Love Boxes

I have been getting some great Valentine fun ideas from the Happy Home Fairy
http://glittermagic.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/the-25-days-of-love-fun-day-2-valentine-mailboxes/
I loved her idea for personalizing valentine's day mailboxes.
I found the same mailboxes she used at Target for $1 a piece :)
I got one for each child. Mia got a pink one. Max got a red one and Zackary has a little white one.

We used stickers to decorate our mailboxes.

We made some miniature pieces of mail to go in the mailboxes as well. I am planning on using these for little love notes and fun treat drop offs as the holiday draws closer. For now the kids were having a great time watching Blue's Clues with their mailboxes so that they could get mail with Steve!

Dinner Tonight!

I am hurrying to the store before Max gets out of school.
I need to buy sour cream so that we can make these tonight:

Sour Cream Enchiladas!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/sour-cream-enchiladas/

Thanks to the pioneer woman, for once again making dinner amazing :)

So far this week:

It's Thursday night and the week has flown by!
Ty has been busy getting to know his new work environment. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that the entire anesthesia department eats for free at the hospital cafeteria. I never have to send Ty with a brown bag lunch again. I am not sure what I will do with all of the extra cookies now.
Max had a busy week at school and bought lunch from the cafeteria for the first time. From the way he talked about it, I think it may have been the best meal of his life!
Mia and I have been reading like crazy and working on her ABC's. She is finally showing an interest in writing! I am planning on sending her to preschool this fall so hopefully by then she will be writing her name at least.
My mom took Max and Mia to the pool where my grandma lives. It is heated year round to about 90 degrees. They had a blast! I can't believe they are swimming in January :)
Little Zack has not been to the pool yet, because I have not been in the mood to get in a swimsuit and chase him around. While he is at home he plays with his cars which he loves more than anything! He drives them around and makes little vroom-ing sounds.
I am in love with the California sunshine and have been walking Max to and from school every day.
We are looking forward to Friday and the weekend!

I love Valentine's Day!
I don't care what anyone says about it being a commercial holiday invented by candy companies.
I think it is a great day to have fun with the people you love.
I found some great Valentine's themed foodie fun ideas. These were some of my favorites:

Valentine's Day Brownie Bags

http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2010/01/diy-valentines-day-brownie-bags/

Little Sweetie Pies

http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetie-pie/

and a Heart-y Valentine's Pizza!

http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/01/18/valentine-pizza/

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies from The Curvy Carrot were part of the Foodbuzz top 9 this morning.
I love the ones with the colorful sprinkles. My kids love making the peanut butter version of this cookie at Christmas time and I think I could make these using pink and red sprinkles for valentine's day.

http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/3156074-chocolate-thumbprint-cookies

Happy Birthday Ty!

Today was Ty's 30th birthday!
Ty had to work today so the kids and I spent the day getting ready. We wrapped the gifts, decorated the house, and made the cake! This year I made a root beer float cake with whipped vanilla frosting. I topped it off with chocolate ganache, because it seemed like the right thing to do.

When Ty came home from work we did presents right away and then we had some chinese food for dinner.
After dinner I put one little candle on the cake.

We sang happy birthday and then I fed Zackary cake as quickly as I could. He was screaming for it....Ty liked it too.
We love you Ty! You are the best :)

One more thing

While I am super excited about Ty's birthday and all the other good stuff going on. I forgot to mention one more little thing:

One more week until the return of Gossip Girl!
and Chuck Bass!

Happy birthday Ty, I love you....

Reasons to Celebrate!

1. It's Ty's 30th birthday!
2. We are having cake :)
3. It is almost 80 degrees outside!
4. It's a holiday
5. Zack slept through the night for the first time since we left Tennessee!
6. Mia went to Sunbeams yesterday! (and not to Max's CTR class!)

I love a little celebration! Tonight we are having a little party for Ty. We have the presents all wrapped and I am planning on picking up some of his favorite chinese food. The kids are excited. Can't wait!

Looking forward to

Strawberries!
I know it's only January, but my parents strawberry plants are already up and growing :)

In other news: we will close on our house February 22nd!

Garage Sales

My mom goes out every Saturday morning with a group of friends. They map out a route ahead of time of the weekend garage sales. They get up early and treasure hunt all morning. Today I decided to join them. The company is always wonderful. I love a little girl talk. I found some great deals; a doll house for Mia, clothes for Zac, and a few fun things for Max. At the end of the morning, however, I felt a bit disappointed. I had spent money, not a lot, but some. I had bought some cute things, but nothing we really needed. I think unless I was able to use great discretion I might end up wasting money week after week. I usually go to the gym on Saturday mornings and I think next week my tradition will resume. As for saving money, I think I do best when I shop online or in store for one item that I know I need and want and look for the best deal.
What are your thoughts on garage sales, and saving money?