a beautiful weekend

Mother's day weekend 2013 was sweet and special. On Saturday morning, we walked up to Brick and Spoon, a new restaurant that just opened at the end of our neighborhood. I love places you can walk to.

After breakfast, we went to sweet Juliet's birthday party, which was beautiful. D wore her birthday party dress, and Juliet's birthday dress was nearly identical. Fortunately, Juliet didn't mind D stealing her look on her big day. :)

We've been doing lots of yard work lately, so we squeezed in a bit of that after the birthday party. It's hard work, but we kind of enjoy it, and it makes us so much prouder of our little house.

Then, we walked down to a neighbor's house for cocktails and apps. We've met lots of new neighbors thanks to the beautiful weather summoning everyone outside. They have a little four year old, who is so sweet to D, and a 3 month old who makes D look well and truly like a KID.

Speaking of that crazy girl..this is one of her latest tricks...

..She puts things in her ears. B thinks she thinks she is putting on earrings, but I don't know. This picture ALSO shows more big girl evidence...pig tails!

Sunday morning I woke up to Mello Joy coffee, my favorite and these fun things. Last year, Mack died on Mother's Day weekend and we were all still in a state of fuzzy stupor from learning the ropes with a baby, so I guess you could say it wasn't the best. This year was much better, except that MY mom wasn't here.

We had our neighbors over for breakfast, thanks to Brick and Spoon being highly unprepared for Mother's Day madness. We really are looking forward to enjoying that place once they get their kinks worked out.

Poor D was so tired from all of the activity that when I asked her if she wanted to go take a nap, she literally started crawling so fast for her room saying "Na-na, na-na, na-na," (night night) over and over again joyfully.

Later, we hit up the new St. Jude's Dream Home, which is down the street from our house. I love the dream homes because I get lots of ideas from them. I preferred the decor of last year's dream home, but I like the style and layout of this year's home better.

And then, we got to see other little mamas doing their things around our pond!

This is one of our beloved ducks sitting on her nest. Can't wait until we have some little ducklings around here!

And we also saw this little turtle laying eggs. There are lots of turtles in the pond, but this was the first time I ever saw one out of the pond. The heron was also back to visit. He's my favorite.

And that's all for our weekend. I hope everyone else's was just as sweet and special. I loved seeing all the posts on facebook honoring moms. Just tells me how important it all is.

Blog Every Day in May 4, 5 & 6

Oops..why is it harder to blog on the weekend than during the week? hmm..

DAY 4: Favorite quotes
I used to be such a quote nerd always updating my quotes on my AIM profile, then myspace, then facebook. I don't even know where you put quotes on your facebook page anymore. Anyway, here are some of my favorites-

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little- if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny." - Coco Chanel


I love this because rarely do I ever leave the house without tidying myself at least a little. Don't get me wrong- that does not mean I always (or ever) look chic and stylish. I just know from experience that when I look like a complete slob kabob (thanks, kim k.), I run into every cute and stylish person I know. So, luckily, you'll never see me hopping around town without at least a little blush, powder and lip gloss.  That sounds so high maintenance. I really am a hot mess always! Just with a stitch of makeup and pearls.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus

Have to remind myself of this frequently. 

"No matter how many Chanel bags you borrow, you'll never, ever be a lady." - that girl from RHOBH

I love this. Not because it's true, just because it's hilarious. How pompous.

and two reality trash tv references in one post? please don't judge. 

DAY 5: Love for blogger friend

My only friend who blogs is my ol' friend Barb. She blogs here about her little furbaby, Alfie.


DAY 6: What do you do

I teach English and Literature to 6th graders. I save lives, among other things.

Squirm

Today's topic: Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

1. Telling people no/standing up for myself/negotiating. Whether it's the Orkin man, the boss, the street peddler, etc., I squirm inside whenever I have to assert myself in any way. (Although with my husband or students, I am quite good.) I have honestly accepted a job, moved across the country, and started said job without signing a contract OR knowing my salary just because I am too chicken to ask. And I've actually done it twice, except for the moving across country part. I've also signed up for an interview to join the Army and given my phone number to a foreign cashier at Wal-Mart. I have to hide from the Mormon missionaries, otherwise I probably wouldn't be a Catholic right now. I know, it's a problem.

2. Wet pants/socks. That's the worst!

3. Not being dressed the way I like. I'll feel uncomfortable all day if I don't have on an outfit that makes me feel decently pretty.

4. Telling people they have food in their teeth or something of that ilk.

That's all the squirmy feelings I can handle right now. It's Friday, and sister needs something in the family of this:

Now I be teachin English all day and I ain't no Spanish teacher, but the title of that yummylicious drink don't make sense. (Ok, truthfully, talking like that without letting people know I know better also makes me uncomfortable.) Anyway, fifth of red? Shouldn't it be Cinco de Rojo? And what is fifth of red anyway? And does a garnish of lime actually constitute a margarita? You know what- who cares! It's Friday!

Expert?

I'm back again for the blog every day in May challenge. Today's topic is "something I am an expert on".   My sister says these don't count as posts because there is no baby involved. On the other hand, my husband would probably say I act like I am an expert on a lot of things. That could be. Whatever the case, I can't think of much I'd like to claim expert status on openly to the internet, so I'm going to take a pass and post a cute picture of the baby instead!

my life in 250 words

Woof-it's been about a month since I've posted, and that was a picture of an un-ironed, disbedazzled Walmart sweater. It's not that I am lacking for precious things to document, I just haven't done it. Anyway, I am trying to participate in a blogging challenge to blog every day for a month. Should be easy enough since it's the last month of school, right? We'll see.

Today's topic is "My Life in 250 Words"..here goes.

I was born on June 19th in West Monroe, Louisiana. About two years later I was adopted by my biological aunt, one of the many but probably one of the more significant blessings in my life. I had a fantastic childhood full of imagination, make-believe, vacations, family, friends and love.  When I was in kindergarten, I decided I would be a teacher when I “grew up” and though I’ve toyed with a few other possibilities, teaching is the job for me. In 4^th grade, I met three girls who are still my closest friends even though our lives are now far apart. In 2004, I followed my dreams to New Orleans to attend Tulane. In 2005, I followed my heart back to West Monroe.  Little did I know at the time, but my “heart” (cheese!) was also finding his way back to West Monroe where we were eventually set up by a mutual friend. In 2007,   he proposed, my parents divorced   and we moved to Phoenix.  In Phoenix, I learned what I had already learned back in kindergarten- teaching is the job for me! We spent four years trying to settle on a wedding date and finally got married in June of 2011.  We were immediately blessed with a little one on the way whom we welcomed with love on February 17, 2012. Life has not been the same since. As an English teacher, I feel uncomfortable leaving extra words on the table, thus the necessity of this extraneous sentence.  

Ok, see y'all tomorrow!  

A little spring break fixer-upper

I've had my eye on this little cardigan from Wal-Mart for a while. Simple white cardigans are hard to come by. They usually have some kind of unnecessary detail or are those little cropped cardigans or are $50. Anyway, I loved the little scalloped trim on here, and I really loved the $8 price tag, but those rhinestone buttons were a little too Texas for my taste. Nothing wrong with Texas- it's just a different kind of cute.

So I fixed it up in a jiffy with some little pearlized buttons and voila..perfect. D is now ready for this psycho Louisiana Spring weather.

Baby Drama at Rhythms on the River

We started our Easter weekend off by taking D to Rhythms on the River where she got to dance and play with Juliet. Juliet is younger than D, but she is definitely the boss, especially when they play at her house with her toys. D doesn't really care, but she showed us that she is no pushover when it comes to food.

See...

Juliet: I'll take that...

D: Hey..Wait..where did you get that cracker?

D: Give it to me!!  Juliet: Back off!

D: Ha! I win!

Juliet: Fine! I'll just smile at and play with your mom!   D: Whatever..just give me the rest of the crackers.

D: I've got two crackers..I've got two crackers..I've got two crackers hey hey hey hey..