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Mysteries, polka dots, California Rolls, TJ Maxx, cozy blankets, rainy days and getting the first spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar make me smile. Spiders, rude people, cold fingers and toes, baby leashes, people that don't wrap their packages before going to the Post Office, poison ivy and Math (pretty much all of it) make me want to scream. My perfect day would be spent with my wonderful husband and sweet girls- watching movies in our jammies! Of course, having the movie theater to ourselves would be great, too. Please pass the popcorn and M&M's.:) I am saved by the grace of God. He is my constant companion and hears my every prayer. What a blessing! I'd love to hear from you! Lori at toosillysisters@cox.net

Sunday, November 30, 2008

To Tell or Not to Tell?

   I hate going to the doctor.   As a child I remember asking my Mom "if I had to get a shot" each time I had an appointment.  Anxiety can start so young, and I am a worrier by nature...  Anyway, Katie has a shot appointment tomorrow.  I am DREADING this.  I feel like I am dragging her into the lion's den.  Just call me Brutus.  I know shots are a good thing, but they don't feel like it when you are a child.  So, my question is- "Do I tell my sweetie what she is in for??" What do you do when shots are involved?  

**UPDATE**  Thank you, thank you, thank you my dear friends, for your advice, stories and encouragement!  Katie was amazing!  I chose not to tell her and she was such a trooper.  A few silent tears fell, but she got through it and the nurse said she was one of the best patients she had ever had.:)  They wanted to do a finger stick (after 4 shots!) for anemia and a flu shot, too, but I told them no way!  Well do the finger stick another time...  When we checked out, the lady at the front desk gave Katie a goody bag full of candy, jewels and a book.  So sweet.  Then we went to the toy store and Starbucks.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Fun, fun and more FUN!

After they had their hair styled...

   Before they enjoyed their Shrimp Scampi at Red Lobster...  They ordered off the ADULT menu and had their own private booth.:)  Ahh, the simple things in life that mean so much.

   After opening her gifts...
   While enjoying the mall and trying to stay warm...

   After watching the movie "Bolt".  Which, by the way, was SO funny!  The hamster steals the show!  We all loved it.  Mandy had a wonderful birthday and I'm so glad we got to join in the festivities.:)

   Part of my fabulous package from Denise!   We were partners in the Snowflakes and Sparkles Swap hosted by Holly.  She sent me sparkly white towels (happily living in my guest bathroom now) and snowflake shaped soaps, chocolate covered cashews, a huge chocolate candy bar, "Nutcracker" tea, beautiful ornaments, and look at the darling TAGS!  I love them!  Denise has the cutest Etsy shop, too!

   She also sent me this darling snowflake frame- love it- and goody bags for my girls!  Thank you, Denise!  You are the sweetest!


Check this Out!

  My friend, Jamie, is having one fabulous giveaway!  Look at all these gorgeous items that she creates!:

   Stop by her blog and leave a comment!  You may win all the items that are pictured!  Woo Hoo!
   And look below!  I am totally going to make one of these with my girls.  A Gumdrop Wreath!  Love the colors and sneaking a few here and there to nibble on will be fun, too.:)  You need a 10 inch foam wreath, toothpicks (broken in half), gumdrops, masking tape and wire for hanging.  Make sure and wrap masking tape around the top part where you will hang it so the wire hanger won't rip through it.  Detailed directions with pictures are on kiddley.com.  


Bumbles, Birdie Num Nums and Milky Timer

   We didn't set out to drive our children crazy.  It started when they were babies and stayed with us.  I'm talking about terms of endearment and "family phrases".:)  Do you share in this method of torture at your house?  Mandy wants to be called by her given name now- Amanda.  Not gonna happen.  She is either Mandy or "Maa Maa" (as given to her by her little sister) to us.  The term "bumbles" was used by Mandy's gymnastics teacher when Mandy was about 2 years old.  "You just hold them by the bumbles (bottom)..."- we thought that was precious!  It stuck, too.  My parents started "milky timer" (milk) and there is "bathy timer", "sleepy timer", etc.  It makes the girls crazy!  We can't help it- the names stuck!  
   We don't always talk baby talk.  It just slips sometimes when we are at home- just the four of us.  I know you do it, too.  Be proud!  You are passing on a tradition to your children.  I bet our grand children will be drinking milky timer someday, too.:)
   

Friday, November 28, 2008

Recovery


   I love Thanksgiving.  You can eat all you want and not feel guilty.  My kind of holiday.  Now, it's back to reality, my friends.  Jeff got up at 4:30 *AM* to go to Toys R Us today.  There was one item that was on sale (for Mandy) that we wanted and while he was there he got to meet some new friends that camped over night in the parking lot.  Is there something wrong here??  By the time he had his turn in the store the item was long gone...  They hadn't even marked what was on sale!!  Oh, and Jeff has a cold on top of all this.  He was not having a Holly Jolly Christmas.  
   As the day went on things got better.  We intentionally skipped the rest of the madness, but did run a lot of errands and treated ourselves to a trip to Starbucks.:)  Have you tried their Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate?  Oh my.  You MUST treat yourself the next chance you get.  We also tried their Cranberry Bliss Bars (pictured above).  Robin, you were right, they are heavenly!  Please share the recipe!
   Tomorrow is Mandy's Birthday Girls' Day Out!  Hair appointments are scheduled, lunch plans are made and movie tickets are purchased.  Oh, and the goody bags are packed.:)  I think I am almost as excited as Mandy....
What do you have planned for this weekend?  Shopping, crafting, resting??  

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Too Silly Sisters SALE and a GIVEAWAY!

   I do my best shopping in my pajamas.:D  Yes, it is that time of year for big SALES and I don't want to be left out!  I still have not decided if I am waking up at 5:00 AM this Friday (probably not) but I HAVE decided to have some fun in my shop!  Starting at 12:00 AM Thanksgiving morning (in about 1/2 hour) every item in my shop will be marked 15% off AND I will be hosting a giveaway!  I bought a copy of the gorgeous book below earlier this week (LOVE Victoria magazine!) and I bought an extra copy for one of YOU, too!  The pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are sensational!  My sale will last all Thanksgiving and Black Friday until 12:00 AM.  For each item purchased in my shop you will get an entry to win this book!  So, if you purchase 2 items you get 2 entries, 3 items 3 entries and so on.  The odds are great you will win in that there are less than 20 items in my shop! lol!  All jewelry comes wrapped and ready for gift giving, too!:D
**Don't forget- the sale ends at 12:00 AM on Saturday, the 29th and the drawing for the giveaway will be on Saturday, 29th!**

Shrimp Dip

   This is a delicious appetizer that my Mom always makes during the holidays.  It will be on the menu at our house tomorrow and I'd like to share it with you!

Shrimp Dip

8 oz. cream cheese (I use light)
1 can small shrimp (drained well and rinsed)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use light)
1 tsp. mustard
1 med. onion minced very fine
1 dash tabasco sauce

Mix ingredients together and serve with cut up veggies or crackers. Yum!

Who would move to a non pony country?

I'm not sure if this takes place on Thanksgiving or not, but I hope yours is NOT like this! Happy Thanksgiving, my wonderful friends!:)

Girls' Day Out- Birthday Style

   I am in the middle of planning a fabulous Girls' Day Out for Mandy, aka G.I. Jane.  It's the birthday celebration she has chosen and I love it.  She originally wanted a slumber party with more girls, but thank goodness that didn't go through.  She has chosen her best buddy, Angel/Devil, to join in the fun.  They are going to the salon first, then off to lunch and then the movies.  

   Eleven years- sigh.  Time certainly does fly...

Monday, November 24, 2008

24 Hour Sale!

   My friend, Sue, and I are going to go see Twilight!  I feel like celebrating and I love a SALE- Don't you?  Well, for the next 24 hours these cuties are available in my shop with FREE SHIPPING.  Not only that, they will come wrapped and ready for gift giving.  (And if the gift is for yourself, that makes it just that much more special.:)  )  Take a peek...





  The sale ends at midnight tomorrow night!


Sunday, November 23, 2008

Birthday Bliss!

   What's this??  It looks like something fun happened here...

   Today was Katie's birthday party! 


   Snookie, the cat, even joined in the fun!  (Whether he wanted to or not...)

   The girls decorated glittered, heart boxes with buttons they found on their Button Hunt.  (Kind of like an Easter Egg Hunt- but much harder)

   Katie's box...


   Holding their bags of buttons:)


   Decorating cookies...



   Katie's Button Cake!

   Grandma Patty made the girls the sweetest birthday cake cookies...

   Buttons for decorating...

   The day was filled with friends, fun and frosting! Yippee! Now I am going to go and collapse...


Bad Day Package

   I got the most wonderful package this weekend while I was going crazy cleaning the house.  The timing could not have been more perfect!  This was my "Bad Day" package!  My partner in the swap was Pam, who is one fabulous lady!  You must check out her Etsy shop.  Talk about cute!  I love everything she creates and wish I had a little cutie for her onesies.  One of them has a bunny on the front and one has a pig and on the back are cute little curly tails and puff ball tails!  Here is what she sent me:
Gummy bears to share...

   My own personal stash of Rolos!



Sparkly ornaments that matched Katie's party decorations!

   A Starbuck's gift card.:)

   Three of her sweet handmade hearts from Pam's shop.  There are sweet little birds on the other side.

   Pam- Thanks so much!  I love everything and it made my bad day so much better!:)


Friday, November 21, 2008

The Big Bash!

   Katie and I had the best time planning her 6th birthday party.  We are almost ready for the big day!:)  Here is a sneak peek...

   Katie decided to go with the colors pink and green and the theme is BUTTONS!  Be still my heart.:)  I got the idea below from a magazine.  They did this with Christmas cards, but I thought it would be fun with birthday cards, too...

  All the goody bags are filled...

   Pink and green ornaments are hanging above the table...

   The blocks were so fun to make!

   Even the tissue has sparkles!  Is it possible to have too much glitter?  Never!  Wait until you see the craft we are going to make. I'll post that after the party...

   Aha!  Here are the buttons!  Pink and green, of course.



   The ribbon was on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  Yippee!

   You know there will be more pictures to follow.  Can't wait to share!:)