HAHA the velcro wall

I know I have not wrote in a while but we have been enjoying spring.  It is so nice to be able to get out and enjoy your kids.  I absolutely love mine and these past few days has certainly reinforced that.  In winter we are trapped inside with the cold and snow so when the warm temperatures of spring come we excitedly open the doors to the outside.

The kids are always so curious about my school.  They call it the castle.  The buildings look like castles with turrets and all.  I told them I would take them there over the weekend and they excitedly waited.

We started off with a morning soccer game.  The boys are so good.  (I can brag, I am there mom)  But it is not just me who thinks so I hear it from so many others too.



Gregory wants to be on a traveling team next year.  I think it is important he plays for his school but I also see where it is important to develop his ability.  I have not decided yet.  He has been pestering me about wanting to play football for years.  Sign ups are in 2 weeks.  And I know football is ruff.  But I am torn because he want to try it.  He is small and skinny but would be playing against people his age.  It is also just a few minutes from the house but a major time commitment.  I will soon just flip a coin.

Smiley wants to play sports, to go to school, to do anything his big brothers do.  I feel bad for him that we are always telling him you have to wait till you get bigger.  Next year I think I will be able to start him in t-ball but for now he cheers on his brothers.





Faithy would cheer and every time her brothers did something good she would run out to them.  Then I would run after her.  Gracie was there clapping away in the stroller, its a new thing and so cute.  Enough times of your happy and you know it and she got the idea of clapping.  She also hi 5's too.  Oh I can eat her up.

Afterwards we made our way to my school.  It was Spring Fling this weekend full of lots of parties and events.  And to the childrens delight...Bouncy houses!!!

They had a ball!  And pushed one at each other knocking a brother off the platform.





Those kids with painted faces scared Faith so bad.  She would see them and fall crying in fear.  Poor baby and poor kids who did not know what they did to my little girl.

Best saying of the day was MOM HELP I'M STUCK!  hahah they would run and jump on the velcro wall but get stuck.  I kept laughing I loved it.







They raced over and over through obstycal courses.







Of course head first down the big sides.  That is my dare devil.





At least she always had brothers at the bottom to catch her.

She found a farm animal that she kept calling dog.



The funny thing is her dog is 3 maybe 4 times the size of this animal I kept calling it a lamb someone else told me its a goat.  I don't know or really I was happy it did not bite her.



The kids loved it they had so much fun.  Smiley thinks when I go to school I get to go bounce and play with Dora (because I take Spanish)


fun fun fun

April Showers...

We had been experiencing nice weather here in Pennsylvania.  It was warm and sunny just beautiful.  But a cold front was moving in.  It is supposed to keep our temperatures in the 50's this weekend.  Last week it has been bouncing in the 70's and 80's.  So what happens  when a cold front meets warm air?  Thunderstorms and showers.



It all started with the rain blowing strongly in the door.  The winds were strong the rain was warm soaking the room from the door to the couch and the kids jumped in front of it having some fun.  But they wanted to go outside.  I did not want them to go outside.  They had had their *1st* baths of the night and they would get muddy.  But the kept insisting.  They started to strip!  I love Smile's mischievous face.  I had to crop the picture because by this point he was nearly naked!



I love this one as they have all linked arms.  Lets just forget the fact they were plotting.

And all the sudden they burst out the door in a mob of 5 but mostly 4, I was able to catch the little one.



They ran around in the pouring rain like nobody's business.



Laughs, Smiles, Accomplishments

They ran until they found puddles.



Then came the puddle jumping!



Rain Tasting



And realization the temperature had dropped by 20 degrees.



And as soon as they burst outside they fled indoor to warm up.  Maybe a bit of an overkill.





Then showers number 2.  Lets hope that is all tonight.

I am sorry if any of the pictures are distorted in this post or any of them.  i am trying to deal with that problem but it has been a very annoying battle.

Sister Dance

In 4 short days my princess will be 2.  Already!!! 2 She looks 2, she has had the abilities of a 2 year old for sometime now, she is an amazing big sister , a beautiful princess, my perfect companion, my mini me.

I had started this a bit ago but never edited the photos nor finished writing.  Life got busy can you imagine?  We have been moving crazy fast but that is still no reason I should not take the time to stop and record our memories.

I took these pictures of Faith and the rest of the tiny team snuck in too, back in March.  There is a lot of pictures I will warn you.  But I love looking at the and my pretty girls.



She was having a ball doing some dancing in front of the camera.  I just love it.  She is such a happy girl!.  And guess what I found a dance studio not to far away that will take her now!  She can start dance at 2!!  As soon as I figure out some schedules I am getting her in.  I can not wait, she will be So thrilled!!

From pretty ballerina to a monkey, that is Faith :)



I love EVERYTHING about her!!



Her silly self



She has a contagious laugh and smile.  She drops her head back and makes everyone happy.



She was meant for a catwalk.  I always wanted to enter her in beauty pageants but have you seen the prices for them!  I do have a friend from my high school whose daughter competes and was featured on Toddlers and Tiaras!  Yay for them.  I have not dismissed the idea  I just need to make more money.



Pink lights for her custom pink and green hearts Lilly outfit.  Another friend of mine who makes these and sells them for babies for nearly $200 a piece at select boutiques, gave one to Faith saying there is not another little girl who should have it more.  That was such a special treat.  My girls Lilly Pulitzer wardrobe easily 8x larger than mine.  Okay I am a tiny bit jealous   She got a new Lilly dress today too!  Beautiful dress!!  Bad story that accompanies it, I will tell it another time.



Why is my sister invading my photo shoot?



Okay she can be here.
After all they are the best of friends and so amazing together. And such a pretty pair.



I don't know what to say



When I start seeing those faces I know my time is limited.  Plus I am SO NOT crazy about the back drop (Muslin).  I got the whole workings for Christmas.  Stands, lights, 3 muslins, green screen screns, runner, I was over the moon.  But this one, the white one, sucks.  It is light weight and I ironed it before hand and it still looks like this!  UHG  I will be buying more soon, once I stop buying the girls more Lilly outfits.



Of course being baby though she eats the lights.



And then laughs about it, oh how much we love her too!



Oh but wait... is that a bow you are wearing to baby?  My old bow??



I think not!  MOM!!

SISTERS!! :)



The tiny team



Smiley did not want to be left out either



Gracie started to become interested in the camera



And when you have had enough, you are done.




LOVE LOVE LOVE my pretty princess

Spanish Rice

I have always been a big rice lover.  I love it as a side when I am at a Tex Mex restaurant.  All restaurants are different but for the most part I really like the rice when I order out.  However I have never been able to recreate that taste here at home.  I have tried all the box or bag versions at store trust me ALL, and none of them come close.  Ninety percent of them are horrible.  I have tried many I find floating around them web and none are right either.  This one is also not one you would find in a restaurant but it has more flavor and more texture, which makes me wonder why am I looking for the restaurant one?  

Gather you ingredients...




Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked rice
1 14-ounce can chicken broth
1 cup medium chunky salsa 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
any amount of chopped hot pepper you chose 

Keep an eye out for jalapeno thieves under the table!

Chop the vegetables. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the onions, celery, garlic and rice. Saute until the rice just begins to brown, about 8-10 minutes. 



Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat,



 cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is done.​



Aw, beautiful.  Remember you do not stir rice, fluff it with a fork.  This was a good flavorful rice that pairs well with all Mexican, Tex Mex  dishes such as chile rellenos casserole.