B is for...

I have been working with Little Bo Peep on words starting with letters. We talk a lot about people's names starting with letters. She knows what our names start with and many of our friends and family.

Today Goldilocks was playing with our LeapFrog Fridge Phonics set. She loves playing with this because it is low enough for her to reach and it plays music.

Goldilocks had the letter B today. I was telling her, "B starts with...." We went through the few names we know and I started saying other words. Then out of no where Little Bo Peep says, "B is for BUTT!"

She was also wearing her blanket as a cape and running around the house saying, "I'm Super Grover!"

I'm so excited her imagination is blossoming. I'm also excited she may be obsessed with my favorite Sesame Street character.

My BEST Friend

Little Bo Peep, Goldilocks and I went over a neighbor's house this morning for a play date. We met them at the library earlier this year and found out we live just around the block from each other. Her husband and B are the same age, she and I are the same age and our girls are months apart from each other. She also wants to homeschool her children. This afternoon Little Bo Peep was going around the house in one of her moods. She was fake crying and whining a bit and just talking to herself. And all of a sudden she said very loud so B and I could both hear, "A's my friend, A's my BEST friend!" I just started laughing. I don't know where they get some of this stuff.

SURPRISE, Happy 30th Anniversary!

August 12 my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Friday I threw them a surprise party.







Three weeks ago I was talking to a friend about how it was coming up I had always thought of giving them a party but, "Their anniversary is less than a week away, what can I do?" She insisted that I should do something. Two days later I was talking to my sister and telling her about the conversation and not knowing if there was anything I could do. We looked at the calendar and there was no open weekend before the end of the month. Then she said, "What about a Friday?" Well... Friday.... That might work....

So I called my parents closest friends and ALL of them were able to come the day I had picked! So my sister and I went into stealth planning mode.

She got my mom's wedding dress and even found their wedding invitation and a memory book from their wedding. I found their wedding album and decided to do a Luau since my mom has always wanted to go to Hawaii. I found some food ideas that weren't too exotic and another friend had some leftover decorations from a luau she had last year.

So now the question, how to get them to our house. I called and talked to my dad asking if they were available to come over for dinner since it was the only day my brother could come before he went back to school. My dad checked the calendar (which I knew was already free since my sister had checked). So they thought they were coming because B and I wanted to have them all over for dinner.

Then my mom got this hair brain idea that I was pregnant and we were having them over because we were going to tell them this great news. I know you are wondering how do I know about this idea she had, my sister hears a LOT! She said my mom was telling people at Curves and at church. Then one of her friends called me about the party and also asked if I knew what my mom was telling everyone! I couldn't wait for her to find out I wasn't pregnant but really wanted to be there when she had to tell everyone I wasn't pregnant!

So the day before and especially Friday I was going crazy because I just knew she was going to stop by and ruin everything. She didn't show up! My brother called when they were almost at our house and the whole party went out to the street to meet them. When they turned onto our street we all started walking out and my mom and dad were wondering what all those people were doing walking like that, then my mom noticed someone and it all clicked for her. My dad just kept driving past our house! He was looking for a parking spot but it looked as if he was going to keep driving and go back home!

When my parents got married my dad had this fake butt he wore under his tuxedo jacket. Everyone was laughing but my mom didn't know what they were laughing about, she was sure my dad was going to do something to her. There are a few pictures in their wedding album with my dad and his butt. My sister and I both thought it would be great if we could find another butt for my dad to wear at the party. My sister was eager to help anyway she could. I told her she could call a few stores to see if they had one. "Oh I can't call, what would I say?" I told her, "Just ask if they have.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!" I couldn't even finish telling her to what to say. You know, "Hi, I was wondering if you have a plastic butt." Well I ended up making the calls and everyone I talked to said something like this, "Do we have.... WHAT?" Then I would have to say it again and explain what it was and then they would go check and tell me no. I finally found a store that had one (the only store that didn't have me repeat my question!) B picked it up on his way home from work the night before the party. So my dad got to wear a fake butt again! Priceless!

My parents were surprised, everyone had a great time and I even remembered to take a few pictures (I forgot to get a picture of the dress, I'll see what I can do about that).

Lots of clinking glasses and kissing



The Butt



Friends



Friends



Friends



Friends



The Happy Couple



The sign my sister made to look like the one they had on their wedding day

The Darndest Things

Little Bo Peep is 2 1/2 so of course she is going to say cute things all the time. But today she she got so excited looking at a brochure about the children's activities at our local library. The reason she got so excited was because:
"Mumma, I FOUND MY L!!!!"
As in the L from library.
She knows most of her alphbet by site, but always get's excited when she finds her L.

Awww, Shucks

Today I was awarded this cute little badge for my blog! Thanks Becca!
With the award of this blog I have the privilege to pass it out to others.


I would like to nominate:
Dee, my college friend
Nina, my six degrees of separation friend
Rebecca, my sister friend
Sarah, my former student friend
Shelley, my church friend
Ruth, my other church friend
Crystal, my other college friend

The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate up to 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated

The Horrid Spot

So here are the much anticipated photographs....
It was just a little brown spot on the right side of my nose.





(I just had to post both pictures because, seriously, how cute are these girls!?)



Now when I said, "huge," I think I may have exaggerated a wee bit.... I know, I know, exaggeration is so not the norm for me.















So after all my fears and feelings the black scab came off yesterday morning. Now I don't look much different than before.

Umm...

Yesterday I had two moles removed. I told several people, "I had surgery," so people needed to be nice to me. That didn't get me much. I had two others removed a few years ago but they both needed stitches so I was in pain for several days. Fortunately this time I didn't need stitches for either. The only problem is one was on my nose.

I FEEL SO VAIN

I have this huge black spot on my nose! (When I say "huge," read 1/4 of a dime.) I had a small band aid on my nose yesterday and kept forgetting. I went to two stores and then remembered, and realized why everyone was darting funny glances at me. Then B and I went out for dessert. I had taken the band aid off but I just knew everyone was looking at me thinking, "Oh my gosh what does that lady have on her face!?!?" I know it really isn't that bad, but I just can't help myself. I took a picture of myself the night before so maybe tomorrow I'll be brave and get over being vain and post a before and after picture.


On another note, my friend Becca finally started a blog here on Blogger. I've been reading her blog and blogs of her friends (a few of whom I know). Her friend Amy has just posted her first give-away. So if you have a second scoot on over a take a peak at this movie that looks very cute!

Eco Friendly

When I was in fourth grade we learned about recycling. We had a recycle bin growing up and upcycled furniture and some other items. When B and I moved into our house we finally had a recycling bin and started our journey to become a Eco Friendly family. Now I will say some of our recycling is for ease and budget but even those are helping our precious planet.

We have all Energy Star appliances and light bulbs, we use canvas bags for shopping, and we recycle every piece of paper and cardboard that comes into our house. Now we have added cloth diapers to our list of Eco Friendly product in our house.

I know you are probably thinking, "They are out of their minds, didn't people do that in the seventies?!" Well yes they did and people still use cloth diapers. They have evolved SO much since rubber pants and diaper pins. The diapers we bought are All-In-One diapers. bumGenius is the brand.




There are no rubber pants, no pins, and easy to clean. There is a insert you tuck in an opening in the back. When it's time to change the diaper just take it out and toss both pieces into the diaper pail. When the pail is full dump it in the washer and your good to go. So B now has two less garbage bags to take out to the curb each week and I have two extra loads of laundry, well at least he is getting a break! ;)

After a few days B and I both love them. And Goldilocks seems to enjoy them too!

A Few of My Favorite Things

B and I LOVE movies. He quotes them all the time and then promptly asks if I know which movie it is from. There was this one time that I stumped him with a movie quote, it was awesome. We recently upgraded our cable package to include OnDemand. We love having access to more movies. Starz OnDemand movies are free with our package and we have been able to watch some movies we've had on our "To Watch" list. Today we watched "Dan in Real Life."



First, I loved this movie.
Second, I was so surprised by this movie. I thought it was going to be completely different that it was.
Third, our new favorite line to quote, "You, are a murderer of... LOVE."
Fourth, this has been added to our list of movies to buy.

A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend and she was telling me about a book she had read. After talking I was itching to read. It has been a long time since I was able to read. Having two little chitlins doesn't leave much time for lounging with a book. Being dyslexic I have been reading books with audio assistance since I was little. I realized this could be the way for me to read more. I put some books on hold at the library and have been reading ever since.

The first book I read was "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."



I was not impressed by the book at all. I watched the movie last year and enjoyed it. The movie was about two hours and the book was about six. I didn't feel that anything was missed in the movie even though it was four hours shorter. I decided I would give the second book a try before dismissing the whole series. Then I talked to my friend in Texas and she said I should definitely give the book a chance because she feels they get better as the series progresses. So I have it on hold at the library.

I also got, "The Other Boleyn Girl."



I can not get enough of this book. I also found out that the author, Philippa Gregory, has written four other books in this series with a six book coming out later this year. I look forward to reading more of her writings.

I recently came across a website, What Should I read Next? You make a list of books you have read. Then you can select some of those books or your entire list and the site will give you suggestions of books to read or show you other's lists that have similar books to your list.

I found, "The Cinderella Rules,"



on the site so that will be the next book I read.

I have had two good friends tell me I should also read, "Twilight."



So I am anxiously waiting for the call from the library saying it is in. Last week when I put it on hold I was number 62 now I'm number 47. This may take awhile.

I'm so excited to be reading again.