RE-INVENTION

Ever see a cupcake stand? 

They've become very popular and can be purchased at Costco, Michaels, Pier 1....a multitude of places.  They are a great invention and the perfect way to display cupcakes. 

I decided to change it up a little.........today was Finn's Easter Party at school and I was tired of making cupcakes. 

Instead of cupcakes, I added grass and candy stuffed eggs. 

Today was months end for me at work, so Todd being the amazing husband he is....lightened my morning load by taking Finn to school which included bringing the Egg Holder....

Who wants to take a guess

that it made it to school

without any missing eggs?

PETER PAN - KROC CENTER

As the sun sets below the horizon and the moon rises over San Diego....we will find ourselves in NeverNeverLand  surrounded by Lost Boys, Peter Pan and.......Grandma Edna?  Yes, Grandma Edna and the rest of the Chavez/Richardson clan will be in the audience.  

Jamie Boyd, Mark & Kara's niece is "Peter Pan" in this production at the Joan Kroc Center in San Diego.   Tickets were purhcased back in January...thank Goodness, all performances are sold out!!!

Isn't it exciting to see Jamie's name on the Character List?  Needless to say, we are very excited to see Jamie perform live (Finn adores her) and she is PETER PAN!  In my book, that rates higher than Tinkerbell.  I will try and get her to autogrpah my playbill............

See you in NeverNeverLand!!

New Shirt

For Christmas my mother gave me a lovely Jones New York blouse with sash.  The fabric is similar to a Hugo Boss men's dress shirt and has coconut shell buttons and buckle.  It's been hanging in my closet, begging to be worn for months.  I haven't been able to wear it due to weather constraints....

but today.....

I wore it!!!

Photograph by Finn

GRANDPARENTS

When did it happen?

My parents became grandparents.  Yes.....I know this occurance took place 6 years ago thanks to Teddy but when I see them together pushing Finn and Chloe on the swings it brings it all into sharper focus.   

How lucky my son is to have two sets of grandparents within a 25 mile radius.  Thank you Mom & Dad and Violet & Gus for being the most incredible grandparents a 4 year old boy can have.

Homicide in Hardcover

OH TO BE IN BOSTON TODAY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SQUARED

Happy Birthday Rob

One of my favorite photos of Rob and Finn

I truly love that my only brother and my only child share the same birthday!  Have fun at the brewery Rob, I can't believe you are "30", we are back in the same decade together!  Hasn't happened in 10 years.  Wish we could all be together to celebrate.....maybe next year we can celebrate Finn and Rob together in the same location!

Birthday Boy

FINN

FOUR

AT 3:13PM TODAY

We are spending the day at Legoland...if you are in the area and have passes, come with us. 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE BASEMENT

Definition of Basement:

A Room/Space below the Main Floor.

Technically my room can be called a basement,
it is below my main floor....if only by three feet.

This is our California version of a basement.........our room next to the garage.  This room has been a rental unit, home gym, storage dump, guest bedroom and now evolved into our....

Reading/Gaming/Home Theatre Room

 It even has it's own bathroom complete with shower,

and the most comfortable pull out bed with down pillows.

It is nice having a room seperate from the main house where dogs and cats can sleep without fear of their owners shooing them out, where little boys can watch movies (Batman) without interuptions from parents and where I can read late into the night surrounded by my beloved books in total peace and quiet. 

Come check it out,

you may find yourself playing X-Box live with Uncle Rob.

BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES

My childhood encompassed the 70's and 80's where you could still bring homemade treats to your classroom on your birthday.

Times have changed, if you are raising children today you will know most schools only accept "store bought" treats due to allergies (they need to see the ingredient label). 

I ask you, how sad is this?  

Thanks goodness for Finn's preschool, they accept homemade treats!  Last night as midnight drew near, visions of my mother staying up late finishing school treats came to mind.  I could feel her right beside me as I dyed shredded coconut green.  I am glad I can do this for Finn and if honest with myself, gather as much enjoyment from this as he does.

Brontosaurus

 Pterodactyl

 Zebra

 Plethera of Animals

 What do you think of my hand dyed grass? 

Look real? 

I still can't get over the fact that Saturday my little one will be FOUR!

Happy Birthday Mother

Todays birthday girl is known far and wide

by many different names:

Mother

Grandma  Cher

Nana

Mrs. Richardson

Thanks to St. Anne's party planning parents, we were invited to a surprise birthday party in her classroom.   

We were instructed to arrive between 9 - 9:30am, Finn and Tiago entered the classroom first with the director under the guise of "potential" new students for her classroom......

SHOCK AND AWE at its best!!

Loved the Banner!

Flowers from Robbie

(Delivered while we were there, perfect timing,

all four of her children represented)

Birthday Girl & Surprise Party Guest (Dad)

There may be a birthday party underway but school was still in session so while Mrs. Richardson went on with her class, Finn and Tiago were welcomed to participate.

Reading Time

Can you spot Finn and Tiago?

Party Classroom

The parents came in the night before to decorate,

balloons, tiara's and diamonds all around!

Boys looking at Bugs

Why do we stop looking at bugs when we get older? 

Don't you remember how cool it was to watch them move about?

Our mother with her girls.....

we just need Allie & Brie to be complete!

 

Love you mother,

Happy Birthday!

  Please pass on our thanks and appreciation to the parents who arranged for us to be there! 

MARCH

Ahhhhhhh MARCH

Spring is in the air, you can sense it......you can feel it.......you can see it (especially in my home).  Thanks to my anniversary, our home is adorned in colorful, fragrant blooming flowers.  I feel like Eliza in My Fair Lady, let's just pray I don't break out in song.

Floral Arrangement from Todd

(Finn picked out the color)

The roses opened beautifully!

Floral Arrangement from Vi & Gus

This is the most exquisite color gerber daisy I have ever seen!!!