan's new Preschool, Happy Valley. It's a farm setting Preschool so everyday that she is there they have wagon rides, pony rides and they get to pet all the farm animals. She is SO excited. She wanted to take her backpack with us Saturday and stay the entire day! After the trip out to Preschool we went to a birthday party for one of Mitch's friends where mommy got a lesson in "not all parents parent like they should and some of their kids are brats"!! Luckily another good friend of mine was there and she knows I can go from zero to 60 in situations like this (my sister calls it "girl on the boat") but I kept it pretty cool and everyone had a good time. The kids bounced in the bounce house on and off for almost 5 hours and came home looking like dirty little rugrats, always the sign of a good party! : )

Today we are trying to relax, refocus and RELAX before a super busy week. We went to the late service at church today and I just love the liturgy at that service. It always puts my heart in the right place, even when Mitch is asking how much longer and Megan is trying to color a library book.

Now...onward to an amazing week of Kindergarten, the start of MOPS and Megan's first day of Preschool!!

First week of Kindergarten

Mitch had a great first week of Kindergarten. He has come home tired and starving the last 2 days but says he is ready to go back on Monday. Frank and I are enjoying the new 7:30pm bedtime for both kids(Megan has pretty much given up naps as well) so it makes for a nice evening for the both of us. The week has been full of change and the kids are showing signs of exhaustion. Unfortunately, we have a busy weekend ahead and then we are heading into (for me) probably one of the busiest weeks of the month, maybe even the next few months. I hope He allows me a sliver of rest in there somewhere and some time to recharge because I think I am going to be needing it.

First Day of Kindergarten

Megan and Mitch on Mitch's first day of Kindergarten!

Last days of summer vacation fun!

We've had a really good time in the last few days and these are just of few pics from our craziness...

Megan eating corn...isn't this how everyone does it?
Megan riding the Flying Bananas at Heritage Square

Megan and I on the Crazy Coal Miner at Heritage Square

Megan and Mitch grocery shopping at the Children's Museum

Megan painting her house at the Children's Museum

Last day of summer vacation

This is it, the last day of summer vacation. I can't believe it's officially over and tomorrow Mitch will start Kindergarten, full day Kindergarten too. For months I have longed for the day he would go to full day Kindergarten and I could hear myself think again, because for 5 1/2 year it has been non stop chatter(crying in the first months) and now I just want to hit the rewind button. I used to say I would be the parent dancing in the parking lot, but tomorrow I will be the one with the huge sunglasses on, hiding the tears as I watch my oldest make his way to into the world. He is ready, more than ready. Last night he was so excited to go to back to school night, find his cubby, meet his teacher and make some new friends. I am excited for him too, just sad that it went so fast. We've really been living it up these last few days of vacation and I hope he has been enjoying it as much as I have. I know tomorrow morning will be here before we know it and I am looking forward to hearing all about his first day and how much fun he had. My sunglasses are all ready and the Kleenex is in the car, but most importantly, I just want Mitch to know that he is going to do great on this new journey.

A Magical Night

Tonight we went to Zoomily at the Denver Zoo. It was a very magical night and filled with princesses, wizards and other sorts of fairytale creatures. We mostly ventured into the princess area(much to Mitch's dislike) for Megan. She even got to wear her Cinderella gown, crown and slippers to the event AND meet Cinderella and many other princesses! She was so overwhelmed at first but quickly got over it. We met Cinderella first, and you can tell that she just wasn't too sure but by the time we ran into Prince Charming she was ready to be swept off her feet and go home with him. It was really too cute! There were boy things there too and the who East side of the zoo was decked out like Hogwarts Castle. It was a very fun night and we even saw a few animals!!

Megan with Prince Charming

Mitch, Megan and Snow White and her Owl "Snowy"

What a difference a year makes!

Today marks a year after my hysterectomy and I can hardly believe it has been that long. This summer has just flown by which means that this year has also flown by. A year ago, I was trudging along, no energy, just trying to get by with 2 little ones to look after. Now, I have all the energy a 31 year old should (more or less) and live with no regrets that I had such a drastic surgery at such a young age. The year didn't come without it's ups and downs from the surgery, but I feel like I have made it and everyday it is less and less of a daunting decision and last summer seems like less and less of a dark cloud. This summer has been amazing(minus all of the crazy thunderstorms and annoying allergies)! The kids are at a great age and we have had so much fun! Just a week and a half left of summer vacation and we are still rocking and rollin' and trying to fit everything in. Today, to take some time to unwind and get a little break I spent the morning at Oasis Day Spa and it was pure heaven. I don't say it often enough, but I have the best husband because he lets me spoil myself and do amazing things like this. I got a massage, sat in in the sauna and got a pedicure. Pure bliss! Maybe I will do this every August 8th to celebrate good health!

I also want to thank everyone who has been such a great support to me in the past year, when I have whined cried, or freaked out. Thanks to all of my great friends and family!

Swimming Lessons

The kids spent the last 2 weeks taking swimming lessons at Secrest pool and really enjoyed it(much more than I ever did as a kid so they must get that from Frank!!!). Mitch liked it so much that he said he is ready to try out for swim team in the Fall! It was a lot of fun to watch and Mitch really is a little fish in the water.

A word on the hives

We finally have some answers on Megan's hives...Last week at her 3 year check up I had her pediatrician test her for food allergies and, unfortunately, her test came back positive for eggs. We also saw a dermatologist today and he diagnosed her hives as Chronic Urticaria. Both the allergy and the Urticaria and things she will outgrow, hopefully and God willing, but for now I am doing lots of research and working on how and what to restrict from her diet to help her "itchiness". Poor little thing. She's a real trooper though and other than the chronic itching she seems to be doing okay and she hasn't had any major flare ups this week. Keep us all in your prayers!

Princess potty

Here's a pic of Megan with her much talked about princess potty. (it's all the rage in the 3 year old set!) She is doing really well with the potty training and I am really hoping she will be 100% done with diapers before preschool starts. Of course now that I just said that I probably just jinxed myself! : )

9 years

Frank and I are celebrating nine years of marriage today!

Happy day, babe! May we have many, many more!

Big girl bed!

Megan made the move to a big girl bed over the weekend. She really wasn't sure about it and it took A LOT of coaxing and many late nights before we finally got her comfortable in it but now she really likes it, and I found her some princess sheets online so what girl couldn't sleep in a bed that has princess sheets?! BTW...she is faking being asleep in the picture: )

Pics from Heritage Square

Later in the evening, on Saturday, we took the family to Heritage Square and had the best time with the kids(both big and small!!). Megan has proved to be quite the dare devil and was willing to try out just about any ride, even the big roller coaster with Aunt Traci. It was a great time and we can't wait to do it again.

Megan and Daddy on the flying bananas
Opps!

Aunt Traci, Uncle Phil, Megan, Frank, and me

Megan practicing her princess wave on the train

Megan's Birthday

Megan had her very first kid birthday party on Saturday. A very good friend brought her 2 kids over and the kids had a great time playing out in the yard, eating pizza, cake and watching Megan open her pink princess and Barbie gifts. Some of the family was there too and it was a great day. Megan has really grown up in the last few months and it was just fun to watch all 4 kids together. She is such a diva and had to have her whole Ariel ensemble to get in the sprinkler and check out the new shoes Grandma got her!!

Megan playing with her dolphin and the kids getting candy from the pinata Megan and I made

Showing off the new princess shoes