Thursday Tidbits

• If you go hiking in the springtime in the desert do not listen to Blaze of Glory (Bon Jovi) or Funny the Way it is (DMB).  Both of these songs have tambourine (I think it's tambourines) music that sounds a little like a rattler on a rattlesnake ... just sayin' it might freak you out a little, which can be a good thing because you will run/hike faster
• PC is BS ... I was told to apply for an internal position by the hiring manager (and several other managers close to the position) and now I have to wait at least two weeks to see if I get the position ... I hate PC HR rules that require the role to be posted for a week and them dragging their feet - let's get a move on people, momma wants a new purse (and wallet - my reward to myself if I get the new position)!
• I need want a Blackberry and I need to convince Mr. ESPN that I really do need it
• My sweet little Bia is so much like me in the morning that it is scary.  She tends to be very cranky in the morning and wants everything done her way.  She also likes to change her mind about what she's wearing several times.  One way that she is NOT like me is that she insists on wearing outfits that don't match ... not sure where she gets that one from
• Chatty is at my parents for two nights ... she was so excited.  My mom may have to turn her hearing aide off if Chatty lives up to her nickname
• We will be hosting a session of grandparent detox for Chatty on Saturday afternoon for any interested parties
• I am getting rid of my grey hairs (for a couple months anyway) tonight because unlike some blogs friends I have, I get my hair highlighted regularly, it is one of the many ways I keep the economy rockin', we all have to do our part
• I saw this cool post about Easter cookies (scroll down the post a bit to see the full recipe with pictures).  If we have time Saturday afternoon I want to do it with the girls.  Not sure Bia will get much out of it but I think Chatty would.

Birthday Overload

This weekend we had birthday overload at our house.  Warning - there are a lot of pictures in this post.  Mr. ESPN's birthday was Friday.  We went to dinner at a nice "kid-friendly" restaurant that had the basketball games on so everyone was happy.  After we got home we dug into Daddy's cake.

The next day was my little monkey's 3rd birthday.  When we got up she told me she wanted to go shopping at Costco and the gym ... my kind of girl! (As you can see my girls are big fans of their Christmas PJs and are still wearing them even though it is almost Easter).  Since it was a birthday weekend and we had an abundance of cake, we broke all the rules and had cake for breakfast! 

Time to open a few presents ...

Even the Philly Phanatic knew it was her birthday and sent her a card!

After we obliged Bia and her request to shop at Costco we headed to her buddie's birthday party at the train park.

After the party we met Nana, Poppa, Uncle Greg and Mrs. T at our favorite restaurant - Oregano's!  Nana and Poppa bought Bia a singing/dancing monkey.  It is a lovely annoying monkey that sings to Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus ... and it took all of 5 minutes for the girls to learn the words.  Nothing beats being serenaded by Miley and the girls!  

Monkey was thirsty so Bia shared her water

Since we had cake at the birthday party (and for breakfast) and had pizza cookie at Oregano's we saved Bia's monkey cake for Sunday and invited our neighbors over for cake and ice cream.

Two down, one to go ...Chatty's birthday is in two weeks and so is their joint birthday party.  After that I am on a cake baking vacation for a while!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BIA!

Bia is officially a three year old today - complete with three year old tantrums!  As sweet and snuggly as can be but super independent and stubborn.  She knows what she wants and gets mad when she doesn't get it (I have no idea where she gets these lovely qualities from - ha ha!)!  She is my baby and I can't believe she is already three!  We love you sweet little Bia!!!

2 Days Old

2 weeks Old

Baptism 2 months old (my Granny made the dress)

1st Birthday - 2008

2nd Birthday - 2009

3rd Birthday Invitation Picture - 2010

National Holiday

It is Mr. ESPN's National Holiday today - aka his Birthday!  He insists it is a national holiday, although the banks and government offices are all open and we don't have the day off!  We will be having a nice family dinner at a restaurant that has multiple televisions so we can watch the NCAA tournament while we eat! 

He doesn't read this blog so there is no point in me going on about what a great husband and father he is and how he puts up with three independent and stubborn females on a daily basis and is still sane!  But that in and of itself is quite an accomplishment!  We Love you Mr. ESPN - HAPPY 36th Birthday!!

FORE!

This is how I spent my Thursday night ... preparing for Mr. ESPN's birthday.  This was my first attempt at a "ball" cake.  It was practice for Chatty's soccer ball cake.  Let me tell you - it was a pain in the you know what making all those dimples in the ball ... needless to say I was so worn out that my writing suffered a little.  Oh well - Mr. ESPN isn't picky!  I also made a monkey cake tonight for my little monkey.  I have to ice it tomorrow night.  We'll see how it turns out.  Thanks Kingston Queen for lending me the monkey pan and colors!Anyone want to come over for cake this weekend?

Party Central

It was party central in the desert last weekend ... and it only gets worse this weekend!  First stop was Baby B across the street, she turns 1 tomorrow and her parents had a party for her last weekend.

The big girls checking out the "loot" bags

The birthday girl and her BIG Cupcake!

Cupcakes and ice cream anyone?

Bia wanted to taste the bubbles too

Bia got a haircut that morning ... so it looked cute!

Then on Sunday we celebrated our other neighbor N's 4th birthday.  She is into everything princess and I volunteered to make her a Barbie/Princess cake.  I like making cakes for kids - they love anything and don't notice all of the flaws!

My Cinderella blue tint was a little off

The birthday girl and her cake

Yes Bia loves cake!

Milk anyone?

As if that wasn't enough partying last weekend, Mr. ESPN's birthday is tomorrow and Bia's is Saturday!  Stay tuned for more cake and party pictures!

Fun Day

Chatty had her Kindergarten Fun Day last Friday.  For us old people it was what we used to call Field Day.  Chatty had fun and we had some perfect sunny weather for the festivities.

Future Track Star??  Maybe if she take after her cousin C

While she was running all the boys were chanting "Chatty, Chatty .."

I guess she already has a fan club with the boys!

Parachute Time

Future Running Back or Wide Receiver??

A little tug of war ... the parents even joined in on this one

Obstacle course

Dancing - doesn't every field day include the "Cha-cha Slide"?

Kindergarten buddies

Roller thingies ... not sure what they are but they loved them

The boy in the corner of this last picture asked me to walk him to the bathroom at one point.  Very politely I might add.  Anyway on the way there he says "Chatty likes to chase me on the playground."  I said, "Oh that's nice, she loves to run and play at recess."  Then he says "Chatty likes to give me lots of hugs on the playground too!" Umm really ... wasn't sure what to say at that point!  I asked her about it in the car and at first she denied it and then fessed up .. what are we going to do when she is a teenager??