LITTLE CHEF

Is it Remy?? Emeril? No, it's our little Chef Gusto (a.k.a Gavin)! A few months ago The Young Chef's Academy opened in our neighborhood shopping center. With Gavin's love of the movie Ratatouille, he has been begging us to send him. When we ask him what sport he wants to sign up for his usual reply is, "No sports, I just want to go to cooking school." Last night he was invited to a birthday party at this place and he had a BLAST!! He made homemade pizza! It was quite a neat place that was educational as well. They let the kids measure out their own flour, pour the olive oil, etc. When we got home Gavin could tell us exactly how he made the pizza and what ingredients it took to make it. So, next time your over maybe our budding little chef can whip you up some homemade pizza!!

HAPPY EASTER

MAMA E'S PIZZA
AND TIGER WOODS GOLFFrank has been craving his mom's homemade pizza and Gavin has been talking trash to his Grandpa for a few weeks about beating his bum at Tiger Woods Golf. So last night Tic Tac and Papa came over. Tic Tac taught Ellie how to make her pizza. She showed her how to "snow" cheese and put the pepperoni and mushrooms on. Ellie LOVED it and it tasted so good! Meanwhile, Gavin taught Papa how to play Tiger Woods Golf on the Wii and stomped his bum. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Gavin is mastering the art of talking a lot of trash. Hmmm.... I wonder who he gets this from-DADDY?!?! Anyway, we had a great time. Thanks for a fun night Tic-Tac and Papa!!

EL PASO EASTER BUNNY

The Doorbell rang and Ellie and Gavin ran to greet the mail lady who was delivering a special package. It was for none other than Gavin Sponge Bob Polk-A-Dot Pants (long story), Ellie Smelly Belly, and Hadley. And it was from none other than the El Paso Easter Bunny (a.k.a. Aunt Tay and Uncle Scott). My kids are so spoiled by their Aunt and Uncle from El Paso. They send the kids gifts in the mail quite frequently and the kids adore them! Every year they get an Easter Basket in the mail. This year Aunt Tayton even made matching outfits for Hadley and Ellie. We love you guys and hope to see you soon!! Thanks for spoiling and loving our kids!

Horton Hears a Who

Gavin and Ellie have been anxiously waiting to go see the new Dr. Seuss movie, Horton Hears a Who. My mom likes to take them to movies and had promised Gavin a few weeks ago she'd take him and Ellie to see it. This morning the kids were very excited. It was the first thing Gavin asked me about when he came in my room at 7:00 this morning. They had a BLAST!! Gavin came home and gave me a flower and asked me if I could hear anything in it. He loved it- I see a new movie addiction forming. Thank you Mema for taking them!! They love going to the movies with you!

(Also, FYI... Kohl's charity books this season are Dr. Seuss- and they have HORTON! (They have some other Dr. Seuss characters if you'd prefer)...But with the big movie coming out we got Gav and Ellie each a Horton and the book Horton Hatches the Egg for 15.00- yep, 5.00 a piece and ALL the money goes to charity- not bad!)

ONE MONTH OLD

Now I have noticed that each week I start out by writing, "I can't believe she is already ___ weeks old." But seriously...how is my sweet, little baby girl a month old today? Where has this month gone? We have been at home pretty much 24/7 and it still flew by. With how fast her first month went by it seems like her first birthday will be here tomorrow. I still just stare at her all day and can't get over how incredibly lucky I feel to have her.
These last four weeks we have definitely learned a lot about our new little blessing. A few things are:

She loves: NURSING, her hands free when swaddled, her brother and sister's voice, when I sing to her, the sound of running water, taking a bath, being carried at all times, sleeping on her side facing Mommy snuggled up, soft blankets, rocking, the bjorn, and the plantation shutters.

She hates: Being alone (in the swing, playmat, crib), getting her diaper changed, having gas, mommy trying over and over to get a paci in her mouth, getting out of the bath, when anyone puts her down, when the car stops, and when I can't nurse her as soon as she wants to eat.

Happy One Month Hadley!

We sure do love you!

FUNNY

A few weeks ago we let Gavin and Ellie watch our wedding video. It was fun to see and the kids got a kick out of it. Tonight Frank is going to an old friend's wedding. I am staying with the kiddo's since it's hard to leave a baby that is pretty much attached to me at all times right now. Anyway, today Frank and Gavin had a cute conversation....

Gavin: Where are you going Daddy?
Frank: To a wedding
Gavin: Are you going to pull your pants down? (On our wedding video the photographer had all the groomsmen pull down their pants and take a picture in their boxers...just being silly)
Frank: Not sure...LOL
Gavin: So, after tonight we're going to have two mommies??
Frank: LOL- No it's someone else wedding buddy..

I am sure Gavin sometimes wishes he could have another Mommy. He thought because Frank was going to a wedding tonight he was going to marry someone else. And thanks to our photographer and our wedding video he also apparently assumes it is somewhat normal for guys to drop their pants at weddings.
It is so cute to see how they think- and makes me realize even though he seems so big to me at times, he is still my little boy with a lot to learn.

FIRST HAIRCUT

I've been saying for awhile now that I should get Ellie's haircut...and today we FINALLY did it. She was SO very excited and kept telling me how she was going to get a lollipop when she was done. We got to Cartoon Cuts (A kids haircut joint) and she went and sat right in the chair. She listened and did everything the lady asked of her and sat very still. When she was done I told her I LOVED her hair and that she looked beautiful, and she said, "I am beautiful like you Mommy." She melts my heart. The lady tried to talk me into a bob cut, but I have to take baby steps. They cut about 3.5 inches off so it no longer touches her panties in the back...but it is still long. And yes, I made sure I kept some snip-it's of hair for her baby book. :-)

THREE WEEKS

Three weeks old- WOW!! I am so in love with this little girl. She is such a sweet, easy, loving little baby. I wish she would stay this sweet and small forever. She is growing and changing so much already. Last week at her doctor appointment she was up to 8lbs. 13.5 oz. Our doctor was VERY pleased with her weight gain. She is my little chunk of love. Here are some pictures of our baby girl today on her three week birthday.

BIG HEART AND BLANKETS

Gavin has one of the biggest hearts for a four year old. His Grandma made him a fleece tie blanket when he was little and he still sleeps with it every night. If you know our family, we are REALLY into our blankets. Well, Gavin on his own decided that Hadley and Ellie needed special tie blankets also. So he asked Frank to take him to the fabric store so he could pick out the fabric. They went today and Gavin was so particular with what he wanted for each of them. For Ellie he wanted a Princess blanket, and for Hadley he wanted flowers. Frank said he carefully picked out the perfect blanket for each of them. The lady at JoAnns was so touched by Gav and his sweet idea that she gave them a BIG discount on the fabric. So they came home and Gav and Daddy got to work. Ellie was so excited and couldn't WAIT to snuggle her new princess blanket. And she thanked Gavin profusely. Hadley doesn't know how special her blanket is yet, but she will one day.

SO PROUD

Like every morning Gavin was eager to hold Hadley. Today was a little different though because usually we just let him hold her on the couch, in bed, or somewhere he can sit. But today he asked Frank if he could walk around with her. Next thing I know, Gavin is walking up to me holding his baby sister. He was so proud- beaming!! He then asked all day long if he could "walk around with Hadley." And if Mema, Pepa, Tic-Tac, or Papa come over, he wants to make sure we will let him show them how he can do it!

Two Weeks Old

It is hard to believe our little baby girl is two weeks old today. Here are a few pictures from her second week of life. We are so in love with our newest addition. We feel so blessed.

BOOT SCOOTIN' BOOGIE

Today was Go Western Day at school and the kids were really excited to show off their new boots. Frank took the kids to a Western wear store this weekend and got them their new digs for school. Of course they now want to wear them with everything... even pajamas. I am sure they are enjoying their morning at school showing off their new boots!

Tag, I'm It...
The directions - Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself, and then share the five top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list, and finally tag five people.

Randomness:
1. I have a thing with public restrooms. I will not touch the door handles with my bare hands if I don't have to. I use either a paper towel or my foot to open and close the doors and I use a paper towel to turn on and off the water when washing my hands.

2. I get grossed out when I am not eating and someone else near me is munching on something crunchy. Ice, chips, and carrots are the worst- I can't stand the sound of the crunch!

3. I hate not having a clean house. It makes me feel out of whack and out of control. A clean house really makes me feel better- weird I know. I guess I'm a bit ANAL (ya think?)...but I am learning quickly that with three kids I just have to let it go and not let it get to me so much.

4. I love sad, sappy movies that make me cry. A few of my favorites are Terms of Endearment, Beaches, Steel Magnolias, and Stepmom.

5. I am a sweet-oholic. Forget the salt, pass the sugar. I love sweets. I don't feel like a meal is complete without something sweet in my mouth. I hate that I am so addicted- but I am. Even if it's just a mint- I need something sweet to be the last thing in my mouth. And I used to like everything sweet except chocolate....but ever since being pregnant with Hadley I am in love with chocolate. I crave it, I want it, I eat a lot of it! :0)

Places to go:
1. Australia
2. Hawaii
3. London
4. Bahamas
5. I want to go back to Europe, Jamaica, Playa Del Carmen, St. Lucia, and New York City

Tagged Friends:If you're reading this and you blog...consider yourself tagged!

SISTERS

sis·ter
1.a female offspring having both parents in common with another offspring; female sibling.
2.a female friend or protector regarded as a sister.
3.Biochemistry. being one of an identical pair