Love to shop a sale!

Vivian and I went to a few stores this morning to shop the after Halloween sales. We really scored at Michaels where they had everything 80% off. But when we got home, she decided to slip on the bat wings we found at Target. Vivian flew all around outside for about 30 minutes before I got tired.

Happy Halloween Part 2

Presenting the Dinosaur Family. Derrick decided on the costume idea. Vivian assigned the colors. I created them. It was pretty easy: hoodie, sponges, ribbon, glue gun, safety pins and felt.

 

 We decided to stay within out community this year instead of venturing out to a neighborhood. We went to about 10 homes and we were only successful at 4 or 5. But those few gave us enough candy to equal at least 20 homes. Vivian was thrilled at the last house that had goodie boxes. That ended the night perfectly just as the rain started to roll in.

Double-sided Pumpkin. 

Vivian choose the shape of the eyes and nose and insisted on a nice pumpkin not a scary one. 

  The spider was just for fun.

Happy Halloween!

Mommy's Lil' Pumpkins: Vivian at 2y3m and Baby Wulf at 23w. I got all dressed after Derrick painted my belly and then Vivian went to find her straw hat so she could be a "bootiful scarecrow like mommy". Then she grabbed a paint brush and painted her face, although you can barely see the pink spots on her cheeks and nose. Love her! Thank you Derrick for your outstanding painting skills and patience.

'Houma' is Where the Heart is

As with every move we make, I'm always worried about having to meet new people and learn the ins and outs of each city. Well let me tell you, Houma has made it very easy. After being in temporary housing while looking for a place to live, we moved into our permanent home a month ago. The day we moved Derrick had some friends from NOLA come help. Vivian and I ran out to get them some burritos from Moe's. That's when it all began. One of the employees at Moe's was extremely kind. He helped me fill the cups up with ice water, dished out some to-go salsas, and carried everything out to my car. He was so genuine and I was very grateful!

Here are some other wonderful and quirky things that Houma has had to offer:
 
~ As I was waiting to get fabric cut at Hobby Lobby (super excited we have a Hobby Lobby by the way) a friendly women let me know that she makes hair bows for girls and she let me know of one of the two baby boutiques in town. We were sure to stop by on our way home.

~ The Library is surprising impressive. There is a bubble wall, pirate ships and a mini door for the little kiddos to go through to get to the learning room. Vivian and I have gone to Toddler Time a couple of times now. 

~ There are no liquor stores, although it is not a dry parish. Liquor is only sold in grocery stores.

~ The post offices are also located in the center of Rouses.

~ We went to our first Chiropractor appointment and were greeted by perhaps the most inviting and friendly person I've ever met, the Chiroprator's wife. When we told them we were knew to Houma she began asking if we needed a dry cleaner, a dentist, a pet groomer, and on and on. She took out her phone and started writing down all her preferred businesses. Plus, she said if we needed anything at all, to give her a call on her cell. Later that week, I was getting into my car at Rouses and she pulled into the spot next to me. We looked up at the same time and made eye contact. She was elated. She popped out of her car and gave me hug. She made sure everything was going well as we got settled and reminded me to call her for anything. What a super nice lady. I want to be that nice!

~ We prefer to shop local produce and meat at farmer's markets. We found a couple nice ones in NOLA. I was worried we weren't going to find any here and would have to drive all the way in to NOLA. What was I thinking? We're in the country. Althought he demand to shop local may not be as big as the population in NOLA, we are closer to the farmers. Well, we hit the jackpot. Last weekend we found a stellar farmer's market where we got 3 dozen eggs for $7 (Whole Foods would have been $13), fresh shrimp, grapefruit, tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli. There was a cajun folk band rockin' it as well. Then we found a meat market where we got 10 pounds of a variety of local, fresh, organic meats for only $30! Jackpot!

Yep, that's colored cauliflower!

All of these things and more have made Houma an easy town to enjoy. It feels like home. Above all though, I have been lucky enough to make a friend with whom I have many things in common and our girls enjoy playing together.

Vivian with her new friends on New Years Eve

Any time you want to come visit the Southern Hospitality of Houma, you are welcome to our home. 

Tropical Kale Smoothie Mustache

Another delicious Super Snack - Tropical Kale Smoothie with pineapple, peaches, coconut water, raw honey and kale.

She's Got Her Daddy's Curls

This is what Vivian's hair does when we don't brush it after a bath. CURLS!!! I love it!

Shhh...You're Too Noisy

Either Vivian was not impressed by the music we chose in the car today or she has discovered that sound changes when she plugs her ears. Which ever it is, it was so cute!

Goal Accomplished - Brazilian Wax

Another goal complete. Although I am not starting my Birkram Yoga goal yet, I went into NOLA today and got a Brazilian Wax. Thank you Bombshell Waxing for your professionalism.

Clever Water Tracker

 I've started to be more conscience of how much water I'm drinking. Also, I've been trying to drink about 4 cups before eating breakfast as a way to flush my system and start the day fresh and ready to breakdown foods. This is my clever way of keeping track of how many glasses I've had and which glass is mine versus Derrick's. I use a dry-erease marker to write on the bottom of my glass my initial, 'N', and for every glass I fill up I put a tally mark. Today I'm on glass number 6 which is 12 cups of water. Ya Baby!

Super Dee Duper

Vivian loves her Super Foods. Oatmeal with Goji Berries and Cacao Nibs! Yuuummy!