Kids

  • Flashback Friday: NICU Graduation Celebration

    Such goofs - Brina and Karliec

    Ready for the NICU Graduation Celebration

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when the girls went to their NICU Graduation Celebration.  It is hard to believe they are now 7 months old.  We are thankful for all the doctors and nurses that helped our family during the time when the girls were staying in the NICU.  They took good care of our babies and we learned a lot from them during their stay.  It was a great event to celebrate.  Glad the girls were still growing and healthy.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie looking pretty in their outfits from Aunt Mary, Uncle Rick and Laurelc

    Relaxing while we pack up the diaper bag and get everything ready to head out.  The super cute dresses are from my Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Rick, and cousins Renelle & Laurel in Colorado!  Thanks guys, they are adorable!

    Karlie getting her face painted at the NICU Graduate Partyc

     Karlie’s 1st Face Painting experience.  She was not too sure about a stranger touching and putting stuff on her face even though the rest of us were right there.

    Karlie unsure about this whole face painting experiencec

    Karlie made it through the face painting, but was not happy with us at the end.  She was not a big fan of it.  Her legs were kicking, arms waving, and was about to burst into tears to let us know that she was not impressed with this whole face painting adventure.  A little TLC and snuggle calmed her down quickly and she was fine for the rest of the event.

    Daddy holding Brina still so she could get her face paintedc

     Brina getting her face painted for the 1st time at the NICU Graduation Celebration.  She didn’t seem to mind it at all.

    Brina getting her face painted at the NICU Graduate Partyc

     Brina was relaxed and just let her paint her face.  She figured Daddy was there it must be okay.

    Karlie with her face painted from the NICU Graduate partyc

    Karlie is all smiles now.  She doesn’t even remember that her face is painted with a smiley face.

    Brina was constantly sucking on her dress today, maybe a different texture, who knowsc

    For some reason Brina loved chewing on this dress.  Must of tasted good or had an appealing texture.

    Brina smiling with her face painted from the NICU Graduate Partyc

    Brina talking and happy even though her pink heart is completely smeared all over her face from her fun NICU celebration adventure earlier that day!

    Karlie happy and smilingc

     Karlie is glad to be back home again.  Her smiley face stayed on for several hours after we arrived back home.

    Karlie and Brina having fun with their new toys from the NICU Party-they actually won one of the door prizesc

    Karlie and Brina are very lucky girls.  During the NICU Graduation Celebration they won a door prize for some toy blocks and shapes.  They are playing with their new toys now.   They have no clue they won anything, but were happy to play with the new toys.  So exciting!!!

  • Travel & Vacation: Colorado Rocky Mountain Wildlife

    P1360966c

    Elk lounging around near where we parked

    I was going back over some trips that we had taken in the last few years when I came across a trip we took with my parents from Kansas to Colorado.  There were a lot of fun activities and adventures from that trip so I thought I would share a little bit with you and maybe you will see something you might want to do with your family.  I grew up going to Colorado for summer camp and vacation so I have made a few trips through the Rocky Mountains.

    On this particular trip it was the girls first time in the Colorado Rockies.  They loved it and thought it was amazing the number of animals that we saw on the side of the road and near where we were walking around.  All of these animals were in their native wildlife settings, however, some were pretty close to local towns and hiking trails.  They didn’t seem disturbed at all by us taking their pictures.  We did keep a safe distance away just in case (we didn’t want to upset any of the animals).

    P1360968c

    The one on the left is the same one as in the first picture, but if you look closely to the right under the tree is another elk.  These were spotted next to the parking lot where our car was in near Estates Park.

    P1360864c

     Mountain goat must have found something tasty to eat on the side of the road.

    P1360868c

     He looked up briefly to look at us and went back to eating again.

    P1370018c

     This little bird was making all kinds of noise on our hike and picnic.

    P1370048c

     There are chipmunks everywhere.  You are not suppose to feed them, but they are very commonly seen around picnic areas scavenging for bits of food.

    P1370050c

     Two chipmunks hanging out on a ledge together

    P1370091c

     The girls want to pet or pick these little cute chipmunks up, but they are not tame and it wouldn’t be safe either.  They were fun to watch scurrying around.

    P1370151c

     Elk sitting at the edge of the mountain looking down on the valley.  It didn’t even turn to look at us.

    P1370167c

     Two elk eating food near where we were hiking.

    P1370195c

     Several hours later after our hiking, exploring, picnic, and other adventures we came back down the mountain and it looked like the same goat was still eating from the same area near the road.  He must have found a lot of good food in that area!

    P1370245c

    A lot of places in the area have hummingbird feeders.  If you want a few minutes you will see them coming and going.  They are fast and pretty neat to watch.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Flashback Friday: Visit From Grandma

    Grandma Kay at the Falls Park with Karlie and Brinac

     Grandma Kay and the girls at Falls Park

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when Grandma Kay came to visit for a few days.  The girls were almost 7 months old and are a lot more active than they were when Grandma was here a few months ago (they were actually still in NICU).  We packed a lot of fun into the weekend.

    Falls Park downtown Greenville (Karlie and Brina)cc

    Our family at Falls Park – Karlie and Brina obviously were not impressed or we wore them out already because they were fast asleep in the stroller for their first picture at Falls Park.

    Karlie and Brina sleeping as we view the Fallsc

    First visit to Falls Park!  Brina and Karlie were so excited they fell asleep as we walked through the park.

    Karlie and Brina's 1st trip to the Falls Park downtown Greenvillec

     Karlie and Brina are ready for a fun stroll through the park.

    Karlie and Brina riding on a fire enginec

     Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay at GattiTown

    Karlie and Brina's first ride on a carousel c

     Karlie and Mommy and Brina with Grandma Kay on the carousel.  They loved it and were fascinated by all the lights and sounds.

    Brina playing with Grandma Kayc

     Brina playing with Grandma Kay

    Grandma Kay playing with Brina and Karliec

     Having fun with Grandma Kay

    Karlie and Brina down for their nap, looks like someone isn't sleepingc

    Taking a siesta in their bassinets.  Karlie and Brina both have their legs hanging out as they sleep.  The bassinets may be getting too small for them now.

    Karlie and Brina love playingc

     Karlie and Brina playing with their toys.

    Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay sitting next to Mr. Octopusc

     Grandma Kay, Karlie, and Brina playing

    Daddy and his two goofy girls (Karlie and Brina)c

     Jake and his girls

    Karlie giving us a cheeky smilec

    Someone woke up from her nap all smiles – Karlie Kool Kat

    Go ahead smile Brinac

    Brina Bee woke up with sweet smiles and laughter too.

    Grandma Kay hanging out with Brina and Karliec

     Brina and Karlie hanging out with Grandma Kay

    Playing ball with Grandma Kay - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina kicking and pushing the ball back and forth across Grandma Kay’s lap

    Flashback Friday - Brina fell asleep holding Grandma Kay's necklacec

    Brina crashed and Karlie’s not far behind

    Flashback Friday - Silly babies - Brina and Karliec

    Giggling girls – Brina and Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina curious about Karlie's feetc

     Bath time Brina!

    Karlie chewing on Nemoc

    Karlie was more interested in chewing on the bath toys

    Karlie and Brina drying offc

    Karlie and Brina are now squeaky clean and ready to get in their jammies

    Brina watching Daddy play Settlers of Catanc

    Brina sporting a bowl as she supervises Daddy’s game of Settler’s of Catan

    Karlie is now sporting the yellow bowlc

    Karlie isn’t sure about the bowl thing, but relaxing with us as we play a game!

  • Travel & Vacation: Midwest Dust Whirlwind

    Travel & Vacation - Kansas - Colorado - Road Trip - P1360786c

     Midwest Dust Whirlwind

    On one our road trips while in Kansas the girls saw their first Midwest Dust Whirlwind.  Some people also called them Dust Devils.  In the past few years Kansas has been pretty dry so sometimes when a farmer is working his field or something else is stirring up a large amount of dust you’ll see a dust whirlwind pop up.

    When the girls first saw it they thought it was a tornado.  It does look like a tornado touching down, but usually happens on a dry sunny day.  We were driving along Highway 34 West near Platner, Colorado when we saw this dust whirlwind.   Hopefully, the Midwest will start getting some nice rain soon so these dust devils will not be as common.  The Midwest is a large producer of crops for our nation and around the world.  We have a lot of farmers in our family from the Midwest who could use more rain for their crops.

    A dust whirlwind (or commonly referred to as a dust devil) is caused when a vortex forms from the dust that is being kicked up into the air.  The dust will often form a swirling column that reaches up vertically through the air.  The dust devils could last for several hours and can either be small or large enough for people to see for many miles.  They are typically harmless other than you can get dirt in your eyes and hit by small particles of dirt if you walk or drive through one.

    P1360787cc

     Dust Devil off Highway 34 West!  Looks like a tornado, but it is made of dirt.

    P1360800c

     The farmer working his field is kicking up enough dirt to create this Dust Whirlwind that can be seen for miles.

    P1360801c

     It was amazing to watch the swirling column of dirt raising high up into the sky.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Flashback Friday: Growing Up

    Brina thinking about how to get to Daddyc

     Brina trying to figure out how to get across the floor to Daddy!

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years.  The girls were 6 months old and starting to learn so much every week.  They are more mobile and on the go.  They love babbling back and forth to each other and to others.  It is fascinating to watch them explore and learn new things.  Our family is blessed with these to sweethearts.

    Brina is the more mobile one, but Karlie is only a day or two behind her.  Karlie is the more verbal one, but it doesn’t take Brina to catch up.  They challenge each other and neither one wants to get left behind so they do a lot of their fun activities together.

    It is cute to see them working together like a small team.  Some of their jibber jabber we don’t understand, however, they seem to understand all of it and will randomly bust out laughing about some inside joke they share.

    Flashback Friday - Brina playing on the kitchen floorc

     Sweet Brina pausing to say “Hi” to Mommy!

    Give us smile Karliec

    Karlie is always quick to offer a sweet smile which makes my heart happy.

    Say CHEESE, Karlie and Brinac

    It’s only been a month since they started eating rice cereal and “solid” food.  The first time we had a lot of tears because they didn’t like it and wanted their bottles.  Now they are all smiles when they get into their high chairs .  They look forward to meal time (I think they consider it another form of play time only messier)!  Oh, how quickly things change in just a few weeks.

    Silly Brinac

    Having fun with Brina as we get her dressed for bed.  She doesn’t look too thrilled, but puts up with her goofy parents anyway.

    Talk to the Hand (Brina and Karlie)c

    Brina – “Quiet Karlie, it’s my turn to talk now….”

    Flashback Friday - What's so funny Daddy - Karliec

    Karlie – “What are you laughing at Daddy?”  She is all smiles and has no idea she has tape on her forehead!

    Flashback Friday - Brina so proud of being able to stand on her ownc

    Brina so proud of her standing ability.

    Flashback Friday - Cutie Pies, we love you - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina, they had such pinchable and kissable cheeks at this age.

    Flashback Friday - Brina - I told you I was good luckc

    Daddy’s unique way of giving Mommy some cash.  Brina wasn’t too sure about this new toy in between her toes.

    Karlie - what Mom, I was just trying to get her to be quietc

    Brina would get very upset if she tipped over and couldn’t get herself back up again.  This time when she fell over I think Karlie was concerned about her crying because she stuck her fingers into Brina’s mouth (maybe to make her be quiet, who knows).

    Flashback Friday - Brina a little unsure about the cow rockerc

    Brina’s first ride on the rocking cow (with pillows on either side and Daddy next to her just in case).

    Good Morning Smiley Karliec

    Sweet Karlie

    Karlie figuring out the rockerc

    Karlie’s first ride on the rocking cow.  They were a little unsure about this moving cow at first, but as they got older it became a popular toy at our house.  They loved it.

    Karlie is ready for a fun dayc

    Happy Karlie girl

    Karlie pretending to drink from her sippy cupc

    They are learning how to use a sippy cup.  Karlie sometimes would “act” like she was drinking or play around instead of actually drinking so we had to make sure she was getting enough water.

    Flashback Friday - Brina does not like falling over, she gets madc

      Brina tipped over Mr. Octopus while playing and couldn’t get back up.  She was not happy!  Once I sat her back up again she was fine and her happy self again.

    Whose got Karliec

    Surprised Karlie woke up to a massive stuffed animal on the swing with her.   Where did this come from?!  “Butch” was a large stuffed dog I got as a kid from Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa.  The girls loved to roll around, climb, and play with it when they were little.

    Karlie happy to be hanging out with Daddyc

    Life is good – Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina - come close so I can touch youc

    Brina is fascinated with the new toy which we called “Giggles”.  It would giggle and move around the room.  She loved to followed it around the room and knock it over so it wouldn’t run away.

    Karlie concerned because it is getting closerc

    Karlie on the other hand was a little suspicious about a laughing and moving toy.  She was fine with it at a distant, but the first time it bumped into her arm she was hysterically screaming like it attacked her.  After watching it a few more times she eventually got used to it and enjoyed it.

    Brina on the hungry hippo, sitting by herselfc

    Brina riding the “Hungry Hippo”!  They could ride on the hippo and as it moved it would pick up block and other toys off the floor and put them into a storage bin under the seat.  It made “clean up” more fun for the kids.  They both loved riding on it or being pushed around the house picking up scattered toys.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie playing on Mr. Clownc

    Playing together on “Mr. Clown” mat.  They initially would both fit (with all their toys) and stay on the clown mat now they are getting older they never stop moving so even though they might start there they don’t stay very long.

    Karlie happy playing the pianoc

    Karlie is happy to play music for the rest of us.

    Brina showing off her belly button while Karlie waits for the picturec

    Brina talking and showing off her belly button while Karlie sits there nicely for the picture.

    Karlie - here let me check out your eye; Brina let me check out your mouthc

     They loved talking (or babbling) to each other.  This was one time while I was getting them dressed.  Karlie was talking away so I sat Brina up on the changing table with her and they talked back and forth for several minutes.  Who knows what they were saying, but they were having fun.  They were fascinated by the words and noises coming out of each others mouths and would stick their hands inside the others mouth trying to figure out how it all worked.  Loved these little interactions and the cute gibberish they made.

    Karlie curious about the hat and waking up in a strange placec

    Daddy let Karlie borrow his hat.  He was concerned about her getting a sunburn.

    Karlie cutiec

     Karlie sitting quietly, but not entirely sure about this thing on her head.

    Looks like a cute baby in the laundry basket - BrinacA whole lot of Brina mischief was found in my laundry basket.  They used to love playing in our laundry baskets.  Once they were older they made it a game to climb in and out, wonder how that started?  Sweet Brina is distracted me from doing the laundry, but hey that can wait until tomorrow, right!?

  • Flashback Friday: Fun with Friends and Bath Time

    GattiTown Birthday Party (Brina, Bridgette, Karlie, Mandy, Jack, Danielle and Riley)c

     First trip to GattiTown with Mandy, Jack, Danielle, and Riley (Brina & Karlie)

    Today our Flashback Friday is in August 2005 when the girls were 6 months old.  It is quite an adventure packing up and heading out to visit family, friends, or do errands, but we are getting better at it.  The process of just getting out of the house, into the car, and on our way is usually several minutes long.

    The girls have been enjoying going out and about more.  I try to do at least one fun activity outside of the house each week with family or friends.  They are usually exhausted by the time we get home, but we have fun.  It is good for me to spend time with other Moms too.

    Thankful for family and friends to hang out with.  The girls are really good and for the most part do really well when we are out and about.  They love watching everything.  It is neat to watch them soak everything in during our adventures.

    Mandy and Jack at GattiTownc

    Mandy and Jack on the carousel

    Riley and Danielle at GattiTownc

    Danielle and Riley on the carousel

    Flashback Friday - Brina - cool toy Riley, beep, beep, you  better watch out here I comec

     Brina very excited about driving Riley’s cool car!  Vroom…vroom….look out people here I come!

    Brina and Josh Kambc

     Josh carrying Brina

    Kari and Karliec

     Karlie hanging out with Kari

    Karlie and Christy Kambc

    Christy holding Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Aunt Vick and bouncing Brinac

     Aunt Vick hanging out with Brina as she bounces around

    Karlie eating with an audience, Uncle Brad, Jordan, Rachelc

    Cousins Jordan and Rachel feeding Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina watching Jack unwrap his presentsc

     Brina watching cousin Jack open his birthday gifts

    Jack getting excitedc

     Jack opening his birthday gifts.

    Karlie still sporting her Elmo party hatc

    Karlie starting to zone.  She didn’t like the party hat at first, but soon forgot about it.

    Our first bath together-they were greasy from sunblock (Karlie and Brina)c

     1st Bath together after being out with friends and having sunblock on them.  It was too hard to safely bath two wet babies at the same time before now.  They could sit up on their own and each had a place to safely sit in the tub now.  At first they were not sure what to do?  You mean we can play in here!?

    Brina's turn to get the sprayc

     Getting use to the bath time fun.

  • Flashback Friday: Sleepy Kids

    Flashback Friday - Brina totally asleep with her mouth clamped around the toy ringc

    Brina crashed in the middle of chewing in the ring

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years when the girls were 6 months old.  They were exploring more and falling to sleep in random places.  Sometimes in the middle of playing with a toy.  I tried to move them a few times, but every time I did they would wake up so I just decided to leave them and let them rest.  Usually the random naps were small power naps and they were back to playing within a few minutes anyway.

    They are beginning to be more mobile and it took more energy to keep up with them.  It is so precious watching them sleep peacefully even if it is in their high chair at a weird angle.  Oh to be that flexible again.

    At this time they are still sleeping in the same crib.  As they grow and move around more in their sleep the crib it starting to get a little more chummy, but they look so sweet sleeping together I wasn’t ready to move them into separate cribs quite yet.  Occasionally we would come to check on them in the morning and we would see that during the night they scooted down in the crib until their feet were hanging out.  Not sure how it was comfortable, but they didn’t wake up or seem to mind it.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie's legs sticking through the crib railings, goof ballsc

     When we checked on this morning their were two sets of titty bitty toes sticking out from their crib.  It was all I could do not to squeeze those cute little toes, but they were sleeping so peacefully.

    Flashback Friday - Brina loves to have her feet in funny positions when she sleepsc

    Brina fast asleep in her hair chair.  Such a rough life.  Love how she folds her hands together sometimes when she sleeps.

    Cutie Pies, Brina and Karliec

    Brina and Karlie – sleepy babies.

    Playing is hard work - Brina and Karliec

     Taking a snooze during their play time with Mr. Octopus – Brina and Karlie

    The toy entainment wore them out, Karlie and Brina have officially crashedc

     Playing is such hard work for the little ones – Karlie and Brina

    Flashback Friday - Brina - playing is exhaustingc

     Brina fell asleep while playing in her exersaucer!

    Brina's sleep marks from her nap in the walkerc

    She woke up with some sleepy “toy lines” on her face.  Poor baby!

    Sleepy babies - Karlie and Brinac

     Playing in the exersaucers is exhausting.  Both have crashed during their play time.

    Karlie wiggled her way under the bumper during the nightc

    How can that be comfortable Karlie!?  Not sure how she was still sleeping so soundly with her legs sticking out like that?  I think my feet with get cold and go numb.  Guess that’s the fun of being a baby.

  • Flashback Friday: First Trip to the Zoo

    Flashback Friday - 1st Trip to the Zooc

     First trip to the Zoo

    Today’s Flashback Friday was the girls first trip to the zoo with our Moms group back in August 2005.  We went to the Greenville Zoo.  The girls looked around, took a nap in the stroller, and hung out.  They got some fresh air, vitamin D, and wore themselves out even though they did not get out of their stroller.  Thankful for friends and a chance to hang out at the zoo for a few hours.  We have had many trips to the zoo since this day!

    Brina and Karlie's first trip to the Zoo - see the turtle in the background (Karlie is awake but Brina is snoozing)c

    Brina sleeping in the front. Karlie still looking around, but starting to suck her thumb so she’s not far behind Brina.

    The hungry and cranky crittersMommy brought back from the zoo (Brina and Karlie)c

    They were great on their first trip to the Greenville Zoo, however, the two critters I brought back home with me were very hungry and ready for lunch by the time we walked into the house.  Once it was lunch time they were ready to eat and my happy babies were in tears if there happened to be a delay that day!

  • Flashback Friday: Celebrating Jake’s Birthday

    Brina and Karlie-Happy Birthday Daddyc

    Brina and Karlie were fascinated by the cool new toy on the floor.

    Today we flashback to Jake’s birthday July 2005 when the girls were five months old.  It was his first time celebrating a birthday with two little munchkins with us.  They made the day quite entertaining.  They enjoyed the new things to explore and see throughout the day from birthday banners to candles to rice krispie treats and more.

    Fire fascination (Brina and Karlie)c

    Jake with his two girls on his birthday.  They were intrigued by the candles, but didn’t touch them.  Pretty sure they didn’t help blow them out either.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie showing off their sucking skillsc

    This is cool new mat to lay around sucking our fingers on….

    Brina sitting on the stool at the island in our kitchenc

    Brina sitting at the kitchen counter.  So Mom…..I hear their might be some kind of special treat for Dad’s birthday, can I try it first, pretty please!?

    Brina spit up and is proud of it, Karlie is just laying there looking at it thinking how grateful she is that it wasn't her this timec

    Oh no….too much excitement for someone.  Who did it this time!?  Brina is feeling better now and Karlie is thankful it wasn’t her this time around.

    Karlie and Brina having fun togetherc

    Daddy’s giggling girls helping him celebrate his birthday.

    Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle worms, look at them squirm (Brina and Karlie)c

    Our little rolly pollies saying “Happy Birthday Daddy! We LOVE You!”

  • Organized Chaos: Cleaning the Top of Kid’s Dressers

    P1350851c

    Messy dresser top

    There comes a point when certain areas start to accumulate too many random items that they need to be cleaned.  For some reason in our house any available flat surface becomes possible game for these types of items – from the kitchen counter tops, dresser tops, table tops, the floor, and more.  I am hoping this is somewhat normal for most houses and if anyone finds an airtight solution to this problem please let me know.  After awhile the little things piling up on flat surfaces really starts to bother me whether it is in the kitchen, bedroom, or somewhere else in the house.  Honestly, I lose track of how many times a week (or a day) I clean off the kitchen counter tops and other places.

    In the bedrooms the big spot for these types of items to accumulate is on the kids dressers.  I want them to be able to keep their treasures, decorate, or show off special items, but at some point it needs to be cleaned and organized.  Sometimes a lot of the clutter items are just things that are not put away in their proper place.  Instead of putting them away they just lay on the dresser top for awhile.  Other times it is some fun trinkets they got at a party, won, or received.  No matter what it is or why it is there the chore of keeping the dresser tops clean, organized, and dusted pops up quite frequently around our house.

    While the kids room is the one I am talking about today I have to admit our dresser tends to get hit with these items as well.  Jake and I are as guilty as the kids in loading up the dresser top with items that do not belong on it.  Even though this area tends to get messy more quickly if you clean it off regularly it won’t take very long before it is looking good again.

    Cleaning off the dresser is quick, easy, and makes the room look so much cleaner:

    1. Take everything off the dresser
    2. Dust the dresser off
    3. Put away the items that did not belong on the dresser
    4. Straightened up the special treasures you decide to keep or that belong on the top of the dresser

    P1350855c

    Looking good Karlie!  It always makes me smile to see what special items they specifically choose to keep on top of their dressers.