Tour de FourYearOlds

This past weekend we had a bike race in our town.  They had quite a few different divisions for adults to compete but they also had a children's race (50 yard dash). Skylar was so excited about it that she even told Brian the night before "I better go to bed early so I can have lots of energy for my race tomorrow."

The weather was perfect and the girls had fun watching the racers go past.  They were SO FAST!

Skylar preparing for her big race 

(notice her baby doll in the basket)

In the race!

Daddy and Skylar after the race

With her Gold Medal!

Eat your heart out Lance Armstrong!! 

iheartfaces bundled up!

This photo challenge this week at iheartfaces is "bundled up."  It just so happens I got some great shots when we went to the snow in January.  I heart all 3 of my bundled little blessings, but this face just cracked me up! It was her first time ever touching the snow and she LOVED it!! Until she got wet....and cold...and kept falling over.  Then she was done.

Head on over to iheartfaces and see everyone else "bundled up."

WHAT?

I just realized we are coming up to post number 100 AND my one year blogiversary! I think a giveaway is in order! What do you say?
Stay tuned....

She is two today...

She is two today.... 

But not so long ago...she was teeny tiny. She was my only induction and scariest delivery (maybe someday I'll share all of my birth stories). Born at 6 pounds, 3 ounces. 

She is my third daughter (and was called "Sweet Pea" by her sisters for the longest time!)...

She completed our family

She was dedicated at our house when she was six weeks old by Uncle Jim

She was born with the least amount of hair *(and the only one born blonde)

She is the only one that didn't take a binky (pacifier) and sucked her thumb until she was five months old

She has always been my smiley baby!

She could not be contained and actually climbed before she could walk

And she walked the earliest of all three (the day before she turned 10 months old)

Recently she has decided she doesn't like her diaper on...

(yes, she's asleep without her diaper on...in her chair)

She makes me laugh with her cheese grin

She loves to color!

She has the most beautiful eyes and eyelashes

and a curl that flips out on her left side...

She is two today.

And the best surprise God has ever blessed us with

Baby girl, you may be the most curious of all three of our kids, but you bring us so much joy! 

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet love!

Change of plans

It seems we have been thrown a curveball this week.  This morning Skylar woke up and her nagging post nasal drip cough was sounding worse.  After each cough she started gasping for air so we rushed her down to our pediatrician (who is still an hour away because we love him so much and don't want to switch).  She had also complained of her ear hurting.  Turns out my suspicion that it was something more serious than a cough was right.  She has an ear infection and pneumonia.  She has reactive airway disorder so it seems whenever she gets the same upper respiratory viruses as everyone else, they turn into something more.  She is on some pretty strong antibiotics so we're trusting she will feel better in the next day or so. It took three pharmacies to find it so either it's in high demand right now or it's not a usual "stocked" item.  Either way, I am grateful that we eventually did find it.  Now I'm in search of their chewable probiotics they are used to taking.  Our store stopped carrying them and we ran out about two weeks ago (coincidence?? I'm not so sure).

Bailey is 2 today and I'm hoping to get a birthday post together, but we'll see.  She started coughing this morning so we are hoping it resolves without any help.

I had intentions of posting five recipes for budget friendly meals this week, but it looks like I need to spend some time getting my family on the mend.

Sorry about the change of plans (but I'm sure you understand).

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.
Or in our case, when life hands you pneumonia, you make forts.

What you've been waiting for!

Still waiting for one "non-paying" customer to pay so I can ship my LAST ebay package (until I list more).

Tomorrow we are celebrating Bailey and Skylar's birthdays at one of those blow up jumpy places.  They are so excited! I'm sure I'll have tons of pictures to share after the festivities are over.

I've been watching another little girl all week which has been fun but I am ready to get back to our routine.  I thrive on it as much as my girls do!!

I promised you something "new" on our blog.  Well, wait no more!!

It's no secret I love to eat.  My children have inherited this lovely trait.  Lately though, I also love to cook.  It used to be such a chore.  I'm still not a huge fan of grocery shopping, but I do it with a cheerful heart (most weeks) because I know I'm providing good choices for my family.

A few years ago, miss Reagan had an allergic reaction to pesticide on cherries.  That's when we started buying organic produce.  It's not the cheapest option, but obviously the healthiest.  Making the decision to buy organic is a personal one and we have to leave room in our tight budget for it.  Is everything organic? No.  But if there's an organic option, chances are, I'm buyin it!  Don't get me wrong...we still have junk food at our house.  We're not total granolas.  Our kids eat donuts and sugar cereal and hot dogs (ew, not at the same time).  But after researching more about food, one tradition I have tried to stick with is healthy, hearty, balanced, yummy dinners.  At the table.  Without the television on.

I don't need to drone on and on about the research that has been done to prove that "time at the dinner table results in fewer risk behaviors for children" do I?? It seems like common sense to me.  Even Stauffers is riding that wave as far as it will go.  But we don't eat Stauffers.  Not that there's anything wrong with it.  And if stauffers is what brings your kids to the table, shove it in the oven.  But I think there's a better alternative.  

I researched a few of those websites that provide recipes and meal planning for the week.  Their average cost for my family for 7 dinners was $90.  That's more than ten dollars a night, and unfortunately out of our budget for just dinners.  I have a feeling I'm not alone in my desire to cook healthy, hearty meals for our entire family for UNDER TEN DOLLARS a night.  Sure, it's easy to make mac n' cheese and hot dogs.  They are cheap, but they certainly don't fuel our bodies to their utmost.  Don't get me wrong.  We have our fair share of easy (not-so-healthy) dinners (usually on the weekends).  It's more effort to cook a balanced meal but so worth it.  And since I'm doing the work for our family, I thought I would pass along my recipes and cost info to anyone else that wanted to join me.  I'm not Julie of Julie and Julia so I'm not committing to a year or anything obsurd like that.  But Monday through Friday of next week, I am going to share our recipes for the day as well as what it should cost on average.  If enough folks play along, I might just keep doing it.  And then maybe someone will make a movie about me.  Or not. :)

I hope you'll join me!

Fix it Friday Foto

I don't play along every week, but this little face was just too sweet not to edit.
Here's the original:

I zoomed in on his little face, fixed a few blemishes and then did an antique wash.  

(I know...hopelessly addicted to the vintage look).

Here's my edit:

Head on over to iheartfaces to see the amazing edits of other photographers!