We are SUPER EXCITED!

You all know how important it is for us that Francesca and Annabelle stay active in their Chinese Culture and Heritage...well...we found out yesterday that there is a school located not far from our new home in Maryland that offers 1/2 classes in English and 1/2 classes in Chinese. Not only would our children be learning Mandarin but they would also be learning so much about their Chinese Culture, History, and Traditions. Francesca (if accepted) would start with 1/2 days this coming fall (until kindergarten when she would go full days) and Annabelle would start biweekly classes until she turns three next April - than 1/2 day classes for her too. This is ONE of the many reasons why I am SUPER EXCITED about our move to the suburbs of Washington DC.

On the home-front, I did take a ton of photos of our new home and let me tell you, it is to die for (after living in our current home that when purchased was over 100 years old, I am so ready for something brand-spank'n new)!!! I promise, in the next few days, I'll have the photos downloaded and posted! (we are thinking we could be moving as soon as May - yikes!)

And as for the (if accepted) part to my post, This school that we are very interested in selects its students on a referral/lottery basis, but after meeting "someone" who is very familiar with the school and its program, we were assured that both kids would be highly recommended for placement in this exceptional school...

Isn't she just so adorable!

(even with a chocolate mouth!)

Last week, we finally got around to getting our photos professionally taken. They came out so amazingly well and I can't wait to share them with you all. As many of you know, our Annabelle has some wild hair (that is why most days you see it either in piggies or sporting a headband). It took me almost 45 minutes to get her hair to look like this (wash, blow-dry, curlers, and curling iron)...so I took advantage of the finishing product and took some adorable photos of her.

This past weekend we headed down to Washington DC (currently there!) to check on the progress of our new home, that is currently still under construction. From what I have been told (since I am posting this before we leave for DC - don't you just love the fact that you can schedule posts!), our cabinets and counter tops are installed and the front porch is almost complete. I can't wait to see everything else that has been transformed. This will be my first time in seeing our new home ~ in person (I have only seen photos of it) so I am super excited! I promise once we return back to PA , I will have photos to share with you all on our newest addition! In the meantime, make sure you check back on some great photos I have taken over the past few days of the kiddos. They are sure to crack you up and brighten your day....

GIVEAWAY!

During my birthday party that my husband hosted in my honor this past March 14th, I handed out my own set of presents to my wonderful & beautiful girlfriends who were there to help me celebrate my big 37! Since I just couldn't forget about my bloggy friends here in world wide web land, I thought I would do a giveaway of one of the gifts that I handed out the night of my fabulous birthday party! (Thank You Honey for a celebration that was truly unforgettable!)



That's right - it is a Vera Bradley Zip Around Wallet with matching Zip Case (one of my favorites)!

Here is how the giveaway will work ~ just leave me a comment on this blog (on this post and all that will follow) from now until April 8th at 2PM eastern time and you will be entered in a drawing for this amazing SPRINGING INTO SUMMER Vera Bradley set!

*and for every time you leave a comment, you'll be entered...it is that easy*

It is a beautiful set that will be perfect to add to any collection!!!! Good Luck ~ Happy Spring ~ and Happy Belated Birthday to me!!!!

Do you notice anything different?

That's right...she got her ears pierced today! She has been asking me for quiet some time now to get them done - and - I have been totally against it. I felt she was just too young and not ready to handle the responsibility of having her ears actually pierced, but she was insisting that we go today...So we did! She was super excited, but as soon as she had her first ear done she started to cry. It took about another 5 minutes to get her calmed down to have her other ear pierced and than it was all over (much to her relief). Once both were all done, she was super excited to see her new earrings!

After the whole ordeal was all said and done, I am super happy I took her today. It ended up not being as bad as I thought, and I think she looks...beautifully adorable and very girlie!

We're back!

Finally after what seems like...forever...I am finally getting around to doing our Family Movie Night post with photos!


After trying to decide on what movie to watch this week, both girls picked out CARS (I think their decision had something to do with enjoying some quiet time with Daddy this afternoon while watching the Nascar race. )


Earlier this morning...I found a recipe for Grilled Fruit Pizza from Sandra Lee on the Food Network and after sharing the recipe with Francesca, she was super excited to bake it! (This dessert was super easy and Francesca truly loved having some one on one time with Mommy while making it!) We can't wait to enjoy it during our movie night!



Well that's about it on the home-front. Again, we have another busy week planned with a few play dates, some shopping sprees, a trip to the post office to get Annabelle's passport, and a short getaway to Washington DC to check out on how the new house is coming along...

Where have we been?

Hi Everyone! It seems like forever since I last posted and even longer since I actually used my camera. Life here in the Leonard household has been....BUSY! With the warmer weather here ~ and hoping that it stays ~ we have been on the go - nonstop! Since it has been such a long time I actually got to spend some time outdoors with my kiddos, I have been joining in on all their fun in the sun without the worry of taking some photos. There are times I do feel I am missing out on some great shots, but just having this one on one time with my children...without a camera...is priceless. Now this doesn't mean I am giving up on taking photos of my children...not at all...it only means that I have taken some time just to play with the ones I love the most. This past weekend was my 37th birthday and we all had a blast! The featured film for this past Sunday's FMN was "Mary Poppins" and it truly was a hit! I know I missed doing a post featuring our FMN pick, but I will make up for it this coming weekend.

As for this coming weekend, we again have a lot planned. Finally, we are getting our family portraits taken on Friday and Saturday we are having a play date with the Fitch family (who we traveled with to China in October 2008). Francesca's is doing an amazingly well with her potty training and Annabelle has really been talking up a storm (she is now putting three or more words together when speaking). I know some of you were getting worried about me and just so you know, everything is perfectly fine. Just took a little break, enjoyed the new warmer weather, did a lot of laughing, and truly loved every moment I had with my kids...

I promise...I'll have some new photos of the kiddos soon!

FMN Photos!

I thought I share with you all some of the photos that were taken during our Family Movie Night this past Sunday! As you know, we watched The Fox And The Hound and we all loved it....especially the buttery, stove top popped popcorn Daddy made!

It is truly amazing how well our girls get along together. Both wanted to sit next to one another - for the whole movie!

Even Honey Bear had to get in on the action....

Especially when Francesca "accidentally?" spilled some of her popcorn!

As I mention before, we so love this time we share together and look forward to it every week!

On the home-front, things have been quiet. Francesca is doing very well with her potty training and has really had some major break-throughs with actually pooping on the potty. She has not had an accident in over three weeks and still only uses the pull-ups for quiet time and bedtime (her pull-up has been completely dry during her quiet time so I am thinking of letting her try napping in her big girl panties and see how that goes...) As for me, I - again - have a terrible eye affection, so I am laying low this week. I am hoping to be semi-recovered so we can have a celebration weekend. (more on that later...) We also FINALLY got noticed today that we are covered with new health insurance. Our previous health insurance provider dropped us - unexpectedly - because of our Annabelle's diagnosed mega colon. So since January 19th, we have been without health insurance...even though we didn't receive the final notice until February 25...how nice is that! I struggled EVERY DAY for the past few weeks with trying to find coverage for our family and my two girls who as you all know have some medical issues. I can't begin to tell you what relief it was to wake up this morning and find out - YOU HAVE COVERAGE!

Also, I want to give a shout out to my sister aka "Aunt Lisa" for the very clever & perfect family Christmas gift we received this past holiday season ~ the authentic Popcorn containers! They are such a hit in our house and we LOVE them!!!

Hope everyone is having a great week and we'll be seeing all again really soon.

Family Movie Night 3/8/2009

This week's pick was supposed to be Daddy's but since Francesca had "requested" that he pick Disney's The Fox and The Hound he just knew he couldn't refuse...

So here you have this week's featured film ~ accompanied by our two princesses!


(oh how I love my two girls!)

As for Francesca really wanting to see this movie - tonight - I think a lot had to due with the fact that The Fox and The Hound II will be on The Disney Channel tomorrow for Movie Time Monday (which she never misses)! Here's to a wonderful evening spent with the ones I truly love. This is what life is all about...

What does "potty trained" mean?

What does "potty trained" mean?



Is it when your child starts to go on the potty? Does it mean when you child goes on the potty with no accidents? Does it mean when you put your child on the potty without them telling you they have to go? Is it when you have to keep reminding your child about the potty and asking if they have to go and they get on it and go? Is it when they stop using diapers/pull-ups and only wear underware? What is the definition of potty trained?

I had parents in the past say to me, "Oh, my child is potty trained." or "My child was trained within a few days." But than I hear them consistently ask the child about having to go and reminding the child that they need to go. Is this being potty trained?

Francesca is doing well with her potty training, but I believe she is so "not there". She has been wearing big girl panties for some time now and she has even told us that she needed to go, but do I feel that she is potty trained, NO. As for Annabelle, she will sit on her little potty when Francesca does (sometimes she goes and sometimes she doesn't). She tells us when she is pooping ~ but it is a little too late to get her on her potty. So it brings me right back to how I started this post...What does potty trained mean?

(I am really at a loss here so I just can't wait to read your comments. I will be posting our Family Movie Night Choice here on Sunday so I just want to wish everyone a wonderful weekend and we'll be seeing you soon...)

(backing up here a bit)

Family Movie Night for Sunday, March 1st!

This past week was Annabelle's pick. So we went to the video store and the movie that she picked out was...

"FIREPROOF"

Now, I wasn't sure what made her pick out this movie, but she wouldn't let it go. After reading the back jacket of the video box, Keith & I decided to get it (and if the movie is something that the kiddos shouldn't be watching, we'll just turn it off). I have heard it is an excellent movie, but is it appropriate for kids - we were going to find out!

Well...this movie is truly a must see. While Annabelle looked like she enjoyed the movie (she sat through the whole thing), I not sure she truly understood what this movie was about, you can bet for sure, our Francesca did and she LOVED it...as we did too! At first, I wasn't 100% convinced that the girls should be watching it (the main characters in the movie who are having some problems within their marriage got into a major yelling & finger pointing fight), but after that scene was over, the movie took a turn for the better. By the end of the movie, all eight eyes were glued to the TV and most were crying. To sum it up (if you haven't heard anything about this AMAZING movie)....the movie focuses on a couple who are on the verge of divorce when the husband's father steps in with some "40 day advise". I think you can all guess what happens at the end, but it is truly captivating on how this couple got there. You will look at your own marriage with fresh and understanding eyes!

I think Francesca summed it up best when the film credits started rolling and she said..."Now they love each other again and they can live happily every after...."

This movie is truly a must see!

We are still battling "that nasty bug" here at our house so we had a nice weekend spent mostly at home. As you can see from the photo above, our Annabelle is still so sick...her little nose is so red from it running. We again have our family portraits rescheduled for this coming weekend so here's to our house recovering from whatever hit us and a nice ~ smooth week ahead....