Happy 33rd

My husband would have been 33 today!

I’m 33: Happy Birthday to Me!

In honor of my 33rd birthday, here are 33 things that I’d like to do/try before reaching 34 (God willing):

1.  Go on an adult vacation: Preferably an island–any island! I went to Cancun and had a nice time

2.  Have my baby boy potty trained: He will be 21 months then.

3.  Make time to pursue my hobbies

4.  Decide if I want to attend law school No, I’ll stick to the education industry.

5.  Find a place of worship

6.  Find a great, simple recipe for mac and cheese Thanks to Suzanne, half and half, and cooking creme

7.  A serious relationship: I am lonely

8.  Make a pink champagne cake Very rich and decadent!

9.  Start/finish my a scrapbook for my mother

10. Gain 10 pounds: In my opinion there is a such thing as being too thin

11.  Have a family vacation somewhere where there is a beach–Australia maybe

12.  Compliment/encourage someone at least once a day

13.  Pray more

14.  Keep a resilient attitude

15.  Read at least 10 good books that are not work related: The Help,

16.  Manage my time more efficiently

17. Stop and smell the roses

18.  Develop a plan for my debts

19.  Be grateful for the smALL things

20.  Consciously choose to forgive those who have hurt me

21.  Finish the Old Testament

22.  Take a class–likely pertaining to my career

23.  Cook whatever I want to eat

24.  Start an online business

25.  Organize the garage

26.  Create a formal will: Shame on me that I don’t have this done by now!

27.  Save more, spend less

28.  Stop using retail as therapy

29.  Exercise patience

30.  Stop taking everything to heart

31.  Laugh more: Sometimes I am such a wet blanket

32.  Be more creative with my wardrobe

33.  Spend twice as much more QUALITY time with my kids

Say Yes to the Dress!

I will be 33 years-old in less than two weeks.  Usually I don’t do much for my birthday other than go out to dinner if the weather is not too arctic.  And in Indiana on the 22nd of January it usually is.  With that being said, if I can  find the dress below, I’ll risk getting frost bite and doing something extra special!

I love this dress!  It is sooooo pretty, especially the sweetheart neckline, the paper-mache` pattern on the bust, and the flouncy skirt which reminds me of a ballet wrap.  Not to mention, the color is close to my birthstone (garnet).

This is Kim K. on the cover of Cosmo Australia–we don’t get it here in Indy.  I’ve called Borders with no luck, scoured the internet, joined the Cosmo Australia fashion forum and posted my inquiry, and emailed Cosmo who clearly tell readers not to ask questions about the dress the cover model is wearing, lol.  What’s a girl to do?  Any other suggestions?

 

The Pancakes

In honor of my mother’s 48th birthday today, I thought I’d share a story about her.  When I was about 6 years-old and my brother was 4, my mother cooked us a batch of pancakes for breakfast.  Mind you, she was a young  mother and was not very experienced in the kitchen.  To top that off, she was not in a good mood that day so I knew there was no way she would allow us to eat something else.

When she placed the plates in front of us; I immediatedly noticed how weird they looked.  I glanced at my brother and he looked fearfully at the flat, lifeless circular blobs.  I, too was appalled that she expected us to eat those things!

My mother noticed our reluctance and warned us that we better eat every single piece of our pancakes.   For a few minutes she stood guard over us to make sure we’d do just that.  I courageously took a bite hoping for the best.  It was the worst of times.   Even at my young age I  realized she put too much baking soda  in the mix!  Satisfied with my mouthful, she left us to own devices.

My brother sat there with tears in his eyes while I was busy thinking.  We lived in a high rise and was many floors up.  It finally dawned on me that we could throw them out the window if I was clever enough.  I cut my pancakes in fours and did my brother’s next. 

Glancing around furtively for her probing eyes, I made my way to the window.  The coast was clear so I rapidly dumped some of our pancakes out the window.

I told my brother to shuffle the remaining pancakes on his plate to make it appear as if he was eating.  My mother checked on us again and saw the diminishing stacks and smiled.

When she walked away I excused myself from the table with a napkin of carefully concealed pancakes.  My plan was to flush them down the toilet.

Once back at the table I dropped the rest of her culinary science project out the window.  We were saved!

Happy Birthday Kierra!!!

Today Kierra turns 15.  She is such the little lady.  I met Kierra about three months before she turned two.  We have grown up together.  I was a fresh 21 then.  (Uh oh…I’m telling my age!)  We connected immediately and I was fortunate to have met her at that stage in her life. 

Last night we went out to eat at Famous Daves to celebrate.  Mmmmmm…..they have the best cornbread muffins!  Ian, Imani, Kierra, and Husband loved tasting the different sauces.  Kierra and Husband got a kick out of the looks on Ian and Imani’s faces when they insisted on tasting the Devil’s Spit sauce.  I tried to warn them that it was really hot.  But these are the same kids that enjoy eating Flaming Hot Cheetos and Flaming Hot Funyuns.  I guess the chips didn’t have a thing on the Devil’s Spit!

On our way home we stopped at Claires to get Kierra a tiara to wear to school today.  She wanted me to help pick it out.   When we got home we discussed possible outfits for her to wear.  This year she is with Christine so we will not see her today.  I told her to send me lots of pictures via her cell phone.

During spring break I scheduled a spa day with her.  My mom and sister-in-law are going along as well.  We are getting massages, manicures, and pedicures.  The Spa we are going to has a resturant so we plan on eating lunch there.   We couldn’t figured out what to get her so I came up with this idea.  Hopefully she has a blast and we all can relax and enjoy being pampered.

Birthday Money

Last month at Imani’s birthday party she received $50.00 in cash and a few gift cards.  Everyday thereafter for about a week, she was determined to spend her money.  She inquired if I had to go to Walmart everyday because she said I needed to get something.  What was I supposed to get?  She didn’t know.  When she realized I wasn’t biting she asked me where her money was and insisted that I show it to her.

Eventually she stopped asking.  On the occasion I took her with me to Walmart she would make hints about something that she “needed.”  Last weekend the weather was really nice.  My cousins (a boy and girl the same ages as Imani and Ian) were over for the day.  I took the girls to Walmart while the boys stayed home and played outside. 

I let them pick out hula hoops for them and balls for the boys.  Imani seemed to be happy with this purchase.  Until…

Imani~”Mommy, did you spend my birthday money on this stuff?”

Me~”No Sweetie, I still have your money in a safe place at home.”

Imani~”Well when do I get to spend it?”

Me~”We’ll have to find something special to do with your birthday money.”

Imani~”When?”

Me~”Soon.”

I actually have no clue how I want her to spend the money.  I do not want her to spend it on random toys that she will play with for a hot second. 

What do you do with your kids birthday money?

Kierra’s Unfortunate Events

Yesterday Kierra went to the doctor for her scheduled ultrasound.  She has to have another surgery.  The first one was ten months ago.  Kierra is really down about this.  She has had a series of unfortunate events (as she refers to things happening in her life at this point). 

A girl she knows at school stole her IPod Touch from her bag when she went to run an errand for the teacher.  A few of her classmates saw the girl with the IPod.  The girl’s locker was searched but the IPod never turned up.  Kierra said the girl was following her making comments about Kierra getting her in trouble.  I’m happy Kierra had enough sense to keep moving and not feed into her harassment.

Shortly thereafter her cell phone broke and had to be sent away to get fixed.  She went crazy that whole week without it. 

Last week Kierra attended a basketball game at her high school.  Their team hit the game winning shot at the buzzer.  She was trampled as spectators ran from the stands to congratulate the team.  In the process her glasses were broken.  She was pushed into the ropes and received a ropeburn to her neck.   She also suffered from headaches until she received new glasses because she couldn’t see.

A couple days ago she lost her cell phone.  We just used the insurance to replace her broken phone.  We will have to pay more money to  get a replacement.  So she will have to wait.  Husband said she needed to learn to take care of her things. 

Now she just learned that she has to have surgery the day after her birthday.  Kierra is not a happy camper right now. 

The bright side to the whole situation is that she will be with us.  Her surgery falls on the beginning of her spring break with us.  She was concerned that she would not be able to be with us and the posibility that she would not get to see my brother, his wife, and the kids when they arrive in town.  Husband assured her that she would indeed be with us unless Christine forces Kierra to stay with her.

I talked to Kierra on the phone last night for quite awhile.  My hopes were to lift her spirits about the surgery and all the happenings in her life.  We joked about my weak stomach.  She asked me how I was going to be able to take care of her when everything grosses me out.  I laughed and assured her that I could handle it.  If not, Nana (my mom who is a nurse) would be on hand.  Kierra laughed and called me a cheater. 

We also discussed possible ways to celebrate her birthday.  Kierra (who will be 15) wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese before the surgery was scheduled!  I told her that she could invite some of her friends over to watch movies and hang out with her for awhile and that next weekend we would go to Chuck E. Cheese if she was feeling up to it.

She seemed to be in better spirits by the end of our call.  I’m going to continue to lift her up.

Happy Birthday Imani

Imani turns 5 tomorrow.  Since Ian’s birthday in September , she has been asking when her birthday is coming.  I informed her that it was five months away.  Once a week Imani inquired about how much time she had until her birthday.  Well it’s finally here.

My husband and I asked her what theme she wanted for her birthday party.  She promptly told me that she wanted Spongebob.  Spongebob?  I asked again just to make sure Spongebob is what she said.  Yep, Spongebob!  I tried to direct her attention to Dora The Explora or even Tinkerbell.  Nope, she wants Spongebob so Spongebob it is. 

I was quite bummed.  Not that I dislike Spongebob but I was looking forward to a girlie girl party.  Ian’s party was a combination of Spiderman and Transformers.  Ian’s party went over well.  In September it was still pretty warm outside.  I was thrilled with the weather because that meant the children were outside most of the party.

Well, this is February and  it snowed this week.  I was trying to find out what to do for an insde party.  I went online and found some good idea’s on Spongebob themed parties.  Of course, most of the ideas were geared toward outdoor water activities.  So I had to improvise. 

Look for my next post on how the party turned out!

Happy Birthday!

Ian turned six last week.  It is our tradition to go out to dinner on the birthday no matter what.  Usually we make reservations at Benihana’s and invite family and friends.  This year we asked Iam where he would like to eat.  Afterall, he is six and might want to go to Chuckie Cheese for dinner.

Much to our surprise he opted for Olive Garden instead.  I just knew we were headed to Chuckie Cheese.  Darn!!!  I was looking forward to visiting with Chuckie himself!

On the way to school the morning of his birthday, Ian changed his mind.  He decided on Benihana’s so he could wear the balloon hat and dance.  My husband takes them to school so I had no idea this conversation took place until mid day. 

I called my husband on my lunch break and he told me about the change in plans.  He said that Ian and Imani were in the back seat arguing about where to go.  Ian told her it was his birthday and he could go where ever he wanted to go.  Imani really had her heart set on Olive Garden and was trying her best to get him to go there for dinner.

After school, Imani did not forget the earlier argument.  “Ian we are going to Benihana’s for Daddy’s birthday.  I want Olive Garden Ian.  You said that first anway.  I want to go to Olive Garden Ian.  Mommy, how much longer is my birthday?  I want to go to Olive Garden.”

Imani was fine after we arrived at Benihana.  She even helped Ian dance when the restaraunt staff sang to Ian.

On Sunday, we gave him a big birthday party.  Our friends and their children were invited along with our neighbors.  We grilled and had cupcakes instead of a cake.  The kids loved this idea.  Husband found the cupcakes with toy Spiderman and Transformer rings sticking out of the icing. 

Ian’s birthday wish was to have a Bakugan.  When he first told me what he wanted I had no idea what he was talking about.  My husband asked one of the older boys on our street if he knew what Ian wanted.  He had one and showed the toy to my husband.  When my husband went to find it at the store the sales clerk told him that the store could not keep it on the shelf.  I ran around on Saturday looking for the toy.  I finally found what I was looking for.  Luckily they had just a few left so I grabbed what they had.

Ian’s eyes lit up as he opened each one.  I’m still not sure what it does even after watching him play with the Bakugan.  It really makes no sense to me.  But hey, if he’s happy, I’m happy!

Dos!

Today is Jazmine’s 2nd birthday! Here are a few facts about my lively niece! 

• She loves Dora and Spongebob and can sing both of their theme songs. 
• She is very helpful when it comes to chores and is quite neat for her age
• Jazmine is very independent
• She likes to dance
• She likes to color as well
• Jazmine really loves being outside hanging with the big kids
• She does not like bread
• She resents taking naps
• She is a goofy baby
• Jazmine is a girly-girl and loves skirts and dresses