Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love you!

Best Friends (And Goofballs)

There is never a dull moment with these two around...

Miss Zella

My baby is starting preschool tomorrow.  Okay, okay.  She is not a baby anymore.  She's 3 1/2.  I know she will love it but I will still miss her terribly.  I took her on a special date a couple weeks ago to get her school supplies.  I can't believe how fast she is growing up!

A Day at the Beach

Grandma Marker (Trav's mom) and our niece Katelyn surprised us with a visit two weeks ago.  We had so much fun.  We spent the day at Clear Lake and had so much fun at the beach and splash pad.  Except Violet.  Turns out she hates sand all of a sudden.  At least she enjoyed the splash pad and picnic!

Just a Phase

Violet has been a mess the last couple weeks.  It's all teething's fault, but I was honestly starting to wonder.  Is her personality changing?  What happened to my smiling, laughing baby?

I am happy to report Vi is back to normal.  Thank goodness! 

Some photographic evidence:

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Learning new tricks

Cheese!

Blowing kisses

Laughing with Uncle Chris (aka Dr. baby whisperer)

Ask Lori Answers Part 2

What is your least favorite part of parenting? And your fav part?

My least favorite part of parenting is discipline.  It is hard to always be consistent.  And who wants to referee he said/she said fights all day?

It is hard to choose one fav thing about being a mom.  I love watching their personalities grow and develop.  It is fascinating.  I could never hear "I love you Mama" too much.  Oh, and if snuggling were a sport the girls and I would be gold medalists. 


What kind of job did you have before you were a sahm?

I used to work in public relations. First for an advertising agency in Des Moines, and then as the PR manager at United Way of Central Iowa. It was fun because at a non-profit I got to do a little of everything.


Do you ever miss having a job outside the home?
Ultimately, no.  I miss some things...writing and designing, planning events.  I miss having uninterrupted conversations with adults and being "in the know".  Oh, and the paycheck.  There have been soooo many times that would have come in handy!

Yet I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  And luckily Travis has always wanted that for our family too.  We have had to make a lot of sacrifices but it has all been worth it.  I am very thankful and lucky to be at home with the girls.

Songs in My Head

Peggy Lee is one of my favorite female singers of all time.

Back to School

Miss Madeline had her first day of Kindergarten-Prep today. She was a little nervous but ended up having a great time. She will be going every afternoon and can't believe she gets to go to school every day. There are 12 kids in her class. 

Zella and I made her chocolate chip cookies for an after school snack. All in all a good day.

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I have the same picture of Zella and Madeline hugging last year.  They always miss each other when they're apart.

Some links from last year (hard to believe how little they look!):
4 Year Preschool

We're proud of you Maddie B!