Pittsburgh's Going to the SUPERBOWL!

WHEEEEEEE...

So this past Sunday we were sitting at home, watchin the game and just generally hangin out. We had been wearing our Steelers gear all day and got quite a few nice compliments ~ which i must say surprised me living so close to Bmore.

Anyhoo - the first tedious quarter was over (i mean really could it have been any more boring of a game after the Phili & Ariz?) ~we decided to head upstairs. Our neighbor to the north is quite the Steelers fanatic. Add that they have a new puppy and that pretty much just spells entertainment. G entertained herself most of the time by getting kisses from the puppy to throwing puppy toys and chasing them herself. During their down time ~ G took advantage of the best seat in the house. Mona took it in great stride because i think it meant she could hang on the couch.



When G wasn't stealing Mona's bed ~ she was playing in her crate. I mean a toy box that has a door so the balls can't get out??? What a dream!


So Aunt Jude ~ this ones for you. Your neice i mean. She won't eat meat and likes to sleep in dog beds. Heavan help me.

Adventures #2

So...uhh..not EVERY adventure has to be a GOOD one right?!?! I mean we DID ultimately have fun, but man alive.

But now i remember why we had fallen into the at home rut. Not every excursion is as easy as packing a few extra diapers, sunglasses and a good attitude.

FOR EXAMPLE:
etd: 2pm
its about 2:15 and Pete-a-lee gets a note to do something for work. NOW! (duuuude) So he does it and I whine to the world wide web of friends who will listen. Trying desperately not let my good mood falter: it's however unavoidable that as the minutes tick by, so does my patience.
3:15 - TIME TO GO
3:30 - officially on the road w/G in tow
4:00 - about 5 miles from house
4:45 - about 6 miles from house
6:00 - mama's getting REALLY PISSY
6:30 - We finally arrive at the aquarium
(note we were going to get there by 3:30 - 4ish, have a nice dinner & be at the aquarium by 6pm)
6:32 - run run run into the dolphin show: G enjoyed this part enough to make the whole trip worth it.
7:02 - down to the cafe for a lil snack before we all have melt downs (carrots & celery)
8:00 - ahhh a GREAT aquarium walk though. The night wasn't soo bad after all
8:03 - F*&$% we're lost
8:05 - ahh Johns Hopkins, how cool
8:07 - uhh VERY unsafe neighborhood
8:08 - G's first crack house raid
8:09 - I threaten Pete-a-lees life if he doesn't turn around RIGHT NOW
9:00 - back on the highway...which for those of you not familiar with DC - Baltimore, there's NOTHING to eat between the two and umm we're hungry
9:15 - G FINALLY stops screaming and falls asleep
10:00 - AHH SWEET JESUS - FOOD
11:00 - home. ohsweethomeiwillneverevereverleaveyouagain. I PROMISE.

But ~ like i said. We DID have a good time.
Here's G greting Daddy after he was 'stuck' up in the trees. (acutally an overlook in the jungle room) and then running down the ramp at full speed occassionally tellin us to 'comeon guys'.

Clockwise: Mum & G at the dolphin tank ~ an attempt at a family pic on the escalator ~ DINNER ~ new friends

Adventures In Mommy-ing

So while we were away on Christmas vacation, we felt the need for a mini vacation. (don't we all sometimes!) So we took the day and went up to the local ski resort. No we didn't ski, we just roamed around. It was a beautiful sunny day and I just wanted to get O-U-T. We had a BLAST! Daddy & Mommy had a few drinks and G even got a special treat (ohhh ice cubes!). We watched the skiiers and sat drenching ourselves in the sun till we got too chilly then made our way inside. We had a few more drinks ~ a snack (stupid stupid shrimp) and met some great people. Only in Pittsburgh can you find a random association with each person at the table your sitting with.

And so even though I don't normally do this sorta thing...here's my new years resolution:
1 Family 'Adventure' per month


Next Stop ~ Baltimore Acquarium. TONIGHT!!! (wheee)

One - Two ...

This morning G and I were playing in the bathroom after brushing our teeth. She had brought me a 'jingle bell' from a friend's x-mas project. We were rolling it back and forth and I'd count / she'd count 1, 2, 3 and roll. But then I noticed a distinct difference. G wasn't saying 3 so much as WHEEE.

So yes my little darling - let's start the day off fun, with games, and coffee for Mama. On the count of 3.

ONE ~ TWO ~ WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Cristmas Crafting

And here's what I did:




(and about 5 more aprons, but it was getting close to Santa time and I didn't get pics)

ERROR

So uh - the pics won't upload...GAH

HO HO HO

(and no, I'm not calling you names!)

WE'RE BAA-ACK! AAhhhh to be home again. Its fan-flippin-tastic. While spending almost 2 weeks with family is nice, i ain't gonna lie...it grates on you a bit. (sorry folks, but you know its true)

CliffNotes
CHRISTMAS - rocked.
no seriously, this was the beginning of FUN with kids. G actively enjoyed opening presents, and candy - oh lord does this child love candy. My sister is amazing and got G a BOX. Yup folks you know how everyone says 'the kid would be just as happy with a box to play in'...well Jude took it a step further and made lil G happier than any kid alive with just that. This box had tinsel, stickers, crayons & a peek-a-boo hole and a sidecar for her lil puppy. I was HUGE on the lets-not-be-wasteful on presents we don't have room for or need and I really couldn't have appreciated this anymore.


NEW YEARS - egh.
for the record ~ i've never been a big fan. I think any mom with kids under 5 will back me up when i say...a night of uninterrupted sleep is about as blissful as it can get. Trying to organize fun filled family activities for kids ranging in age from 1-16...is not. Soo umm...I napped and left Daddy with a list of ideas that he wonderfully executed. I did wake up around 11 (to be friendly) and play a few games & toast with grape juice. Then promptly went back to bed about 12:14. WHOO HOO.

KID TIME - solid GOOD.
We always have a few issues but thats to be expected when you only see your steps on a limited basis, but as they get older it gets SOO MUCH easier. G has permanent friends/babysitters ~ they can entertain themselves (for the most part) and as far as photography goes...what pre-teenage girl is going to turn down make up and a fancy camera?? Seriously - they woulda been happy with a 'shoot' every single day.


HOMEMADE PLEDGE - WHEEE
so this year I took the homemade pledge. I've been crafting for strangers for almost a year now and really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them though the swap process. Then one day it struck me ~ why don't i spend the same amount of time, love & consideration on those that i really love and care about. It seemed ridiculous. My talents are rather limited and thus this year was deemed the 'Year of the Apron' ~ BUT i am proud of what I accomplished and feel that most people got it and were honored by the gift of thought. (no worries, there WILL be a post of it all so i can brag a lil bit more)