"There's the weiner!"

We went to our 20-week (actually 19 weeks for me, but whatever) ultrasound today and learned that we're having a boy!!!!!!! The "weiner" remark above is the actual phrase the ultrasound guy used to tell us the gender. He was a super nice guy so when he said that, it caught me a little offguard, but we all gasped, and then laughed. This past month or so, I just kept getting this little feeling deep in the back of my head that it MIGHT be a boy. I was kinda hoping for a boy, but on the other hand, the idea of another little Lola would be okay too. Each time I pray for the baby I pray that him/her would just be healthy. That's all that's very important anyway. Now that we know it's a boy, it's so hard to imagine a little man running around this place! I'm crazy excited!!! I can't wait to meet this little mister and see if this kid might actually look like me. :) At least maybe have dark hair or dark eyes. I love the idea that Kendall will have a little buddy to teach how to fish and do guy stuff. I still don't have a due date since I forgot to ask the tech about their estimated due date. My doctor just says "end of May." I'm hoping to make it to at least June 1. But whatever...I'll just go with the flow.

We feel so blessed by our babies.

Christmas Projects

I love crafting and am hoping that Lola will too. I'm always trying to find simple things for her to do at home. At this point, she loves drawing and stickers. It thrills me when I pick her up from preschool and she has a picture or little project for me. No matter what it is, I think it's adorable and takes center stage on the icebox.

Kendall got Lola a make-your-own gingerbread house kit back in early December. He assembled it for her but let her decorate it. She had so much fun sticking all of the little pieces of candy on her house. It was quite messy, but she loved it. Once completed, it became our dining room table's holiday centerpiece.

And, being the Martha Stewart junkie that I am, I bought lots of her Christmas art supplies to do projects with. It was my first attempt at stamps. I don't do it right bc for some reason they never turn out right, but me and Lola still had fun making gift tags and cards. Below are the ornaments she made. It was just cardstock, Martha's stamps, Martha's gingerbread stickers, and ribbon. Lola did all the stamping and sticker-placing, then I just cut circles around the better parts, made a hole at the top, and inserted two types of ribbon. We mailed most of them with Cmas cards to the grandparents. I think we'll do this every year too. I was inspired to do this super easy project after helping decorate my mom's Cmas tree. She has two ornaments on her tree that me and my brother made back in the early '80s when we were really little. They're similiar to what Lola made. She said we made our ornaments at Dillards or some other department store. Back then they had an area where you could leave your kids while you shopped for Cmas gifts. While at this kid drop-off, they had us decorate paper ornaments with markers. Mine was a snowman and my brother's was a traditional ball ornament. I love the idea of having a tree covered in my kids' projects and artwork. I never thought I'd be that type of person. I always wanted the "pretty" tree like out of a magazine. Things have changed so much from my pre-kid days! I want my trees to be full of memories.

Visit to Santa

Since before Lola was born, I knew I wanted to have lots of family traditions. Traditions are so special and I love creating our own memories now that we have our own family. So, since last Cmas was Lola's first, we (okay, I) decided that we'd make it our tradition to visit the Santa House at Utica Square each year. Afterwards, we'd take time to stroll through the square and check out the Nutcracker music boxes and all the lights. Now, granted, the Santa at Utica Square doesn't have a real beard and his little house and background for pics is not the prettiest. Compared to the pics I see of friends' kids at the mall or other places, this Santa get-up could use some updating. However, I love the idea that the chances are pretty good that in many, many years from now, Santa will still be at the Square. It's not like they're going to shut down anytime soon. (At least I hope not.) And, you can take your own pics with your personal camera, or buy theirs for $5. We always do both. Afterwards, Santa or Mrs. Claus will give you a cookie. Love it!!!

Below are pics from last year and also this year's visit. Because we've been so busy the past month, we didn't make it to Santa until Dec. 22! And, as luck would have it, it was something like 20 degrees outside this evening. It was FREEZING!!!!

Below: I always have to have a pic of Lola outside the Santa House. (She couldn't walk at this point last year.)
Below: She's saying "Cheeeeese."

Below: This pic is blurry bc I was laughing so hard while trying to take the pic. Also, Lola's wildly flailing arms didn't help. My camera couldn't handle that much action. I think Santa was just trying to keep his beard on.

Below: Notice Santa's face on this one. I think he was ready for her to leave. LOL As soon as this pic was taken, Kendall picked up Lola and she was still a little hysterical. However, Santa reached over for his basket of goodies and said, "Would you like a cookie?" and Lola immediately stopped bawling and cheerfully replied "Yes!!!" She gets that from her momma. Sweets always make everything better.

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel...

...Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

This past weekend our church community group had its Christmas party. The theme was a Mexican fiesta/tacky Cmas attire. As you can tell by the pics below, EVERYONE participated! And, for those who thought they'd get off the hook, no siree. Tabitha brought a big box of her mother-in-law's sweaters to share. There was only one couple who came to hang out with us that didn't know to dress up, and since they were new to our group, they were let off the hook.

Let me just say that it was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time! We ended up with two Cousin Eddies; lots of tacky Cmas sweaters and ties; one very, very tight pair of jeans; and a extra tight, super glittery Santa t-shirt. And those were the guys. (And, just so you know, the glittery Santa t-shirt was Kendall. He won first place! He also wore his '80s white hightops. He had his jeans French-rolled too, but decided to undo them just as we got to the party. He thought THAT would be too much.)

We love our group so much. They are all just great, great friends and truly good people. We always have such a good time together and it's such a blessing to have these folks in our lives to do life with. I recently heard a saying that goes like this: Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. I immediately thought of the friendships we've formed over the past year or so simply from this special group. (Not including their wardrobes!)

The girls rocked the tackiness too! I have to say that Andrea and Bryn were my two favorite! I borrowed my sweatshirt from my mom's girlfriend Vicki and she claims it was at least 15 years old. I would have borrowed something from my mom's closet, but she didn't feel her Cmas attire was "tacky." These pics make me laugh bc they look just like a pic you'd see from a late '80s/early '90s Cmas party. It seems that nearly all of us either jingled, sparkled, had matching socks, a tassle, or lit up. LOL

Why I Don't Dance

Watch the Prilosec OTC heartburn medication commercial with the woman dancing. Once you see her, you'll know what I'm talking about. At the end of the commercial, she even goes so far as to wave her index finger in the air, kind of like you would if you were counting to "1," in the middle of her dance. It's just all wrong. I'm sure I would look just as bad if I tried to bust a move, so that's why I never dance. This commercial just cracks me up each time it comes on.

Getting Better???

Just a quick update on me and Baby: I'm feeling a little better but still need my prescription(s) to get through most days. Man, it's been so rough these past 6 weeks. The month of October came and went and I only left my house to visit the doctor and I made about 4-5 other trips, and that's it! I've been at home constantly! Baby is growing just as he/she should be according to our ultrasound this week. Looks like maybe June 1 is still the target.

My little Lola has been such a trooper, bless her heart. In a way I feel I've done nothing but neglect her for the past month, but on the other hand, she's spent so much time with family who tend to spoil her rotten so at least I know she's had a blast being away so much. Thank you, grandmas and grandpas, for being so good to us and being available to help me on short notice. I pray many blessings to you.

This next story is kinda nasty, but also a little funny. Feel free to skip it.

Yesterday I was quite sick all day and it was just me and Lola at home. Lola, being too little to understand my frequent, mad dashes to the bathroom to puke happily chased me each trip to the toilet. While I was unleashing, she'd gently pat me on the back and jibber what sounded to me like her version of "It's going to be okay, Momma," words. (Then she'd try to attack the toilet paper, then I'd try to get her away, then I'd puke some more, then she'd pat me on the back some more.) Afterwards, I'd blow my nose and she'd watch and say "Achoo." Bless her heart. I was so miserable. And, what's scary, is that one of the medicines I take makes me very sleepy, so I actually ended up dozing off on the couch with a one-year-old!!!! What kind of mother does that?!? Lola, being the little sweetie that she is, quietly sat on the end of the couch near my feet most of the day and watched Noggin. Finally, at one point once "Little Bill" went off she woke me up. Then I had to puke some more. Just another day in my pregnant paradise. See why I said I was so grateful for grandparents who can watch her on these bad days?

So, on a brighter note, I finally decided to change the pic on my blog heading. These were pics taken this summer for Lola's first bday. Kelly Stocksen was our photographer, and she is just amazing. I don't know what she does to the pics, but she jazzes them up and they end up so colorful and almost cartoonish. (?) However, you can't tell bc I posted all B&W pics. I'll get some more up soon so you can see.

Okay, that's all for now. I just thought I'd take advantage of this window of opportunity where I'm feeling pretty good and blog :)

The Truth of the Matter

The truth is out: I'm having another baby! I have been EXTREMELY sick due to the pregnancy, therefore despite efforts to keep the news to ourselves, we have decided to go ahead and share the news to hopefully put many people at ease. Lots of family and a few friends were becoming quite concerned that my "illness" was lingering. And, as was the case when I was pregnant with Lola, morning (aka 24/7) sickness has moved in and decided to make itself at home. I learned I was pregnant the day before I left for NYC. I'm just over 8 weeks along and the new baby should be here around June 1. I've found myself almost on a daily basis in contact with my doctor and his OB nurse as well as a trip to urgent care for an IV, tried three different prescription medications, an over-the-counter med, combinations of vitamins, as well as homeopathic products all in the search of something that will help with the nausea/vomitting. (I know, that's gross.) Anyway, I am feeling a little better and am hopeful that this new medicine will do its job. However, it knocks me out....if it's not one thing it's another! We're excited about Baby #2, though! I just have to remind myself that in the end all of this is worth it :)

I'm Still Alive

Hello! It's been a few weeks since I last posted. I don't want my blog to become just another task to have to keep up with, so that's part of the reason I haven't posted. I was beginning to find myself stressing about "What am I going to blog about today?!" as if it were something I was being graded on. However, the truth of the matter is not much has been happening around here. Well, that's not entirely true, but at least nothing has been going on really worth blogging about.

However, for the sake of the few of you who are awaiting something new -- and are tired of seeing David Blaine -- here's a few favorite pics I've taken in the past month or so. Once again, nothing extraordinary, but at least something new.

Below: Bee & KJ horsing around while I tried to pack for NYC.

Below: Bobcat at his first 60th birthday dinner at a steakhouse in Pawnee. That cake was DELICIOUS. German Chocolate from Reasor's. Once again, Reasor's failed me not. I like this pic bc it shows Dad in the way that I always picture him first when he comes to mind.

Below: This is Lola after her second night of the traditional Osage In-Lon-Schka dances in Hominy. Lola & Gramby danced a few times this evening and at the point that KJ & I got there, she had had enough. It was back in June, it was hot, it was bathtime, she was tired. Yes, she was trying to attack me with a baby hanger. Man, were her little feet nasty once we took off her moccasins.

Puh-leeeeease

That's David Blaine above. We saw him one afternoon while we were in Central Park. He was supposed to be breaking some record for hanging upside down for like 3 days or so. It was called "Dive of Death." Well, as you can see, he's clearly not hanging upside down. In fact, for the hour we were wandering around, he actually spent only about 20 minutes total actually hanging upside down. The rest of the time he was stretching, moving around, having guys help him stretch, and this is him taking a break to pee and have a snack. He only had about 4 hours left at this point, and we didn't ever hear what happened to him as far as if he beat the record or not. I just thought it was kind of a shame that there was so much hype around him and he wasn't even upside down that much. I heard he was risking his eyesight to do this stunt, but surely, no more than he actually was upside down, he can still see!

Great Product

Friends, y'all know when I luv a product I can't help but share it. Here's one of my latest: Seventh Generation Lavendar & Mint dish soap. It works as well as any other dish soap I've used, but its scent is what I like the most about it. The mint is just awesome! It always makes my dishes and the area around my sink smell so fresh and clean and minty. Try it!

I know some of you enjoy labeling me as a "tree hugger" (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) but it's just not true! The truth of the matter is, I'm not hard core about trying to live green, I just like to do little things here and there. And why not? Ever since Lola came along, I've learned sooo much about attempting to live a more green lifestyle. I buy organically when I can afford it and have made steps in my daily life that just simply reduce the amount of junk I leave behind. Those darn plastic bags are the worst!! (Thank heavens that Reasor's and Wal-Mart both provide large containers at their entrances where you can recycle your old plastic bags. Although I use fabric shopping bags most of the time, no matter what, I always end up with sacks from here and there. I let mine accumulate, then take them every month or so to their recycling box.) Recycling has become a bigger deal for our household as well, and it's just so simple to do! I want the next generation on to have pretty parks and fields to enjoy and for everything not to be all scummed up.

So, all that to say that swapping out my household cleaners is just another easy to step in protecting the air we breathe inside our home. Some studies have shown that the air inside our houses can be more polluted than what's outdoors! I guess there tends to be a lot of toxins and other gross stuff in common soaps, candles, carpet fibers, air fresheners, etc. So, Seventh Generation has many great products but this is my favorite. For other cleaning, I've made a mixture of vinegar and water to serve as my all-purpose cleaner around the house, and it REALLY does work as well as my old Windex or whatever all-purpose product I was using. (I was Windex-ing everything!) And, the best part of the vinegar/water solution is that it's so cheap! (And, no, the smell doesn't stick around. I know, I know..vinegar doesn't smell too great, but no longer than you can smell it, it doesn't make much difference.) And, did you know that vinegar is a powerful antibacterial product? It's got many, many great properties so that's why I feel confident in using it so much.

Tiffany & Co.

Above: Remember the scene in Sweet Home Alabama when Reese Witherspoon's boyfriend blind-folded her and took her to Tiffany's when he wanted to propose to her? This is the Tiffany's it all happened at! She came in from the alleyway in the back of the store and stepped into this area on the first floor. I took this pic from almost the exact spot she would have been in. I thought I recognized it, but I asked a salesman just to be sure and he confirmed it! I love that movie, so that's why I thought this was kinda neat!

Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Below is the recipe that I promised to share two weeks ago after my mom and dad's birthday party. I had many requests for the recipe but kept forgetting to post it. It's very simple but so delicious. I received the recipe from Kendall's aunt Dawna. She fixed them once for a get-together and frankly I had to have the recipe. (Thanks, Dawna!) I wish I would have thought to take a pic of the 70 chicken enchiladas I made for the party bc you could see how creamy they are. (The other 70 were beef enchiladas and I just used the recipe off of the Old El Paso enchilada sauce can. It's hard to beat despite how common a recipe it is!) Enjoy!

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

2 1/2 c. sour cream, divided
1/3 c. chopped onion
2 T. butter
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 c. cooked chicken
1 small can diced green chilies
1/2 - 1 can of cream of chicken soup
A little milk, optional
12 flour tortillas
Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, optional

Cook onions in butter until soft. Add chicken, 1/2 c. sour cream, chilies, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat until heated through. Fill tortillas with mixture, roll up tortilla, and place seam side down in a greased (or Pam'd) baking dish. In a separate bowl, stir together the remaining 2 cups of sour cream and half ofthe can of soup. I add some milk to this to get it thinned down to the consistency that I like. You can use less sour cream and more soup, or half and half, whatever you'd like. Spread the sauce over the top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese (if you're using cheese), and bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes. Just make sure the enchiladas are warmed all the way through. (You can test this by sticking a knife in the middle of the dish and pulling it out. If it's hot, you know you're ready. If it's not, keep it in the oven a little longer.)

"Martha" Day

Above: Outside of Martha's Chelsea studio in NYC.

Below: Me in the audience after the show. What I would have given to explore the set! (We were quickly kicked out immediately after the show.)


On Wednesday morning we attended a live taping of The Martha Stewart Show. I've said it before a million times, but I'll say it again: I love Martha! This was the thing I was looking to the most during our trip to NYC. NYC is great, but being in the same room as Martha....!!! I could not wait to see her studio in real life bc on TV is looks so beautiful. And, not to disappoint, it was even more beautiful in real life! Sheer perfection. I love the color of all of the walls, so I'm considering repainting my office/craft room to match her studio. It's a creamy grey/khaki color. When her show (the "new" Martha Stewart show) first came on in '05, I researched and researched until I could find the name of the paint color and I finally found it! I've never forgotten the name of it and am only hoping I can still find it since her paints are no longer at Sherwin-Williams. Lowes carries her paint now and they have different names!

I have always been curious to see how a taping of her show works bc she's simply flawless! It was amazing to see like 20 people rush out on a commercial break, clean up the kitchen, bring out the new ingredients for the next several steps, fluff her hair and touch up her makeup, etc., etc., and be ready for the live show to start again. We were taught when to clap, for how long to clap, how loud to clap (start out soft and get loud, or vice versa, or a really loud, thunderous clap), etc. It was all so fascinating.

Below: Martha after filming ended. We weren't allowed to take pics during the show, but afterwards she took a couple of questions from the audience (no, I totally chickened out! I was all prepared too!) and chatted for a bit before we were kicked out. She was going to film another show later that afternoon that we could have stuck around for, but I was the only one who wanted to do that. Rats! Julianne Moore was going to be on it, and I'm guessing they were doing a craft since her craft room had stuff set out for a craft. (I missed seeing that episode since we were out and about the rest of the week.) During our show, she didn't craft. Rats again! Martha and John Baricello did make some little hand pies, her niece did a yoga segment with her, and a plants guy did a segment on carniverous plants. Nothing was overly exciting about any of those, but I did learn some tips for my pie crusts.


Anyway, it was all so beautiful and our time there just flew by. Martha is actually very pretty and TALL. I was so surprised by this when she first came onto the set. Her hair was very va-va-voomish and she just seemed so confident and "together." Duh! Isn't that what she's known for?! You can't tell any of this stuff by watching her on TV, though. I love her, but I gotta admit that I always figured that in real life she was probably very simple, "granola," almost kind of frumpy in terms of her appearance. I was wrong! She's pretty and has long, long skinny legs.

She has great taste and her studio reflected that. I'm so envious of her kitchen, but even more so of her craft room! Everything is perfectly organized and so cute! I'm not totally loving the baskets on the back wall. Last season they were pretty boxes of ribbons that matched the season. Still so PERFECT!!

Above: On the table above are all of the crafts from her craft line at Michael's which I ADORE. Each time there is a coupon for 40% off any item, I buy an item. My goal is to eventually have the entire collection. It's always changing, but there's many items that are there year-round. Some of the tools aren't so cheap, but they're good quality and always come in great packaging. She never stepped foot in the craft room during our show, but I am guessing it was for the next taping bc she doesn't leave this stuff out on every show.

So, to end this post, let me just say that it was the thrill of a lifetime to get to attend her show. Yes, I may have been one of the youngest ladies there, but who cares. I've been a fan of Martha's since late in high school. I admit it, I'm an old lady by heart! She's just so darn fascinating and a wealth of creativity. After the show we went to Macy's on 34th Street (which is the largest store in the world, btw, literally) and I bought some kitchen gadgets from Martha's line. :)

Wicked

One of the nights in NYC we went to a production of Wicked. I have wanted to see Wicked since it first came out several years ago. My first time in NYC we tried to get tickets but it was sold out for months in advance. This time, we got lucky. All I can say about it is this: PHENOMENAL. Wicked is the story of the witches of Oz, Elphaba and Galinda/Gilnda, beginning when they were little girls and ending at the point where the movie The Wizard of Oz begins. The Wizard of Oz has always been a favorite of mine, so it was only natural that I'd want to get the background on these girls. Every summer growing up, my BFF Jami and I would get together and alternate whose house to stay over at and watch TWOO on CBS. Back then, it was a big deal to get to watch it when it aired bc the video/DVD's didn't exist. LOL It became our tradition. So, Wicked was FABULOUS. It has completely changed my thoughts on TWOO. I could go on and on about it, but I won't since some of you are planning on going to see it when it comes to town. (At least I think it's coming to Tulsa, but I'm not sure...???)

Below: This is a view of the stage. Pictures were only allowed before and after the show, so this is as good as it gets. It was so detailed and "real." The center of the stage is a huge map of Oz and the big thing hanging down over it is a bat type of thing that would flap its giant wings.

Back from NYC

Above: The view of Manhattan from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building looking north. Bryant Park is the patch of green in the center of the picture. You can see the shadow of the ESB in the center of the bottom of the picture. I didn't realize that at the time I took this pic -- but cool!

We got in late last night from our week in New York City. We had much fun, however, it rained the last two days we were there. And, in a city where it's easiest to get around by walking for the most part, that made it a little yucky to deal with. I LOVE NYC. It's just so busy and there's literally nothing you can't find there. I was glad to get home, though, bc I missed KJ and Bee so much! I swear she's grown a foot and is talking up a storm compared to when I left her on Monday!

We were so busy the whole time that we were there, so I'm just going to post some highlights of the trip later.

"There's no place like home...."

MOPS

MOPS starts Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 9:30 at FBC-BA and I can't wait! I started going to MOPS for the first time last year (obviously, bc I was finally a mom) and it's just so much fun. It's basically a mommy group that meets for two hours twice a month. Childcare is provided. We just get together to enjoy breakfast/brunch, have a short devotional, and then make a craft. (And the crafts are always useful, adult crafts i.e. cute fabric-covered nightlights, pretty platters, etc. Not like popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue type of kiddie crafts.) I'd guess that last year there was probably a hundred women each week, give or take. (?) They do lots of giveaways, too. It's nice to just get together and hang out while you know your kids are being well taken care of. The ladies in charge of MOPS do a great job and I love seeing what each new get-together will bring. It's open to moms of babies birth through 4 or maybe kindergarten (??) This year's theme is "Adventures in Mothering" and I'm sure it's going to be a blast.

If you'd like to go or know someone who would, let me know and we can meet up! I don't always get to go due to my work schedule, but most of the time my depositions aren't until the afternoon so I get to go :) Much fun!

The Hat

This is Lola's new hat. My mom bought it for her the other day at Babies R Us bc Lola was getting impatient and fussy, so Mom yanked it off the shelf she was close to just to give Bee something to hold. Then she put it on her head thinking she'd yank it off like she does with all hats. Oh, no, she decided she liked the hat and, needless to say, we couldn't leave the store without the hat. Well, it's become a silly thing around the house bc she likes to wear it while she's playing. It's kinda cute, I guess. :) It could be much worse.

Below: That's Lola sitting in my lap reading one of her favorite books. (Thanks, Jami & Jaxon!) I luv the pictures, too, bc although they're from a modern Japanese illustrator, they look like old pictures that would have been in my old books as a kid.

Coco & Lola

This afternoon after church, Kendall got called into work unexpectedly so Bee and I were left alone all afternoon. Ugh! So, after our traditional Sunday nap, she decided it was time for a snack. Here she is trying to get into the pantry. That's Coco at her feet. Lola luvs horses, so Coco is probably her favorite toy of all. Her Mamma Patsy bought it for her a few months ago and she just luvs her. (We added the yellow bow on her tail ourselves. We had to make her a little girly.) And, as you can tell, once Lola got her snack, she decided Coco needed one too.

Happy Birthday!

For the past two weeks my aunt and I have been secretly planning a surprise birthday fiesta for my mom and dad. Dad turned 60 on Sept. 11 and Mom turns 50 this week. Since they were both big birthdays we thought it'd be nice to help them celebrate with 65 of their closest friends and family. It was sooo hard to fib and fib and fib! I'm a terrible liar so the past several weeks have been stressful for me bc I was trying to keep my stories straight and buy supplies and hide them (since my mom is at my house several times a week babysitting while I go to work). It all worked out, though, and almost everyone that was invited showed up! (Despite rain all day.)

I chose a fiesta theme, and since the lady we were hoping could make all of our food wasn't available, I volunteered to do it myself. I tried to handle the bulk of it since that's just my nature to try not to burden anyone, in this case, my aunt. I ended up making 140 enchiladas (lol)-half beef & cheese/half chicken sour cream, two sweet corn cakes, salsa, guacamole, and homemade vanilla ice cream. Aunt April did a huge pan of Spanish rice and two cheese dips. Reasor's did a WONDERFUL job of making the strawberry-filled birthday cake; it was so moist and delicious! And, Kendall works with a Hispanic man at the golf course, so his wife made 4 dozen fresh-that-morning homemade tamales. So good! However, I do not want to eat enchiladas anytime soon. I was up until 2:30 in the morning making them. Now my house smells like an onion and beef. I had the windows open in the whole house all day today just trying to air it out. Yuck! I really do love, love, love cooking and baking, so really this just gave me an excuse to do what I love for people I love with all my heart.



Mom and Dad were both so surprised so everything went off perfectly. Especially when my mom realized that the reason we weren't answering our cell phones all day was bc we were setting things up, not bc we were lying in a ditch due to the wet roadways and rain. (Which is what she thought! My poor brother was in charge of getting mom and dad together and out of the house at the same time to head to the party and he tells me she was literally freaking out thinking we were in a car crash.)



Below: "Surprise!!!!"






Below: Nothing more fun than making grown adults (and a few kids) do paper towels-between-the-legs relays. Sooooo funny!

Below: The delicious white cake with strawberry filling and whipped icing from Reasor's. Delicious! I'm totally going back there for my next cake.

Below: And, naturally, Bee had to help blow out the candles.

Below: Here is the stack of invitations I made. It literally took me about 10 minutes to come up with them once I found the picture of this Mexican man and his lady love on the Internet. I had bright lime green envelopes left over from my wedding -- I knew I'd find something to use them for eventually -- so the idea of bright colors and a Mexican couple became the theme! They were my inspiration bc I thought they were cute and funny. I put four on a page, then the information on the back. I then went to Kinkos and had them printed on white speckled paper, then ripped them instead of cutting with scissors, then burned the edges. The goal was to make it look like an old photograph. I was pleased with how they turned out. I think burning edges of stuff will be my new "thing." Kinda fun! I loved this little Mexican couple so much I ended up using them throughout the party for the centerpieces and gift bags.

Preschool

On Monday, Lola started preschool at FBCBA. She's going on Mondays each week to allow me to get some office work done. It would be much easier if I had a traditional job where I go to work and then come home at the end of the day. However, with the type of career I have, that's not the case. There is always a transcript (or ten) to be worked on, and being that it's my job to get every word spoken VERBATIM, it's just hard to do with a little kid goofing off. So, enter preschool.

Lola had met her teachers last week during Open House, and although we kept talking about her starting school, she really couldn't care less. She's a little familiar with FBCBA bc that's where she goes while I attend MOPs upstairs twice a month. She likes all the bright colors and bugs and butterflies on the walls of the children's area. They serve as a great distraction once she realizes she's about to be dropped off. :)

Below is a pic of her as we were heading out the door. More than anything, she was fascinated with her lunch box. She kept stopping to set it down and point out all the animals and do their noises. Then a fight would ensue when I'd pick it up and head for the door. Then I'd let her carry it again. Then she'd set it back down to look at the animals. On and on. We finally made it to the car and to school. However, I forgot to pack her an extra set of clothes and a blanket to nap on. I didn't realize this until I had already dropped her off. I'm not used to this routine obviously. It all worked out though bc I never got a call from the school informing me of a "situation" that required her needing the change of clothes, and her sweet teachers said nap time wasn't a big deal either bc Lola wouldn't nap unless they held her. WHAT?! She knows better than to try that at home... Next week I'll be prepared. Let's just hope I don't forget to take the snacks bc it's already my turn to provide them. That wouldn't be good.

Awww...

Here's a pic of Lola giving her cousin Seth a little sugar. The second pic is them laughing about it. Makes me laugh every time I see it.