Just a Day in the Life of a Mom with Twins

As a mom of twins I've learned that I need to be really organized. Not just with mom stuff but also with every day things like laundry, meal planning, event planning and family planning, and Christmas planning falls right in there. This is my first Christmas with kids so I knew it was going to take some extra effort to do things I typically do for Christmas such as taking a family photo, sending out Christmas cards, etc. but now I'm also learning and planning out what my kids needs are during this Christmas season and when I should start preparing for that.  I started planning early this year - think October! I've found that the twins are true to size when it comes to their clothing but wear a size up in pajamas so I made lists of what they would need around that time of year and beyond for those who would ask for it. Every time I go to the store I take pictures of things I know the girls are interested in, in order to give gift ideas to family. I started putting money as...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! As I sit down to write this year’s Christmas letter It’s a Wonderful Life is playing in the background and I am reminded of all of the wonderful things Eric and I have enjoyed this year. In December of last year I claimed 2017 was going to be the year of the Piontkowskis and that it was going to be our miracle year. It didn’t disappoint. Eric and I had been wanting to start our family and in July our prayers were answered, we are expecting our two little girls to arrive in March 2018!! We couldn’t be more excited. My boss of five years retired in February and I now work for the Vice President of Construction. I celebrated 10 years with ULTA this past August. Eric is working for Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook in their parts department and is happy there. We are blessed. Our youngest nephew Mason Oliver was born April 21 st . Just when I thought my heart couldn’t get any bigger, it did. Our four nephews have a special place in ou...

I really should have made a video but I didn't have time and I really wanted to get this up before Christmas is too far over.   I'm going to be making four Christmas jars filled with goodies to give out as little gifts with Christmas cards. I'll be making the Grinch, Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty. This is not my original idea, I found this online.   Supplies Needed: Jelly jars (8oz) in the quantity of your desire Something to fill the jar with. I used eatable items for each.  Hot glue gun For Santa: Craft Belt Buckle Black Ribbon Red & White Mints Instructions: Fill jar with the red & white mints. Cut a black ribbon the width of the jar and then thread on a craft belt buckle. I found the belt buckles at Hobby Lobby. Hot glue the ribbons with the buckle around the middle of the jar. For Grinch: Small Red Heart Red Ribbon Green Andy's Mints   Instructions: Fill the jar with the Andy's Mints. I got mine at the Dolla...

Christmas 2016 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I honestly thought we wouldn’t make it this far this year as 2016 was really rough for us. Between replacing the hot water heater, my family getting stuck in Percy, Arkansas, the car dying twice, the basement being torn up because of water damage, and the fun adventures with a new dishwasher I cannot wait to say goodbye to twenty-sixteen. I am reminded though that although we can be in the midst of trials there are always things to be thankful for. This year started out with Eric being let go of his job at Bill Jacobs. A huge blow to us because he was really enjoying his new position. The company though had decided to get rid of the entire department so multiple people were out of work. He finally found a new position at Zimmerman Ford in St. Charles. The pace was a lot slower than his previous job but it was easy work. As time went on old co-workers tried to get Eric to leave his job and come work for them, but he stuck...

Recipe from Taste of Home Christmas Cookbook Makes 2 1/2 Dozen Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 375 In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar. Shape dough into 1in balls. Roll in cinnamon-sugar. Place 2in apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or light browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. 

2015 was a world wind of adventure for us as the new Mr. and Mrs. Eric Piontkowski. Here is our year in a snapshot… January & February were spent booking a DJ, addressing and sending out invitations, arranging the rehearsal and dinner, selecting Groomsmen attire, ordering small items, thinking of decorating ideas and getting nervous that the wedding is only 3 months away! March was a super exciting time as our youngest nephew, Jaxson Frank Pane, was born. We enjoyed visiting him at the hospital when he was just 2 days old. He’s now 9 months old and is just the cutest! We love spending our time with all three of our nephews. I also celebrated my 26th birthday on the 25th! April was right around the corner from the wedding. We spent this month making sure everything was ready to go, our honeymoon was booked, and vendors were paid. During this crazy time Eric also quit his 10 year career with Advance Auto Parts and started working for the BMW Dealership of Naperville. He en...