She Won't Go To Bed

This is my Katelyn coming down the stairs at 10 PM at night. We put her to bed at 7:30 PM, her normal time, and at 10 PM she was still up. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. She won't go to bed!!

Her school says she is somewhat cranky in the mornings but has been taking a wonderful nap every day while there! I have got to get my girl back to her normal schedule!!

Phantom of the Opera

Sarah (Jordan's good buddy) and Jordan on the way to see the "Phantom of the Opera". This is one of my favorite musicals and I was so excited to take Jordan to see it. My sweetie and my Dad, like me, love the music so much.

I contacted my friend, Chris, and we decided to take the girls. After purchasing the tickets, I began to wonder if they were old enough to go. I have the movie so I watched it several times with Jordan before going. She was hooked. She absolutely loves it!!

I also listened to the CD in my car with both my girls for the month before. Katelyn loves the songs as well. Sidenote: She likes the ones where the "Phan" sings. She doesn't call him the Phantom but Phan :) Both girls are adorable singing along...

Before attending the musical, we went to Spaghetti Warehouse for a yummy lunch. What a gorgeous day outside.

At Spaghetti Warehouse, they gave us seats in the train car. Too cool.

Chris, Sarah, and Jordan in the train car.

Sarah and Jordan enjoying lunch. Jordan has one of her favorite meals -- spaghetti with NO sauce.

The girls at the Phantom of the Opera show.

They loved the show and had to have Phantom masks. I cannot begin to tell you what a wonderful time it was for me. There were not that many kids at the 2 PM Sunday afternoon performance -- mostly adults. I looked over at my daughter during the performance many times and took pleasure in the look on her face. She was enthralled. She knew all the songs and the story which I think really helped. As stated, she loved it and I loved being there with her so much. I was sharing one of my most favorite musicals with my precious, precious girl.

Jordan and I at the performance. When we first got to the show and sat down, Jordan started telling two couples sitting behind us all about the show. One of the ladies asked Jordan if she was 7 or 8 years old. Jordan replied "I'm 5". The lady then asked Jordan where she went to school and Jordan told her. The lady said "no surprise there." I was so proud of my Jordie Bear. I love how friendly she is and how she loves people. She is not inhibited to talk to anyone.

So after the show, Jordan decided a new career path for when she grows up. This is her second change. She now wants to be an actor in the Phantom of the Opera show! She at first said she wanted to be a Super Ballerina when she grows up. She changed it this year to a Musketeer like the Barbie and The Three Musketeers movie and practised her musketeer moves all the time. Now she wants to be in the Phantom of the Opera.

We, of course, got Katelyn a Phantom mask as well. Boy did she love it! Some day she will be old enough to take to the show and I will definitely do so.

More Birthday Parties!

As usual, our girls attended a couple of birthday parties over the weekend. Both girls always have a good time. One party was at ASI Gymnastics and the other at Little Gym.

Crazy Hair, February Rotunda Rocks, and Friends' Dinner

For school on Friday, the children at Katelyn's school had crazy hair day. Yes, Katelyn loved it! I put her hair in messy buns, non-matching clips, and they sprayed it with glitter. She was thrilled. Below are several pictures of Katelyn with her crazy hair. Katelyn is so funny at times. She makes us laugh. Below shows the silly side of our Katelyn !

CHH and I went to Jordan's Rotunda Rocks at school for February. I love these 1/2 hour shows and to hear the girls sing. Jordan loves, loves, loves to sing.

Jordan is standing next to her teacher in the below picture.

Friday night, we went to our friends' house for dinner. Katelyn's best friend at school is Emmy. Emmy and her have been together since they were 3 months old -- their birthday's are a week apart. Katelyn was thrilled to go to Emmy's house for dinner. Emmy's brother is Jordan's good friend so it works out well. Jordan and Jackson kept telling us they were getting married. I have no idea where they got this from!

The girls played dress-up, of course!! As you know, kids love dress-up... Their outfits cracked me up being mismatched and Katelyn in her stocking cap --- priceless!

Birthday Party Fun!

Jordan received a Lite Brite for Christmas and finally was able to play with it. She designed on her own a great picture I think!

Jordan's classmate had a 5 year old birthday party. Jordan had a blast with her classmate going down the slide of the bounce house.

At the party, they had two pink ponies for pony rides. Jordan loved it!

The birthday girl's older sister and friend painted the girls' faces.

Jordan aiming to hit the pinata at the party. So many fun, fun activities.

Jordan and her pre-k class.

Singing Happy Birthday and eating some yummy cake. Yes, Jordan had fun!!

Please Let Me Sleep!

During the work week, I get up every morning at 5 AM. When the weekends come, I'm sleepy tired and can't wait to sleep in -- until at least 7 AM. Last night, Katelyn was awful. She couldn't sleep. At 9 PM, she was still wide awake calling out to us.

During the night, my husband told me she came in our room three times. I remember one time her climbing over my head to get in the middle of us and remember hearing CHH go "No, no, no" and then taking her back to bed. He later told me this morning that he then stayed up and watched TV to make sure she went back to sleep. Why? Because our sweet Katelyn has gotten into the habit of pulling the blanket and sheets over her head and wrapping herself in them which of course scares us. He waited up for her to go back to sleep to make sure she wasn't wrapped like a mummy.

Well, 5 AM this morning -- I hear a little voice on my side of the bed talking in my ear. You got to be kidding me! Seriously! Mommy wants to sleep so desperately past 5 AM. My first mean thought is I'm going to wake every single person up in the house during the week when I get up at 5 AM including the cat and dog so they will all know how it feels! I won't, of course, but I thought it.

In my stupor and for the first time ever, I mumbled to Katelyn -- go sleep with your sister and don't wake her up. She left. I heard nothing. I waited and still heard nothing. I was listening for Jordan to say something -- nothing. No Katelyn, no Jordan. Of course, I couldn't get back to sleep now because my Mommy alert was on and I was listening for them. It didn't help that the cat knew I was awake and started purring and the dog started making movement as well. I think CHH was pretending to be asleep hoping he didn't have to get up again!

Yes, I got up to go check on them and this is what I found:

Sisters!

Happy 67th Birthday Grandma Cruella!

Today is my Mom's birthday. Jordan and Katelyn called their Grandma Cruella and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She loved it.

Jordan at about 5 weeks old with her Grandma.

Katelyn 2 1/2 weeks old with Mommy and her Grandma.

Happy Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras!

Jordan's school celebrated Mardi Gras today. Because of this, Jordan did not have to wear a uniform and instead was able to wear something purple, green or gold. Jordan was thrilled. While at school, she made this mask. It's perfect because it was for not only Mardi Gras but also a mask for being a musketeer!

Jordan told me that she learned all about Mardi Gras at school. She also said when they were talking about Mardi Gras, she told her teacher she has an Uncle Marty (Marty Gras - LOL).

At school today, Jordan said they had Mardi Gras food for lunch and in cooking they made a "King" cake. Her school is also celebrating the Chinese New Year right now and Jordan witnessed dragons dancing.

I had to have a picture of my Katelyn too. Katelyn was making all sorts of poses like her sister while I was taking her picture. She is so funny. She really does copy everything Jordan does right now.

On top of everything, Jordan learned about George Washington for President's Day. She was telling me all about George Washington being the first President and about his wooden teeth (I didn't know or remember he had wooden teeth).

Arizona Family Fun!

We finally made it out Friday night and arrived at my Dad's house in Arizona after midnight. We were exhausted but so happy to be there. I was so thankful my sister, Jill, went with me; she was a huge help with the girls and it was even more fun having her there.

I print this blog for my girls so below are tons of pictures from this trip. It is important to me for them to know their family and how much they are loved. My Uncles, Aunts, cousins, and Dad are so wonderful and we are so blessed to be part of their lives.

Katelyn was excited to see her Great Uncle Lonnie and was so cute giving him this hug.

Three of the four silly brothers (My Dad, Uncle Lonnie, Uncle Dale), their sister (Aunt Doris) and my girls.

Jordan and Katelyn with their "greats" and Grandpa.

Jordan's Great-Aunt Nancy. I love this picture of them.

Jordan soaking up attention from the brothers.

Wow. This moment really got me. My Great Aunt Vickie - Jordan's Great, Great Aunt - my Grandma's (Alice Jane) sister. It was Aunt Vickie's actual birthday on February 13th and she turned 82. When she walked in, I was taken aback for a moment because she reminded me so much of my Grandma who passed away in the 80s.

My Dad (Lynn), my sister (Jill), Aunt Doris, Great Aunt Vickie (my Grandma's sister), Uncle Lonnie, Uncle Dale and me - 3 generations.

Donae (Aunt Vickie's daughter-in-law), Aunt Doris, Aunt Vickie, Aunt Nancy, Jill and Me

Four generations. I love this picture too.

I noticed Katelyn coloring this picture while everyone was talking. I was absolutely amazed at how well she did.

Katelyn with her Great, Great Aunt Vickie and her beautiful picture.

My Uncle Hal showed up after his softball game (they won the championship!) and the four brothers and sister were together along with their Aunt Vickie.

My Aunt Anita and Uncle Lonnie's grandkids were there as well. My girls loved being with their "cousins". Jordan, Bella, Katelyn and Faith are sitting on the swing. Bella's birthday is December 1st and she is 3 days older than Katelyn. The two of them together was hysterical. Very cute.

Aunt Anita with her grandson, Eli.

My kids had more fun throwing rocks out in the backyard. They did this for hours. They were filthy by the end of the night but happy and exhausted. Katelyn ASKED ME TO GO TO BED - WOW!

Katelyn showing her Great-Uncle Dale a rock she found and liked.

The three year olds (Bella and Katelyn)!

Eli, Faith and Jordan still playing in the rocks. Who knew this could be so much fun. They threw them, put them in pots, dumped them out, filled more pots, etc.

Our cousin, Ethan, hurt his foot on this day. My Uncle Hal, a doctor, was taking a look at it and Jordan was very concerned for her cousin, Ethan. Ethan's Dad, Troy, is looking on.

Jill, Uncle Dale and our cousin, Janice (Uncle Hal's daughter, mother to Ethan and Luke) catching up.

The cousins - Jordan, Ethan, Katelyn and Luke. Ethan was great reading to them.

Sitting outside and talking.

Luke and Katelyn enjoying each other's company. Luke is 6 and was so great with Katelyn.

Aunt Nancy making something with Jordan and Ethan (Aunt Nancy's grandson).

Katelyn getting a cuddle from Uncle Lonnie.

All three mornings, the girls would go in to wake Grandpa up. Jordan would sit on my Dad and bounce on the poor man. He loved them waking him up.

Valentine's morning, I gave my girls matching bottle cap necklaces that were red and said "Love ya" on them. My Aunt Nancy made these gifts for my girls. As always, I loved them and was so appreciative. I know it takes time to make these things and I so love having them for my girls. My Aunt has 12 grandchildren of her own so to make things for my girls as well means so much to me.

The girls opening their gifts Valentine morning.

Jordan's list Valentine's Day - 1. Pick fruit, 2. Blow bubbles outside, and 3. Walk the dog around the lake. The girls picked oranges, lemons and grapefruit from the various trees in back of my Dad's house. They had a blast!

My Valentine babies.

More presents! Sue gave the girls dress-up clothes. Yes, they were thrilled!

Ok, this cracked me up. Katelyn is amazingly strong. She has always been even as an infant. I looked up to find her on top of my Dad's shelf holding herself vertical with her bent arms. She did this over and over -- holding her whole body up by her little arms.

In Arizona, I had to get a picture of my girls and Dad by the big beautiful cactus (Katelyn's term for them last year was "bite yous").

More glorious rock throwing back at my Aunt Anita and Uncle Lonnie's house.

Uncle Hal (Aunt Nancy's husband, the oldest brother) is always great playing with my girls.

Grandpa taking the girls for a golf cart ride at night.

The girls finally got to walk the lake and take the dog for a walk around it!

Everyone acting like a cactus.

Grandpa and his granddaughters right before we headed off to the airport. He was so worried about us flying because Jill had left the day before. Everything went smoothly and we arrived back home just fine.

We missed Valentine's Day with my sweetie because of not getting out Thursday night. We were suppose to come back on Sunday but came back Monday instead to still have two full days in Arizona. CHH picked us up at the airport. When we got home, he gave all three of us Godiva teddy bears and chocolates for Valentine gifts. Good Daddy! PS Katelyn ate her whole bag of chocolates immediately. Jordan saved hers so her bear would look good. Yes, Katelyn was eyeing both her sister and my bears later; I put them on top of the fireplace where hopefully she will not reach them :)