My favorite "40" reference! Top 40 sweet cheeks :)
I had a nice birthday week last week. Sharon and I started it off with our birthday dinner night out. First we went to Chuck's Boots. Sharon found a pair of super cute boots. I got my fun cowboy boots a few years ago so I abstained from buying a pair. I did find a pair for $500 that were fabulous!
We went out to a great dinner at the new Charlie Gittos. I started with a cosmopolitan, yum. And for dinner got the seafood risotto, delish! We had an uninterrupted span of 3+ hours to talk, laugh and catch up. We finished the evening by exiting through the wine cellar doors instead of the exit. After digging through gift boxes for mints we looked around and realized it wasn't the exit. The ladies at the front desk kindly pointed the way to the exit doors when we came out of the wine room. I have not laughed that hard in a long, long, time!
Sadly, I didn't take any pictures that night. We may have to go back to recreate the night and get a pic!
On my bday two bouquets of flowers were delivered. One from the Paul and Amy and one from Sam. They were beautiful and made my day! The Sam bouquet expired before I got a picture. I was going to recreate it but couldn't find the gorgeous Gerber daisies at Schnucks- go figure. The last picture is pretty close to what they looked like. My mom also came out that afternoon and we had a cocktail and watched Oprah.
The Top 40 from the kids. Some highlights: you understand us from the inside, delicious banana bread, you take us on adventures, you taught me how to love.
I look tired- maybe not so top 40 here :)
The night before my bday we went to my parents for dinner. There was a delicious chocolate cake that we enjoyed that night and the next morning for breakfast. I also got a gift card to Barnes and Noble which I quickly used on a great book- Bloodroot by Amy Greene. My mom and dad gave me money which will go toward a zoom lens for the camera they bought for me!
The next highlight to my bday was a night out at MorganLeFays with Sam and Cheryl (surprise guest). We had wine, tapas, and great conversation. Again, no pics, uhg!
The next celebratory portion was a surprise dinner with Chris and Mike. Charlie and I planned to go to Cafe Provencal for dinner. My mom came out to babysit. At 6 when we were planning to leave our phone rang and it was Chris. She rambled on about something and then all of sudden walked in our front door. The four of us headed to dinner. I had my favorite meal- scallops, provance trio, and leak soup- perfect!
After dinner Chris said they had something else planned. We headed toward Maplewood and I thought we were going to a cute, trendy spot. Nope- we were headed to a "Cougar" bar- Fialonis. I walked in and Andrea and Kathi had a front row table right next to the karaoke where the owner sings. And there are "cougars" everywhere. It was hilarious- we sang karaoke, laughed, people watched and had a perfectly ridiculous time.
Time to wake up her dolly. The doll's quilt was made by MaMa to match the cradle which was made by Aunt Amy.
A little morning yoga :)
A ride on her horse (also a favorite gift from Aunt Amy). I completed underestimated how much she would like this horse. It is like her little companion- she brings it into different rooms with her, talks and sings to it, fixes it's hair, pretends to ride it....
Accessorizing her outfit.
A little shopping at Trader Joes.
Hmmm, which veggies do we need?
Yes, the chip isle!
The next celebratory portion was a surprise dinner with Chris and Mike. Charlie and I planned to go to Cafe Provencal for dinner. My mom came out to babysit. At 6 when we were planning to leave our phone rang and it was Chris. She rambled on about something and then all of sudden walked in our front door. The four of us headed to dinner. I had my favorite meal- scallops, provance trio, and leak soup- perfect!
Maura and I set up a tea party for she and Max. He was still at school so there was some waiting time. While we waited for him to get home there was lots of time to talk about what cookie she'd eat first and how many sugar cubes would go in her tea.
Max is my tea lover so he was all about the tea party. He is a good big brother who is happy to play tea party at least until his brother gets home :)
We went over to Angel's house on the last snow day to sled. Maura and Jenna love playing together I think mostly because they both have two brothers and enjoy the "sister-like" time together.
I wish this picture didn't turn out fuzzy. It is hard to get Max to smile for real for a picture. This captures Max with a true smile- I love it!
We learned that Max's skin has an allergic reaction to handwarmers. The boys had them in their coat pockets for sledding. We came inside for hot chocolate and Max's cheeks were really rosy. At first I thought they were just rosy from the cold but to the touch they were warm. He then said he put the warmers from his pockets on his cheeks. Then last week he came home from school with a rash all over his hands that was itchy and red. I did not make the connection. I told Charlie about it and thankfully he makes these sorts of connections and said it was probably the residue from handwarmers being in his coat pocket. We washed the coat and yep, no more rash.
Our New Year's Eve tradition starts with everyone picking their top two favorite foods. We bring the coffee table into the sunporch and sit on cushions for dinner. This year Ben chose rolls and chicken, Max chose fruit kabobs and jello, Maura chose brocolli cheddar soup and black olives. I made an artichoke for myself and Charlie ate some of everything. We also had pink lemonade.
After dinner we bring the mattresses into the living room for a movie and slumber party.
After dinner we skyped with MaeMae and Uncle James to toast in the New Year (at 10pm). Maura had already put herself to sleep.
