Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Surprise 30th Birthday Party

I have to admit, Benjamin got me. He had asked me what I would like to do for my birthday and selfishly I thought, 'it's MY birthday, I don't want to plan out what we do, I want it to be a surprise for me.'

But of course I just said that we could go out on a date on the day before my birthday and then have some friends over for dessert and coffee for the night of my actually birthday. So he sent out an email to all our friends inviting them over and one by one people had things to do and the dessert night was getting smaller.

Little did I know it was a FAKE email. He actually turned around and sent another email to everyone, but me, telling them that the dessert and coffee night was going to be the night before.

On Saturday, before my actual birthday Benjamin made reservations for us at the Angus Barn in Raleigh. This place is right up my ally. It's a higher end restaurant but it's not too fancy. I can't stand going to places that I feel out of place and uptight the entire time I'm eating. Not to mention they don't even give you a good portion of food. Anywho, I'll get off my soap box about that. : )

Benjamin went on and on about how he was sacrificing going out to dinner because it was at the exact time that Alabama was playing football on ESPN. But don't let him fool you. While we waited to be seated we drank water and ate the appetizer cheese in the lounge and the game just happened to be on the big screen.

Notice the picture below? Every time someone yelled he jumped out of his seat and ran to see what the action was. At least during dinner we were seated away from a TV. ; )

 This was just my plate. YUM! And yes, I ate ALL of it. It was my birthday, and not just any birthday, I was turning 30! ; 0








When you celebrate your birthday at Angus Barn they give you a complementary pound cake with strawberries. We were so full we couldn't eat any of it but we did take it home to eat later.



On the way home we were rushing because I thought we had to get home to relieve the sitter. I knew she said she had to leave so we were getting back as quickly as we could. However, when we came around the corner I saw LOTS of cars parked on the street in front of our house. I immediately said, 'Benjamin, why are all those cars at our house?' His reply, 'There not at our house, their at the neighbors.' I said, 'NO, they are not, they are at our house and WHO is that man walking in our front door? I don't know him!'

Benjamin never said another word. I had no clue what was going on and why there were people at my house that I didn't know. I knew it had to be something for my birthday but I was so confused.

When I walked in the door I got the best surprise ever! All of our friends were there, 80's music was playing, and they were all dressed like they were from the 80's. How fun!

And they all brought desserts!!




















Oh, and the man I didn't know, it was our sweet friends the Eccher's (pictured below) parents. I had met them before but just didn't recognize him. Sweet, sweet family.



And....guess who else jumped from around the corner?! It was mom and dad! They had flown up and surprised me for my birthday. She was a total Jane Fonda!

It was such a sweet surprise. I was so sad that I hadn't received her birthday card yet and she acted like it was no big deal. Totally not like her. Little did I know she was delivering it herself. : )














P.S. So thankful that I cleaned my house that day. Benjamin would have been in SO much trouble if all these people had come over to my house and it was a complete mess!





The weather was perfect and the kids had such a blast playing out side.









I have to say turning 30 didn't bother me in the least and I pretty much had the best weekend EVER!

FAMILY
FRIENDS
ANGUS BARN
DESSERT
(& and you can't forget the fun gifts!)


So thankful for everyone who took the time to put the party and bring desserts. I'm the most blessed girl ever! : )

Monday, September 9, 2013

Ballet, Tap, Jazz Class

Monday's are going to be mine and Emma Claire's favorite day of the week this fall.

We have decided to send the boys to school on Monday's although I'm off and I will be taking Emma Claire to a ballet, tap, jazz class at CC & Company. The best part is that some of her best buddies are in the class and while they are having fun in class us mommies are going to have a great time hanging out each week!

Emma Claire was ecstatic about starting her first class. She couldn't wait to get started!

We dropped the boys off at school at 9:30am and then headed to a local coffee shop to do school until time for dance to start. Dance ends at 12:30pm which gives us plenty of time to head over and get the boys after class. She gets my FULL attention on Monday's!








At this studio us parents are not allowed inside their studio while they are rehearsing. We have to stay outside and when they have something ready the teacher calls us in to watch. I didn't like this at first but it has been good to give Emma Claire some independence in this.



She loves Ms. Michelle already! Michelle and so many others at CC & Company have such a great resume. They have all toured around the world and I believe 5 of their dancers have been in the top 8 of  So You Think You Can Dance. I've been very impressed already.

Can you believe that I get to sit and chat with these ladies for an hour EVERY Monday? So fun! (Plus my sweet friend, Lauren Ashford. She was MIA during picture time. : )









Hopefully I'll have some video soon to share some of what she has been learning!

Cookies

Yep, up late making cookies for my boys class tomorrow because that's what he wanted. I'm a sucker! ;)

Bye-Bye

Dawson said 'bye-bye' and waved to his sissy today! : )

Saturday, September 7, 2013

5 More Steps

While out to dinner tonight celebrating turning 30 with some friends I got this text from Benjamin...

'"Dawson just took 5 steps!"

My reply was....

"Knock him down!"

Goodbye 20's, HELLO 30's! ‪

#‎werecelebrating‬ ‪#‎instacollage‬ ‪#‎simplycrepes‬


Thursday, September 5, 2013

First Day of School Fall 2013


I can't believe my babies are getting SO big!

First Day of the Infant Class...



First Day of the 3 Year Old Class...
(even though he turns 4 in 3 weeks. : )



First Day of 1st Grade...



First of the year teacher gifts! Yea, I'm that suck up mom, but then again, I do have an embroidery machine and I can get out a lot cheaper making gifts than buying them. ; )

b

Dawson and one of his teachers, Mrs. Heather! Notice she has on her new shirt. : )

Look who else I saw coming down the hall! Camp got to be the line leader for the first day of school!



A shot of my boys loving their first day!



Camp's teachers are Mrs. Karin & Mrs. Jessica this year. I think it's gonna be a great year and I love that they wore their matching shirts on the first day of school! : )

(More to come on Emma Claire's first day later in my homeschool blog.)

This boy is gonna outgrow the infant room FAST this year!



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Dawson Took 3 Steps Today!!

Tooth #8

He has all his front chompers! ; )

His bottom second to the right tooth has come in! : )

Dawson's Growth Chart

At 10 months Dawson's stats are:

Weight: 24 lbs 3.5 ounces
Height: 33.5 inches