Toast 2 Mom

This Time, Four Years Ago

I am a little bit obsessed with documenting my days. When I'm not using this blog to capture moments, I am writing down everything that I did for the day in my calendar. It's kind of a problem because I can't seem to find the right method of documenting my days without doing double work most of the time.

I really like to write things down. I think it looks and feels a bit more authentic to see what I've done by my handwriting - on paper, with a pen. Though in today's day and age, and having the convenience of a calendar on my phone - and coordinating the busy days - my phone seems to be more efficient. Well, it's kind of more efficient. I always have my phone; so in that way recording my plans and such, it just makes more sense to do it electronically. But I still struggle to type short little notes on my phone versus the quickness of writing with pen.

And in all of this detail on my struggles of "how is the best way for me to document my days," I digress.... One of the biggest reasons I love to write down what I've done for the day is to often look back and see what was going on that day, that year.

Being that today is a rather special day, I couldn't help but wonder, what was I doing the last Leap Year. A few things I could recall, but it was more special than I thought. 

On Leap Year, 2008, my sweet Cheekers was celebrating her first month of being born. The other thing I know that was going on that day was I was in Illinois visiting my family. At the time I was on maternity leave, and that was the opportunity to travel and show off my new baby!  That day was the tail end of my visit; so my girls and I joined my Mom, Step-Dad, Dad and Step-Mom for a good-bye dinner at Outback Steakhouse. If I recall correctly, my children were absolutely perfect during the whole dinner. :) 

And today, Leap Year 2012... today was a school day for Sydney. Cheekers and I joined Sydney at her school for lunch today. After school we went to the gym. Wednesday's are swim lesson days. After the gym, we came home. The girls kept me entertained in the kitchen while I experimented in the kitchen with a new recipe I found on Pinterest. They played "the Barbie Princess Fairytale" game while I whipped up din-din. 

So while today doesn't seem all that exciting of a day, I bet in four year it will seem like a wonderful day. The next Leap Year I will have an 8 and 10 year old. I only hope their wish is to play "Barbie Princess Fairytale"....and be in the same room with me. 

Happy Leap Year!

Cat on a ..... Roof

Oh that Clarisse! Can you believe our gray princess is almost 16 years old....and still climbing up on the roof. 

A Mighty Fine Weekend

I'm taking an Oscar break to blog about our weekend. It was very eventful. Friday night was date night for Daddio and Cheekers. Sydney and I had our own date and watched The Wizard of Oz. It was Syd's first viewing - and she loved it!! No monkey nightmares either. 

Saturday was hang around the house day, and Hubby and I had a wedding reception that night. The girls are so sweet in helping me get dressed. They are very complimentary in my make-up, hair and attire selection.... really boosts my Mommy-ego for a night on the town. 

Today the girls and Daddio joined some friends for a hike and a breakfast picnic. Then this afternoon we all had tickets to see the Hansel and Gretel performance at the Ballet Austin. It was an interesting show - not quite what we expected - but the girls had a fun time. 

We then headed over to a burger joint for some post-ballet treats - a burger and milkshake hit the spot. 

And this evening we joined some friends for an Oscar party. We dined on yummy appetizers and prosecco cocktails. The girls are wiped to say the least. 

Thank goodness for DVR machines.... Now I can sit down and catch up on the show where I left off... Happy weekend!

 

Daddy Date Night - Part II

Natalie's long awaited evening has arrived! She gets a date with Daddy. She was very giddy - and took an awesome nap in anticipation of the late night :) They went to go see The Secret Land of Arriety. And Natalie chose the most appropriate movie attire - her Christmas dress. 

What a cute couple! 

Spring Model

Standing 40 and 3/4 inches tall, Natatie, aka Sweet Cheeks, is sporting this year's trend. Just look at how she can wear those ruffles! Ooo - laa- laaaa :)

Sisters, Sisters

Where have I been? Well, last week was a whirlwind as the Hubby and I took off for a couple days for a ski trip. I was zipping around getting stuff ready for the trip and preparing for our girls' sitters. My Mom, Grandma and Aunt came to stay at our house while we were out of town this weekend. It was a total girl-fest. 

Leading up to the trip, I was told by Cheekers, "my mind tells me that I'm not going to miss you when you're on your trip." I think it's safe to say those words held true. The girls piled up some new items for their wardrobe and managed to score dinners out, a nail polishing session and lots of family play time in over the two days as well. 

Hubby and I hit the slopes with determination for our trip. I skiied 18 top to bottom mountain runs the first day, while Hubby did 21. The second day I did 15, while Hubby surpassed 20 again. I took a bloody mary break during a couple of his runs and discovered the joys of motherhood resulting in the realization that I don't get carded anymore like all the other "youngins" do on the mountain. 

Now we're back and the family has departed. There may be another ski trip in our near future. We think the girls are ready. 

A photo below of sisters....

My Funny Valentine's

Today was not the day to get the perfect, sweet, loving photo of my girls. Lesson learned - take their picture, then give them lots of sugar. The following pictures are the result of sugar being given first.