Ten on Tuesday

1) The surprise trip to St. Louis was loads of fun.  But, I'm still exhausted!  The whole drive and all summer we kept the trip a secret and then as we were walking out of the parking garage of the hotel, Mia's mom drove in...surprise was blown!  LOL!    Here is our whole crew.  We shared one hotel room...fun times!

2) On the trip, we squeezed into a short time period, a meetup with some Bloom Forum girls, a trip to the Gateway Arch, The Magic House, and some good eats!  I had the best salad I've ever had in my life at the Boathouse - Forest Park.  Seriously, the BBQ Chicken Salad is YUMMY!

3) It's time to get off my tail and do Day 2 of  30 Day Shred.  I think it's funny how I was so worried about people seeing my twin skin and NO ONE even mentioned it.  Just maybe, our own issues are so much bigger in our own heads than reality...  Or maybe it helped that the pic was so small lol...But seriously, thank you ladies.  And if you didn't check out my buddies post...do!

4) I think it's pretty darn mean that KT is sitting in front of me eating a donut stick...and as I type, I remember what I had for lunch...chicken fingers and fries...apparently I wasn't too worried about my health at noon...

5) I had lunch with two of my favorite people from my prior role at the Bank.  I seriously miss those ladies!

6) It just occured to me in 3 of the 5 listed above, I've mentioned food...I just might have a problem.

7) MacKenzie is loving 5th grade.  Apparently, it's the best grade ever and her teachers are a dream team.  Those are quotes.

8) She suckered us into letting her get a saxophone.  I wanted her to play clarinet.  I played clarinet...the clarinet is cheaper...half the price...but she brought on the tears and reminded me that it was her life long dream...yep, we're suckers.  But to my credit, I said no at first and my mom insisted that they would pay the difference between what I was willing to pay for the clarinet and the saxophone...hmmm....so maybe we're not the only suckers (j/k Mom if you're reading this).  Mom insisted that because MacK works hard, and she truly does, she deserved it.

9) I've decided to start portfolio building.  The truth is...I'm a bit scared.  I don't want to be that momtog that leaps before they are ready...but I LOVE photography and it's a fun outlet for me so I'm challenging myself to give it a go.  I had a chance to shoot a super gorgeous girl and we had soooooooo much fun.  Check them out here! But one for now...

She seriously has the most gorgeous naturally bright brown/hazel eyes.    No contacts...no post processing brightening...just natural...and they seriously soak up light... 

10) I'm hooked on Tia and Tamera...hoping to watch the second episode tonight on DVR.  It's awful to admit that I love watching those types of shows almost as much for content as I do to see what people are wearing.  I LOVE fashion but you'd never know by how boring my current wardrobe is...KT frequently tells me that I need to go shopping for myself, but 9 times out of 10 I end up finding something for the girls or him instead.  Woe is me, right???

Have a great week!

Toliver Ten on Tuesday

1) It's late, but I'm up working anyway so I thought I'd go ahead and publish my Ten on Tuesday.
2)We watched The Voice again tonight. I like it but don't LOVE it like I'd like to. KT actually left in the middle to run to the store. Now I'm really lookin forward to So You Think You Can Dance.
3)I got the girls their first pair of flip flops.  Nala liked holding them but didn't like the way they felt on.  I could tell that Nia felt cute in hers.  We stopped by my mom's and she got to show them off.  I got them at Babies R Us for only $3.99 each.  While there I also scored a couple of camera tees...not as cute as some of the ones I've seen online, but cute still. 

4)If I thought it would help, I'd love to make fun Bento Lunches  for my girls.  Nia and Nala always get "ate some" on their take home papers.  I'm just not sure what to pack them because they can't have warm ups...
5)MacKenzie wrapped up her school year on Monday.  It was a short day.  They just had field day and were dismissed at 1:00.  I can't believ how fast this year went by.  I think I've just about gotten her summer schedule set.  Before the twins, I'd always have this done by early March. 
6)MacKenzie's teacher for next year gave them summer homework. She has to read and critique 5 books for a minimum total of 500 pages.  This is no problem for her.  She loves to read and I'm requiring her to read 100 pages a day anyway.  Speaking of books, We spent a lot of time at Barnes and Noble this weekend. I used to take MacKenzie to the bookstore all the time. It's just a bit harder with the girlies. I have to keep them in their stroller because I have runners (this week, we had running episodes at Target and at Food Pyramid). I got Mammarazzi: Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids, NiNa got Marvin K. Mooney (one of MacK's favs when she was little), and MacKenzie chose Four Truths and Lie and Sounder.
7) My cell phone whacked out on me last Thursday.  I called customer service and they want me to do a master reset. When I realized I'd lose all 718 (yes...for real) pictures that I had on my phone, I told the rep, I just wasn't ready.  I'm not.  I'm so mad at myself for not backing those pics up... In the meantime, while I mourn (yes, it is that serious) I am left using my HTC HD2 phone that I had before getting the Samsung Vibrant.  I remember why I switched!
8) The girls and I also went to my two nieces' piano recital...UNFORTUNATELY, we had to step out almost as soon as we walked in because a)Nala decided whining was appropriate in a quiet auditorium and b) Nia wanted to loudly greet her Nana.  We spent the rest of the recital in the noise proof cry room...those girls!
9) My sister wants to go to the Katy Perry concert and I told her I 'd go with her...but the truth is I've only heard one of her songs...I'm so out of touch and I'm largely ok with this.  I just looked because of course I had no idea...it's in September so I guess I have a little bit more time to get more familar.

10)Cue the orchestra!  Pomp and Circumstance would be appropriate.  Nia graduated from her fingerguard and I'm all done talking about it here...LOL.  I'm just loving seeing her put better use to those chubby lil fingers.

Have a great rest of the week!

Toliver Ten on Tuesday

 1.) I am so excited about the new Pinterest App!  I LOVE Pinterest and have  loads and loads of Pins.  So much eye candy.  I'm hope4ou on pinterest. If you aren't on yet, shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll try to send an invite if you want one.  If you are on,  send me a link so I can check out your boards.  I'm kinda addicted :)
      
      What is Pinterest?

       Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great
       taste.People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.
       We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world

2.) Summer has come way too fast! This is MacKenzie's last full week of school and it's full of assemblies, ceremonies, field day, etc.  Really???  Why do I have to pay for the last week if there is no learning involved??  j/k (kinda)

3.) Nia's one ponytail milestone came sooner than I expected.  I think it's adorable

  You can see more here.

 4.) Nia only has a few more days with the Finger guard. Whoot whoot! I found another mommy blogger that had success with it with her twins.  Seriously, this is why I love the blogosphere.  There is always someone out there that has been there and done that. 

 5.) Someone shared the Scar Project  (amazing photographic gallery by David Jay of the scars left of breast  cancer survivors) with me and boy was I moved.  Really there are no words...but seeing it just makes you realize how much of our womanhood is tied to our breasts.  Really...seriously amazing project.

 6.) When I've needed a good laugh, I've come back to my friend Regina's post here about her first day with  her new job.  She cracks me up.

 7.) I've been wanting one for several months now, so I'm so excited that KT got me a 5-in-1 Reflector.  Excited to try it out soon.

 8.) KT is sick.  Big bummer.  He never gets sick but when he has it's been pretty bad.  Pray with us that he gets to feeling better soon!  He's sleep now.  A bt selfishly, I'm hoping he wakes up in time for us to watch The Voice tonight.  We watched and really enjoyed last week.  Love the concept.

 9.) Nala should be in bed, but she just got out and came and told me "Bye Sweetie"... grown!  Speaking of Nala, is this why   they say eyes are windows to the soul??  I often hear of people saying how hard it is to get good catchlights in dark eyes...um...wow...just find the right light.  This is straight out of the camera just resized.  You can see me, the sky, and our yard in her eyes.
It's a bit much and kinda spooky to me (could be when combined with her "I'm gonna get you look"...anyway...wanted someone else to see this.  :)














10.) I shared on my Three Sisters Blog already, but I'm pretty stoked that I won a prize on Clickinmoms.  It was an ABC Challenge.  Check it out here!  It was for the letter "g" representing golden hour.