Hair cut, dog bowl and bowling!

My sweet little bi-polar angel got her first haircut last week. I must say it was an event!

First, I will fill you in with a little bit of what we are going through at this stage of development(to define the bi-polar statement.) Lola has been blowing me away with her fit throwing, lack of self-control (a one year old has self-control RIGHT?), and non-existent vocabulary. I am soaking up every article about toddlers and tantrums and I am in no denial that my child has fits that lead to embarrassment and sometimes a bump on the head from throwing herself back on the floor. But to make light of it, not even two minutes later she is on to playing babies and loving on me like nothing EVER happened. I am finding that our "life in public" is about to disappear for a while! I refuse to resort to portable TVs or "giving in" down the toy aisle for good behavior and I am not going to spank her for every little "no-no" she does. (FYI I do use spanking as a form of corrective behavior but I just don't want Lola to go through the day getting spankings for every little thing she does to test me. I am researching other ways to correct a child and trying to take note on which ones work the best.) I understand they are trying to express themselves and I am all for that but it is really getting to me that she can't talk. SHE SCREAMS AND GRUNTS. We are working on "using our words" and she knows a handful of "signs" that we can moderately understand her, but in that moment where you need her to talk the most, she has a lack of communication which leads me to usually tears or somewhere on the verge. (Mrs. Cannon, if you are reading this I value your parenting and if you have any secrets or suggestions I would love to hear what you have to say!)
WHOA , I am just crazy from the thought that my tot is responsible for my mental un-stabilization.


So back to the haircut...(sorry about that)

She is sitting on the chair ready and excited!

This is the last cut before it all turned sour...

Kisses from Grandi, paci and snuggle bunny started to make it better but she wasn't having this haircut at all!!!

The other morning, I find Lola drinking out of the dog bowl. As some might think this is gross(I am in agreement with you) I had to get a picture to put in her scrapbook. I have been working on that stinking scrapbook and I am so far behind I get frustrated to even think about trying to crop...

She thought it was so funny... I'm not sure how much she actually drank, but her hair was wet and we soon got a bath!!!

Saturday, we headed out to bowl with our Sunday School class.. It was so nice to get to have some girl talk. We took Lola with us since Ryan hadn't seen her in a week and to be honest I just love taking her places with us, but this will possibly be the last outing she attends unless we can get the behavior under control.

She gave out on the way to the bowling ally!

Some of the girls in our class, a few left early...

We then went to a cute yogurt place in Cabot. You made your own and even put your own topping on it and they weighed it at the end!!! It was so yummy and as I am typing this I am getting hungry for it now!

Horrible picture but Lola was enjoying it,and she would let go of that pacie either!!!

Happy Monday!!!

Playdate and Kellys Kids

Yesterday we headed to Little Rock for a play date with Ashley and Addi! We had a blast until the girls bonked their heads. Poor Addi hit her head super hard and I felt horrible. They both cried HUGE tears but were calmed down by pacies and ice cream!!!

Addi was loving the slide!!!

On another note, Kelly's Kids has completely snuck up on me. I have my kit next week. If you are interested are need any CUTE clothes for your little ones let me know!!!!

Can it be, snow again?

Today we were supposed to meet a friend for lunch, but due to the weather we had to reschedule. So So sad but we made the best of our day... Since we were already headed to Little Rock I just took Lola and her buddy to Chick Fli A for lunch then headed back home!

Lola had some wild wild hair today!!!

I tried to get Lola to play in the beautiful snow, but she didn't want anything to do with it...

I finally got her to smile!

The snow was so pretty but it didn't last long and it didn't stick to the roads, I am a little bummed, I could use another day inside just me and Lola!
I also can't wait for tomorrow! I will be scrapbooking till I drop starting at 5 till Saturday at midnight!

Its that time of year again, where your birthday meets you again!

Saturday was my birthday and somewhere in the number I have lost count, hehe no but in all honesty I DON'T feel 26. It feels like yesterday I was going to kindergarden, and then enrolling into college. I find it harder to do the things I used to could do like back bends, where the last one I tried I fell smack on my head, and the hardest one is simply sitting on my knees, I look like an old woman trying to get back up straight to walk. Like it or not I getting older, we all do unfortunately. This year I actually spent my birthday with my hubby. Since we have been married he has a farming conference to attend but this year they skipped out!

Friday, birthday eve, we went to meet my dad. We went to Larry's pizza and I couldn't have been more happy! I am in love with Larry's pizza. There are knock offs but this is the "real" Larry's with him, Larry, walking around filling drinks and what have you! Yummy to my tummy!!!

Saturday was the "big day" and if you don't hence the excitement I am all about birthday! Yes, I love love to have a reason to celebrate! The day started out like normal Cinderella housekeeping chores. My husband, oh yeah I told you he stayed home this year didn't I, well he decided to go with a few people from church and squirrel hunt. I wasn't to thrilled about this decision, but oh well he went and I think had fun. So while he was blasting away at all but the ZERO squirrels out there I was cleaning away on this much needed day of fun! Finally somewhere around noon (he was supposed to be home by noon) I had to lay Lola down for a nap. I had kept her awake for way to long, you see she got woken up a little early on this day because of loud noises that approached her from a ice chest and ice meeting! Ok on with my day, we woke the sweet angel up from snoozing away to go fill my selfish desires of shopping. Oh yes I went to my favorite stores, Hobby Lobby and then Target!

But while feeling guilty for messing her day up, we took her to the park. It was so nice Saturday! She enjoyed some fun in the sun!

After playing and a quick unplanned trip to Gymboree (that is another long story) we headed over to Olive Garden for dinner. It was yummy!!!

(Thought I would share the results of what kiddos can do to a restaurant!)

I had a great time with family and friends! Thank you all for making my evening wonderful!!!

If you notice, she isn't wearing the same shirt as in the park and she doesn't have socks on because I forgot her outfit at home. She had stains all over the other shirt and I didn't want to change her after I rudely woke her up from her nap. I thought I grabbed the freshly ironed outfit but I only got the undershirt, socks, shoes and bow, but not the jumper. That is the Gymboree story in a nutshell!

Lola blogging, and this is what she said!

ghhhhhhh,hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhcfftrfeyedgtehyrehdhryhyfrdhgdhetdhgtd

Just thought it was cute!
(Excuse all the mess on the table, I am in no means a neat freak, I live in clutter... (one trait I hate about myself) I am trying to do better and so far my house isn't as horrible as it used to be! I am getting better about picking up after myself and putting thing away instead of telling myself "I'll just do it tomorrow" and then never doing it. But to top it all off, behind the cabinets and in the closets, I am a NEAT FREAK! I mean my shirts are folded to the "T" (thats from the 5 years I worked for Houndstooth and all the shirts were folded perfect) and I have a thing about all my clothes in my closet have to face the same direction, they are all arranged by color and are hung on white hangers. Ok, yes I just exposed a BIG secret about myself) That's enough of that!

Happy Wednesday!
Love, Lola

Snow day and this and that!

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;

I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

Psalm 92:4

Last week(I know I am a little behind) we had a game night at Jason's (my brother from a different mother) house. He is honestly the brother I never had and I will claim him forever! He is such a blessing to Ryan, Lola and I. He has been around my family since well a long time. I just love him to pieces and he is just a delight to be around. He is studying for the bar exam so he is in hibernation mode these days but we were able to sneak in a little dinner and a few games.

Rocking out

They were all so tired.

Sunday I just didn't feel well. I had a head ache all day Saturday and it followed into Sunday. Lola was also sick with a horrible cold. She is finally over the major part of it but still has a bit hanging around.

She has been so cranky lately. Ryan and I are worn out. She hasn't been sleeping well, eating well, or playing well. So I sat down and I made her play with her toys instead of holding her. She finally warmed up the the idea of dolls and pushing her grocery cart around. But all and all we are just tired of being in the house!

It snowed! YEA!!!! Lola loved it. Although she was still a bit under the weather, we walked down to Lola's BFF's house and played for a bit.

So pretty!

We came inside and Lola was much happier looking out the window.

Yesterday was supposed to be Lola's GI specialist appt. Oh how I have been looking forward to this day for a while. But GUESS WHAT?! Due to the clear road ways and a little snow left in the grass, they were closed... ARE YOU KIDDING? Since getting out of the house was a MUST we headed for Chick Fli A for a bite to eat and let Lola play a little.

Is it to early to put hearts around the house and break out the cute Valentines day clothes? I am so ready!

The Gateway City

I will start off this post by saying I just love my life. Yes there are days that I just grip and complain and find myself shedding a few tears but I just overall enjoy who I am. I love being a mommy, wife and crafty woman... I love to cook, clean (if I can ever find the time) and much much more! I am so blessed with a great husband who supports me at every turn and a daughter that just brings so much joy to my life! Thank you Lord for all that you do in making me, ME!

We headed to St. Louis (The Gateway City) for a small vacation. Ryan had a conference and we joined in on the trip! I can't tell you how much I love St. Louis! My sweet aunt used to live there and I remembered getting on a plane all by myself for a long weekend of A LOT OF FUN! I just love memories and that is one of my goals as a mom, to provide Lola (and any other children I might have) with memories to take with them throughout life. So silly you might think but I wouldn't appreciate where I am today if memories didn't come along side the ride! My aunt has given me so many memories I will never forget!

After a long day in the car we stopped for dinner at Pappy's. All I can say is YUMMY! It was awesome. They sold their last rack of ribs to the person right before us my mother in law was so sad... This place was so busy it just blew me away. We had the opportunity to talk to one of the owners, he was so nice. I don't recall the last place I went to that someone took their time out to talk and just enjoy our company. If you are ever in the St. Louis you must check this place out!

We then headed to our hotel. I don't think we brought enough stuff for 3 days. haha

We got up on Tuesday and spent most of the day at The Magic House. Lola enjoyed herself while playing with the sand, making music, and just being able to run around!
If you have kiddos, this is a must do too!

They even have a little cafe there in the museum that serves your lunch in a picnic basket!

That evening we headed to "The Hill" for some tasty authentic St Louis food, Italian. I don't even know where to begin my story about this "top of the line" restaurant. I mean you would have thought when I called to make reservations and the reservation included 1 high chair they would have volunteered the information that this restaurant was in no means child friendly. Since they didn't say anything we thought we would just give it a go. The restaurant guide gave it their high recommendation and we were on a vacation so to speak! We get their to find and should have taken the obvious hints (such as the lights dim, very soft music playing, Oprah's signed picture on the wall along with Al Gore, President Bush and a few others I can't remember, and the waiter dressed in a Tux) to turn around, but we proceed to a table. Again they still had the opportunity to tell us this was a 4 diamond elegant restaurant and we were #1under dressed and #2 had a child, but no they seated us at our table, placed the ironed folded napkin in our lap, filled our water glass and never let run a drink low, and removed the unnecessary dishes from the table. I just felt so silly the whole time. I was a nervous wreck with the thought of Lola squealing out for a fork to bang on the table or to bother the man at the other table who was dressed for the occasion and appropriate for this nice place. All in all the dinner went well and I was so glad for it to be over!!! I will admit the food was beyond good!!!

Wednesday we headed out to check out St. Louis City Museum. This place rocked my pants off! If I hadn't been with my mother in law and child I do believe I would have played my little heart out! This museum was amazing and I have no other words to describe the creativity this building held. Lola was a bit hesitant at first but she warmed up quickly and was off exploring everything! This is another place to check out if you have kids and are heading out to St. Louis! This place let kids use their imagination and explore instead of sitting in front of a computer or Nintendo game. Lola had a great time and took a LONG nap on the way home!

I can't wait to go back to The Gateway City! I just hope it is a little warmer and we can go and do all the FREE things St. Louis has to offer!