Our Week

Anna-Kate's spring break has been this week, so we've been having lots of fun at home! 

Friday afternoon, we kicked things off by playing outside! Anna-Kate keeps calling tic-tac-toe "hopscotch", so I had to show her what hopscotch actually was. She and Thomas had lots of fun with that.

Derek had to work on Saturday, so I took Anna-Kate and Thomas with me to Sams. Thomas was a little grumpy, but other than that we had a really great little trip! (For those of you that don't know, we live in a small town so we have to drive about 35-40 minutes to get to Sams!) At the check out, "someone" dropped the yogurt on the floor! Sadly, I can't blame that on anyone... it was me! I felt so bad! I can be pretty clumsy! 

We also decided that Saturday was going to be Anna-Kate's first day blankie free! I want to go into more detail on that later, but I will say that the first few days were ROUGH! :) Poor girl! 

I might have gotten a weird look for taking a picture of this, but when you have two little ones and something gets dropped and it's NOT one of them, it's a pretty big deal! ;)

I spent Monday morning cleaning and getting things done around the house, but at lunch my ear was throbbing. I wound up spending a most of the day resting, trying not to make any noise so that my ear would quit hurting. I did have time to make some yummy spaghetti sauce (simmered all day). I love making meals when I can save some of it for another time! In this case, I have enough extra sauce for lasagna and another batch of spaghetti! I whipped up some cheesy garlic biscuits (Red Lobster copy-cat recipe) to go with our meal. It was great. As I was cleaning up I realized I was late to a big consignment pre-sale! I rushed over there and was shocked to see how busy it was!! I was late and there was still a huge line just to get in. Oh and the parking was crazy! The lines were crazy, so I just piddled around and took my time looking. I think some people were in line for at least an hour and a half! Crazy! I found a few really great pieces. Including a blue oxford shirt for Thomas that matches one of Derek's (Derek just LOVES matching outfits...ha ha). 

Tuesday, I tried out making some smoothies for the first time! I feel kind of embarassed about that but I just don't like the "grit" from the berries... and I can't stand chunks of fruit. I felt like it was important to stick it out so that the kids can have a healthy snack to enjoy. I think they thought it was kind of different, but I know they'll adjust to them. Thomas liked it the best. Anna-Kate's comment was "It's kind of getting on my nerves" talking about the texture from the berries. :)

Wednesday was another first for us, we went to the library for Story time!! A friend of mine mentioned that they went, so we met them at a nearby park and then went to hear the story! I loved it so much and Anna-Kate has asked about it every day. I think we will be back soon!

Story time was just what we needed to take our mind off the fact that Derek was gone to Saint Louis for business! I can't stand when he's away, but this trip is a little easier because we are meeting him in Saint Louis for a little vacation! (very little, but fun!)

The signature pose these days... 

It rained all day today, so I knew this morning was my only chance to run to the store. Do you ever feel like you're always out of something? Story of my life... haha. 

We just needed a few things, so we ventured down the Easter aisle! I love spring things! :) 

I still had a lot to do before we leave town, so I was pretty much in a cleaning/ cooking frenzy all day! Anna-Kate skipped her name so that she could help me make brownies and snicker doodle bread (thank you pinterest!!). She enjoyed it but right before dinner Thomas came in the kitchen saying something about her and when I checked on her she had fallen asleep! 

She was sitting up in the chair, but Thomas couldn't stand her being asleep so he tried everything to wake her up. Yelling "KATE KATE", hitting her leg... you name it. Eventually he settled for a good old gut punch, which was just enough to get a grumble out of her and a shift in position! ha poor girl! 

Notice, she's sleeping without any blanket! :) We have had the best blankie-free day today!

We had yummy chicken and dumplings for dinner and tried out the snicker doodle bread- yummy!! 

I've got every thing packed except what we need in the morning! We are leaving and picking up Derek's parents and brother and sister and then hitting the road! We are just staying one night, but I know we're going to have a blast! Anna-Kate is so excited about the Zoo on Saturday! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  

A New Perspective

Since May, I have had an ear infection about every 6 weeks. It has been driving me nuts, especially since it takes me about two weeks or more to get my hearing back! 

I get pretty down when my ears get infected because I have the hardest time hearing anyone. Thomas still does a lot of babbling, so when I can't hear I feel bad because I can't understand what he's saying. I know it's usually temporary but I always worry that it could be permanent. 

Tuesday I went to an ENT here in town. I had my hearing assessed and it was really bad! I did not realize it was that bad, especially because I thought one of my ears had "opened up" and it was not much better than the other. 

After looking at my ears more, he decided to put tubes in. I feel so silly being an adult and getting tubes! Right away I was able to hear so much better. It sounds differently, like I've got my hands cupped over my ears. As I was leaving it was almost overwhelming hearing things I've not heard in so long! 

Everyone finally sounds pretty normal, but I still sound strange when I talk. I just can't get over how much I can hear! Actually, I almost prefer silence because my ears throb when it's too loud. I have a whole new perspective! I can hear the cars when they drive by, I can hear my foot steps, and I've caught Thomas trying to be sneaky! 

I'm still a little sore from the tubes, but that should go away soon. Hopefully the tubes work and help keep the fluid out of my ears! 

 Derek has been really sweet to help out extra this week, since I've been pretty tired! He really is a great catch! :)

That's pretty much been our week! I got home around 2 on Saturday and I didn't leave the house until this morning. (Except going to the ENT on Tuesday) It's actually been really nice to slow down this week!

And just because I can't make a post without pictures here are a few favorites from this week: 

This was actually from last Friday... Anna-Kate and Granddaddy at the Father's and Grandfather's breakfast hosted by her class!

Our craft at Carpenter's Kids this week! I thought they turned out so cute! 

Tuesday, Thomas thought that his legs would make a better coloring book. He was SO proud too! 

Me and Thomas this morning! You can tell I'm still not feeling my best... haha but he's cute! :) 

Starting Over

I have really been struggling with the blog lately. 

I've been trying to decide what has got me so thrown off lately.

I'm missing everything blogging related and I definitely feel like I'm missing out on great opportunities to write down some of these wonderful memories that we are making.

I am working on a little facelift for the blog, to see if that doesn't help to kick me in gear.

I'd also really appreciate some feedback from you about what you liked or even didn't like about the blog. It is not comfortable for me to ask that question, but I'd really like to know, so please share!

In the mean time, I hope you enjoy the new look!! Chevron has been my absolute favorite pattern lately!