An update (because you know you care)

Friday I started scouring the internet for my purse.  I checked the Fossil site, eBay, amazon, Macy's and just about every other place that I could think of that sells purses.  No luck.  At one point Sophie came up to me and said, "Mom, are you finished crying over your purse?  I want to finger paint." Oops. So I put it in the back of my mind and went and played with her for awhile.  Then husband called from work and asked how my day was going and I whined told him about it. He told me if I found one to call him so I went back to searching and lo and behold found one online at Dillards.  I called the Dillards at the mall and after being on hold forever the sales associate came back on the line and told me they had one purse left.  I called husband back and he actually left work to run to the mall and buy it for me.  I think I am going to bookmark this post so I can go back and read it the next time I stumble over the clothes he tossed in the floor or when he leaves the bathroom a mess.  Oh, and while I'm updating on my shopping posts I'll tell you what I decided on for Sophie's room.  I ordered the 10 x 10 canvas of this print for her room.

 

 She has a small shelf on her wall next to her closet that I think I'm going to put it on.  I think it is going to be so cute! 

Thank you Williams-Sonoma!

About a year or so ago I purchased this cookbook:

 I'll be completely honest and admit that the reason I bought it was because it was pretty and I thought it would look nice on the cookbook stand in my kitchen.  I'm pathetic I know. I usually just stick with baking things that come out of a box so I knew when I bought it that it would probably just gather dust.  And it did until a few days ago.  I don't know what got into me, but I thought I would actually take a look at it.  Some of the recipes were a bit pretentious to say the least, but then I ran across the one for buttery apple cake.  Just the name made my mouth water so I knew I had to make it.  It looked fairly easy and oddly enough I actually had the ingredients on hand.  So last night I baked it.  Oh my heck, that thing was awesome!  I was going to take a picture, but literally the minute I took it out of the pan to cool off husband sliced a big piece off and started eating it.  He's normally not a sweet eater at all, but even he loved it.  Anyway, I thought I would share the recipe in case any of you need to pack on some pounds before swimsuit season:
Buttery Apple Cake ~
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into slices 1/4 inch thick
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp lemon zest
icing sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour a 9 inch round cake pan with 2 inch
In a large frying pan over low heat, melt the butter. pour 6 tablespoons of it into a small bowl and set aside. Add the apples to the frying pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and egg yolk until blended. Add the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter, vanilla, granulated sugar, and the lemon zest. Stir in the flour mixture. Gently fold in the apples. Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake until the cake is brown - 30 - 35 minutes. Transfer to a wore rack and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan onto the rack and allow to cool completely.
Just prior to serving dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Cry with me

Yesterday I received an email from Belk with a coupon code and free shipping.  Naturally the first thing I did was check out the purses.  I am a purse fanatic.  I usually try to be good and buy one, maybe two nice purses a year.  This year I've already bought two Michael Kors and one Cole Haan so I've kind of messed up the whole 'being good' thing.  Anyway I'm searching through the handbag section when I run across this purse by Fossil:

I am only slightly embarassed to say that I might have gasped when I saw it.  See, for some reason I have this thing about birds.  The girls all have birds in their rooms, my living room has birds and heck even my kitchen has a few roosters in it. This bag was obviously made for me.  And the kicker?  It's $58, much better than what I've been shelling out for purses.  It's big too, 16.5x14 inches.  Sadly it's not meant to be.  When I clicked on the picture and tried to add it to my bag I realized they were sold out of that print.  They still have it available in these prints, which are cute too, but not the same:

My silly husband just could not understand why I called him at work all upset about this.  Really, you would think he would know better by  now.  Guess what I'll be doing this weekend? Yep, trolling the internet to find this darn purse.  Wish me luck!

The best dollar I've ever spent

Today Sophie and I had to pick up a few things at Target.  Before we even got there she started asking if she could have some paint.  So I splurged and bought this:

Yep, less than a dollar. You would have thought I spent a million dollars on her.  She kept saying, "Thank you mommy, you're the best mommy ever!"  When we got home I fed her lunch and then she had to start on her masterpiece.  I sat at the table with her while she painted and just listened to her talk for the longest time.  

Believe it or not there is a cat in that picture somewhere and her name is Twinkles.  By the time she finished painting I knew all about Twinkles from what her favorite foods are to all the places she's been. Not a bad way to spend a dreary rainy day.

Well that didn't last long.

A few months (weeks maybe?) ago I posted about the wallie alphabet that I put up in Sophie's room.  Really cute, but I think they are about to go.  I've noticed lately that some of them have not been sticking to the wall very well.  Yesterday I tried to put them back into place and this is what happened to poor letter K:

Not good at all. As you can see not only is it now stuck to itself, but it is torn. I've really enjoyed having the alphabet on the wall because I think it has helped Sophie recognize her letters so much. She gets such a kick out of pointing out what letter everyones name begins with so I want to keep something similar in there.  I am thinking about buying one of these prints from Farmhouse Five. 

I have ordered prints and canvases for all the girls from them before and have always been extremely pleased with them.  I just have one problem though. Well two problems actually.  One, I can't decide which print I like best.  We have the coordinating prints to the first picture in her room already and I love them, but I also really love the second print.  Two, I don't know where I would put them.  If you notice in my earlier blog post about her room there isn't much wall space left to hang anything. Any suggestions? 

You'll always be my baby

When I was a kid about a million years ago I remember my mom saying to me, "no matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby." And being the sweet angel I was I snuggled up to her and said, "oh, I love you so much mommy!" okay not really.  I rolled my eyes and muttered something to the effect of "yeah, right".  Now that I have my children I completely get what she was saying.  Yes, they are 4, 6, and 8 now, but they are still my babies.  Lately it has really been hitting me how quickly the years go by when you have children. Yes, I know cliche', but it is true.  I've been trying really hard cherish every last little moment with them.  I've been trying to sneak in little one on one moments with them where we can talk, snuggle, read a book or whatever.  I know that the days are short and  soon they won't want me to spend time with them, they'll turn away when I try to hug or kiss them (especially in public), won't hold my hand, and I'll get the closed bedroom door.  I'm already getting the eye rolls so I know it's just around the corner.  I think that they are enjoying their special time with mom though.  The other day I told Kylie that she'll always be my baby and she looked up and said, "and you'll always be my mommy." 

I have a confession to make....

It is the year 2010 and I don't know how to text message.  There, I said it.  I am probably one of the most technically challenged people you will ever meet. I think for the most part it just comes down to stubbornness. I don't understand why someone would rather sit and click a bunch of teeny, tiny buttons to type out a message that someone else has to try to decipher when they can just pick up the phone and call instead.  That being said I realize that I need to stop fighting it and learn. So sometime this weekend I am going to make myself sit down and read the phone manual (if I can find it) so I can catch up with the times.  I might even get get around to setting up my voice mail and figuring out how to use the camera on it too.  Or not.

More randomness

1. Today is Sophie's last day of gymnastics class.  I feel like shouting from the rooftops I'm so happy.  This past session has been miserable for both of us so we aren't going to enroll for the spring.  I'm so looking forward to not having that fight to get her out of bed twice a week.
2. I had a horrible night last night.  For some reason I could not stop thinking about my brother.  He passed away ten years ago and sometimes it will just hit me out of the blue that I'm not going to see him again and it takes my breath away.  I actually wrote a long blog post about memories of him, but decided to spare you guys and not post it. 
3. I'm tired of our weird weather, it's driving me (even more) insane.  One day it will be nice and warm in the seventies, the next day it will be cold, wet and nasty.  I want my pretty springtime days! 
4. Easter is just a little over two weeks away.  I need to get in gear and start buying basket supplies.  I can't believe that I've let it sneak up on me like this!
5. This makes me sad.  I hate when people do stupid things that ruin their marriage.  I just don't get it.  
6. I've decided to get off my butt and start working on the kids scrapbooks.  I used to be really into it, but then when Sophie was a baby I stopped.  She had to have surgery when she was three months old in Cincinnati and with all the traveling back and forth (I live on the gulf coast and the OH is over 12 hours away) it just got to be too much.  I'm thinking maybe I'll try to catch them up to the first five years and then just do a school book or something.  Suggestions anyone?
7. I picked up the Princess and the Frog dvd yesterday.  I took Audrey and Sophie to see it at the theater when it came out and Audrey is just in love with Princess Tiana.  She was over the moon when she came home from school yesterday and got to see it again.

Have a great Thursday everyone! 

My bathroom eats things

Of this I am convinced.  I was taking a shower this morning and noticed that my razor was missing.  Again.  This happens all the time.  Now before you wag your finger and fuss at me for leaving them in the same shower my kids use I must defend myself.  I keep it on the thingamijig that hangs from the shower head.  They can't reach it (well Kylie might could, but that would mean she would have to lean forward and actually allow the water to come into contact with her face) so I know the kids have not moved it.  Not only have I been losing razors, but I am constantly having to replenish dental floss and toothpaste as well.  Not because they have been used up.  Oh no, these are generally new ones that go missing.  I have to replace them because they just won't stay put.  The fact that there is a waste basket next to the sink that four females use might have something to do with it.  But I'm still convinced it's the bathroom doing it. 

Pathetic is.....

Shopping online (I am the self proclaimed queen of online shopping ya know) and noticing that bras are on sale.  Then realizing that you have no clue what size bra you wear.  Then taking off your bra to check the size only to realize that the thing is so old the size is no longer visible.  Not that I'm referring to myself of course.  Okay, maybe I am.  Hanging my head in shame.  By the way I'm not doing Fantastic Find Friday today because I'm sick of all the penis enlargement people leaving crap on my blog.  

Getting back into the swing of things

This week has obviously been a tough one, but I have decided I am going to try to get things back to normal around here.  This morning when I woke up I got the girls ready for school and cleaned my house.  Yeah, I know, that never happens! But I managed to vacuum, mop, dust, make the beds (minus the one with Sophie in it), clean the kitchen, and put away laundry. Not sure how long things will stay clean once the human tornado princess wakes up, but it's nice for now.  
I've noticed lately that the girls have been getting a little too involved in playing on the computer and the wii.  I have been harping on them about how they are neglecting their toys.  Usually they'll just roll their eyes, but I think it's starting to sink in somewhat.  Yesterday I found Audrey and Sophie playing with *gasp* baby dolls!  So naturally I had to snap a few pictures. 

Of course Kylie is not in the pictures because she was in the living room playing on the *!#( wii.  I was almost starting to feel smug that I at least got two of my children somewhat back to normal when later that night I walked into the living room and found Sophie decked out in her princess regalia playing on the wii.  I grabbed my camera and videoed her.  She cracks me up because she gets so into that stupid game.  Please ignore the messy, unfinished shelf.  Can you say procrastinator?  My kids can.  They can even use it in a sentence.  My daddy is a great big procrastinator.  Enjoy

Wordless Wednesday: Fun in the fountain

Wordless Wednesday~ Fun in the fountain

 Linking to: Angry Julie Monday

Life is too short

Last night I let the kids stay up late and as I was putting them to bed husband and I received a phone call that no one ever wants to get.  The daughter of some friends of ours died last night.  She was twenty years old and we both literally watched her grow up.  I cannot even begin to describe how horrified I am.  Husband works for her family, her mom is the one that gave all my daughters their first haircut, and we watched her as a little girl dance at our wedding.  I am absolutely devastated and I know that what I am feeling right now is not a drop in the bucket to what her family must be going through.  I was up all night crying just thinking about how unfair it is.  Sophie crawled into my bed and I just sat there and stared at her in all her sweetness and as she snuggled up to her daddy I went into Kylie and Audrey's room and lay down next to them.  Kylie immediately scooted over next to me and put her hands in my hair, something that she used to do as a baby to get herself to sleep.  I think I have hugged and kissed them a million times already and I'm sure I'll do it a million times more. 

Fantastic Find Friday! Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Cleaner Starter Kit

I love to try new things whether it be a cool new website, food, brand of clothing, book, you name it so I thought that I would start posting about my fantastic finds on Fridays.  If you would like to do the same I invite you to post a link here so we can all get in on the fun! Btw, I am not being paid to advertise so please don't think I am spamming, I'm just a mom that loves to find new and interesting things and like to pass them along. 
Today's find is a little something I stumbled across the other day while I was in Marshalls browsing.  It's the Scotch Brite Stainless Steel Cleaner Starter Kit.  

Like just about everyone else in the U.S we have stainless appliances in our kitchen (minus our piece of crap lovely stove).  When our fridge kicked the bucket on us a few years ago husband and I thought that we would replace it with stainless and hey, while we're at it why not replace the dishwasher as well? Yeah, not so smart if you have three kids under the age of six.  Those things gather finger prints and smudges like nobodies business.  So when I saw the Scotch Brite cleanser I snagged it.  As I said, I found it in Marshalls so it was only $4.99, I'm not sure what the regular retail is, but it has definitely been worth more than $4.99.  You just pop the cleaning pad on and rub it across the surface you want clean and you are done.  Very easy to use, even husband can do it.  So do you have a fantastic find to share this week?  Leave a link!

The birthday girl

Yesterday my Audrey Grace turned six. 

 *Sniff* I always get so sentimental around my babies birthdays.  I love to watch my children grow and learn and do new things, but it's so hard knowing they won't be little much longer. Normally we wait until the weekend to do birthday parties, but since it just so happened that daddy was off yesterday we decided to do it after school on the day of.  We don't really do the big birthdays around here.  We tried it a few times before and it never worked out well.  One year we rented a playplace only to have one child from school show up.  Total waste of money. Then another year we decided to have the party at our house and invite a bunch of children and then once they arrived I remembered, 'oh yeah, there's a reason we've never done this before.  Our house is too small!' So now we generally stick to just having cake and ice cream with the grandparents and if aunts, uncles, cousins want to stop in that's fine, but more often than not they don't.  Anyway,  my parents, my brother and niece showed up and a good time was had by all.  Audrey finally got a few Princess Tiana things, a new webkinz jr. , and her first American Girl doll.  I think out of everything she got though she was most excited to get the money that daddy slipped in her card. 

 

Smart girl, isn't she?

Pardon my progress?

Sorry I know my blog looks like a big ol mess right now.  I was trying to change backgrounds and now everything is all messed up.  Hopefully I'll be able to work on it and get it somewhat presentable soon.  Hopefully.  If not I may be sending out a cry for help post.

Taking personal day

Cold, wet morning and my computer is acting sixteen kinds of funky.  I think Super Sophie and I are going to stay in today and play hooky.  Sounds good, no?

Monday musings

1. I love to hear my children laugh.  This morning Sophie was laughing in her sleep.  I love it, it makes me wonder what she was dreaming about. 
2. Husband and I took the the girls skating for the first time yesterday (well technically not for Audrey, she had been to a birthday party once, but this was the first time for all of them).  Afterwards we took them to the Marble Slab for some overpriced ice cream.  Kylie told me it was the best day ever.  
3. I hate wii.  I've never been a fan of video games of any sort, but after hearing so many raves on this thing I told husband (stupid me!) that I thought we should buy one for Christmas this past year.  Naturally being male he jumped on the idea.  I despise that machine so much.  Not only does it look stupid sitting next to my television, but the kids want to play it all the time.  This weekend I took their disks and hid them and told them they needed to either read a book or go play with their toys.  Kylie read a book for a little while and then later I found her and her sisters playing with their groovy girl dolls and American girl dolls that had been gathering dust forever.  Mommy was happy.
4. One of my babies has a birthday this week.  It's always so bittersweet for me when their birthdays roll around.  I love to watch them change and grow, but at the same time want to keep them little forever. 
5. Duke won last night.
6. I might have to go to walmart to buy spray paint today.  I despise that store.  Target, why can't you carry spray paint? 
7. I ordered a new coffee table, two side tables and a console table for my living room.  Super excited, can't wait for them to arrive.
8. Had a phone call from someone at the police department first thing this morning.  Scared the hell out of me.  Something to do with a theft where husband works. 
9.  Just started reading a new book.  It's titled Deeper Than the Dead and is by Tami Hoag.  I don't think I've ever read any of her work before.  I'm enjoying it so far.  It takes place in 1985 and I'm getting a kick out of that.  Ah, the memories.
10. I think I'm going to crawl back in bed and snuggle with Sophie for a few minutes before she decides to wake up.

Have a great week everyone!