spring break 2012

Last week we took a short trip to El Paso to visit family and friends and then off to New Mexico to visit White Sands.  I had no idea how wonderful a bunch of white sand could be!  We had a blast and we are already looking forward to another visit.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

It was absolutely beautiful.  The sunset was gorgeous.  Like I said, I already want to go back!.

We drove by a Barnes & Noble so I ran in to get Ree's new cookbook.  She is so cute!  I'm loving her Saturday morning show.  The cookbook is gorgeous!  I wonder what I will make first.

When I got home, the pile of mail included a couple of new magazines.  I can't wait to check them out.

So, it's back to work and school for everyone after a BIG storm last night.  We are all super tired today.
Hope you all have a great week!

P.S.  My friend Sandy should be having her little baby girl as I type this.  I'm wishing her a speedy, easy delivery and a healthy mom and baby!

a little shopping - with three generations

My monkey got home yesterday from her dad's house.  It was so nice to have her back home.  We spent the day relaxing and snuggling, catching up on stories and kisses.  It was perfect.

Today we went on a little shopping spree with my mom.  Monkey had some cash to spend from her birthday and she found a few items.  Mom found two cute pairs of shoes for herself.  I think I'm rubbing off on her!  Anyway, my sweet mom had offered to get me some of the new Toms ballerina flats for Valentine's Day.  We hadn't had a chance to do any shopping together, but today was the day.  I also found a cute messenger bag at Nordstrom.  It comes in four great neon colors.  I went with the magenta.  Right now you get triple points so it was the perfect time to grab it!  Here are my purchases from today.  I'm in love with both of them!

I love that the inside of the Toms match the bag.  What a happy accident!  :D

thirteen

Today is the day.  Thirteen years ago (at 6:12pm) I gave birth to the most adorable baby girl on the planet.  Her cheeks were so full and her eyes were so big.  I couldn't stop looking at her, as I'm sure every mom does with each of their children.  Monkey is my only.  I knew I didn't have the patience for any more children.  The sound of kids fighting, slamming doors and yelling is just too much for me.  How lucky am I that I was blessed with the perfect child - for me.  She started sleeping through the night before she was two weeks old.  I wanted to wake her to feed her, but you never wake a sleeping baby.  The doctor said she would let me know if she was hungry.  And she did.  She started sleeping early and she started talking early (and hasn't stopped yet!).  She walked at an average age.  She got her teeth very late.  She was 13 months old before the first one broke through.  She started reading early.  She is the shortest one of her friends - even though her dad is 6' 2".  She does everything at her own pace.  She is not a follower, that's for sure.  I really love the baby she was, the toddler she was, the little girl she was and the young lady she has become.  I'm super proud of her confidence, independence, talent, heart, attitude and spirit.  I love her more than anything on this planet.

So...her 13th birthday party was super fun.  We took her and three friends to the Domain to shop, we had dinner at Maggiano's and spent the night at the aloft hotel.  The hotel presented the only bad moment of the weekend.  I'm pretty mad at them right now.  I won't go into details - but if anything bounces in my checking account because they double billed me I will scream!

She was completely surprised by her gift - a trip to NYC!  We worked really hard making NYC themed cupcakes and my love mocked up the most perfect tickets for the flight.  We boxed the tickets with a NYC, apple shaped snow globe.  It took her a few minutes to figure it out because she didn't know NYC was nicknamed the "big apple!"  Poor kid.  Once she knew she was going to New York, she was blown away. It was great.

And now just a few pictures...

Tonight we went to dinner - per family tradition.  It was fun when the wait staff all came out with cake and sang to her.   She loved all of her presents and we all got plenty of kisses and thank yous.  All in all, another great birthday!

Now the weekend is here and I am excited because we have NOTHING planned!  That is such a good thing because next week is Spring Break and we have plenty of things coming up.  Happy weekend everyone!

spring has sprung

It is a gorgeous day in Austin!  I'm hoping it stays around for Monkey's birthday party tomorrow.  I decided to run outside and take a few photos of my bridal wreath.  It started blooming earlier this week.  I always get so excited to see it bloom.  I just love those tiny little white blossoms.  So delicate and gorgeous!

Along with the bridal wreath, the rose bushes have started to bloom too.  One is a pretty pinky-red and the other is a soft pastel pink.  So pretty.  The red ones are wild and small but the pink ones are huge and they bloom so much I have to clip them constantly and give them to neighbors.  I'll take a snapshot of them a little later when they are in full bloom.

I'm really looking forward to Spring.  It is my favorite time of year - although Fall is a VERY close second.  Soon the time will change and then my birthday comes along so I'm pretty darn excited!

In other news, the Monkey made the track team!  Her first race wasn't as successful as she hoped but last night was another story.  She ran the 400 for the first time and she placed third.  She was super excited!  I'm just super proud.  I will mention that before the race she was a wreck!  She was so nervous.  I've never seen her that nervous before.  She has cheered, done dances and even plays in front of hundreds of people without the slightest bit of fear so this was quite a change.  I gave her my best pep talk but it just didn't help much.  After the race was over and she placed third, not last, she was pumped up!  She has decided next week she will place first.  I'm crossing my fingers for her.  I sure hope she does it!

Well, I'm off to a very busy weekend full of homework, cake/cupcake making, decorating and partying with a group of giggly girls.  I have to find a little snuggle time for my honey somewhere in there too.  Can't wait!  I'll update you next week.

Have a fabulous weekend!