Who wins?

She wins
I knew it was too quiet...

I win
Finally, I get something in the girl's hair! And she's happy about it. And she wears it to school!

My Favorite Toddler Jeans

I have favorite winter toddler jeans (for the children). We've been using them for Michael two years in a row now. They are usually $25, but they are on sale at Old Navy's website this weekend for $15. They also have a coupon code that stacks that brings the price down to $12.75 if you're spending less than $100 or to $12 if you're spending over $100.

They have adjustable waistbands and wear incredibly well. They're cozy and warm. They have three colors for boys and three for girls. We picked up 4 pairs for each child. Two for this winter and two a size up for the winter after that. The deal was just too good to pass up.

They also have lots of other baby/toddler items on sale too and most of those stack with the discount code as well (ONSAVEBIG).

I know this is a departure from my usual type of post, but I wanted to make a public service announcement in case any of you are looking to pick up some fall/winter clothes at a good price.

The Weekly Review: Week 26

Weekly Blog

I discovered a new blog: The Long and Winding Journey. I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon it. It is sad and fills me with a desire to turn back the clock and change one moment in time for this family. At the same time, this mother's blog about her precious daughter is a chronicle of strength and hope. Reading it brings some perspective, balance and wisdom to my own life. My prayers are with their family as they journey through their life.

Michael's Moment

We often serve banana pancakes for breakfast. To increase their nutritional value a bit and help breakfast stick with the children, we sandwich some peanut butter between two layers. Some days they get a whole circle, and some days when we're running low they only get semicircles. Occasionally, when only one pancake is left and both children want a little more, they get quarter circles.

Yesterday morning, Michael had an entire circle (two full pancakes with peanut butter in between). On a whim I asked him how many semicircles were in a whole circle. He answered two without a pause. I thought that was pretty smart, so I decided to ask a couple of follow up questions. I asked him how many quarter circles were in a semicircle. He thought for a brief moment and answered correctly, "two." Finally I asked him how many quarter circles were in a whole circle. After a short pause he replied, "four." I was so impressed. Here we are laying the foundation for fractions at breakfast.

Ava this Week:

One moment Ava is full of snuggles, sweetness, songs and giggles and my heart melts. I wrap my arms around her, smell her hair, and savor the moment. Mentally I try to bottle it up and save it for the time in the future when she no longer wants my arms wrapped around her all the time.

At least three separate times this week, as I enjoyed a few moments of quiet conversation with my husband wrapped in a mutual hug, Ava glanced up from whatever she was doing and rushed over to us. At that point she would squeeze herself in between us prying us apart and look up at me expectantly waiting to be picked up. It cracks me up every time. It cannot be coincidence.

And then there are the frequent moments when Ava pushes me away because she insists that she do something, "on my own." This girl has an independent streak a mile wide.