Dinner with Friends

We had friends over for dinner last night and had a great time.  We don't do that often enough.  Our house is way to small to entertain a whole lot of people at one time but last night was tons of fun and Don and I both agreed we should do it more frequently.    Anyway, it made me want to tell ya'll about an idea for a restaurant I have (that I'll never have enough $$ to start but it would be cool if someone else did).   I'd call it The Chat Room and in the spirit of a Japanese restaurant, you'd sit with strangers (I'd probably serve Italian food).  The tables would have to be smaller though... they would only seat 6 so that its easy to talk.  In the middle of the table would be a fishbowl or some kind of container with questions in it.   Each seat is numbered and the #1 spot picks a question first.  Religion & politics would be taboo... the questions would be more along the lines of "if you won the lottery, what's the first thing you would buy".    Each person at the table would answer and you would see where the discussion leads.  When the drinks come, the #2 seat picks a new question and no matter where you are in the conversation you have to switch gears, appetizer #3 picks and so on and so on.   I think I'm gonna test it out next time we have a dinner party.   Wanna come?

Go Tigers Go!

I just wanted to give a shout out to my University of Memphis Tigers!!!!!!!!!  Elite Eight here we come!  You should have heard all the screaming around here about an hour ago... i thought I was going to have to call an ambulance for my mom after the stress of that game!  But we did it!  We won and we're on to the next round.   We all wore Tiger Blue to work today, including all the kids.  Then Gracie and I went to Target to get diapers and the whole store was a sea of blue.  We're supposed to wear black and gold tomorrow to support Vanderbilt but I'm wearing my Tiger Blue again.  Its ok, I've already talked to my boss and she's planning to do exactly the same thing.  We're so proud of you boys!!!

GO TIGERS GO!!!!!

* What is it with the one shoe in the middle of the road?  Are there people out there just randomly throwing shoes out their car windows??

* Kermit just made a rare appearance on Sesame Street.  Why isn't he a main character anymore???  Was there some sort of controversy I don't know about??

* Someone stole our trash can.  Its been gone for a week now.  We have a back up but its not half as big as out city trash can so for now I have two garbage bags sitting in my kitchen.  Thankfully, tomorrow is trash day.   I called the city and they said the trash guys would look for our can tomorrow but if they can't find it they will bring out a replacement.

* I hate litter boxes.

Dear Gracie

My Dear Sweet Gracie,  

I can't believe you are not a baby anymore.  When you turn two you have to be called a "toddler" even though you certainly don't toddle... you run, jump, wiggle, dance, and run some more.  In fact, your favorite game right now is "I'm going to get you!"   But I digress... I want to write about your birthday party before I forget all the fun detail.s... its already sort of a blur.      We had such a fun time and I can't wait to see the pictures that your Uncle Dan took.   The party was sort of chaotic but that just makes it more fun in my opinion.  Aunt Wendy and your cousin Anna came first and it was nice to see them... Anna is 6 now but she still won't speak to me when she comes over.   She clams right up and won't say a word.... until she goes to Kayla's room to play and then she and Kayla chatter nonstop!   Nana walked in next and she loved you new Elmo outfit!  It looked so cute on you even if it was a 3T and the pants  hung halfway off your bootie making you look like a rap star. 

A few minutes later the rest of the crowd swarmed in and we had a party!   We ate cheese and crackers and watched the video from the day you were born laughing as we watched Daddy practice his labor pain breathing like Bill Cosby.   Remind me to show you that Bill Cosby routine when you get older.   Next we cleared off the coffee table and turned on TMX Elmo.  The kids all gathered around and giggled for about 30 seconds and then went back to the play corner to play with your other toys.  The adults however thought Elmo was a riot and couldn't get enough!  I was entertained watching all of them be entertained.   After Elmo settled down, we opened all your presents.   Well, Kayla and Allison opened all of your presents.  You were way more interested in playing with the Sesame Street stickers I put in your birthday card.   Who knew?   I would have bought you a hundred sheets of stickers if I had known how happy they made you.   Kayla and Allison did a great job reading all the birthday cards in unison and ooohed and ahhed appropriately over every gift as if they were all for them.   You got some really fun toys and three very pretty dresses.    And what came after presents?  Cake of course!   It was chocolate with white icing and a photo of you, Ernie, and Bert on the fire truck at Wal-Mart.    We couldn't bear to cut the part of the cake with your face on it so we've just cut around it and there you are still in a little square.   I think you were a bit overwhelmed at cake time although you did enjoy the singing and even tried to blow out your candles.   I don't want to fast forward life but I can't wait for next year when you'll really understand all the hype!    Everyone left shortly after cake so that you could have a much needed nap and we spent the rest of the day opening all your toys and playing with each one.   You love the Weebles, the Elmo Water Baby doll, and your Elmo Knows your Name Elmo doll.    But what did you play with most of all last night before bed?  Yep, those stickers.  And what did you ask for first thing this morning?   Yep, the stickers!   Oh Gracie you make my laugh, you make me smile, you make my heart swell up from all the love I have for you.   I can't believe you are two...it all went by so fast and you've learned so much.   Maybe in your third year I'll be better about writing it all down.   Happy Happy Birthday my beautiful redheaded wonder.   Daddy, Sissy, and I love you high as the sky.   

Love 
Mommy