babes in toyland

So many stories about this day, I don't even know where to start!

At this point, Halle had been sick for days and NO ONE in our house was sleeping.  Addi came down with an ear infection as well and had started breathing treatments too.  A few time I thought my little nebulizer was going to overheat from so many back to back to back to back treatments!

The Neely's came down and stayed Friday night with us.  It was so great to see them and refreshing to see Addi and Harper play together all night and all day!  They were hysterical!

Saturday morning rolled around and we made it to the program.  Barely.  It had been a really long night, but we made it.

Here's my sweet little babe from toyland.  Isn't she so sweet?  I can tell in her eyes that she doesn't feel well.  She was a trooper and did great.  Even gave us a few smiles on stage!

Halle got to sit in Ms. Katelyn's lap with EJ.  They were the bell ringers for Jingle Bells.  At least I think that was the song.  I honestly wasn't even paying attention to the music.  Can you tell I was sleep deprived??

Olivia was the most Fantastic Four on stage!  They sang Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Go Tell it on the Mountain.  She was awesome!!

She wasn't a ham at all.  Not Olivia.

Mr. William

Next up?

The Princesses and Super Heros of the Busy Threes!  We got the note about their outfits the Tuesday before the program but we already had a darling red dress for Addi to wear.  She was excited about her "program dress" and I really wanted her to wear it so she settled for being the Snowflake Princess from the Nutcracker!  I made hear a snowflake headband and magic wand with jingle bells on the end.  It worked and she looks super cute!  She loved it and was really excited about her outfit.  My heart was happy...very happy.

After they sang "Toyland" the Fours came back out to join them in singing them in Feliz Navidad.

We want to wish YOU a merry Christmas!

Addi's most favorite Fantastic Four was sitting behind her and they might have gotten into a tickle match part way through the song.

Their Spanish teacher, Sara, was leaving the school and the kids all made signs that said Adios (and other Spanish sayings) on them.  So cute!

There's Olivia!  I had to move so I could see both of them!

Awesome headband Addi!  You look just like a Snowflake Princess! 

(I'm sure that's what Olivia was saying)

Time for sister pictures!  

Halle could not figure out what her tutu was all about!

This is the only picture I got of Harper.  She is precious and darling and we all love her so much!! We can't wait for her little brother to be born in May!!

Cookie bribery works every time!

E and H are a month apart in age and they had fun playing with each other.

Such a fun program!  Thanks to the teachers who worked so hard on making it a success!!

tubes

Two ear infections in, Dr. Stacy referred us to our ENT to get tubes in Halle's ears.  With our history (and luck) it was destined to happen so we decided the sooner the better!

I know I've said it before and this isn't the last time I'll say it I'm sure, but this is seriously the happiest baby ever ever ever!  She smiled the entire morning, even though she didn't get her bottle.  Here we are in the waiting room.  See? Insanely happy, I tell ya!

The surgery was great and we were home by 8:00am.  The anesthesia made Addi grouchy and a little feisty.  It just made Halle sleepy.  As in she slept for almost 4 hours!

So while Halle slept off her drugs, I worked on making the costumes for the the little boys in her class.  Their school program was the following weekend and the theme was Babes in Toyland.  The boys were wearing black pants and little hats and were soldiers.  Pretty cute, huh? 

We had a nice, relaxing day drinking coffee and bottles. 

Happy as can be! 

Perfect recovery!

The next day though?  

BAM!

Welcome RSV and Bronchiolitis.  

It started December 6th, she has been super sick.  I'm talking not taking ANY bottles or food, coughing her little head off, fever, and taking breathing treatments around the clock.  Dr. Stacy says it can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks and since it's viral, there really isn't much to give them to help.  It breaks my heart.  Literally.

Ugh.

pins & ziti

Saw this one on pinterest and had to share...how genious!?!?

 

Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 jar (28 oz) pasta sauce

1 ½ c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Ricotta cheese

5 c. cooked ziti

¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Brown meat and drain.  Add pasta sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese.  Combine with pasta and spoon into 1-quart shallow baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot.

This is really yummy and easy!  I also use my Chef Paul's Pizza & Pasta Magic seasoning!

y'all

Once upon a time, Liz found a really cute shirt on Pinterest that she just had to have.  I've been wanting to try freezer paper stenciling for a long time now, so why not, right?

Inspiration (or should I say Pinspiration?)

Design your template on the computer (or by free-hand if you're talented like that)

Trace it onto the freezer paper, drawing on the paper side (not the slick side).  Next cut out the design with a razor or box knife.  If any of the design has an inside (like the triangle inside the A be sure to cut it out also).

Next iron the stencil in place on the shirt.  Be sure to iron on any of the letter insides (like the triangle in the A). Then use fabric paint to fill in the stencil. 

Take the stencil off when the paint is still wet. 

That's it.  It really is that easy.

The end.

same-same

This night was our first ever matching jammie night!  I was pretty excited, but Addi was PUMPED!  Instead of calling it being twins or twinkies, Addi likes to call it being same-same.

See Halle, you have an owl and so do I!!

 

Halle, if you want to really be a hootie, you have to make hootie eyes like this. 

See??? 

Here give me your hand and I'll show you! 

Do your fingers like this Hal. 

Even though Halle never mastered making Hootie eyes, Addi still loved being same-same with Halle, especially in owl jammies!!