Hiccup in Our Plan

Over the weekend, Mark and I decided, that we needed to start our Christmas shopping. This whole "3 girls to look after," has really pushed us to plan ahead. We know that our days of "last minute shopping," are well behind us.

I've had some toys in mind. And books. That I know the girls will enjoy. We don't just give our girls toys, we also give them items that they can use to learn with. And some useful items. We like to keep it well rounded.

Along with this, I've been leaning towards giving the girls more thoughtful gifts. Handmade items. Just one of kind things. Not only do I think it's more meaningful. But I want to support local, and handmade shops.

So I took to our computer last night. And I started to order various things. Let me tell you, that little "Christmas for the Girls" folder, really came in handy! I got about half of the items order. Thank you Mark, for thinking ahead! We'd been saving money. And it just all sorta lined up last night.

Except, there is that 1 item that I really wanted. I've wanted it for Elena, for probably over a year. And I ALWAYS have my fingers crossed, that it's "in stock." Until last night. When it wasn't!!



I was crushed!! Probably more so, because there is nothing left in this cute, little Etsy shop. And that just makes me so sad. I'm going to contact Mrs. Ruby Ellen. Hopefully, we can get this dollhouse, and doll made. You know, before Christmas. Now that I really have my heart set on it. Is anyone else thinking about Christmas? Or is it just us? A

Last Week of Summer

Today marks our last week of summer. Officially. Elena starts school next Monday!! Yes, I'm still not sure about this whole thing. But you know, she's growing up. And we have to let her. You know, she still needs her momma to guide her on her way. And I'm definitely here for that!

But I wanted to do something special to start off our week. And I wasn't quite sure what to do. I called my friend Lola. Funny how that works. She has no kids, but I ALWAYS turn to her!

And what did Lola suggest? Maybe a mini shopping trip. To buy a special little something, to take to school. Something that would remind Elena of home. And of course, a new book! Thanks again Lola! We have on happy girl on our hands!!

Mark even wanted in on the fun! So he's taking a "half day." And I've got the girls this morning. Just enjoying the good life. In our pjs. We watched some cartoons, snacked on fruit, and now the girls are napping.

And when they wake up, we'll get ready to head out. They know about all this. And our adventure to a local bookstore. We like to shop local when we can. So the little bookstore it is. And hopefully, we can find a cute surprise, while we're out. Before all this...a little summer treat!!

And what is this exactly? An orange coke float. Another idea from Lola. :) I should have remembered these, from when we were younger. Lola would always ask for a coke float, with orange soda. She said it reminded her of Dreamsicles. Yum!



Doesn't that just sound yummy? I think so! And it's a nice way to kick off our week. We're also planning a bigger adventure on Friday. I'm a little nervous, about my baby going to school. So I'm going to enjoy every last second of her, this week! Remembering the days, before she went to school, and was still my baby girl! A

What to Plant????

Recently, the girls and I went to Family Dollar. They were having a "Baby Sale." And I wanted to pick up some baby washcloths, look for some headbands, and maybe look through the garden section.

Well, we left with quite of big bunch of stuff. And I thought, well, we'd be set for planting. After I picked up 4 packs of baby washcloths, 2 bundles of headbands, and a necklace for me, we headed to the garden stuff.

By the way, the necklace wouldn't ring up. And it was super cute!! A chunky beaded necklace. Usually, they'll sell it for a quarter or so. Sometimes a dollar. Because it's usually "out of season." And they're trying to get rid of the stock. But this time, they threw it in the trash!!! Really, I was just shocked!!! Family Dollar, did you read that??? The lady in front of me, they must of thrown away 10 pieces of jewelry, and 5 pieces of clothing. CRAZINESS!!! And she was not too happy. She left the $100 worth stuff, that they had rung up to that point, and left the store!!!

Back to the garden stuff. Sorry about that mini rant. I just had to get it off my chest. :) I decided to let the girls help out. Since they already knew, they weren't going to get any toys. Ofelia was definitely excited about all the "Garden Animals." Especially the bunnies!! We came home with about 12 different animals. For under $20. We also picked up some metal hanging things. To put in the yard, and then hang flower baskets from.

Elena was definitely into the seeds. I'm a little embarrassed to say this, we left with $15 worth of seeds. I know!! And they're either 4 or 5 packs for $1. Can you just imagine how many packs of seeds we have. :) Maybe I should have been paying better attention to Elena. But she was pretty excited. And this purchase, should be bringing us happiness, for a long time!!

I was going through all these seeds earlier. And what did I notice? Only 5 packs of those seeds, are for food!! The rest are flowers. I guess my girl, wants lots of pretty flowers. We now have seeds for watermelons, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Can you tell what Elena likes to eat?? :)



Well, this leads to a little dilemma. What should we plant this year? Since we pretty much have to do all our garden shopping still, I need to make a plan. We have garden boxes. :) It makes things a little easier for us. I'm thinking squash, plenty of tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, lots of herbs, pumpkins, watermelons, strawberries, and maybe some eggplant. I wonder how hard, it is to grow sweet potatoes....

Do you have any other ideas, of what I should buy? What we should plant? What are some of your favorite things? It doesn't have to be seeds. We'd be happy to buy plants. We can even talk about flowers, bushes, and trees. Because we want to add some more color to our yard. I'd love to hear your thoughts!! A

Making It Pretty

We're starting to think about Spring and Summer already. And gardening. My in-laws are big motivators in this department. My FIL, plants an amazing garden, every year. He encourages, all his grandkids to help out. Many times, he sends Elena and Ofelia home, with little plants. To plant at our house.

Mark and I, have been really good, about planting a little garden. Over the years, we've added some fruit trees, to our yard. All year long, we grow herbs in our kitchen window. I'd say, we're doing pretty well. :)

But we have a rather long driveway. It's a little boring. When we first bought our home, we planted trees along it. They are growing nicely. And it's a really nice look. But, you know there's always a but! Our driveway is lacking in color. Big time!

When you get to our house, we always plant pretty flowers. We've got roses, irises, and gladiolas. We add in annuals, for color. It looks so pretty, late in the Spring. But our driveway, is so drab! Then I remembered Lola. She planted these gorgeous roses. Along her driveway. And they grow nice and low. So I called her. :)



She pointed me in the right direction. And we just ordered 30 of these rose bushes. I told you, our driveway is long! I can't wait to see, what it's all going to look like. Imagine in 2 or 3 years! This just excites me. I also wonder, when our roses will get here. And if I'll be able to help Mark plant them. A

Darling!!

I found a new Etsy Shop, that I'm in Love with!! I should probably stop searching them out. But this time, I was really looking for some art. For our baby girl's nursery. :) Now, I think, I found some presents, for our 3 girls!!

Loxly Hollow has the most amazing pieces!! Perfect for any kids' room. Honestly, I was looking for something special. For our baby girl. And then, I could stop looking. I'm in love!



It all started with this print. Gathering Love. I thought, this would be so pretty in our daughter's nursery!! And the meaning, just tugged at my heart.



Swan Princess would be perfect for Elena! Not only does this print remind me of her. But she just loves princesses!!



A Pink and Aqua Meeting reminds me so much of Ofelia. You always find her, talking to little animals. Just like this!! And bunnies, are her current favorite! :)

Loxly Hollow just knows me. And they have so many cute prints. I found 5 that I want for our Playroom. 5!!! I know. I must control. But these 3, are coming home. I'm thinking, I just found Elena and Ofelia's Valentine's Day present. And at least 1 piece, for our baby girl's nursery. A

Etsy I LOVE You!!

I should tell you something. I spend way too many hours on Etsy. After my girls are fast asleep. I shop the clearance racks, to buy cute things on Etsy. I like buying things for our home, our girls, and to give as gifts.

Mark laughs, when he sees me, pull out my laptop. He knows, I'm going to be doing some shopping at Old Navy, eBay, or Etsy. Once in a while, I'm searching for crochet patterns. Between, don't you think, there are always better sales on Old Navy's website, than in their stores?

Well, I found a new shop. That I'm in love with!! Purdy Things. This shop, has the most amazing pieces!! And I want one of each. :)



Elena would just love this purse, to pieces!! Those are our favorite colors. And her love of birds, just makes this, an obvious choice. Let's not forget, she doesn't leave home, without her purse!!



Ofelia would look like a doll in this!! Perfect for our hot summer weather. I could see her, running through the sprinklers, in this little outfit!!



And I'd love this, for our new daughter. :) How cute would that be? The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is one of my favorite Children's books. This would be perfect, for newborn pictures!!

I restrained. I just added these, and about another 100 things from this shop, to my favorites. :) But I can't stop thinking, about all these beautiful things. I've got just over 2 months, to ponder these buys. I might just cave!! A

Love 21

Right around my last pregnancy, Forever 21 came out with a maternity line. Love 21. At the time, it wasn't too fabulous. I can't lie. But I did pick up some leggings. And a few tops. Pieces that got me through my last few weeks of pregnancy. Over the last year and a half, I've picked up so many more things!! I knew, that we'd be having more babies. And I just couldn't pass up the value.



During this pregnancy, I haven't spent a whole lot of money on my clothes. When I first found out I was pregnant, I headed to Forever 21 again. I stocked up, on a few more things. And to be honest, I have a lot of things, from my 2 previous pregnancies. :) I just wanted some more updated items. And a few pairs of jeans. You can't pass up $15 maternity jeans!!

But I've been pregnant at different times of the year. With Elena, at this time of year, I wasn't really showing. With Ofelia, I was ready to pop. At Christmas, I was as big as a house. This is posing a bit of a problem. Or it was....

Mark and I went to Las Vegas last week. And I needed some nicer clothes. Something much more dressy, than my leggings or jeans, with cute tops. But, knowing that I wasn't going to be needing them to last a long time, I didn't want to invest a lot of money.

I headed to Forever 21. And my little world was rocked!! One, I found some of the cutest dresses, tops, and bottoms. For dirt cheap!! They were all on clearance. Serious clearance!! I picked up, much more than I should have. But in the end, I didn't spend very much money. You've got to love Forever 21!! :)

Eventually, I made it up to the register. After stopping by the jewelry. :) It always tempts me!! When I got to talking to the cashier, she told me, they are discontinuing Love 21. Well, not really the name. It will be used for another line. But the maternity line. It should be out of the stores, before Christmas. So ladies, if you are expecting, or will be soon, go stock up. Immediately!! While the prices are great, and so is the supply. Because online, there is nothing left!! Not a thing!! A