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Monday, January 14, 2013

Fine. Whatever. I'm still here. Happy New Year Birthday 10 on 10.

I know, I know...No posts since CHRISTMAS! 

I can't believe it either....

I have had the best intentions.  I just could not make myself sit down and do a blog. 

But here I am.

Better late than never right!  

With Christmas officially over, we had lots to look forward to...

New Years Eve.....Jack-man hitting the big 7. 

We have been very busy the last few weeks.

For Christmas my Mom gave us a very thoughtful gift.  She gave all of the kids and grand kids season passes to Six Flags.  WITH free parking.

Score! 

So we immediately went.  40 degree weather and all.  I have to say, The dolphin show really isn't the same in a parka. 

But Jack didn't care.  All he thought was this was the perfect way to kick off his Birthday Extravaganza.  (Jack is definitely on board with packing as much as one can get in to the days surrounding a Birthday... *I have no idea where he gets that from*)


Madeline was just happy to be along for the ride.
Daddy is such a good sport in the tilt-a-whirl.


Madeline had her first taste of Gymnastics and she loves it!
I see parallel bars in her future...

Daddy had to work on New Years Eve....
So we headed to Pump it up for their New Years Bash!

They had a *midnight countdown at 11:59 am
and served sparkling cider and treats.
(Madeline was handed sparkling cider, took one sip and handed it back to me and said "Mommy can you peas take the bubbles out. I don't like them."  You'll learn my sweet girl, you'll learn)


Aunt Casey was kind enough to watch the kids so Mommy could enjoy a Ladies Lunch to celebrate one of her favorite ladies.
Happy Birthday Gram!
(we had lunch at Neiman Marcus- So much fun!)

New years evening we had the regular crew to ring in the New year.
Here's Marquito playing Headbands.  Which I love by the way.....

And Madeline and Lynne playing Madeline's Christmas Gift from Lynne.
Pretty, Pretty Princess.

Poor Audrey took a header on Maddie's new Pink kitchen....
See the bump on the upper right....That's gonna leave a mark....

I barely made it to midnight....I was asleep by 11 on my couch....
woke up at 11:55...walked into the Mancave and woke up my New Years Sweetheart asleep on his couch.  Made him countdown until 12 on the dot, got in my midnight kiss and then immediately went upstairs and was passed out by 12:02am.
New Years sure ain't what it used to be...
(Does anyone else think it's funny there is the faint outline of a baby bottle next to my champagne... #parentsoftheyear  )


When January 10th rolled around...I was READY. I was going to be back in blog mode.....

So I started my 10 on 10.
My Breakfast of Champions....

My assistant

My new red shoes for work from my main squeeze....

And that's it.  

I'm awesome.

Moving on....


Jack's *actual* Birthday!!
7. 
7 years old. 
Time is flying.
Jack's favorite place in the whole world is a buffet.  He doesn't care where- Chinese Buffet, Sizzler, Hometown Buffet, Round Table Lunch Buffet.  If he can serve himself..he is in heaven.

He was SO excited to have WHATEVER he wanted.  Including the Icee daddy let him have....
(which we paid for ALLLL  day.....But I get it....You only turn 7 once)

After Breakfast we went to Baseball sign ups!

Jack couldn't take his eyes off all the trophy's in the room.  That is all he talked about on the way home.
Can't wait for his first game!

Jack spent the afternoon Golfing his first round of real golf with Daddy.  He even got to drive the cart. All by himself.  
Big day for Jack-man.

As if all of that wasn't enough.....

We went to Super Franks.
Superfranks is this HUGE place that is kind of like Chuckee Cheese meets Pump it up meets Sky Hi....

And Jack can't get enough of it. 

And neither can the grown ups.

Please note the gentleman in the upper right is not related or known by the Kirby's.
At least they weren't alone looking like overgrown children.

Jack loves the zip line.  And so does Maddie, she kept going back for more.... 

Jack had the time of his life.

When we got home we had cake and presents.
Jack got a new game for the Wii.  
Dad had to assist to make sure he knew how to play.....
*notice no controller in the 7 year olds hand*

Jack did not want his birthday to end.....this one is the last one of the night.

The next day was the Golden Globes.
Have I mentioned how much I love an awards show!
The local girls got together and enjoyed lots of fattening food and bad fashion.
(can we talk about Lucy Liu's dress for a second- yikes!)
Yum.
Make this dip immediately.

The little girls played dress up.
And had their own red carpet fashion show.
(How cute are these 3??  Can you imagine this photo in 10 years?)

Auntie Mary brought Donnie....
Who everyone couldn't get enough of......

And I finally got to relax.....
Mimosa's and ball gowns.
Yes. Please.

No time for much else....

I've wanted to keep up in blogging land....but I just can't bring myself to do it lately......

Do I have New Years Resolutions? 
 Yes.  Yes I do.  

Will I break every single one?  

Yes.  Yes I will.

Will I lose weight this year?
Yes.
Will I gain it all back?
Yes.
Will I be a better Mother?
Some Days...Yes!  Others...Not so much.
Am I doing the best I can?
Yes.
Can I do more? 
No.  For once...I can honestly say......No I can not. 
My. Plate. Is. Full.


I'd love to reflect on the past year, and tell you how amazing it was- because it was...it was a really fantastic year filled with Weddings and babies and unforgettable trips and milestones....but I blog about it all year and I can't recap it into one post.......I just can't. 

So I wont.  

I will tell you this.......

I love my children.  I love my husband.  I love my life.

And I'm exhausted.

The. End. 

Bring it on 2013.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!


Christmas started as it always does...
With Mimi and Gumpy.

Mimi hit the nail on the head with this one.

Chef Madeline has been born.

Of course....

Everyone took a turn in the Hat.



Mrs. Claus dropped off our Christmas Pajamas while we were away.

Annual Christmas tree photo

This year we *may* have forgotten to make Santa's cookies.
But Mommy assured Jack and Madeline, that cookie dough in a tupperware container is just as good as freshly made cookies and Santa would be thrilled to give the dough to Mrs. Claus to whip up after a long night of delivering presents.

Uncle Nick and Chris were on the assembly line this year.

Here is the living room before I went to bed.  
(Do you see my new coffee table from Clay's parents???  Merry Christmas to me!  Love it!)

In the morning, Maddie couldn't be bothered with present opening.  She was hungry.  And She didn't mind one bit that we waited for her to scarf down some cereal before Christmas could begin.  1200 presents under the tree and all my kid wants is Cherrios and milk. 


Uncle Nick went all out this year.
Madeline got a new BMW convertible with dual speeds

and Jack got a power scooter.

Brit and I always find something fun when we shop together.
;)


Santa was pretty good to me this year too....
:)


Merry, Happy Christmas!!!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Yes Jack-Man! There IS a Santa Claus!

Lately we've had some doubt...

Some people are beginning to wonder if there really is a man in a Red Suit.

I am a firm believer in the motto:

If you don't believe...You don't receive.

Therefore.....

I wanted to hold onto that magic of Christmas...Just a *little* bit longer...

Sooo.....

Today this arrived.
A letter addressed to Jack and Madeline... Direct from the Big Man Himself.  
AND 
Postmarked from the North Pole. 

Jack couldn't open it fast enough...

I should have filmed Jack's face as Clay read the letter aloud. 
He couldn't believe Santa knew just what he wanted.  And when Madeline heard the words "Pink Kitchen" I thought she was going to pass out with excitement.  Maddie is still a firm believer in the big guy.  Jack is in First Grade and has friends who talk.  A lot.

However....

The were both very pleased to hear they had made it on the nice list.

We opened the mail just before we headed to bed....

And I could already see the visions of sugarplums starting to dance in his head.

He was amazed...

and for a second...

there he was.

My little boy.

  Not the kid I see every day that messes up his hair every time I fix it... or the kid that doesn't want to take a shower, or fights me to watch 5 more minutes of T.V.

for a tiny moment he was my little man... 

still so innocent and sweet...

and in his heart...praying that maybe the rumors are wrong...

Maybe...

Just maybe....

There IS a Santa Claus.



Here is Jack and Madeline's Letter from Kris Kringle


p.s. I owe this magical moment to Pinterest.

You too can bring the magic back!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Tis the Season!

This week has been CRAZY busy!!!


Tuesday was Lindsey's Birthday!
So we got all doll'd up and went to San Francisco

We had dinner at First Crush, it was delicious.

After dinner we headed to The Curran
To see The Book of Mormon.
Hellllooo Hilarious.

Here are all the ladies.
Such a fun night out.

I miss going to the Theater.  It truly is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world.

Happy Birthday Linds!!

Wednesday night was the Tree lighting ceremony.

Where we ran into Frosty...

And Aunt Casey!

And Brit spoiled us with Light Brights

And we got a little crazy...

Saturday Morning was The Day....
We made the trip to see the Big Man in Red
And clearly were thrilled to be in our Sunday Best.... 
I love that I bring out the joy in my children.....
Can you feel the love?

Madeline was NOT having it this year....
(secretly this made me happy...I love love love screaming Santa pictures and was hoping this would be my last year obtaining one....)

But after a little coursing.....
She agreed to sit.

You see....if you don't tell Santa what you would like....It may not be under the tree on Christmas Morning.....
and Maddie wasn't about to take the chance on missing out on a Pink Kitchen....

so

She obliged...
But she would NOT look at Santa...all conversation with Santa were made with constant eye contact with Mom.
However...Jack on the other hand was my perfect child..
Can you see the Halo?
 Oh it's there....
His internal monologue went something like this...
"See Santa...I'm the perfect Brother, I love to hold my Sister's hand all the time, I never push her or steal her toys.....I help my Mother and do all my chores around the house....Please bring me an Automatic Nerf Gun Blaster so that I can aim it only at low household furniture and never EVER directly at my Sister's head..."

:)

Regardless.... I got my Santa photo.

Hoo. Ray.

Saturday night was December 1st.
Which means...
The start of the Advent Calendar!
I'm very spoiled as you know... Mimi fills the Advent Calendar for us every year.
The kids are so excited every night to open those doors.
This Year Madeline got to go first.
Woot! Woot!
For the Start of Christmas!

Sunday was my second annual 5 Favorite Things Party.

Per the Ush....Girls Only.
Madeline put on her party dress to join in all the reindeer games.

Here are the ladies enjoying delicious wine provided by Lynne. Thanks Lynne!


These were my picks this year

Here were the rules:
  Each Girl Brings 5 Gifts. Each Gift mush be exactly the same. This year we had a total of 12 Girls. The Gift must cost $10, and you must use every penny of that $10.  There are 2 prizes.  
1) Favorite gift
2) Best use of every penny of their $10

My first Gift was from Casey.
I LOVED it.
Mustache Wine Glass Markers, nail polish, cute mason jars filled with polish remover, cotton balls and emery boards.
Adorable.

Lindsey picked Casey too...

Maddie got some cuddle time with one of her favorite Aunties..

Mary's gift was a huge hit....again.

Mom did quite well herself

Laura loved her gift from Brit

And then it was my turn.

This year I gave the gift that keeps on giving....
;)
Wine and Cheese....
Entwine wine by the Food Network
and
My homemade Mac and Cheese.


Some people were very excited....

No group photo this year...
*fail*

BUT

The party was a success!

I can't wait for Next year!
I'm already thinking about what gift I'm going to bring....

Week one of Christmas to down..
3 to go!!