Best Valentine's Day

Today was the best Valentine's Day...not because we did anything spectacular, but because it was low key and I really didn't have any expections for how the day would go. When I got up, Arabella and Jay gave me my cards and Arabella's was extra special with a very pretty drawing inside. She is such a budding artist. Jay asked a few weeks ago what I would like for a gift and I suggested more Bikram yoga classes or money towards a pair of Hunter Wellies. (http://www.hunter-boot.com/1/Welcome-To-The-Home-Of-Hunter-Wellies.aspx) I have been wanting a pair for a long time now and with all the snow that we have, when it starts to melt, I am going to need them. I also saw a necklace that I liked, but didn't think he would get it for me - however, he wurprised me and I will be picking it up later this week. But the greatest surprise of all was that in my card, there was the cutest sitcky note telling me that I could register for the classes that I have been wanting to take to go back to school! I was so excited and registered with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a health coach! My classes start in March and I can't wait to get started!

Arabella had a fun day and even received a few more Valentine's in the mail today. Again she loved opeing them and we thank all of our family who have sent them to her. She also received a new book and an outfit for her Love Bug that she made last week.





In addition to receiving Valentine's, Mother Nature also sent some snow, rain and sleet our way today. We now have a lot more snow that we had last year, but that is OK with us!





And just for fun, we all remember the conversation heart candy that we used to eat at kids right? Well, here are some in French - can you figure out what they say??


We hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love and that it was spent with those you hold most dear.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I think this little video clip of Arabella says it all....

They Are Hatching!!

Arabella was so excited when she got to do some of her grow capsules that Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff sent her. She loved putting them in the warm water and then watch them hatch!

Brussel Sprouts - 2 Ways

I love Brussels Sprouts, so when I saw fresh ones at Costco last week, I had to buy them. However, Jay is not a fan of them and I wasn't sure if Arabella would like them or not. Since there were so many, I was able to make them 2 ways and both were a hit! For the first option, I sliced the sprouts in half, drizzled them with olive oil and fresh ground pepper and sea salt. I baked them in the oven on 350 for about 25minutes and they came out nice and crispy.


The second way that I made the sprouts are courtesy of the Pink of Perfection blog and Bon Appetit. I sauteed the Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios....to die for! Arabella liked them, partly because of the pistachios and Jay thought they were pretty good, although I think her preferred them baked. I loved this recipe and this is all I had for dinner!

Here is how to make them:

3 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
1 tablespoon minced shallot
12 large Brussels sprouts (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed, leaves separated from cores (about 8 cups), cores discarded - (I actually sliced the spouts and it worked out fine)
3/4 cup shelled unsalted natural pistachios
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and stir 20 seconds. Add Brussels sprout leaves and pistachios, and sauté until leaves begin to soften but are still bright green, about 3 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Brussels-Sprouts-with-Lemon-and-Pistachios-241353#ixzz1DuG7dpN7

Friday Fun

Friday was a day full of fun. It started out with playgroup where all the kids had a great time playing and the mom's enjoyed June's famous lattes and great conversation. Our Friday morning playgroup is the perfect way to start the weekend.

Arabella and Cristina getting pulled around by Giacomo.
Arabella, Cristina and Christopher having a fun ride.
Enjoying a Valentine's Day treat, YUM!
Arabella giving Sofia some love!
When we got home, there were more Valentine's waiting for Arabella. One from Auntie Lori and a little Valentine package from Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff. Arabella loves getting mail and had a lot of fun opening her Valentine's. She was very excited!!


Checking out her growth capsules! She couldn't wait to try them out.

Waiting for the growth capsule to open to see what shape it reveals...



After a quick nap, it was off to swim lessons and Arabella had a really fun time playing in the pool before her lessons. She had a pretty good lesson and she is making great progress. I can barely get her out of the pool at the end, she is such a water baby!

Potty Training Update

Potty training is going fairly well. There was a time where we were having a few issues, but lately, knock on wood, she has been doing great! No problems, no issues, and doing it the way it is supposed to be done. I think the sticker rewards are working well and she really has got things down pat. It is like there is nothing to it and we have been doing this since day 1! Tonight she was so cute sitting on the big potty, which is now the only place she will go, so we are getting ready to put away her cute little pink potty...makes me a little sad to do that, but it is all part of the process right. I know you will probably hate me when you are 15 for posting this picture of you Arabella, but I can't resist, you look all grown up! Keep up the great work Arabella, Mommy is so proud of all your hard work! Less than a month ago, you were in diapers all the time, now you only wear them when you sleep, you are growing up way too fast!

Love Bug For My Love Bug

This afternoon, I came across a picture that one of my friends took of her son with his new "love bug". I couldn't help but wonder where she got it since I still had not figured out what to get Arabella for Valentine's Day...and I really don't want to get her candy. So I asked and she told me that she was "suckered" into Build-A-Bear today at the mall to make this cute love bug...she did have a coupon so it wasn't too pricey, but still the smile on her son's face is priceless. I knew that I would have to go and make her one. But when Jay called to tell me that he was going out to dinner tonight with some co-workers, the opportunity for a Girl's Night Out happened. I asked Arabella if she wanted to go out to dinner with Mommy and then make a Love Bug and she agreed. So we put on our boots, hats and coats and headed to the mall for dinner and a Love Bug! Once dinner was done, she was so excited and we rushed off to Build-A-Bear. She was very excited to make a Love Bug, but was a little unsure of how everything worked. It was so cute as she watched them fill up her Love Bug with filling and then close it up. She really liked the "fluff station" where you blow air on it to fluff it up. And then she loved checking out all the outfits that you can get. We decided on the cute little red polka dot dress and red sparkly shoes, but she doesn't really know about it yet since that will be her Valentine's Day gift, so right now her Love Bug is naked except for her wings! I, like Cynthia, can't believe I was suckered into buying the Love Bug, but the smile on her face was worth it! And I am sure this won't be our last visit to Build-A-Bear...but I hope it won't be too soon since you can easily spend a fortune in the store!

Happy early Valentine's Day my Little Bean Love Bug!
Fluffing up her Love Bug!

The box is as big as her!