Concert

Last week the twins had their annual concert at school. We had a full house...Papa, Gigi, Grandma Nana and Aunt Lynn came out to support their twinlets:)

I took some video with my phone but its not very close.



In this video, Stella is in the front on the right. She is with Jimmie and she has "pajamas" and he has "pajaaaamas":)



You have to watch Thomas' moves in these videos!!

All I Want For Christmas...

Canisters

The kiddos and I spent Monday with Gigi celebrating her birthday a couple days early. We filled the day with thrifting, shopping, nails/toes and cooking. It was the perfect way to celebrate:) I found these retro canisters for my pantry. Love!

Legoland

We received day passes to Legoland from Grandma Nana and we decided to go this past weekend. Tony and I told the kids that we were going to "Camp Add Um Up"....all math, all day long. To say they were underwhelmed was an understatement!!!



There ~may~ have been some tears shed about Camp Add Um Up but when they saw the Legoland sign, all was right:) I love that I caught Thomas' 'face' that he makes when he is super happy!!! :)








Really, Thomas could not have been happier. He just loved it. We learned how Lego's were made.



If I had one complaint, it would have been a larger Lego Star Wars area. Thomas is OBSESSED with Star Wars right now, and there was just a small area.



James loves the Duplex area....it had a great playground and very cute rides:)













I was worried how Stella would like the park, but she loved it! She is not into Lego's that much but it didn't matter. She loved the rides!




In the center of the park, there is a Lego City....it is AMAZING. All these cities made of Lego's. I could have really looked at this for awhile. However, a certain two year old did not understand that you could not climb the fence and play with the city.











James was able to get his 'Jr Driver License'. He had to drive the Lego car by himself all the way around the track at least one time to get it....no problem;)









The last thing we did was check out the old Cypress Garden section. We used to take the twins to Cypress Gardens when it was still open and it was cool to see the beautiful gardens. I'm glad they left a part of that.



The park was only opened until 5, so we were home for dinner. Great family day!!

Mobile Command Center

I think the beginning of the year is a good time to get organized. I am on a constant quest for organization and decluttering. I was searching Pinterest for organizational idea and I can across a 'mobile command center'. I completely ~borrowed~ the idea from this post at A Bowl Full of Lemons.

After a quick trip to Target, I was all set up. I love the way it turned out. I will have to let you know how it works reducing our paper/mail clutter.

First thing I needed was a central place for our pens and pencils.



I needed one central location where all the paper in our house goes. Someone gets the mail, it goes here. The kids have papers for me to look at, they go here. So instead of small piles of papers on the kitchen table, on the island and on the coffee table, all the paper goes in one spot.


I used these tabs:
1. Incoming mail
2. Outgoing mail
3. To File
4. Needs Review
5. To Pay
6. Sign and return (kids stuff mostly)
7. Tony
8. Amy
9. Stella
10. Thomas
11. James
12. Grocery list & coupons



The paper gets sorted from the central location to the file folders.....keeping the counters CLEAR and papers where I can find them!!!


One organizational project complete!

Stella-ism

Stella: We have a substitute teacher all week.

Me: Oh yeah? Why is your teacher out?

Stella: I don't know mom. Maybe she's just out....living her life.

Besties

Over the break, one of my dearest friends came to visit with her sweet daughter. Our kiddos just pick up right where they left off....playing with each other like they see each other every day. While they were here, we walked over to feed the fish and turtles. Angela snapped some adorable pictures of the kiddos.

2011 Review

I did this for 2010 here. But my 2011 year was much different!!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
I reupholstered a chair. Six of them actually.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
In 2012 I will try to laugh more and worry less.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No...that is what 2012 is for!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No...we had our fair share of losses in 2010.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I am always trying to carve out 'me' time.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 4th 2011...we were in New York, with my grandparents, in my hometown watching fireworks. It was an amazing trip.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being very present with my children. I tried to take excellent care of them.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting some things in the past still bother me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really….a cold here or there. Nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmm, nothing stands out. I didn't make any large purchases.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Gabrielle Giffords inspired me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Jerry Sandusky really stands out.

14. Where did most of your money go?
House, groceries, nanny, etc.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Traveling....up to New York and back again for a girls weekend.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele - Someone like you

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
a) happier
b) thinner
c) Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Walking

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worrying

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with Tony, the kiddos, my MIL, my parents, Aunt Lynn and her family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes all over again. It is safe to say that 2010 was a valley in my marriage and 2011 was a peak.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Real Housewives...I still love my trashy TV

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I do not hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?
So many great reads.....The Help, Water for Elephant, The Paris Wife, Room, etc.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pandora

26. What did you want and get?
a beautiful ring from Tony

27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing...I have everything I could ever want.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I loved The Help, Bridesmaids, Larry Crowne.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38! Wow! I spent it with my family:)

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing....it was a stellar year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Fashion concept? Hahahahahahahahaha….I usually go for clean clothes. Clean.

32. What kept you sane?
My husband, my friends

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Kate Middleton

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ugh....Rick Perry's political ad....

35. Who did you miss?
My sisters. I miss them so much and we always have such a good time. They are amazing aunts to my children and I can’t wait to see them soon!!!!

36. Who was the best new person you met?
New person? I can’t think of anyone.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Do not invest in people who do not invest in you. Only look forward.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Its not a song lyric but I just saw this on Pinterest....

"I choose to be happy because it is good for my health."