Happy Birthday Miss A!

Today is Miss A's 2nd birthday.

She has grown up into such a wonderful little girl in just 2 short years.

My little 9lb3oz (2 weeks early) bundle of joy....

... is now such a big girl!

All morning long I had a lump in my throat, thinking about her getting older. But then I realized that each and every stage is as good as the last. So, there is no point in being sad about her growing up. I am looking forward to everything to come, but not forgetting to be in the moment and cherish every single minute with this sweet girl.

Happy, happy birthday to YOU Miss A!

Fat Tuesday Randomness

Time for another random, numbered blog post.....

1. Since I have never had King Cake, I picked up a couple slices tonight at Whole Foods. Granted, this is no home made masterpiece like the one my friend Kate made, but it will do. I am not really sure how I should eat it. Do I heat it up? Eat it room temperature? Put butter on it? Help a Texas girl out. (We all know Texas is not really the South.....)

2. Tomorrow night kiddos can eat free at Chili's.

3. Have you tried e-mealz? I have never even heard of it until my friend told me about it a couple weeks ago.... I was looking around on the website this afternoon and I think it looks pretty neat. I have never really been a huge fan of meal plan sites like this, but I might give this one a shot. I love how it gives you a complete grocery list, plus you can customize the types of meals you want.

4. I don't think I have talked about Steve lately. His entire world has been turned upside down in the last year. Not only did we bring a huge lab into the mix, but there is a wild toddler chasing him around. I am sure he misses the days when it was just the two of us. Poor kitty.

5. Miss A turns 2 on Thursday! Wow. My girl is growing up so quickly.... she is an active ball of energy these days, talks all the time and is such a sweet and smart girl. Her party is not until the end of the month, but I am taking cupcakes to her class at school. Last year I made dozens of cupcakes, trying to get the just right recipe..... this year, I ordered them from the Target Bakery. They are moist, cute and perfect. Don't you love the big sprinkles?

Backyard SOS

Now that it is almost porch weather in Dallas, we need to get our backyard in tip top shape.

Ever since we moved into our house, we have been trying to tackle the mess that is the landscaping. The previous owners went completely over the top and covered every single square inch of the yard with something. There was practically zero grass, and the grass that was there is not in good shape. Pretty soon we are going to rip up everything in the backyard and re-sod and add just a couple of plants.

I think there are at least two things that are important for a good backyard porch - seating and outdoor lighting. Last year we bought a new patio set and this year we need to get some good lighting. My favorite is the lantern style.... we really don't have that much lighting out there now, so this will be a fairly easy project.

And after we get some new lighting, we need to get a swing set for Miss A, a new fence and some grass that is not DEAD!

Once we get all of this completed, I can guarantee that we will be living outside - at least until the temps start to boil.

CSN sponsored post

Report Card

Yesterday we took Jake to his first day of doggy daycare.



And hopefully it was not his last day. His report card was less than glowing and our pup was pretty antisocial.

PLAY - Sat it out
FRIENDS - Watched from the sidelines
NAP - Too excited to rest
FOOD - Eager for a meal at home
POTTY - Took a little coaxing
ALL DAY - Missed you

Jake was very nervous. We put him with the small dogs and he seemed to do ok, but he didn't really play with anyone.

I think this report card might almost be a failing grade - possibly a D?

But, even though Jake does not know how to play well with other dogs, there is one person that he knows how to play with.

Seeing the two of them together makes it so much easier to deal with all of his other crazy dog behavior. I would so much rather have this toddler loving dog that is sometimes wacked out nutzo versus a dog that is not good with children.

Fun @ Home

A couple of weeks ago Dallas had some crazy ice and snow. The entire city practically shut down for a week, so we were forced to come up with fun and inventive things to do indoors.

Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for this fun indoor activity, but I can say that it kept us entertained for at least 15 minutes. Ha! Actually, it was more like 30-45 minutes.

The best part about this activity - it is educational, free, and and you can do it at home when the weather is bad or your have a sick little one.

All you need are some bowls, measuring cups, spoons, rice/beans/couscous and a sheet or blanket to sit on (making for an easier cleanup.)

She poured.

And poured some more.

And measured.

And stirred.

This indoor activity is great for little toddler hands. It works on fine motor skills, cooking skills and probably lots of other useful learning skills.

New Skincare Prodcts

Whenever I travel abroad, I love to check out the local drugstores. You can find some of the best lotions, potions and creams this way. Depending on the packaging, I may not always know what I am buying, but I still end up using it. Plus, you can sometimes find stuff that is not even sold in the states. I am still on the hunt for a vial of cortisone, but don't think I will ever be able to find that.... except on the black market in Mexico, but I will pass on that.

So, when I was picking up some cheap produce last week, I grabbed some Lacura anti-wrinkle night cream to test out. And I loved it! The best part - it is German, so I don't have to travel abroad to buy it AND it is cheap.

I have been using it for almost 2 weeks now and I have been pleased. Now, I am not going to say that I look 10 years younger (because then I would be on an episode of Teen Mom) but it is hopefully helping to slow down some of those wrinkles I am bound to get as a result of my sun worshiper days.

I have also started using the Q10 day cream, Revitalizing Eye Gel and Milk and Honey Lip Balm and have liked everything so far. If you google Lacura, you will find that lots and lots of women in Europe love this brand.

What are some of your cheap beauty products that you love? Share your secrets.

**I bought all of these products with my own dimes and pennies.**

What is on my phone? #2

Miss A is napping. The Mr. has gone to get the oil changed and I am sitting here, watching Master Class on OWN and working my blog. As soon as the girl wakes up, we are probably going to go feed the ducks, then come home for some corn chowder and mexican corn muffins. Yum.



I know you are all dying to know what I have been taking pictures of lately. Well, here you go..... What is on my phone, volume 2.

A couple of weeks ago we had some ice and snow and we stuck inside for a couple of days. You start to get creative when coming up with ideas to pass the time... therefore, making a slide out of a mattress is tons of fun.

I LOVE this paper. I think I am going to order a couple pieces and either frame it or put it in the back of some bookshelves.

This is a random decor picture I saved from some blog. I just love everything about this entire setup.

Obviously someone forgot to turn off the water. This was in the middle of our arctic blast.

Last weekend I took Jake to the vet. Looks like crazy dog needed a little pharmaceutical help in calming down.

Heart sugar cookies. Have you ever decorated cookies with a toddler? You should try it someday - it is an experience. :)

A snow covered tree in our front yard.

Want to go see KK?

New shoes for the girl. Apparently we've been making her wear shoes 2 sizes too small. Oops.

Lazy Steve.

At the Fair Park Children's Aquarium, trying to pet a stingray.

The Texas Star, taken outside the stingray tank at the aquarium.

Many of these pictures were taken using Instagram. Want to follow my Instagram feed? My name is MrsPreppy.... but, you could have probably guessed that.

Nap Time, Craft Time - Bench Cushion Cover

When Miss A takes her afternoon nap I normally tide up the house, check email/blog and then sometimes work on a project. You all know I love a good project! I constantly have something going on. And since I have learned how to sew, a while new realm of crafting has opened up.


I am starting a new blog feature titled Nap Time, Craft Time.


Today I made a new cover for our front porch bench. (I found this bench months ago on the side of the street in our neighborhood... I sanded it down and gave it a couple coats of glossy black paint and it looks good as new!)


When I found the bench, the cushion was nasty. It was a faded green fabric and I knew I had to change it. I had envisioned a yellow and white stripe, but when I found this budget friendly Ikea fabric, I snatched it up.

Measure and pin the fabric, based on the size of the cushion.

Double check your measurements.

Sew the short end of the fabric.

Sew the long end of the fabric.

Now you have a long rectangular pillowcase.

Trim excess fabric. Up until now, the fabric has been turned inside out. Turn the fabric right side out.

Pray that your measurements were accurate and everything fits.

Put the old cushion inside the new cover.

Admire your new cover!

Now, our front bench has a new waterproof cushion and as soon as Spring arrives, those dead mums will be replaced with bright, new flowers!