Good Times

This past weekend was spent perfectly!  The weather was great and we were surrounded by good friends...and food of course!

Julie just had a baby a few weeks ago, so I was trying to give her some time to adjust to her new life, but she called me and was ready to go go go, so we took the kids to her house to play for a while and then went to Olga's for dinner.  Lizzy loved playing with the baby.  She kind of tried to treat him like a doll though and wanted to feed him and shake him, and just be in his face.  It was kind of cute...but probably not for Julie!

The next day we went to our friends Jenny and Donny in Oxford.  It's too bad that they live so far away because the kids get along so great with Jonah and Emerson!  The adults were actually able to talk quite a bit because the kids entertained themselves.  It was great...they had a big pool set up, a bounce house, slip n' slide and most importantly...a bowl of M&M's which were conveniently at Lizzy's reach.  She helped herself to quite a few before I told them that the bowl was going to have to move!  She happily moved on to the chip bowl which I had to move as well!  So, the only thing left was the vegetable platter...she put a tomato in her mouth thinking it was fruit and spit it out on the floor.  I guess we're going to have work on the whole vegetable thing...she's a little to obsessed with junk food!  Of course, we allowed it, but we were having fun and the kids were really well behaved.  We'll have to do it again soon!!

5th Anniversary

This past weekend Jason and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.  Usually this is all about the kids, so to continue with that theme, I will include the kids to say that...they weren't there!  Actually, I take that back, our actual anniverary was on a Friday night, and we decided we would be less tired that Saturday, so on Friday we took the kids out for dinner to Champps...nothing too exciting...it's nice and loud in there which is a good thing since the kids were singing at the top of theri lungs...I guess it's better than crying and complaining!!

The next day Grammie and Grandpa came over to babysit overnight.  Jason didn't tell me where we were going, which is cool with me, I love surprises!  He ended up taking me to the Motor City Casino.  They had the best hotel room ever (well, I don't have that high of standards since we don't travel all that often, so to me, it was awesome!)  I loved the bathroom...I even took pictures so one day...a very long time from now...I can remodel my bathroom (it will probably never happen, but hey...it might).  Anyway, when we got there, Jason popped open some champagne and then he told me to get ready for the spa...yayyyy!  It was so great!  They started off with a reflexology massage for the two of us, which was really relaxing!  Next, they sent us into a room with a hot tub and mud bath.  I felt really rich as I laid there with cucumbers over my eyes.  That is something that I would never find the time to do at home!  Finally, they gave us each an hour long body massage!  I think we were there for almost 3 hours!  Jason knows me well..it was perfect!  The only drawback was that the fire alarm went off during part of it.  I am kind of cursed when it comes to fire alarms...I won't get into that other than to say that I'm not surprised at all that it happened!  But fortunately, it happened in between two of the sessions.  But to make it up, they brought us cupcakes and gave us an aroma therapy treatment!

Then, it was time for dinner!  The Motor City has the only 5 star restaurant in Detroit, called Iridescence.  It was on the very top floor and had an amazing view.  It was a little expensive, but hey...we were celebrating!  It was REALLY good, and of course, I loved the dessert.  Jason and I shared one since I was so full (and because his 3 course meal came with one).  And just when I thought I couldn't eat anymore, the chef sent out an anniversary dessert for us.  I thought I was going to explode...but I ate it (of course).

Finally, it was time to gamble!  We played Craps and Blackjack!  We didn't hit it big, but it was great entertainment for a few hours!  One of these days I'll hit the jackpot!  Then is was off to bed...it was long but perfect day.  I almost forgot to mention the awesome present that I got, as if this wasn't enough...a new Nikon camera...it's really really nice...I love it!  I got Jason a sweatshirt...pretty much chopped liver compared to what he got me.  But in my defense...he begged me over and over again not to get him anything.  And now I see why...he spend a pretty penny on our anniversary celebration!

That morning I took a shower in the really nice shower and put on the robe that they let you borrow during your stay so I could feel all relaxed and care free before we headed home!  We ended up going out for breakfast and then back to reality...which wasn't a bad thing...I always miss the kids and was happy to see them, but it's always nice to have a break and a good night sleep!  It was a great weekend!

Stop!!!

Ms. Bossy (aka Lizzy) is really starting to figure out how to get under Sydney's skin, or maybe she's just irritated with annoying sounds.  But lately, if Sydney is whining about something, she says to Sydney, "stop it, you a bad girl", which just sends Sydney into orbit.  She does not like to hear that from Lizzy and then she just starts screaming and crying, so Lizzy's naturaly reply is, "Sydney, STOP crying" (and she really does emphasize "stop". I just don't think Sydney likes taking commands from her little sister, but sometimes I kind of agree with Lizzy and let her carry on.  Jason and I just laugh, which doesn't help the situation at all because then Sydney feels like she has no one on her side.  Lizzy, on the other hand, could care less if I or anyone else tells her that she's a bad girl, all she says is, "no, Lizzy a good girl", and goes about her business.

Lizzy is also the same way with Savannah.  Every time Savannah barks, she tells her to "BE QUIET", or she says, "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Savannah, no barking".  Well, today, she just couldn't take it anymore.  Jason was out on business, and the three of us were sitting at the table eating (Savannah had already eaten and gone outside), but she was constantly barking at us for our food...she wouldn't stop...and I have to admit it was pretty annoying, but I was able to ignore it.  Afterall, it had been a long day, and I was starving, and I was definitely not getting up for the dog.  But all of a sudden, without saying anything, Lizzy got out of her chair (we had to retire the highchair by the way...Lizzy has no interest), went into the laundry room, got out the scooper, dumped some food in Savannah's bowl, and came back to the table.  So, I don't know if she's a really good helper or just can't stand annoying noises...but either way, it helped me out and was pretty darn cute!  I wasn't going to get up, but I had to snap a picture!

July 4th Weekend

Water, water, and more water.  That pretty much sums up the entire weekend.  Oh, and food...can't forget about the food!

I took Friday off of work to spend with the kids, so that gave me a nice four day weekend, and nice it was indeed!  The very second Lizzy woke up on Friday, she asked to go swimming...she loves it!  I didn't really have a reason to say no, so off we went to Grandpa's!  When we got home, Lily came over to play with Sydney while Lizzy napped, and what did they want to do?  Play in the water, of course!  So Shauna and I blew up our water slide and pool and the kids were in heaven! 

Since we didn't get enough water that day, we took the kids to the Troy Aquatics Center the next morning and met up with the Beckers and Schwartz's.  Grandma Sharon came too!  We had so much fun.  Lizzy was a little scared of the fountains (she is starting to show a little fear) in the toddler area, so I took her to the big pool which was zero depth, so she just splashed and played over there and had a blast!  Sydney couldn't get enough of the water slide!  She has been so brave lately...thank goodness for swimming lessons!  That night we went out for dinner at Modern (yum) to meet Grammie's sister Lisa...and of course we had to go to Dairy Queen after!  It was a very long day, but we HAD to light sparklers again...cuz Sydney said so!  Lizzy called the sparklers "happy birthdays".  She was having so much fun until Jason lit the fireworks we bought!  She was FREAKED out!  Sydney loved every minute of it though!

On the day of the 4th, it was so incredibly hot, but Lizzy wanted to walk to the pond in our neighborhood to see the turtle and quack quacks.  We brought bread along to feed the fishies.  I was lethargic, it was just too hot for me.  I hate the cold, but I also hate the extreme heat...a typical woman, I'm never pleased!  Savannah was so hot that she jumped in the pond.  So, we didn't stay long, but the kids had fun!  Savannah even stopped in the middle of the road on the way home, her feet were burning, so she walked on the grass the entire way home...poor dog!  That night we headed to the Alvin's for a bbq in Huntington Woods.  After dinner there was a concert in the park...Lizzy and Sydney were dancing to the music and enjoying the concert.  I was having fun until the heat started to get to me!  I just never drink enough water and then I get dehydrated!  So, I layed in the grass for a while waiting for the fireworks to start.  Jason lit sparklers with Sydney...guess she never gets sick of those!  I started feeling better by the time the fireworks started.  I thought Lizzy would go crazy after the way she reacted the night before, but surprisingly she liked them.  I was very impressed.  She kept saying, "oh my gosh", "pretty", "yaaaaaaaay".  It was a loooong day for the kids.  They didn't go to sleep until almost midnight!

And then the dreaded Monday...dreaded because I had to back to work the next day.  I always have a difficult time returning to reality.  I tried to make the best of the day.  We took the kids to a sprinkler park at Heritage Park near our house.  It was a great way to beat the heat!  Sydney had a blast, but Lizzy was a little scared...something about the fountains and water shooting out of the ground.  But she still had fun!

And last but not least...that night I got a new car....woohooooo!  I got a Chevy Equinox and I love it!  Lizzy keeps saying, "new car new car" over and over again...it's cute!  Sydney says she enjoys being up high, but she loves the hands free phone system.  She keeps asking me to call people so she can hear their voice over the speakers...I have to admit, I think it's fun too, so I call people just for fun!  I'm sure the novelty will wear off, but I'm definitely enjoying it!  I love new things!  This is the first time I've ever purchased a car...I ALWAYS lease...but with the prices these days, it just made sense to buy...hopefully I don't get sick of it...and if I do...I think it will just be too bad....Jason plans on me driving it into the ground...so, might be a while!  Now I have to start working on him for a new camera...among other things...I have a long list!!

And now...back to reality...