The play by play

We had a long weekend full of birthday fun!!  My "all about me" day lasted for a few days this year and I'm not complaining. 
Friday:  My sweet class had a BEE themed party for me.  We ate bumble bee cupcakes and I have to admit....dropped a few tears when I read their heartfelt cards. (all written in cursive.....just beautiful.)  They sent me home with a car full of goodies.

After school The Mr. told me to get comfy for our evening.  He took me to California Pizza Kitchen where we sipped and ate slices.  We left with a lot of leftovers.

The Mr. told me we weren't heading to the car after dinner.  My hubby actually went to the movie theater early that day and bought tickets to watch "Something Borrowed".  He really pulled out the man card on this wonderful present!!!   I giggled for at least 20 minutes while my hubby sucked it up and sat through previews for The Secret Life of the American Teenager. (Which is extremely dramatic...the previews made my tummy hurt.)  I read "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue" during our honeymoon last summer and I just couldn't wait for the movie to come out.  (who reads two books on their honeymoon?!!)

Friday was just perfect!!!    This little furry boy makes my heart all sorts of warm and fuzzy.

Saturday: We planned on spending the day by the pool...just the two of us.  But our plans pleasantly changed when our 4 best buds came over to soak up the sun.  We spent the whole day outside.

 Thank goodness it was HOT because that water was COLD!!!!

 I think we were remembering what our old single bodies used to look like in the summer time.  They have changed some....

Couldn't think of a better way to spend the day.  After showering and $5 pizza we headed out for a night on the town.  (What thoughtful gift from my sweet friend, Val.  Are Tyler Candles so yummy you could just eat them?!?!)

Sunday: My actual 29th birthday.  Do you remember these?!?!?

Yep...they were on my birthday wish list.  And now they are in my bathroom....oh the dreams I have about filling them up for our summer vacation!!!!!  Can you believe The Mr. looked at my wish list....not only that ....he actually got on the One Kings Lane website and ordered these beauties!!!!
Then I opened up my new apron and recipe book.  The recipe book has a little fork, knife, and plate on the cover.  Teehee.    You know I sat on the couch and started copying recipes from my stacks of loose papers I had in the recipe cabinet.

I am a happy girl.  No relationship is perfect...but he was perfectly made for me.  My hubby makes me feel so special....not just on my birthday...but every single day. 

I had told The Mr. a while ago that my favorite birthday cake was actually a cookie cake that I had when I was younger.....and you guessed it......

He had one made for me....    needless to say ...we are still eating cookie cake....mmmmm.  That night I had so many birthday snuggles. 

I loved reading about all of your Memorial Day activities.  Thank you to everyone who has fought so hard to keep our country safe and the families that live the military life.

How high is your stack?

Let me get this out and say that I am the person that makes stacks.  Stacks of graded papers, papers to grade, folded clothes to hang up, papers to file, recipes to try......    the stacks neeeever end.

 I really want to become more organized at work and home.  It will be my 7th year teaching...and my 7th year to say "Next year I'm going to be more organized!"  I love making a "to do" list and I love crossing off items on my "to do" list.  My teacher table at work has several post-it notes (stacked on top of each other) of daily, weekly, and monthly "to do" items.  

That picture might be slightly exaggerated.   :)

I work with amazing girls.  We are all so different (and so alike in ways)....but it just works!!!  They have great organizing tips and ideas that I plan on using in the future.  I am so privileged to teach with these awesome ladies.  We have some serious belly laughs...   and a few good cries.   The people around you can build you up or break you down.....and I feel we have built a strong support system. 

Pajama Day 2010-2011    I  l-o-v-e these girls!!!!

Having dinner with our team from last year!!!  :)

So, my point is:  I'm still learning and I hope writing this down makes me more accountable.  Now, don't expect a cleaned up desk or laundry room tomorrow.  It's a work in progress and I plan on working on it next school year.  Did I mention I am also really good at procrastinating?!!!!! 

Wanna bet?

In perfect "May Birthday" tradition... we went to the Horse Races with one of my dearest friends.

We have been friends for over 10 years.  We became friends right after high school....and then began our wild journey!  We visited each other all through our college experience.  After graduating, we moved within 5 minutes of each other. (on the same street)  That had to be the time in our friendship that I most miss. We had late nights, a zillion inside-jokes, pizza, (with no cheese or meat- to save the calories of course) stories that are still topic of every phone call, and many celebrations.  She moved away, started her Chiropractic practice, and got married.  I began teaching, moved away, and also got married.  Here are some snaps of her wedding last year:

When the 5 of us get together...you are guaranteed lots of laughs!  When is the next wedding/event ladies?!!!  I miss you girlie's!!!  (side note- email girls about a reunion)

Yep....my dance moves are kooky at best....but I love that dance floor.  (almost as much as The Mr.)

We have always stayed close and wished our paths would someday bring us closer (in miles)...like living on the same street!!!   We will keep wishing on those stars...no one is moving anytime soon!  We do meet up every May to celebrate our birthdays at the Horse Races.  Her family gets a suite on the finish line and they graciously invite us. (Another post about how great her family is....they are the parents you sit at dinner with and laugh so hard your wine comes out your nose)
 My sweet friend is the brains of the whole operation on race day.  She teaches us her "strategy", tells us her top picks, and lets us dissect her brain of horse knowledge. 

2010 Horse Races:

We were ALL big winners last year!!

2011:

My poor hubby!  The rest of us had heavy wallets.

I had 2 winning tickets.  One bet was for $6 and the other bet was for $2 . ( They won me a grand!!!)  My friend and her hubby were reeeaaallly big winners!

We just signed our IRS forms and collected our cha-ching!  Watch out.....is it possible this winning streak will continue every year?!!!   I am counting down the days until our next Race Day!!!

I understand this post might be obnoxious.  As a teacher,  I am allowing a "pass" to brag.  :)   

I have to end this lucky weekend with my two good luck charms.  They have been extra lovie lately....and you know that makes my heart all tingly inside. Ahhh!!!!

Hit the LIKE button

Some of my "likes"...

Unsweet tea with lots of lemon.

Teaching those sweet kiddos, decorating my classroom, and A Bee Movie...I LIKE them all.

These black and yellow stripes make me happy.  I'm ashamed that my classroom looks like this for about....1 week.  (DISLIKE: how unorganized I am.)

Cruising.   It's not for senior citizens people...get on board!!!!

Furniture.  I love huge oversized pieces.  My sweet hubby bought this bedroom set for my Valentine's gift.  He picked the PERFECT set. 

Supportive girlfriends.

Yep.  I LIKE a fun night with these silly ladies! 

A new obsession.  Frilly little girlie clothes. These are on the zulily website right now.  I would only be "weird" if I actually bought clothes for the kids I don't have, right?!!

This man wakes up with a smile.  I really LIKE him.

2 LIKES- My most favorite place on earth, my house.  Decorating for the holidays...any and all holidays.

LIKE- hugs.  I hug my kiddos all day long during the school year.  I hug people when I first meet them.  I get it...some people don't like to be touched...   well, hugs make me happy. Simple.

Fried Pickles with a bucket of Ranch.

I have a serious problem....I can't get enough.

I love the smell of suntan lotion.  This also makes me think of....

Our summer time spot....the backyard.  LIKE.

Last but not least....   I have to end with my little sweet fur-babies.  Take a look at my Ollie-boo on his first day home.

I have goo-goo eyes.  Just in looove with my kitties!

Look at that big guy now!!!    Our Chewy-girl is soooo over him.

We have had such a busy week.  I love taking some quiet time and reading your blogs.  The recipes are the best and I end up laughing out loud at all the great life stories that are being shared.   Enjoy your weekend and keep up the great work.

Feel the sun

When the sun is out.....  I like to play!  The sun has let us do a lot of playing!   I'm sure you have heard me talk about our "trip family".  (We met them on our honeymoon.  We spent two weeks traveling Europe with them and building a lifelong friendship with the whole family after we returned home.)  They invited us to their annual Crawfish Boil and we weren't going to miss that event for anything!   The Mr. loves spicy shells of goodness.... so once again you will see that this post will be focused around .....drum roll.......FOOD!!!  Sit back and enjoy the next picture.  Soak it in!

Checking out all of the goodies in our party bag!

On Friday night we met up with friends for dinner.  I wish we could make this a weekly date!  I have some of the greatest girlfriends a girl could ask for!  Having supportive girls around  has to be one of the best treasures in life.  Sharing stories and belly laughs with a chica is so comforting.  As loving and sympathetic as my hubby can be....sometimes it's just a "girl thing".  These ladies make my heart happy!  

I guess it's just meant to be since all of our hubs are buddies too!  (Kimmie and B- we wish you were with us...sorry you had to miss the dinner date.)

Saturday was filled with patio time celebrating a birthday for our friend.  More time with the girls......while the boys played "bags" and Golden Tee.  The weather was awesome and we got sun soaked!!!

It's just not a weekend without a movie night at home, wrapped in blankies, surrounded by kitties, and cuddled with love.  

Does anyone else just l-o-v-e their fur babies?  I look forward to seeing them when I get home during the week.  Our lovies are so funny and they provide a love that makes our home ....a home.  I warned you....we really really love our kitties so get used to it!!!!:)