On the road again.....

This past week I traveled for another business trip to Omaha, NE. I officially envy any person who travels consistently for their job (my husband) and completely holds it together from week to week without allowing the stress of being away to effect them! Needless to say I have not quite figured out how to juggle traveling, hit weekly meeting goals for work, keep up with house work, and still indulge in all my OCD habits (like vacuuming everyday!)
Luckily for me (and everyone else who is affected by mommy traveling) I only have one more trip this year!

So, with mommy gone during the week and retuning just in time for the weekend we were able to jump right into a laid back weekend....

Like Saturday night movie night...which is quite different then a couple of years ago...to start the movie of choice was Barbie ballerina....

Sunday brought on another laid back day. While the kids napped and Daddy cleaned his Turkey (first successful spring turkey hunt of the year!) I attended an Origami Owl party. It's a very cool concept were you create a living locket. I feel so fortunate that I am able to create a locket that includes my babies, husband, and some of my favorite things (like wine!)

Here's to another work week of full schedules, late night work outs, and maybe even our favorite mister
will be on the move....

Go fly a kite....

It's been awhile since my last post so I'm going to try to capture the past few weeks all in one post....I don't know if I should start with Dominic's 6 month stats...my sales meeting in San Antonio....a random late March record snow storm, Dominic's first tooth, Clare's soccer game of the Spring season or flying kites....

Recently my favorite Mr. turned 6 months old! And with that came some major milestones...like his first tooth! Oh, and saying mama! I love hearing him say it especially since Clare said Dada first and called me Dada for months! At 6 months old Dominic is almost 18 pounds!

And speaking of saying "mama" he decided to go ahead and say his first and most favorite word while I was out of town attending our annual sales meeting...yep I starting crying in front of all my partners when I heard those sweet words over the phone! Although I technically missed his first word I am thankful for technology! And I mentioned our annual sales meeting...once per year we are lucky enough to gather together as a company/ region for some much needed bonding time and 2 full days of meetings. This year while we were enjoying rays of sunshine in San Antonio, TX Mother Nature decided winter wasn't quite over and decided to drop 12 inches of snow!

Luckily the snow has melted and just in time for Clare to develop yet another love...flying kites! We took in the beautiful weather with a 9am soccer game (she did great! We only had to go on the field with her like 3 times!) as well as a late afternoon of kite flying.

Finally, we welcomed a new member to our family on March 20th, Avery! We have a new niece and cousin who couldn't be more perfect!

With only a soccer game planned for this weekend I can't wait to see what memories we will make!

Quality over Quantity

Paul and I have both been quite the jet setters lately and slowing down is no where in sight. Both of our careers have always kept up busy but add in more travel than usual and it can make for interesting weeks. It seems we are trying to fit in family time anytime we can but most of all making the best of every moment!

Like a long weekend for Mommy and Daddy in Los Angelas....

Paul has always had a busy flight schedule but for the most part my career keeps me in St. Louis. I had the pleasure this week to attend a week long training at our corporate headquarters in Baltimore Maryland. This experience has by far been the best thing I have ever experienced in my career! It was nothing like I expected but everything I needed...I won't bore you with all the details!

The main reason for this blog was not to boast about what great careers we have but to take a moment every week to think about all the quality (not quantity) time we get spend together. Rather its 30 minutes at night playing bears (hide under the covers then a bear comes under the "tent" and eats us) or taking ten minutes before bed reading stories or eating lunch in our princess clothes it's all about spending quality time together!

Parenting Fails

It seems as though the terrible twos are in full force at my house. This post is designated to our lovely Clarabelle at the sweet age of two!

"Clare lets put your shoes on."
"No! Can't!"
Which by this she actually means "I won't!"

Bedtime has been a major challenge for us recently. I guess it's paybacks from all the other parents whom children have never been good sleepers. In our case it's not staying asleep that's an issue it's the actual bedtime. You want to see a blond headed beauty turn into a mean red eyed bull? Say "bedtime!"

So tonight in hopes to avoid the head butt I received last night (on accident because she was whaling her body all over the place not wanting to lay down) I resorted to a different plan....

"Clare I think there is a special treat in her bed"
"Oh really?!"
"Yes, you should get into your bed to find it!"
"Ok, mommy!"
"Now close your eyes and I'll be right back...going to get M&M's...put hand under her cover and waaalaa! Look Clare mommy found M&M's in your bed!"

Worked like a charm...now that I've started this ritual lets hope I'm not still hiding M&M's under her covers when she's 16!

Daddy Daughter Dance

One of the many things I loved first about my husband is how special he made me feel and his thoughtfulness. Our daughter has been no exception to the way he spoils his girls! Daddy and Clare headed their first Daddy Daughter Dance this weekend! It was something they prepared for well in advance along with many dress rehearsals to make sure her Princess dress was perfect...and it was...actually the whole night was perfect!