My 30th and Memorial Day Weekend!

Wow! This past weekend was one of the best!!  Not only was it Memorial Day weekend with an extra day off, but Saturday was my 30th birthday.  I knew that Cary had been planning some sort of party, but I had no idea what the day entailed.  First, after I slept-in, he surprised me with breakfast a Mimi's - just the four of us.  It was the perfect way to start the day.  While at breakfast, he gave me a gift card for Jordan Creek.  In his words, I was supposed to "spend frivolously" which I never do (and still didn't do).  :)   So he dropped me at the mall, where I met one of my closest friends, Jess, who was my personal shopper all morning.  I found a dress for that night, a couple of other cute dresses, and a few other fun things.  Then, Jess and I met two of my other closest friends, Alicia and Amy.  It was so much fun to sit and chat with these girls who are all friends from different parts of my life.  Then after lunch, dessert, and another hour of shopping, I went home to nap, watch the kids as they played in the slip-and-slide, and then get ready for the evening.

So the evening was the biggest surprise of the day.  I was so happy when we pulled into Jasper Winery and I saw so many of the people closest to me there.  Cary had planned the whole thing, with lots of help from Holly and Kelly.  There were fun mojitos to drink, a wine tasting, appetizers with cheeses, fruits, salad, bread and cake, a fun slideshow playing in the background, wine charms at each place-setting, and little cards with some fun facts about me.  It was so thoughtful and fun and just really sweet. I couldn't believe that Cary was able to pull the whole thing off!  Thanks to everyone that helped with the evening and thanks also to everyone that was able to come and celebrate.  It was such a fun, memorable night!!

Here are some photos from the weekend.  Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures with everyone that came to the party...I guess I didn't pull my camera out until later in the evening.  No pictures with Cary's parents either.  :(  There were about 15 other people I wish I had pictures with that night!!!  I also so wish I had a photo with the girls at lunch, but we were too busy chatting to think about that.  And, unfortunately, we really missed Joe and Holly and Julie.  They all had prior commitments and were only there in spirit.

Friday night - Since the softball games were rained out, we hung out at Joe and Holly's instead.  Look at all of the Coppola kids.  Can't wait for one more from Tony and Kelly in October! 

Saturday morning outside of Mimi's.  Two photos because Brynn isn't looking in one and Cary's head is cut off in the other!

Jess and Katie

Jess - my personal shopper and wonderful friend

My sweet hubby...

...who put so much time and energy into my party.  I'm so lucky to be married to such a great guy!

Emily - a future sister-in-law?? :)

Amy - one of the best!  I can't believe they came all the way from LaCrosse!!!

Karri  - the best neighbor and greatest friend!

Karri, Davin and Tiffany, me and Cary - doing a wine tasting

Tiffany - we love spending time with them!!

Emily and Laura - real troopers that night who joined us at Fong's Pizza for the after-party!

With my family - Mom, Dad and Andy - the only ones who've known me all 30 years! :)

Kelly Grabe - such a great friend!!!

Kelly Coppola - so nice of them to come back for the weekend just for this! 

Katie - my co-worker and friend! 

And, if you're wondering, yes there were guys there...I just only took photos with girls!  So far, 30 isn't so bad! :)

Brava Finale!

Last Thursday was the final performance for Brava Girls.  The girls did a fantastic job and I was sooo proud of all of them!  Everyone said their lines, sang their solos, and danced their little hearts out.  Looking back over the past 5 months, I am so glad that I did this. It was so much fun to get to know all of these girls and see them grow, change and build friendships with each other.  It was really such a fulfilling experience for me and I hope that each girl took as much away from it as I did.  I'm taking the summer off to just enjoy my own kids, but I plan to start a new group in the fall.

Here are some photos my brother-in-law, Kyle, took for me at the performance.  He did such a great job with the pictures and some of these will be perfect for the website! :)

When Dad's Away...

The kids will play.  And eat donuts.  :)

Yes, I let her have a long-john.  And no, she didn't eat the whole thing!  :)

But he did! 

While Cary, my dad, his dad, and his brothers were all on a fishing trip this weekend, I stayed home and held down the fort.  Honestly, I  was a little worried about being the only parent for 5 days.  But the kids were so good, we kept really busy, and we had a great weekend together!  Wednesday we went to Katelyn's preschool graduation.  I worked on Thursday, had my girls' group after school, and then we went to Bobbi's to help set up for the garage sale.  Friday morning was spent working the garage sale - which went really well!  We were almost completely sold out by the time we closed up shop on Friday.  Yay!  On Friday night I met Alicia for a quick drink while the kids played with our neighbor, Cassie.  My mom came on Saturday and we spent the morning with the kids and then had a babysitter in the afternoon and early evening.  We did some shopping, redecorating, and eating...and also got pedicures.  And before we knew it, the boys were home on Sunday afternoon.  The weekend flew by, but we were happy to have our dad/hubby home!

Double Batch

Success #1 of Simplifying:  The Backyard Pool

On Tuesday, I filled the pool with cold water before taking Carter and friends to school.  After running a few quick errands with Brynn (the "have-to's...milk and juice, a gift, and some new lightbulbs), we picked up Carter and came home to the now perfectly warm pool.  This was the highlight of the day - and kept the kids happy and playing together for two hours before naps.  No TV...no fighting...just good clean fun in the backyard!!  We ate lunch outside - no mess to clean up.  And the best part yet - both kids wanted to get back in the pool after their naps.  Another heavenly hour of splashing, happy kids.

Success #2 of Simplifying: Double-Batch of Butterscotch Brownies

So while the kids were resting, I decided to try a recipe from The Reluctant Entertainer (one of my favorite blogs!).  I wanted to make something to send with the guys (Cary, his brothers, his dad and my dad) on their big fishing trip.  But the recipe looked so good and I wanted to have something sweet for the rest of us to enjoy around the house.  Enter the best idea - make a double batch!!!  This is something I do quite often.  If I have a recipe that can easily be doubled, I make two.  One for us and one to either give away or freeze.  It works great with lasagna, chicken and rice casserole, chocolate chip cookies, etc.  It took no less more and gave us twice the brownie goodness!!!

And speaking of "double"...here's a photo from my niece Katelyn's preschool graduation.  Notice anything interesting about the picture?? :)  Yep, that's right....Julie and I are wearing the exact same skirt.  Congrats to Miss Katelyn for officially graduating from 4-year-old preschool!!  You'll be a great little kindergartener! :)

Mom's Day!

Since Mother's Day was yesterday, the last few days have been dedicated to the mom's in our family's life.  We started last Wednesday with "Mother-in-Law Day."  Holly and I took Bobbi out for wine and cheese at The Cheese Shop.  We just wanted to thank her for all of her help with our kids and families.  It was so nice to sit, relax and laugh with those two. 

On Saturday, it was my mom's turn to be celebrated.  My brother and I put together a brunch at our house and we just ate, chatted and played with the kids.  I think Mom had a good time watching the little ones and just catching up with her "big" kids.  Then we all drove to Adel to Katelyn's soccer game.  She was so cute and so much fun to watch!

The kids in the cheering section!

On Sunday morning, I got to sleep in and then came downstairs to this great breakfast!  Chocolate chip pancakes and coffee - two of my favorites!  Then the kids helped me open my present - TOMS wedges!  Yay!!!  (Good work, Cary!) :)  Since it was my special day, I got to pick the activity....the zoo!  Carter wanted to ride the train first thing, then we just wandered around looking at all of the animals.  It was such a beautiful and relaxing day.  We ended with a lunch stop at The Tavern, where Brynn ate three pieces of pizza and actually behaved herself! Carter was the best little boy all day too.  Thanks for the great Mother's Day!  And thanks to all of the moms and grandmas in our lives! :)  

Simple.

I've been thinking for awhile that I'm in need of a little lifestyle change.  Every day seems to be busy - alarm goes off, baby wakes up, TV comes on, interrupted shower, rushed breakfast, out the door, work or school or the grocery store or various errands, home to dishes that need unloaded, constant laundry, kids wanting to play, dirt on the floor, dog needs fed, dinner needs made, more dishes, crying kids, Daddy gets home, far too little playtime, baths, books and bed.  Slowly I've been trying to change this madness.  On the days that I work, I just can't see a way around it.  But on the days that I'm home, it seems like I can spread everything out a little better.  So here today, I am making myself commit to simplifying our life.  Summer vacation from school is only three weeks away.  It's time to stop and enjoy these simple moments with the kids.  They won't last forever.

So here's my plan:
-more time outside - riding bikes, sidewalk chalk, playing in the sprinkler, searching for bugs, playing in the sandbox
-more trips to the library
-leisurely days at the zoo, even if we just go to ride the train and feed the goats
-more baking and cooking with the kids
-healthy snacks only
-limited TV and video games
-more quiet music in the background
-daily arts and crafts time
-less spending!
-grocery shop only every other week
-clean the house top-to-bottom only every other week

This isn't going to be a drastic change for us, but it is going to take a little effort.  Hopefully, these changes will lead to a more patient and fun mom and two happier, more fulfilled kids.  The truth is that Cary is much better at all of this than me.  He's the "play in the dirt and don't come inside until dark" type of dad.  I need a little more of that.  So here we go....

And to get us started...here are some "simple" pictures from today.

Carter has been giving me dandelions flowers almost every time he sees one.  He's so sweet.

We've been working on his writing his name.  Getting better each day. 

Thank goodness for Trader Joe's flower department.  My favorite. 

Carter "reading" to Brynn.  I wish this happened more.

Making cupcakes.

Lately...

We've been busy...in a good way.  I can't believe that it's May already and that the school year is almost over.  Carter is in his last few weeks of preschool and has really made a lot of progress from the beginning to the year until now.  He really likes going school, likes his teachers and their class guinea pigs, and is improving on his fine motor skills (the teacher's biggest concern for him.)  He still is obsessed with trains and prefers to play trains over anything else...however, he's finally interested in some sports.  He likes shooting hoops with Cary every night and also likes hitting the whiffle ball around the yard.  Slowly but surely, we're seeing a little bit of athletic interest.  :)  Seeing Carter with Brynn makes me appreciate how sweet and sensitive he is.  He's almost always nice to her - sharing his snacks, helping her with things she can't reach or do, and never hitting her back after she whacks him.  ;)  He's seeming so old these days - and he's quick to tell you that he's almost 4 1/2...those half-years make a big difference, you know?

Brynn has been a little challenging the last month or two.  She likes to say "no," occasionally bite or hit, cry if she's not being held, and scream at the top of her lungs if Carter gets something she doesn't get.  And she's terribly jealous.  This makes me a bit crazy and by the end of a day at home, I'm spent.  The last few days have been so much better though...she's been sweet and less demanding and hasn't hurt anyone! :)  So maybe we're exiting this crazy little stage.  She's a mama's girl and loves being with me all of the time.  She sits on the bathroom counter as I put on make-up in the morning, she puts on all of my necklaces and bracelets as I get dressed, and she throws clothes in the dryer as I change a load of laundry.  She's my little helper.  She's saying more and more words and each day she learns something new - today she learned to say "Please."  Her hair is getting longer and is still curly in the back, so we're able to do pig-tails or a pony-tail or just a clip in the side.  She's a lover and gives lots and lots of kisses every day...usually when you least expect it.  She still loves playing with her babies and chasing Maddie and Lily around.  Each day, she seems a little older and a little more independent.  I have big plans for us this summer.  I think these two are going to be the perfect age for trips to the zoo, library, pool, and Ely.  With only an afternoon nap to work around, we're going to have a great time!!!

Other things we've been up to over the past few weeks....

My girls' performance group is coming right along!  I've had so much fun with these 18 girls and am getting anxious for our final performance later this month.  The girls have worked so hard on memorizing their lines, practicing their solos and learning the dance moves.  They make me so proud, and although there have been a few beginners challenges, the whole thing has been so rewarding.  Here's a group photo of the girls...aren't they cute??

This week I finally bought a family zoo pass and took the kids to the zoo.  We met my great friend Kelly there with her kids and had so much fun - despite the 28 bus loads of school kids.  I might steer clear of Friday's at the zoo until school is out.  Here's a photo of Brynn right before the zoo.  She stood by the window by herself saying "cheese" over and over.  Carter was never one for pictures, so I love that she's so willing to model for me! :)

And a picture of my two loves before our zoo field trip.  They're sitting on my brand new bench/glider that was an early birthday present from Cary's parents.  I love it!!!

Grandma Bobbi came over a few weeks ago to help us do a little flower planting.  She helps us with this every year because I have a black thumb and have very little interest in gardening.  Lucky for us, she loves it.  Carter was really into being Grandma's Helper, which worked out well...until he had a little too much fun with the garden hose.  Brynn just liked walking around the yard with Maddie.

Now that our back deck is done and decorated, we had our first gathering out there.  I co-hosted my monthly girls' group on the deck for a wine tasting several weeks ago.  I should have taken more pictures but was too busy enjoying the wine and the company most of the night!

We've also made several trips the the neighborhood yogurt shop, gone on some family bike rides, laid some new sod in the front yard, started Cary's softball season, purchased a new lawn mower (which Cary is obsessed with) and started using our sweet neighbor, Cassie, as a babysitter while Cary and I slip away for an hour or two.  Last nights' date included Mexican for dinner (it was Cinco de Mayo!!) and a little putt-putt golf.  Such a great night!

As the weather continues to get nicer, I'm getting exited for the calm, laid-backness of summer.  My goal for summer is to spend as much time outside with the kids as possible, getting dirty and enjoying the simple things...and limiting time in front of the tv.  It's going to be a great summer!!