15

In many ways, this seems like only yesterday . . . .

How on earth did that sweet little baby become this gangly 15 year old?   The mama in the above picture could have never imagined how crazy the ride to getting that boy to high school would be.  But here we are. 

Many days this mama still has more questions than answers.  There are countless things I still need to teach him before we send him off to college and the world.  I'd say there is plenty of time, but truth is it's going by quicker than I ever could have imagined.

Happy birthday to my baby boy.  I love you, Matt.

Good day for Matt, bad day for Charlie

A big day for Charlie yesterday as he had dental cleaning.  No big deal for you and I, who go every 6 months or so.  Big deal for Charlie who is 14 years old and it was first time.  Apparently, the DentaStix are not enough.  #BadDogMom

Sweet Chuck had to skip breakfast, be sedated and then only got a 1/2 serving at dinner.  Needless to say, he was not his usual jovial self.   Or even his usual slightly cranky self.    But I caught a glimpse of his teeth as he let out a big yawn and they look good.

In happier news, last night Bassam took Matt and a couple pals to Top Golf to celebrate his birthday.   In addition to playing the games where you aim your microchipped balls at the giant dartboard-like targets, the boys also enjoyed aiming at the Range Picker cart, which they apparently hit a couple times.  Safe to say,  Matt, Sam and Jackson had a ball.

Happy Birthday

12 years ago we welcomed this little nugget into the world.

Happy birthday, Gracie Lou. 

Birthday time!

So I turned 45 this week.   Halfway to 90, y'all. 

That seemed kind of clever when the kids told my husband that back in August.   But now that it's me, I don't think it's quite as amusing.

No big celebration for me.  It was a Wednesday.  I ran errands, volunteered at school and took the kids to music lessons.   Tonight we are going to celebrate Tammy's birthday.  Tomorrow we celebrate Gracie and on Sunday my sister.  #BirthdaySeason  #LotsOfCandles

The kids finished up standardized testing yesterday.  It was debacle from start to finish.   The system crashed multiple times.  They couldn't get logged in other days.   Yesterday they finished their math test and couldn't submit.  The irony?  The test is called "TN Ready."  Laugh out loud funny, y'all. 

Glad for the weekend, although we know the next few weeks will be crazy.  Tests, projects and finals are around the corner.   Very few grades for the kids since spring break, so the teachers will have to cram it in the last 3 weeks of the quarter.

Joy.

Hosting duties gone wild . . .

What a weekend!  I'm not sure I earned the title "Hostess with the Mostest," but I feel like a contender.

Friday night was the Spring Fling dance for the middle school.  For the 6th graders, it's their first dance.  They do their combined with the 7th graders. The 8th graders have a separate dance where they also serve dinner.  The only person in our family involved with the 8th grade dance was me, since I had to do decorations for the dinner.  Matt's closest pals were not going (soccer tournaments, etc.) so Matt decided he didn't want to go either.  Then Bassam got tickets to the Predators game and that sealed the deal.  The Preds lost, but they had a great time regardless. Plus, Matt had a brand new Pekka Rinne jersey that he was excited to wear!

Gracie, on the other hand, was not going to miss it.  The 6th graders were all a twitter about the dance.  Countless conversations and texts exchanged with  pictures of dresses shared (it's "dressy casual"), decisions about hair, and figuring out who was going with who (no dates, just groups of friends).

Gracie asked to be dropped off at her friend Natalie's house where she met up with another friend, Hope. They appear to have spent the next 40 minutes taking pictures.  I had to snag a few of them off her phone for myself.  

After the dance, these three girls, along with 7 others came back to our house for dinner.   When I suggested a post-dance dinner to Gracie initially, I thought it would be 3 or 4 friends.  But this mama hates the idea of anyone being left out, so 10 it was.   My friend Mandy helped me pick them all up (her daughter Anna was in the posse) and then hung out while the girls enjoyed a taco bar and s'mores.   There was a lot of screaming, giggling, looking at pictures on phones and loud storytelling.

And 90% of it took place on my back porch. Sorry, neighbors.  

Fast forward to Saturday, where after spending part of the afternoon (and a large chunk of change) buying Matt a new trumpet, we hosted Gracie's 12th birthday party.  After changing her mind on what she wanted to do and who she wanted to invite a thousand times, we finally landed on going back to Schakolad, a local chocolate place, for her party.  She's actually had a couple parties there in the past and it never disappoints.  They have a chocolate fountain at the start (Matt & Bassam stayed for this part and then wisely escaped the craziness!).  Then they dipped their own Oreos, marshmallows and other goodies (which they later decorated), they did a chocolate tasting (darkest chocolate through milk) and learned about where it comes from, and finished by building and decorating chocolate houses in teams, which they later took apart and took pieces home.   

Safe to say, a delicious time was had by all. 

I wrapped up hosting duties tonight by having our April Girl Scout meeting at the house. Bassam and Matt were relegated up to the bonus room with the dog (where they watched the Predators trounce the Avalanche 5-0) while the girls worked on their Science of Happiness badge.  Well, at least that's what we started out doing.  Sometimes the girls really want to talk about something else (although tonight it was somewhat related) and you just have to let the conversation flow.   There were clearly a lot of tween friend issues on their minds, so we let them share, offer each other advice and finished with a fun project of making a happiness jar full of notes and compliments from each other to read when they need a pick-me-up.  

But after three straight evenings of hosting 11 and 12 year old girls, I'm officially spent!  

Why?

Why is it that my kids wait until the last week of summer vacation to start sleeping in?

Seriously.  They've been up well before 7 all summer long (Matt closer to 6).  Now it's 7:30 and I'm just hearing Matt start to rustle.  Not a peep from Gracie.  School starts in 3 days.

On an unrelated, but wildly more important note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this awesome guy!

He was amused (at least slightly) when I told him he was halfway to 90 this morning.

Birthday week is over!!

We came.  We ate cake. We survived "Birthday Week" 2017.

Tuesday was my birthday.  I am old, so there no cake on fire for me, but it was a lovely day just the same.  Ran carpool, had lunch with some of my best pals at Chuy's, volunteered up at the library.  That evening, Matt had a band concert, which would have been lovely, but I received a volunteer award from Williamson County Schools, so there as a reception at the same time.  My parents took band concert duty, while Bassam joined me at the reception/ceremony.  On the way home, we stopped at REI to pick up my gift (wouldn't fit in his car), which was a new bike!  This is a city/leisure riding bike.  So, no, triathlon pals, I will not be joining you.

We all met up back at our house post-concert for angel food cake and strawberries!

Thursday was Tammy's birthday. Not even Bassam got to celebrate with her on her big day (they work together, so usually they can grab lunch), so they had to wait until Friday which was . . . . 

GRACIE'S BIRTHDAY! 

This, of course, is a big celebration.  Because when you are 11 years old you want a big celebration and cake with lots of a candles.  Mind you, when you're 11 candles on your cake won't set off the smoke detectors, so that is a plus. 

Unfortunately, much of G's day was spent at school because you know . . . . the law and whatnot.  It was also a standardized testing day which was less than fun. Luckily, it was math, which is her favorite subject and she reported it was "crazy easy!"  I did come up to school at lunch to bring donuts for her and her classmates, which unlike testing, was fun!  

That evening, we had her "friend party" over at a place called Craft Love.   The girls made monogram wood signs for their rooms . . . distressing the wood, staining it, building the sign, and painting the design.   They also managed to eat chicken nuggets, fruit, pretzels, cake and open presents.  It was a wonderful, giggle-filled evening! 

Today, we wrapped up the celebration with dinner at Shogun (where they cook in front of you--Gracie's choice) with all the grandparents, Tammy and Uncle Wad.   We finished the evening back at our house for more cake and presents.   I finally got to give Tammy her gift and I got awesome ones, too!  Yay!!

We also got to talk to my sister today, who is celebrating her birthday!  I told you it was a busy week!  Unfortunately, we didn't get to be with her (mom and dad were up in Chicago for her party last weekend), but we did get to sing to her (with Charlie, of course) and she opened her gift from our crew.   

No more birthdays in our family until July, so now we relax!

Happy birthday, Matt!

 13 years ago today this happened . . . .

I can't believe we have a teenager in the house.  Happy birthday to my first born!  I love you, Matthew!

"I love it when a plan comes together!"

I was thrilled to find reruns of the A-Team on FETV last night. Happy memories of Tuesday nights in the 1980s . . . and a lovely distraction from the Republican National Convention being aired on multiple other channels (and yes, I will feel the same way about the DNC next week!).

 In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!  You are the best!

Happy birthday, Gracie Lou!

"It's a girl . . . .and she's a redhead."

 

  

That is what my OB announced 10 years ago when we welcomed this little nugget to the world. 

All the things people warn you about a redhead? They're true.  Every.  Single.  One. 

But you know what?  I wouldn't have it any other way!

By the way, children of Williamson County.....if you want to know who you can thank for the cancellation of "TN Ready" (our standardized tests), it's this little sparkplug.

For weeks, she said, "All I want for my birthday is to not have to take TN Ready" (which were scheduled to start today).   We told her that unfortunately, we were unable to deliver that gift and suggested she come up ideas for some other things she might like (which she did!).    But in a strange turn of events, after rescheduling twice and then delayed delivery of materials by the testing company, Williamson County cancelled all standardized testing for the remainder of the year.  CANCELLED!  This all went down late yesterday afternoon and needless to say, the redhead stepped off bus with arms above her head crowing, "I wished for no testing AND IT HAPPENED!"

Happy birthday, sweet girl!  

Happy birthday to ME!

Y'all, my parents gave me this card for my birthday.  And while they put a lovely gift certificate for pedicures in it, I'm not sure if it shouldn't have contained a royalty check from Hallmark.  

This child is the spitting image of me (although perhaps my hair never quite as tidy in a picture!).   The outfit, the Buster Brown tennis shoes and certainly the attitude.   Come on Hallmark, pay up!

Skate party!

A whole lot of birthday celebrating in these parts today!  

This afternoon we hosted Gracie and 8 of her pals for a party at the Brentwood Skate Center.   They skated, played games, ate pizza and cake, drank ICEEs and giggled like there was no tomorrow.  Two little friends had to miss because they were sick, but it was still a great time.  This really is the sweetest group of girls!    They pooled all their tickets from games and got pixel animals and matching mesh gloves (Hello, 1985!).  Many thanks to the sweet girl at the redemption counter who made their tickets go a lot farther than they should have! 

 

After the skate party it was back home to celebrate my birthday a day early with my parents, B's parents, Tammy and Ashley.  Bassam grilled up tons of chicken, lamb, corn and veggies and it was all delicious!   Of course, another party meant another cake, too!  Hooray for birthdays! 

Maybe next year I should have a skate party, too! Who's coming if I do??

4th and 6th graders in the house!

First.  Day.  Of.  School.

Not only that, but first day of school with kids in TWO schools.  First, we dropped off the middle schooler.  And by "dropped off" I mean slow-the-car-down-and-he-jumped-out.  No pictures with teachers, no admiring new school supplies in his desk and his name on the classroom door.

Y'all, he STYLED HIS HAIR THIS MORNING!

Was thrilled that when I picked him up after school he still had a smile on his face (and his hair still styled!).  He told me he thinks he was worried for nothing and middle school is pretty cool.

"For now," mom thinks quietly in her head, trying desperately not to jinx things.

And he loves his reading teacher.  The words "Matthew," "love" and "reading" all in the same sentence.   Hooray!! 

Next was the redhead.  Not only did I get a picture with the new teacher (Mrs. Wood) this morning, but with our pal Will, the principal, and great friend, Amelia.

And for all these reasons I love elementary school, although it was insanely convenient when Matt TEXTED ME to let me know he was coming out of school at the end of the day so I would be watching for him.

Note to self:  Middle school car line sucks.   Avoid at all costs.   

And if the first day of school wasn't exciting enough, it's also my sweet husband's birthday.  No big celebration in the works,  as he's on call and has been late every night this week.  We're going to grab dinner at our favorite Mexican place when he gets home and celebrate with the rest of the family on Sunday.  Hopefully, things will have calmed down by then.

*fingers crossed*

Summer vacation is officially over--but for the record, the Nashville Summer Ice Cream tour continues through Labor Day!

12 years . . .

12 years

144 months

626 weeks

4,380 days

105,120 hours

6,307,200 minutes

Happy birthday to the person that gave me the name "Mom."   You are a funny, bright, loving, energetic and kind child of God.   

You are my son and I love you.  Always. 

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my mama!!!

Yeah, That's my sister's shoulder in the picture.  I cropped her out.  I also cut out my dad.  I wish I were a photoshop whiz, because its kind of a nice picture of our family except my dad is wearing a checked shirt, Amy a striped shirt and my mom a floral blouse.  Clash-o-Rama!  

For what it's worth, my top compliments everyone's outfit!

But back to the point of the post.... My mom!  Happy birthday!  We love you! 

Chocolate fun!

A pretty great weekend and we're only halfway through!

We started out by wrapping up Gracie's birthday week at Schakolad for a chocolate  party with her friends.   Giggling girls, a chocolate fountain, decorating candy boxes,  making and eating chocolates, dancing around the store to Taylor Swift and snapping pictures with some Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed props...what more could you ask for when you're a 9 year old girl? 

G really has found a great group of girlfriends in her class this year.   Although a few of the gals in this crew are from years prior (BFF Alex was not able to come on Friday....the only bummer of the evening.), most of them are friends from her 3rd grade class.  Such a sweet, smart and funny group!  And so proud of the redhead for requesting that her guests not bring any gifts for her, but if they wanted to give something to bring a dog toy to donate to Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue.  We have a big tub of toys to deliver next week!

Safe to say, a great, CHOCOLATE-Y time was had by all!

Once the sugar rush wore off this morning, we enjoyed a beautiful, sunny Saturday.   While Bassam went to do rounds at the hospital, the kids and I ran over to a big arts and craft show at Centennial Park downtown.  We met up with B for lunch and then he and Matt went for a golf lesson and to play a round. Meanwhile, Gracie's pal, Anna, came over to play.  I'm not entirely sure what they were doing, but they were outside for almost 3 1/2 hours before I had to take Anna home.   Then, while Gracie and I made a quick stop at the mall for a new pair of Converse for her, it seems that Bassam and the majority of our neighbors moved the Brown's trampoline to our yard.  

It's the end of an era.  And apparently the actual move was highly entertaining.

Gracie has called it "her trampoline" for years . . . and quite frankly, we've enjoyed having it in someone else's yard.   However, with the Brown's youngest almost a sophomore in high school, they were ready to get rid of it.   So now it seems that it really is "our trampoline."   Yes, it's ugly and we'll definitely have a big old dead patch of grass underneath it, but I can't argue with the fact that it will provide hundreds of hours of entertainment, which is especially important with summer right around the corner!  And since the price was right (Warren wouldn't let us pay for it---so Bassam will buy the next keg!), it's really a win-win situation!

 Knock on wood.

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

Celebrating Gracie's 9th birthday.   NINE?!??!  Is it really possible?    It didn't seem like it until opened up April photo files from 2006 until 2015.....and sure enough there were 9 years of Gracie.   Here's one from each April . . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!  Can't wait to see what the next 9 years bring!

Sunday already . . . and that's okay.

It seems the Blue and Gold banquet was just the start to a very busy weekend. 

On Saturday,  woke up another year older.  Okay, technically, I woke up another day older, but how I answer the question, "How old are you?" has officially changed (although "None of your business" still works). 

42.  

Sigh.

While Matt and Bassam played a round of golf, Gracie and I went in to Franklin for the Main St. Festival.  We ended up running in to Tammy and her friend Rachel who was visiting from Miami, so together we checked out all the art, jewelry and other things that a good festival brings, ate a Kona ice and bought a bag of kettle corn for Bassam.  Despite a bad forecast, the day ended up sunny, warm and beautiful, so we spent as much of the day outside as possible.  My folks and B's parents came over for dinner and we did a joint family birthday party for me and Gracie (her birthday is Tuesday).  Bassam and the kids got me a beautiful Fender Alkaline Trio Malibu Acoustic Guitar, plus I got some fun jewelry, a new wallet and the DVD set of West Wing season 4 from my parents and the in-laws, so it was good to be me!

This morning we went to church, grabbed a quick lunch and then were off to LP Field for the Kids Marathon.  Both kids were happy to have a good friend to run with.  Gracie ran with her pal Amelia.   Matt did the race with his friend Gavin as planned, but ended up running during the heat for 3rd grade boys, along with Gavin's brother.   Since it is not a timed raced and it got us out of there at least an hour earlier, it was worth it.   Everyone was happy to add another piece of hardware to their collection!

After the race, we went to Tammy's to celebrate her birthday (tomorrow) and have dinner at Taco Mamacitas!  Yummy!  She is more than happy to tell anyone who will listen that I am currently older than she is.    Tomorrow will be a different story.

Now I'm looking to the busy week ahead, the many loads of laundry that await me and for the kids, TCAP testing, that begins on Friday.

Ready, set, GO!

Gus-mas!

Although his actual birthday was yesterday, since my sister flew in today, tonight was the official "Gus-mas" celebration!  "Gus-mas" originated a couple years ago when we celebrated Christmas a few days early with my parents. The kids were bummed about not being with their grandparents on Christmas day, so that year we turned my dad's birthday into a big celebration . . . his birthday in the afternoon and Christmas in the evening.  Hence, Gus-mas was born and now refers to my dad's birthday every year!

The kids also got to take my dad out to lunch yesterday while I got my hair cut.  Don't worry, he drove! 

We're all so excited to have my sister in town.  She managed to whip the kids into a loud, giggly frenzy in no time . . . and then went home with my folks.  Okay, I don't love that part, but it is so great that we'll be all together at Christmas!!

Birthdays and first day fun . . .

The big day finally arrived . . . the first day of school.   Yes, it's only a 1/2 day.  And yes, I am completely confused about what day of the week it is (as referenced by my fussing at my husband for not taking out the garbage, when in reality garbage day isn't until Monday).  But regardless, it is the first day of the school and both kids left the house with smiles on their faces ready for the adventures that 3rd and 5th grade will undoubtedly hold.

Matthew was not particularly thrilled by my request to get a picture of him with his teacher as he went in.  I pointed out that every other parent in the room also had a camera, told him to get over and then proceeded to give him a big (and undoubtedly, embarrassing) kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Gracie happily posed for her picture, although was a bit nervous as she looked around her classroom.  None of her good friends are in the class and one girl from 2nd grade she was hoping to avoid is in her class.  Luckily they weren't seated next to each other, so hopefully she will making new friends before you know it. 

Rewinding a little bit to yesterday, last night we celebrated Bassam's 42nd birthday with my parents, his parents, his brother and Tammy.  And y'all . . . I GRILLED.  This is a big deal. I don't like to grill. I'm not very good at grilling.  And I don't like smelling like the grill for the rest of the day.   Yet, because it was my beloved's birthday, I grilled up some flank steak with chimichurri sauce and it was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.   I also made his favorite hash brown casserole.    To compensate for my feat with the charcoal, I bypassed the baking portion of birthday dinner and purchased a chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.      Being lazy never tasted so good!

Which reminds me . . . there is still leftover cake in the kitchen.  Might need to snack on a bit of that before the kids get home from school at noon!