"Mom, there is a GEYSER outside!"

In general. our street is pretty quiet.  This afternoon was a bit different.  Slightly after one, we heard a ruckus outside.  The kids ran to window to investigate.  Bella yelled, "Mom, there is a GEYSER outside!
                                    I reached for the camera and we dashed out the door.  

When the kids asked if they could get a little wet, I happily agreed.  

Isabella and Michael ran up and down the street, splashing and giggling all the way.

 The "geyser" provided us with a little excitement and fun on an otherwise quiet Tuesday.

Truly, what a childhood these littles have! 

I am so glad to be along for the ride.

Now, back to a regular Tuesday.

XO-T

Disney's Campaign; I am a Princess

My heart beats stronger with each viewing of Disney's, I am a princess commercial.  

I beam with pride as I listen to the words as a little girl, 

 woman, mother of a daughter and teacher.  

The negative stigma that once was associated with being a princess is now being lifted.

If we raise our daughters to share the love of books like Belle,

 have the determination of Tiana,

 the courage of Merida and the heart of SnowWhite

 there will be no need to be rescued 

by Prince Charming, but rather be cherished by a Prince Charming of their choosing.

I am a princess (via youtube)

I hope with all my heart that this anthem will resound in my daughter and yours

 for years to come.

It is our responsibility to nurture bright, strong and kind daughters.

Words hold power when we BELIEVE them.

I am a Princess

I am brave sometimes.

I am scared sometimes.

Sometimes I am brave even when I am scared.

I believe in loyalty and trust.

I believe loyalty is built on trust.

I try to be kind. I try to be generous.

I am kind even when others are not so generous.

I think standing up for myself is important.

I think standing up for others is even more important, 

but standing with others is most important.

I believe compassion makes me strong.

Kindness is power.

and family is the highest bond of all.

I have heard I am beautiful.  I know I am strong.

I am a Princess, long may I reign!

I LOVE You Day!

Holidays have taken on a new meaning now that I am a mother of three. 

 Every holiday has to be celebrated in some sort of grand fashion. 

 Cupid has been slinging arrows and preparing for Valentines Day.  

In fact, Isabella saw fit that her boyfriend at school get a few of his favorites for

 Valentines Day too...yes, dad knows.

Everything is in place.  

While it was a lot of fun this mom is ready for a long slumber.  XO

Adding her special touch to cards

Isabella's school bag

Mailed a few postcards

Classmate Valentine's Day Bags 

 Made Mini Cheesecakes for MOPS

Pinterest Craft

 Cookies for decorating at school

Hooray to Ralphs for the smart kits...cookies & frosting

Goodies from Grandma & Gramps 

 Isabella's gift to her boyfriend: 3 green cars (his favorite color is green), snacks (she insits he loves the Ritz crackers), crayons and markers (green thing again) and she thinks he likes kit kats too

Viola!

 Goodies for the trio upon waking up

Family dinner will be made simple and cozy and

 decadent flourless chocolate cakes from Blackmarket Bakery will be served for dessert

Happy Valentines Day

Our Week in Pics

This week treated us fairly well. 

We welcomed the rain with enthusiasm.  

Much of the week was spent preparing for 

an upcoming consignment sale and Valentines Day.

We had a bit of a hiccup in the week when our car wouldn't start,

 but the kids loved waiting for the tow service truck while munching on pizza.  

Grandpa's leftover pie helped ease the set back for me!

Thursday is Valentines Day...Happy I love you day!

Love peeking in on the kids sleeping

Flowers of the week.  

(Part of 40 ways to celebrate being 40)

Ready for rain

Valentines Day Card Prep

He thought he was helping...

Consignment Prep

 Grandpa Milan stopped by with pie and ice cream

 Uh oh...

 Pizza on the front step while waiting for the tow truck

Off to the repair garage

The Other White Stuff

We all were enchanted by the notion that we could use sugar substitutes guilt free.  I joined the bandwagon and tore open blue and yellow packets sweetening up ice tea and coffee. I was in the dark as so many were/are about the ramifications to our health.  The sugar substitutes, if harmful, couldn't be worse than using the real stuff, right?  Wrong.

Why I am kicking "the other white stuff" out:

The Department of Health and Human Services have identified 90 different symptoms associated with the use of aspartame, sucralose and saccharin. 

Here are just a few of the symptoms:

Headaches, rapid heart rate, numbness, seizures, slurred speech, rashes, loss of hearing, nausea, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, depression, anxiety, visual disturbances, joint pain, fatigue

Research also has concluded that the following diseases and conditions are worsened by ingesting aspartame:

diabetes, brain tumors, birth defects, mental retardation, epilepsy, MS, fibromyalgia

I  am sharing this information because you owe it to yourself and the ones who love you to avoid and limit the consumption of man made sweetners. This is a different kind of post for me; I was prompted to share this while recently watching a beautiful mother of two putting six (yes, SIX) yellow packets of sweetner into grande cap.  

It won't take long for your tastebuds to adjust and your body will pay you back with better overall health.

XO

Our Week in Pics

Wow, February snuck up quickly didn't it? 

 We are slowly returning back to our routine,  fevers are gone at last!

Isabella had pajama day at school. 

 Michael shared in the fun by donating a pair of pajamas along with his sister.  

This salad was yummy.

Blooms. Sneak peek of what I hope spring will offer.

 Sunday morning rolls.

Joseph and "his friends."

Early Spring?

 Prayers offered.

Witnessed the joy of another family member (2nd Cousin) baptized at
  St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church
A perfect way to end the week

Happy February!

XO