When she first started, her O’s were huge and she wouldn’t stop at just one. She’s supposed to keep it in the box and make it small. Look at these O’s!

She’s also getting more and more independent. Mrs. G gave her this paper, told her to write her O’s in the boxes and walked away. Look at what she did!!!

Because she’s been getting really good at her O’s, she’s been adding on an L. Look at how good she’s getting!!

Now she’s working on putting the O and the L together. Look at her go!

She’s also been doing much better with other fine motor skills. She’s been peeling the backing off stickers, ripping paper and using a push pin to make holes. Look at this sun she made! She was soooo proud of it!

Last but not least she’s still working hard on her spelling words. Last week she only missed one letter and this week, her words are super difficult!!

We are so proud of her!!! We just had her IEP meeting on Wednesday and came up with some awesome goals. I’ll share those with you next week.

Can you believe my girl? Amazing!!!

You and me. Always.

**Inspired by Mamakat’s Writer’s Workshop topic: Write a poem for your Valentine.**

There are days when I’d do just about anything not to have to get out of bed and deal with the day.

I am so tired that I think I’m dying…but I don’t Google it.

If I could just lose 10 lbs, get a new pair of shoes, go shopping, get my nails done, whatever, I’ll feel better.

I think I need to go talk to a psychiatrist…but when on Earth would I fit that in? Plus, do I really need one or would it be a waste? Maybe I just need new meds? Or a break? Or a good night’s sleep? Or an attitude adjustment?

I feel like I could have been a better Mom that day. But I just don’t see how. I’m totally spent.

I just want to spend time alone with my husband. And not at Costco.

I want more time with my kids on some days and I want them to go away so I can be alone on other days.

I feel like I’m not enough. For anyone. For me.

I’m tired of worrying about everything and everyone all the time.

I can’t keep up with everything. I can’t remember all the dates, appointments, projects and homework assignments. I just can’t.

I need to say no. Way more often.

I’ve got to just be. I’ve got to just enjoy right now because it’s all I’ve got. I can’t worry about this afternoon even. Just right now.

Is it just me?

I tried making my own coffee cream. I don’t like it that I can’t pronounce some of the ingredients in my store-bought creamer. It was easy to make and tasted good. Not as good as my store bought creamer though and I had to use more of it in my coffee. I’m not sure it was cheaper either. I don’t think this will stay in my arsenal. It was worth a try!

We like to have a big breakfast on Sundays. I don’t know what it is about Sundays but it just doesn’t feel right without a big breakfast, lots of coffee and curling up with a good book. I made these donuts from biscuits last weekend and they were to die for. These are definitely a keeper!!!

This lemon-garlic chicken and green beans looked intriguing so I gave it a whirl. It was so flipping easy and was all in one pan which I liked. Perfect for a busy weeknight. It wasn’t the best thing I’ve ever had; it needed sauce for the chicken or something. But for how easy it was? I’m keeping it.

Last night I made this cream of mushroom soup and Texas Roadhouse rolls for dinner. I was the only one who liked the soup (Matt said it was fine, my Mom said it was rich, Gabe took one bite and gagged). Not keeping this one! The rolls, however, were out of this world. I will make these for the rest of my life! Plus, I don’t know why, but I LOVE making bread.

These zucchini strips with carmelized onion dip were really yummy. You definitely need to use Panko breadcrumbs though. I didn’t have any and used crushed saltine crackers instead and they weren’t very crunchy.

My dad came over for breakfast two Sundays ago and I made these mini danishes. They were really delicious and pretty easy. Don’t skip the powdered sugar on top!

I tried this Olive Garden copycat recipe too. It didn’t taste just like the Olive Garden’s dressing but it was really good. The recipe makes a ton so be prepared. I’m always doing that—not looking at how much a recipe makes and then having way too much!

When we had our vegetarian friends over for dinner, I made these spicy bean and rice burritos. They were heavenly. Really spicy so adjust that if you can’t take the heat! Healthy too!!

Last, but not least, I tried this site from Pinterest on “20 things to do with a chicken breast”. I love that site. How many times have you set out to make chicken for dinner and really wanted something new? This site has…20 great ideas!! We tried the Lemon Chicken and everyone, even Matthew, liked it. I served it with rice and snow peas for a Chinese flair. We also tried the Sauteed Chicken with Creamy Chive sauce and it was a hit too. Add some potatoes and vegetables and you’re all set!!!

I hope this adds a few new recipes to your repertoire. Do you have any you want to share?

“You know, boobs aren’t that much fun to play with.”

I lost it! That kid is so funny. I guess he’s going to be a butt man.

A few weeks ago I posted on FB “How do you afford Justice clothes for your little girl? Holy cow expensive!”. I was trying to buy Olivia some Justics clothes because all of her friends wear it and I always like to try and help her fit in. If I’m honest, I don’t really like the clothes all that much and I definitely think they’re overpriced. I much prefer Gap or Hanna Anderson or Mini Boden or Catching Fireflies. But everything’s so expensive! The beautiful and sweet Dana from The Kitchen Witch wrote on my wall that her daughter, Miss D., had outgrown some Justice clothes and she would send them to me. I thought that was so kind.

Fast forward to the cute little yellow envelope addressed to Olivia. From Miss D. Inside was a very sweet note to Olivia about Miss D’s favorite clothes—twirly skirts from Hanna Anderson—and how she hoped Olivia would be able to buy some. Also included were gift cards for Olivia to Hanna Anderson from Miss D. I was blown away. It was so generous, so unexpected and so very kind.

Olivia got home from school and I showed her the note and the picture of Miss D and Miss M that were included. Olivia waved at the picture and said “Hi girls!”. We then sat down at the computer and looked at twirly skirts and dresses and picked out these beautiful garments below. We can’t wait for them to get here.

I think Olivia will be wearing the dress and tights for her birthday brunch. I’m sure there will be a lot of twirling. Thank you, Dana and Miss D, for your generosity and for making my little girl smile.

Did you know superheroes aren’t born, but they’re made? By their circumstances, by their upbringing, by their sister?

Superheroes perform the most amazing feats. Especially when it comes to their 11-year-old sister. They swoop in and clean up destroyed bedrooms without even asking so that she can get Oreos after dinner. They put her needs and wants first—choice of TV show, type of cereal, family activities. “Let’s go swimming because she likes it best. Let’s get Fruit Loops because that’s her favorite. We all like Tom and Jerry and she loves it so let’s watch that. If you go back to work Mom, we can get her on the bus. As long as you do her hair!” They aren’t ashamed to be her brothers, they’re proud. They’re not embarrassed by the “weird” things she does, they join in. They don’t help her or be with her out of obligation, but because they want to. They love mightily and they’re happy to be her brother.

That’s what a real superhero looks like.

Sometimes a superhero’s mother might worry that being a superhero all the time is frustrating, annoying, unfair. And there might be times when the superhero feels that way and everyone will understand. Superhero moms feel that way sometimes too. But one thing these SuperBoys know is that even though it’s not always easy, it’s right. It’s the right thing to do and it feels good. Damn good.

You might ask “Where do these superheroes come from?” They follow their SuperDad.

They seem him love their mother and their sister with all of his heart…and he’s not afraid to show it. They watch him pitch in and help out and not only do it without complaint, but enjoy it. They watch him give Mom a break when she needs it and take a break when he needs it. They watch him treat their sister like she’s perfect, because she is, and they do the same.

These SuperBoys are loud, they’re messy, they sometimes smell…but they are fantastic. If you ever get the opportunity to meet one, to befriend one, or maybe even to love one, don’t pass up that chance. They are pretty super.

Am I the only one who does this?

Last week as I was walking my dogs around the neighborhood listening to my new favorite songs, I thought I should share them with you. I apologize that most of them are love songs. I can’t help myself. Here they are:

Love Will Take You by Angus and Julia Stone

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

All Your Life by The Band Perry (Man I love them!)

From Now On by The Features

Like a Drug by Hard-Fi

Turning Page by Sleeping at Last

Remind Me by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

I’m Sexy and I Know It! by LMFAO (Have you seen this video? HILARIOUS!)

Without You by David Guetta

What are some of your new favorite songs? Share please!

“My Daddy’s taking me to the ball. I’m wearing a ball gown. We’re going to dance all night. He’s my prince.”

Finally the day was here. We did her hair, put on a little make-up and put on her “gown”. All she had to do was wait for her prince to come downstairs. She was so excited she was jumping up and down.

Here he comes!! “You better be wearing a suit, my prince!” she yelled up the stairs.

Not only was he as handsome as ever, but he brought her flowers. Her very first corsage.

Time for pictures by Mom. Mommy really wished she could have been a fly on the wall that night. But it was their special night.

Then it was time to practice their dance moves before they left for the ball.

One last picture before it was time to go. “I love you, Dad.” “I love you too, baby.” The way she looks at him just melts my heart. It’s the way we all look at him. Our prince. But tonight, it was just a little girl and her Daddy.

Watch Olivia Moves It here!!

**sorry there is no music…I was having issues with Youtube this morning!**