Too Short {And a Give-Away Winner}

Can we pweese go see de puppies and de kitty-ca-ats? Pweese momma?"

So my 2 year old asked me as we walked into the grocery store.

A pet shop is situated next door to the grocery, and Audrey Kate couldn't help but notice one of her favorite places to visit. Normally I would say no, but not today.

Today was a special day, whereby mommy was home alone for 3 hours cleaning and making beds and swiffering floors and scrubbing counter tops. Any opportunity mommy could get to keep the girls out a bit longer---thereby keeping her house clean in the process---was welcome.

So after grabbing a few necessary items from the supermarket (Including, but not limited to, some flowers Abby begged me to buy for her daddy...)

{Here are the flowers Abby arranged on his bedside table. Upon getting home and noticing the bouquet, he exclaimed, "Wow Abby, I don't think anyone has ever gotten me flowers before! =)}

Anyway, after the grocery store we sauntered on over to the pet shop. 

The first item on the girls' agenda was to obtain a small cart each and push it around the store gasping about every animal/rodent/insect/reptile that they saw.

In fact, that was the only item on their agenda.

Ok, so the ferrets are cute. 

Audrey Kate makes me laugh pushing around this cart. She is a danger to all the animals/rodents/insects/reptiles in the store.

(And there is always an unfortunate crash. At least it didn't involve an over-turned fish tank. Or worse--snake tank! YIKES.)

I must be a glutton for punishment, because we somehow, someway left that pet store with a new Betta fish for Abby. How did that happen?? (Our last one only lived 2 weeks. Anyone wanna take bets??)

As we were buckling into the carseats, I informed Abby that her fish was a "Double Tail Male" Betta fish---a boy fish.

"Aww! I really wanted a girl!" She said. Then she sighed, "OH well, I guess daddy will be happy. Now he won't be the only boy in the family!"

Yes, dear. I'm sure your father will be quite pleased.

She decided to name the fish Jack--after Jack and the Beanstalk.  I told her I liked the name, but I was going to call the fish "Beanie" as a nickname.

"NO! Mom, No way! The fish's name is JACK. Did you hear me? JACK...

Jack Wildur Beanie Grant, that's his name."

So Jack Wildur Beanie Grant (who I also feel like should have a "the third" after his name) is currently awaiting transfer to his new tank.

And if you are a woman expecting a small boy child, and you are just racking your brain for a great boy's name, I truly hope that you put Wildur on the top of your list. (Or Beanie.) 

The weather was so nice when we returned home that the girls played outside. I turned around to find Audrey Kate dancing atop the deep freezer with Abby's bike helmet on her head.

I really, really love that child. You know what, though? Two has been a hard, hard year for her.  And also? For me, as well.

And Abby climbed a tree. (She is immensely proud of herself for that fact.)

And yay! for a great MOPS give-away, and for the opportunity to work with MOPS International in reviewing and giving away one of their books.

The winner of the give-away is comment #16: Sara. I will email you Sara to let you know that you are the proud new owner of MomSense: A Common Sense Guide to Confident Mothering, by Jean Blackmer!

Thanks to all who entered!

Now ya'll go and find yourself a tree to climb, or a bike helmet to wear,

or a fish to call Beanie.

Life is too short not to!