Happy Casimir Pulaski Day!

Tomorrow is Casimir Pulaski Day- in case you didn't know. It's a strange holiday celebrated in Illinois, so that means no school. That's okay though, I'm getting tired of the morning preschool rush. I'm so dead when Anya starts Kindergarten next year. I think I'm going to look for a school that starts at 10 a.m.

This week should go by fast. I've put off shopping for Ally's party, so I'll need to go buy her Mickey & Minnie decorations. I'm planning on making her cake, and ambitiously picked out a layer cake that uses fondant for the decorations. I hope it turns out - I've never used fondant before!

My parents will be here sometime on Friday. They are taking the train again so if they make an early connection in KC they'll be here at 1:30, if not they won't get here until 9:30 p.m. I sure hope they get here early, because last time they were late I thought my mom might never come back.

Saturday night Anya's preschool is having a fundraising dinner & silent auction. It should be lots of fun, I just wish I had money to bid on some of the items donated. Maybe they'll be something that no one else wants so I can get a chance win!

Another Birthday!

We've got another big birthday coming up soon....Ally will be 3, March 8th! I've been thinking a lot about my baby girl, and trying to come up with a special present for her big day. Anya & I have been trying to talk Josh into giving Ally a puppy for her birthday, but we're not making any progress so I think I'll give up on that idea. We might get her a cardboard playhouse that she can color all over. I really like this one the best, but it's small (maybe more suited for a 1-2 year old) & more expensive. This is the other one I'm looking at... it's a lot bigger, but not as cool looking. What do you think?

Pairs Skating

Anya's ice skating obsession is strengthening with each night that we watch the Olympics. She is now frequently asking me when she can take lessons, and proclaiming that she will be a professional ice skater when she grows up. Ally is probably the cutest though, trying to imitate what she sees on TV. I got a video clip of the girls watching the Olympic pairs skating competition. Ally was "skating" and Anya, not wanting Ally to get all the attention, quickly joined in. The clip is a little long, but if you are patient there is a lift at the end you won't want to miss.

Ash Wednesday

Ally was a real handful tonight at the Ash Wednesday service. She made several announcements that everyone sitting around us probably heard. The first was, "when's Anya's turn," (said very impatiently while waiting for Anya's club to sing) and the second after they sang was, "lets go bye bye now." I had to break out the m&m minis to quiet her when she discovered we weren't leaving. Then she was very mad when she got ashes put on her forehead. She announced "I don't like that man," and "wipe that off now." She finally settled down after I showed her the mark was like a cross. I guess I should have thought to prep her ahead of time. Really she was cracking me up with her comments, especially I don't like that man. She's such a character.

Valentine's Days

Friday was Anya's Valentine's Party at school. I made heart shaped jello jigglers for the snack. The kids devoured them! I made two batches thinking I'd have leftovers to take to Ally in her Mom's Day Out class, but the kids just kept asking for more (one boy had 4ths). The party was fun, but wild. We strung heart shaped marshmallows onto licorice strings to make bracelets, had a relay race carrying spoonfuls of hearts across the room, and played valentine picture bingo.

Anya's best preschool pal Ella

B-I-N-G-O

Cute Girlies



The Loot

Saturday morning we took the girls out to celebrate at Build a Bear (a tradition I was dumb enough to start). I told them we had too many animals (plus we're broke), and that we were just going to pick out outfits this time. Anya was a little disappointed, so I agreed to let them stroll their animals into the mall. It was super cute, but not the best idea on a busy Saturday.

They had lots of fun shopping. Anya wanted everything, and had to be frequently reminded not to be greedy. Ally was very easy to please, and seemed happy with the first thing she picked.

Ally's Love Bug

Anya picked an outfit for her unicorn (4 shoes!), but Penguin had to come along too of course.

Saturday night Josh & I got to have a date night. Although not too exciting we did have some good Chinese food, and Josh was kind enough to let me do a little shopping at the Galleria while we were in the area. Sunday he was on call, so I had the little valentines all to myself. Ally was sick- puking, so it was a very low key day. I did manage to make some heart shaped sandwiches & pancakes though. Anya thinks I should make everything heart shaped now.

Bunk Beds!!

I've been debating for awhile on what to do about new beds for the girls. Ally had the crib that we had converted into a toddler bed in her room , and Anya was still sleeping in the toddler bed in her room that we bought when she was 2. They both still fit in their beds, but I thought it was getting a little silly to have a 5 year old in a toddler bed. Our other problem was that they wanted to be together at night. Which was fine, but Ally insisted on sleeping in a sleeping bag next to Anya's bed. So we had one kid on the floor, and the other "big" kid in a toddler bed!

That's when I decided to look for new beds. After debating about bunk beds vs. a trundle bed, and driving Josh crazy, I decided we needed bunk beds. Well we got them, and so far things are going very well (knock on wood). We haven't had any problems with anyone climbing all over, or falling off. Ally just usually goes up to kiss Anya good night and that's all. We took the crib down in Ally's room, and she now has the toddler bed just in case we need some separation.

Here's some pictures of the very happy girls in their new beds!

Ice Skating

Over the weekend we met some friends at the St. Louis Mills outlet mall for some lunch, shopping, and ice skating. Ice skating was Anya's idea. She first started talking about it after watching a Max & Ruby episode where they flooded the yard & made an ice rink (she of course wanted to do the same). Then she saw figure skating on TV and was hooked. She wanted an outfit for herself, and one for her penguin from Build a Bear. So Saturday we decided to indulge her fantasy and get a little shopping in too!

Josh and I figured out it had been about 12 years since we'd been ice skating! It felt like it too when I stepped on the ice. I could barely keep myself up, much less support Anya. We made it once around and I thought well that's it let's go, but Anya kept at it. Josh took her, and by the end she was going around by herself. I was very impressed that she didn't quit because she fell down a lot. She's already talking about going back.

Ally loved it too, but never really got the hang of it. I was trying to help her skate, but she wouldn't put any weight on her feet so it was like carrying her (all 32 lbs) around the ice rink. Poor Josh killed his back taking her around "again" & "again"! I felt bad that I didn't help more, but I was afraid I was going to kill us both. It was lots of fun though, and we will definetly go back.

Buddies

Brynn & Anya

The Dentist

The girls both had dentist appointments today, and it was Ally's first time! We found a cool pediatric dentist nearby that seemed to make the girls very happy. The office lobby was painted in an underwater theme, and they had those funny carnival type mirrors on the wall. They also had an awesome "Nemo" aquarium, and video games too. The dentist chairs were in bright colors with lots of fun decorations everywhere. Sorry I forgot my camera. :(

When it was our turn they took both the girls back without me! I was a little apprehensive about Ally, but tried not to show it. They came out a few minutes later to assure me they were doing fine. After they were all done I got to go back to discuss the appointments with the dentist. I guess Ally was really good & cooperative. She had an excellent check-up, and will go back in 6 months. I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't get to be there or even get a picture of Ally's first dentist appointment. I guess next time I'll take my camera and just pretend it's the first.

Anya on the other hand had another cavity! That makes her 3rd. The hygienist said that her brushing was really good, so I'm not sure what else to do for her. I'm afraid she can blame my genetics for her rotten teeth (or maybe her sweet tooth, also inherited from me). BAD MOMMY! She was also very well behaved & "mature" according to the dentist. Of course the minute we stepped out of the office she turned back into her normal whinny self. I guess I should be glad she can at least control herself for other people.

Anya's Party Part 2

Our first kid party at the YMCA was a success!! I think we had about 23 kids show up, and several parents stayed too. Anya was on cloud nine! The cake turned out beautiful, and tasted yummy too. The cookies my mom & I worked so hard on turned out great, until we packed them up to move them & the plastic stuck to the icing! We used gel icing for the eyes & lips and it just wouldn't set up. We at least we had the top layer that still looked pretty.

The kids had a blast playing together on the foam playhouse structure, and with all the toys. Then after cake & ice cream they got to go to the bouncy house in the gym. The party was only 1 1/2 hours but it was just enough time to keep everyone happy. I was really pleased with the party, a bit exhausted, but Anya's beaming smile made me forget about all that.

Anya's Birthday Part 1

Anya Elizabeth Hartman is now 5!

I know I'm a little late blogging, but oh well, late is better than never, right?

We celebrated all day on her actually B'Day, the 28th. The day started with heart shaped krispy kremes & chocolate milk for her special school snack. Then later lunch at Arbys. That evening she wanted to go out to eat at the Texas Road House (they have cinnamon butter & yummy rolls). She really enjoyed that bread & butter! Then she got to sit on the special birthday saddle while they wished her a Happy Birthday. She also got a chocolate sundae and was kind enough to share with her sister. After we got home it was time for presents & chocolate cupcakes. It was a wonderful day!

The Birthday Girl


Grandma's Girls
(Grandpa had to stay home & plow snow)


Anya on the Texas Road House Birthday Saddle
YEE HAW!



Ally's Un- Birthday Present
I'm hoping I haven't started something with this Un-Birthday thing. It's just hard for a 2 year old that doesn't understand when it's time for her birthday (and I'm a sucker).



Sisterly Love



Penelope got some new duds & a house!


The All Important Snuggie From Uncle Ryan & Aunt Karen


Happy Birthday To You Anya Bear!!