Clumsy

Tonight was just an ordinary Thursday night. After Jack got home from drama rehearsal and Sofie returned from soccer practice, we ate dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. As I was rinsing the dishes and loading the dishwasher, the girls and Marty were teasing me that Fergie's "Clumsy" should be my theme song. I decided to listen to the song I evidently inspired as I finished up the dishes and the girls decided it was time to dance. They were so cute, I had to tape it. So here they are...being Clumsy. Hahahaha!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Last night, we had a few of Lily's friends over to our house for a belated birthday party and a bit of "tween" girl fun. For the record...boys are NOT louder than girls! And these girls know how to have fun! Ha!

We started off the evening with chocolate mint scented facials.

To pass the time while the masks were drying,
the girls enjoyed a game of " Head Banz".

Lily requested pizza for dinner. Then, the girls decorated
picture frames and frosted frosted cupcakes.

After opening presents, the girls enjoyed singing karaoke and dancing together.

These girls have some awesome moves on "Just Dance 3"!

It was a big night, but all good things must come to an end. Lily got to have one friend spend the night. So, after everyone else had gone home, Lily, Sofie, and Brylee Lackey settled down on our bed, munched on some popcorn, and watched a movie.

Lily had a great time celebrating "double digits" with her friends. Truly, girls just wanna have fun!

Lily Turned "Double Digits"!

Lily is officially a "tween". She turned "double digits" on Tuesday and has officially been with us for an entire decade. Ten years! Where has the time gone? I thank God every day that He gave us this sweet girl!



The birthday girl requested dinner at Carrabas. They even sang her "Happy Birthday" in Italian. What fun!

After dinner, we came home for cake and presents. Lily asked for a chocolate chocolate chip cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes...it was as tasty as it was cute.

Make a wish!

She was just a little excited about her new karaoke machine! Look at that face!

When all the excitement was over, I enjoyed a little snuggle time on the couch with my birthday girl.

Jack played "Happy Birthday" on his guitar as his gift to his sister. At bedtime, he prayed..."Dear God, Thank you for giving us my sister ten years ago." You said it, Jack! She is a gift to us all. Happy Birthday, sweet girl. We love you to the moon and back! XOXO

Celebrating Marty!

This past Saturday, we celebrated Marty's 43rd birthday. Lily and I made him a cake. Jack offered to babysit so that Marty and I could go out for a nice dinner. He chose Saltgrass...yum!

I am so grateful for this man. God's favor is truly upon our home because of his sacrifical love and spiritual leadership. Happy Birthday, Marty! We love you!

My Funny Valentine

Today is Valentine's Day. Now, I confess, this isn't a holiday that means all that much to me. Marty does such a great job showing his love for me every day, so I really don't need any lavish gifts on Valentine's Day.

One of the ways Marty makes me feel special is he cooks dinner for me every Saturday night. We call it "date night" and it is a sweet time just for the two of. This past weekend, he made me all my favorites including crab cakes, fillet medallions, and asparagus wrapped in bruscutto. It was so delicious! He made the table extra lovely by making a special candle out of a beautiful wine bottle. I am definitely feeling the love! I guess you could say I am a bit spoiled.

The night before Valentine's Day , Sofie told me she didn't think she would ever get to sleep. She couldn't wait for her party at school. Lily on the other hand couldn't wait to close her eyes so she could wake up and see her Valentine's Day surprise.

The girls woke up bright and early to find stuffed bears and chocolate truffles waiting for them on the breakfast bar. I even made them chocolate chip muffins since it was a special day. We let Jack sleep in a bit. He isn't a fan of waking up earlier than he has to these days. After all, growing boys need their rest...and he is certainly growing. This Valentine's Day, Jack is officially taller than me!

Jack's card made us giggle. It said, "You gotta love a day that measures happiness in chocolate". His Valentine's chocolates certainly put a smile on his handsome face. He's a bit too old for a stuffed animal, so he got a goodie bag filled with sour candies and his favorite...Mt. Dew.

Puppy Love...Bug loves Penny. True Love Forever.

Here is the homeade Valentine that Sofie made for her puppy. Now that's love!

On this Valentine's Day, I am so grateful for the love that fills this home. Here is what the kids say they love about our family. I stole this idea from a friend on Facebook. Their answers made my heart smile.

Sofie: "I love the way we care about other people."

Lily: "I love the way we spend quality time together."

Jack: "I love the way we support each other and we are always there for each other."

And since this day is all about love, it would be wrong to forget our Savior who shows us what love truly means. Thank you, Jesus for loving me so much that you went to the Cross for my sins. That is true love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dancing With Cinderella

Tonight is the annual Glen Oaks Elementary Valentine's Dance. For the past few years, Marty, aka Prince Charming, has had the privilege of taking not one but two princesses to the dance. I love helping the girls get ready and it is absolutely precious watching them giggle with their Daddy. Here are some of the highlights before they left for their enchanted evening.

Beautiful Bug

Lovely Lily

All dolled up and ready to dance!

"I never will forget the way you look tonight".

Unforgettable...

Beautiful flowers for our beautful girls. Thanks, Daddy!

A kiss for Prince Charming.

Marty and the girls walked over to the dance with Brian, Kinley and Molly. These girls have been friends since they were little sweet potatoes. One day, they will all be off to the Prom together. But tonight, it's all about Daddy.

Have fun Cinderellas!

Girl Time

Things have been a bit dramatic around the Arbuckle household lately. Both girls have had a rough couple of weeks with growing pains at school. It seems like every day for the past two weeks, one or both of the girls have come home from school in tears. "Mean" kids, ugly disagreements, and broken hearts seem to be holding my little girls hostage.

I thought it over and decided the girls needed to "reset" life a bit and get a new perspective on their momentary troubles. So today we took the day off from school and had some "girl time". Rather than waking them up early for school, I let Lily and Sofie sleep in. After breakfast, we took Jack to school. As much as Jack loves his little sisters, he was not remotely interested in hanging with us girls for the day. Hahahaha! Then, I showered up while the girls played "Barbies" together. Before long, it was time to head out and enjoy our day...just us gals.

We grabbed some pizza for lunch and did a little shopping. It was a lot of fun singing loud and proud to Taylor Swift songs in the van as we drove from one place to the next. Finally, I surprised Lily and Sofie and took them to get their nails done for the big dance with Daddy tomorrow night. They were so excited when we pulled up to the nail salon!

So many colors. Decision, decisions, decisions!

Sweet Lily chose gold sparkly nail polish.

Beautiful Bug picked out green nail polish.

Lily and Sofie were so adorable as they had a little "girl talk" as their nails were drying.

To finish our "day off", we made some popcorn, snuggled up on the couch and watched the movie "A Dolphin Tale". "Thanks for a great day, Mom!" Lily said with a big smile late this afternoon. Sofie agreed it was just what she needed to find her smile as well. I guess we all need a little "girl time" now and then. It sure is fun being a girl! From the looks of the smiles on their beautiful faces, I think my girls agree. Even if it does involve a few growing pains.