Shopping advice, please!

Today I've been organizing our closet -- what a project! I've finally taken out all the maternity clothes. Yep, completely done with those for good! Getting ready to pass those on to the next family member who might need them some day. So, I'm looking at my side of the closet and feeling it's a little empty. I feel like I need a new wardrobe. Not that it's going to happen in one shot, but it's time.

Just so you know what kind of shopper I am -- I HATE to try clothes on. I feel like it's a waste of time. But, as I have seen on What Not To Wear, trying clothes on is a must! If there is a shirt or shorts or pants that I really like, I tend to get every color that exists in that style. I would like to do better and get more of a variety of styles. I like to keep things pretty simple, and extremely low maintenance. No dry cleaning here. I'm not flashy, and don't like things with loads of flair. I just need some simple items that work with lots of different pieces. I tend to get a lot of t-shirts, so I'd like to branch out a bit and get some cute blouses -- that don't need ironing.

So, here are my questions:

* Where do you like to shop?

* Who has good discounts, but nice, durable clothes?

Another little princess

Sarah & Breanna love to dress up. Apparently so does Rebecca now. She hands me the clothes and the shoes now to help her put them on.

Just wanting to be like her sisters.

The cutest Snow White you've ever seen!

It's so fun to hear the dialogue when my girls are playing dress up.

Sarah: Oh, I must get ready for the ball.

Breanna: Me too!

Sarah: How do I look, Mom?

Mom: What a beautiful princess!

Breanna: I butiful too, Mom?

Sarah: Let's go to the ball, Breanna! (said in a voice that's about three octaves higher)

Breanna: Yes, we don't want to be late! (also said in a voice three octaves higher)

Well, we're in!

Our beautiful livingroom -- full of stuff!

How exciting to have a garage -- full of stuff!

And more stuff!!!

But someday soon, I'll be able to park the care in there! Oh, how wonderful!

We are finally all moved in! I really think everyone should move every once in a while to see how much stuff can be accumulated over a period of time. Personally, I really don't want to move again! It's very exhausting! Plus, our whole family has been sick along with this wonderful move!

Some words of wisdom --

Declutter your lives, your homes, etc. before moving!

Make sure you are completely healthy before moving!

We love our new home! It's SOOOOOOO spacious! I love it when you feel like you've walked a mile from the kitchen to the bedrooms! Compared to the other house -- it's just a long walk! Our room is HUGE!!! I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!

It's been fun painting and decorating. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's all done! Hunter's room is my favorite so far. We'll keep you posted on the decorating! :)

Fancy Nancy Meets Snow White

For Breanna's birthday she got a Snow White Dress up and Fancy Nancy dress up. Did I mention that Breanna LOVES LOVES LOVES to dress up? Apparently so does Sarah....

The result of Fancy Nancy mixed with Snow White. SO CUTE!

Showing off her new Fancy Nancy look. Love the purse!

The infamous birthday cake! There are only two things that are extremely important to Breanna -- pink & tiaras (pronounced chihuahua). Auntie Meg has the touch -- a tiara placed on a pink pillow of delicious cake!

Happy Birthday, Breanna

Breanna will be turning 3 years old next weekend. Since that's moving day, I'm dedicating this blog to her now before I get too caught up in packing & moving.

Breanna funnies:

1. has a lisp -- it's fun to listen to her because sometimes she's trying to say something and it sounds like she has a stuttering problem, but really she's looking for the right words
2. LOVES to play dress up, and I mean LOVES to play dress up
3. plays pretend using a higher voice
4. pink is her FAVORITE color
5. she believes someday she WILL BE a princess (we're preparing her in advance)
6. loves to go to nursery (didn't always, but now she does)
7. she's our shy child, at first, but come over for dinner and sit by her and she'll talk your ear off and pick at your food
8. loves Hunter Boy to the extent that we have to watch to make sure he still has room to breathe
9. not really into sharing right now, but hopefully will be later
10. loves food -- our most daring child to try anything, including peppers (it's not from my side of the family)

We love you, Breanna! You are so much fun! We love to hear you talk and try to interpret what you are trying to say! If you've heard her talk, you'll know what I mean. If you don't, just invite yourself over for dinner and we'll have you sit by her. :)

We have a problem -- any suggestions?

Our children love to get out every single toy that they own all at the same time. Yes, we've tried the "Put away what you already have out, then you can get out something else." It just doesn't work.

THE PROBLEM: When it's time to clean things up, they begin to cry and tell me how HARD it is to clean ALL this stuff. You know that there is absolutely NO simpathy from this mom.

So, what fun tricks do you use to get your kids to clean up -- without whining? Or what ideas have you heard?

Gummy Fangs

Wouldn't you think Hunter already has his top teeth? Nope -- they are gummy fangs. His gums actually hang down and look like teeth. It gives him quite the cheesy grin. What will happen when his actual teeth come in? Will the fangs still be there? Will he show more gum than teeth? And what about the gap between the teeth?



THIS! Rebecca had the same problem. However, once her teeth came in the gums moved back. Look at this cute smile! She has no problems other than a boat load of drool when she's teething!

Diapers For-ebber

In my opinion, the WORST part of motherhood is potty training. It seemed like it took Sarah forever to get it. I don't like cleaning up the messes. It just GROSSES me out! Here we are, about to do it again! I've waited longer to potty train Breanna, mostly because I don't look forward to it, but also because I feel like she hasn't been ready. We've been talking to her about it for months hoping that will help.

I have the following conversation with her:

Me: Breanna, won't it be fun to go on the big girl potty now?
Breanna: No, Mom.
Me: It will be great! You won't have to wear diapers anymore!
Breanna: I be in diapers forebber Mommy.
Me: What happens when the diapers are too small.
Breanna: I wear big girl pannies, Mom.

There you have it! We must wait until the diapers are too small. They (meaning people who have done some research and feel like they have some authority) say that you shouldn't start when there are going to be big changes like having a baby and moving. We've had the baby, check. Now were moving, check. I guess potty training will have to wait!

Somebody LOVES milk

Sarah loves milk. I mean loves milk. She MUST have her cup of warm milk before going to bed EVERY night. Cannot miss out on the milk. In fact, if she is acting out just before bedtime, we tell her that if she doesn't behave, she will miss out on getting milk and have to go to bed. Immediate obedience. The milk must be warmed up in the microwave for 45 seconds, no more, no less.

Now the funny story. Some of you have heard it before, but it's a good repeat story. Shortly after Rebecca was born, Sarah learned that Heavenly Father provided a way for babies to get milk from their moms. So, one night she was ready for her milk and she said,

"Mom, could I please have my milk.... (long pause) -- from the frig."