Bday cookie

We had an impromptu shopping trip to get my MIL a new fridge on Spencer's actual birthday.  I didn't really have a special plan for her day to celebrate.  I'm not a good 'celebration planner' and I truly hate birthday parties, so mall dinner was a good plan for us.  After feeding the crazies dinner and letting them run off energy at the mall infested playground... I got a cookie for Spencer.

I think she liked it.

It was a great birthday investment and possibly the messiest thing ever.  

But this little squish face enjoyed every bite and then some, so we will call it a win.

2 months later....

The best aunt who lives in Georgia turned 30 in February.  We happened to be on a break from school on her actual birthday, so I began plotting a long time before that week to arrange a date with her for lunch on her bday!  I had to do some intense internet stalking to FIND the office where she worked in Atlanta.  I knew there was a website, but there are SO MANY offices that share the same name in the Atlanta area, it was a bit of a challenge.  I didn't want to ASK her for help because I wanted to be able to surprise her!  After about 3 hours of calling and internet research I finally found the office.  I emailed her boss and proposed my plan, she agreed and I began or orchestrate the master plan!  The day of the event we went to Sams and bought cookies to share.  We stopped by Chick fil A and got lunch.  After that we drove to her office.  

Let me please explain that taking 3 kids out in public where multiple events and stops are on the agenda is a bit challenging.  Like, insanely difficult.  I only started to sweat about 1/2 way through the bathroom stop at her office.  The office building has fountains and ducks, well.... geese, as Hayes would say.  They have a revolving door and well, its an office.  You're supposed to use an office voice.  3 year olds don't have an office voice or office behavior.  We survived the bathroom, the revolving door, the fountains (thank you God, because it was REALLY cold), and lastly, the elevator to the floor where she works.  

We made our way into the front conference room and set up lunch.  All of the sweet ladies Kathryn worked with came in to greet us and wait for her, so we could surprise her!  Kitty rounded the corner and began to get teary (never happens) so I knew she was surprised and I was FLOORED!  Y'all know that anytime you get to actually surprise someone, you get pumped, right!?  

We don't get to see her nearly as often as we like to, so this was a super special treat for us this day!  Hopefully we will get to see her again some this summer and we can have outside lunch dates by the geese and the fountains!  

Love you Kitty!

Happy we can celebrate 30 years of YOU!

Santa procrastination 2013

We typically go see Santa at Lenox Mall and ride The Pink Pig between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  For some reason this year we just let time slip away and got busy, oh yeah... and we got sick!  We love going to the mall to see Santa and the Santa we see is awesome.  I'll post those pics another day.  We try to make a point to go on a Sunday afternoon as well.  Early church service, lunch, straight to the mall for Santa and The Pig.  We didn't make it on Sunday this year.  Oops.

The only days we had to choose from this year was December 23 and 24.  The day before Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve.  Which day would you choose?!  I figured it was going to be chaos no matter the day, so we just showed up the Monday before Christmas and hoped for the best.  The Santa line was about 1 hour and 20 mins ish long.  Not too shabby considering we weren't the only last minute folks in line....

Usually we reserve their 'phones' for extreme measures, today was that day.  The phones were our lifesavers!  Did I mention that all this time Libby has been potty training (at this point it was for 3 days) and she didn't have ANY accidents at all while we were out in public?  Granted, I'm pretty neurotic for that part of parenting and set a timer to make sure that she goes every 45 minutes or so.... Not to mention that I had to take a pregnancy potty break every 45 mins or so as well.  Baby bladder dancing...

Clearly she was stressed about it too...

They were troopers and stood in line, had snacks, and ultimately saw Santa.  Libby was not impressed and Hayes had a GREAT time!  Again, I'll post those pics soon!  We made friends with those in line around us and took turns taking potty breaks, pushing strollers, and the like.  I was in awe of those years that my mother took us, all 3 of us, by herself to see Santa.  Kudos mom.  You are my hero, once again.  I would never, ever, in a million years attempt this by myself...

Ever.

And then all was right in the world because they put Santa right beside the Great American Cookie Co.

Brilliant planning Lenox Mall.  Brilliant planning.

Weeknight Tree Decor

Daddy is in the middle of wrestling season.

I am a solo parent most nights until about 6:30-7 p.m.

Most of the time I don't mind it.

Last week as I was recovering from the sick I wasn't a fan.

Every night was hard and I was already tired.

I think my Publix bakery knew my struggles.

They had these amazing cookies out for display.

I bought two.

The children spent at LEAST one hour decorating them.

And then they ATE them for dinner.

Judge me.

Go ahead.

I was so thankful for them to have a break and some down time.

I saved all the extra icing for another cookie decorating time later.

Peanut Butter Brownie Buddies aka: Satan's Snack Mix

Link to recipe
The original recipe of Satan's Snack Mix

I found this recipe when I was 'working' this summer with my favorite cross county girls.

We spend a few weeks/days working together each summer swapping stories, sharing snacks, and working!

It is NEVER dull and we laugh the whole time we are there.

I made us a low cal  chocolatey peanut butter treat in June.

It was heavenly and I'd bet you have most of the ingredients in your house right now.

Go do it, you won't regret it.

Well... maybe not too much....

Practice Round in Pictures

My sister Kathryn got married on Saturday.

We had the rehearsal dinner on Friday at Foxhall Sporting Club.

It was a fantastic time had by all and I will show you via pictures.

The evening started with a super short rehearsal and a great dinner.

We played corn hole, bocce ball, and walked around barefoot.

The kids got backpacks, chalk, coloring books, and bubbles.

Kitty knows the way to their hearts!

The food was amazing and I'll be visiting food trucks more often!

After dinner and dessert the food truck ended up stuck at Foxhall.

Always an adventure with our events...

This is Sir William Pitts and his new BFF Hayes.

They threw the bean bags way high in the sky and Hayes loves him.

These are my amazing and beautiful sisters.

I couldn't love them more.

This is the gorgeous couple enjoying the evening.

Cutest little girl I know...

He was sharing his cookie.

Write it down, doesn't happen often...

My sister, the bride.

Her wedding weekend was the best one I've ever been a part of.

Can we have a do over?

The bubbles in action.

We shall call it the blur.

The best babysitter/extra sibling ever.

Seriously, my entire family was so thankful for her help this weekend.

Couldn't have done it without her!

Probably a more accurate representation of the relationship...

And my amazing momma.

I appreciate her so much.

Her love is endless and her work is never done.

And the man of my dreams.

He's got tattoos and he watches weird movies.

He told my cousins this weekend that he wasn't the "Ken" I had dreamed of...

but he's perfect for me. 

I'd marry him again any day of the week.

and just for the record....

I love his gray hair and my lipstick.

Allllllll the junk

This is PART of the pile of goodies my students brought me today!

I got one more tin of peanut butter yummies later in the day.

I also got a $10 Target card--holllllllla! 

Giant Hersheys Kiss replica via rice krispies treat!

I was saddened but excited that it stuck to the foil so I couldn't eat much of it.

Bummer.

Some sort of Chex mix chocolate stuff that I'll be eating in bed later while I watch a movie or read.

Just straight chocolate.

And a snowglobe.

A pasta soup that I add tomatoes and beef to.

This is a first and I'm REALLY excited to try it!

This one is a baggie of chocolatey chex mix stuff with marshmellows, and Santa hats!

So cute!

This red container has these amazing thin cookie wafer things that just melt in your mouth.

Heavenly.

And lastly, I got the peanut buttery goodness.

I don't know what this one is yet, but it smells like I would expect heaven to smell.

And I wonder why my pants won't fit come January.

I don't even make it to Christmas before I'm bombarded by all the goodies!

Hope y'all have a great weekend preparing for Christmas with your families.

I can't wait to share with y'all about that after we open all our gifts!

Owl Party

We partied hard today.  She played jingle bells with her bells inside plastic cups.

I giggled as she ran to any adult in the room to talk with them. 

She's such a ham and has so much personality.

She sent her love to Daddy since he was busy this morning at school!

I love catching glimpses of my kiddies at school.

I tried to sneak down to Hayes' class to watch him play for a little bit before her party.

I was doing SO good until one of his friends told on me!

She saw me and her eyes lit up!

I put my finger up to my mouth and shoooshed her....

Then she grinned REAL big and said, "HAYES!  I see your mom!"

Stinker!

Fat Kid Food

We might have stumbled upon gold here....

Fat kid heaven. 

Chocolate chip cookies stuffed with Doube Stuff Oreos.

Sugar overload.

Swear, I only ate 20.  Or so...