My Birthday Weekend

Friday the 12th, Dave and Kaitlynn went out shopping. Kaitlynn and I packed for the weekend. Packed for the weeked you ask? Kaitlynn spent Friday night at MawMaw's. They had a Valentine's / Mardi Gras party. Dave and I spent the evening at Cheshire Lodge. We took advantage of a Valentine's promotion they had going on. We had dinner and drinks at Fox & Hounds Tavern. Then relaxed in our room with more drinks, snacks and the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Saturday was my 32nd birthday! My sister was the first to wish me Happy Birthday (via a text message really early in the morning). Kaitlynn called to wish me Happy Birthday, too. Dave and I went to the Mardi Gras parade. Cheshire Lodge offered shuttle service to and from the celebration. We had a great time at the parade and the hurricanes were awesome. We got lots of beads! It was much tamer at the parade this year than I remember previous years being, but it was still lots of fun.

We went to MawMaw's, where I got a birthday gift from her. She gave me a couple pairs of jeans and some Victoria's Secret bras. I really needed that stuff. My jeans don't fit (too big) and my bras are too small.

My birthday dinner was at Casa Gallardo. I enjoyed sharing my birthday with the most important people (family and friends) in my life. The food was fantastic as well as the margaritas! Then we went back to MawMaw's and had cookie cake.

When we got home, Dave and Kaitlynn gave me a gift. They gave me tulips and a gift card for a massage. I had a fabulous birthday!

Grant's Farm

Sunday the 20th, we were supposed to meet some friends at Grant's Farm, but it was raining that morning, so we canceled. Later on it cleared up, so Dave, Kaitlynn and I decided to go. We had a great time. Kaitlynn enjoyed a snowcone while Dave and I enjoyed the samples of beer. We were so excited to get to sample a new product coming out on October 5th (which is a great day - my dad's birthday). Bud Light is launching a wheat beer and it is awesome! I love sampling new products before they are on the market. I recommend everyone trying this product out. I know we will definitely be buying it on October 5th.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

After Grant's Farm, we went to MawMaw's. We hung out there for a bit and then went to Casa Gallardo's for dinner. Yum!
What a great Sunday it turned out to be!

Too Hot to Play Outside

Monday, while I was getting ready Kaitlynn saw some tootsie rolls in a drawer. These are her favorite candy. She normally will ask for 2. But Monday she said she wanted "3 or 4." I told her that we would start with one. She said "Ok, one" and held up one finger. Little smarty pants!

Kaitlynn went to my mom's to hang out with her, Sassy, Auggie and Elliott. I think she is over her obsession with Auggie and Elliott, but not with Sassy (or MawMaw)!

Tuesday I babysat Nick. When Jill picked Nick up that evening, Kaitlynn reminded us that Nick would be back over on Thursday.

Wednesday Kaitlynn and I met Trisha and Kylie at Chick-Fil-A. We stayed about an hour or so until the play area became packed with big kids. The big kids started knocking the younger kids down, so we decided to leave. No sense in dealing with that.

Kaitlynn and I went to my mom's. She played with Sassy and the boys. After the boys left, we ran some errands and went to dinner.

Kaitlynn is dying to be outside. It was too hot to be outside this week. Although, if I would let her, she would be outside. She just loves it! I think Dave and I were both like that as kids too. I am glad she would rather be outside playing than inside watching TV. I hope that continues.

Earth Day

I watched Olivia on the 20th. Kaitlynn, Olivia and I took my mom to her follow-up appointment with her doctor from the ER visit. After Olivia went home, we had dinner and went to Babies R Us.

I watched Olivia on the 21st, as well. We went to my mom's so that Kaitlynn could play with Elliott. I also had to pick up her purse that we left at Babies R Us the night before. Thankfully they found it. Kaitlynn kept asking about her purse and money.

The 22nd was Earth Day. Kaitlynn wore the perfect shirt - it said Happy Earth. Kaitlynn attended Motor Developers class. Her friends Gabe, Bailey, Ella and Payton are also in the class. Her teacher is the same teacher as last years Motor Explorers class. We stayed and hung out with Eileen and Gabe after class.
When we got home Kaitlynn played in the backyard.

Trying to get Bailey to come into the castle with her.
After playing in the yard, we picked up my mom from work, ran some errands and then had dinner.

Kaitlynn also had her toe nails painted pink. Her big toes have a butterfly nail decal on them, so that she could be like mommy.

Music Makers

Thursday morning Kaitlynn and I attended Music Makers class at the Early Childhood Center. There were so many people there. The kids had free play, circle time to sing songs, and made instruments (shaker, tambourine, drum, bean bag, and wind bracelet). They also made ladybug puppets. After making the crafts, they had circle time again to use their instruments to songs and then free play before it was time to leave. Kaitlynn's P.A.T. Educator, Amy was there also. Even though crowded, this class was well worth it. Kaitlynn loves music.

After class, we went to my mom's for a playdate with Elliott. We took them to McDonald's for lunch and to play in the play area. Kaitlynn was climbing up in the play area with the big kids. I have learned to kind of let go and let her play. Even though I am so nervous that she will get hurt. I want her to explore and not be afraid to do things. I just keep my nervousness to myself. Of course, it comes out at times. Like when I hear a kid being mean or a little one crying, I rush to make sure it's not Kaitlynn being picked on or crying. Yes, I know I can't always come to the rescue. But you know what, she is only 2. I kept trying to get her to play in the Toddler Area, but she wanted to play with the big kids.
She followed Elliott around like a little puppy dog. That was the only time I could get her to play in the toddler area - if Elliott went over there. She loves to boss him around too. He could be my future son-in-law! Just joking!!

We took Elliott home. My mom, Kaitlynn and I went to Babies R Us where my mom bought her a pair of sandals. We went to Target and Kmart. Then picked Elliott up because my mom had to watch him that evening. Kaitlynn got to see Auggie. I don't know who she has a bigger "crush" on - Elliott or Auggie. Auggie came down to the car to say hi to Kaitlynn and she started acting all shy and wouldn't talk to him. Then as soon as he left, she started calling for him. He came back to the car and she just smiled. Typical girl and she's only 2!! I think I am going to have my hands full. She already knows had to work the boys!

My mom took us to dinner at Casa. Kaitlynn loved hanging out with Elliott and he was really good with her. After dinner, we went back to my mom's, where Kaitlynn and Elliott played together.

Library and MawMaw's

Monday Kaitlynn and I just had a relaxing morning at home. After lunch, we went to the library to pick up some books, DVDs and a CD. We got a couple of St. Patrick's Day books: St. Patrick's Day and It's St. Patrick's Day. We also checked out some potty books: Once Upon a Potty: Girl and Everyone Poops. We got a few Dr. Seuss books: I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today and ABC (book and sound recording). We borrowed a few Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss videos, Elmo Loves You, Abby in Wonderland, and Puppy Plays DVDs. We checked out 150 Toddler Tunes CD. Kaitlynn likes going to the library. She fell asleep in the car after we left the library and were driving to my mom's. My mom took us out to dinner and then we went shopping.

Mom's Night Out

Wednesday we didn't meet the Mommy and Toddler Playgroup because we didn't have a playdate planned. Kaitlynn and I hung out at home. It was a really nice day, but I didn't realize it until it was time for Kaitlynn's nap. She threw a fit to go outside, so I told her after her nap (if she went to sleep right away and took a 2 hour nap), we could play outside. It was so funny, she went to sleep and then woke up a few minutes later asking about going outside. I got her to go back to sleep and she slept for over 2 hours. When she got up we had to get ready to go to my mom's. I felt bad for not taking her outside. It was such a beautiful day. After arriving at my mom's, she took Kaitlynn out in the backyard to play with Sassy.

I took a shower and got ready for the Mom's Night Out with the Mommy and Toddler Playgroup. I met some of the moms ((Bhu, Emily, Tara and Trisha) at Casa Gallardo in West Port Plaza for Happy Hour. It was so nice to be out. We had a really good time. It's hard to not have a good time when margaritas are involved. I treated myself to a grande margarita and then ended up getting a regular margarita. I wasn't the only one that treated myself to 2 drinks!!! We were there for about 3 1/2 hours just talking, eating and drinking. I haven't had that much fun (without Kaitlynn and Dave) in a real long time. It took me back to my single days and I was feeling good!!! Us moms need that every once in a while.

Avon and Casa

Saturday the 17th, my mom called to tell us that the puppy she was supposed to get from my sister was dead. It apparently chewed on a cord and was electrocuted. Kaitlynn and I delivered Avon and then met my mom and Aunt Tommy at my grandma's. My mom seemed to be doing OK with the news about the puppy. Dave met us at my grandma's and we all went to Casa Gallardo for dinner. My Uncle Dale, grandma and Aunt Sue had never ate at Casa before. We had a good dinner.


Later that night I baked some banana nut muffins in my heart silicone muffin baking pan.
They turned out pretty good.

New Year's Eve

Wednesday December 31st, Kaitlynn and I went to Tara and Bailey's. They hosted the playdate for the Mommy and Toddler Playgroup. Trisha and Kylie came over too. The girls were in rare form. They were fighting over everything. They wanted whatever toy the other one was playing with.

Kaitlynn and Bailey eating lunch

Kaitlynn showing off her bumGenius diaper and babylegs.

My mom watched Kaitlynn for a little bit so Dave and I could go to Happy Hour at Casa Gallardo. We rang in the New Year by sleeping. We were in bed and fast asleep by midnight.

Even though 2008 was one hell of a year (and not in a good way), I was kind of sad to see it end. This was the last year that my dad lived. This was the last year that I saw my dad and that Kaitlynn got to know him. I wish I could start 2008 all over again and have a different outcome. I started 2008 with a father and ended it without one. I never saw that one coming. I never thought 2008 would be such a devastating year. Good riddens 2008!