Little Girl All Grown Up

Ava is now 19 months. She is getting to that point where she is transitioning from an infant to a young girl. With that being said, there are these cute pajamas that are in her size now! See, she's very petite. She is at the bottom of the normal growth chart. She could probably still wear clothes that are 12m but they wouldn't last as long. 

These button down pjs are absolutely precious! When I showed her her new pjs, she said, "Awwwe!" She was excited to put them on knowing that they were different. She ran to the mirror and twisted her torso back and forth staring at herself in the mirror. I had never seen her react that way to clothes. She's definitely all girl. 

In my family, for Christmas Eve, we open one gift. They are pajamas. We usually let the kids open a toy gift as well. I will have the Christmas pajama set for her to wear Christmas Eve. 

I got these at Target. I mean Target is my all-time go-to place for just about everything. If I can't find it there I go to Amazon. I literally don't have any shopping in my town. I have to drive forty-five minutes. Ugh! But... I love the country. 

These are super cute as well! There are other choices in the Target link that I posted up top, but these are my faves. 

Do y'all have any pajama's that y'all love for your little munchkins? 

Happy Halloween Eve!

Dannielle 

The Evolution of a Smile

Don't you just love that stage of a baby when they actually understand the concept of smiling for pictures? I sure do. 

When Aiden was Ava's age, I had to ask to see his teeth for him to smile at me. For about a year or see after that every time he smiled for pictures, he had this huge teethy grin! It's so cute to look back on now.  

Ava on the other hand has taken to picture-takin' quite well. It might be the fact that I've got a huge phone screen, because she loves to look at her picture after it was taken. Back in the good ol' days I used my phone for calling and my camera for taking pictures. 

This is her "I'm happy and it's bright outside," face. 

This is her, "Oh you're taking a picture... of ME," face. 

"Cheese!!!"

I hope y'all have a "cheesy" day! 

I Never Would Have Believed This

Ok, first of all, forgive the mess. Remember, I am still unable to get up and do normal Mommy things like clean. I should be walking without crutches in about one or two days! 

Second of all, here is Ava. Besides the fact that she has the cutest lil' ponytail ever, she is enamored with the TV. This is not some ordinary tv program that rots the brains of adolescents. This my friends is an educational DVD. Some of you may have heard of the DVD series called School House Rock. They have one DVD that is all of them rolled into one! It's the 30th anniversary edition. 

I was introduced to this by a mommy friend. I initially thought this was the best for my son. He enjoys it, but it has become a lifesaver for me with Ava. Ava does not like being in the car for long periods of time, and this has made all the difference.  Let me tell you, it will have your kids singing along, and you'll remember things that you have forgotten as well! 

So, if any of you are looking for tv programs to watch, and that are completely wholesome and educational... this is it! 

By the way, this was ten minutes later...

Let me know what y'all think!

Have a great week ~ D

I Can Walk Again!

Well, sort of ...

I finally went to my post-op appointment. I have been waiting for this day it seems longer than a week and a half. 

He says, I can start putting weight on my leg, but I still have to use my crutches. So that means I still can't hold my babies and walk at the same time. Or hold anything rather. Pooh. 

Starting Monday I can start full weight bearing if I feel comfortable. I think I can! I think I can! 

I met another therapy patient at the physical therapy facility I go to the other day. She had surgery twice on her knee cap because it was moving. Or something like that. She had to be on crutches no weight bearing at all for six weeks! Six weeks! I was only like that for a week and a half. I was about to lose my marbles! I could not even imagine it. Like. Seriously. Six. Weeks. 

I can even get my leg wet! Well, I could get it wet before, just not the stitches. But, I didn't want to take any chance on getting the stitches wet, so I didn't wet my leg at all.... Let that sink in. You do not even want to know how hairy my legs were. I felt the need to profusely apologize for each raunchy hair at my appointment. Thank God razors have been invented. 

So, for the mean time, my little sweetness has to get her hugs and loves in bed, or in a chair, or in a Huffalump's hair (take that Dr. Seuss!)

Bye y'all!

D

The Art of Gift Giving

Giving a gift to someone special is well, special. The gift shows how you may feel about them, and how well you know them. I love to give gifts that are different. I am not always able to give those creative gifts every year, because frankly, I can't find anything or it's too dang expensive. Everyone loves gift cards and money. I still give those kind of gifts too. These gifts aren't expensive, but they are different, and really neat. Yes, I just said neat. Ha.

I found this cute Sideways Initial Necklace on Etsy. There are three different finishes to choose from, and it's only $34! 

                                         

Every woman/girl wants that go-to eye shadow pallet that never fails. Wait no more! This is it. This is Too Faced's Natural Eye Neutral Eye Collection from Sephora. Get this for $38!

I don't drink whiskey, but my husband does. I just think that this is the coolest thing! The Whiskey Ball comes in a one, two, and four pack option. There are also gift options available. The two pack option is only $19.95. 

Everything from this site is magnificent and not to mention beautiful! The prices are great and it will make any mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or friend feel special. This candle is $30 and would pair nicely with a hot bath and LolliaLife.com bath bubbles.

Happy shopping!

Like Daddy Like Daughter

As much as it stinks being stuck in my bed or my reclining yard chair. I am so grateful to know that my kids are taken care of. Hubby has exceeded expectations for this last week that he's helped with everything.

To be honest I was a little excited about not having to run to every cry and need. Us mothers need our time to ourselves every now and then, whether it's from a getaway weekend or surgery. With this time of me not being available, Ava has really taken to him which is just what we all needed.

With Jeremy being gone every two weeks for two weeks this time has allowed her to really get to know her daddy and only her daddy. He would bring her into the room and lower her down so I could give her a kiss and she would start to fuss. That might hurt some mom's feelings, but not me. That child has been attached to my hip for the past one and a half years. Not to mention growing inside of me for nine months. I love her to pieces don't get me wrong. It was nice to see that attention focused elsewhere.
                                             

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. <3

What's Been Going On

The worst is over. Surgery is done, and now recovery and healing is the road in front of me.

It all started 6 years ago. I was playing co-ed softball with the church I was attending. My brain thinks I'm athletic, however, my body does not. I struck the softball (which by the way is not soft as I'm sure many of y'all know) and as I rounded first base I split secondly decided to slide into second base. Now let me tell you, I've never learned how to slide nor had I done it before, but alas! I was successful. I was safe!! As I mentally patted myself on the back, another batter struck the ball and I was off to third base.  Again, I thought that I could try sliding again since it worked so well the first time. Wrong!!! As I tried to slide, I ended up basically just falling on my left leg and heard a huge pop. Super painful! I didn't have any insurance at the time, so I just crutched around for a while until I could walk on it again.

All this time my leg has been popping in and out. Finally, about a month ago my leg popped out for the last time. It would not pop back in, so to the doctor I went.

Last Monday I had ACL reconstruction surgery. I was so nervous for the surgery. I had never been put under anesthesia before. But surgery came and went without fail. Thank God! I even entertained the thought of writing goodbye letters to my family! Crazy I know.

This is after and before picture.

And let me tell you that the two days after the surgery were the worst! Way worse than I expected. Crying, throwing up, and severe pain was the basis of my first two days post op. I was told the each day would get better and better, and yes it does.

In my reclining yard chair haha ~ D

2014 - 2015 2nd Grade Curriculum Tried And Tested

Yes, it's been forever since my last homeschool post.Please forgive me! We've decided to do year-round school, and so far we are on day 56. We officially started June 9th. I strive for a 4 day school week, but since we took time off to go out of state with Hubby a couple of times we are going to do 5 day school weeks for a couple of weeks. My plan is to take off sometime around the holidays, and then one week a month after the first of the year.

Needless to say, I feel like I am just now getting the swing of things. It's definitely a work in progress. We have had some time to go through the curriculum now. Some of it I kept and some of it I didn't.

As I mentioned in the last post I didn't have a curriculum for History/Geography/Social Studies. I found this The Story of the World.

Pros:

It mentions reading material that some has been available through my local library.

It gives questions to ask throughout each chapter to make sure your little one is comprehending the material.

It also has hands on projects to do with each chapter. Aiden loves hands on projects. What kid doesn't?!

The price isn't too bad. Together for both activity book and chapter book is a little over $30.

Cons:

There are no tests or worksheets that test their knowledge.

There really aren't any pictures in the chapter. It would be nice if Aiden could see some images to reinforce the reading.

Overall Grade: B

For English we use Abeka. Right now I only found the need for Language 2 and Spelling and Poetry 2 books.

               

Pros: The worksheets are great. They are fun to look at, and also are full of learning!

Overall Grade: A

For Math we use the Arithmetic 2 and Tests and Speed Drills from Abeka.

            

Pros: The worksheets just like the English ones are also engaging.

The math seems to be very well spaced out. Not too much information at once. It kinda dabbles in a topic and then backs off. This allows me to find supportive information and other worksheets on sites like TeachersPayTeachers.com and KhanAcademy.org

Overall Grade: A

For science we are using Apologia. There are different categories of science in the Apologia textbooks. We started with Exploration of Creation with Astronomy and the Notebook Journal.

            

Pros: I really like having a journal assignment book that goes along with the text.

There are awesome projects to do. Aiden has loved them all.

There's not too much reading material. Doing a chapter a week is definitely doable, depending on the pace you are at.

There's a reading plan to go by if you choose. It tells you what day to do what to make sure you coursework is even each time.

Cons: I don't completely believe everything that the author believes. I just simply skip those parts.

Those are the texts that we have in our curriculum. As I've mentioned before, I use other sites to supplement his teaching.

Overal Grade: B

Here are the sites that I use:

Hubpages.com

Spellingcity.com

Havefunteaching.com

Allinonehomeschool.com

Funbrain.com

Kids National Geographic

PBS Parents

If y'all have any that are worth mentioning please let me know! We're always looking out for different sites to learn from!

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Watching Harry Potter for the umpteenth time (not by choice, but rather lack of choices) ~ D

What I've Realized

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Its been a couple of months since my thirtieth birthday. I didn't know what to expect when I turned 30, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary which was just as I would have guessed. I have noticed some things about myself lately. Not like, "Oh my gosh I'm growing a tail!" kind of things. Things like: I need frickin' glasses to write this dang blog!

I'm now comfortable in my own skin. I don't think this epiphany has come to me in my thirtieth year, like a curse that has been lifted from my life on my birthday, and now I am excepting of my own self. I think it has come alive, because I've realized that there is no other Dannielle Scruggs. God made only one of me. People who cannot except me for me can go fly a kite. Being a woman, and a mother, which by nature are people pleasers I have put myself on the back burner a lot. But you know what? IT'S OK TO PUT YOURSELF ON THE BACK BURNER... sometimes.I would go extreme either way. I have been timid for the most part of my life. When I felt like a doormat for others, I became extremely opinionated and stuck in the mud, even. In life there is balance. Too little or too much of one thing is not good. My moral compass is sound and I know I can count on that. I am no longer lost.

I have felt misunderstood most of my life. As if I couldn't quite get the right words out of my mouth. I don't know of more than a couple of people who truly "get" me. But you know what? THAT'S OK! I don't think of any of that as a burden anymore. When I was younger I tried and tried to be like everyone else going down the wide and traveled road. I realize that I may be a perfectionist. I have tried so hard at something like let's say handwriting. Yes, handwriting. I remember being in middle school that I saw another girls lower case letter "a," and I thought it looked better than my current "a". So guess what? I practiced and practiced that "a". Writing every word I could think of that contained the letter "a". Of course I didn't think it would make me a better person, but that my handwriting would be better. I always strived for being better. Really just better than the Dannielle the day before. I am perfect just the way I am. That Dannielle that is full of useless information, yes, she is grand. That Dannielle who wants to do it by herself just because she wants to, yes, she is magnificent. And so are you. By the way, I don't use that "a" anymore.

Choose your battles carefully. Really, I mean really, in the whole scheme of things is it important for you to scream or get pissed because someone cut you off in traffic? No, of course not. Most of the time when we get mad or our feelings hurt it's not us it's our pride. Pride is no bueno. Pride is like your ugly twin. In my relationships with my children I sometimes get carried away.

"Don't scream! Don't run in the house! Don't jump on the bed," I yell. What I've realized, there's a time and place for everything. I don't want to smother my kids. Aiden told me the other day that I take fun out of things. I laughed, because I am sure I do sometimes, and it was funny the way he put it. But I explained to him that you can't stand in your chair during dinner. Maybe during breakfast... just kidding. With the relationship with my husband, choosing my battles has been very important. Best advice that I can give: if you're not sure what to say, or you are angry, don't say anything! Words hurt. Period. Our mouths have gotten away from us at times. You can't take those words back.

I can't eat whatever I want anymore! Gravity has taken a hold of my various body parts, and let me tell you what... it is unforgiving! This second pregnancy really did it for me. I am not the same size as I was in high school, and I haven't been since highschool, but I can still wear the same earrings! Yeah, yeah. I find myself tracking my calories, pining over my dreams of cheesecake and buttercream frosting. By golly I will still eat sweets and other delicious faire, but it may not be as spontaneous as before.

Pics of my sweets... gosh I love them.

Always ~ D

How I Survived...

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

... a trip 8+ hours away from home.

This week the Hubby has class on his two week time off. It's in Houston, Tx, and since Aiden is now out of school we decided to tag along. Ava has not liked riding in her carseat... ever. Needless to say, I was apprehensive about this 8+ hour trip.

Portable DVD player.

RCA Twin 9" Mobile DVD Player

This. Is. Essential. This happened to be the second one we bought in two days. The first one went kaput in 30 mins of use. This one is pretty cool. You can either watch the same DVD on both screens or watch two different movies. At this point Ava doesn't care what she watches, but I can forsee  them wanting to watch different movies. Each screen has a remote and a carrying case.

Stretch your legs and your belly.

 

Do any of y'all love the show Diners Drive-ins and Dives like I do? My dad gave me the idea of looking for a restaurant that  has been on the show, and eating there. There happened to be a restaurant in Gulfport, Ms called the Blow Fly Inn. Crazy name, but great food. It really helped the kids, and our sanity by stopping, getting out, and eating. Of course this made our trip longer, but more enjoyable nonetheless.

Hallways are my best friend.

When I see a hallway, I can't help but think if The Shining or Poltergeist (AHHHHHH!)

Being that Ava is starting to really get the hang of walking and running, she absolutely loves going up and down the hallways in the hotel. The hotel room is definitely not big enough for her energy. Aiden even enjoys is too, although I don't let him run.

Discover the city.

        

No matter where you are at, there is something new out there for you and your children. We are grateful that Houston has a lot to offer and that I don't have to be super creative. Even though there might be things that we have seen or heard, for your kids, it might be the first  time. It's fun to see their amazement at things that we find mundane.

While we were in Houston, we went to Downtown Aquarium, Children's Museum of Houston, The Space Center, and The Houston Museum of Natural Science. They were all great, but the best one, and the one we didn't get to finish touring was the latter. It was amazing!

Take a breath, and breathe in the moment!

It's hard I know, but remember this fun moment isn't going to last forever. There were moments when I kept thinking, " Oh gosh I cannot wait till we get home and Ava goes to sleep in her own crib in her own room!"  But I had to take a breath look for the good in the moment, like when I could see Ava's head peeking up out of the pack play jibber jabbering.

All that being said, boy am I glad being back home...

Still pooped ~ D

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

... this week.

Baby powder at the beach.

I love the beach. Minus the sand. Minus the icky sticky feeling of the salt that has dried on your skin. Other than that, I love the beach. Then, I found my saving grace, my best friend for the beach. I would never again have disdain towards spending a day at the beach realizing that every crack and crevice I had would be covered in sand.

My first thought when I saw this baby powder trick on Pinterest, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!" My first thought when I tried it on the beach, " Oh my gosh! Where have you been all my life!"

It's pretty simple really. You just sprinkle the powder on your sandy self, then start rubbing the sand off, and Walaa! It's gone! Now let me tell you, you will have a little of the powder left behind, but these are the sacrifices we have to make when having a sandless body on a sandy beach.

A happy baby at the beach.

 

Aiden as a baby did not like the water. He did like it on his face. He did not like it on his hair. He did not like it anywhere! (Btw I love Dr. Suess!) We took him to the beach a couple month before he was one and he would freak out when the waves would come onto shore. He hated when we washed his hair. He happened to get some water in his eyes once, and that was it. For a long time. Now, Aiden is fine and loves the water. Swims and all. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive when I knew we were having a day at the beach.

Let me tell you, I was completely wrong. She LOVED the beach! I have never seen a more joyous baby at the beach. I was tired before she was. She's still working on her walking, so she fell quite a bit. Never once did she cry. The day couldn't have gone better. I was so grateful.

School is out!

I think I am almost as excited as Aiden is about school being over. Woohoo!  We are both looking forward to starting homeschool in a few weeks. Technically we have one more week until school is out, but we are going to Houston with Hubby while he has a class to attend.

Always,

D  :)

Thirty and Counting

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

Just the other day was my birthday... my thirtieth birthday. When I look back I think about the birthdays that have been milestones for me, and probably many others. Of course turning one is a pretty big one. When I go to a five year old's birthday party I always say, "Your're a whole hand now!" Because that's what I thought and heard at that age. Becoming a teenager is pretty important, you are finally out of the kid stage and might even get to sit at the grownup table during Thanksgiving. Eighteen years old is pretty major. Most usually graduate around that age and you are legally an ADULT! Which is fun for just the summer, and then the real work begins. Twenty-one is even better because you are really really an adult that can drink legally, however, I drank more before I was twenty-one then after-the-fact. I guess the main point is, you can drink in front of your parents and not get in trouble for it. Then it's the mighty thirty... There is no going back to being an irresponsible adult at this point. You've made enough mistakes to learn from them, and you are really starting to figure things out. At least that's how I feel.

To be honest, I have always looked forward to my thirties. I've always felt I was either born in the wrong era, or my brain was older than my body. I thought the twenties were for making your mistakes, acting silly, creating crazy memories you can tell your teenagers so that they won't think you were totally lame. The thirties I thought were for creating your home, knowing what you want and not being afraid to go and get it, and being comfortable in your own skin.

My husband on the other hand, was not looking forward to his thirties. Yes, I'm married to an older man... he's about to be thirty-one. He he. I joke with him about getting old, and come to think of it I might get a walking cane for his birthday this year just to rub it in.

Speaking of my hubby, he got me a book for my birthday. I love books. Like really love books. After reading some of it I couldn't believe that I have never heard of it before.

Definitely a book for all women of all ages. Well, maybe not two year olds. Well, two year olds aren't women either. Geeze! Don't you hate it when you argue with yourself?!

Some look at birthdays with meager excitement, thinking that they haven't done enough in life or they may analyze what did or didn't happen and why. Some are exceedingly optimistic about the future and all the treasure it may hold. I choose the latter.

Until next time,

D ~ thirty and counting