Loving Miss Lady

Lady has been fulfilling her mission in our family... keeping Annabelle company.

Annabelle loves Lady and fills her day with more productive play instead of idleness. Thanks Lady for being the best dog I know of. You're wonderful!

Yet another tender mercy from the good Lord above...

Annabelle's First Horse Fix

Annabelle is drawn to horses. All the books, movies, and toys have something to do with horses. She is my animal lover. For preschool she was able to go to an indoor arena to ride horses. What a lucky gal! I can tell you I was jealous...

Watching and waiting for her next turn. Adorable!

Random Catching Up

I've not been in the blogging mode lately, but there are a plethora of excuses. Here are some very random things we've been up to.

Annabelle LOVES jumping on the trampoline, especially with this wonderful weather! You don't always have to stick your finger in the light socket to get the latest hair-do.

Brooks thought it would be great to practice his make-up artist skills... Mascara... thankfully not waterproof...

The girls were spitting water at each other, and you can guess who hit bulls-eye! Great shot Abbi! Thankfully my camera caught it!

Saturday Chores...a first

I decided to have the kids help me with some chores on Saturday, and they were surprisingly very excited to lend a hand. We accomplished so much I think it will become tradition! I can't believe how much they have grown up! It seems like yesterday that I was going crazy trying to care for everyone. They are all so independent now. I love it!!! I miss my babies being babies, but they just keep getting cuter. How can I complain!?!?

We started with unloading the dishwasher. I got out the step stool for the girls and turned around to see Brooks on the counter. The girls were busy handing him the cups to put away. What a team!

Abbi was excited to change the laundry. She even carried the laundry basket back to my room to fold. How can she be that grown up? A full laundry basket!!!

Annabelle loved vacuuming! They each took turns, and did super! Thanks for the help team!

One Good Dog

I told Annabelle that I would get her a dog as an incentive to make some appropriate changes. I didn't really think twice about it, but then we had a chance to get Lady. She was posted on a sticky note in the pet store and I couldn't resist. She is almost 2yrs old, is house trained, and wonderful with kids. I am definitely not a person to want animals inside the house, but she has fit in perfectly! She looked like a mutt before we had her groomed. (Lady is a Miniature Schnauzer if you couldn't tell ; )

After a much needed grooming session.

Lady surprises me everyday. The first glimpse of her awesomeness was on Tuesday. Annabelle gagged herself on a carrot and vomited all over Lady and plastered the kitchen. I was trying to jump over the pile on the floor to put Lady outside, but she just lay down right where she was and didn't move or lick herself until I had everything cleaned up. THAT is a GREAT dog!!! This dog has been such a fun addition to our family, and the kids adore her.

GREAT Weight Watchers blog! Free Recipes!

Triple Berry Smoothie Gina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 2

• Serving Size: 1 cup • Points: 1 pt Calories: 68.4 • Fat: 0.4 g • Protein: 3.3 g • Carb: 12.9 g • Fiber: 3.1 g
1/2 cup blackberries and rasberries
5 medium strawberries
1 cup crushed ice
6 oz WW berries and cream nonfat yogurt Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve with a straw.

So I've been doing Weight Watchers for 3 weeks now and love it. I thought I should try to make it a lifestyle change instead of just a short term diet. It has really helped me to keep track of things like fruits, veggies, fluid intake, vitamins, and focusing on filling foods. I found this site through a great friend, and copied all the recipes into a binder for my own WW recipe book. I LOVE IT!!! I have been making a new recipe everyday, and have loved every one so far. She uses REAL ingredients and the meals are kid friendly and don't require odd ingredients. There is another recipe for brownies that just takes a can of black beans and a brownie mix. Rinse the beans in the can then fill the can with water. Put beans and water in the blender and mix well. Add beans to brownie mix and follow cooking directions. GREAT for food storage and those lazy Sundays when you don't happen to have eggs on hand. Here is her link...

http://www.skinnytaste.com