She's an Earle what do you expect!!

I wish I had a picture from this because I'm sure it was a sight to be seen!

Last Wednesday was a beautiful night so we decided to end our day by heading to the park. We ended up in our neighbors driveway talking and the kids were playing. Well Lauren decided to play basketball, nothing real exciting about that right??

Here's where it gets comical :) she asked me to play, ok for those of you who know me I might be missing a few requirements for being a basketball star. But we played anyway. She was having so much fun and actually scored once that I didn't have the heart to tell her that 1. She was using a soccer ball not a basketball and 2. and when you score it's not called a goal!

Oh well she's an Earle and speaks the Earle native language of soccer!!!

Have a great weekend
Karen

Follow your own Trail!

So many times as parents I think we get so caught up in the day-to-day stuff," the parent guilt", and making sure we are living our lives to the format we "think" we are supposed to live that we forget it's OK to make your own trail!

 Lauren reminded me of this recently as she crawled onto my lap to thank me for giving her the best day.  To me it was just a day but not to her.  Want to know why this is the best day ever she asked?  Because we went to BBD for breakfast, I have a wiggly tooth, I get to spend the night with Nanny and Pop-Pops and Peyton gave me her old I-Touch and now it's mine!

So as you are juggling and re-juggling your schedule to make everything work (which magically it always does) remember to take the time to live life on the same level as your child.  I have to stop and remind myself that the girls dont really care  if the house is spotless, if all the laundry is put away or the beds are made. What they do care about is that on a beautiful Sunday afternoon I said who cares about the house, let's go on a hike (which, of course we got lost, but I reminded them we were not lost we were on our on trail!)

Walk on the trail that is best for you and your family, it's amazing that without even trying you can make memories that will last forever!

Have a great Monday...
Karen

My favorite month...

For many reasons February is my favorite month. January to me is cold and gray and a reminder that the beauty and magic of Christmas is over. I'm a warm weather girl and so by February I'm done with cold weather, I do like coats but really prefer just to collect them! February means warm weather is near, store windows are full of bright clothes, we start planning our family vacation and the girls start counting down to Spring Break and the end of school.

Yes February is the month of love, but shouldn't we be showing love and appreciation everyday?

So whatever your favorite day/ month is celebrate it big, but don't forget to celebrate all the other days as well...

Karen

If we could only keep them in a bubble...

As parents we never want our children to be upset or feel defeated, especially after they have given everything they have inside to something they love so much. This weekend Peyton had a cheer competition and what started out so perfect ended with many tears. It was one of those moments that as a mom I wanted time to freeze and rewind but unfortunately there are not mommy powers that allow us to do that. Instead I just had to watch and somehow figure out how to make it be OK. As soon as I finally got to her and we made eye contact, the tears started for both of us and I wrapped my arms around her as fast as I could (sweet Lauren just stood there holding onto both of us). Why, is all she kept saying, we had it going into today, why did it fall apart? I let her just cry for a few minutes, then I did my best to say something to make it better, but I know her she did not want to hear any of my momisms at that moment, she wanted out of that building. I grabbed her back pack and out the door we went hand in hand. Her dad and I told her that yes what happened sucked, and we know she is hurting but how she handles it from this point on is what matters. It did take her awhile to stop crying, but as we drove in silence (Lauren still holding Peyton's hand), she slowly stopped crying and started talking about the things that did go right.

My sweet Pey, you are such an amazing girl and I am so proud of of you! Life isn't always fair, and we don't always know why. One thing I do know is that you are loved so very much and as much as I wish I could make every day perfect for you, I know I cannot but after seeing you pull yourself back together today it just proved how strong you are and how well you can handle life's obstacles!

But I still wish I could just keep them in a bubble....
Karen

My little Ducks...

So Peyton is on a 3 day field trip for school and I know she will have a great time, but this Momma Duck does not do well when all of her ducks are not at home!  My entire schedule is thrown off, instead of driving all over getting the girls here and there I have 3 nights of nothing!!  As exciting as that seems, I am a schedule person so I am not sure what to do when my schedule changes!  I know I have to let the girls grow up, but how I wish my little ducks could just stay little...

Hope everyone has a great night!

Tubs on Porches

So I am a big fan (and a little jealous) of people that have businesses that require them to have a tub on their porch.  Why? Because inside those tubs are the cutest things!  My first "Tub on the Porch" Award goes to the Amazing Terra and Tickled Sew Pink! For those of you who know Terra I am sure you will agree she deserves this award and so much more! Here is how my conversations usually go with Terra... Me: "I know the girls have been counting down the end of school for 3 weeks now but I totally forgot to get Teacher Gifts" Terra: " No problem I will let you know when they are ready". Then I get an email and just like magic I have something cute to pick up from the "Tub on the Porch"  Like I said, I have found many people who help make my life easier and my sweet friend Terra ranks at the top!!!

So I'm going to start a blog...

OK, I have decided to start a blog.  Why some of you might be asking?  For several reasons 1. I love talking about my kids and wanted a way to be able to remember everything that they do and how they keep Steve and I entertained! and 2. In my job I have come across many wonderful things that help me out as a mom and wanted to have a place to share these things with all my fellow moms!  As much as we want to believe we can do it all, we really cant (but we will keep that a secret among us) so with my blog I will share services I have found that have made my life much easier!!

I hope you will read it from time to time atleast for a smile.  My goal is to keep this light and fun and to give you a break from the real world!

Well I must go pick the girls up from tumbling, so have a great night and remember when life gives you lemons just make margaritas! (Thank you Amber for telling me about that shirt, it is my new motto)
Karen