Sweetness

My husband Chris thinks Valentine's Day is a conspiracy conspired by all floral shops and confectioners to boost their first of the year profits. He scoffs at the idea of selecting one day to lavish gifts upon the one you love. He ranks it right up there with Halloween under the category of "Sugar Enriched Pagan Holidays." So, as you can imagine, we don't usually do much for Valentine's. This is a very interesting article about the history of Valentine's Day, if you're good and bored.

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

As a new bride, oh about 8 1/2 years ago, I didn't realize my husband's feelings towards the day of love. As Valentine's Day came and went,with no mention of anything "love related," I found myself shocked and appalled at the lack of V-Day observance.

I don't know what's happened to my dear old man since we've had a baby, but a tender side of him has begun to emerge. So that is why I nearly lost consciousness when I walked in Saturday afternoon and saw this...

These are some of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen.

Gorgeous...and in the Mikasa vase he bought  me a VERY long time ago.

Speechless. So sweet. Almost as sweet as these feet....

Party Prepping

Okay, so NEXT Saturday is the big birthday party for my soon to be 1 year old. I have been wise and worked gradually every day on little things getting ready so I won't be stressed out and overwhelmed...oh...and I created the invite in December and just realized that I put the wrong year on it. Geez! Too late now!

Today was spring cleaning. We started early on the house (after a quick jaunt to Belle-Jim for breakfast) and washed windows & mini-blinds, cleaned out the garage, put things in storage, and organized our junk.

It's amazing how inspired you get to give your house a thorough scrubbing when you have people coming over, huh?

I finished making the party favors...a jillion little ladybugs with a jillion little pieces that I prefer to never make again.

Sydney's birthday banner is hung with pride.

I've got my official "week before the party" list typed out and categorized into things to do, things to buy and grocery list. Didn't I mention I was Type-A?

All lollipops are made and ready to be displayed in their arrangement. The helium tank is reserved.

My husband is marinating the 3rd batch of fajitas in order to get the marinade recipe "just right." He is also making homemade pico de gallo.

I don't know about me, but I think Sydney's ready to party!

Thriftiness

I have always been a bargain hunter...ALWAYS. I can count on one hand the times I have paid full price for ANYTHING (not counting Wally World everyday purchases). I can't bring myself to pay retail. I know for a fact how much things are marked up. Wow.

When I go into a department store, I head straight for the clearance rack...every time. It's not that I am so destitute that I HAVE to buy things at a ridiculously cheap price, but there's just something about getting a deal that gives me a thrill. Seriously. It's like a drug.

Some of my happiest times have been with my mom after we come skipping out of a store with our unbelievable cheap treasures...it almost feels like you "stole it" cause you paid so little for it. Euphoric.

Well, I had a bit of that euphoric feeling this week when I left the G.W. (Goodwill). I was gallivanting out of the store clutching my fantastic bargain. Behold...

A brand new PRECIOUS green corduroy jumper with a dainty cream colored turtleneck (not pictured) and matching green diaper cover (not pictured).

Oh, I forgot to tell you, a GYMBOREE jumper. This jumper retails for around $20-25.

I don't know if you shop at GYMBOREE, but I can only walk in there when they're having a major sale, and then I walk out with one pair of socks. There stuff is beyond words adorable, but can be pricey...especially for clothes that will be worn once or twice and then passed on.

Well this jewel was mine for the low, low price of $2.99. I didn't stutter, sister.

The mouse on the pocket has it right... HIDE & SEEK!!

...and I was the lucky one to walk in a FIND this one hiding amongst the

stained onesies with the original price tag still attached.

Bubbly Tubbly Must Haves

Getting Sydney to take a bath is NEVER a struggle. She LOVES the water and has always has been a fan of cleanliness. She would take 3-4 baths a day if I would let her. Just yesterday, I jumped in the tub for a QUICK bath and then she walks in the bathroom, sees me in the tub, starts taking off her clothes and hiking her leg up on to the side of the tub trying to get in. After tears of frustration and a couple of mini-hissy fits, I plopped her in with me. Then, all was right with the world.

She has been in the "big kid tub" as my friend's son Caleb calls it, for a couple of months now. It is her own personal swimming pool that she takes great delight in. When I start running the water, she will come running to the bathroom squealing at the top of her lungs. She will continue her "Ode to the Tub" solo until I put her in. It's something you have to experience to appreciate. Last night Chris gave her the bath and while she was warbling, he says, "What is that about?"

Let me take a moment and tell you about something I have just discovered...It is California Baby's line of bubble bath for kids, infants, and sensitive adults. I can't believe I actually paid $14.00 for a bottle of bubble bath (an impulse I guess) but I AM SO GLAD I DID!

There is magic in this bottle, people. I kid you not. Totally an all natural aromatherapy experience like no other. Glad it is all-natural 'cause Sydney thinks bubbles taste divine. It truly does change your attitude from cranky to sweet. I have used it myself and it makes you feel so relaxed and your skin so soft and muscles tension free. I highly recommend it. The bubbles last A LONG time and the aroma is wonderful. The reason I was looking for an all-natural bubble bath is due to Sydney's sensitive skin. She is like her mama and breaks out when I use regular soap. Thank goodness for California Baby! It even comes with a bubble wand for fun in the tub.

I also cannot live without the Tub Rug. It has a heat sensor so you know the water is not too hot and since Sydney enjoys performing gymnastic stunts in the bath, it also helps her keep her balance. I hang it up on a pants hanger between baths and it never mildews. By the way, this retails for around $10 - $12 and I picked it up for $3 (brand new) at a "Just Between Friends" sale. Whoop! Makes up for my horribly expensive bubble bath.

The Doorkeeper

Well, hello folks and thanks for tuning in to the latest edition of...

"What's Sydney Up To These Days?"

She has discovered the one, the only, full-sized DOOR!

Everytime I watch "Ever After", you know the Cinderella movie with Drew Barrymore, I laugh hysterically EVERY time DaVinci says,

"Yes, I shall go down in history as The Man Who Opened a Door!"

Sydney is making history with her door opening and slamming. The other day, after I fussed at her for trying to destroy the miniblinds, she made not a sound and toddled to her room and promptly slammed the door. I thought that was a teenage thing..

She is selective about who can come in after she has forcefully shut a door. Simmy always makes the cut as they have become fast friends.

And...she is perfectly content to play in her room, all by herself, with the door closed. Hmmm...how long will THIS last?

Candy Queen

Isn't she lovely?

Don't they look so happy congregating together on my blue kitchen counter?

Picture them in a gorgeous galvanized tin with black spots....got that?

After words of advice, patience, more candy wafers, and a rainy morning with nothing else to do, I have CONQUERED the Ladybug lollipops I am making for Sydney's 1st Birthday Bash.

Tedious does not begin to describe painting all of those details with very dark chocolate.
Painstaking does not do justice to the breath-holding required to get these JUST right.

I am a perfectionist, and I'm woman enough to admit it. If you can't do it right, it's just not worth doing. I saw these lollipops online for an astronomical price and decided right then and there that my child would have these lollies and I would make them for a fraction of the cost.

Yep, that was before I bought candy paint brushes, molds, wafers, more wafers, special dye for chocolate (can't use regular food coloring) and I forgot, more wafers.

But for now, I am basking in the glory of my 12 ladybug lovelies and thinking about tomorrow and the next day when I'll be making at least 24 more...Ahhh...

Nesha

Come Ride With Me

November 2007 - Queen Wilhelmina Lodge

In November 2007 B.B. (Before Baby) Chris and I took a trip to the Ozark Mountains on the bike. It was a COLD ride up there and we stayed at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge which is a little piece of heaven.

For some reason today, I woke up thinking about that trip. No plans, no schedules, no pressing deadlines, just riding. If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, I suggest you do it at least once in your life. It is an exhilarating experience. I don't know if it is the open air, the speed, the scenery, but there is something about a bike that makes you feel free. One of my favorite things to do is close my eyes and let my feet dangle off the plates. It feels like you are flying.

I wasn't a big motorcycle fan before I met Chris. But, when you fall in love with someone, you participate in the hobbies they love, and SOMETIMES, you start to like it, too. Notice I said the word like, not LOVE.

Chris+Me=LOVE

Me+Bike=LIKE

There is a difference. Here is a video I took from the back of the bike. Take a ride with me and imagine the wind in your hair. Oh, and the reason I haven't blogged in a week is due to an extremely mobile child...If she's not sleeping she's running.

Nesha