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.

Beauty and the Beast

Essie has been DYING to go to the movies to see "Beauty and the Beast" since she saw the poster awhile back when we went to see Chipwrecked.  The commercials all over TV have been adding to the excitement daily. Finally today was the day. This was our first 3D movie..she wasn't sure about the glasses at first but did better towards the end.  She danced in the row for the most part! Her favorite was the Tangled short at the beginning...it was so cute I wish they had made it full length! I'd love a Tangled 2!

Our lil' Gymnast!

We went ahead and signed up for gymnastics...Essie loved it and has begged everyday to go back.  She was a TOTAL TURKEY the first class...running around like crazy, throwing fits, screaming, not listening.  We were very unsure about going back but after several SERIOUS talks about her behavior Essie assured us she would "listen to mommy and daddy".  She woke up this morning and said "'nastics today? Essie no run away. No scream. Sit on dot. Listen mommy/daddy".  So we gave it a second chance and she did AMAZING...200x better than last time. She sat on her dot perfectly, listened to the teacher, tried new things, and only threw a fit when it was time to leave. 

She did a backflip, several forward rolls, and walked across the balance beam all on her own! We were just bursting with pride.  She even went to the front of the class to do her forward roll...she got a little stuck and needed a little help getting over though. :) 

Two and a HALF!

Essie you are TWO and a HALF??? Are you kidding me. It's not possible.  We are loving you at this age. You are such a big girl and can hold conversations with us. You make us laugh constantly at your matter of fact ways and your literal-ness that you get from your Uncle Ryan. 

You are still Disney Princess obsessed. Majorly. You are already planning your Tangled birthday party.

When we tell you about something we are going to do you say "Oh I EXCITED!!!". This is my favorite right now.

You love our new house and want to invite everyone you know over to play in your new yellow room.

You are doing pretty good on potty training...you go all day at school without accidents but it's a different story at home.

You love school but never want to go. Every day you say "No school, okay?" but then you are fine once you get there. You love your teachers and tell us you have "best friends". This makes my heart smile.

You started gymnastics and L.O.V.E. it!

You say "I lover" for "I love you".

You still say "I wanna hold you" when you want us to pick you up. I hope this doesn't change anytime soon.

You give a variety of different kisses...princess kisses, tinkerbell kisses, toodles kisses. They are all the best.

You ask to go to Branson alot...I guess you had fun when we went at Christmas.

You spell your name "E.S.E". but you tell everyone you are "Essie Care House". You know your mommy and daddy's real names and love to yell "Travis  House" at your daddy to get his attention.

You are TERRIFIED of anyone in costume.

We cannot believe you will be 3 in 6 months! It's pure craziness how fast you are growing and changing.  We love you more than anything...more and more each day!