I (heart) shopping!

I absolutely love shopping!!! It is sooo much fun! I received some Christmas money--thanks family, so Jeff and I dropped the kids off at the babysitter/daycare and headed to the Legends for a little shopping. PEOPLE--there are great deals out there! Go and find them and have fun--just like me! Found a couple of pairs of shoes, tons of shirts, and some pants. After a morning of shopping, we decided on some food. We love cajun food, so we went to Jazz for some yummy cajun food. We were in heaven. Not only did we have great food, but it was kid free! No messes, no chasing, nothing! It was so wonderful!

Tonight I was off to get my hair done. My girl had been on maternity leave, so I was in desperate need of color and cut and wax. We put a little red in this time with my blonde highlights! I couldn't do that much red, so I only put in a little and we will do a little more next time! So fun! I love getting my hair done! Such a good day!

Santa Claus is Comin to Town!

Santa visited our house last night after we all went to bed, so this morning we awoke to cool gifts and SNOW!!! WE actually celebrated Christmas with snow!! Anyway--Santa brought Jack just what he wanted--a Dinoco hilocopter. Jack also got some movies, CARS stuff, clothes, candy, and a camera. There was other stuff, but there was too much to list. Ainsley got a singing seahorse, a baby doll, and a music table. Great-Grandma Miller got the best gift for Jack--a Piston Cup 500 race track. The cars race around it--it is soooo cool!

After opening gifts, we had pancakes with sprinkles and are now packing for the weekend. I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday week! Much love and Merry Christmas!

The Arnold Elf Yourself 2008

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My Snow Day

I realized just now I forgot to tell you all about my very fun snow day! Last Wednesday, I had to opportunity to stay home with my two kids and dog and my husband had to leave for work. It was a pretty quiet morning. Ainsley slept, Jack played and watched TV, and I worked around the house. We took an adventure to Target (the roads weren't bad at all--waste of a snow day in my opinion) and came home to have a yummy lunch. After lunch and before nap, I decided to cut some of Roxy's hair behind her ears because it was matted and I needed to comb it, but before I could actually comb it, I had to get rid of the matted hair. So...I began to cut her hair. One cut...a-okay. As I was cutting that first cut, I smelled somthing funny. I began thinking that Ainsley was stinky, but let me finish Roxy's hair and I would change Ainsley's diaper and off she would go to napland. Second cut...YELP!! Oh no--I CUT ROXY'S EAR!!!!!

Okay, now she wasn't gushing blood, but when I looked, I felt like it needed more attention that me forgetting about it. So, now I had to call the vet. As I called, Ainsley begain climbing on the dishwasher--a FAVORITE activity of hers. She is so helpful at removing things for me! As I was on the phone and talking--actually trying to describe what I did wrong and I was pretty sure they were going to call social services for animals on me because of what I was doing, I smelled Ainsley and realized I needed to change this diaper immediately. I picked her up and was wondering why her butt was wet, but she was climbing on the dishwasher, so I'm sure that's what it was.

As I am in her room and finishing the conversation with the vet, I undo her pants to find POO!!! EVERYWHERE!!! Outside the diaper, inside the diaper, all over the butt of her clothes. Then it dawned on me--that wetness was POO! UGH...Load two kids back in the car, run Roxy to the vet, go inside the vet, wait, get back in the car, go home and wait for a phone call for Roxy...which didn't happen until the next day!

Good news--Ainsley has not had a major poo incident since then. Roxy spent the night at the vet because she had to get stitches. When she got home, she was acting drunk, which is common after animals go under anesthesia, and all 4 paws weren't working together. As of today, she is fine and is just waiting for those pesky stitches to be removed!

Our Christmas Card...

We finally got our kids pictures taken for our annual Christmas card. Let's just say it was an ordeal. It started this morning with Jack getting his hair cut because it looked long and shaggy. Then, when it was time, it was a struggle to get the kids changed. Let me tell you, it is hard to dress a little girl in a dress and stockings when she is cranky! But, mom and dad prevailed and both kids were dressed. I even was able to get a hat on Ainsley's head!!!!

After we dressed the kids, it was off to the tree for a picture. Ainsley wouldn't sit still--she was exhausted, Jack was a little cranky because we took away his toys. As I am taking the picture, the camera dies. No battery. So...it was time to plug in the battery, feed Ainsley and yes, she fell asleep and took a nice nap while we charged the battery, and Jack went downstairs to play with the understanding that he could NOT mess up his hair and get ANYTHING on his outfit. About 45 minutes later, we tried the picture again. This time success! I took the picture, Jeff entertained the children and did a very good job. Below are the a few successful pictures with captions. Enjoy!

Jack and Ainsley looking cute


My two silly babies! Oh the fun we were having!

Ainsley and her hat!

Here's what I think of this photo, mom!Ainsley's cute shoe!

My daughter is disgusting!!!

I guess Ainsley felt very comfortable in the bathtub tonight because she just took a HUGE POO in the bathtub. I unfortunately had to clean up the mess because Jeff was feeding her and putting her to bed and I had to put Jack to bed. It was so disgusting! I felt like throwing up--EWWWWWW! I have always heard about this happening, but I never thought my kids would do this dirty task! This was completely gross! I hope to never clean up this again...

Proud Mama!

We did it! Jack sat on Santa's lap yesterday! My parent, Jeff, Ainsley and I ventured over to Zona Rosa for a little shopping and a visit to Santa. First of all, Zona Rosa has a great Santa and new play zone. The Santa looked so real. Last year, there was no way Jack would visit Santa. He was soooo scared, so we didn't even try. He thought about being scared for a second, but mom tricked him by putting Ainsley on Santa's lap first and then Jack decided he could also sit on Santa's lap. He even told Santa what he wanted--a helicopter. Luckily, Santa was listening so I do believe Jack will get his helicopter. Ainsley was also a trooper--she just sat and looked pretty. We got a great picture that I now have to find a frame for. I can't wait for next year...

Jack's dream

Sometimes I just sit and wonder what kinds of dreams my kids are having at night. Sometimes Jack shares, sometimes he doesn't. This morning, he shared. I asked him if he had any good dreams and he replied, "I was feeding the rooster". I said, "Oh really. Let's go tell daddy." So we went to tell daddy and he said," I was feeding the rooster." Hummm...I wonder where he has been feeding roosters!

Good News!

I just made it home from Ainsley's cardiologist and we have good news! Her heart is just fine! We were there for 2 hours, had an EKG and Echo, saw a resident and Dr. Hubbell and found out everything is fine! It is such wonderful news! We don't need to go back to him!!!!!!! What a relief for mom and dad!

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I also can't believe that Ainsley is 8 months old. As of this morning we have 2 bottom teeth, 2 upper teeth and a couple of others on the verge of coming through the gums! Ainsley also thinks she is hot stuff--she pulls up on everything, but only holds on with one hand! What a big girl! She has also taking a liking to the dishwasher. She likes to help mommy and daddy with the silverware. She is very good about taking the silverware in and out of the rack. What a helper!