Aubree's big girl furniture

This is it we got rid of the crib and have moved on to a big girl room!

She has been asking for a few months and even asked Santa for a big girl bed so we got a special Christmas gift from my Grandma in New Jersey and it was perfect timing. We took her to Ashley furniture and this is what we all decided on. I spent the week shopping for reasonable and matching bedding and getting the room all ready. And today it arrived and she is so excited she is now napping in it!

I am sad the crib is sold and leaving the house as well as the glider rocker since there are no more babies for us. It was a good crib and is now going to another family to make them happy!

New Year 2011

Its that time when we all make resolutions well not for me its goals always goals resolutions are easily broken and goals can be attained in steps which is much easier to see progress as it goes along. So for 2011

1. Is to tone up this body of mine. I lost the almost 20lbs I had wanted to lose last year its now time to tone it up and make it sexy! I want more of my tummy to tighten up, get a little arm definition, shape up the booty and get toned legs.
2. Maintain my weight loss. Its all good to lose it now to keep it off!
3. I say this every year but be more organized. I have been cleaning out stuff and getting rid of things for almost a month now in an attempt to have less stuff to organize this will help. I did get better this year and there are areas that I hardly have to touch any more.
4. To be better with my time. To make the most of the time I do have. To get things done in a timely manner. I want the house to stay clean and not spend days doing it all. I want to waste less time doing nothing. To better use my time with the kids.
5. Spend more time with the hubby! This one is always on the list too but I am hoping he reads this and agrees and maybe I can finally get a weekend away!
6. To be more financially responsible. I have gotten better and I am improving every year at not having spending sprees and doing crazy things. Now to work on saving us more in our daily routine, to save a bit more and to make more out of what we have.
7. To eat better and be more active as a family. I am on track now its time to get the rest of us there!
8. To read more, myself, Breven and all of us together.
9. To cook and eat at home more. We did this last year and I want to improve more and learn to cook and make more things ourselves and be less reliant on boxed things which I am not sure how and what they are made of.
10. To help Breven to control his behavior and his attitude. He made huge improvements in 2010 and one day I hope to have him off medication if it is possible if not well then we did our best!
11. To get Aubree involved in more activities(she always feels left out)
12. Help my hubby get better health wise for him to loose weight and exercise and take better care of himself.
13. To find inspiration to get this house more decorated and home looking and less just like a blank shell of a house.
14. To be less frumpy to take better care of my appearance and start looking nicer on a regular basis. Not just sitting around in yoga pants and t-shirts all the time.

I think those are all manageable and attainable goals that I can strive for in 2011 stay tuned to see how it goes!

Christmas morning

My kids awoke to a tree full of presents more from my parents then Santa and Us combined(what can I say they are spoiled grand kids) Aubree got her wish list as did Breven for the most part. And me I got a sparkly surprise from the hubby, and a kinect from my dad! Brad got new jeans and new work shirts(he is hard to buy for)

After the opening was all over we had a yummy breakfast of Belgium waffles and all sorts of bad for you goodness. Then we stayed home for the day and played with the kids and all their new toys! That evening we had a casual night at my parents house and came home to watch Shrek the final chapter.

Christmas Eve

We had Brad's family over and my mom came too to have Christmas Eve dinner and gifts for the kiddos. I was cooking and serving so there are not too many pics but every one had a great time and a great meal(if I do say so my self)

Whats on the Menu for Christmas Eve

So we are hosting Christmas Eve as always so here is my menu for 12

Veggie tray
Meat and cheese tray with crackers
Spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips
Shrimp with cocktail sauce

Prime rib
Garlic mashed potatoes
Grilled asparagus
Steamed green beans
Corn
French rolls

Glazed chocolate sour cream cake
Cookies

Getting hungry???

Whats shaking

Its 4 days before Christmas so its time for some randomness and stuff thats just oozing from my brain.

Took Breven to the dentist perfect check up(which took forever! they were so busy and people were being stupid like you can't use all your insurance benefits for the year in 1 visit) as always just needs to work on brushing better and wiggling free his first loose tooth. I took Breven to get a gift with some Christmas money he got from a relative (I am done guessing what to get) so I let him pick, and I got Aubree a gift too!

I am half way done wrapping and noticed Aubree is coming up short in gifts so daddy is going to get her something extra special for her tonight and he better do good!

I am over this rain! It stinks I am over being trapped in the house, I am looking for Noah and the ark and I am looking at buying me and the kids rain boots because it so stinking wet!

I am going to lazy cookie bake and buy sugar cookie mix and just decorate! I am also making basic chocolate chip for "Santa"

I was expecting something and now its going to be late so all my shopping for me is over until it arrives! Its ok Ill hit the after Christmas deals with Aubree in tow!

I am on the hunt for big girl furniture for Aubree I know what I want I just have to narrow down a selection and bedding for it to match her current room colors.

I am excited for Brads vacation! I get to have some time with him and he can keep Breven occupied!

Well I think that's enough randomness for me today I'll be back with pics for the next post!

What a week

This week went from one that was supposed to be normal and easy to a pain in my buns quick! Monday Breven woke up with a sore throat and said it was the worst ever so I take him to to docs for them to say virus ride it out. So I keep him home he is crying, not eating and ruining a fever all day. So Tuesday his fever is worse and he is worse so I take him this time to the NP and they swab his throat (correctly this time) and sure enough he has strep! So no school until Thursday. So I spent 3 full days mostly at home because Breven was sick putting a serious kink in my plans. He never gets this sick he didn't even want to eat or play and this boy always eats!
By Thursday I was ready to be released from prison so I went to school and spent the morning doing his make-up work and then stuffing stocking and getting gifts together for the next day. My mom called and she had to shop so off we went to do that and of course my kids got bored and Breven started acting up(always a favorite) thankfully my mom bribed him with taking him to dinner and he started behaving. Then I come home to a tree(Brad finally found some where with nice live trees) it was a great surprise but I had to now get the kids to bed and get the tree done. Which thanks to my mom happened and the kids were only 30min late to bed!
Friday I could finally go back to Jazzercise and I had childcare duty with 1 kiddo since my parents came and stole my kiddo. That afternoon Breven and I rushed out to see Tron(assuming the theatre would be busy) and we sat in a half full one because we did 3-d (worth the $3 a ticket upgrade) By the end of the day I was beat I still am beat so that's why today all I am doing is laundry and that's it!

Holiday photos

Yup those are the best ones I have a funny gag reel to add but I won't post those some are not appropriate(my hubby things being a perv is funny) so this is us in 2010.

Phineas and Ferb

Yup this crazy team has become a favorite in our household and not just for the kids! Yup Brad and I watch is as much as the kids do. For those of you not familiar with this show its on Disney channel or Disney XD(its a boy channel in my opinion)

These 2 step brothers are crazy smart and are on summer vacation their goal each day is to make it the best day ever. They come up with inventions, schemes and all sorts of craziness to make their day great. They have an older sister Candace who is always trying to bust them but just as the boys are about to get caught the contraption disappears thanks to Perry the Platypus. Perry is their pet who is also a secret agent(trust me it adds a lot to the show)

I have to say I have noticed a pattern Breven has a thing for smart or creative characters. He loves this show, Indiana Jones, Transformers, Sid the science kid, and any other character who is smart. He also has a collection of toys, CD's and such related to the show which is always fun.

Update on mommas wish list

Well with some rewards shopping and my dad I got a few things on my wish list. I did get the cowboy style black boots from Old Navy along with workout pants and new tanks (thank you verizon for the $100 for referring my parents to fios) I got my Ryka shoes and my iPod nano(thank you Daddy and yes I still call him daddy) I even got an additional $15 to spend at toys r us so I am getting an iTunes gift card.

I am still waiting on one Christmas check and we are done shopping. My grandma from NJ sends us a large check for everyone to get something fun. She sends the hubby and I a big one because she loves to spoil us as parents because she knows we never do it ourselves. Its the one time a year that I get to be selfish and spend it all on me with no guilt. I am thinking I am getting the handbag, the ugg style boots, and the sunglasses if they look good on me.

The kids will be getting a few enhancer items for their gifts. Aubree has fallen in love with her Rapunzel doll and wants a Cinderella to go with her and some princess dresses like she saw at Disneyland. Breven wants a lego sorter(yup my clean freak wants to clean) and some Tron goodies and a Phinneas and Ferb stuff. I am also in need of little girly stocking staffers. Breven's stocking was easy Aubree not so much!

Singing in Church

Breven has moved up in the world this year instead of singing with the pre-school kids he is with the K-5 and he loved it. He almost had a speaking part but right before they went on stage the original speaker showed up. He had a good time and is hoping to continue to do this every year. It makes me happy that he loves it so much.

Disneyland

We survived Disneyland on a Friday it was so crowded we are never doing a Friday again! We had a great time dispite a few hiccups. The kids saw Santa and Pluto all the other character lines were an hour plus wait. We rode lots of rides just not 2 favorites because of almost 2hr lines.

Stressed

Every time I feel stressed this week I just keep thinking Disneyland on Friday!

Its been so busy and when the kids got mild colds Monday it threw me all off! But things are good now I got what I needed done yesterday and even grocery shopping(big relief there) I got a haircut today, and a brow wax at the same time. (Yea for grooming) Then my dad surprised me gave me his hiding cash and said go to Toys R Us and get you and your mom your iPods and keep the gift card! I am so excited that makes almost half my wish list fulfilled.

Tomorrow is Christmas pics everyone has color family related outfits, hair has all been cut, and we are ready to go.

Later on today I'll post some pics of our Christmas stuff that's up and there will be lots more this weekend after Disneyland, getting the tree, brunch, and singing.

What I wore Wednesday not workin!

Well since I was having a good clothing week the last couple of days and this week was going to include a few of those I was going to participate in WIWW on the Pleated Poppy (thanks for the link Genn its a new favorite read) but when I went to take pics I noticed that I have no 0 zip zilch nada full length mirrors in this house!

Well the house didn't come with mirrored closet doors and when we moved in Breven was 6mo old and I was still chunky so I didn't want to see all of me at once. I continued to not want to see all of me for a few years with not loosing weight then having a 2nd baby.

But today I want to show off my work and no luck! So where is a good place to get an inexpensive nice mirror for my room so I can take pics and see the whole me when I get dressed?

A busy week ahead

Yup we have a week full of plans and today I had to change some things because both kids have colds! So here I am trapped at home with 2 kids in my bed watching cartoons. But my schedule reads...

Monday- Brad's doctors visit, Breven school, Jazzercise and babysitting Breven singing at the grandma and grandpas home.

Tuesday- Breven school, Jazzercise, house cleaning

Wednesday- Breven school, me hair appointment and eyebrow wax, Awanas, Jazzercise

Thursday- Volunteer morning at school, family pics, winterfest, and get packed for Friday

Friday- Disneyland

Saturday- Rehearsal for Church, GG is coming, tree day, dinner.

Sunday- Christmas brunch at mission inn, Breven singing at church.

My gosh how did 1 week get so booked! I am glad next week is low key as are the days Breven is on vacation. Brad is also taking the week off between Christmas and New Years so I get a whole week home with my boys!

10 things that made me happy this week

1. 1. I got to do some self shopping thanks to some Christmas money rolling in and Brad having bought his own gifts!
2. Coffee always makes me happy!
3. Breven and I graduated from PCIT
4. My mom got good news from the doctor! Needless to say we were worried over scar tissue.
5. My kids Christmas gifts started arriving
6. I put up my decor (no tree yet we get a real one so we have to wait)
7. Scheduling Christmas pictures in Palm Desert (Brad has a friend with a beautiful house with great views)
8. Brad's co-workers told me I was too hot for him (yup that makes a girls day)
9. I got my Jazzercise wallet and went to class
10. I got new shoes!

2am

Yup that's a time that is now an automatic wake up time because from down the hallways I hear this "Mommy I have to go pee pee" yup every night around 2am like clockwork Aubree calls me to meet her and go potty. Luckily she goes then heads back to bed with no protest.

This started about 2 months ago and I thought it was a fluke but she did it so often that I took away the pull ups and she still potties in the potty. I am super happy to now officially say good bye diapers forever!

Christmas shopping

Brad has decided that we need to shop more online this year through Amazon (his main reason is tax here in our county its almost 9%) so with that said we did a good amount of shopping which was nice but at the same time I miss shopping :(

I love to hunt for the perfect thing, shop the best sales, meet people, browse stores this takes all the fun out of it! I am glad however that my daughter chose gifts not online and that I get grandma money to shop for myself!

The kids gifts began arriving yesterday in their amazon boxes and quickly went to their hiding spot in the boat! Yes we hide gifts in the boat the kids will never be able to get to it (heck I have a hard time getting to it)

So what do you like? Online or stores?

For those of you who have not seen me in a while

this is what I look like with a bob and dark hair

The kids wish lists

Well its not fair for me to post mine and not the kids so here is what the Pensak Monsters are asking Santa for...

Breven

• Nintendo DSiXL and games
• Mp3 player
• CD player (for his room)
• Legos
• Hot wheels
• Kung Zhu Ninjas
• Paper Jamz

He is getting most of these items but no Kung Zhus my hubby hates them! He is also getting a custom built lego table, a guitar and a tag reader along with some other small gifts.

Aubree

• Go go my walking pup(if she sings me the song one more time I may scream)
• Cinderella dress
• Pack of princess dolls
• Lady Gaga CD

She is still easy and doesn't ask for much. So she is getting dress up stuff, a tag jr, a doll house, a fisherprice game thing, legos, and a few other small gifts.

Brad is not allowed to ask for anything! He bought all the tools to start doing some wood working and lets just say its a lot of stuff so I am not buying anything for him! I may sneak in a surprise something but nothing big since he has shopped for himself.

Momma's list is on its way to coming true I got the small boots(I used a gift card we got from verizon) and some workout pants and tops I just need bras(which are cheap but hard to find I have to say Walmart has a great sports bra)