things i've learned since friday

• The current Target One Spot kicks ass.
  Friday afternoon, I headed out to Target to return the not-chosen Easter cardigans before picking up the girls. Since I was by myself, I was free to peruse at my leisure (i.e., without the usual strains of "Mommy, do you see that Dora [piece of crap]? Can I have it? Oooo! It's a Diego [something or other]! I want it!"). The One Spot was all over the spring rituals of planting and organizing, so I got a bunch of bins to organize my linen closet and some basil and chives to plant. And, I got a couple of cute Easter things for 75% off, which I will put in the basement and promptly forget about until after Easter next year!


• Happy Hour Play Dates are F-U-N.
  After picking up the girls early from school, we headed over to my friend Heidi's house, where E and A played with her girls, Madelyn and Ellie. The girls had a great time playing while Heidi and I sipped some wine and chatted. And...bonus...no bathrooms were flooded as a part of the playdate.


• Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep.
  A slept wonderfully on Friday night. Went down without a protest and didn't stir until 8 am. I woke up well rested, got showered and dressed before either kid got up. I felt like a million bucks.


• There's no place like home.
  E, A and I headed to my parents for the day. We took a walk to a neighborhood playground, the girls played with my parents stash of toys like it was Christmas all over again, and I got to take a nap. For dinner we had breaded steak and mashed potatoes, which was divine. After dinner, the girls and I headed home.


• Maybe A should sleep in the Dora bed.
  A slept in her crib and was up for a bit (again) last night, and then was up for good at 7 am. E got to sleep in her Dora bed last night since she was whining disappointed that she didn't get to sleep in her one at Nonna's and Pop-pop's. E did not wake up until almost 9 am. Coincidence? I think not!


• Spring cleaning puts a spring in my step.
  Today I got a chance to clean out the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. I tossed a bunch of stuff past expiration and my shelves look pretty. When John and E went grocery shopping and A went down for a nap, I also got to clean and organize my bathroom linen closet and medicine cabinets. Getting some of my to-do list done makes me feel so much better!


• My girls like to party all the time.
  This afternoon we headed to a birthday party at a local kiddie gym for my friend's daughter, Julia. The girls had such a fun time running around and playing. They also wore themselves out...both of them almost fell asleep on the way home.


• All good things must come to an end.
  Lunches are packed, laundry is getting done, coffee's set and ready to go for tomorrow. Another weekend has slipped away. Only 5 more days until the next one...