Multi-Tasking

I am going to miss Maggie so much when she goes to Kindergarten this fall.  She loves to clean and help around the house.  Today she wanted to vacuum while I dusted.  I found her talking on her Barbie Secret Spy phone as the vacuumed. What a great multi-tasking girl.

I have asked Maggie "Who is going to help  me clean when you go to school?" Her response was "You can wait until I get home and I will help you or you can teach Harold how to clean." Well...i think I will wait until you get home or just do it all myself.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!  Easter was early this year and the weather was cold, but that didn't stop us from celebrating the most important day as a Christ follower.

Here are the girls putting out their Easter baskets.

Mallory and Maggie made special cookies at Grandma and Papa Nick's house to have for dessert.

Here is my special cake for dessert. I think it turned out great.

Maggie's Fishing Adventure

Had to share this fishing adventure because Maggie had the best time and she is an outdoor girl.  She will hold the worm and has no fear of it!

She caught a couple of little fish and loved every minute of it.

Mallory's Birthday Weekend

Mallory only had grandparents over to celebrate her during her birthday weekend.  We had convinced her to have a small party after spring break b/c people could be out of town already for a trip.  What she didn't know, was we weren't having a big party because we would be going to Disney World in a few days.

Mallory received really great presents this year (as she always does).  

Ladybug Girl umbrella

Outdoor Adventure Camp Lego set

Her cake was in the shape of a Lego brick because she is a big fan of Lego Friends and enjoys playing with them. The flavor was her favorite - Strawberry.

Girl Scout Cookie Time

We (meaning Matt, Stephanie, and Mrs. Tricia also) have been working hard to sell Girl Scout cookies.  Our friends/family/neighbors have been so generous and purchased many cookies or donated cookies to the military.

This afternoon, Mallory and I went to sell cookies, with her troop, in front of Kroger.  It was cold, but she had a wonderful time.

Maggie's First Time Fishing

Maggie and Mallory received a very special Christmas present last month - fishing poles that belonged to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Traw.  Maggie has been itching to go fishing and today the weather was finally nice enough to go so we all went down to the neighborhood pond.

Mallory gave up after five minutes and said it was boring. She wanted to go and play on the playground.  Maggie however had a fabulous time.  She enjoyed sitting in Dad's lap and just relaxing.

This being our first time to go fishing we were not prepared for what she caught - a HUGE catfish.  We had to just cut the line and let it swim off with the hook in it's mouth - whoops!  We will be better prepared next time!

Maggie's First Trip to the Dentist

This morning, Maggie and I went to the dentist.  We had tried this about 18 months ago and she was having nothing to do with it.  Thankfully, insurance covered the bill at 100% or I would have not been happy.

I got my teeth cleaned first so she could see there was nothing to be scared of.  When it was her turn,  Maggie got right up the chair and wasn't scared at all.  She wore fun sunglasses and got to watch TV also.  Maggie was most excited about her new toothbrush and getting a toy out of the treasure chest.

Harold Birthday and Treat Preperation

Tomorrow, Harold will be 13 years old.  Mallory and Maggie asked if we could do something special for him. Mallory wanted to make homemade treats and Maggie wanted to have a party. The party would consist of neighborhood dogs coming over. I told Maggie that wasn't going to happen, but we could share treats with the dogs.

Mallory was a huge help preparing the dog treat mixture.  She did not want me helping at all - keep telling me that she could do it.

When it came time to roll the dough out, she was nowhere to be found. Ha!

Happy Birthday, Harold! It is hard to believe that you are 13 years old. By the looks of your face, you don't appreciate us calling you old or pointing out your gray hair.  You are a wonderful and sweet dog.  You have really started to remind me of Frank because you sit by or on my feet when I am getting ready in the morning or washing dishes.  You still love to eat and love to get under our feet.  Can't image life without you and all the love and craziness you bring!

Last Day of Winter Break

On Saturday, I told Mallory we should do something fun on Monday since it was the last day of Christmas Break.  I told her to think about something fun she wanted to do.  She chose Chuck E. Cheese.  I was shocked. Mallory had told me a week or so ago she wasn't afraid of Chuck E. anymore, but I didn't believe her.  We had a discussion about how we would go, but if she had a meltdown or flipped out about seeing the character I would be livid and she would be in deep trouble.  That conversation didn't change her mind.

Before we went into the restaurant, we had the same talk and even prayed for bravery.  You can tell by the next two photos, that we had a good time.  Here are the girls munching on pizza.

We played so many games and when Chuck E. came out, they just stayed away from him.  Mallory wouldn't go up to him, but didn't flip out when he walked by.  I call that a successful trip.  They were so well behaved that I even treated them to cotton candy when we left.  Mallory ate all of hers on the way home and got a tummy ache.  I can't image why.

Game room Sleep over

We finally purchased the new game room sofa and we chose to get the bed that came with it.  The girls wanted to have a sleep over, but it took a couple of nights before they were allowed due to behavior and/or coughing.

They slept out there for three nights in a row and loved it. The bed is actually pretty comfortable...all things considered.

Christmas Day

The weather today was lovely - warm and sunny.  I have no idea why we didn't get pictures of the girls with their Santa gifts.  Mallory received the Lego Friends Pop Star Stage and a gymnastics leotard.  Maggie received a Play-doh Ice Cream Shop set and a Paw Patrol Everest toy.

After we got ready, we headed over to Mammy and Guy Guy's house.  We decided to open presents after lunch, but the girls were allowed to open their stockings before.

Grandma and Papa Nick came over for dinner as well since nobody was going to be at their house.

Matt was enjoying taking pictures with his new camera. Here is a great one of Daisy.

Since the weather was nice, Guy Guy made sure the "tractor" was gassed up and ready to go.

The three of them rode this thing until the tank was puttering and nearly empty.

Mom and me

Preparing for Santa and the Reindeer

This is the second or third year we have put out reindeer food for the reindeer.  Here are the girls ready to go outside.  Mallory refused to put on flip flops and I finally said okay and she could freeze. It wasn't that cold, but way to cold for flip flops.

Tossing food on the side walk.

And on the driveway.  I did manage to get them to put in the yard finally.  Notice Maggie putting out food in Teeghan's yard too?

Christmas Eve

Today did not go as planned. I spent the morning at the doctor and learned I had an Upper Respiratory Infection.  I stayed home and rested while Matt and the girls went to church with Grandma and Papa Nick.

The girls looked very pretty for church.  Here they are being silly.

When they came home, we opened presents.  Maggie was very excited about her new Paw Patrol slippers.  She also received a new shirt, dress, books, toy car/trucks, and some jewelry.  

This picture is so sweet.  The girls loving on each other after receiving the gifts they gave one another.  Mallory gave Maggie and CD case for all her music.  Maggie gave Mallory the Annie soundtrack.

Mallory showing off her new doll she got from Uncle Dan, Aunt Angela, and Abby.

Can you tell the surprise and excitement after opening this gift?  Mallory has wanted a canopy for her bedroom for some time now and Maggie got on band wagon. Their wish was finally granted and it is funny they were wearing the color of their canopy.  

Mallory's canopy.

After putting up the canopy's we came back into the living room and look what we found.  A little black dog under the tree.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  Seeing this made me realize how the presents got moved and why there was dog hair in that spot the other day.  I thought the girls and been snooping and they said they had not.  They hadn't!