Library Saturday

Emma with the big eared kitty
And with Maisy...or mousy as she liked to call it
Gotta love the bad pictures!
Curious George (who I think may have been my friend Rusty...hello? Rusty? Is that you?)
She was enamored by Clifford!

Saturday afternoon we went the library for their celebration of books! We had such a good time! We got to meet Maisy, Clifford, Curious George, and do all kinds of crafts! It was a good way to spend an afternoon and a fabulous way to get kids interested in books. We here in the Lindsay Anna Banana household are crazy about books. We all have been making it a habit to get books and Nick and I have been trying to finish one book each library time. This was a fun day for us all...even me who secretly is TERRIFIED of these mascotish looking things...I don't know why they creep me out. All in all it was a great afternoon and I am so glad that Emma wasn't scared of the characters; I think they will be a good reminder to get her excited when we are reading their books.

We didn't leave Calvin at home...he was there too!

Here's Emma with Daddy making a curious george mask

Kitty Cat Emma hanging out at the library

I hate Bills

I am on the computer now paying bills which I hate, loathe, dispise, etc. I insist on having the checkbook balanced before I pay bills which there in lies part of the problem that I don't record any of our purchases until it is time to pay bills. Read that I spend hours trying to justify everything. THEN I get started on the bill part. We pay our bills online, what works for you? This has actually worked extremely well in that I am the only one paying bills, I am the only one who knows how to pay bills so I kind of like that. When I was in the hospital having Calvin I asked Nick to pay something and I am still trying to figure out how he messed the numbers up so bad. By the way Calvin is now 9 months old and also by the way, Nick has a minor in finace...hmmm. Anyway, while cursing the bills and shaking a fist towards the heavens I realized that it is a good thing that at least we have money to pay our bills. After all we are not behind in our bills and we actually have some of our bills to consolidate things and get things paid down fairly quickly, which I personally am deeming as responsible. So I guess I should be happy paying bills, right? Kind of?

Happy week to you!

photo courtesy of examiner.com

Yesterday was my Aunt Jan's birthday and because I was such a slacker I forgot to post this. So Happy Birthday Aunt Jan! You are so much to so many people! You are an awesome Mom, a fab Aunt, a terrific friend, a sensational daughter, a perfect sister, and an amazing wife and homemaker. You are such an example for us younger generation wives to look up to. I love your wisdom and creativity paired with your sense of humor and no-nonsense-go-get-em-ness. I hope you had a fabulous time in Virginia Beach for your birthday! We miss you and love you and can't wait to see you soon! Happy Birthday to you!

Spending the Weekend with Two Cuties

We don't have a ton to do this weekend but I am so blessed to be spending my time with these two. Laundry, the housework, car maintanance and everything else is boring (relaxing?) when they're not around...God has blessed me immeasurably! Aren't they cute together? What are YOU doing this weekend?

Like Totally

So I had to post this picture because I personally think that it is freaking hilarious! I look like I am saying in a total Valley Girl voice "like oh my gosh no way!" By the way, my cousin/BFF used valley girl in a convo earlier this week and now I am hooked again. Um I think 1995 called and wants it saying back. Teehee.

Riding Free

That's right ladies I am now riding solo in the cart...I am hot stuff and am now ready and available for flirting while Mom is shopping...come to papa.

Pete and Repeat Were in a Boat

This is Emma's boat. When I am putting clothes away and the basket finally becomes empty she loves to climb in and act like it is a boat. She fishes, she rocks it, she loves when Daddy drags it around. So it was HUGE when she let Calvin into her boat. We are making progress with this brother/sister thing. They are really beginning to form a close bond and play together a lot.

Look Out Here We Come

My mom is watching the kids tonight so guess what Nick and I are doing? Shopping! I am not sure where we are going except one place...ULTA! I am sure Nick is going to have a good time there! I am looking forward to the deals of this place as in our area it is their grand opening. I am a veteran ULTA chic from when we lived in the big city and now they have followed us to the little city...fun! Anyone else have fun plans for the weekend?

Shoes, Blog, Blog, Shoes

I thought I would introduce you to my newest piece for my collection. These Anne Klein beauties were originally 59.84 at DSW and I took them home for $2.14 after the sale and my rewards certificate. And I love them! Aren't they cute? And so perfect for Autumn. Sigh. Now I just have to figure out where I am going to store them as I am almost out of room.

What I love about Autumn

There are so many things I love about Autumn. Fall is one of those times when I will jump out of bed with excitement screaming "I love Autumn." And why you ask? Because I am a dork. That is why. There are many things I love about Autumn including:

Sleeping with the windows open

The way the sun streams differently through the windows

The jewel colored decorations

How crisp the air is

School supplies...everything is more fun when written with a new pen

Football! Okay I do not watch football but it is so much fun to curl up with Nicholas on the couch and take a nap in our fuzzy pants while a game is on.

Comfort Foods-apple pie, pot roast, meatloaf, macaroni, stews, chili...there is nothing like it on a cold night to be shared with family

The fruits-apple picking, pumpkin picking, apple cider, on and on...I love it!

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves...enough said

The clothes...first of all you can wear anything. Your fav tank with a warm sweater. And mentioning the sweaters you can start pulling out all of your fab sweaters and you don't need a coat!

An Update on Calvin

If nothing else, I realized from having Emma that every child does things in their own time. When Emma was developing, I was telling people what she had done that day and I got either one of two responses: "oh already?" or "isn't that a little late?" Both infuriated me. So I have been closed mouth about Calvin. However I can post and you can't annoy me so I will tell you. He is clapping. He is scootching across the floor while sitting and somewhat while laying down to crawl. He is teething like crazy and he is adorable. He has said Momma, Dada, and Emma. I am amazed at how big he is and how I fall more and more in love with him each day.

Repurpose Summer Items

Whether you bought them and didn't use them hardly ever or if you are like me and are eyeing the summer clearance, I encourage you to think of other purposes for the summer items. Here are just a few off the top of my head:

Do you have extra sunscreen? Mix it with your fav moisturizer for light protection through the year. It is only good for one year so using it next year is not a good idea.

Beach toys are amazing in the bath tub. We don't use ours all of the time in the tub but it is definitely a good time when I bring the beach toys down to play with. I think it helps break up the mundane bath times.

Specifically talking about beach buckets, they are great for storing things. Craft items such as beads, buttons, stickers and so forth are easy to throw in a bucket. They are also really handy and a good size for stocking stuffers. Have one bucket per family member and throw the stuffers in there. They are about the same size so you know when the bucket is full your stocking will be too. Last year I had so much for Emma's stocking I had to literally shove it in...oops.

Some things are just for their purpose...towels, sunglasses, floppy hats. But purchased together on the cheap, they would make a mean gift basket for the person in your life with that summer birthday. Or maybe you know someone who is taking a winter vaca. A new beach towel would be a dream come true...have you ever tried to find one in December?

Our Big Girl

Doesn't Emma just look like such a big girl? She's not my baby anymore! Sniff. This was taken earlier this week when she decided that she wanted to help me garden...her helping gardening turned into watching an earthworm crawl around for half an hour. But I'm cool with that. I love that she loves worms and bugs and dirt. She'll be running for President in a blink of an eye.