Prep Time: One Week...

or if my sanity gives way, whichever comes first.
It's a Busy (with a Capital "B") week here at this Bell house (and I suspect for the one up the hill from us...). We are preparing to leave bound for the island of Maui next Tuesday while at the same time preparing to throw Pearson and Heidi a birthday party on Saturday. Since we're going to Hawaii and since they turn 4 three weeks apart and since my July is Crazy with a Capital "C" they get to have a birthday party together again...what's the theme this time, you ask?
Hula Girl!

Should be a breeze right? However, to make that and our trip actually occur, we have quite the list to complete:
Paint life-size palm trees
Make tropical "drink" cupcakes
Pack by tomorrow since we have so many children, we have to send a bag across the Pacific early...
Get water wings
Laundry
Did I mention this week we also have:
Mother-in-law's birthday lunch
Father's day
A dentist appointment
Friends for dinner
Carpet/window cleaning
Laundry (it deserved a Capital "L"...)
My my...reading that kind of made me panic. I'll keep you posted on our week and the status of my whits-I just need to keep them about me, safe to say if I lose them I'm sure to run across them in the Laundry room...

Budding Photog

Pearson has, as of late, been very interested in taking pictures. She asks for my camera (which sucks so I do not REALLY care if she drops it) and I let her go. This is one she took at the Crossfit games.
I think she has talent. Nod your head in agreement with me.
I'm also biased. But it does run in the family (wink wink, Andi)
And I also now have a perfect idea for her 4th birthday present...

Weekend Roundup

This weekend has been eventful! On Friday and Saturday we attended the Northwest Regional Crossfit Games at the Puyallup Fairgrounds where Tyler competed in the team division. Might I add that he did exceptionally well and we are very proud of his accomplishments! After some blood, sweat, and tears (and by tears I mean tears as in blisters on both palms) he came through a champ. At least in our eyes! There was some tough competition and Ty thinks he'll do it as an individual next year. Shout out to our cousins Blake, Tim, and Shan for competing too; they were incredible! Also huge Lang turn out there too...impressive! Here are some pictures from the competition:








After it was all over, we went to pizza where Tyler had pizza for the first time in almost a year and his first beer since February. He was a happy camper, fun family outing!

Also of note: I had drinks with some girlfriends on Friday night to celebrate our own Jenna and her pregnancy! I don't have pictures of that night, but I'm satisfied with the memories of baked cheese and laughter and we also saw great grandma Bell (Ty's grandma) here she is with Molly...

A wonderful weekend. Life is good...

Tips & Tricks

Lately I've been thinking about some of my beauty tips and tricks. Listen, I know I'm no California dime, but I think some of this might be fun for my girls to read later in life. Here are some of my go-to's!
-Eyebrows: Always best to error on the side of thicker, too thin = a rounder face. Also...keep it tight. Trim. Brush up, cut hair in the opposite direction.
-Blemishes: ALWAYS repeat always use neosporin to heal them. It's key, really. They'll be a thousand times better by morning.
-Always get the earrings you're drawn to. The cheaper the better. Just coat them in neosporin when you wear them.
I use a lot of neosporin.
Get the Costco tube, no joke.
I always say: Never be tacky, but if you're going to be gaudy then do it with a pair of earrings, not an article of clothing. You can take that one to the bank.
I'm kind of a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to nails and hair. Firstly, I love it. I think it's one of the only areas that I am truly a perfectionist in thus the old adage applies: If you want something done right; do it yourself. However, I take that to mean: If you want something done the way you envision it, do it yourself since professionals are amazing, but they aren't mind readers. So, in the spirit of DIY:
-If you're going to buy hair dye and DIY-go to a beauty supply place and buy two colors to mix together; it always looks like someone else did it then...
And I say this as a word of warning: only do the former if you're going for an overall color; leave the highlights to professionals. There's nothing worse than an amateur DIY highlight (she shutters as she types).
-DIY french mani-pedi. This is a fun one experiment with. Three words: blue painters tape.
What? You're technically painting. Rip off a piece tape on nail, paint white. Pull off said tape, paint clear over it. Whalaa! Fool proof.
Lastly, my best tip of all:
Have no fear because you only live once.
Yours in curlers clutching a GIGANTIC tube of neosporin,

Singer-Songwriter

My girls have been singing a lot lately...Pea makes up songs and lyrics and Harper copies them in babyspeak; maybe they'll break the mold and display talent in music?
Singer

Songwriter

"H" is for Henceforth

This is a BIG week for Babe H. Firstly, she started walking; full time. There is hardly anymore crawling and life is getting messier as a result. However, there in lies the rush of a new stage; getting used to it before it blows away like a dandelion in the breeze. Henceforth, shoes shall always be a part of our out-the-door routine. I hadn't really realized that this child NEVER wears shoes until the walking began...so observant am I. We do have a video of her walking on Ty's iphone and when I figure out how to load it on here, you'll all be privy to its cuteness. update! Got it uploaded with out Holla's help...check it out below:)
Okay...secondly, Harper has now graduated to a booster seat at our island instead of a highchair. She is unsure of this and there have indeed been some uncalled-for acts of violence regarding food placement. Henceforth, my two rapscallions shall be separated with one chair between them. I expect this new situation will become the norm in months to come. Hoping so at least! Speaking of the months to come...stay tuned for some T & C: files: Summer 2011 edition, Hawaii Mayhem, Pea's Hula Girl Birthday Fun, the Fourth festivities, high school reunions, bachelorette rowdiness, and the occasional baby shower...

Practice Makes Perfect

AND cute pictures:)