NO NO!!

"Gracie, what do you tell Mama?"

"Mommy- NO NO!!"

"You don't tell mama no no"

(she thinks this is funny)

"What do you tell Bookie?"

"NO NO Bookie!!"

"What are you trying to do? Do you need help?"

"Yeah, I help"

G likes to randomly tell me NO NO! You think she hears that a lot per chance? :) It is one of the ways she gets my attention in the car. She finds herself to be QUITE clever.

BFF Birthday Buds

Mere and I have been best buds since college. We are so alike yet so different in many ways. She is truly like the sister I never had. We don't get to see each other nearly enough now but Mere's birthday is the 10th and mine is the 11th and we have celebrated every year together since we were 20. That is nine years Mere-Mere!!

This year the whole fam made the trek up to see Mere and Mike up North. I think we scared them a little with our crazy toddler but they will understand someday- lol. They are kinda sorta trying to get pregnant (hope it's okay I am putting that on my blog?) and I am hoping that by some miracle we get pregnant at the same time and have our babies a day apart too! How cool would THAT be?!

We went mushroom hunting in the woods. G thought the woods was great fun. She loves sticks and rocks and dirt.
Mike and Mere bought a boat last summer that they are working hard to get ready for the water this weekend. They are really excited about it. So excited, in fact, that we sat in it in their driveway and drank beers. HAHAH!

The Zoo!

We spontaneously decided that we were going to go to the zoo last Thursday. Adam had a few days off from work bc the Holiday Inn he was working burned down and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. Nothing like a random Thursday for family fun! It worked out so well. There were no crowds, the weather was perfect, and Miss G loved it!!

We went on a Safari train and had saw giraffe's, zebras, and other African favorites. We also saw elephants, gorillas, orangutans, chimps, monkeys, birds, reptiles, hippos, polar bears, penguins, and so on and so on. Of course Grace's favorite were the birds! She was more intrigued by the duck swimming in the pond in front of the hippo than the ginormous hippopotamus laying there :)

I would have to say mine and Adam's favorites were the orangutans and elephants. The orangutans are so funny! They had a few trainers making the elephants do tricks like raise one leg, shake their heads, lift up both front legs. I was captivated. (click on collage to see pictures bigger)

It was a such a gift to spend the entire day doing something special and fun just as a family.

Admission: $22

Parking: $6

Sippy cup (bc we forgot ours in the car): $6

Lunch: $20

The Memories: PRICELESS :P

Birthday #29

We usually do a joint Mother's Day / Birthday celebration and this year we did it on Sunday. Both sides of the family got together at my mom and dad's house. It is always so touching and cool to see how integrated my family and Adam's family are. It is touching to me because everyone is so willing to celebrate together. I just think that is a rare thing and it always amazes me for some reason.

We had a Mexican feast. Hard and soft tacos, guacamole, fruit salad, cake, and mint chocolate chip ice cream . All my favorites.

Anyway, Bookie and Grace were up to no good as usual. Bookie will do anything to make Grace laugh. Even if it is lick some random metal thing outside. Which she promptly took a taste of too.

My dad beating Scott with a wrapping paper roll. Gee, I wonder why Luke and Grace beat the crap out of each other :)

Monday was my actual birthday. The big 2-9. My big plans? Going to work and getting my license renewed. All day people kept making jokes about me being old and only having one more year until I was really old. I didn't really appreciate that.

Then my coworkers decided to get together at Hunt Club for Happy Hour after work. I seriously have the best coworkers ever. After that, I just stayed there and my mom, dad, Adam, Grace, Matt, and Jenny came in for the second shift. It was the never ending happy hour- lol!!

I think 30 is going to be tough for me. I am completely happy and satisfied where I am in my life right now but it just seems like such a big milestone. Like I will be a real grownup and should have everything figured out. Do you ever really figure everything out? My birthday wishes for my 29th year are to sell our house and add to our family.

This is what I got for my birthday! A sewing machine!! I really am turning into a grandma. My whole family went in on this and the sewing basket and a $50 gift card to JoAnn's. I also got a Target and GAP gift certificate. Does my family know me or what? I do think they think I am a little crazy. Just what I need, right, another hobby :) I have no idea how to sew but I can't wait to start making stuff.

Adam helped me set it up and thread the needle. All those years being dragged to JoAnn's by his grandma were apparently not wasted. He even tried it out and insisted on making a "pillow" out of an old t-shirt. I told him I was taking pictures and putting them on my blog because Adam sewing is just not something you expect to see every day.

All in all it was a wonderful birthday. Thank you for all the birthday texts, fb msgs, emails, and calls. I feel very loved.

Happy Mother's Day

I saw this in a magazine so I thought I would post my answers here in honor of Mother's Day:

As a mom....

What is you favorite part of the day: When G first gets up in the morning. She is giddy with happiness and all warm and crazy haired. LOVE it.

Least favorite part of the day: Trying to get out of the house to go to work in the morning without losing my mind. I am always rushing and trying to not to forget anything while doing six things at once and managing the tornado that is my toddler.

Proudest Moment: No single moment but it makes me very proud when I see other people taken in by G's charisma. She is shy at first but when she decides you are one of her people she captures your heart

Biggest Ooops / Embarrassing Moment: Spraying breastmilk across a public bathroom in a bookstore while trying to nurse a newborn Grace. I never believed that was possible until it happened to me.

Thing you never said you would do or say (before you were a mom): Give my kid a pacifier after a year old. It's only at nap and bedtime.....making excuses....Ugh!!

Thing you are most looking forward to: Seeing Grace as a big sister some day.

So join in fellow bloggers!! Or post a comment and tell me your answers....

"A Mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

Mommy & Me

Nicole took some pictures of Grace and I last weekend and has a sneak peek on her photography blog. The story behind these matching outfits is pretty funny. Lets just say G was less than cooperative during her photo shoot. She fell aspleep in the car in the 2 minute drive to the park . No joke. I am so glad Nic got a few smiles and it is so nice to have some pictures of just Grace and I. I am usually the one taking the pictures so it is a rare moment that I have some of the two of us. Thanks so much Nicole!!

I'm Tired

I have pictures of Grace from 3 weeks ago I have been wanting to share but I am just so tired I don't have the energy to upload them. We had a house showing today!! We put our house back on the market last month and lowered the price a bit. I have been cleaning and organizing like a maniac since I got the call yesterday and I am BEAT. Hopefully something comes of it and we get a offer. I am staying positive :) I'll keep ya posted.

I am really looking forward to scrapbook Mega Meet next Saturday with the girls followed up by a crop at Achievers. Sunday is my birthday / Mother's Day celebration with the fam. I was born on Mother's Day so even though my birthday is a day later this year we still usually celebrate on Mother's Day. I couldn't think of a more perfect way to spend my pre-birthday weekend!

Have a great week! Pictures to come when I am all rested up...