Introducing.... KAYLEIGH!

For as many weeks as I can remember as soon as Kayleigh is done eating breakfast she changes her clothes. She actually does it multiple times a day. Anyways... The first outfit is always a dress paired with a necklace and a pair of princess heels. Today her first outfit was a mini skirt and a t-shirt. She was so upset when I told her she couldn't leave the house with those clothes on. I guess it's good practice for both of us when she's older right?

My Little Darling loves music and constantly suprises me with the lyrics that she knows- sometimes even before I know them! She kept singing the same song one day so I had her write down the lyrics. I'll frame it for her and give it to her when she is famous! :)

We took the girls to Ruidoso for while Dave had time off between Christmas and New Years. It was Zoe's first time to see snow. She was not a fan. Kayleigh loved it for about 5 minutes. Then we couldn't get her to get her jacket/hat/gloves on to play again :( However, with a huge effort we managed to get her dressed warm enough to go on a sleigh ride. It was such a nice ride- horses, snow, family, and hot cocoa. For the girls, the highlight of the trip was watching the deer that came to the house on a daily basis.

Baking

Today Dave informed me that he received the highest mark IBM gives for a performance review for the 3rd year in a row. So, I decided we needed to celebrate the best way I know how- with food! While Zoe was napping Kayleigh and I made lemon cupcakes and lemon cream cheese frosting.

I'm on a big fat diet so my extra baked goods go to work with Dave or to the neighboor's house. NO LEFTOVERS!! Yesterday I made my first Key Lime pie with my first meringue. yummy!

Anyways... The Frosting was the highlight of the cupcake (receipe follows)

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups confectioners' sugar

Beat cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, lemon rind, and vanilla together until smooth and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar in 2 additions. Beat until creamy.

dress up

My little darlings love to dress up. Naturally Kayleigh is the ring leader- dressing up her sister with various hats, necklaces, shoes, hats. She also decideds if they are princesses, doctors, or the teacher and student. Nevermind suggesting new outfits and or roles they could play. Kayleigh is the boss. It's her world, we just live in it!

On doctor day the girls were taking care of puppies.

New Year Resolutions

1. Take cake decorating class
2. Start and Complete sewing/needle point projects
3. Lose at least 15 pounds and keep it off!!!
4. More armchair adventures
5. Play more

Valentine Plate Pockets

This morning the girls made "valentine plate pockets." I still have to punch holes in them and add string to hang... I thought they turned out pretty cute! (although probably cuter if I had the correct paper plates.) Zoe's is first, Kayleigh's is second.

Christmas Eve

Finally! I'm caught up on December!!!

We spent Christmas Eve with my mother and father-in-law. Dave's friend Kristen also came over for dinner. It was a great meal. We had salad, green beans and carrots, mashed potatoes, prime rib, and apple crisp. It was just too bad that we ate two hours late :( Oh well, live and learn.
The girls were good sports about the whole evening. I loaded up a serving tray with kid-friendly goodies and let them watch cartoons.Well, I didn't get PJ pants made for 2009 Christmas, but this year I will get 'er done!Dave's Mom let the girls open these cute poppers and the tissue paper was a hit!And Tada! My new beach cruiser thanks to my wonderful husband who is an awesome gift giver. Dave must get his thoughtful gift giving skills from his mom, because she always has given the girls awesome toys and games that we play all year. She also knows Dave and I well too. I wish I was more like that!