Tyler and the food drive

Last week Tyler came home from school and handed me a piece of paper. The paper stated that the school was having a food drive - he kept telling me "mom, I have to bring food to school". I was like sure we will get it done. Well, by Thursday I was gently reminded by my son, mom I need to have this food to give to people that don't have any. He was very concerned and determined.
It was so sweet to see how passionate he was about the food drive and getting that food to school by the end of the week! I thought to myself - he gets it. He is understanding that there are families out there that need help and are not as fortunate as our family.
We went down to the pantry and picked out some items so he could bring them to the food drive at school the next day. He was so proud that he was doing something to help others! That's my boy!

Fathers and Daughters

The other night while I was cooking dinner, I found these two playing UNO in the living room. It was just so sweet the two of them hanging out together. I thought to myself that Mira is a very lucky girl! She is lucky because her father loves her unconditionally, he spends time with her, he teaches her, he encourages and he also corrects her when she is wrong. That alone makes me love this man even more! I wanted to share the lyrics of Fathers and Daughters by Paul Simon. Ron loves this song and way way in the future when Mira gets married Ron will request that this be played for the father and daughter dance.




If you ever leap awake
In the mirror of a bad dream
And for a fraction of a second
You can't remember where you are
Just open your window
And follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain
Where we counted every falling star

I believe the light that shines on you
Will shine on you forever
And though I can't guarantee
There's nothing scary hiding under your bed
I’m gonna stand guard
Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave till I leave you
With a sweet dream in your head

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Trust your intuition
It's just like going fishing
You cast your line
And hope you'll get a bite
But you don't need to waste your time
Worrying about the market place
Try to help the human race
Struggling to survive its harshest night

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Happy Halloween!!

I know I'm very behind with my posts -sorry. We had a halloween celebration at my sisters house : here are some pictures

Mira getting her done at Details Salon (where I work) in DT St.Paul, hair done by Brian Horst ( my boss and brother in law)



Liza's cheese ball goblin

My pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

The best for last - the kids:

Miras Bday Party at the American Girl Doll Store in the MOA

Mira decided this past spring that she wanted her 6th bday party to be at the American Girl Doll store at the MOA. She invited three of her friends and I was lucky to invite three of mine. It just happens to be that her three best friends mom's happen to be three of my best friends.
We decided to have an early dinner there, hoping to miss a mad rush of little girls. How could one not love this place, as a little girl? Everywhere there where dolls, fun clothes, pink, pink!!
We met her friends at the Bistro and of course each of the them brought their dolls. Last year Mira picked out Julie for her birthday. Julie is a little girl that lives in San Fransico and is from the 70's. She is a very free spirited, outgoing lady. That is so Mira.
The girls were able to sit by their dolls and the dolls got little treats, really?. That was a little weird but the girls thought it was soo cool. The girls decided to drink lemonade, you can to choose an appetizer and your main course. Mira went with the fruit kabob and chicken tenders with mac-n-cheese. For dessert we had the chocolate fondue with brownies, pound cake and strawberies -they LOVED that!
We shopped at the store after the party, Mira picked out Julie's christmas outfit and her basketball outfit. She truly is her fathers daughter. I knew that Ron would get a kick out of that it was the first outfit she picked out. That's my little girl! She also picked out the miniture Rebecca doll.
To top it off at the end of the night as we were leaving. There was a mad rush of kids, well there was Sponge Bob, did the girls go wild. It was as though they saw a rock star! They of course, got their picture with him!
Happy Birthday Mira!

The birthday girl:


Mira and her besties:





Dinner:

Birthday Celebrations at Barrio!!!

Today is my dear friend Taffy's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAFFY!! I have known Taffy for close to 11 years. We met at one of my first lovely county funded jobs as a case manager. Well, our birthdays are a week apart. About 9 years ago we decided that each year for our birthdays, we would go out to a nice dinner, basically an excuse for a girls night out. One year we saved money and bought new Coach bags. Then two years ago we decided to celebrate for my big 35 and her 40 we went to Mexico. Yes, we will need to go back someday, maybe for my 40th? Or now! Because I truly need a vacation.
This year instead of the two of us doing dinner, I thought it would be fun to get a group of us and go to Barrio DT St.Paul. That place is my new love. Love it , Love it. Great atmosphere, food and drinks.
Well, needless to say we did party that night. If you know me, I have not been crazy since I have had kids, would you say that I have slowed down a bit? I'll let you make the decision. I hope I do not offend anyone that actually might read my blog, I think there is just a handful of my friends. It has been a crazy few weeks. So, we let it loose. Well, actually everyone did!

Here are pictures of our night:

Taffy and I


Our bday martini glasses - thanks Taffy!


My girls:










A few birthday toasts:








Taffy and Fred


Ron and I


Taffy and her BOYFRIENDS



Just having FUN













What a fun and crazy night. By the way, we did close down the bar that night. Really!

Happy Birthday Mira!!

I cannot believe that my sweet little girl is SIX today! It was just seven years ago when my Dr. told me if you want any more kids you better start trying now because I'm sure you will have a hysterectomy by the time you are 35. Well, four months later I was pregnant with Mira! And I did have a hysterectomy four years after I had Mira.
Let me tell you, she is quite the little lady. At times, I cannot believe the things that actually come out of her mouth (not bad things, they are mostly funny) or how she bosses her big brother around. I have been amazed to watch this huge personality come out of such a small child. Six years have just flown by.
She is my world! Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, I love you with all my heart.
Mira at 5 months old.

Mira 2 years old.

Mira at 4 years old.

Mira at 5




We love you!

Where did the Summer Go?

Didn't it seem as though when you were little - life just stood still? I remember always over hearing my parents saying "wow, time has just flown by". Well, I guess I must be officially old because , wow has time flown by!! I cannot believe that summer is over and that school started last Tuesday.
We had such a wonderful summer - we spent time at the cabin, we went swimming, spent time with friends and family, the kids took their first plane ride, the list goes on and on.
Here are some pictures of our lovely summer:
Our flowers:



The Children's Flint Festival:



Kids just having fun:





Family and Friends:











What a beautiful summer we had spending time with family and friends! I truly feel blessed each day!