the Inn at the Biltmore

Andy gave me a trip for my birthday.  A trip, here ,to the Inn on the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC.  I am so excited.  What a sweet present.  He kept it a surprise for a long time (since July) and even arranged for child care (his parents and some friends).  It's going to be a great time away. I'll post again once we return and enjoy a break from the day to day tasks. Blessings.

here I am opening my note about the Inn.  :) 

39 and holding

Yesterday was my 40th birthday.  We had a party with a western theme to celebrate, it was a lot of fun.  Here are a few pictures from the day.  I was afraid that it was going to rain, but the weather held until it was time to clean up.  Thanks to all who came out and all who sent birthday greetings via facebook, text, phone and cards.  It was a great day.  Blessings.

my little girl

Mollie said that when she is ten that Betsy would be her little girl.  She is so funny.  I don't know where she gets such ideas.  Blessings.

trash can

I have already gotten a few birthday presents - mostly from Andy's family while we were in TN. I got a magazine subscription, shirts, a beautiful necklace and I trash can that I don't know how I lived without. It has a lockable lid-now that we have a dog in the house, that feature is very useful. It also has a foot pedal to open the lid, extremely useful when I am cooking eggs and chicken especially.  The lid is slow close as well, so it doesn't come crashing down on fingers or with a loud bang. Best gift I didn't know I needed-thanks again Kristen.  Blessings.

another spider

This morning while sitting on the couch, Betsy started crying.  A spider had built a web overnight between my laptop and the couch cushion and was still alive underneath the laptop.  Screams galore when I lifted the computer and the spider moved.  I managed to get it to the trash and the rest of the morning went without incidence.  Blessings.

Chesterton Quote

"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." - GK Chesterton

May you and I ever be counting our blessings.  

throw the spider out

Today I am watching the girls play in the sandbox.  They were having a great time until they saw the spider on the shovel.  I tossed the spider along with a scoop of sand over the deck. The girls thought it was funny that I threw the spider out.  :)  I am just glad they are playing happily and with out the itsy bitsy spider.  Blessings.

Great Smoky Mountains

We spent a few days in Tennessee with Andy's family.  Some highlights from the trip included hiking, driving, wading, playing cards and games.  We stayed at a cabin right on the creek at the edge of the government's property.  It was so refreshing to hear the sounds of the creek, insects and animals and see such beauty.  Here are a few pictures from the trip.  Blessings.

morning outing

Today, I went to the Aveda store at the mall to get my free room scent spray. Oma kept the girls, so I had almost two hours to myself.  I smelled several different scents before making a choice.  Then I enjoyed a cup of their tea.  It was truly a relaxing experience.  I could have had a hand massage as well, but I opted out of that service this time because I wanted to go to Willams Sonoma and Starbucks (I had coupon for a free drink). It was a pleasant outing all around.  I was glad to get away for a bit. It was especially nice to go during a weekday. Blessings.

daddy boy

Last night, Betsy fell against the table and hit her head pretty hard.  So Andy asked her a few questions to make sure she was okay.  What's your sister's name:  Lollie,  What's mommy's name: Mommy:  What's daddy's name: Daddy Boy and giggles.
Thank goodness she wasn't hurt.  Blessings

Lex

I braved the day and took the girls to Trader Joes with me. It was a pleasant experience.  They were hot and thirsty as we had come from the park.  The lady at the juice counter was kind enough to refill their sample cup to the top.  Very sweet of her.  Then we also sampled some cheese and the girls were given stickers in the check out lane.  The cashier also told us about "Lex" the plush horse that is hidden around the store.  If the girls find him they can have a sucker.  Guess who's excited about going back to TJ's.  We all are.  Blessings.

chalk abc

On pinterest, I found an idea to help kids write their letters.  You write them in chalk, they erase them with a q-tip. Mollie really enjoyed the activity. I loved having a new idea to make "school" go even better. It's so nice when the girls (and myself) are excited about learning.  Blessings. 

colored pencils

Mollie and Betsy are really enjoying using the colored pencils.  Their time spent coloring has increased as well as the attention to detail.  Who knew that colored pencils would have made such a difference.  I should have brought them out weeks ago. Blessings.

wrestling

Lately, Betsy has been wrestling Mollie to the ground, sitting on her and being rough in general.  I have no idea what is going on with her or Mollie for that matter. I guess Betsy is trying to figure out her domain.  At the moment, I have them sitting quietly on separate blankets.  They are playing with their baby dolls.  It is a nice change of pace for sure from the other antics.  Blessings.

Hop town

We just got back in from a trip to Western Ky visiting with Andy's grandparents.  We got to stay at a hotel - the highlight of the trip for the girls - especially swimming in the pool with grandma (Andy's mom).  Mollie described her experience in the hot tub as being warm and cozy just like her blanket in her bed.  The highlight for me (and the rest of the family, I think) was watching Betsy engage Grandpa with the ball.  She was doing a great job catching the ball with a squeal and throwing it back or sometimes handing it to him.  Smiles all around. We had a nice visit.  I am hopeful that the girls remember these days, even if they don't, spending time with their great grandparents builds them up in ways that we can't. Blessings.