Family Time - Stanley Cup Playoff Game

Last Monday we were invited to our first ever playoff game.  Mr K was so excited I think he nearly peed himself.  He's never been to one before and he made sure to mention that to me about a hundred time before the game.  But his best friend had some extra tickets and asked us if we wanted them... so I left work a couple hours early and we made the 3 hour trek to Columbus to see the Blue Jackets play the Penguins!  Yes... Sidney!

When we got there, of course we got some Timmy Horton's which is my all time favorite coffee that you can't yet get in Indiana.  That used to make skating trips to Ohio and Michigan more worthwhile!  This is Ells sitting just outside the Tim Horton's attached to the arena. 

She played outside with Uncle Bricker and his boys for a bit -- I was very surprised how well they all played together. Then we went inside.

And waited for the game to start... Ells doesn't look very excited here, but she was.  The arena was AMAZING... I've been in a lot of rinks but I don't think I've ever been to one so nice.  And did you realize how freaking cute Columbus is?!  I mean, I visited for like 1 hour outside and I'm sold!  I would totally move there... to the Arena District or we even had a quick dinner before hand in a walkable community just outside downtown.  Ummm.... yes please! 

Still waiting...

Now waiting on Dad's lap.  PS. I love this picture.

Time to Battle On!

And let's just note that I had a GREAT time... It was so much fun!  The place was packed!  They even ran out of beer at one point!  But it was loud everyone was standing in our section so I stood for about 2.5 hours watching the game.  And I might actually like to watch professional hockey in person because I can actually follow the puck.  I can't see it when I watch on TV... Don't laugh.

It was an awesome game! 

Ella and Mason mostly took in the foods...

But the hockey was incredible!  The Blue Jackets were winning most of the game...

Probably because we were the fifth line. 

Obviously.

But at some point the 5th line was loud, but not strong because Penguins took the lead in the 3rd... Probably had too much to drink at this point...

And kept it...

And won...

But Stinger just kept drumming on...

And this picture was all I needed even if they didn't win...

Hello future hubby. 

Sidney, Call me.

Oh, crap I was there with my family...

Scratch that - Sidney, Call me (later).

It only took us an hour to get out of the parking garage.  So our 3 hour drive became 4.  And we had to get home for work in the morning... Even 8 was too early since we got home at 230. 

But what a fun time to spend with friends and family. 

Go CBJ!  Beat those Penguins! 

 

*And don't forget to get your You Are My Sunshine Necklace for $14.99!  Start shopping at www.stelladot.com/abbyk and you'll be on your way to having the Mother's Day gifts taken care off!

Mother's Day is Just Around the Corner

This will be my 3rd mothers day with my lovely Ells... Being a mother is really hard.  Lots of fun, but really hard.  I often wonder if being a father is just as hard... I'm not quite convinced. 

When Ells was really little I used to sing the same songs over and over again to her... I started with ABCs, then Twinkle Twinkle, then Jesus Loves Me, then You  Are my Sunshine, and a few more including Classic Songs from Musicals like Edelweiss & Truly Scrumptious. I'd even put her name in the place of Edelweiss... it worked out nicely!  And who doesn't love the Sound of Music?  I've introduced her to a lot of musicals at her young age...

I still sing to her but only when she wants to cuddle or I need something to distract her beccause she's so tired and should be asleep already or when she doesnt' feel well.

Now days we have more reading moments, movie moments, playing moments than those really lovely moments in the nursery just singing her to sleep at night... Actually even thinking about it brings a little tear to my eye... ;(

I purchased myself a little E necklace for a mother's day gift to myself a couple weeks ago from Today Show's Steals & Deals and I love it.  I rarely take it off and I've gotten so many compliments on it...

But the reason I shared the songs above is because since my Steals & Deals special is over, I thought I'd share another one!  Stella & Dot has the most adorable "You Are My Sunshine" necklace and it's the perfect gift for Mother's Day!  PLUS right now you can get it for $14.99 (instead of $69) when you add $50 to your cart first!   It's seriously the sweetest everday necklace and anyone and everyone needs one!  Plus, who didn't sing You Are My Sunshine to their little ones, or have it sung to them?  It's a feel good necklace... And this deal is only good thru April 30th 11:59PT so don't wait too long! 

Shop now at www.stelladot.com/abbyk

And you are my sunshine for following along with this little ol' blog I post on (sometimes)..

SALE ALERT : Stella & Dot Flash Sale

It’s that time again! Enjoy the Facebook Flash Sale now through 4/24 9amPT. Need grad gifts?! Mother’s Day gifts? Just want something for yourself?!


I’m loving the Paloma Stacked Rings for only $19.60!

Shop now here: http://tinyurl.com/kfuoklx

Enjoy everything at www.stelladot.com/abbyk

Happy After Easter!

How Does This Keep Happening?!?

If you guys only knew how many blog posts were running through my head right now!?!  I swear I have tons and tons and tons...

I just need to sit down for an entire Saturday 2x a month... 10 posts each day. Done!

If that could only happen...
Better start maximizing my Fridays better...

Thanks for stickin with me! 

Letters to Ella { 1 }

Dear Ella,

Wow.  You are growing so fast I can't even believe it.  You are two!  And you are so smart and funny and all the other things moms will say about their little ones.  But you really are.  You really are very smart... picking up everything we say and do, having full conversations with me and your dad (and starting your own!).  You are aware of everything going on around you and you just love every bit of it.

You are so funny.  So funny.  I laugh at you everyday.  In a good way.  Yesterday Louie had gotten into some trash and it was all over the floor and you walked in and said "Damn Dogs!"  I had to bite my tongue not to laugh.  You swear Princess Jasmine is an ice skater.  You say silly things all the time.  You laugh when others laugh loud so they will hear you and laugh more.  You love to be the little clown.  I hope you keep all of this humor.  I hope nothing dashes it down.  Humor can help you through a lot of things and times.  I hope nothing breaks you of your comic-ness.

You know you are cute.  So stinking cute.  You look adorable in whatever you have on, or even if you are defying us in getting dressed, your little tushie looks pretty cute running around all over!  Your smile is sweet and perfect.  Your smile makes others smile.  My mini model.  You love wearing dresses and dancing.  Compliments come all the time on just how cute you are.  But don't let that get to you... I hope you don't get a big head.  Beauty is not everything.  There is so much that goes into beauty that is more than what we see on the surface.  Not all Beautiful People are Beautiful People.  I hope that you become a Beautiful person.  Even more than you already are. 

You are strong and defiant in more ways than one!  You love to climb and jump and slide.  You have very little fear.  Some is good. Last night you were jumping off your bed.  And when you are ok, you let us know by saying "I'm ok Mom/Dad."  We just hear thuds and wait for your ok that you are ok.  You are in gymnastics now and that wears me out. I wish it would wear you out, but you might be one of the strongest in the class.  And I'm not lying -- your father and I already talked about how we would tell you if you sucked at something ;) Don't let your defiance and stubbornness get in the way.  You will grow out of certain aspects of it, but I hope to instill in you the knowing of when to obey and listen rather than question.  Continue to question!  Don't always just take things as they are.  Questioning is something good.  It's how we grow and learn.  But don't do it out of spite or anger. 

You are smart and kind.  I hope that your father and I can continue to give you what you need.  We will not always give you what you want.  I hope you don't fully remember these first couple years because you got a lot of what you wanted.  Everyone should want a little bit.  I think it makes you work harder for things in the end.  Handing it all to you would be in an injustice to you.  You are smart and you will learn that there is always a means to an end.  If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it.  If you need it, we will provide.  Remember that not everyone has everything.  Certain things in our lives are a privilege and just know that there might be a friend of yours who doesn't have that.  Be conscious of that.  Money doesn't grow on trees and not everyone is as fortunate as the rest. 

I will do my best to make your life wonderful.  But know that along the way I will attempt to teach you about life.  About hard work.  About love.  About family.  About fun.  About others.  About gratitude.  About respect.  And about many many other things.  Life will not always be easy.  And I hope it's not.  But I hope it's easier than mine.  I hope to give that to you.  I hope to be able to keep your life worry-less and fun but not so much that you become carefree and unaware.  You probably think you have it tough now, but believe me, there will be many more tears in about 14 years.

We love you.
xoxo,
Mommy 

What I'm Reading April 2014

The goal this year was to read more books.  And finish them.  I think that was the key phrase - "AND FINISH THEM." 

I'm not sure where I'm finding the time these days to read a chapter or two a night, but it's happening.  Oh wait, that's right... my house looks like a tornado has blown through it over and over and over again.  I'm skipping cleaning to read.  Probably not a great decision, but not the worst I've ever made.

But how often do you find books that you really can't wait to read again... or at least continue through?!  If you are like me, that never happens.  I read a couple of chapters and then I am usually distracted by something else that is much better or holds my attention better.  Not to mention a few movie trailers lately that have caught my eye....

Which leads me here.  I saw a couple months back, the movie trailer for the upcoming summer movie "The Fault In Our Stars" which stars Shailene Woodley on Facebook.  I think I now have an obsession with her.  Ever since The Descendants, I've just loved her.  So when I asked my friend for a book recommendation just after seeing this trailer and she said her favorite book was The Fault In Our Stars, and it was set in Indianapolis, I became partial and had to read it.



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I then asked my sister if she had read it and she hadn't but was looking for a new book so she thought she'd try it.  Then she gave me her nook account so I could read it and VOILA!  I finished a book!  ha ha.  It was really good.  Very sad, very real, very scary, but very good.  I loved all the little things that made me know it was based in our city and I loved how things played out. Sometimes you just need a good cry and this will surely do that.  So, read it if you will.  It's a great short read.  You will appreciate it's real feelings and raw emotion I swear.  And, if you are like me, you'll finish it!  Because it's only about 200 pages long!  

But then I was looking at the other books on my sisters nook account and saw that she had the Divergent series.  I was intrigued.  Again, knowing that Shailene Woodley was playing the lead in the soon to be released movies, I figured I should give it a try.  And let me tell you... I had read about 6 chapters and was having a really hard time putting it down.  The nicest thing to me was that the chapters are usually about 10 pages long and to me and my head I see 10 pages and I think "only 10 pages," not "OMG 10 pages!"  I know it's a mind game, but seriously it's been making reading this book so much easier.  Not to mention it's action packed! 

And I may or may not have already seen the movie which is making putting the book down even harder because (1) I know how it ends and (2) I want to start on book 2!  

So with that I feel like this will be a successful reading month for me.   My house may be a disaster zone, but what's new with that?  Isn't it always like that when you have a husband and a toddler?  I'm starting to think so.  I clean and it gets messed up almost instantaneously.  I read and I have a messy house, but at least I have something to show for it in the end... a closed book.  

What's on your reading list?  I see Divergent 2 & 3 in my future.... I don't even know the names!   And hopefully I'll finish those books from last year at some point -- I Want To Pee Alone & Moms Who Drink & Swear.  

Do-Tique ... A Blow Out Bar

I'm a part of a Mom's group here called The City Moms.  I rarely get to go to events, but I've been trying to go to more this year!  So when I saw this super cute boutique was hosting us for an evening, I was sure I couldn't miss out!  The Boutique?!

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That's right!  Do-Tique!  It's a Blow & Go Boutique! 

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Located on Main Street in Carmel, you walk in to this adorable and welcoming sitting area.  Gianna, the owner was so gracious and sweet!  We all had a glass of wine while we waited for our turns... and explored the space a little.

There's also an adorable little candy bar... Love.

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The boutique is done in this amazing Sapphire blue color which is refreshing because I feel like a lot of boutiques these days, especially if they are catering to women, like to work pink in there.  This blue & white scheme that they have going on is perfect.  Then there's a little linen and crystal working with it to keep the look classic and fresh.

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Here's a shot with some City Mom's totally enjoying their blowouts!

Oh, and did I mention that this place SMELLS AMAZING!  And the products they use not only SMELL AMAZING, but they look GORGEOUS too!  I mean how gorgeous is this little set up!?!?  I would love to have these sitting on my bathroom counter, even just for the look!

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I am unable to do anything with hair, I swear!  That's probably why I was so looking forward to this event!  I didn't care that it was at 8pm and I was going to go home and sleep on my new "do."  But even though my new hair only lasted me about a day, I would totally go back here to get my hair done for nights out or events!  The staff was just so awesome, the setting relaxing and comfortable, and the atmosphere just sparkling!  I loved it!  I will definitely be going back!

Oh, and before I forget to share...
Here's my before:

And my after:

Thanks Gigi!  I loved my braid and beachy waves -- My new "Do!" 

Can't wait to go back!

xoxo,

*This post was a personal opinion/experience.  No compensation was given for my thoughts.*