2.10.2010

Must love birthday parties......

Life.

It's a total roller coaster i tell ya.

I woke up this morning with my house a shakin...

literally.

Now...i grew up in So. Cali...so i know what earthquakes are...

and even though it was only like a 4.5 this morning...

it felt like we were being bombed.

Bryan and i jumped out of bed...

i mean...

can you picture it...

{at least i don't sleep in the nude..}

and i ran into lola's room..

grabbed her out of bed..

at this point she's confused and shaking..

and we run down the stairs...

and bryan talks me out of

hiding under the dining room table.

I'm still thinking of an air raid...

missiles...

bombs.

ummmm....nope.

just a little tremor....

and i lost a few beloved frames from my wall..

and one little pitcher that sat to close to

the edge of a dresser.

whew.

I even think they downgraded the actual number from a 4.5

to a 3.6.

lame....because it totally felt like a 7.6...

yes..

it did.

Anyways....life.....

we spent our sunday at the Shedd Aquarium...

have you ever been?

it's amazing.

my kids love it...

I keep telling bryan that one day i'm just

going to take the kids out of school for the day

and spend it at the shedd...

when it's not so crowded.

Then reality hits...on a school day..

and i think to myself...

why would i think of taking them out of school...

i mean...

really....

but i should...

and maybe i'll surprise myself one day..

and just do it.


I'm heading to kindergarten registration this morning...

but i'm not crying.

i won't be one of those moms.

my baby...my almost five year old....

the one who does no wrong...

is being registered for kindergarten.

It's a really good thing i'm heading to

New Mexico this weekend...

so i can get my baby fix... from my brothers new babe...

little putter.

They live in a ski resort area right above Taos...

so we will be doing some skiing...

and tubing..

and i for sure will be holding some baby...

lots and lots of baby holding.

alrighty...

my ovaries are kicking in to high gear...

i can hear them telling my uterus to

get ready.

aaaggh.

If my hubby only knew what was going on over here...

good thing he's had the clippity clip.





I woke up also to finding out that my sun room was being

featured over at


I love that blog. {thanks melissa}




{i think its funny that the pic above has nothing to do with baby making}
oh....

and i just wanted to throw this out to you....

Have you ever wanted to throw an amazing birthday party?

Have you ever needed a wonderful

homemade birthday cake recipe?

Are you the type of mom that just loves to host them?

Are you children the best behaved at parties?

Do they listen...are they polite?

If not....

then feel free to call me.

because apparently i love birthday parties...

and i...

or my children...

can help you...
have a fabulous time.








yes...that is us.
we got a call last year that the local park district wanted
mason and lola for the spring cover.
Like a good mom...i said ...sure.
you got it.
who knows..maybe from this ...the gap will be calling us...
{note to Anthro: i am wearing your skirt and top from the 2009 line}
anyways...
we got there and then all of the sudden they ask me
to step in and look like i'm having a
BLAST.
at least the cake was good.
xo





46 comments:

Drew's Mom said...

That aquarium looks great and I'm sure the kids had a blast. I can totally relate to the kindergarten registration feelings... preparing to send your baby off into the real world of elementary school.. is so bittersweet! Have a great time in New Mexico... gotta love holding a baby, even when it's not yours =)

Joyce said...

A great way to spend a day! I'm sure they will remember this day for the days to come. Love the cover of the book too! xo

FEDERICA said...

Looks like a great time!
Federica
xoxo

Laura said...

that is the greatest picture ever, because that is SO NOT the party you would throw...primary colors? me thinks not. And the cake? It might have tasted good, but c'mon...I would SO make you a better one...
hope they paid you all over scale...best looking family ever.

Mary said...

Confession time...you in a photo with all those bright colors freaked me out for about a minute! Woah nelly! And I am totally coveting your new camera - those pics are fantastic! I love the Shedd, may be time for a visit. ~mary~

Kare said...

Another awesome post!! Love all the pictures...it's been years since we visited Shedd. Brought back some good memories. Our favorite was always the false-eyed, flashlight fish!! My boys would always joke, "what if we had one for dinner, would it be filet of false-eyed flashlight fish?" Say that one five times fast would always ensue!!

Congrats on the book too!

Cheers!

Amanda said...

You are hilarious. And, so funny you are all on the park district catalog!

Loui♥ said...

Delihtful read from start to finish!!
What fun you and yours..
must have on your adventures!!!
Enjoy the Taos visit..
and the baby holding..
and the innards never lose..
the yearning..
and craving..
that only a baby can satisfy..
warmest hugs, laughing smiles..
Loui♥

Kacey said...

You're just a celebrity all around!

Not looking forward to kindergarten registration for either of my boys. I think it will be tough.

Congrats on being featured on Melissa's blog - very cool!

Annie said...

We didn't get the quake in central IL or I slept through it! I too love Shedd's aquarium. We're hoping to do a mini vacay this summer & take our 2. I just hope Everett doesn't try to hug a penguin - he's a wild boy!

fawn said...

I know what you mean about playing hookie. I always plan it out in my head but then when the chance arises that feeling of responsibility kicks in. You guys should totally do it one day. They will remember it for years to come. :)

Tricia said...

I heard about the quake on the news and couldn't believe it. Glad you're all ok!

I am so in tune with you as I was just thinking about what to do for my daughter's 6th bday party next month. HELP!
Love your pics at the aquarium too.

Brenna LaPray said...

Why didn't you say anything about the quake this morning? I'm glad you're all okay. Have a good trip.

Preppy Mama said...

I heard about the quake on the news this morning! Freaky! I love Birthday parties and my little one usually hides the whole time! Love the cover!!

Erin said...

I love that this quake is all over the news and I slept like a baby through it. I'm in the NW 'burbs and my girlfriend just a few blocks over said it woke her from a dead sleep too. I guess it missed our house. ;)

We love Shedd here too - it is one of the few places that it is well worth it for us to buy a membership. Now, looking at your pictures, I think it's definitely time to take the kids again.

Enjoy your trip to the SW! Lord knows there's nothing fun about the foot of snow I'm staring at right now.

What's next said...

when my girls were little I gave them a valentine tea every year... last year they would not allow it... this year I am giving them a valentine "luncheon" even if they say no... they are stuck with a mom that LOVES to have a party.

Chez Zizi said...

I have to tell you that your description at the beginning of your post about running around gathering the kids and running downstairs had me laughing. I think because I visualized you doing it and knew that there was an earthquake in your neck of the woods.

hat is awesome about the Spring cover. Looks pretty cool and yes I LOVE birthday parties. I love planning them and all those extra details!

Have a great day!

ZIzette

Wendy said...

Wow!! A quake, huh? Way to start the day!! I'm ready to go register both my youngest for kindergarten...too bad I have another year to wait for Mr. Two, and two years for Mr. Three. I love them, but boy can they be a handful ;-)

Nice pic on the park guide. What a cute family. ;-)

Leah C said...

Is there ever a dull moment around you?! Seriously, earthquakes, jellyfish, your "baby" getting ready for kdg, and a magazine cover...all in one post! So much excitement going on;) Wishing you safe travels; enjoy your r&r in NM{and holding your lil' nephew}!

Gail said...

Getting baby fever eh? I can relate. :) Every time I get the chance to hold my sister's baby my heart just melts. He is one very cute baby and such a joyful little guy. Awe...someday.

Hey, did I miss who the winner was to your 2-year giveaway? I didn't see it anywhere...

-Gail

Jboo said...

Wow -- an earthquake -- how scary! Your photos from the aquarium are so cool! How neat that you all are on the cover! Sweeet!

Janet

Kristin said...

Oh my...tremors....and well look at you on the cover of that local park district deal. Actually a nice picture of you all!

I do have to giggle though. I have been working a ton of hours...at night I come home and take a bath and yes...when I saw that penguin I laughed out loud his pose seemed so familiar..smile...he must be stressed out at work too! ;) Hope that made silly sense.

Ginger@cottageonrosewood said...

An earthquake in the Midwest. Rare, but real.
I too love Shedd Aquarium and I have gone with my kids during the week and, it's always busy. But is such an amazing place.
You guys look great on the cover. Too cute that family you have!

Lora said...

I LOVE Shedd Aquarium, and go there every time I am able to go to Chicago. Which isn't often, so I savor it

:)

The Little Red Shop said...

We had a quake soon after moving up the mountain. I stood in the doorway to the parlor and reached out one arm....to hold up the china cabinet. The ceiling undulated like the sea.

Have a beautiful time in New Mexico, Kasey.

: )

Julie M.

ps I'm sorry about your little pitcher.

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Aww, congrats on the book cover. It's adorable. It's so not a wonder why you and your kiddos were on the cover. Love the aquarium pics. Just beautiful.

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

i can't believe you were on the cover!!! i live in geneva and totally felt it too. i have been wanting to take my kids to the shedd for a while now, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Been going to the Shedd for years...my daughter loves the place..and she just turned 16 and still wants to go...we loved the 4-D show...too fun...

Kelly

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Absolutely love your tales...you just make me smile from ear-to-ear and I don't even pretend, it's all real joy!

Taos...oh one of my very favorite places - so magical!

AmyG said...

Talking about the Shedd Aquarium make me Sooooo,.... homesick. I"m a Chicago girl here in Albuquerque, NM. My kids went to school not far from the Shedd Aquarium at the South Loop School just off 12th and State Street and we used to walk there for field trips. Isn't it an amazing place to spend the day. My son and his wife live in Minooka, IL - I have to see if they felt the quake.

Andrea Villarreal said...

That's funny. My husband, myself, lindsay and zach did a National Guard commercial years ago like 10 I think and they still use some of the still shots in the monthly publications (I guess they don't have much of an advertising budget:)and every time one of his friends gets a hold of it and plasters it all over the walls. In one of them we are on the beach just having a hiho time walking a dog that's not even ours!!!LOL:)

The Flying Bee said...

I thought about you this morning when I was driving my baby who is also about to start school, to MDO. They mentioned the quake on the radio...glad you are all fine. Cute cover!

xo,
Adrienne

annie said...

You are SUCH a celebrity!! Next thing you know, you'll be breaking up Angie and Brad!
Aren't you so excited to sniff that new baby??? I LOVE it when they smell crispy new!
annie

Em said...

That cracks me up! I am SURE Gap will be calling at any moment!!!!

mimi charmante said...

you are destined to be famous my friend~
less than two months to go...
xx

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

I JUST RECIEVED THE PARK DISTRICT PAMPHLET AT THE SHOP AND DID A DOUBLE TAKE! WE WILL SOON BE ASKING FOR AUTOGRAPHS, I THINK!

THANKS FOR LEAVING THAT NICE COMMENT ABOUT ALICE. I WILL SOON BE NA NA AGAIN!

YOUR PHOTOS OF THE AQUARIUM ARE JUST WONDERFUL.

CHEERS, JUDY

P.S. YOU ARE NOW ENTERED IN MY GIVE AWAY.

Jerri said...

Loved the post...the "fishies"...Kindergarten...aww so long ago but I was sad for my babe's departure to college last Fall..I do remember the "wanting another baby feeling" oh so well...and the Mag Cover, I remember when you were doing it...You're a ROCK STAR! :)

Ink Obsession Designs said...

One of my friends saw your blog and sent me your way, since I blogged about the quake yesterday as well. I'm in the Fox Valley area and I literally thought it was the end of the world. I've never experienced anything like it and just had no idea what it was. It was terrifying! I thought something had fallen from the sky. Glad to hear you are ok!

Sarah said...

How neat to be featured in the magazine! Great picture! Do you have them "registered" (not sure of the correct term)for modeling?

We actually felt the tremor here from the earthquake! Our walls was tapping for about 2 minutes and you could hear it through the vents and the mirror was moving on our wall, then it stopped. I have never felt a small one before but we didn't know until the next morning what it was...

We love the Shedd, we just went again last winter.

Ange said...

You do look like you love a good party! Coming from NZ - I know the earthquake dilemma too. So rock the house and party on - pity I won't meet you in France this time though...

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

We are planning a trip to Chicago in the next month or so... and we are definitely going to Shedd.

How cool that you are on the cover? Love it!
~Amy

PS~Erin said...

you're so fun... Loved reading through this with you. And the photo from behind of the aquarium is so cool. Have fun this weekend!

Martha said...

Enjoy your weekend and your baby fix...loved the pics ~ what a fun aquarium trip!!

sarah said...

you are famous! just had my speakers on for the first time and realized there is music on here! love it!


Sarah
www.pittsburgh-odds-and-sods.blogspot.com

sanjeet said...

I'm sure they will remember this day for the days to come. Love the cover of the book too!

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Tiffany said...

That is just awesome, the cover of that park book! So great. Did the kids feel like celebrities?