travel buddies

Road trips are more fun when you have a furry friend to keep you company.

secret shopping weapon

Ebates is my secret shopping weapon- I signed up less than a year ago, and have already gotten nearly $100 in cash back. It is so easy to use- I just visit ebates prior to doing any online shopping, look up the store I am planning on visiting, and click the link. Easy peasy.

Want to join me in super online shopping savings? Visit this link and sign up: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=U2%2B0x95FxKxW2lnh0OtSPw%3D%3D.

Right now, they are giving a $10 bonus gift card for signing up... all you have to do is make an online purchase at one of the stores you already shop at (Target, Walmart, and Amazon, to name a few).

baby closet

The girls' closet has undergone some serious tlc lately. 3 weeks ago, I kicked Justin out of their closet and moved him into mine (eek after 6 years of marriage we are finally sharing a closet!). 

One step was to conquer all the headbands and barrettes the girls have acquired. I took to Pinterest and was loving some options using ribbon, an old picture frame, and hot glue but wanted something that didn't require leaving the house. An oatmeal container was suggested, but the one I had was full of oats and too narrow to fit the headbands.  I remembered a votive holder I purchased at target ages ago that didn't really work anywhere... Woohoo for resourcefulness!

Headbands, dresses, and shoes oh my! The Rubbermaid bin on the upper shelf contains clothes that the girls have outgrown that I am saving (like their coming home from the hospital outfits and ruffle dresses). The 3 drawer cart houses socks, hats, and tights. The fabric bins hold extra blankets and a few miscellaneous items. The bin on the shoe rack is home to socks that are worn with shoes... Yes, I have socks separated by those that are worn with and without shoes.

Once a second hanging rack is installed, the closet will be perfect! I'm excited to have clothes on hangers instead of shoved in drawers. I colorized their clothes, but am reconsidering and may organize by color type and garment.

And yes, I am a nerd that spends way too much time organizing closets... Before the girls arrived, I would colorized Grandma Verna's clothes and put together outfits... Sometimes the busy staff at the nursing home would put together ensembles that were not "Laura approved". Our time during recent visits have been busy snuggling with the girls, but perhaps next time I visit her closet will get the 5 minute fix...

the big girl car seats are here

How are my babies growing up so fast?

Claire the climber

Operation baby proof is now in full force.

tea time

I had the opportunity to attend the 11th annual country tea.. I'm not sure why I missed the first decade- this is certainly a can't miss event!

The first course was Welsh rarebit- it was a heavenly piece of cheesy deliciousness. I did some googling and making this dish appears to be within my skill set so I think I will try recreate it.

Next up was assorted tea sandwiches and savories. The pineapple and walnut was my favorite.

Then we enjoyed scones and crumpets with an out of this world key lime curd... I could have ate that stuff by the spoonful!

And the best part- the desserts!

I enjoyed a mini toffee-apple pie, chocolate raspberry tartlet, biscotto al cioccolato and rum cake. We all know what a chocolate fiend I am, but surprisingly the rum cake was my favorite- I even had seconds!

For beverages we enjoyed veuve cliquot brut (love love love!) and babington's royal blend black tea- I've always been a champagne person, but after last night I just may become a tea person too!

The girls were also in attendance (along with their buddy Cameron). They did quite well entertaining themselves in their high chairs. It is hard to believe, but next year they will be old enough to dine with us at the tea party!

This is the most exciting Friday night I've had in ages! Plus I was able to relive the experience (minus the champagne and rarebit) this morning as Donna sent home goodie bags for the men. Luckily my husband likes to share (what can I say ladies, I know how to pick 'em)... He even gave me 75% of the tartlet... If that isn't true love, I'm not sure what is.

Visit thelittlestcookie.blogspot.com for Amanda's review of the party.

outings

I have been having a lot of fun taking the girls out and about recently. Earlier in the week we had lunch at Panera. It was just me and the girls- I strapped Audrey in the Baby Bjorn and carried Claire. We definitely attract a lot of attention! Thankfully it is for their cuteness and not for outburts. Claire had a little bit of stranger danger- I was out of her line of vision filling up my pop and the ladies at the next table over were cooing, smiling, and making faces. Audrey was soaking up the attention, but Claire did not appreciate it and burst into tears. Luckily, she calmed down as soon as I sat down next to her.

As we were getting ready to leave, a woman came up to us and told me how "brave" I was. I was thinking, "really, going out for a weekday lunch with my daughters at a quick service restaurant is brave??" but I just smiled and nodded, and remained polite when she said that she couldn't believe that I managed the girls without another adult (umm... at least 50% of the time the baby to adult ratio is 2:1, its really no big deal). I've been enjoying my meltdown free outings with the girls- as long as they have recently been fed and changed, they are happy little campers for 2-3 hours. Plus having them along makes running errands more fun... and doing things like going out to eat without a dining companion less awkward.

One of my least favorite comments these days is "you've definitely got your hands full". I  really couldn't ask for better babies. Plus the girls are nicely packaged up in one of our many baby containment devices... wait until they are both mobile- then my hands will be full! I think the comment irks me because I hear it every time we leave the house... It reminds me of when I started getting those "any day now" comments when I was about 6 months pregnant.