Princesses! {aka - the one where we hope we didn't scar B-man for life}

Two weekends ago we took the kids to see "Disney Princesses on Ice".  Tim gets awesome ticket deals through work, so just before the holidays he purchased tickets for us to take B&K to their first "live show".  The seats were awesome -- three rows up from the ice - and B&K really enjoyed it (esp. since they've never seen a single one of these movies -- they're more into Pixar movies).  Oh and they've been sleeping with their new Disney friends ever since. 

My mom will appreciate this one -- "The Little Mermaid" was one of my favorite movies!



Kendyll and her new "Gus" from "Cinderella" (she picked him out - she's never even seen the movie!)


Bennett and his new Mikey Mouse {funny side note - now every time Bennett goes to bed for nap or at night he recounts his day for Mickey.  And has very long, very serious conversations with him.  I'm also required to tuck Mickey in.  And I'm pretty sure B-dude shares his other major love -Blankie - with Mickey, too.}



The Genie dude from "Aladdin" sat down right in front of us!

Deja vu, all over again

You may recall that a couple of years ago we became "refugees" thanks to Hurricane Ike.  Yeah, well, it happened again this week.  I've been working on a couple of update posts (I have! I promise!) and then we were lucky enough to land the "Winter Storm Event" of the year.  Lots of ice.  Lots of freezing rain.  Lots of lost power {I love my old house.  I love the character of the old neighborhood.  I DO NOT love overhead power lines and tall, tall mature trees that fall on them!}.

So yeah, you can see where this is heading.  Tim is in Turkey again (if you are keeping track, this is his 3rd week there, he'll be there through next Thursday coming home in time for B&K's birthday.  And unfortunately he was only home a week this last time, but it was so he could be home for the big birthday weekend, which is cool.  It just sucks for us all right now).  On Sunday I noticed some HUGE icicles on the side of the house where we had the issues last year.  Papa came over to try to knock them down.  On Monday he came over again with his super tall ladder to try to put some salt bags on the roof before said "Ice Storm of the Century" arrived (and yes, I was totally all about calling the weather peeps bluff on this storm they were building up.  Ha ha, joke is on me!).  B&K had a fun time watching him from the kitchen window. 



The storm hit overnight on Monday and we woke to a plethora of ice covering everything.  We survived wave one of the storm and I stayed home off the roads.  B&K&I went around snapping some pictures of the ice.









Then things took a turn for the yuck Tuesday night as Wave Two rolled in.  Our power started to flicker and just as I got everyone tucked into bed the power went out.  A quick text to Nana & Papa landed us a chauffeured ride (thanks Papa!) to their house for the night.  We left Tabasco behind with lots & lots of blankets.  Wednesday morning I rode with Papa as he headed into work back to my house and we broke into the garage (it is detached) so I could bring the dog to their house (by this point our thermostat read 60 degrees).  Mid afternoon I went back to pack up more items for us and the thermostat was at 55.  I made yet another trip to the house after watching the news and seeing the temps were going to drop to single digits to turn the water on so the pipes wouldn't freeze . . . Nana helped me unload the freezers & fridge and the thermostat was 52.  Yikes!!

I was totally prepared for a long visit to Tim's parents house (much like the last time!), but a call from our neighbor has me on a high -- the power came back on early this evening!!!  We're still staying the night at N&P's as the thought of sleeping in a 50 degree house doesn't sound so appealing, but I'm hopeful this is the last of this winter power outage nonsense.  Esp. since they are talking about more winter crap coming our way this weekend.  Ugh. 

So yeah . . . proper update coming very soon.  But that's what we've been up to *very* recently. 

An update

Kendyll is feeling better.  Bennett now has the cough.  And I've caught a hybrid of whatever this is.  Potty training is still going well.  Very few accident and overall I'm calling it a success.  By no means the "3 day" version and this takes a LOT of patience, but I'm happy to be on this side of it now.  Tim is in flight as I type and the kids are excited to have him home for the next week.  We have an excited weekend of Costco shopping and seeing "Disney Princesses on Ice" (poor Bennett), so it should be fun. 

Here are just a couple of pictures from the past week.  Hopefully I'll have a more exciting (and witty) post up next time.  You know, when I'm not all doped up on Advil Cold & Sinus. 

Bennett hard at work on his "iPad"




Kendyll cooking up some Legos (and flying on her stove).




This was taken with my phone and the lighting sucked, so I'm sorry for the poor quality.  But I couldn't resist.  While I was refilling humidifiers last night I found B&K like this in Kendyll's bed.  Note that she is reading his train book and he is reading her Tinkerbell book.  There's nothing wrong with that, right?




And because it has been a while since I've featured our demon dog, this is how I found Tabasco the other night when I went looking for him after I tucked B&K into bed. 

Successes, {Failures} & Sickness

Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for all of the comments & emails on my last post.  I can't believe you all care so much about us to check in here, but we love you, too.  And THANKS!

This week has been sort of a cluster.  Tim flew out again for his {what has become} normal 2 week stint in Turkey on Monday.  In anticipation of this - and due to the fact we didn't have anything planned - we picked last weekend to start "hard-core potty training".  Ashley felt B&K were ready and we figured no time like the present.  So I spent some time last week stocking up on all of the supplies and when B&K woke up Saturday morning we threw away all of the diapers.  For good.  I think in the first two days B&K went through at least 20 pairs of undies.  And we've had to find LOTS of activities to do around the house.  But once wonder-woman Ashley came back on Monday the wheels started to click with B&K.  We've still had a few accidents (maybe one a day), but for the most part they are getting it now.  We kept them home from school on Tuesday so they could continue to focus on it, so the real test will be on Friday when they go back. 

Yesterday we had a bit of excitement, too.  Kendyll woke up around 9:30 p screaming, gasping for air with a barking cough.  Long story short, a quick steam shower, a call to Nana & Papa to come over and a quick (literally) trip to the ER later she was diagnosed with croup.  It came out of no where!  Sadly, neither she nor I got any sleep last night and she was still in pretty bad shape today so I took her to the pedi.  We weren't given any meds last night, so our pedi gave her some steroids to hopefully break up this cough.  I just put her to bed for the 2nd time, so I'm hopeful she gets some rest.  She hasn't slept in 24 hours and she REALLY needs it.  But I'm heading to bed here soon, just in case we have a repeat of last night.

And since I can't have 2 posts without pictures (or end on a down note), here is one from our "weekend in" . . . Tim helped the kids make vanilla with chocolate chip cupcakes with buttercream icing & sprinkles.  Lets just say mama is happy to have them in the house tonight -- even if I can only have one on my diet.  ;-)

Three {and 382}

Three years ago today I started this blog.  Crazy to think I've kept it up this long!  I know my family still reads about B&K.  And a few friends stalk the blog, too {you know who you are!)} . . . but I'm curious . . . who else is out there?  I'm guilty of rarely commenting on blogs - mainly because I read them through reader.  But just for today -- for my blogiversary -- could you pretty please let me know who is still reading?  Many thanks! 

How we spent our Xmas Vacation

Tim & I both took off the week between Christmas & New Years (I was actually off the 24th - 1/4.  It was fabulous).  Ashley was also taking some well deserved time off that week, so we were able to spend lots of time together as a family.  We hosted get togethers and caught up with old friends we haven't seen in a while.  B&K played with all of their new toys.  We explored new places.  And B&K went to spend a few days with Grandma & Grandpa (and they had a blast!) while we hosted a big New Years party at our place and cheered the Notre Dame Irish to their great bowl game win.

Bennett jamming out with his new "iPad"




Kendyll giving me her "Seriously, MA" face. 


We took the kids to COSI to see Clifford and play in the toddler area one day.  We ended up getting a membership and it may just be my new favorite place to go with the kids.  So much fun!

Well, hello there! {aka Holiday recap}

Yes, I know it has been a while.  If I were a better blogger I'd have all of these fun "year in review" posts going, but I'm just not feeling it this year.  So here is the short recap of our holiday.

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!!!!!!!

{I figured I should start with the important stuff}

Tim pulled off the best & biggest surprise.  The lease on the bitchen Pacifica was up in Jan. and we had started to look at other vehicles in-between Tim's various fall trips, but we hadn't really made a decision.  Long story short, he saved me the hassle of sitting in a cruddy car dealership while he haggled negotiated the best rate on a car.  My favorite car of our search was the Volvo.  Tim managed to not only purchase the vehicle and get it to his parents house (away from me), but he also found a giant bow and made the experience just like a cheesy commercial.  It was fabulous.  And I had no.fricken.clue.  It was a fantastic way to start off the Christmas holiday {if I do say so myself}.




We celebrated the holiday with our usual traditions.  Christmas Eve dinner at Nana & Papa's.  The kids opened presents from Aunt Elaine & Uncle Brian (thanks for the book "briefcases" -- they LOVE them!) and "Aunt" Leslie joined us for the evening in person (the kids LOVE the pillow pets, too.  Sleep with them every night!).   Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Mark came to town to stay the weekend with us, too, and it was so nice to have everyone there. 

As we did last year, we hosted Christmas Day at our house.  The next morning we took to opening the remaining loot (seems only fair that others open presents since I had already received mine!).  B&K were spoiled as expected.

Bit hits include their new digital cameras (and stay tuned for a post about what they've captured . . . sure to be lots of feet & butt shots!). 




Kendyll loves her doll house and the "teeny tiny baby" that came with it.


Bennett loves his race track and plays with it almost non-stop (and notice the "Charlie Brownie" theme?  Yeah, I go a little nuts, but he loves it now, too!).


Nana & Papa spoiled B&K with the PBK retro red kitchen.  I think I may love it more than they do (if that is even possible).  Can you find B&K amongst all of the playroom mess?




Oh there they are!  Reading from the new book readers Grandma & Grandpa gave them!! {and notice Kendyll is multi-tasking with her new "iPad" (aka FP iXL thingie). 


We're so fortunate to have such a loving, generous family.  And it was a super fun time, as always.