Pat on the back

ME, not V. Well, her too I suppose.

I just wanted to let you all know that I, nervous nelly of a mother, have survived putting V on a PUBLIC TOILET. First at Whole Foods...and today, TARGET. No signs yet of syphilis or whatever else people are afraid of catching from public toilets. Again, in ME, not V. She just has to sit there...I have to touch everything! Eeeewwwwwww

P.S. No accidents Sunday or Monday! I'm not going to get too excited yet, but I do think the Dora underwear might be magic.

Tres-less weekend

So I should first acknowledge that nothing could be as tiring as life
2 years ago:

That being said, this weekend's equation adds up to trouble.

2 Rainy Weekend Days - 1 Fun Daddy =
1 Tired Mama!

T was off to Branson, Missouri for some fishing thing (behind a camera, not a fishing pole) so I was home alone with Virginia Bruce, high energy toddler. Within 2 hours of T leaving on Saturday morning I was out of ideas for creative rainy day projects. Luckily it was lunch time and then nap time so I had a little time to regroup.

There's just something about a rainy cold weekend after several days of 70+ degree weather that is extra annoying.

Thankfully there was plenty of coffee and wine to be had to help me through daytime/nighttime! Better than NyQuil Day/Night!

At any rate, thanks to a ton of books with bunnies, several tubs of playdoh and cable TV we made it through the weekend without any major scars. We also scored a great lunch at the Harders and 2 great dinners at my parents' house! The next 2 weekends will be filled with work (go see MISS SAIGON at NCT!) so I am glad I had some indoor, do nothing, time with my baby.

Oh wait, she's not a baby now.

How did that happen so fast?

Happy Birthday Bonnie Ann Freeman Shackelford

Today is my Mama's birthday! Don't you dare ask how old she is. Any idiot can see she's just a hair over 50, which keeps me just a hair over 20 forever. We've agreed it's the way things should be.

To celebrate we had a party at Chez Bruce last night- I even drug the kitchen table out on the back deck for a more festive atmosphere.

We had delicious Italian food with plenty of garlic. I'm sure the neighbors thought we had a vampire problem we were trying to clear up.

I want to thank my husband, dad, brother and Chrissy for NOT joining in as I tried to sing Happy Birthday with a noisemaker in my mouth. And by "thank" I mean "call them jerks" (Tres claims since he was taking pictures he was exempt from singing. I disagree.)

We wish my brother Malcolm and his wife Sarah could have partied with us so the whole Shackelford family could have been together...but then again, there would have been less garlic bread to go around so maybe a small part of me is glad they were unable to make the trip from Tallahassee. (Just kidding Malcolm & Sarah!)

So everyone can feel like they were part of the fun, here are a few more pictures of the evening:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BONNIE/MAMA/QUEENIE/KIKI
We love you!

Fans, please keep your distance.

We begin this tale with I'm a Little Teapot...

Move into Itsy Bitsy Spider...

Only to be shut out during Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

The papparazzi has learned their place.

One final note...

This trip marked the FIRST time, in 2 years and 8 months that James has actually EATEN FOOD at our house. This kid just never eats (when I am around). I had to take pictures to document this momentous occasion.

He ate supper (hummus and pita and string cheese), he ate breakfast (one Girl Scout Cookie and coffee cake), he had a snack (apples)...

This breakthrough somehow made me feel like I had accomplished something important. I think it made my inner Southern hostess feel true joy. Hooray.

Kids of the BFFs

OK, so I'm going to let everyone in on a big secret. V ADORES James. Keeps tabs on him through his blog. Asks about him all the time. So, V was delighted to get a surprise visit from James. They trashed the house quicker than a Motley Crue after-show party in a dingy LA hotel room. It was fabulous. Here are a few highlights of their 24 hours of fun:

THE GOOD

THE BAD

THE UGLY

And all this time, what was Molly doing?

Either this:


Or this:


In summary, a good time was had by all. Or at least by me. And Virginia. OK, I think it is safe to say everyone. :)

BFFs are the best medicine

So I've been sick- on and off, mostly on- for going on 2 weeks. Work is hard (fundraising is not easy in a recession), the weather stinks (seriously, more snow?) and Tres & I can't stop coughing.

I was just thinking to myself, "what are we going to do for the rest of this cold, wet Saturday?" when we arrived home from Target. I notice a car in the cul-de-sac but really don't think anything about it. Then I start to unlock the front door and see in my hallway A SCREAMING BABY IN A CAR SEAT. I start screaming to Tres, "There's a baby in our house! There's a baby in our house!" as I'm fumbling to get in the house, thinking I need to rescue whatever strange baby this is crying in my hallway. I get inside and out pop Stephanie, Brian and James Coyne from the living room screaming "surprise!"

My dear, dear BFF drug her husband, her 2 1/2 year old and a 4 week old baby 4+ hours in the car to see me on a rainy Saturday. Let's say it all together now..."Awwwwwwww!"

Needless to stay, I was completely taken off guard, tears are stinging my eyes, I knock down poor James while in the throws of hugging Steph, baby Molly and Brian and I was mentally out-of-it for at least 10 minutes.

BEST SURPRISE EVER. What cold? What recession? What rain? I did nothing but enjoy myself for the last 24 hours.

I love that Stephanie Coyne.
(And Tres for keeping it a secret!)

P.S. Thank goodness I cleaned the toilets and shower Saturday morning! :)