what's up?

The dolls below- found them online and they came in the mail yesterday. They really are super cute and Irelyn hasn't put them down for 2 days.

Anyways, we took a little trip to the beach yesterday afternoon with some friends and we stayed until 8. It was so beautiful and Irelyn and the kids loved running in the ocean even when it was too dark to see it.

We are definitely getting ready for the holidays around here. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Even as I am typing this, I can't stop thinking of all the other things I should be doing. Don't we all feel like that?? I hope you are enjoying this week of Halloween :)

Crazy day!

We started the day by cleaning, organizing...blah blah blah- just a regular Tuesday. I decided to go to my favorite used kids store in Mission Viejo so I packed up a bag of old clothes just in case we found something and wanted to get some credit. We found so much cool stuff!! I turned in my bag of clothes, bought 3 new toys and paid nothing! What a great place to shop- it's called WeePeats in MV. I've started telling Irelyn that she needs to "recycle" her toys before we bring any other toys into the house. We've been taking them to WeePeats and buying new things.

Now the picture above- oh man what a headache! We were at Target on Sunday and I saw these cute dolls. I showed Irelyn and she didn't really say much. But of course Monday morning- "Mom I loved those dolls!!! Aidan and I play Batman and Batgirl, but I could be Catwoman" and on and on and on and on. I knew I should have bought them! So today I went back to Target- not there. Another Target- nope. And another- nope. And another- nope. 4 Targets later and no dolls. It turns out they are special edition dolls. Absolutely ridiculous and I'm embarrased to admit we did that and that I dragged my mom along with us. Sorry Mom :) But in my defense we have 4 Targets super close.......

10 things I'm loving in October

1. Irelyn's soccer games. Just too cute for words. Today instead of kicking the ball as it rolled past her she looked up with a huge smile and waved at us! LOL

2. My job- thankful that I have it and the atmosphere that I work in is great and uplifting.

3. My parents

4. Pumpkin Spice anything!!

5. Friends that I love and trust

6. My cozy bed

7. Taking Irelyn to church on Wednesday nights. She loves it :)

8. The idea of getting a family pet- not yet, just the idea...

9. Sweaters at night!

10. The sweet things that Irelyn says daily, her kindness towards others, and her knowledge at such a young age.

What are you loving?

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This is Irelyn at Lakeshore doing the craft of the week. I love this picture- she and I had already made the 2 spiders(see them?) Then she started making the web and she kept stopping to ask the spiders if they still wanted more. They of course would always say yes...

Day with Mom

I went to a boutique yesterday, my first of many for the season, and I found some really great treasures. My mom and I browsed for a few hours looking at all the booths, some familiar and some brand new. One of the new booths was a cupcake booth. Cupcakes!!! Yes and they were so good. I tasted the blueberry lemon and I could not believe how creamy and sweet the frosting was. They call their company Serendipity Cupcakes and they seem to be pretty new. The website is serendipitycupcakes.com but it is under construction. We just had to buy a few to taste with the family. My favorite purchase is probably my leather bracelet. Check out the boutique if you are into this kind of stuff http://www.sugarplumcrafts.com/

I'm having a blah day...and it's too hot! I'm so glad it's the weekend...

Halloweentime

Irelyn got her ears pierced!! She was so brave, didn't have any tears and she said it felt like a stapler on her ear.

At first I thought October was going slow, but all of a sudden it got busier and busier and I can't believe it is almost Halloween. I have no idea what Irelyn is going to be for Halloween. She changes her mind all the time and has told me she will "decide closer to Halloween." We have tons of princess dresses, a Tyrone outfit, a cat outfit, a bunny, and on and on. I'm not buying anything else! She is just going to decide out of the stuff we already have here. Last weekend, we went to the mall for a Halloween event and she went as Tinker Bell. There are still 2 more events we have to go to before Halloween and I'm sure she will be something different at each one. I was thinking of dressing up, which is so unlike me, but I can't think of anything good to be.

Ideas? What are you and your kids going to be?

Recipe Wednesday

I made these last night, but I hadn't made them in so long that I almost forgot about them. I usually avoid cooking with dairy, but this is an exception (or I use non dairy cheese which is fine too) This recipe is so adaptable- everyone gets what they like, you can make them really simple or have lots of options etc.

Enchiladas (serves 3-4)
12 corn tortillas
1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
1 can olives
1 can/jar enchilada sauce (I use either Las Palmas or Trader Joe's)


1 pie tin or round baking pan for each person. Put a little enchilada sauce to cover the bottom, place corn tortilla on top, put more sauce on that, add cheese and olives and then repeat for each layer. Make as many layers as you like. I think 3 or 4 layers is good. You can add cooked meat or beans to the layers too. Place in the oven at 350 degrees for 11-12 minutes. Place on plates- serve with lettuce, sour cream, hot sauce, refried beans or whatever you like. They are so good and easy!

Good News

Need to hear some good news? You can check out this website http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ and read about only GOOD NEWS. Wow what a concept! Way different than the daily news...

Just photos

Fall Fun

Chillin in the tree

I've said it before

I never win anything- but my luck is changing. After years and years of entering every drawing and raffle, I am finally becoming lucky!!! I just won a $25 gift card to Starbucks from a local realtor. And last month the Pixie Bows, last year I won a gondola cruise and a center piece from a charity luncheon I went to. I am so excited- I can finally say I am a lucky person! chances are I just jinxed myself...