2011 so far...

In effort to blog more, I'll post today about the nothing that's been going on around here!

We have been inside almost all of 2011 due to cold weather (negative windchills) & snow storms. Although being trapped inside no fun, being trapped inside with sick kids = EVEN WORSE. The daddy did take the kiddos out for some snow fun on Monday. Gavin loved it and played for over an hour out there. I was fully expecting a huge lay.on.the.ground. fit when I insisted he return inside but he didn't. He must have gotten cold. Unfortunately, my computer is taking hours to upload pics so I don't have the energy to let you see my cute kiddos outside.

Ashlyn has had quite a few sleepovers and playdates in 2011 already. She is becoming a very social child, although her social skills are still awkward. I'm not sure if that is her age or personality. She is definitely less outgoing than some of her friends but on par with some as well.

I have been busy with my Leo & Lyla orders, it is going really well. I still really enjoy sewing, which is good, since you know, I started a business. :) I really didn't set any New Year's resolutions. Mostly in my head, I'd like to do this, this & this finally in 2011. I want to do a 30 before 30 list, haven't, likely won't since I'll be 30 in 5 months. I am starting a home design/DIY project blog. I want to keep a journal of my house evolving. I'll share it here when I get some actual content on it.

Overall, we are well. I like it when life is drama free & mundane. I'm lame...I am almost 30. :)

2010

I really wish I was more diligent about blogging, I love to read over my few posts from 2009 and see what my kiddos were doing. Enough of the pity party, I'll just highlight some of my favorite moments of 2010 and strive todo better for 2011. Man...it goes by so fast.

2010 marks my second full year of staying at home with my children, I'm not sure that I am any better at it (that is definitely on my resolution list!!) I also started a business with one of my best friends. We make/sell kids clothing and accessories. We just had a big show and it went really well. Our blog is www.leoandlyla.blogspot.com if you are interested in checking out what we have been doing! I also for the 2010 - 2011 school year became PTA President of Ashlyn's school. I have had a busy year being a mom and wife as well! I also picked up a new hobby, building! I built Ashlyn a bed, a desk and a bookshelf for her 9th birthday and am working on other projects for Christmas gifts.

Jeffrey has had a big year too. In 2010 he turned 30! I surprised him with a golfing vacation to Amelia Island, FL with just the two of us. We had a great time and also celebrated 10 years of us being together! He has picked up a new hobby of playing PS3 online with his friends and in general spending lots of time in his theatre.

He is a wonderful daddy and partner. I am a lucky girl!

Ashlyn started 4th grade and is still in SAGE. She started back up in dance after taking a year off. She also joined choir on Wednesday mornings with her new fun music teacher. Ashlyn is a very popular girl with lots of friends, playd

ates, and sleepovers and we wouldn't have it any other way. We realize that we were blessed with this kind, caring girl. She is friends with everyone and really considers other feelings when making decisions. I can't go up to the school with out a teacher, parent or staff telling me what a great girl she is. We beam with pride at every compliment and use that as reinforcement that we are making the right decisions with her. Her life is getting busier but she still wants to be

with us, family is very important to her.

Gavin turned 2 and has really turned boy!

Of course he is running and climbing and generally into everything now. 2010 had really been rough on him, he has been injured and rushed to the ER more than once and we also ended up with not one

but TWO double ear infections. The w

orst was when he fell in our shower with his sister and needed 12 stitches in his face. He has a scar but after 3

months, it has faded and really became just "him". He loves to be outside playing and has really developed an imagination with his cars and figurines. Although he isn't fluently talking, we know it's in there. He knows his ABC's, can count to 10, and can generally communicate. Mama, Dada, sissy and Ashlyn are common words an

d melt our heart. If he doesn't give me a heart attack first with his dare devil-ism...I am looking forward to 2011 most because I know his I love you's will become clearer and un-coax'd. He really has added more to our lives then we could have imagined.

Well, this is ridiculously long. I hope to be a better blogger next year. I'll leave you with a picture of my beautiful babies. :)

Take care,

Sabrina

Bloggers...LOOK!

Shutterfly has a great promotion going on for bloggers, link a project to your blog or website and get a $25 gift certificate!

I personally love & use Shutterfly regularly. There are some great Christmas card options this year. I want to show off a Father's Day card I made for Jeffrey highlighting our golfing trip we took to Florida.

Daddy Love Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Create personalized greeting cards and invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Love it!

Busy Busy...

Things around here have been busy busy. This week hubby started a new job that has lots of cool new perks. We went to the Royals game last night and got to sit in a suite. This weekend we get to go to a preview showing of Toy Story and Toy Story II in 3D. Ashlyn is going to be very excited.

Ashlyn gave a speech this week to become student council representative and she was voted in. She was very excited and ran to the house to tell us. We are so proud of her involvement in school and her education. She is a smart little girl that has really became outgoing this year.

Gavin has discovered a love of ketchup and just overall "dipping" of his food. He continues to stand for a minute or so at a time. He is saying "out", "all done", "up", "mama", "dada", "sissy", "bye bye" and "thank you". I am sure there is others that I am not thinking of. He is getting big fast and really is starting to act like a toddler and less like a baby.

SAGE

Ashlyn started SAGE (our district's gift program) on Tuesday. We have always known that she was advanced. She was first recommended for the gifted program in Kindergarden but she missed out on testing in 1st grade because we moved. School and everything education related has always come easy to her so when we were told her IQ was 140 we weren't that surprised, just beaming with pride. This girl was counting and reciting songs before 1. She knew all her colors and could count past 20 way before 2. She read early, would explain topics like opportunity costs and tell us about the continents. She is our gift and we are so thankful for her!

My baby is ONE!

Dear Gavin,

My sweet boy, you have completed our family. You are all boy, into everything, trucks & dirt, cabinets & "no nos". You already know how to irritate your sister and give her sweet kisses to make it better. Your curiosity amazes us and your baby babble make us laugh. You are the joy we didn't know we were missing.

You have been so easy and the time has just flown. Over the past week you have really started standing with no hands for a few seconds. We catch you doing it when you don't even realize. It won't be long and you will be walking. You love being outside, playing with your toys and dancing to music. They only fear I have sensed it you don't like to feel like you are falling but are fearless in doing things that could make you fall. You have been going up stairs for months and would just go play in your room until mommy got you. In the last month you have really figured out coming down the stairs. Daddy said it looks like you are parallel parking because you pass the stairs then back up until you go down. It is really cute!

You love your family but do not have a fear of strangers either. Your face lights up when Ashlyn walks in the door from school. You love it when she reads or sings to you. Now, I don't want to admit this but you really are a daddy's boy right now. You love to just sit on daddy to watch movies or sports. Daddy is the pro at putting you to sleep, you just love curling up in his arms. Now mommy, you know she is the go to girl to get what you want. Mommy knows all of your cries, faces, and needs. You can crawl over to me and get whatever you need. I love it when it's nap time and you crawl up on my lap and lay your head down. Or when you want mommy to sing pattycake you will just gently clap your hands until I start. My baby, I love you so much! I can't believe how fast you are growing. I cherish every second with you.

Love,

Mommy

First Day of School...really?

Today my princess started 3rd grade. She is growing up to be such a sweet, responsible, respectful young lady. I can't believe that she is 8 and in 3rd grade. It seems like just yesterday she was a baby and needed me for everything. I am so proud of who she is becoming but I really miss my baby!

She picked out her own clothes this year with very little direction from me. She even decided what she was going to wear for her first day of school all by herself.

Luckily she did allow us to take pictures before school began. It has became quite the tradition around here so I am thankful for another year.

This is the first year she just said "Bye" without getting upset. I am so glad that she loves school and was ready to go back. She will also start S.A.G.E. this year, which is our districts gifted program. She is smart, just like her mom! Mommy loves you big girl! I hope you have the best year ever.