Take me out to the ballgame...

While Joy was here it happen to the same night that E's school was invited to sing the 7th inning stretch. He had been practicing so hard the last few weeks. I was so proud of him, knowing how intimidating this was for him. It was a gorgeous night and a great experience!



(note to self: put camera on auto when giving to a stranger for group shot.) (other note to self: blurry is a good look for you.)

makes me ill

This story from our neighborhood makes me want to call and reinstate our fostering license.

Holy hail!

Uh...check out the bigger-than-golf-ball sized hail we just got! Then we ventured out front and found the stegasauras!

Did not see that coming.

While picking up E from school last week, here was our convo:

Me: Hey, guess who we're picking up from the airport tonight? (correct answer is Joy.)
E: OUR BABY!
(stop walking, take sunglasses off, deep breath)
Me: Oh, El, no. Remember we're not getting that baby.
(both of us now have instant tears)
E: Mom, when am I getting a baby? A brother or sister?
Me: I don't know, babe, but God knows we want one. I'm sorry.

There's still a lot of hard days, to be honest. We've been so busy, I've been living in my distractions. I think I'm making progress but then something like this happens.

There's not really a plan yet for moving forward. Sometimes that's good in letting us process and sometimes it's rough since it doesn't give us something to look forward to. I am enjoying every second I can with my newly 5 year old. We are enjoying being in this parenting sweet spot for a bit, knowing it won't always be this way.

Thanks for the random notes of encouragement you all keep sending! There are other reasons, too, but for this one I'm thankful I lay all our crap out for you to read. You guys are amazing and thoughtful. Thanks again!

Tattoo, what?

Remember this???

Here's round 2.



People! This thing hurt! But I love love love it! More on the meaning later. It reads , "For such a time as this." And my mom loves it.

Joy was here for .2 seconds this week. So we went for it. Off to Self Inflicted Studios together. She got a lotus flower behind her ear.


Gah! We had a blast. I keep forgetting I did it and kinda freak out but I love it. Can't wait to give you my deets.

Enjoy this gorgeous weekend! I'm off to watch Gaga and Timberlake on SNL.

Copy cat.

In my teaching world there was a mantra that I've adapted to motherhood: The best copycat wins. Not against each other but in teaching and/or motherhood.

As in, no need to reinvent the wheel.

As in, stop calling me creative and start calling me thief.

99% of my ideas for stuff are copied and adapted. Just sayin'.

So, if you are hoping to copy something of mine from E's Angry Birds birthday party, go right ahead. Here's where I got the ideas:

The masks idea came this etsy site. Hers are way better but I didn't want to spend $42, so I spent $3 on foam and $3 on elastic. Done.

The gift bags and balloons faces were printed, cut out, and taped to the bags and balloons. I got the templates from this site.

The pom pons idea came from here. I got the sling shots from Oriental Trading.

I didn't find a cupcake idea that I loved and I didn't have it in me to deal with fondant,so we made up the simplest idea possible. (and they aren't even cupcakes, it's brownie mix in cupcake holders since E wanted brownies). Red icing, 1/2 marshmellows for each eye with black gel icing for the middles and brows (thanks HM for the idea for marshmellows), yellow laffy taffy for the break.

That's it, peeps. There's all my secrets.

Appy Bird-day, E! (Angry Birds Birthday Party)

**Welcome to my blog, Angry Birds searchers! I get more hits on this blog post than any other so wanted to let you know that if you're looking for where I got ideas for stuff or what I used, go to this post for answers. Also, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to respond back in the comments. Thanks for stopping by!***


(sign compliments of daddy!)
Eliot is obsessed with the game Angry Birds on our phones as previously posted here. So, we weren't super surprised when he asked for an Angry Birds themed birthday party.

Gift bags!

Brownie cupcakes!





Sling shots and pom pon birds!



Don't trust them, they steal stuff.

Vacation pic overload.

Off the grid...

If you need me, uh...




**disclaimer**Not that I have to say this, but I'll feel better if I do. If you donated to our adoption fund, know that that fund is sitting untouched waiting for our next adoption. This vacation wasn't on your ticket, just so you know.