¡olé!

we just returned from our trip to orlando with tia tata, tio miguel, and sofia. it meant the world to me to be able to spend time with them. we haven't seen each other in person since may of 2008, and it was the first time that they had met joel...the quiet man, as miguel named him. they provided the condo, all the food, and i provided the yukon xl to drive us all around. three kids and three adults, and we conquered the magic kingdom together without any major meltdowns! sofia and evan are two peas in a pod. it was the best to see them playing together. they would run around in circles chasing each other...around, and around. we were able to celebrate evan's 3rd birthday a little early with them, and with my parents who came down to orlando for the day. it was great to spend a couple of days with mima and pipo at wild waters, and for an afternoon at ormond beach. i was also able to escape for a bit while we were at their home for a mani pedi! once we got back up to birmingham we celebrated it again with our tia and tio from atlanta who came to pick up tata and miguel. it's a family tradition that we continue. growing up we always celebrated our birthdays together with a cake no matter when our birthdays were. i really believe that birthday celebrations are such an important time in a person's life when they should feel how much they are loved. saying goodbye to the duro beruvides family was really emotional for me. my family is very small, and tata and i grew up like sisters. i miss her terribly! i love the family she's made with miguel and i am so thankful to him for making her so happy. although matt wasn't able to go on the trip with us, he did get off the day they were here in birmingham. we took advantage of the time to take the kids to the mcwane science center downtown. that place had so much within it's four floors. we even got to touch sharks! we then had lunch at taziki's greek fare...yummo! i'm back to the grind today and feeling refreshed in spirit and mind to start daily life again. laundry, laundry, and more laundry. i'm taking evan to his 3 year well child visit today with dr. peters, and then i was able to schedule a late hair appointment which i'm very excited about at the homewood hairgroup, which my neighbor brittnie recommended. we are getting excited to see our friends, and family who will be making the trip for evan's birthday party on august 28th. i am starting to accept the fact that things won't be done with the house and that's ok. matt is just too busy working hard with his program. the house stuff needs to be the last thing on his list.

for more breathing room

Very in depth, and a great resource.
Non-toxic Home Care - Eartheasy.com Solutions for Sustainable Living

It is done...the photos that is!

Everyday I find a new box to open, and so the other day I finally got to the box with the cord for the camera.  The photos below are from June 10-July 26, 2010.  Within those dates we were in SC for two weeks, then we made our way to Montgomery, AL, and before we got there we stopped in Atlanta for a little break from the drive.  We spent a wonderful week in Montgomery, AL. with our friends the Snyders, who so graciously opened their doors to us while Matt moved us...poor guy! We've all come out of the this move a bit banged up. We've learned a lot about life, the people who care about us, and each other.

Never Pay for Household Cleansers Again

Below is a link to a great online article...
Never Pay for Household Cleansers Again

I am trying to make a conscience effort to used products that are healthier for my family, and at the same time more cost effective. I truly believe that the majority of cleaning products are too harsh to be using in our homes.  They negatively effect many parts of our bodies, and why not use things that can do the job without causing a diverse effect on ones health.  Often times the terms "organic" and "green" make me think the cost is going to be more, but it's not always like that.  If you don't want to make your own, or have the cash to just buy what you want, check out Fresh Market's website for coupons.
Please feel free to share your green cleaning tips and tricks under comments.

purple haze

holy cow!  i didn't realize that it has been a little over a month since i last posted, but when i think of the haze that i've been in since we left south carolina it's no surprise.  i am back...like any mother of two under three i am constantly running around, but it's funny, i never really feel like i'm getting anywhere.  being a daughter of two very high achievers has been rough.  i constantly hear them in my head telling me to clean up and don't stop...i'm running on fumes these days.  everywhere i turn around there is something to do.  matt gets frustrated cause there is always something that needs his man power to get done.
last night we had a nice dinner with our neighbors, the diaz family.  ever since they invited us over for a fourth of july bbq we've been able to do something with our kiddos weekly.  my sweet friend heather has already made the huge effort to come visit us for the day this past weekend.  we went to the splash pad in gardendale which is a 20 minute drive from our home.  i'm waiting for the refrigerator to get delivered in the next 30 minutes, and the washing machine repair man is coming this afternoon.  our washing machine has been trying to get fixed for the last two weeks.  i've gone to the laundry mat, and done wash n fold which got expensive fast!  i'm so ready to have a working washing machine again.  with a family of boys it's a must!  i've got a lot of photos to upload from the beginning of june, but alas i haven't found the box with the cord yet.  gotta run, but what's new...

bippity boppity bows

As promised here's my first attemp at bow making. I know, I know, I've got a long way to go. I can't wait till things settle down after the move so I can dedicate more time to it. I'll be sending these out soon, so some of you may receive a little surprise in the mail.

our food angel

This week was our last session with Evan's OT Melissa Rhea (aka Food Angel). We were so sad to have to say goodbye to someone we've come accustom to seeing each week since November. We are leaving Kidnetics feeling so grateful for all the help, love and care that Evan received. He's no eating so much better, and enjoys things that many kids do like, mac-n-cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and spaghetti! He even dips things in sauces. We were at our wit's end, and were so frustrated with the situation. It all happened with diligence, patience, and practice


We'll miss you Ms. Melissa!

Evan and Ms. Melissa playing a matching game.

what a deal!

tonight when matt got home from work i made my way over to cvs with my coupons, except for the always liners. all of them game my extra bucks, and i had accumulated some extra bucks that i used. well, i was able to get the products below for a total of $1.97! i am super excited too. they are all products that i use, not just stuff that's a good deal.

blah, blah, blah...

evan, apple, caca, and car are just an example of some of the words we've been hearing from our little joel. evan is constantly talking to him, and so joel responses to his brother. within the babble you can here the words like the ones i've listed above. yesterday while driving home in the car it was so funny to hear the banter between them. one would yell or make a noise of some sort, and the other would repeat or respond. yesterday matt had off, so after dropping off the yukon (again!) at the mechanic we took the boys to the upstate childrens museum. it has three floors, and we spent about three hours there. the water exhibit was one of their favorites, but they also really liked the construction exhibit, and racing exhibit...all things boy. today matt's back at work, and i am without transportation :( but, it's given me time to pack more. i'm still working on the kitchen. i'm about half way done. matt's co workers have planned a dinner at outback tomorrow night, and we are looking forward to some yummy food courtesy of tony & susie...thank you again! to matt's chagrin i order tickets to see both curious george live! at the bi-lo and a day out with thomas the train at tweetsie railroad before we move. gotta get it done before the $$$$ runs out...
i finally made some little girl boutique hair bows last night. i was able to make four of them ranging in different sizes and colors. i'll be sending them to some family and friends with little girls. they are fun to make, and when i get better at making them maybe i can sell them for a couple of bucks...always thinking of ways to sell something!

everything must go!

in an effort to reduce what we move, i am putting up for sale my "sample" diaper cakes.  i have a total of seven available for sale at a reduced price.  we aren't going to have much room for extra storage at the new house, so i've got to get rid of them.  if you live in the area just contact me to make the delivery arrangement, so you don't have to pay shipping.  these cakes normally sell for $40 or more, so it's an excellent deal.  they have been kept safely stored in their delivery boxes.  please see my etsy store for the "featured" cake designs.  i would greatly appreciate any referrals too. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetiepoodiapercake