A Very Baby Shoe Day

Congratulations to my bff Tracy and her hubby Elliot. I can not wait for you to experience the strain of being 9 months pregnant, the tearing and pain of labor and the sheer joy and happiness of holding your baby for the first time, you will never feel love that powerful until you have your little baby in your arms.

Don't worry I'll buy way cuter shoes than this, but these are so classic!! I love you!

Of course

It always happens that when you say one thing another happens...what's that called...like when you say something and then you want to "knock on wood" or maybe you just want to take it back because you know you were having a bad day.

Eva has been truly amazing today...honestly. Of course she had her moments when she had minor meltdowns and talking back (hey, my kids not perfect...even though I claim it to be true) but mostly, she listened, she said please, she said thank you, she ate every meal without complaint (a Christmas miracle), she did really well with her reading lesson and overall was a complete sweetheart. We even went shoe shopping today and it was a semi bonding experience...if Elle hadn't been there I think we could have really had an amazing time (no offense Elle, you're like a baby...so you don't really put up with trying on 10 pairs of shoes...someday you will sweetie, and it will be amazing).
Kids. We all have our days, some days Eva is a terror and it doesn't even faze me, other days she does like 3 things throughout the day and I come unglued. Luckily, there's always the next day, and days like these, when we both strike a happy medium.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions, I think I'm going to look into the 123 magic thing, Jeremy and I don't see eye to eye on discipline so I think once we get on board to one thing we agree on it will make it that much easier for all of us. And I would try the grandma boot camp thing but I think my mom wants to be the grandma that spoils the holy crap out of her grandchildren...she was the disciplinarian for me...I was so lucky (as I sigh and am secretly jealous of Eva never having a tongue lashing from grandma).

Does anyone know of a good boarding school?

I'm almost at the end of my rope with my darling daughter...I think we can all assume I mean Eva and not baby Elle. Eva has been seemingly more and more horrid. I've noticed it in the past few days...well maybe week it's getting bad, very bad. I was talking to a friend tonight and she thought it had been the past few months (ouch!).
She talks to me like she owns me, which I don't get because I have never been one to not use discipline. Being a parent is obviously hard and there are so many different emotions and feelings that come with every stage of your child's life, right now I'm at the, "Is-there-a-boarding-school-for-4-year-old-girls?" stage. Or perhaps some sort of school where both her and I can attend and they can teach her discipline and teach me how to use it effectively? that would be too easy. All I can say is if I go missing when my girls reach the age of puberty...heck, the age of 10, don't go looking for me, I will be far, far away, I will come back for their 16th birthdays and high school graduation, but that's pretty much it.
Here is Eva's conversation with me after swim lessons today (this is just a taste of her current state):
Eva: Why are you going so slow? I want to go home.
Me: I'm going as fast as the car in front of me is going, I can only go so fast.
-5 minutes later...seriously-
Eva: You are going so slow.
Me: -silence-
~~We get home~~We walk in the door~~
Eva: I'm hungry, make me a bagel.
Me: -silence- I carry Elle up to her crib for a nap-
Eva: Make me a bagel.
Me: I will not make you a bagel, I will make you a PB&J and you will eat it.
(note: usually I prompt her to say, "Don't you want to say please?" and stuff like that but I was at the end of my rope, I knew if I tried to talk to her I would explode all over her and I didn't want to do that)
Eva: -huffing, moaning, protesting-
I hand her the sandwich, she grabs it and says she wishes it was a bagel. Once she's done she demands another sandwich:
Me: Are you done?
Eva: Yes. (she starts to hand me the crusts...which she doesn't eat and I never cut off)
Me: Go throw that away in the garbage.
Eva: I'm NOT DONE!
Me: I'm pretty sure you just said you were done about 4 seconds ago.
Eva: -silence-
~~~She eventually falls asleep within the next 5 minutes~~~
HELP ME! I don't know if it's time to try some other form of discipline, if she's outgrowing something we're doing...she's trying to take control of my life and I think it's working...save me from my 4 year old!!

Red...head.

It's official...I closed the polls a day early...I don't think I have more than 14 friends that view this blog...so I'm going red. Yay. Stay tuned for photos.

And don't forget to also stay tuned to a very special Fantasy shoe Friday!!! I can't wait.

~Christa

Hi, my name is Christa and...I'm addicted to Craigslist

I may as well be honest to those around me. I've become addicted to craigslist withing the last 72 hours.

Exhibit A- "Free Piano":

We had some friends that got a free piano off of craigslist and they spent a little over $100 getting it fixed up. It's a beautiful piano and I thought to myself, "Huh, I could probably do that to." Of course this was around Christmas time and I didn't really think about it at all...until about 72 hours ago. I decided to check craigslist...why not...there could be another free piano from someone who just doesn't have the room. So I checked Saturday and low and behold there were the words "Free Piano" this poor lady had this piano for 30 years and she just didn't have room for it any longer, she said it needed some fixing up but I was willing to do the work...by me I mean my husband. So here it is:

Not bad at all, a few dings here and there and the keys needed to be filed, there were a few hammers missing along with the fact that it needed to be tuned...very badly. I was excited and today I was supposed to call around and find out how much it would cost to get it all fixed. (It should be noted that I emailed a few other people about other items throughout the day on Sat. and Jeremy and my dad went to pick this up on Sunday morning before church.

So fast forward to today. I was searching the web for local piano people to fix our new piano when I decided to go ahead and see what all the new listings were on craigslist for the day...and I came across and really nice piano for $275! I thought, "Gees! If it takes $200 to fix the one we have now only $75 for one that already works...hmmm." So I called Jeremy and left a voicemail. Then I scrolled down a bit further and found a piano for $100! I started to think that maybe I had jumped the gun with the free piano...I started to regret my free purchase...mostly because both Jeremy and my dad think they really hurt their backs lifting it and my dad got a really deep cut from the bottom of the free piano. Anyway back to the $100 piano. It looked good, it had some scribbles on it from kids BUT they had just spent $100 getting some keys fixed and tuning it....the wheels were turning...in my head. So I picked up the phone once more to call Jeremy and left a very excited voicemail saying all of my new found info on the $100 piano. Then I called my mom telling her all about it and that I thought it was really worth it.

I also noticed on the pic of the $100 piano that there was a primary book. I thought, these people have to be Mormon....bonus. So I called the guy about it and he was very excited to sell it to us as well. Jeremy gets home I tell him all about it, I called my home teacher asked him to get us a truck and help go get it. It turns out the people selling the piano are IN OUR WARD!! Seriously, isn't that crazy! Anyway, so Jeremy went with our home teacher around 1pm and got the piano for $100!

I think we're going to paint it an awesome color (any suggestions?) and the moral of the story is...Jeremy is really annoyed with me and told me I need to stop looking at craigslist for a while...and now we have two pianos in our tiny townhouse!

So...do you need a free piano?

Ellemania

It's Ellemania folks...they may be blurry but that does not take away the cuteness.



Don't you just want to give her a big hug?

note: the colors of her pj's are the colors I want to paint in her room...when and if we ever own a home before she can tell me she wants to pick out her own colors. The End.

Valentines...better late than never.

I've been really slacking putting up new pics lately. I keep forgetting to bring my camera places and I actually have a bunch of stuff that I want to take pics of and put on the blog. Anyway, here are some pics of the girls opening up their Valentine's gifts from Grandma.

Elle is obviously very excited about opening up a Valentine's present!

Eva had on a very cute outfit that was pink and white and she looked super cute, of course she was up in her room right before Grandma and Grandpa came over and decided to change her clothes...to Halloween clothes, a holiday that is basically the polar opposite of Valentine's, it obviously made for great pictures. Her shirt says, "Trick or Treat, I accept Cash." Thank you Grandpa for buying that for her...real sweet.

Elle and my dad always do this weird staring thing, it's actually really cute, but Elle will just stare at him, and of course my dad being my dad gets in her face and does it right back...it must be some sort of odd bonding ritual.

The loot.

One last pic with Grandma and the giant balloon she got Eva. You can see Eva was really thrilled to take the pic.

Well, there you have it our Valentine's pics. Jeremy got my a vase full of gerber daisy's (my favorite) and a gift certificate to The Retreat Spa here in town!! Can not wait! Here's their website if you want to be jealous : http://www.theretreatonline.com/ go ahead and be jealous...I think I will be getting a massage and the ultimate pedicure...I don't know exactly what makes it "ultimate" but I am willing to find out.

Fantasy Shoe Day Friday: Tods

Tods shoes seem to have a sort of "new age preppy" look about them. I like that they are simple, classic and a little bit of a "tilt your head" second glance kind of shoe. Plus they always look so comfy. Onto the classics:

These are the New Matisse and they scream out "classic Tods" with the simple shape, classic colors and minimal embellishments. Can't you totally see some women wearing white linen pants and a white button down wearing these on her yacht? Totally. New Matisse is all leather and $425...all cash!

Next up is Matisse, so I don't know if she's like the "old" Matisse or "original" but I like her a lot. Again it's simplicity with gorgeous easy detailing. I love the rivets, they are effortless but such a thoughtful detail, it's so purposeful it's complete. I just love this sandal, I know there isn't a lot to it but it has that preppy edge, loves it! Matisse also comes in a stunning blue and clean cut white. Matisse is $395.

Another Tods classic is the moccasin/loafer. This is a cute take on it with the mule design. This great dark brown leather with the (in their words) geranium detail stitching and bow. Yet another classic rich country club style. I love it, I don't know why, because if any of you know me...and most of you do, I am as far from a Country Club goer as anyone can get (although I live off of Country Club...does that count?). This is Bilbao and she is $375.This is more my loafer style...if I wore loafers and could afford these I would get them because they would be more my style (that wasn't confusing, right?). Love the pearlized pink patent! This is Gommini and she comes with her own signature sole! Just like the above Bilbao, Gommini started the pebble esque sole and everyone else copied her (the pebble sole is another Tods classic, in case you didn't catch on to anything I just wrote). The classic penny loafer, how does this not remind you of grade school? And it was so lame then and so cool now...of course I'm sure if you're in grade school still it's still lame because what 3rd grader cares about fashion? Well I guess I did, mostly NKOTB. Anyway, back to Gommini, she also comes in this stunning pearlized navy. Gommini is $325.Love, love, love this next flat. This is Cindy ballerina and she is in a multi colored grey python, yum. Everything about this shoe I love, I love the python...a lot. I love the knot detail with the little gold Tods tag. I love the shape and I love the pebble bottom. These shoes are a very understated sexy, like the girl who wears them has great self esteem, knows who she is and is very aware of her sexuality and femininity but, you would never think she knows about the things she knows, you know? Understated sexy. She's like the hot daughter at the country club that has all the boys drooling but she wears these with jeans and a polo! Understated Sexy! Cindy Lou(I added the Lou) is $695.This is Dee and she's the girl for me! I know you like it when I rhyme. So cute, it's tradition with a fashionable touch. Again, color blocking is in, I like this color block because it's less severe than the trend with the brights, you can actually wear this color block with many things in your wardrobe, plus again with the rivets, placed so beautifully. Dee is $395.
Whiskey. That's her name don't wear it out. The mustard yellow is a bit harsh but she comes in red and black too if you're turned off. Again, a Tods with the pebble sole and simplistic nature, I can't say it enough. The knot on top of the circular metal Tods embellishment is a nice touch. Another classic cutey. Whiskey woman is $425.Now I know you weren't expecting this, but Tods does create a heel, shocking I know. But isn't it strange how this shoe that has a heel and is completely different from the rest of the shoes STILL looks like a Tods? Classic, classic, classic, I can't say it enough. This is Plateau, cute name, no? Get it, Plateau? I didn't come up with it, it was someone else's genius. Anyway, the beautiful brown leather with the criss cross front and rivet embellishments. Why change a good thing? This heel has a Tods feel, you can't deny it. Plateau's heel is 4" of height and her cost will set you back $595.

Well I hope you've enjoyed the Friday of Tods. I sure have. Tods is just all American Yachters that have stepped it up a notch. Out with the boat shoes, in with the Tods flats! Good day and tune in next week for a very special Fantasy Shoe Day.

My So-Called Life...THE episode, you know which one I'm talking about.

Who in our generation doesn't remember My So-Called Life? I loved it, I didn't totally understand it when I was a kid but I loved it, I was in love with Jordan Catalano (who wasn't?) and I wanted to be Angela. I bring this all up because I am an online TV junkie, if my kids are freaking out or need a bath or whatever I know that I can miss my favorite shows and just get online and watch them the next day...luckily for me I am an avid ABC.com viewer and noticed one day they started putting up My So-Called Life episodes, so I've been watching the last few weeks and re-living my youth. I of course stay up long after my family is in bed and induldge in my obession with TV. Tonight was the episode that sent my body into tingles as a child and had me day dreaming of my first high school love. I urge you to go to http://www.abc.go.com/ and check it out click on full episodes and click on My So-Called Life and it's the episode titled, "Self Esteem" trust me you do not need to know what's been going on up to this point at all, THE moment happens in the last 10 seconds of the show but it is so worth it, I watched it like 5 times.

Enjoy!

To my best friend Tracy...

...given that I didn't send you an actual gift this is what I would have gotten you if I had money...

A really nice massage from the finest massuese in Atlanta

Exibit A:



An extremely relaxing pedicure with all natural ingredients topped with the cutest flowers painted on your toes with rinestone--scratch that--crystal centers.

AAAANNNDDDD let's face it you're only 26 so I may as well you get you these guys before we get too old and it gets creepy:

Happy Birthday toooooo yoooooouuuuuu! Tah Duh!

Friday Shoe Day: A weekend look...for you, and you, and you!

Everyone's feet take the day off on the weekend (usually) and today I will give you some great weekend shoes for your feet. Of course these shoes will also be good for the warmer weather coming up for walks to the park, running errands with the kids and downtown strolling.

Onward:

This is probably the coolest shoe I have ever heard of...ever. Seriously. This shoe comes from the Simple brand and they call it "Satire." Now we all know about the big Hollywood trend of "going green" well if you want to hop on that bandwagon these are the shoes that will make you the greenest of the green. Satire is made of organic cotton and washed leather, the outsole is recycled car tires and, the laces are made from melted platic bottles, hellooooo. Could you be more green? That makes this shoe pretty cool whether you care about going green or not. Plus it's in this super nice "dark earth" color and the laces being that nice slate blue makes this a really awesome weekend shoe. Satire can be yours for the eco friendly price of $70. p.s. good luck finding your size, the Hollywood "it" crowd is all over this shoe and there are hardly any left.Who doesn't love Keds? I mean come on, they all remind us of our childhood and in recent years they have become waaaay cooler then the boring white lace up they use to be, I mean hello, Mischa Barton even did some designing for them (this does not mean that I like her, it just means she's "young & hip" and she's not going to get onboard a project she thinks is lame, end of explanation). So here is a really cute Keds slip on in Champion Stripe...real original name, no? I love these great color combos with the brown/peach/tan/white. This is easy enough to pair with a white tee and jeans and go for a walk with the kids...how hip are you? This striped up slip on is only $40.
Saucony...Saucony. Really it's just fun to say. This baby is known as "Bullet" (that's kind of cool) and comes in a couple other colors, I personally like the brown and green, very earth mother hippy. I have to give homage to my roots as an Oregonian. Anyway, easy, fun, this is definetly an Oregon style though so if you don't think it's cute, it wont hurt my feelings, Bullet is a cool $60.

Privo, Privo, Privo. It sounds like an Italian opera. This Privo is called Mesa and she comes in a aray of colors; orange, black, green and this beautiful grey and baby blue. I had a hard time picking just one Privo to show because they have so many styles that are really similar to this in these really great colors and I encourage you to look them up on piperlime.com because these are some very cute shoes, especially if you want to invest in some great casuals. I love the sleek little hook and loop closure detail. And this shoe taught me a new word...whether it's a real word or not doesn't matter, Privo coined this a "Athleisure" slip on. Like athletic and leisure together, that's a sweet word. So Mesa is $80 which is a lot but I don't know, I guess if you had the money and you really liked the style. I almost forgot my absolute favorite part of this shoe, on the back of the shoe is a little "!" isn't that cute, it's something that makes a little statement and I gaurentee your kids will love, it's Privo's trademark, they actually write it out, Pr!vo. Just a little trivia for you.I love brown and pink, it's very sophisticated and girly all in one. This is a J-41 shoe and it's known as "Aquarius Vegan" odd to put in the word vegan, right? Unless it's a vegan shoe, and it is folks! Now I don't know why a vegan shoe was created...at all. I know the vegans of the world are hardcore, but your own shoe, really? Whatever, it's a little eco friendly too which is pretty cool...I guess. This shoe is vegan because it contains no animal products, which I don't care about either way, but it does have partially recycled outsoles, and that's very "in." I love the criss cross straps, it gives it a little bit of a ballet flat feel, only edgy. Also, it's hard to tell in this picture but, there is this very cute girly design in these retro flowers on the bottom of the sole and the side piping. There are also other Aquarius shoes that aren't vegan but come in the same style with equally cute colors. Most of the J-41 line looks the same so if you like this look check them out, Aquarius Vegan is $89.
I love the colors in this shoe. Silver and gold. And it has this great satin detail with flowers, paisely and leafs. Such a sophisticate for such a sporty shoe. There's not much more to say about this shoe, it's part of the Sketchers Active line and her name is "Sunkissed" awww, $55.This is by far my favorite shoe of the day. First off you can't go wrong with Converse. It's classic, it's been around for-ev-er and a great converse never goes out of style. This is my favorite version because it is slip on...no laces and easy to get your foot into, no pulling at the heel, it's a breeze to get your foot into. I love the classic navy color to go with jeans, bermudas, capris, whatever you wear, even a cute skirt! There's even a built in support beneath the tongue for a good fit! Plus it comes in a few different colors if you don't want the all American blue. And to pay for a good Converse doesn't seem like that much of a burden, you know you'er buying quality and this All Star is only $45.

Well happy weekend to all, I hope you start shopping around for your new playground/park/grocery trip/downtown stroll shoe/Saturday shoe. Happy Weekend Shoe Friday!!

The Day of Love

I saw this on someones else's blog and being that it's Valentine's Day I thought it would be a fun little tribute to Jeremy and I.

How long have you been married?
We've been married for 5 1/2 years.
How long did you date?
We dated for about a year and were engaged for a year...I know...waaaaay too long to be engaged. We had issues...with Jeremy not knowing if he was going to be able to go back out on his mission...and then my mom wanted us to be engaged forever so she could plan everything.
Who eats more?
I guess it depends on what it is. I think that we may be pretty even though...so sad for me.
Who said I love you first?
I don't remember...knowing myself I'm sure I said it first. I know that we were in love very quickly though...I believe two weeks after we started dating we told everyone we knew that we were getting married...then two years later we did.
Who's taller?
Jeremy...barely.
Who sings better?
I know Jeremy can sing but he never does...not even at church, he always lips it. I love to sing, that does not mean I'm better though. Apparently Jeremy was quite the choir boy in high school but I have no proof...he never sings.
Who does the dishes?
Hmmm, it's more like, who breaks for the sheer volume of dishes first? I have my days when I do all the dishes and Jeremy has his days when he's always doing dishes. Unfortunately for us we both hate unloading the dishwasher.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
I do. It use to be opposite; I think Jeremy may still be bitter, b/c I didn't even remember that we switched when I was pregnant with Elle but he brought it up the other day...I think he wants his old side back...oh well.
Who pays the bills?
Jeremy pays most of the bills, there are a very slim few I pay, like the water bill. Sometimes I write out the rent check...and Jeremy does everything else.
Who mows the lawn?
The lawn service, hellooooo.
Who cooks dinner?
Usually me, but Jeremy comes home and makes dinner sometimes.
Who is more stubborn?
Me, hands down.
Who kissed who first?
This is actually a good story. Jeremy was dropping me off at my dorm and it was like 5 minutes before curfew. We had this awkward kind of sitting in the car not looking at each other starring out the front window moment. And then, IN SPANISH, Jeremy asks if he can kiss me. He asked me in spanish, because he was so nervous! Of course my 4 years of spanish in high school was close to useless and I didn't understand anything he said. He then went word by word slowly and had me figure it out because he didn't want to say it in english! I then said yes and we had the best kiss in the world, I still get butterfly's when I close my eyes and remember it!
Who asked who out?
Jeremy asked me out. It was great because I was building the courage to call him and ask him out and he called me!
Who proposed?
Jeremy did, on the sand dunes in St. Anthony at sunset, it was really sweet.
Who has more friends?
Seriosuly? I win this category hands down also. Jeremy refuses to make friends, whatever, his loss.
Who has more siblings?
And Jeremy obviously wins this one, my one sibling can't compete with his four.

My dentist visit.

So I went to the dentist yesterday...this is the same dentist I went to for all of my childhood...most of it anyway, since 1994. Anyway, I get there and eveyone is talking about how "old" they feel since I'm like a grown up and have 2 kids. Whatever. I get to the back and there's this new hygenist and she is super cute and fun to talk to...I start to feel a little old because she's obviously younger than I am...then I find out she has a 10 year old daughter! Crazy. This actually has nothing to do with why I'm posting...the real reason is that my "claim to fame"(in my eyes) is that I have never had a cavity...ever...never ever, I loved going to the dentist as a kid, I love brushing my teeth, I didn't always floss but I love flossing now...I know that I'm sick and that my love for the dentist is wrong but he always told me how amazing my teeth were and dentists always ask if I had braces and I can always say, " No, of course not!" I like the dentist because he likes my mouth, ok?! Is that so wrong? It's like a little self esteem boost to go to the dentist. Anyway. I go there yesterday and he's looking at my x-rays and it goes silent. I'm just sitting there completly oblivious thinking about how awesome my teeth are totally unaware of the peril that is about to befall me. He mentions to "keep a watch" on two teeth to the hygenist...then he stops and looks at the x-ray very closely...as if he doesn't already have those magnifying weird dentist glasses on...on top of his regular glasses...he even looks at the x-ray with the light they shine in your mouth...silence...then he looks over at me a pauses and says, "Christa, you have a cavity." Now at this point you may have to make fun of me but this is the wave of emotion that went on in my head within a 1 second time frame:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! What happened? What did I do wrong? Why me? Is it going to hurt? I'm so ashamed...I'm so embarrased. My mouth is tainted. It's not a sweet innocent mouth anymore. I have nothing to boast about I HAVE A FRICKIN' CAVITY!!!
Then I responded(with tears welling up in my eyes)"Oh...ok." Seriously it took everything I had not to cry. I know that sounds stupid BUT it was my biggest fear to have a cavity as a child and then once I started going to the dentist he told my how great my teeth are I felt invincible...when it came to my dental hygiene. And now this. I'm so very sad.
So ladies and gentleman, I have a cavity...at 25 years old...and to be honest, I'm scared. My fate will be met this April 11th. The sweet hygenist said, "Well, you still don't have a cavity until you get it filled, so you can still tell people that you don't have one!" It was sweet of her to say that, she could tell I was devistated. But why live a lie? I have a cavity. :'( That's a tear.

1st dentist visit!

I feel like Eva has been bonbarded with all of these "firsts" this week...and it's only Tuesday!
So she had her first swim lesson yesterday and today she had her first dentist visit! I was a little weary about how it was going to go...mostly because Eva is very sensitive to loud noises and I just though the sounds would freak her out. I tried to explain how it was all going to go down so she had a little bit of a heads up. She loved the kids waiting room full of toys.
Now Eva is very intelligent...I think she is and I've had many people tell me she is...so when she gets "shy" or "nervous" it's really embarrasing because she comes across as...not intelligent, that's the best way to describe it...nicely.
So the hygenist was asking her questions and Eva just sort of looks around, acts very shy and makes small peep sounds like a baby dinosaur...or a baby. I have to remind her to, "talk like a 4 year old" all the time...I know it's lame that it embarrases me but, it does, especailly since I go around sining her praises constantly and then when she meets someone she goes into this weird introverted 1 year old baby thing...really embarrasing.
So whatever, I had to pry answers out of her and answer questions for her but besides all of that, she did amazing. She got to touch all the mouth tools and see what they did and she did a great job of opening up and letting them clean her little pearly whites. I was actually really proud of her even though the baby talk was enough to make anyone's eyes roll. She did great. She was quiet until the minute we got out to the car and then she went on and on about how the water was so cool squirting out and it tickled and how cool her new toothbrush is and that the floss tasted so good.
She did great, hopefully she will love the dentist as much as I do. That's right, I love going to the dentist, it was my favorite doctor to go see...and I have my x-rays tomorrow and I can't wait! ;P

Eva and Elle's morning conversation

Eva: "I have swim lessons today and you're not invited."
Elle: -silence-
Eva: "I go swimming and you can't come."
Elle: "AH-DUH!"
Eva: "You're daddy isn't here Elle."

Never wake a sleeping baby...

...even if that baby is 4 years old.

Eva's Swim Lessons

So today was the first day of swim lessons for Eva. She was so excited (that's a complete understatment). She was bouncing in her seat all the way there and practically broke down the door to get in. Once we were in we went to the ladies locker room to get her clothes off and rinse off and get in the pool. Eva took off her clothes in record time...around the corner there was an old naked lady and Eva gave this weird look like, "What is she doing naked?" it was hilarious. Anyway, we get to the pool and Eva's teacher seemed like a really sweet girl and there were only two other kids in the class, both girls! Eva did well, she listened and at one point they had the girls jump in and Eva of course wanted to hold the teachers hand to do it...she is all girl when it comes to her fear of doing things...and Eva didn't realize that they were in deeper water so when she jumped in she went under (of course) and she must have breathed in or something because she came up with eyes as big as baseballs and grabbing her nose saying it hurt and she was freaked out! I was just saying to myself over and over, "please don't cry, please don't cry." She looked over at me and I just gave her a huge smile and thumbs up and told her it was ok, that she did a good job...thankfully she didn't cry (yesssss).
After that they had a little free time to play with balls and whatever else and then the bell rings to let you know it's over and Eva flipped out. She just started bawling and didn't want it to be over yet, I had to explain to her that we were coming back on wednesday and it was a twice a week thing and swim lessons weren't completly over they were just over for today. It took a lot to calm her down. This is what she said back in the locker room:
"Mommy I'll stop crying if when we get home I can have one of those brown cookies(girl scout tagalongs)."
--unfortunately for Eva mommy finished all of the brown cookies...several days ago.--
So I told her we would go to Jamba Juice for a treat...she was ok with that. Now that I know there's a Jamba Juice in town, I will be there much more often.
On the way over to Jamba I attempted to parrallel park with the van...that was a joke. I was sweating and felt like a you know what, the spot was perfect! So then I just gave up and tried to find somewhere else to park...I ended up turning around, going back down the street and then turning again and then I found a spot...where I didn't have to parallel park...but I did have to pay :(
Regardless we got out smoothies and Eva is now napping...and Elle is screaming. The End.

Friday Shoe Day: Spring-tastic!

For everyone pining away for Spring I will bring you all the colors of Spring that you can't wait to see. I've brought you shoes in every color (practicaly) and I want you to be open about the colors. Don't think, "What could I wear with that orange shoe?" Think, "That could look cute with a eyelet sundress and sunglasses...or in my case, a pair of jeans and a hoodie.
Onward:

May as well dive right in and go straight for the orange shoe. This design is by NA NA and her name is "Pryor." She is made of soft supple leather and has the cutest lightest ribbon weaving in and out and finishing with a slight bow. So perfect for your feet, it's such a happy shoe. It's not super intense, yes I do realize that it is orange but it's not like neon orange. You could get these now and it could be like a little bit of "Spring crack" for your sense's. All you have to do to realize that the snow and rain will end is to look to your feet adorned with this yummy orange flat. Then think of all the ways to wear it: t-shirt and jeans, bermudas and a white button down, a fun circle skirt with a neutral tee, spring dress, with your swim suit etc. You CAN make an orange show work...especially if you're a beaver fan and it works even better if you live in Corvallis, every girl you see will want these. Pryor is only $70.

Onto my most expensive shoe...and it's not even a shoe it's a sandal that hardly covers any part of your foot. I only chose this sandal because it really is ready for spring and summer weather and it had all the colors of the rainbow...and it was ridiculously priced. This is "Anette" by Cynthia Vincent. Honestly I've already mentioned why I like it, it's super colorful and so nicely adorned with all the jewels it's a sandal that could really make any foot look rich. Of course since it's not covering much of your foot at all...you probably should only wear this if you have cute feet...no bunions, cracked heels or weird shaped toes...sorry, usually I don't discriminate against feet but this sandal will point out every flaw your feet have. Anette is $235.
When I first saw this show I loved it! I love the color...for those of you who don't know my favorite color is green and I love this green it is so bright and fun and shiny. Plus the cut outs are hot right now. I first thought, honestly, what could I wear these with? Flats are pretty easy to pair, even if they are a bright color but, this is a semi dress shoe, what with the heel and all and it is a unique color. It's got the laser cut details, it's 100% metallic leather, and even the 3 1/2" heel is covered in leather; it also has the gold contrast for a semi color blocking feel(color blocking is in too). So these are the outfits I made up in my head: a camel colored pencil skirt with a white button up, spring dresses in these colors: pink, turquoise, camel, black, lilac and white, also would look cute poking out underneath some trouser cut jeans...dark wash. There you have it, also I was so way off saying that Anette was the most expensive, Jean-Michel Cazabat over did himself with "Oria" and she's a stunning $525. That's almost rent.

This next shoe is by Rampage and her name is "Ophelia." Me-ow! I love it. Ophelia is in this stuning shade of cobalt blue and it's breath taking...it's definetly the color I wish the sky was right about now...sigh. Ophelia is done up in this crinkle patent and stuning bow, I love that it looks like it was made to be there...ok that sounds stupid, of course it was made to be there but some bows look like they were glued on, this one looks so purposeful, I love it. These baby's are only $50! I was tempted to buy them but they are already out of my size...which is shocking, obviously more people in the world have giant feet than I thought, they're out in size 7 too! You better get on the ball if you want these cobalt beauties, they come in red and black too.



Last but not least my lemon drop dream. This is "Buttercup" by Mia. Isn't she super retro, love it. Now this is a bright shoe, a sunshine yellow that has me dreaming of days of yore (anyone ever seen that Friends episode?). Anyway, Buttercup has these fab button details and this patent glow, ahhh, warm weather, I can almost feel the sunshine. Again, this shoe can go with whatever, so cute, love the peep toe, this little lady can not wait for warmer weather and neither can I...I think we were made for one another...Buttercup is only $70. Unfortunetly I'm not the only one craving a little buttercup, she's already sold out in my size (yet another sad face) but she does come in black, boo on rain.


Well I hope it's gotten a little warmer where you're at...even if it's in your head. Happy Spring shopping...even if it's online while you drink hot cocoa, I invite you to feel the the spirit of the new spring arrivals all over the internet...no purchase necessary.

Disney World Here We Come!!!

We're going to DisneyWorld this December to January 2009!!! We've been planning to go to Disneyland for Eva's 5th birthday for a while but when I sat down and did the math for the trip it made much more sense to try and shoot for Florida. My parents are coming too and none of us have ever been to DisneyWorld and we all can not wait! I made our reservation for hotel and tickets last week and it was so exciting! We're counting down the days till December 30th and we'll be gone until January 6th!! Woo Hoo!!!

100th Post!

So instead of writing 100 things that will sure to bore both you and me about myself...that no one will ever read...I have decided to write five awesome/silly/funny/sweet things about each of our family members.

JEREMY:
1. He would literally do anything for us.
2. He never complains when he comes home and not a whole lot is done around the house...and then he'll even make dinner sometimes.(I'm so lucky, no other man would put up with me)
3. He is so funny but only with me...I kind of like that.
4. He loves to just hold the girls.
5. He takes Eva out on dates to Petco.



ME:
1. If Eva has an accident or breaks something I tell her, "You know what, it happens it's ok, don't worry about it." And I think that's really cool.
2. I love all my friends so much and I think about them everyday, friends mean a lot to me and I hope that I always show that.
3. I like vacuuming and cleaning toilets.
4. I love buying my girls new clothes, I like to show off my personal style through them since I don't buy myself new stuff very often.
5. There is no other man in this world for me except Jeremy, we were meant to be together.

EVA:
1. Her hair naturally curls on the end so it always looks like her hair is done...which is such a blessing b/c I suck at doing hair + she hates it when I touch her hair.
2. She has a little mole on her neck right where her collar bones come together at the dip. I love it.
3. She loves animals just like her dad.
4. She's the only 4 year old I know that likes to get scared at the movies and regularly watches, Pirates of the Carribean, all the Harry Potter movies and Short Circuit.
5. She gave her sister the nickname "Ellie Belly."

ELLE:
1. When you hold her she loves to arch her back so she goes upside down. It's her favorite.
2. Whenever we go out she always gets compliments on her blue eyes.(I never thought I had the genetic chance to have a blue eyed baby so I love her eyes and all the compliments.)
3. She says, "Momma" when she really needs me.
4. She hugs back.
5. She'll play with Eva in her crib quietly in the morning so I can get an extra 20-30 minutes of sleep.