Friday Five - Imagination Edition

1. Well, I'll just jump right on in to the Friday Five for this week. I'm SO glad it is Friday. I woke up with a "sore-ish" throat with the feeling of an on-coming cold. I think I may take a hot steamy shower in a bit (the type where I'll enjoy it, do my hair, but when I'm done - won't dry it all "perfectly" - I'll do this just for the warmth), enjoy some hot tea, and keep checking back to see if I am hosting a Friday playgroup LOL. I have a daily Friday playgroup - and sometimes it is packed, other times non-attended, and some days the non-attendance is a hidden blessing. I haven't heard about any RSVPs for today, so maybe this happened for a reason. I can then nap with Valiant when she goes down and hope my body recoops before our workout at 3pm.

2. Regardless of how I'm feeling, I still have so much to do in this house by President's weekend with out of town family coming. Plus, I really can "let things go" easily, and Hubby is not a Mr. Fix it (we're artsy folks lol that don't stretch ourselves much HAHA) and we end up living with things easily - but that others who visit don't probably appreciate. So, I hope we can get things done this weekend, along with some rest.

3. We have a fun weekend planned aside from working and organizing. Tonight is a fun family movie night. We could even have a special visitor sleep over for it! Regardless, it will hopefully be fun, relaxed, and a good excuse for a fun dinner and fun breakfast! Saturday night the girls will BOTH have their first sleepover at the SAME time with their grandparents. Lovely goes weekly on the weekends for a sleepover with them, but Valiant has never gone (she's a lot of work for older grandparents) and they really wanted to try it. So while Hubby and I go to a Trivia night at my old high school with old alumni friends (should be a BLAST), the girls will enjoy their Mema and Pop. We will get them before Mass on Sunday and enjoy the morning together with them too! I hope it works out!!

4. I need to make some new goals for next week. This last week was not my best in so many areas. I feel I've gotten a bit distracted by the world and I need to get back to a more upward and inward focus. I've been doing some readings and quiet time, but I need to do more - maybe get out some - Adoration? Confession? I need to do something. It's hitting me Lent is coming up in a month and I should prepare for it (why do the seasons fly by so fast??!!) including kid activities, family time, recipes, etc to bring the season alive. I find myself happiest when I am doing things with my family that could become family traditions and ones that incorporate faith too. It just feeds me. I'd also love to plan a Lenten Dinner on a Friday with friends. Our church does a Fish Fry every Friday which always (while wonderful) distracts me from planning a dinner (and this year Hubby may have to work at them) - so I'll see if this happens. I could also see what friends would want to meet us at the fish dinner weekly. But for our house, I'm thinking a meatless pot luck, and any friends could come if they wanted - no matter their faith walk. Just some fellowship and sharing. We'll see if that happens....just thinking about this is a boost!

5. The girls have been SO cute this week! Valiant has started doing big bear hugs around the neck and saying "Hi Dare" among other cute new things. This morning we spent a good hour cuddling in the rocker just singing songs and hugging and talking. My heart just melted! Lovely has had a very creative week . Yesterday she got a bit too creative at school and we had to do some make up assignments last night for homework. I hope she learned a lesson with that one LOL! But, she has been so creative. One of my highlights this week was her playing dress up by herself. She put on one of her favorite play dresses (she wore it at her B-day tea) and found a crown and shoes and came downstairs to tell me something important. She basically said:

L - "Mommy, do you know all the Disney Princesses, like Princesses Ariel, Tiana, Pocahontas, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, [etc...]"
Me - "of course!"
L - "Well, I'm the NEWEST Disney Princess!!"
Me - "Really?" So, who are you exactly?"
L - "well, me of course and how I look, but I go by Princess "SheShe". (not sure how she wants it spelled. I should have asked!)

I just have to say I loved this. Instead of being one of the princesses already created, she created her own - based on herself, knowing she really is beautiful just the way she is. I was really touched by that. So as I close up this entry to go take care of myself some - here are some pictures of the "newest" Disney Princess, but who has always been OUR princess:

and, of COURSE we need a dramatic coma scene...lol!

Keep dreaming sweetheart! Blessings!!