Thursday, February 20, 2014

If It's Not One Thing, It's a Fever

We (the kids and I) hit the road this week to Nana and Pop's and made a day trip in to Hilton Head.

During the hour and a half drive, the toddler did what toddlers do and began screaming. With authority. When the offering of Chick Fil A fries and drink did not appease The Toddler, I made the command decision to turn around and let the others go on without us. 5 minutes later, The Toddler passed out so we intrepidly continued our journey.

Dumb.

That's when things got LIVELY. About 20 minutes til our end destination, The Toddler resumed screaming, kicking, and thrashing in her carsest (or heckhole without the heck as we sometimes refer to it on such situations).

That's we our journey got really special. A fever was detected, 2 GPS-es were deployed and directives were vigorously pronounced.

Let's just say Mama (that's me) requested a stop and 'bout walked the rest of the way (which was only a half mile tops). 

Mercifully, a outdoor restaurant was spotted, fever relief secured, and everyone got lemonade.

The result of this adventure, which may have shaved 3 months off my life expectancy, was a pretty delightful afternoon we spent watching this merry band enjoy the freezing water and muddy sand.

Filing another memory away in #RealLife.



Monday, February 17, 2014

Sarah's 4th Birthday


Ready to party...

Pinterest this.

Low tech.

Got fancy and made scratch cupcakes.  Almost forgot sugar.  Dur.  Next year: Publix.

Super sweet preschool friends making mini-pizzas.

Cake time!

Crazed toddler in the aftermath.



So much fun!  I always get crazed when we have people over, but I tried my best this time to work on making people feel welcome and cared for instead of my "stellar" (wink, wink) homemaking skills.  I had a very nice time getting to know Sarah's buddies and their moms better.  Between Christmas, a January birthday, and Valentine's Day, Sarah keeps wondering "What's next?"  Well, I guess we'll have to pump up St. Patty's Day!

I'm gonna make this a pin to be meta-ironic.  Maybe it'll help a sister out.  

How to Throw a Dora Party in 5 Easy Steps:


1. Go to the Dollar Store and buy purple, green and yellow plastic and tableware.  Scope out a few treats for the revelers.  Remember, goodie bags are not the 11th commandment.  

2. Go to Nickjr.com and print free Dora invitations to hand out to your child's friends.  Target also sells Dora invites for $5/8 pack, as well as Dora tableware if you want to be fancy.  Which I did.

3.  Order the cake.  Just trust me.  If you're feeling crafty, you can order Dora themed cupcake rings on Amazon for about $8.

4.  Plan the menu. I went to Aldi and bought mini-pizza fixings and fruit.  We all had fun and it served as a party activity.

5.  Freak out and send hubby back to the Dollar store for "4" candles, balloons, and party favors because you changed your mind a tad about simplicity.   Enjoy!




Sunday, February 16, 2014

Downton Abbey: Episode "Everybody Needs a Hug"

Also, "Hooray for Decent Men"

Credit: pbs.org/masterpiece
Hugs to Jack Ross, Tom, and Molesley.  Jack is a black jazz singer who is in love with Lady Rose.  Mary visits him to presumably talk him into breaking off their secret engagement, but he beats her to the punch.  He loves Rose too much to see her shunned by society.  Tom takes up for his new family when a new friend and possible love interest feigns contempt for his mother-in-law.  Go get 'em, Tom. Favorite line of the night: "I don't believe in types. I believe in people."  Oh, Tom.  You're growing, like a flower to the sunshine.  Hugs.  And Molesley, Mr. Eeyore.  He has a friend, Ms. Baxter, someone who doesn't think he's pathetic, and so, at last, he isn't.  He wings a hammer at the bazaar and hits the bell.  Now, I'm thinking Baxter rigged it, but he has someone who believes in him.  I think we all need to join hands and sing Climb Ev'ry Mountain.  Go on, I'll wait.  (A dream that will need all the love you can giiiiiiiiive...)

I'm so glad we could share that together.  Also, Daisy and Alfred.  Oh my word, give him a hug.  Her sweet father-in-law encourages her to end things well with Alfred because you don't have many loves in your life.  She brings back a treat basket for him, admits she did love him, but now they must move on.  He admits that he couldn't see her clearly and probably made a big mistake.  Oh, go for it, you crazy kids.  But it's probably good they both stretch their wings and grow, much like our flower bud, Tom.  I really hope Alfred is not written out of the show.  I'd love to see a romance blossom downstairs.  Also, Mrs. Patmore saying Daisy was like a daughter and she'd never been prouder.  I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mo-ny.  Hugs.

Which brings me to our unlucky-in-love lovers, Anna and Bates.   So basically Bates killed Anna's attacker Green, though we never see Green die or what Bates did in York. Nor do we EVER see any bad news related (hello, Granny Dowager, I'm pregnant, right?) or the actual event in which everyone is most interested.

So Edith and Aunt Rosamund and the Dowager Countess, who is the only person it seems with any intuition about anything.  The old girl's a like dog on the hunt.  But you have to admire how she does so only to protect those she truly loves.  Where is Michael Gregson?  Will Edith give up her baby only for this man to mysteriously return?  Do we really believe no one finds it odd she'll be gone for 4 months to Switzerland to learn French besides Granny?

Really.  It's a lot to keep straight.

Better end with Mary and her trio of suitors.  My money's on Mr. Blake (fire and ice, not to mention last week's mud scene), but Gillingham is so sweet and dreamy.  Though their romance will probably be nipped in the bud due to the fact that Bates killed his valet and Mary asked Gillingham to fire the valet the previous day.  And ol' Evelyn Napier.  He's just kinda... there, while his hottie friends keep popping in to woo Mary, the most alluring widow, ever, apparently.

It's part inane, part moving, always clever, and not a little ridiculous.  Three Cheers for Downton Abbey.




Saturday, February 15, 2014

#LOLOLOLOLing

This...





Also, this.





I've been waiting for this one for awhile as $17.99 hotel surcharge was a bit too steep of a luxury item that last time I was sprung from the mom joint.  Disclaimer: I've read all the Austen novels several times save Northanger Abbey and read Austenland, the basis of the film.  It wasn't a hard sell. But this was actually funny,even laugh-out-loud in an anachronistically inspired scene (think club music).  My Valentine agreed to watch it, too.  A bit silly and completely enjoyable cinematic confection.  2 thumbs up right here.

One more to round out the hilarity...




Any Internet jewels you'd care to share?

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Love Day

Isn't technology cool?  I made these on Shutterfly to pack a Christmas Thank You/Valentine's Day one-two punch.  You can import your pics right from Facebook and Instagram, and let's face it, that's where most of our pics are stored now.  Not an ad, just a fun share.

Happy Love Day!

Photo Card
View the entire collection of cards.