Everyday Moments

Life...unedited. 

These random iPhone photos are dark, blurry, and untouched,

but they capture everyday moments from the last week.

After school on Thursday, Savannah and Hadley loved playing at the park in our neighborhood: 

On Friday night, Tal and Savannah enjoyed attending a Carolina Hurricanes game. The Canes are the professional hockey team in our area.  Savannah earned two free tickets to the hockey game because she read over 20 hours during the Readvolution reading contest at her school last fall. Unfortunately, the Canes lost to the Ottawa Senators, but Tal and Savannah still enjoyed their Daddy-Daughter date:

On Sunday afternoon, our family went to the Y in our neighborhood. Tal went to his weekly boot camp class. Hadley and I went swimming... 

...while Savannah and her friends Sky and Liza attended the kids yoga class:

Last year I lost 60 lbs in 6 months. Unfortunately, I also experienced some hair loss due to my rapid weight loss. As a result, my hair has been thin and flat over the last couple months. Today my hair stylist cut off three inches. I'm looking forward to having shorter, bouncier hair while my grows back over the next few months:

 Savannah asked for two braids like Anna:

While Tal got a haircut this afternoon, the girls and I visited the animals at the pet store next door. The girls enjoyed seeing the fish, birds, and chinchillas, but the cats were their favorite:

While Savannah was at gymnastics practice this afternoon, I took Hadley to get a blueberry Italian ice. She thought it was hilarious to show me her blue tongue! 

This afternoon our family attended Savannah's gold medal ceremony for gymnastics. Savannah performed a gymnastics routine that showcased the skills she's learned over the last year:

Then, Savannah received a gold medal for completing four years of gymnastics:

We're so proud of Savannah!

4 years of gymnastics medals!

Happy Hadley

After school on Thursday, I took Savannah and Hadley to the park in our neighborhood. Hadley met a boy named Joshua. Hadley thought he was hilarious, and she got a case of the giggles!

Sisterly Love

 

Everyday Moments

Life...unedited. 

These random iPhone photos are dark, blurry, and untouched,

but they capture everyday moments from this week.

The girls wanted to do a spa day, so I painted Hadley's nails...

...while Savannah did a face mask:

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the girls and I enjoyed having a staycation while Savannah was tracked-out from school. We did some simple and fun activities that the girls requested. Even better, we stayed in our neighborhood and spent $0 both days!

On Tuesday, Hadley wanted to bake a cake, so Savannah made a chocolate mug cake. She mixed a Duncan Hines pouch with some water and then put it in the microwave for a minute. The cake was soft and warm...and the perfect size for the three of us to share:

Then, the girls and I went to the Dunkin Donuts in our neighborhood. The girls shared a breakfast sandwich, hash browns, and a strawberry donut with sprinkles. Our food was free...thanks to a gift card from one of my students. 

  

After Dunkin Donuts, we returned and checked-out books at the public library in our neighborhood:

We also enjoyed going to library storytime. The lesson focused on good manners, and all of the books and songs included the word "please:"

When we got home from the library, the girls made Perler bead crafts at our dining room table: 

For the first time, Hadley used a bead pattern...which is a lot harder and more time consuming:

Savannah used the iron to fuse the beads together:

On Tuesday afternoon, Hadley wanted to take a warm bath. She loved turning the water blue and playing with soap and water!

After bathtime, Hadley and I took a nap in our living room recliner:

On Wednesday morning, the girls and I used the rest of our Dunkin Donuts gift card to get some free breakfast burritos, hash browns, and donuts:

After eating breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, the girls and I loved swimming at the Y in our neighborhood for two hours. (At the beginning of each year, Tal's employer gives him $800 for wellness reimbursement. A couple weeks ago, Tal and I used the money to pre-pay our Y membership for the next 8 months.)

Swimming was a great way to burn some energy on a winter day!

Going down the water slide

Everyday Moments

Life...unedited. 

These random iPhone photos are dark, blurry, and untouched,

but they capture everyday moments from this week.

While Savannah has been having a great time at Grandma Barbara's house this week, Tal and I have enjoyed having some special one-on-one time with Hadley.

Hadley loves wearing the heart necklace that she received as a Christmas gift from Great Grandaddy and Alice:

On Saturday afternoon, our family got ice cream at Dairy Queen. Hadley loves a chocolate dipped cone with chocolate ice cream (just like Tal and Savannah):

On Sunday afternoon, the weather was sunny and 65 degrees!  Hadley and I played at the park in our neighborhood. The park was a popular place, and we talked to 14 kids from my school!

For the first time, Hadley climbed on the highest leaf! At first, Hadley said, "I can't do it, Mommy. It's too high. I'm scared." When she reached the top, Hadley said, "I did it, Mommy! I'm not scared anymore." So proud of my girl!

When we got home from the park, Hadley and I made brownies:

Hadley still loves her teal blanket, which she has had since birth. As shown below, she loves to hold a corner of her blanket and rub it against her cheek or hand to comfort herself: 

On Tuesday, Hadley and I had a staycation. When I asked Hadley how she wanted to spend our day, she said, "Play in the mall play area and ride the train." So that's what we did! 

At the mall, I gave Hadley $1, so she could ride the red car:

Then, Hadley and I rode the train around the mall:

Hadley loved the train ride!

Hadley threw some change in the fountain at the mall:

After playing at the mall, Hadley played and ate lunch at McDonald's. Thanks to a gift card from Great Grandaddy and Alice, Hadley's chicken nuggets and ice cream sundae were free!

When Hadley and I got home from McDonald's, we sat in the living room recliner, and Hadley took a 2-hour nap on me (with her teal blanket). I cherish these sweet moments! 

Today Hadley wanted to wear a dress with her high heels and asked for two braids in her hair like Anna. I thought she looked adorable!

Today Hadley and I had another staycation. Hadley wanted to stay home, so we enjoyed baking, watching TV, and taking a nap. It was a slow and relaxing day! 

Today we baked Pillsbury sugar free brownies for the first time. They tasted just as yummy as regular brownies...but with fewer calories and less sugar!

Hadley likes eating the brownie batter more than the baked brownies!

After baking brownies, Hadley and I made some pretzel toffee with some leftover pretzels we had in the pantry. Hadley enjoyed sprinkling the chocolate chips on top of the pretzel toffee:

Over the last couple weeks, Hadley has done a good job learning how to fold kitchen towels and hand towels and then putting them away in the bathroom closet or kitchen drawer. I will be thrilled when she takes over the weekly responsibility of folding and putting away small towels!