Fun with Friends!

We had a great weekend with friends!

On Thursdays we go to the Y with the girls. We let them stay up a little later since they stay home with me on Friday. We almost always meet Stella Murphy at the Y.

 The girls spend all day at school together and then are apart for about an hour before we meet up again. And every time they act like they haven't seen each other in YEARS. It's hilarious. All of the Y workers laugh at them. 

On Friday we went to story hour at the library. Can you spy my two blondes up close and personal with the reader?

Saturday, Maddie and I had pedicures and went to a baby shower for my friend Taryn. And I didn't take a single picture - ugh! But, suffice it to say, my pregnant friend is really cute.

That night, our pals Hudson and Sloane came over. 

 Nothing better than happy, clean kids!!

On Sunday, we had Rolfe's birthday party.

 Of course Sherri made that cake. Of course she did.

The party was at a bowling alley and Maddie shared a lane with the Harbridge kids.

She had to get a little help from the roller.

We had cake and pizza and enjoyed a Stars War birthday for Rolfe!

Random!

I forgot this funny picture from my last post. Maddie and Dane were setting up a cafe in the basement while the adults were upstairs. We came downstairs and cracked up laughing.

All of Maddie's Build a Bears were having lunch - and a couple of beverages! - at the bar. 

We've had some warm weather this week and have been playing with our neighbors!

Maddie and I are headed to Orlando next week to visit Tia and she is getting herself ready. 

WOOHOO! Happy Friday-eve!

Weekend Recap: The Dentist, the ENT and a Polenta Party!

You may remember that on our last dentist visit, Madeline had several cavities. Needless to say we both were a little anxious about this visit.

But, all of our hard work has paid off. Maddie's been more than a little mad that I cut out all gummies and that I go behind her when she brushes, BUT we had no cavities! Some kids eat gummy snacks and have no issues, but unfortunately her little mouth is so small that they just have to be avoided.

The next day we had Sydney's ENT follow-up. The girls insisted on matching.

Sydney has one tube in, and one tube out. The left tube is still in, but working its way out. Here's hoping we can survive without needing a second set!

After the ENT, I took the girls to the mall for lunch.

 On Saturday, we met Hudson for some park time and lunch - it was GORGEOUS out! Then we stopped by Feeder's Supply.

That night we played with our cousins at nana's house.

Sydney was watching Quinn and doing everything she did. At one point, Quinn had her finger in her mouth so Sydney did it too. Monkey see, monkey do.

Sunday night, our friends Dan and Sherri had us over for a polenta party. Sherri is one of my more creative friends and she wanted to try a new idea on us.

 First she spread out a lot of homemade polenta.

Then she put out four different types of toppings.

Y'all. It was SO GOOD. We ate nearly that entire board. Polenta, salad and garlic bread, OH MY. Yum, yum, yum!

While we ate, 6 of the 7 kiddos sat together and had a great time together.
 (Baby Rainey was at our table.)

 Thanks Sherri for having us over! We always enjoy our time with the Harbridges and the Brindles.

8 Years!

Tuesday, Chris and I celebrated eight years of marriage! 8 years ago we were on a warm, sunny beach with our closest friends and family.

8 years later and still in love, although he doesn't swing me around quite like he used to. HA!

We had a yummy dinner at Corbett's (parmesan encrusted sea bass ALL DAY EVERY DAY) and then got handcuffed, blindfolded and locked in a room with our best friends, who coincidentally, were at our wedding in St. Lucia.

For my anniversary, I asked for a Vitamix blender. And I seriously can't stop using it.

 Green smoothies for the win!

 In much less fun news, I will be transitioning back to work full-time. With the upcoming merger and increasing work load, it makes the most sense for me. I am fortunate enough that I will get to work from home and still have Friday's off. (I'm going to work longer days Mon-Thursday).

I have loved having Wednesday's off with my little Sydney. While Maddie was at pre-school she was my partner in crime. 

We'd play.

We'd shop.

We'd laugh.

So, yes, I will miss my Wednesday's with Sydney but I still have Friday's with both girls. And that makes me happy!

Back to blogging...

It's been over a week since I blogged - I have literally been up to my eyes with work these last few weeks. We are preparing for a CMS audit, and with the merger on it's way, we are under a lot of pressure. I've been putting in a lot of extra hours which leaves less time for fun stuff, like blogging!

Anyways, outside of work, we've still been managing to have a lot of fun with the little ladies.

First, we spent a day in Lexington celebrating cousin Quinn turning 3! She had a fun princess party at her dance studio.

Maddie was Elsa and Syd was Belle.

Maddie just loves her cousin Dane.

On Friday, we face-timed with Tia...

Then she surprised the girls in person!

To say Maddie was excited is an understatement.

Maddie stays home with me on Friday but I had planned to take her to her class Valentine's party. She was so happy that tia came too.

 Maddie squeezed in with her BFF while we pulled a chair over.

Maddie passing out her Valentines. It got a little chaotic with the kids because they were so hopped up on sugar and so excited to be giving their friends their little gifts.

On Sunday, Valentine's Day!, we had a family day. We went to church, had lunch and then took the girls to Build A Bear. Side note, I hope I can pay my mortgage next month. Because, FOR REAL, that place will drain you! Ha!

Maddie LOVED it. Sydney was super into picking out her animal (Chase from Paw Patrol) but didn't really dig the noise or the stuffing machine.

Big sister stuffed both bears!

Sydney did put her heart in, but from a distance!

Kissing their bear's hearts.

Bathing the Bears.

Syd, a solid 5 feet from where the worker was stitching her bear. HA!

The girls loved their bears and played school with them when we got home.

That night, we had crab legs while watching the snow fall outside!

My love, my Valentine! So grateful for Chris and all he does for us. And! Very proud of him. He just got a new job at work. He's going to be leading a small team of people and moving back to the operations side of the company. This should be a good fit for him, and he's excited about the opportunity!

Then, we played our current favorite game, Hide and Go Seek. Maddie is fantastic at it and will sit, quiet as a mouse, in the spot she chooses. Sydney, on the other hand, finds it very hard to be still. So, she's pretty easy to find!

Maddie and I counting while Sydney and daddy hide.

Lastly, I leave you with this gem. Sunflower aside (I mean seriously?!), don't you see Sydney in Mercedes? I really do!

Happy Valentine's Day!