Success!

I'm a big nerd, I know... but I had to share. 

One of my biggest pet peeves in my kitchen is the "nasty" that is constantly accumulating on my stovetop. It doesn't  seem to bother my husband at all- he thinks a dirty stove top is the sign of some good cooking going on. Regardless, it makes me crazy. 

In the past, I'd send the kids outside, fill the sink with an ammonia/ water mix, soak the grates, and scrub, scrub, scrub until my eyes were watering from the fumes and I felt like my poor hands were going to fall off. Then, I came across this little hint online that said to simply remove the grates, place them in a plastic baggie with 1/4 cup of ammonia  seal, and let sit (outside!) overnight. The grates don't need to "soak"- it's actually the ammonia fumes that do all the work. Most of the time, I don't cook much on Saturdays, so I thought this past weekend would be as good a time as any to give it a try. 

Did it work? Take a look for yourself (and keep in mind how difficult it is for me to post these pictures showing just HOW disgusting I let my stove top get before cleaning it! I'm so embarrassed!) 

Now I am just afraid to cook on it... I want to keep it this clean as long as possible... 

Gopher Photo Shoot!

Last fall, shortly before Dan's birthday, the girls and I were at our local Old Navy and found a Minnesota Gopher t-shirt on clearance. The girls were so excited, as Dan had an old, paint-stained, ripped Gopher t-shirt that was looooong past its prime. As we continued to shop that evening, we found a shirt in my size, and one for each of the girls, too (even yet-to-be born Hattie!) Oh, and the best thing about Minnesota Gopher apparel in Wisconsin Old Navy stores? No one wants it. It was ALL on clearance! :)

Anyway- these t-shirts have been sitting in the closet for close to a year. This past weekend, as we were packing for a weekend trip to MN, Dan thought it might be fun to try and take some family pictures... in our Minnesota shirts. This- from the man who rolls his eyes and shakes his head every time I dress our girls in matching dresses to go to church.... Whatever. I wasn't about to question it. 

Sunday morning, we headed for the hills (actually the bluffs overlooking the river) and handed the camera over to Dan's mom. His dad did a great job as "photographer's assistant," hopping around, clapping and snapping to get the girls' attention.... and these are just a few shots I thought I'd share!

   

 Practice shots!

 Hattie says, "Are we ready to go yet? Let's get this DONE!" 

 This was a great one... except for Lucy looking like she's making fish flippers.... 

 ...and Lucy strikes again...

 Well, at least Hattie is looking in the right direction!

 

 They love each other... they really, really do!

 

  

 This was a better idea in theory... Hattie just wanted to try and eat the leaves...

 Daddy and Hattie!

 We had to take a break for an impromptu leaf fight... 

 ...and Lucy was about 'done' at this point...

 See? I told you, Lucy was done... 

October 1st means....

...Hattie is 7 months old (seriously?) 

Oh, and it also means it's perfectly acceptable to wear orange spider shirts!

Mondays...

I love Mondays.

I don't work on Mondays anymore. 

Mondays, we get up, drop Maggie off at school, 

and have the rest of the day to get stuff done. 

This morning, we drove Gramma and Papa to the airport, and were back in town by 9am. 

Stopped at the store to pick up a few things for dinner. 

Came home, cleaned, did some laundry, fed the littles lunch, 

and put them down for a nap. 

After naps, we took the stroller and walked to pick Mags up from school. 

It was a GORGEOUS day, so we stopped at the park on the way home. 

Had an impromptu photo shoot (OK, maybe not too impromptu, since I had enough foresight to bring the camera along!) 

Now, dinner's in the oven, the big girls are playing outside, Hattie's napping, and I am catching up on some email (and blogging!) 

I love Mondays. 

6 Months!

Last Monday, Hattie went for her 6 month check up. She did great- considering her first tooth poked through the day before and she got FOUR shots in her legs... ouch! 

Here's where our baby girl measured at 6 months: 

Weight: 15 lb 4 oz (25-50%) 

Height: 26 1/4" (50-75%) 

Head: 16 3/4" 

Oh, and if you're curious about how that compared to the other 2?

Maggie - 6 mos

Weight: 16 lb 8 oz

Height: 26 1/4" (exactly the same!) 

Head: 17 1/4"

Lucy- 6 mos. 

Weight: 18 lb 6 oz

Height: 26" 

Head: 17 1/8" 

To summarize, Lucy was a chunk-a-lunk. Maggie had a big head. Hattie is a peanut. 

But... they're all cute. We'll keep 'em!

Ultrasounds...

Tonight, the big girls and I were looking at some photo albums. In one of them, Lucy came across an ultrasound picture. After turning the book in all directions and still not figuring it out, she asked what it was a picture of. Maggie told her that it was a picture of the baby "when it was still in mommy's tummy." Lucy quickly replied with, "Mom, you should have pulled your shirt up so we could see the baby better than THIS!" 

First Day!!!!

Tuesday was Maggie's first day of kindergarten! 

She was soooo excited. We spent a better part of Monday evening debating fashion options for her big day on Tuesday. She had everything picked out from the tip of her ponytail to the tassels on her shoes! 

There were only a few (OK, maybe more than a few...) tears shed.... but don't worry- they were all mine- not Maggie's! She walked in to school like a pro! Ready. To. Learn!

 That's right. When she grows up, she wants to be a mermaid. That is, until I reminded her that mermaids don't have feet, and therefore, don't wear shoes. Ha!

 When did she get so big? 

 Classic "front porch" picture!

  Lucy and Hattie were pretty excited, too!

 Waiting for school to start- we ran into cousin, Davan! I think Maggie was secretly relieved to see a familiar face!

Heading in to school.... she absolutely WOULD NOT look at me.
I think this was probably a good thing- for both of us!