HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to ME!!

Look what I woke up to

this morning

I waited till Finn woke up so he could watch me open it.....he started singing Happy Birthday!  It was too funny, and made me cry.  I am so blessed to be able to share every morning with Finn and Todd.  19 Years ago today I said "I DO" and today I say "I DO" again forever!

I will love you always Todd!

TOP OF THE PYRAMID

What do you do on a Saturday night.....

at my home we build pyramids with beautiful girls

 and top it with

FINN

Finn is one lucky little boy!

I must compliment the parents of each one of these girls, they have raised  young women who are sweet, well-mannered and always make time to play with Finn. 

ELF SNIPER

It is true......when Finn is not at preschool, or working with his daddy in the garage, he is busy protecting our home as the........

ELF SNIPER

(socks compliments of Grandma Cher)

How do you know you've been hit by the ELF SNIPER?  A candycane is always left at the scene.

The Sequel that was a Prequel

Can you even begin to image the great disappointment I felt after learning that Fire was not a sequel to Graceling but a prequel?

I was devastated!

I finished Graceling thinking that Fire was next in line, those of you who know me understand how attached I become to characters in books.  I still long for more stories of Stuart Little and can't believe E. B. White didn't write more of him. 

Kristin Cahsore's Graceling introduced me to  a new world and many unique character's but I was mostly fascinated by Katsa and Po. I knew they were waiting for me in Fire so I wasn't as sad as I normally am when  I come to to the last pages of the story.   How wrong I was.......

So while I wait for the sequel to Graceling, I will open the pages of Fire and try to forget Katsa and Po.  I will open my mind and heart to whatever awaits me between the pages of Fire.  I will also try and figure out what my special Grace is?  Any suggestions for those of you who have read the book and understand the question?!?!?!?!?

My book recommendation for February is

Graceling! 

P.S.  Graceling was another recommendation from my niece Kirra.  Don't you think she would make a good Book Editor?  She is always right on with her selections!

SISTERS NIGHT OUT

Last Saturday evening Kara, Devon and I went out for a late dinner at El Callejon followed by a 10:00pm showing of Sherlock Holmes. 

Some of you may be thinking....why so late?!?!?!?  By going a little later, we get to be home with the little ones in the evening,  put them to bed and then they don't even realize you are gone as you slip out the door into the night for sisterly fun! 

Best of both worlds:  

Time with children

Time with sisters and margarita's!

My Beautiful Sisters

Look how peaceful they look,

 no diaper bags, no mess on the floor, just peace and quiet.....

Until the mariachi's showed up.....

Vocal Mariachi's....

ever notice they turn up right in the middle of a conversation you really want to hear?!?

Such a lovely time being with my sisters.....

my sides hurt the next morning from all the giggling!

Here's a toast to our next "Sister's Night Out"

May it arrive sooner than later!

Homemade Valentine

This year I thought it would be nice for Finn to make his own Valentine Cards to pass out at his school party.  When I was his age, my mother always helped us make homemade, you hardly ever saw store bought. 

I figured out why store bought Valentine's have become more popular, cheaper and convenient.  After a trip to Michael's & the Dollar Tree the whopping total was $32.00 versus $3.99 for store bought.  Big difference......however the payoff to homemade and extra expense was the time and fun spent with Finn....and  his valentine cards will be unique!

Finn proud of his glitter results

Hands & Glitter

Finished Valentine for the boys in his class.  

The girls get candy bracelet's.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies & Brownie Squares

After bath and bedtime for Finn, more Valentine preparations  waited for me, homemade Crinkle Cookies for his class party.  I didn't start working on the cookie dough until 10pm and realized after reading the recipe that the dough must chill for at least 4 hours.  Quick change of plans, into the fridge the dough went, I had Todd sent the alarm for 5am so I could get up early to bake 4 dozen.

I admit, I am tired this morning......but it was well worth it.

There will be time to sleep after Finn is thirty!!

THE COLOR OF FEBRUARY

Can you think of a more appropriate color for a new sofa than RED for the month of February?  I have never owned a red sofa, have you?  It changes the feel of the room completely, bold and vibrant!

In a philanthropic gesture, my parents donated a beautiful, in almost new condition, RED sofa to our  family/TV room.  The previous sofa was 12 years old and had seen better days! 

We are all thrilled with the new addition....but Finn is beyond thrilled!  Can you tell?  He looks quite comfortable.

Thanks Mom & Dad!