my most recent "find"

i don't make a habit of looking to see what garbage people sit out on the curb...really...i promise! but i must admit that last night as i was driving home from a meeting i noticed a perfectly good lego table sitting by the curb....when i got home i asked mike if it would be horrible to go check it out. he gave me the go-ahead, so i stealthily crept down the street...not wanting anyone to see me "dumpster diving". sure enough...a lego table...the only thing wrong with it is a missing "net" in the middle to hold the blocks (and, of course, i did give it a good sterilizing clean this morning before libs woke up and discovered it!). as you can see, elizabeth is enjoying my find...and i am enjoying the fact that i didn't spend have to spend the $100+ that most places want to charge for a wooden lego table.

so, i'm curious...have any of you scored a great "find" from someone else's trash? don't be ashamed...i have a friend who found a little tykes picnic table and a turtle sandbox...it really amazes me what people just throw away. i mean, come on, even if you don't want to take the time to have a garage sale or go to a consignment shop (or have any friends who could use it for free!), at least it could go to the goodwill or salvation army...there are so many places! i suppose one man's trash really is another man's treasure!

by the way...here is a picture of our little dinosaur mid-ROAR! if you could see her hands, you would see her flashing her "claws"...the rest of the pictures of the dinosaur impersonation are too blurry from her massive "stomping"!

to my little e-bear...

I'm forgoing ten smile Tuesday today...I figure my pictures over the past few days cover what we've been smiling about. Instead I want to devote an entire post to Elizabeth. Why? Simply this...there are SO many moments--expressions, phrases, obsessions--that I would like to capture...to lock in my mind. Most of them are the kind of things you can't really take a picture of...perhaps a video camera would do them some justice...but alas, we haven't caved in and shelled out the dough for one of those yet. Can you believe that today marks 2 1/2 years of life for our "baby"? How can it be that time has passed that quickly....it seems just yesterday I was in the delivery room, hearing the wonderful news that we had a girl.

Elizabeth...I definitely understand why moms of toddlers make such a big deal out of the "half" part of two and a half years old. In just half of a year you have become so capable and independent, so talkative and opinionated, so stinkin' smart (well...I suppose you didn't "become" those things...they just became so much more apparent). You are still your daddy's little girl...I know you love me too...but daddy has definitely captured your heart. Perhaps it is that special way he has of giving you horsey rides or entering right into your world while you play together...the way he reads you stories or his "tickle monster" impression. As much as you love your daddy, I must tell you Elizabeth...you have captured his heart (and mine too!).

I'm not sure where to even begin when it comes to your favorite things these days....but perhaps with the obvious....DINOSAURS! This "obsession" started during our visit to the children's museum with Poppy and Grandmommy. Oh how we love to see you run around the house giving your best impersonation of a dinosaur, arms up in the air like claws, stomping your feet and roaring with all your might. Since Easter you have spent EVERY night and nap-time sleeping with your Poppysaurus-Rex...the dinosaur grandmommy and poppy gave you. Elizabeth, you even slept with him the first night...when you were still TERRIFIED of him. Oh how I wish I could have captured the look on your face when you spotted him in the gift bag. Grandmommy, Poppy, and I were gathered around, anticipating your excitement, and instead you screamed in terror and jumped back. But that fear didn't keep you from your dinosaur for long...by bed-time you were asking to sleep with him (even though you were still too scared to touch him!). Mommy was so afraid you would wake up in the middle of the night scared...but you didn't; in the morning you woke up, picked him up, and the rest is history! Daddy and I have searched for dinosaur books and pictures...even the back porch is covered in sidewalk chalk portraits of dinosaurs you helped mommy draw....Grammasaurus, Poppysaurus, Katersaurus, Libasaurus...

Then there is your continued fascination with trains...just yesterday you got to see one up close and personal while we were taking a walk. And I always know when the train is coming because you take off running to the front window for a glimpse. I am actually hoping this fascination continues until your birthday...I have so many ideas for a "choo-choo" cake...perhaps even with a dinosaur train conductor!

Elizabeth, you have such an interest in how things work...maybe there is an engineer in there. I am absolutely amazed by the power of your mind...the ability to remember, to put together, to tell us what you are thinking. So often when I look at you I can see the wheels turning in your brain. You waited a bit to string words together, but when you did you were talking in paragraphs...seriously. These days you have SO much to say...and I love the way you have your own little "trademark" phrases. Restaurants are "dinner-houses"...upside down is "upside over"...and apparently you are taking note of mommy's love for coupons...many places are "coupon (pronounced poo-ton--like futon with a p) houses". I am amazed by your ability to rephrase things when mommy and daddy can't understand what you are trying to tell us and by the way you hear and remember EVERYTHING. Another way you like to let your voice be heard is singing...and what a sweet voice you have. The nursery workers at church have actually commented multiple times on the way you sing and know all the words. I'm amazed that you even know the words to "mommy songs" in the car...how precious to hear your precious voice praising Jesus.

Elizabeth, you are so smart. You know all the words and can "read" so many of your books to mommy. Your favorites lately are "Go Dog Go", "David and Goliath" from your little Bible, and anything Curious George. You also love to do puzzles...and not just the "block" puzzles. It took you about a week, but you have figured out your "big girl" curious george puzzles and can do them without mommy and daddy's help. This morning I was so proud to watch you sort through and pick out just the right pieces to connect together and to see the look of accomplishment on your little face when you snapped in that final piece. You still love all of your puzzles, but you lose attention span so much more quickly since they aren't as challenging.

Sweet girl, there is so much more to say...you love helping mommy cook and fold laundry, and you are ever so helpful. You love to run and jump and dance....to give sister Kate hugs and kisses (you often call her "Ta-to"...which is so sweet!)...to tuck your animals and dollies into bed (though this is about the extent of your doll playing right now). Most amazing and fun to watch perhaps is the emergence of your imaginative play. Just the other day you wrapped a "present" for Aunt Jill and then took it to the door, knocked, and "delivered" it. Then you "met" Aunt Lora and Uncle Keith when you were coming home from your present delivery. I am so excited to see your imagination sprout and grow...to see all that you can think and dream and create.

Elizabeth...I think I could go on forever...typing about the little moments. Your first encounter with a real live ladybug on your hand...and the ensuing screams of terror (okay, so you aren't a "bug-lover"...and secretly, that is totally fine with mommy...bugs scare me!). Your love for your friends and family...your desire to talk about them and pray for them. Your hair...oh, yes, how I am so excited to see it growing...and the more it grows, the more it curls...and I LOVE the sweet spiraling curls....and the fact that it is finally long enough for pig-tails. Your adoration of Poppy. Your concern and empathy for mommy when I am sad. Your love for Mugho. Your joy and zest and spunk.

Elizabeth...I LOVE YOU! We love you! It is with great excitement I look forward to seeing you move mountains as you grow up...to watching you live and love and learn. A very merry "half" birthday to you!

spring has sprung

We've had a GORGEOUS weekend...sunny and in the 60s....finally! We definitely had a chance to get outside and shake the dust off. It has been a quite full weekend...us girls went to the museum in the morning yesterday while daddy met a friend for breakfast, then we spent the remainder of the day outside--blowing bubbles, sliding, running around, taking a nice walk around the neighborhood...delightful! Today after church and nap-time it was much of the same...basking in the glorious sunshine. I did find time to make a trip to CVS (or should I say, FREE-VS!) to pick up some deals...including basically free diapers...it feels kind of like getting to go "for real" shopping with monopoly money! Anyway...thought I would share a few pictures of our Saturday and Sunday.

I also should mention that today our Kate is 8 months old...can you believe it?! I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by...and it seems just yesterday we were in the midst of sleepless nights, snuggling and cuddling with our sweet newborn little girl...and now, well, let me tell you, she is still our sweet girl...just bigger and more mobile...full of giggles and raspberries. We laugh at how much less mobile Kate is than Elizabeth was at the same age...I don't wonder why she moves less...that is obvious...she has big sister to help her reach anything she might be "straining" toward. However, in just the past one or two weeks Kate has finally figured out the art of rolling....managing to "get around" quite a bit just by flipping and rolling and scooching. She is spending lots of time on her tummy, trying to figure out how to get those chubby little knees underneath her to lift her belly up and crawl...and little by little, she is inchworming herself forward. She is ready with smiles and the funniest, most contagious giggles...truly such a happy little Kater-gator. In the past month she has traded in her pacifier for her thumb...and it is so sweet to walk into her room and find her clutching her blankie bear and going to town on her thumb. Of course, as soon as you round the corner of the crib and enter her field of vision, the thumb pops out, replaced by a massive, cheeky, ear to ear grin. Kate is still babbling like crazy..."dada dada"..."baba baba"....no "mama mama" yet...but I'm sure that will come soon enough! And food...let me tell you, this girlie loves to eat these days...her newfound love is finger food...cheerios, sweet tater puffs, even torn up pieces of bread....and we might have another little engineer on our hands. Before she really grasped the idea of picking up the pieces and putting them in her mouth, she found a way to "shovel" them from the edge of the highchair into her open and waiting mouth. It is so amazing to watch those wheels a turnin' in that little brain. Kate, we LOVE you!

And if Kate is 8 months old...that means that in just 2 short days Elizabeth will be 2 1/2! I have so much more to say to my rambunctious toddler, but I will save that for another day or so...I will, however, leave you with a teaser. My new favorite "Elizabeth-ism"..."upside-over"....as in, "Daddy, turn me upside-over"...meaning, of course, upside down....but, oh so cute!

Anyway...without further babbling...here are the promised pictures!

sportin' their free shades from the museum!...i LOVE kate's expression..."mom...what are you doing to me!!!???"

my cvs "spoils" this week... my new "toy"...the stroller, not the girls!

true lemon, lime, and orange--free samples

Who doesn't like a free sample!? I haven't tried these yet...but I will soon...when my free sample arrives in the mail. Click here, and you too could be adding some zesty lemon, lime, or orange flavor to your water! Once my samples arrive I'll be sure to let you know what our family thinks of them.

parsley parmesan chicken

Just a note that I have joined the team over at "Good Stuff Maynard"...the blog I mentioned in my ten smiles...full of healthy, budget friendly, tasty recipes! I just posted my parsley parmesan chicken...one of our recent favorites. Stop by to check it (and lots of other recipes) out!

lazy fridays...

well..not completely lazy...i did manage to run to meijer this morning...clean out and organize the pantry...and do a bit of "tidying" upstairs...but we just spent a lovely 30 minutes or so laying on the living room floor goofing around. we've been MOP-ing...a mommy and me playdate and "swap" meet of sorts (i must say, i walked out with LOTS of good stuff...including an electric breast pump, some cute clothes, and some little treats for my friend who is due with her first babe in june--all for the low low price of free!)...enjoying a special package from the girls great grandpa and grandma...bargain-ing (kroger and meijer...at kroger i spent $11 and walked out with something like $50 of groceries...my total savings was 82%...$25.75 in coupons and the rest in "kroger card" savings--at meijer i did nicely too...a grand total (after a rebate check i will be mailing in) was $4...a savings of over$25 off my original price before coupons, etc.). i will post a picture of all that i got at meijer...i also got catalinas (those coupons that print off when you check-out for money off your next purchase) for $5 more of "free stuff" on my next trip!

*savings*

*kate among the "spoils" of the special package from

great grandpa and grandma*

*kater LOVES mugho these days!*

*sisters*

*my charming hubby*

*zerberts for libs*

ten smile tuesday...

tuesday is here...meaning, time for ten smiles! let's get started....

1. a new look...for the blog, that is. i'm sure you already noticed! my blog was "stylized" by nikki, after i saw the work she did over at 4tunate (which, by the way, is a wonderful little blog...the journey of some friends of ours and their one year old quadruplet boys...you really should pop in and check them out!). anyway...we decided to stylize our blog after reading about the humanitarian efforts nikki's proceeds go to...check her out if your blog needs a new look!

2. monkeying around...yep...i added a few monkeys to the collection this week, but they didn't stick around for long. the twin pink monkeys and the navy (boy-ish) monkey headed off to their new home friday...presents for my friend's twin daughters two year birthday (and a bonus "just because" present for their big brother.

3. purchasing tickets for our upcoming trip to florida! yep...the yak family is going on vacation. we're heading to florida to visit my grandparents...and as a special bonus grandmommy and poppy are coming along! needless to say, i'm quite excited about seeing my grandparents...introducing them to kate and giving elizabeth a chance to get to know big bapa and g.g. a bit more in person...though, i must admit, she loves talking about them and looking at pictures even now!

4. a delightful lunch with our church flock group after sunday's church service.

5. saving money...i know, i already shared my cvs "smiles", but a friend also introduced me to a site called the grocery game...and i am doing a trial membership ($1 for 4 weeks). you pick a store (meijer, kroger (or its other chains), walgreens, cvs, etc.), and you get access to a list of all the bargains, what coupons to use (and where to find those coupons), and a rating of whether the sale is actually a good deal or not (saves a lot of legwork and a lot of money!). last night kate and i headed to meijer and saved over $40 (over 50% off my price before coupons, store savings, etc.). if you decide to check it out, would you be so kind as to enter my e-mail (theyakmom at yahoo.com) in the referral box!?

6. kater gator's newfound love for cheerios, puffs, and just about anything else she can pick up by herself. she is also finally starting to scoot and inchworm a bit (you can tell she is finally realizing that she wants to be able to move by herself!), hold the bottle on her own, and just plain growing up so stinkin' fast. her new favorite pastime is blowing raspberries....so cute!

7. our lovely morning of bouncing...and, of course, the chance to catch up with a friend i haven't seen in awhile while our kiddos were bouncing.

8. potential baby-sitters...okay, this one is huge for me...and probably for the hub too! with my parents (who were so generous in taking the girls while we enjoyed a night out) no longer in town and mike and i feeling the need for some "us" time more and more each day, i have struggled with the prospect of leaving the girls with a sitter. this was exacerbated by the fact that i didn't have a clue where to even start looking for a trustworthy sitter i felt comfortable with...the one place i thought of as a good starting place...church...also happens to be a half an hour from our house...alas, sunday i was sharing my frustrated and looking for input from a friend she passed on the names of two families from our church who live super close to me and have teenage daughters. i am familiar with both families and would feel so comfortable with either...anyway...long story, and no, i haven't called either family (they are most likely of spring-breaking), but trust me, i will be calling...and soon!

9. banana blondies and lots of the other wonderful recipes at shanna's new recipe blog...thanks shanna! (our family has also tried and approved of the crock-pot pork, fajitas (with leftover pork), beef-n-broccoli...and we will be trying the crock-pot italian herb chicken thursday!)--and, i must say, i love that these recipes are not only tasty but cost-effective and healthy!

10. our elizabeth photo shoot this morning. okay, i'll shamelessly admit that since we didn't have a great picture of elizabeth in her easter dress that matched kate's...and i really wanted to use those for the blog header...i did dress her up in it this morning...and "tortured" her with a photo shoot (okay, so let's be honest...she was hamming it up with her super cheesy grin!). i took over 50 pictures to get just the right one (don't you LOVE digital!). but i thought i'd go ahead and share some of those that didn't quite make the cut...sometimes i wonder if she will ever lose the cheesy "smirk" and just smile like she does when the camera isn't present...oh well, i'll admit that i LOVE the smirks...