princess

mall

I promised the girls I would do whatever they wanted today and they chose a trip to the mall. The mall. It’s my least favorite place (rather ironic since I now work mostly at an outdoor mall). 
They each brought $20 of their own money and were eager to spend it. We went store to store and did a lot of browsing. They were in heaven. They even received a free little bracelet at the Disney store. 
Gwyneth settled on a pair of penguin slippers. 
Annabelle picked out an emoji water bottle. This girl is emoji crazy. 
We got our tickets to see The Trolls movie and received a wonderful surprise when B was able to join us. The girls loved the movie. I thought the soundtrack was pretty good, but the movie was a stinker. It was a wonderful day together and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

first snow

It finally snowed! It has been so warm, but it finally feels like winter now. I like to surprise the girls when it snows with ice cream. It is a weird little tradition, but it’s our tradition….and they love it!
Happiness!
I love, love, love winter. Bring on the snow!

pancakes and skateboards

We got up early this morning to volunteer at a breakfast for the girls’ school. The girls served pancakes, sausage, and drinks to customers and were really, really excited about it. They had a blast with their friends. I loved watching them. It was worth getting up so flippin’ early on a Saturday! 
Breakfast crew
Keepin’ it real

After breakfast the girls both had friends over to play while B had a party at the Kitchen. Annabelle and Karsen rode around on her skateboard.

They had a birthday party that evening. Karsen was a cheerleader and Annabelle was “Sammy Skateboard”. They did a great job of getting in to character.

My goodness, Annabelle looks so much like her dad. A chip off the old block. 
Gwyneth and her friend, Nora

Ruby joined us for dinner. Gwyneth had a great time with her pal. 
The many faces of Gwyneth and Ruby: 

It was a full day, but so full of fun. 

juniors: simple meals

Annabelle’s troop met at Blue Mountain Kitchen to earn their Simple Meals badge. How lucky are we that we know a chef? How lucky that he is kind and generous and willing to donate his time for these girls? I think he’s a pretty guy and dad. 
B taught the girls to make their own salad dressing and chicken tenders. We finished off the meeting making turkey centerpieces with chocolate covered pretzels. The girls all had a wonderful time and they tried everything which we will declare a victory. 

Morgan’s face is hilarious, but you have to give her credit for trying. 

election

I went to bed last night disenfranchised and disappointed, but I woke up this morning refusing to feel afraid.
I am an educated, Hispanic, small-business-owning woman raising two little girls in this confusing and tumultuous time. While our journey may have become more challenging, our convictions have not wavered. My husband and I will continue to raise empowered, educated, compassionate children.
We strapped on those backpacks this morning and sent these little ladies out into the world to find knowledge and their own voices. They will not be oppressed. They will not be tyrannized. They will not be demoralized. They will be fierce!


Sadly, this same afternoon I spent some time on the phone with the local police. Two young men in a large truck flying an American Flag and a confederate flag stopped traffic outside my studio. They were screaming hate rhetoric at the customers. My studio is between a Little Monkey Business and a Pigtails and Crewcuts. The audience was mostly children. Disgusting! 

I think perhaps the hate was always there, but now it has a voice and perceived permission. This is not ok with me. This is horrendous and I won’t be complacent. Additional patrols have been scheduled for my studio and we will continue to stand up for what is right. Be safe. Be fierce. 

mother daughter tea party

The girls and I signed up for a Mommy and Daughter Tea Party hosted by a local girl scout troop. The girls have been together since 1st grade and are now Freshman in high school. They have their hearts set on a trip to Hawaii and are raising money to fund their trip. I hope we can help them more in the future. It’s a great cause and I love having this time with my girls. 
Our seating cards (my girls are use to their names being spelled wrong..especially Gwyneth)
We talked and drank tea and made little pictures together. It was sweetly quiet with just enough fancy. 
My Annabelle. She started with peppermint tea and then stole my orange tea. I don’t mind though. I kinda like her. 
Gwyneth loved the orange tea. 
We rocked at the sugar cube stacking game. We came in first place on the first game. Have I mentioned that Annabelle and I are both a bit competitive? 
Annabelle finished up her diorama on the Song Dynasty. I’m so proud of her for doing her own project. She did the research and found the pictures. She did all the cutting, pasting, hanging, etc. She did  a great job! 

tylers

After Reagan’s party we zipped over to meet the Tyler crew for dinner. We grabbed tacos at La Cochina – yum, yum, yum. We had a nice time catching up. I wished we could have stayed a few more hours. 
The restaurant is in an old gas station and they have done some fun things with the decor. I loved this pig and asked the kids to pose in front of it for me. It started out quite innocently and then escalated to a mad photo session. The silliest pictures are always my favorites. 

Ms. Sheila getting in on the fun. 

spa day for reagan

We joined Reagan at her house for a fabulous spa day. She celebrated her birthday with friends and family. Aunt Jen put together a wonderful party for the girls. Reagan kept saying “this is the girliest party I’ve ever had”. It was so great to see her so happy and enjoying herself. 
Cheers to Reagan! 
Aunt Jen was on nails duty.

I was on hair duty. I did a LOT of braids. I promised Reagan a braid when her hair grows back in. 
Ryan was an awesome big brother and helped serve drinks for all the girls. 
Such a good sport. 
The party guests

Present time.
“This one is from you Aunt Kelly” Ha!
This makes my heart so freakin’ happy.
I caught her at just the right moment and what a shot of her and her monkey.

Cousins
A superwoman cake is very, very fitting
Love this family and how brave and strong they are together!

brownies: inventing room

Gwyneth’s troop had a meeting downtown tonight. We met for dinner at the Mellow Mushroom and then went to the Inventing Room for delicious treats. It was a family affair. Parents joined — including B and Annabelle and we all made a night of it. 
Pizza time!

We walked the 8 blocks over to the Inventing room for a blend of science and treats. Gwyneth has been waiting since Annabelle’s troop went last year. She couldn’t have been more excited.

They gave the girls a tasting of the nitro popcorn when they walked in to the shop. So much excitement.

Annabelle and Jenna ordered really, really cold cheetos

Kate and Bella with the Twizzler Space Foam 

Brielle with cherry cotton candy
I don’t think he likes this picture, but I love it!!
Gwyneth with her hot chocolate and exploding whipped cream
Amy and I shared a Mexican Fried Ice Cream with frozen caramel sauce. (I have to admit it was fun,, but just ok)
Zoe and Rylie with bubble gum cotton candy

Annie with her chocolate cotton candy
Another fun night with great girls and their families.