Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Oh the delectible sweet and salty goodness that is the chocolate covered pretzel. What's not to love? It is the perfect blend of chocolate and salt and often calls my name in the night. It is one of my favorite treats and is, ironically, the reason that I have to avoid the health food store, Sprouts, at any cost. I know that the second I set foot in that store, the big barrell of pretzels shines like a beacon in a stormy sea calling me home. I am hopeless to resist its siren song. Unfortunately, I made a trip to Sprouts today to purchase pine nuts, my latest favorite topping on the salad that I eat almost daily. I have been trying to lose weight and have successfully dropped about 20 lbs, but have now hit a plateu thanks in part to my chocolate pretzel obsession. As you can see from these pictures, Kensley also shares my love for the delicious treat. Together we finished off the entire bag and can now start anew tomorrow with a sweet and salty free day. (hopefully).

Little Princess

One of Kensley's favorite things is to sit and look at herself in my makeup mirror. I can often find her in front of the mirror giggling. She has figured out how to turn the light on and is very proud of herself.

The Joy of Teletubbies!

Kensley has discovered Teletubbies and it is one of the greatest things that has happened to me since she learned to crawl the day she turned 6 months old! It even trumps her signing videos. She runs around the house exclaiming, "Tubbies, Tubbies!" and will sit and watch it as long as I want her to. :o)

Valentine's Day

We are home!! Yeah! :o) We had a great vacation, but after being away for a month, I am glad to be home to relax and then get organized. I have a lot to do to get my house the way I want to, but I am hoping that a little each day will get it done soon. It isn't easy with a little monster attached to you all the time.
Speaking of monsters, Kensley had her 18-month check up yesterday morning. She weighed in at 23 1/2 lbs and was 30 1/2 inches tall. She was nervous the second we walked into the dr's office and wouldn't let me put her down. Whenever the nurse or doctor came near her, she would cry. Then she had to have 2 shots which validated her fears. I was pressured into giving her a flu shot that I really don't think she needed. Oh well. She gets 6 months of peace because she doesn't have to go back to the doctor until she is 2.
I am so excited to be home and don't plan to go anywhere for a while. Stephen will be home for a visit in April (April 17-May 6) and we are going to stay home and relax this time. I have registered Kensley for a couple community classes that start next week, Tot Time and a toddler gymnastics class. I think it will be fun for her to get out of the house and make new friends. Speaking of new friends, Kensley starts Nursery this Sunday!! I am so excited and hope she stays in class and likes it.

Good-bye Italy

Our trip to Italy is now a memory in the past...We arrived in Las Vegas last night after a long, LONG journey home. Our flight from Rome to Atlanta was 11 hours and then from Atlanta to Las Vegas another four hours. It was terrible and finally over. Kensley hasn't been feeling well the last few days and developed a fever while in-flight. I, of course, packed her medicine in my checked luggage and had nothing to give her. A flight attendant gave us some Tylenol that we broke up and crumbled up in some water to dissolve and then mixed with strawberry juice and forced it down her throat. When we got back to the house, me and Kensley went to bed without even brushing our teeth! Kensley woke up several times during the night from not feeling well and the time change so I am still longing for a full night's sleep. She is adjusting a little better than our trip there, though, so hopefully she will sleep better tonight. To make matters worse, I haven't had a shower in two days because the water company thought my in-laws had moved and the house was vacant, so they turned off the water while we were gone and we are still waiting for them to come turn it back on. They said they would be here an hour ago. Even with all the drama and malfunctions, we have had a great trip especially being able to spend time with Stephen. We are already looking forward to seeing him in April. He is coming home to Mesa this time for the visit and we are not traveling anywhere! We are staying home and doing nothing. If anyone wants to see him, they have to come to us! :o)

Fountain of the Broken Boat

Kensley and Dad playing in the fountain at the base of the Spanish Steps.