tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90185448492673872582011-11-27T18:32:18.486-06:00Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-33227003896080331242010-09-22T23:46:00.000-05:002010-09-22T23:46:17.451-05:00

Little by little, I've been attempting to turn this house into a home.  While I still have a long way to go, I'm enjoying the journey!  When we bought this place about three years ago, someone at a decorating shop gave me some great advice - "Don't feel pressured to do too much too soon. You have years to create your style."  I've always been grateful for that statement!  I don't try not to feel

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-23407643867924068702010-09-02T14:52:00.001-05:002010-09-02T15:09:15.695-05:00

It doesn't take much to make me smile.  Unfortunately (for the people living with me, especially), it doesn't always take much to make me frown either.  Or sigh.  Or roll my eyes.  I did all three everytime I walked into my kitchen and saw this: This is clearly the sad, catch-all area.  My husband calls me a piler (sad, but true).  I implement organizational strategies often, but they don't

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-82571809124474615812010-08-22T22:19:00.000-05:002010-08-22T22:19:36.314-05:00

Ever ask yourself...WHAT WAS I THINKING??? I'm asking that very question right about now.  Because this is what's going on in my kitchen as I'm about to hop in bed and grab some ZZZ's: Tomorrow is the first day of school.  Not for me (Thank you, Lord), but for my girls.  That means we all have to get up early.  Some people say...Get in the habit of getting up about a week ahead of time, so

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-3393026929950326212010-07-28T19:01:00.002-05:002010-07-28T22:29:47.608-05:00

Is there anything better than a cupcake?  The correct answer is...NO!  Especially if the cupcakes are from: Aw, yeah!  You read that right!!! Actually, I was a Sprinkles Virgin when I took this picture.  Being the well-read person that I am (People, US Weekly, etc.), I knew of Sprinkles' reputation. I mean, if an 88 pound starlet will stop being anorexic for the 60 seconds that it takes

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-66868801791306545332010-07-13T21:29:00.000-05:002010-07-13T21:29:50.259-05:00

My favorite parties to link to are listed below.  If I missed out on one that you really love, please leave me a comment! 

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-48939302862882751582010-07-12T15:04:00.000-05:002010-07-12T15:04:36.147-05:00

I'm having so much fun playing around with blogging and decorating - all at the same time!  There are so many great ideas out there, and it's a blast deciding which ones are right for me, as well as coming up with ideas of my own.  I want to say "thanks" to Cheri over at It's So Very Cheri for putting my Parisian Dresser on her "Favs List" and to Wendy at The Shabby Nest for showcasing the

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-74722265927396588932010-07-10T09:46:00.005-05:002010-09-05T11:18:54.547-05:00

Seriously, peeps, I AM OUT OF CONTROL!!!  In more ways than one!  Let me explain... It's been raining cats and dogs around here for pretty much the whole two weeks of my "summer staycation."  Shockingly, it did let up for the 4th, so that we could do a little of this: And this:                                              Sassy S doing her thing           Mama, Baby Girl, Smoke &

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-75656224758211574122010-07-02T15:45:00.016-05:002010-07-12T15:19:16.779-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a Queen who wanted to make everything beautiful in the land of Her Princesses' rooms: Anyway...remember this el cheap-o dresser that my sweet S has had forever? Dresser Before  I'm finished!  It looks BEAUTIFUL and I LOVE it!  Better yet, she loves it!  It's perfect for her room now!  You might notice that it originally matched the toddler bed in my youngest

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-8451753899182980942010-06-30T12:22:00.001-05:002010-06-30T12:29:42.804-05:00

How is it possible for July to be so close on my tail? So much for the lazy, hazy days of summer -June has been a month for champions! WEEK 1...Mother of the Year I missed S's last day of school because I was working in Colorado. Being the great mom that I am, it took a couple of days for me to remember to ask for her report card. When I did so, she said she didn't have it. Heh? So any

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-81997273641692657622010-06-16T19:20:00.004-05:002010-07-12T15:18:33.328-05:00

I just found out that it totally pays to sign up for blogging contests! I won a gift certificate for a REALLY COOL service at http://http//www.mydesignguide.com/. How sweet is that??? They'll virtually decorate a room of my choice and send me a list of where the furnishings and accessories come from. Once I decide which room to have "decorated", I'll post the picture. Fun, fun, fun!!! Thanks to

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-33934244956124842102010-06-08T09:17:00.034-05:002010-06-08T12:37:19.287-05:00

I started another project this week:Another fug dresser...this one completely particle board and laminate by way of IKEA. I gave my oldest daughter a room makeover for her birthday this past March. Fresh paint, new bedding, a few new accessories splashed in, and a fab desk chair. The dresser's just not doing it for me. Because her color palatte is deep pink, black, and white, I think a

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-14044812988981798052010-05-30T18:16:00.021-05:002010-06-02T22:23:52.270-05:00

I absolutely adore seeing kids in lemonade stands. I also absolutely adore the ones in the PB catalog each year, but at $150 a pop, a kid has to sell A LOT of lemonade to make it worth their while! This year's variation is incredibly cute, just not cute enough for me to call up PB and hand over my credit card info. I've been tempted, but thankfully I've always restrained myself. Recently, M

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-9311339428359469782010-05-23T22:01:00.029-05:002010-06-02T22:34:33.995-05:00

If I had to fill out a checklist of things that I am, "handy" or "crafty" would remain next to a box left unchecked. I’ve never been able to handle the fact that something might not turn out the way I intend it. And yes, I’m aware that most things take TONS of practice to get good at, but that hasn’t changed my thinking. I’m generally one failed project away from a really good temper tantrum…

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-34026195933891315432009-11-29T21:09:00.005-06:002009-11-29T21:30:07.813-06:00

Characters:SMESetting: The game room, the evening before our cleaning lady arrivesS (pondering as she stalls from picking up toys that are strewn about): If Miss Abby chose cleaning houses as her job, then it must mean she loves cleaning houses.Me (not wanting to burst her bubble): Absolutely! S: Then I shouldn't pick up my toys before Miss Abby comes because she'll love doing it. We

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-62660635080256854942009-11-16T17:38:00.003-06:002009-11-16T17:55:40.719-06:00

It's November - the month to express gratitude and to be cognitive of a thankful heart. I have much to be thankful for...Health - the health of my family and myself. From experience, I know that health can't be taken for granted. You never know when things may change, so today, I am thankful for health.Hearts Overflowing - the love from my husband and girls is such a gift. I only hope I can

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-5579455591524684412009-10-11T19:09:00.004-05:002009-10-11T19:25:24.223-05:00

Haven't had much time to decently keep up with this blog, so here's a picture montage of what's been going on. S and her sweet friend M at 3rd grade Bible Sunday...Daddy's home from Boston with Harvard shirts for the girls. Hope he's saving more money than I know about...Time to go to our friend's Hawaiian themed birthday party. Took 30 minutes to dress and 3 seconds to undress immediately upon

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-15796855077307782262009-09-03T21:39:00.013-05:002009-09-04T17:45:39.690-05:00

It was so convenient how our anniversary fell right after this year's knock-down drag out. Come to think of it, last year's anniversary fell right after LAST year's major blow-up. I'm going to need to keep a watch on this development -something may be brewing here. I might want to schedule out of town work before next year's anniversary to avoid the fireworks!Anyway, the nice part about the fight

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-42386175525291285442009-08-25T18:17:00.006-05:002009-08-25T18:52:02.886-05:00

School clothes shopping was seriously fun this year. And by seriously fun, I mean not at all. As I held up cute argyle sweaters and plaid skirts, S looked at me with a face of barely contained disgust. Mom, I'm the only one in this family who knows anything about fashion! Dang - I guess she's right! After all, I'm sporting the mom capris and t-shirts on a daily basis. When the heck did that

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-45260181552332751772009-08-12T20:39:00.005-05:002009-08-13T21:42:34.509-05:00

Today marks ten years since you went to heaven. I can't believe that I have lived ten years of my life without you. So much has happened...Did you know that I woke up in the wee hours of the morning ten years ago today? I sat up in bed and looked at the clock - my chest felt tight. I found out later that you died at the same moment that I was staring at the clock. When I woke up and found out

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-4960391820165797962009-06-25T19:58:00.007-05:002009-06-25T20:22:31.336-05:00

Father's Day has come and gone, but I've been making a mental list of why my hubby is such a wonderful father. Here goes:How many dads would get out the toolbox and open up a box fan because a butterfly was trapped inside and his girls were about to cry about it (all three of them)??? And then spend the next 20 minutes trying to put it back together without getting upset? :)M recently read

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-788960797089228952009-06-17T19:31:00.006-05:002009-06-17T20:07:53.523-05:00

I don't know if I'm happy or sad that I found this silly little video clip tucked away in the files of my laptop. I just got through talking to the girls on the phone - they are with my mom while I work out of state - and found my sweet little A singing her favorite songs five months ago! Why is time flying by? She doesn't even look the same - she gets more grown up as each day passes.I hope you

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-25524084748217042692009-06-05T08:41:00.008-05:002009-06-08T11:34:51.413-05:00

You decide cleanliness is not exactly RIGHT next to Godliness.You spend more time reading a book and less time obsessing about the laundry.You decide breakfast is not the most important meal of the day, pop tarts are A-OK, and quite frankly popsicle time is the most important meal of the day!You convince your children to let you sleep in a "few more minutes."Your oldest daughter wants blue and

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-2791162095768032982009-06-01T08:38:00.005-05:002009-06-01T08:56:14.872-05:00

Just getting back from a trip to Virginia Friday night, I woke up Saturday feeling tired, bored, and friendless. It felt like the perfect day for a pity party! I wanted to spend the day in bed with the blankets thrown over my head. Lucky for me, Michael (not to mention A) was having none of it! He started making suggestions and I started rolling my eyes (behind his back, of course). I was about

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-18104420083925610912009-05-28T20:49:00.005-05:002009-05-28T20:53:50.025-05:00

Find out why...CNNBC videoThanks, April! :)

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-19833462433367542732009-05-28T15:38:00.009-05:002009-05-28T17:02:40.824-05:00

For all the S-lovers out there:S and Nana were playing a What do you want for Christmas game? with Nana's Frosty and Santa pillows. Remember when S used to act up a bit and give me not-so-nice looks when I corrected her? (Wait a minute - doesn't she still do that?) After S shot me the look, she promptly tried to make nice by being sweet to Nana.My sweet little baby...those curls!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-37588838849959176712009-05-18T13:44:00.011-05:002009-05-18T14:21:49.745-05:00

Ahh...Mother's Day. A day for the three R's - rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Except maybe not when you've traveled out of town to see family. So my hubby prepared in advance to let me choose my own times for those R's. When I opened my cards on MD, a wad of cash fell out. (Oh, yeah!) Upon closer inspection, I realized that these bucks are priceless!The first dollar:Sounds great, right? I'll

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-65961938783087826912009-05-11T08:41:00.003-05:002009-05-11T08:52:57.082-05:00

A. woke up with a mission. That mission was to make her mother miserable, I think. She didn't eat much dinner last night, so she woke up pretty famished. Yogurt? Yes, pink. (That one's easy). Still hungry? How about applesauce? Yes, pink. (Hmmm...okay, tinted with red food coloring. Should be safe)! STILL hungry? Yes, cheesestick. Not that one! Not yellow! Pink! I want a pink

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-87127420760687260902009-05-04T13:53:00.004-05:002009-05-04T14:10:54.809-05:00

For two months, I've had a little staycation. My staycation has allowed me to update all the pictures in my photo albums, keep up with laundry, cook for my family, exercise and stay on top of all the little things involved in running a household. I've even had time to read a few books. It's been lovely! I think I've been a better wife and mother because of it. But today is my last day...Alas,

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-72345970748816653352009-04-28T11:27:00.005-05:002009-04-28T17:13:18.454-05:00

"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate." -Julia ChildTuesday, April 28Almost Chicken Pot Pie - my mom's recipeTastes pretty darn close and much easier to make!2-3 cups boiled chicken, cubed1 can crescent rolls (reduced fat)2 cans cream of chicken soup (low-fat)2 cans Veg-all, drained1 cup sour cream (low or no fat)Wrap each roll with 1 Tablespoon chicken and set aside. In

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-81096321414817178322009-04-27T09:18:00.012-05:002009-04-27T10:23:57.783-05:00

I think we've already established that I'm not athletically inclined. More directly to the point comes the story of me learning to ride a bike. I remember having a super cute little bike with training wheels when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It had pink and white streamers and on the side it said... sugar and spice and everything nice. The perfect bike for the perfect little princess, right?

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-88575172488916748272009-04-21T13:43:00.005-05:002009-04-21T14:11:11.404-05:00

It's that time again! Time to cook, that is! Tuesday, April 21Mini Meat Loafs - my mom's recipe with a couple of twists1 pound ground meat1/4 cup diced bell pepper1 package onion soup mix1/2 cup ketchup14 saltine crackers1 eggsalt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce (to taste)Mix all ingredients and spray muffin tin with Pam. Divide mixture into tin and bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-26971531492785192712009-04-18T22:20:00.014-05:002009-04-20T21:58:12.221-05:00

S. has a spelling test every Thursday, so you know what that means. It means that every Wednesday night we're cramming the words into her head. So S. studies the words just long enough to shove them into the part of her brain that carries around short-term memory and then we do a practice test. If she does okay on the practice test, I know she's good to go on Thursday morning. Rampant

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-89414838798835439122009-04-15T09:44:00.010-05:002009-05-03T12:15:06.121-05:00

My sister-in-law, Courtney had us over for Easter (and I guess my brother Chase too, but we all know who handled the preparations). After the awesome feast (beef, shrimp, & chicken kabobs, potato salad, and the works), the kids did the Easter egg hunt thing and we all sat back to visit. The next thing you know, there's a huge pinata hanging from a tree in the backyard. Fun! All the kids got in

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-22215336242133387122009-04-14T15:06:00.021-05:002009-04-15T21:25:17.984-05:00

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was going to take meal planning more seriously in order to keep from eating out so much and to help save money. Last month I made a plan and we had a high success rate of sticking to it! (A couple of slips, but not too bad). I'm finding it easy if I keep to somewhat of a pattern.For instance:Monday - Pizza night (We switched from Friday to Monday because you

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-82867663948938639952009-04-08T14:36:00.007-05:002009-04-09T10:55:36.144-05:00

Ta-Daaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! The final product:We don't know if we did it right or if the flowers are going to live or die, but we're pretty happy with how it looks right now! The only thing is we have to guard it after school from the neighborhood boys who walk through our yard on their way home. Already had a flower stomped! If I happen to catch any of those little troublemakers in action,

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-47129775522136932612009-04-07T11:36:00.016-05:002009-04-08T21:09:43.507-05:00

I want to use coupons - I really do! Whenever I get my hands on a paper, it's the first thing I pull out. I find it really therapeutic to cut out all the coupons. Unfortunately, that's about as far as it goes. Sometimes they make it into my purse and sometimes I buy one or two of the things I have coupons for and sometimes I even remember to give it to the cashier. I've saved a good 75 cents

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-87407463529765096212009-04-05T18:14:00.022-05:002009-04-06T12:28:42.623-05:00

When you buy a house, the first year is for the sole purpose of unpacking, regrouping, and decorating. (Or in my case thinking about beginning to decorate - I'm a little on the slow and undecisive side). You don't even notice the first set of seasons. However, by the time your second spring rolls on in, you begin to notice other people's houses - more specifically - other people's yards. Then

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-83330399558721244022009-04-03T09:44:00.004-05:002009-04-05T18:05:59.718-05:00

Sassy S turned 8 on March 25th! We nixed a party in favor of eating out at Rain Forest Cafe with a friend. (And I can't tell you how awesome that was for me not to have to plan a party)! We took her to have her ears pierced on her actual birthday. It's funny how she decided for herself that she finally wanted earrings. I had my ears pierced for my 8th birthday too! Thankfully, they pierced

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-28063029792219390652009-03-27T15:58:00.009-05:002009-03-30T19:48:09.521-05:00

After leaving Nana and Papa's, we headed to San Antonio. First, we stopped in Seguin to visit GG (short for Grandpa Gus). We didn't make it to our hotel until late at night, but S still had plenty of energy to clown around.Because of the rainy, cold weather, we didn't make it to SeaWorld like we originally planned. Even though Michael grew up in San Antonio, he doesn't mind doing touristy

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-59024513625399182162009-03-25T09:51:00.014-05:002009-04-05T18:14:12.897-05:00

March madness has been in full force, and I'm not referring to sporting events in the least! With breaks from school, weekend trips and birthday parties, it's been hard to find the time to blog. The first half of Spring Break was spent visiting Nana and Papa's house. Nana and Papa live in a log cabin tucked away in a sweet little corner of East Texas where I grew up. This is the view from

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-13396591645042989602009-03-10T09:59:00.007-05:002009-04-05T18:07:20.334-05:00

What better for a daddy-daughter day than a visit to the Jonas Brothers concert? Hee hee! Have I mentioned what a sweet hubby I have? M bought tickets so that he could take S to see this "dreamy" trio. Face value of tickets = $19 each, stubhub value = $140, memories = priceless (I hope)! The time stamped on the tickets said 3:45, so we planned for them to back home in time for dinner. We're

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-67058360823254873382009-03-06T15:11:00.004-06:002009-03-30T22:25:46.354-05:00

Can you get any sweeter than these 2-year old cousins? Although we never got them to smile for the camera at the same time, we ended up with sweet poses like this. My niece L is exactly 3 months younger than A and celebrated her birthday last week. What a joy it is to have these precious babies in our family!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-63305312381395746492009-03-03T11:49:00.010-06:002009-04-05T18:07:59.249-05:00

This is the red markerthat A found in the game room, where she decided to let her creative juices flow on S's Bitty Baby. Not HER OWN Bitty Baby, Big Sister's Bitty Baby!!! S received BB as a Christmas gift from Nana when she was 2. Being the sort of child S is, she NEVER took a crayon or marker to a wall, a piece of furniture, or anything. Being the sort of child A is, she has already scribbled

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-21791275432183636112009-02-25T16:40:00.017-06:002009-04-05T18:08:48.137-05:00

We're all working a little harder now to suppress the instant gratification gene that seemed to ingrain itself into our DNA these past few years. At first it seemed jarring and the question - why - kept coming up. The news channels give us the whys and how it's going to be fixed, but I think living more simply is going to be good for us all. Here are some things that I've learned:*Even if you can

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-29232473790479350552009-02-17T20:45:00.004-06:002009-04-05T18:09:04.998-05:00

OK...well I'm not a salesman, but the traveling part is right. Tonight I write this from a town where the fanciest hotel is the Holiday Inn Express. M has spoiled me like crazy and now I'm depressed if I'm in anything less than an Omni. What a brat! :) It took some time, but I've learned how to pack my work supplies, clothes, and toiletries into the small carry-on, which means I don't travel

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-14483118541438252142009-02-14T12:20:00.009-06:002009-04-05T18:09:30.571-05:00

What a day - filled with love, bounty, and abundance. I almost feel guilty! My Valentine's day actually began Friday night when M. walked in with Godiva, flowers, and balloons. Of course I loved it all! Saturday morning I woke up and happily made a big breakfast for my three valentines - yummy breakfast casserole, muffins, and mimosas for M. and me. After exchanging gifts around the breakfast

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-31434464860645511812009-02-09T20:41:00.009-06:002009-04-05T18:09:52.783-05:00

Michael's cousin got married Saturday and we drove to Corpus for the wedding. This was A's first time to go to a wedding and I made sure to have an exit plan in place. No bride wants her wedding interrupted by a 2-year old! Anyway, both the bride and groom's names began with the letter "M" and there were several bags of M&M's on the table. Luckily, we made it through the ceremony with no

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-70110804921910557732009-02-03T13:02:00.003-06:002009-04-05T18:10:07.377-05:00

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-53643712858410618582009-02-02T14:34:00.011-06:002009-04-05T18:10:34.059-05:00

Have you ever cheated...on your kids? I'm doing it right now; in fact, I just cheated today. My sweet husband called to say that he was at a hospital nearby and asked if I would like to go to lunch. I hesitated (after all, Monday is laundry day), threw caution to the wind, slapped on some makeup, and changed out of the sweatpants I've lived in for a couple of days. (A couple? Who am I kidding?)

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-57539550325076643212009-02-01T18:56:00.008-06:002009-04-05T18:11:00.136-05:00

Last night our family helped out at a Sunday school spaghetti dinner and they also had a cakewalk for the kids. S. LOVES a good cakewalk because she loves a good cake. Who doesn't? S. walked, walked, walked around the cakewalk circle and sadly watched as each delectable treat she eyed disappeared from the table. Once she ran out of tickets, she came to me for more money and I handed her a couple

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-30084304809088717502009-01-29T15:16:00.002-06:002009-04-05T18:11:16.131-05:00

Love, love, loved this movie!!! See it with your hubby!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-89396165630586156792009-01-27T09:23:00.015-06:002009-03-30T22:26:22.307-05:00

Please...I beg anyone to contradict me. Potty training is a farce. There's no actual way to train a two-year old how to go to the potty. I've heard of parents having success with placing their infant child over the toilet while their tiny babe poops and pees. Matter of fact...that's not potty training either. That's just craziness! (Or maybe that's just me being jealous).What A. does each day is

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-86332615001487819282009-01-25T18:12:00.017-06:002009-04-05T18:12:18.178-05:00

My dad recently thought the girls and I would enjoy a squirrel feeder. Hmmm...okay... However, we DO enjoy it! This crazy little gadget holds corn husks, which come in a big bag from Lowe's. Now, you have to be really young or really lame to be fascinated by watching squirrels forage for food...you wouldn't see some hipster entertaining themselves this way! A. and S. fall into the really young

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-19169127904437232952009-01-24T10:47:00.010-06:002009-04-05T18:12:43.636-05:00

Look who loves to help her mom in the kitchen! A. is now able to open the pantry door and will help herself to her own snacks. I have to place things I want her to eat within her reach (like the raisins and Cheerios). She also cleans up after herself and throws away trash. It's exciting to watch her become more independent but bittersweet at the same time. Where did my baby go?

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-37144997942995560082009-01-23T17:29:00.007-06:002009-04-05T18:13:07.057-05:00

One of S's favorite pastimes is playing school. S. loves to be the teacher and teaches her "fake class" (her own words) everything she does herself in school. A. has recently joined S's class and is an active participant! See how she listens to her sister's every word! I love watching these sisters become closer each day.And later...A. must have been so tired from all the studying!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-33899098300556691112009-01-15T14:59:00.011-06:002009-04-05T18:13:33.374-05:00

A. is attending nursery school and S. is in 2nd grade this year. They both brought paintings home this week. A. watercolored a boat and S. made an abstract painting of the sun. The photo doesn't quite do it justice!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9018544849267387258.post-68341323448789817942009-01-14T22:29:00.004-06:002009-04-05T18:13:50.779-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm starting this blog not only because I've been peer pressured into it (it seems I'm the last woman standing), but also because it seems like a really great way to show off my gorgeous girls without having to send out a million pictures! As soon as I figure out how to navigate around, I'll try to make this a cuter place to visit!

Christe@4 Monkeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11454959938316229586noreply@blogger.com0