Let me preface by saying that I'm normally a bit of a 'home body'...a hermit, if you will...making the effort to get myself and Riley dressed and ready, etc. only when necessary...especially when it's cold, windy and/or wet (which is often during a Dallas winter)...but last week we left the house EVERY SINGLE DAY and it went by so fast! I need to remember that! I will summarize as best I can!
Weekend before: Spent the entire 2 days decluttering, organizing and cleaning our office and guest rooms upstairs, in preparation for Randy & Jason's visit. We had never completely unpacked and organized our office, and both rooms were filled with the last of our moving boxes, keepsake boxes that have been filled since the birth of our son, and tons of wonderful things we brought back from Bob's house. These rooms are HUGE, seriously, and they were FILLED with boxes FULL of stuff! I wish I had taken before and after photos so you could truly appreciate the magnitude of this feat!
Monday: Took a trip to the City Dump to discard of all the boxes we emptied over the weekend; returned some library books; discovered my van had been egged, for the second time?!?! (all we can think of is that someone out there does not like Texas A&M, as my van has stickers, etc. and our other cars do not, and they never get egged); Grocery shopping...and this was a special trip because Riley spent about 30 minutes in their 'Play Land', which is a free, in-store child care service...we ran into the lady that runs it, and has for 7 years, as we were getting our cart and she asked, "Does he want to come play with Miss J.J. today?" and of course, he did...but...well...I've never left my kid with anyone but family...he's never gone to Sunday school, mother's day out, preschool, day care, never even had a babysitter, so this was actually a very big step for mommy...but I made it a little smaller by taking him with me during the bulk of the shopping (I actually love my little shopping buddy, and he learns so much about colors, shapes, letters, numbers, foods, etc. during our shopping as well) then dropped him off there while I got his Valentine's Day present and checked out...he, of course, was fine, did great, had a blast, and wants to go back...we'll see...I missed him! LOL
Tuesday: We FINALLY had a play date and 3 of our friends were able to make it! We went to the rec center again for their 'Mom & Tot Open Gym' and Riley, of course, had an absolute blast! We have a library play date scheduled for this Wednesday.
Wednesday: Mom, Riley, Xander and I loaded up and headed out to visit PaPa & Grandma (my grandparents). Everyone enjoyed the time we spent together. To sum it up: the boys were crawling/running all over the place, as usual, and mom turned to Grandma and said, "Chaotic, isn't it?" and Grandma just smiled and said, "I think it's EXCITING!". It absolutely is! Well said, Grandma!
Thursday: I guess after getting out of the house 3 days already, I was just on a roll and decided, out of the blue, to take a trip to Target & Walmart for a couple of random things! One of those things was a Sterilite drawer set, which I loaded up and organized that afternoon with all of Riley's crafts/paints/stickers/crayons/coloring books/Play Doh/etc. All this 'stuff' was scattered throughout our house in drawers, storage tubs, shelves and closets...and now, it's nice and neat and easy to get to! I think we'll be doing a lot more 'crafty' stuff now.
Friday: The BOYS are in town! Randy and Jason (C's two best friends from, well, forever almost) got in town about 3:30. They got settled in, all three of them played some guitar, and then we went to Hooter's for dinner. The most memorable part about this was Riley's 'crush' on our waitress! She was so sweet to him, took him to their little 'shop' and blew up 2 balloons for him even, and when she brought him back to the table and then walked off to work Riley RAN AFTER HER! Then he started exclaiming that he wanted to go to 'that girl's house', he even CRIED about it when he realized we had just turned onto our street, "NOOOO!!! I want to go to that girl's house...I want to go home with that girl!". I mean, what?!?! Seriously? I don't even know what to say about this except HA HA HA HA HA!!! After getting home from dinner and putting Riley to bed we all just goofed around in the house for a bit, playing some Guitar Hero, playing some pool, chatting, etc. But somehow that lasted until 2:30am?!?!
Saturday: Riley got up way too early (7:45am), so we took it easy, watched some tv, gave him a bath, etc. After Randy and Jason were up and ready to go we headed to Pei Wei for lunch. Our friend Justin met us there. After our yummy lunch we went to mom's, played a little Rock Band, and left Riley with her. We then stopped by a gas station and ALL OF US downed some energy drinks. Next was our afternoon in our cities downtown square visiting the winery. We did a wine tasting and ended up buying a bottle of their wine. It was something different and I actually enjoyed it thoroughly. I would definitley recommend this to anyone and plan to go back when Mar is in town visiting. After the wine we crossed the street to an English pub and washed the wine down with a beer! Then headed back home to get ready for our night out. We went to dinner at a Mexican food restaurant (I won't even go into detail, but we had a party of 13 and ended up waiting a lot longer than expected and then had to have 2 split tables), after dinner we headed to the bars! Sherlock's had a pretty decent live band playing, anything from Michael Jackson and Madonna to Rob Thomas and Fergie...after a couple of hours there we crossed the street and tried another bar, which was too packed, so we had one beer and moved on. The next bar wanted a cover for a not-so-good cover band, so a no go there. So we left that area and drove to our 'regular' hang out closer to home. By this time the birthday boy was TRASHED and ready to go home. On the way home the fog was WICKED! I have never driven in fog this bad...all you could see was about 10 (tops) has marks on the road in front of you, it was crazy...especially at 2:00 in the morning with a van load of drunk people! LOL We made it home safely though. Whew.
Sunday: Got up, took it easy, the guys got packed up, and we headed to IHOP for lunch. Mom and Riley met us there, as Riley LOVES IHOP! After lunch they guys had some time to kill (Jason's girlfriend drove in from out of town Saturday with her mom, but she didn't have to pick her up yet), so we went and hung out at mom's until a little after 3pm. Then they left and we came home. Happy 33rd Birthday Chris! I think he thoroughly enjoyed his birthday weekend! As did I. Last night Chris and I, FINALLY, crashed on the couch and watched 'Mr. Brooks', which I thought was really good. I have one small issue with the ending, but I'd still recommend the movie. Then we slept!
What else? I finished another book, 'Deja Dead' by Kathy Reichs...this is the first book in a long series, and I enjoyed it, I'll definitely keep reading. Now we are on to reading a classic, 'Valley of the Dolls', so far I like it. It had a very relaxing pace, which I'm actually appreciative of at this point. If you haven't checked it out, and you like to read, you really should click on my Goodreads link off to the right and see what it's all about. I'm addicted! Love it!
Little tid-bit: Riley has started to draw A's?!!? I'm so proud of this little booger! Now his artistry includes beautiful smiley faces and the letter A! I wonder what's next?!
And: I just have to share with you something Riley just said to me, while I was typing this blog post: "Mommy, I'm beginning to feel my fever and I need some medicine" Where does this stuff come from?!?
Sunday: Got up, took it easy, the guys got packed up, and we headed to IHOP for lunch. Mom and Riley met us there, as Riley LOVES IHOP! After lunch they guys had some time to kill (Jason's girlfriend drove in from out of town Saturday with her mom, but she didn't have to pick her up yet), so we went and hung out at mom's until a little after 3pm. Then they left and we came home. Happy 33rd Birthday Chris! I think he thoroughly enjoyed his birthday weekend! As did I. Last night Chris and I, FINALLY, crashed on the couch and watched 'Mr. Brooks', which I thought was really good. I have one small issue with the ending, but I'd still recommend the movie. Then we slept!
-Riley finally has a FAVORITE dinner...a Cheddar Mac & Hot Dog Casserole (make mac & cheese, mix in some cut up hot dogs and green peas, put in casserole dish, top with some shredded cheddar and bake for 10 minutes in ove)...and a FAVORITE breakfast of pancakes topped with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
-Let me tell you, my kid HATES to sleep! He takes FOREVER to eat his lunch because he wants to delay going down for nap as long as possible; he wakes up and is ready to GET up the first time he stirs in the morning, whether it's light outside or not; and he talks to himself at night to keep himself awake for as long as possible! I guess it just proves he has this eagerness, enthusiam, passion and fire for life that I can't help but admire. (although I wouldn't mind a few extra minutes of sleep once in awhile)
-Riley LOVES video games. I know, I know, sounds so bad...but right now, he's really learning about hand-eye coordination, sequencing, fine motor skills, and more...I can't help but be proud! (there's a video at the end of his Wii playing skills as well) I have to admit I'm really amazed and impressed with Riley's ability to play the Wii especially.
-If you haven't noticed, Riley got his haircut. It actually ended up shorter than I wanted, but, it's hair, it'll grow back!
-Another adorable shot of my cute-cute-cute nephew!
-Here is another shot of new Christmas toys in action. Santa brought Riley a tool set and I guess our table needed some minor repairs...and by a superhero nonetheless!
-A GREAT shot of Riley 'helping' out with his baby cousin. He is always ready and willing...and sometimes begging...to help in any way he can. He's gonna be a great big brother SOMEDAY. (no, I'm not pregnant, don't ask!)
Opening his first present of the year! We had a busy Christmas day lined up, so we opened some gifts that were shipped to us from Utah and Canada, as well as all our gifts from each other...leaving Santa for Christmas morning and family visits the rest of the day.
A Sing-A-Long Spiderman! He LOVES IT! It was hard to get him to put this down and open more gifts! Thanks M, B, L and A!
A box of goodies from Aunt M, Uncle B, B & B! So much to see! They even sent him SNOW! He LVOED all the Curious George stuff as well...and Ratatouille is an excellent addition to his DVD collection!
Mommy and Daddy got him a Play-Doh Craft Caddy, books, shark bath toy...oh, the list goes on and on...he loved it all though! Of course!
Mommy got her very special Fly Lady Calendar, as well as tons of kitchen gadgets she specifically asked for! She got everything she wanted!
Daddy was very excited about his pool book and dvd that he specifically requested!
Nana opening her present that Riley picked out for her ALL BY HIMSELF! He was so proud of it! Nana joined us Christmas Eve and was so nice to take all our pictures for us while we opened gifts! We're glad you were there Mom!
Picking out the cookies we are going to leave for Santa!
Pefect place, he'll never miss them! (We left out Egg Nog this year, we thought Santa might like a little spice during his trip!)
Heading downstairs Christmas morning...so excited!
Coming around the corner to see what Santa left by the fireplace!
Riley asked Santa for a Woody Game, Guitar, Spiderman toothbrush and he got it all...and more!
Checking out his Star Station that Santa was so nice to have ready for him!
That's one way to dig in your stocking!
Mommy and Daddy got this camera for Riley, he loves it!
Helping Daddy open his stocking.
Caffienated Mints! Cool idea Santa!
First stop, PaPa and Grandma's house! PaPa got a GPS system from everyone and Grandma got a case to hold her father's mandolin.
Riley received 2 Leap Frog games...Thomas and Dora!
One of the RARE photos of me and Xander together!
Off to my cousin April's house...and here's Grandma Doris opening her Aroma vase thing and Wallet Pix we got her...and filled with pictures of course!
Riley was very excited to see his Dora and Diego Aquadoodle (where the jeep follows what you draw).
Jumping on their trampoline...look at that hair!
Riley and Xander playing with his toy from Nana...Riley's a great big cousin and shows him how to do everything first! *wink*
DSX got a Wii from Mom! Cool!
HEY! So did Wii!!! Ha ha ha. (LOVE IT!)
Riley also asked Santa for some coal...and Santa left it in his stocking at Nana's house! (there was a matchbox car inside...too cute!)
Modeling his new Spiderman jammies and slippers that Mommy and Daddy got him for Christmas! As soon as they are out of the wash, they are on him!
Standing by some of his Christmas haul! Wow! Where are we going to put everything!?!?
Helping Mommy and Nana on New Year's Eve make all the appetizers for the party...in his new chef garb he got for Cmas!
We rung in the new year playing...yep, you guessed it...ROCK BAND!!! (yes, we're geeks, so what?!? It's fun! lol) Be lucky there is no video and you don't have to suffer through me on the mic! (I'm a much better drummer, but you have to share!)
It's MIDNIGHT!!! Happy New Year!!!
Even Riley got to join in on the toast...yep, he stayed up until after midnight! Our little party boy!
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