shoe shopping

Oh my goodness! I don't know why this has become such a big deal, but I'm seriously stressing over buying school shoes for Hannah. She has to wear uniforms to school (which I'm actually really glad about considering how uptight I am about just buying some stinkin' shoes!) so I need her shoes to look OK with her little blue plaid skirts. And contrary to what Chris tells me I don't think it looks good to be wearing a plaid skirt, tights and tennis shoes.

I know, I know. She's five. Who cares what her shoes look like. But seriously, you kinda want your kid to look half way normal on their first day of Kindergarten. And by the way, they have a little section in the dress code about the kind of shoes she can wear, which I think is what is freaking me out. See, I follow rules, that's just how I am. So I already have visions of Hannah in detention her first day of Kindergarten because her mom didn't get her the right shoes!

So, three days of shopping for shoes later, I think I finally found some. Believe me, it's not easy to find shoes for my little Hannah. For one thing, she's not quite old enough to wear the bigger girl shoes so we're still stuck shopping in the Toddler section. And those little shoes are really cute when they're in size 3 and 4 but something happens when they get big and they just aren't as cute in size 11. Plus every pair that I thought "OK, these are HALF way normal" Hannah did not like AT ALL. So eight stores later, we now have two pairs of shoes. Her little running shoes are not PUMA as Hannah had hoped, (she wanted to be like her Daddy, but I refuse to pay $50 for kids shoes) but all the same she was pretty happy with what we picked out. I have one more stop to return a pair that doesn't quite fit and to pick her up some boots (which are IDENTIFCAL to my black suede boots that Hannah absolutely LOVES) and she is set.

Thank goodness that is OVER! I'm glad this only comes around once a year, I can't handle it!

In case you care, here's what we got

I had to put the box next to those so you could see the price tag. I paid only a little over $5 for those shoes that were origianlly $35. Don't ask me who in their right mind pays that much for kids sandals, but I certianly don't!

say WHAT??

My brother got married this past weekend in Wichita, KS so we had to stay at a hotel. We were eating our breakfast one morning in the hotel restaurant and there was a mom with her three boys sitting next to us. The younger boy was quite interested in Hannah. He someone heard us say her name was Hannah and he's like "Oh wow, you're Hannah, well, I'm so and so. I have a friend named Hannah. On and on." And he totally talked like an adult. It was hilarious. Kinda.

So, finally breakfast is over.

Then onto the wedding. I'm sitting in the front bench and I SWEAR I see this mom and her three boys walk into the wedding. Well, I know it's no one we know so it must be a friend of my sister-in-law Suzanne's family.

Onto the reception. Yep, it's definitely them. The little boy walks up to Hannah and says "Hi Hannah, do you remember me??" Then he grabs her hand and is holding it while they walk. Meanwhile I can tell that Hannah is not into the hand holding thing and she's looking very uncomfortable and barely says a word, which is NOT normal for my little girl. Finally she lets go and I go have the "you don't have to hold anyone's hand you don't want to" talk.

About half an hour passes and I think we're in the clear. Wrong. He spots her again and walks over. Hannah is trying desperately to avoid him but to no avail. Finally he walks up to me and says "You must be Hannah's mom." (How old is this kid 19???) Yes. Then...get ready...he says

"just checking, because I'm pretty sure I'm going out with your daughter."

... cough, choke...WHAT???

I politely told him that Hannah was too young for dating and discreetly walked away. Well, maybe not quite so discreetly.

I knew I'd have these chats with boys someday, I just didn't know it'd be quite this early. In all honestly the boy was really very polite...but seriously...you're FIVE!

girls day

I don't know if it's because Chris is feeling slightly guilty for taking an ENTIRE week off to watch World Cup, or if it's just because he really is the BEST husband ever, but whatever the reason, he totally wants me to feel like I'm having a vacation this week. So, when he suggested that Hannah and I go out and get our nails done I was ALL over it!

Hannah and I decided that we would have girls days. And we also decided that this will be our tradition every World Cup (which only happens every four years). We had planned to head out after lunch when Caden went down for a nap but Hannah was WAY to exicted and was begging ALL morning if we could "please just have girls day." So, I quick ran and took a shower and we headed out.

First we stopped at the Gretna Salon where Hannah got a manicure and I got a pedicure...it was heavenly. First of all because I so rarely get pedicures but also because it was much fun to see Hannah and her first experience at a Spa. She actually asked the nail tech if it would hurt. :)



Then we decided to do some shopping. Hannah has been saving her allowance money for several months and wanted to buy a bunch of beads to make necklaces and bracelets. We headed to Target and I will admit I got distracted several times (clothes, jewelry, shoes) and Hannah kept saying "Mom, remember it's Hannah day not Mommy day." I politely reminded her that it was "GIRLS day and not Hannah day." But, I did get back on track and we picked out some fun beads. Oh man, I just realized I didn't get a picture of us playing with the beads...oh well, I'll take one tomorrow.

After shopping I thought it'd be nice to grab a bite to eat. Hannah loves Panera, as do I (Chris not so much) so I was hoping I could convince Hannah that we should eat there. But Hannah was SO anxious to get home and start playing with her beads that all she'd eat was a McDonalds cheeseburger, through the drive through of course because going inside to eat would just take WAY to much time.

We played beads after we got home and I made a new rule. NO DUMPING THOUSANDS OF TINY BEADS ALL OVER OUR SHAG CARPET. I think I'll be vacuuming those up for weeks. Oh and later on in the day Hannah accidentally dumped the beads all over AGAIN and Caden thought it was so fun to say "not again, not again" that he decided that HE would dump them all over AGAIN right after we just spent 15 min cleaning them up. Ah, family memories!

So, it was a great day. I'm loving time with my little girlie. I have to soak it all up while I can.

Can't wait for tomorrow....I'm heading out to my estetician and then Chris said "as long as you're out why don't you grab a Starbucks and do some shopping!" You don't have to tell me twice. I'm kinda likin' this whole World Cup week!

Beauty

My dear sweet Hannah, you are FIVE! I can't believe it...(do I say that EVERY post!) But it's true, time does fly by! I'm trying to enjoy every chance I get to play with you because these days are quickly coming to an end. Already, you're more interested in playing with Kalvin, Troy and Kelsey then with mom! So...I'm cherishing our days of crafting together, taking walks, riding seesaw, playing polly pockets and boxcar children.

I am feeling very blessed to have been your mommy for five years! And when I look back on the past five years I see a little girl who is full of beauty!

Beauty is how peaceful you look when you're sleeping.
Beauty is the tears you cry over your sin.
Beauty is giving your last piece of gum to your little brother.
Beauty is the way your eyes sparkle when you're happy.
Beauty is your determination.
Beauty is starting a club to collect pencils for homeless kids...because "mom, poor kids need stuff to do too."
Beauty is when you look around to make sure all your preschool friends are being included.
Beauty is the hugs and kisses you give.
Beauty is ALL the cards, pictures and letters you make for others.
Beauty is the sound of your laughter.
Beauty is the way you pour your heart out to God in prayer.
Beauty is the way you hurt for others when they hurt.

And Hannah, mommy's prayer for you is that you'll always be a beautiful girl, who grows into a beautiful women! And you know what makes you so beautiful? It's CHRIST working in your heart. And no matter what others may think or say you will ALWAYS be beautiful to HIM!

So my little girlie, live for Christ and keep on letting his beauty shine through you!

A Daughter

Most of you know that I've been having some problems with my SI band. All that pretty much means to me is I can't exercise. I have friends who have struggled through various injuries and have been unable to run for long periods of time and I remember them being pretty upset about it. I also remember thinking "good grief, it's just running, it's not that big of a deal." Well somehow that thinking tends to change when you're the one in their shoes!

So I have to admit that I've been a little bummed that I can't run. According to Chris and I have myself as an invalid in a wheel chair for the rest of my life... I guess I do tend to over react just a LITTLE! Anyway, this has all got me thinking about why I'm so ticked that I can't run. I've come to the conclusion that the reason it is so important to me is because I want to look good. Vain, I know. The thing that's bothering me the most is why it's so important to me to have a nice body. Then it hit me...I'm living like an orphan! I'm caring WAY to much about what other people think of me and not caring enough about what CHRIST says about me. Who's daughter am I anyway?

"So you are no longer a slave but a son (DAUGHTER)" Gal 4:7

Oh God, please remind me of who I am in you! I do not have to have the perfect body or the right clothes or the most beautiful home for you to love me!

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7

I am a deeply LOVED and CHOSEN DAUGHTER of the MOST HIGH KING! And if you are in Christ then you are to!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

A Yes Day

Both of my kids are fighting sickness and overtiredness (I don't know if overtiredness is a word...but that's definitely what they are.) Anyway, needless to say I heard A LOT of whining and arguing between the two of them this morning. And I don't know if I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning of if it was the dreary weather....or maybe it was because I am just ready for my husband, and best friend, to be done with tax season. Whatever the reason, I was NOT in the mood to break up fights all day long.

I considered my options.

1. Sit around and play referee all day
2. Let them watch movies all morning
3. Take them out and do something fun...and get myself out of this house!

I chose option three.

I packed them up, even though Hannah was whining all the way that she wanted to be HOME, and I took them to the mall to play. (Sorry to all you mom's whose kids have now been exposed to my kids sickness...but seriously, I was going a little crazy and had to get them out!) They had a great time running around and Hannah was excited to see one of her friends from preschool at the play area.

We thought we'd grab a bite to eat before heading home for nap time. And I decided to let them chose what they wanted. They chose pretzels and cheese from Auntie Anne's, rainbow colored, MSG, high fructose corn syrup laden popcorn and a ice cold sugary lemonade. I spend a lot of my day telling them "no", and every once in a while I think I should just say "YES."

Oh, what did I eat for lunch? Well, it is a "yes" day remember...I chose the ever so healthy white cheddar popcorn and pretzels. And when I got home I washed it all down with some chocolates and a Wild Cherry Pepsi!

This whole "yes" thing is kinda fun, I think I may be trying it again sometime.

green smoothies

My kids are pretty good eaters most of the time. And while they're not crazy about vegetables they'll eat what's required of them. But let's be honest, what kid is begging for more spinach? Now, I'll be the first to admidt that cooked spinch is definitely not on my list of favorite vegetables of all time (unless of course it's mixed with sour cream, parmesean cheese and artichokes!) I just can't get over the texture of cooked leaves. I think it's because I lived in New Guinea and had to eat hairy cooked pumpkin leaves, cold, on several occasions.

At any rate, I have found a way to get my kids, myself and yes, even my husband, to take in massive amounts of healthy green spinach. Green smoothies. I got the recipie from a friend at bookgroup and you HAVE to try them. So, here's what you do

Fill a blender full of fresh spinach
Add one bag of frozen strawberries (or any fruit you like, we've tried adding blueberries and bananas, but strawberries are our favorite)
Pour in about 1-2 cups of 100% apple juice

Blend it all together and you'll NEVER know that you are eating spinach. Plus, you are getting a lot more spinach then you would get just eating a salad, because it's all juiced down.

Try them, you'll like them and so will your kids. Yeah, you can all thank me when you're kids are begging for spinach smootheis! :)

NOTE: You may not want to mention to your children (or husband) what exactly is going into these smoothies until you've got them hooked! :)