Dancing and Dr. Seuss

My school signed up to participate in a fundraiser for our local Excel program. It was a Dancing with the Stars/Conway's Got Talent type of thing. We did a flashmob type of dance and I think it was adorable! We won 2nd place Audience pick! My parents & niece, and YaYa came to watch it!

This week at school we had a Dr. Seuss theme...I "cooked" everyday with my kids and we had a character dress up day Friday. I went as "Lilly" from "Lilly's purple plastic purse". 

Essie also had a Dr. Seuss birthday party Friday and she wore a green eggs and ham outfit I made...I think it turned out super duper cute!

Weekend in Hot Springs

(I typed this up a few weeks ago and forgot to publish!!! ooops!~)

This past Friday morning Essie woke up with fever so her daddy took off work and took her to the doctor. She got two xrays (of her chest & her sinuses) and was diagnosed with a sinus infection.

Once I got home she was acting fine and her fever was gone so we headed on to Hot Springs to meet Trav's family for a weekend getaway in a cabin.  Our first thing to do was make pizzas for dinner...

Essie's fever came back that night and continued to spike up and down the whole weekend. If her fever was up she wanted NOTHING to do with anyone but me but if it was down she acted totally normal. 

Saturday morning it was a cool, drizzly day but we decided to go on an eagle tour boat ride across Lake Ouachita anyway.  Essie wasn't sure of the life vest but ended up dealing with it.  We saw 4 bald eagled and she was super excited about it..  We kept her bundled up (she had on one shrit, two jackets, her life vest, and a blanket) and she ended up falling asleep on my chest on the way back. 

That day we took a 3 hour nap and just enjoyed a relaxing evening.  The older kids entertained themselves by sliding up and down the bannister...Essie was jealous and just had to try it once. Travis' dad grilled burgers and we roasted marshamallows...

We had a really good time just being together and relaxing!

Valentine's Day 2012

We had a very nice Valentine's day...

A few days before, Essie addressed her Valentines for her classmates and we baked cookies to attach them too!

 Then on Valentines day she had a party at school (daddy got to go but mommy didn't since my classroom party was at the same time.) 

Once I got home, we let Essie open her valentine cards and she was so excited that her friends at school gave her cards. She kept gasping and saying "Lucas gave it to me!!!". 

She also got to open her Valentine surprise from us...

She had a little suprise for me as well...

Then we all went out to a nice, romantic dinner at Chick Fil A.  Our Chick Fil A does a full service dinner on Valentine's night...we made reservations and printed tickets for it.  They had black table cloths, flowers, candles, and we had waitresses to served us at our table.  We also got free dessert and goodies. It was so much fun and I love that we could do something Essie would love as much as us.

a very birthday-rific weekend...

Essie is obsessed with birthdays right now.  She is constantly talking about her "Rapunzel birthday" and says "Essie's birfday in JUUUUULY???".  She knows daddy's birthday is in "Octobuuur" and mommy's is in "Februaaarrry". 

Actually my birthday was last Friday...the big 31.  I had a phenominal special day. My friend/co teacher made me some mint-chocolate cupcakes that were DELISH and it was her first time to bake! Travis brought me up some McAlister's sweet tea and flowers at lunch too!  That evening my family and Trav's family all came down and we went to eat at a bbq joint and came back to our house for Snicker's cake (my favorite).

Saturday Essie's new bff  Lexie from "nastics" had her birthday party. It was an adorable Toy Story themed party and all the decorations were just too cute. I teach with Lexie's momma and she made the cutest cupcake toppers and banner with her Cricut!  Essie had a blast getting to do "nastics" an extra day.  Her Aunt YaYa came down to watch and then took Essie for the afternoon so Travis and I could do some consignment shopping!

sickness & the superbowl....

I have been SICK recently...like sick enough to miss and entire week of work...like down and out for 8 whole days sick...two doctor's visits sick. I hate being sick and I feel like I missed a whole week of my life! But I'm better now and glad to be going back to work tomorrow! 

Just a quick update on my 2012 goals so far. I've lost 20 pounds since January 1st! Whoohooo! I am beginning to see the loss on myself and some of my pants are really loose.  The Biggest Loser competition is going well at work and we've lost a ton of weight as a group. I am nowhere near the lead but we still have over a month to go! The No Spend days aren't going that well but that's basically due to my hubbie eating lunch out everyday.  Once I convince him to bring his lunch we should start to rack those up too! Oh and one day at work a few weeks ago a mobile detail crew came around and I got my car detailed so it is absolutely spotless right now! I think we are doing well on my goals so far!

Tonight we had a small Superbowl gathering. Our friends Brittany and Tyler came over and we ate some rediculously unhealthy food and had a great time!  Essie loved sneaking spoonfuls of icing and practicing her "nastics" on her balance beam that she made out of foam puzzle pieces!

ch...ch...changes

We've been enjoying walks in the evening...one night it was reallly cold so Essie was bundled up nice and tight.

We've also had one major change in our house in that Essie has been sleeping in her bedroom for the first time in over a year. She was ready and we were MORE than ready. I have to sit by her and hold her hand to get her to fall asleep. It took 2 hours the first night and has gotten less since. 

This week at school they had a "teddy bear tea party" and she brought her Tangled Monkey...these were the pics they took and put on her facebook page. I thought she looked adorable.

Saturday morning we took her to YaYa so she could spend the night. They had a blast together.

While E was gone we worked our booties off on the house. We have the house completely cleaned, organized, etc except our spare bedroom which is about halfway done. We do still have a garage full of junk to go through but things are finally coming together. We've bought new furniture, completed projects, etc.

Saturday night we went on a double date with my friend/co-worker Brittany and her new boyfriend Tyler.  We ate at my favorite Juanitas...it was a fabulous diet-cheat night. Afterwards we went to a burlesque show that a guy Travis works with manages. It was definitly a different experience...a fun night however.