a bit backwards

OKay, I admit it, these are late. This is from the first day of school, 3 weeks ago. I was going to post them right away but then everyone was posting their back to school kiddos and these didn't look so cute. Now, nearly a month later, and up with posts about the Olympics, they seem to stand out. And really, this girl is too cute not to share.



Let's start this story with the matching shoes. This was purely on accident (really!). I bought my cute little mary jane's a couple months ago at Target. While back school shopping these were the only shoes that worked for her. It wasn't a hard sell, having shoes that matched mine.

-----------------------------------------------



Good thing Peter doesn't read my blog, he'd be pissed that I posted a picture of him. But seriously, only if there was like little kittens or ducklings following them could this get cuter. In 30 years he'll understand.

----------------------------------------------



One of single coolest things about Sarah's first day of "big school" was that Katie, Sarah's Godmother, came down. She like a crazy talented, beautiful, over-achieving yet grounded person. She's in college, has like 4 jobs, or maybe 5 I can't count that high, and still came down just for this day. Paid for it all on her own too. We all simply love this girl.

----------------------------------------------


aawwwhh....
need I say more?

----------------------------------------------



If the close-up above wasn't cute enough for you then then one will stop your heart. This is what she did when we first got to the playground. Just stood there, waiting for the swing. At first I thought she was sad but she wasn't. She was just patiently waiting for an open swing. Of course, she was so far back, and so shy about the process, that once a swing was open another quicker boy got it. By the second day she caught on and I'm certain she gets the first swing available.

----------------------------------------------


end of day one. Only a lifetime to go, kiddo.

.

the pool, dude!

We, like you (if you have a pool) have a pool dude. If you are lucky, (read: rich!) he comes every other week with test tubes and powders and fluids to make the pool sparkle. Much like my Mary Kay lady :) But if you are poor, and hot (not sexy hot, melty hot) like us you clean the pool yourself and only see the pool dude when there's a problem.

So you pretty much see the pool dude all the freaking time.

Whenever we have a pool issue Peter and I text about the Pool dude. What's the problem, why it happened, and - of course - how many digits this repair is going to cost. These converasation are, like so many of our conversations, via text messaging.

I got one of those texts today, let me share: "talked to the pool dude just now, said it's a million dollars and our pool is a waste of water and chlorine and energy and we should consider a slip and slide but he'll happily give us K-Y when he hands us the bill this time"

okay. maybe I'm projecting. It's true up to the comma, at least. Which brings me to the point of this post (yes, there's a point, no matter how dull) We've always talked about the pool dude at just that, "the pool dude" Just like the house painter is the "paint dude", the repair man is the "fix-it dude" and the plumber is the "shit dude" It's just how we talk. I never gave it much thought, until just now.

I'm sitting here wasting time on Peter's computer when a link on his favorites catches my eye. "The Pool Dude"........hummm........... I start thinking "wow peter really takes this 'dude' thing to the limit (remind me to kiss him)....but no...he didn't really do that...???...did he?"

It was the caps that gave it away. He wouldn't have capped each word. So I clicking on the link. Our pool dude was really The Pool Dude!!!

Maybe it's because I'm running on fumes and have had 4 beers, but that's damn funny! I want to be "the pool dude" in someone's life. Like, "oh hurry! we've got a creative scrapping emergency, Let's calling "THE LIFTED CHIC!" over to solve all our problems."

....or maybe it's the beer....

didn't only take pictures, I'm POSTING them. Go me.

It's damn near impossible to say who had more fun. All the girls had a blast, but it was me who was beaming as much as anyone. Thank goodness no one else had a camera. Documenting my goofy face would have been too much.

The day was simply fantastic. Have lots of pics so here goes:

Sarah and Kate before their glam makeover.



--------------------------------------

Some "during" shots. Seriously y'all, this Libby Lu place was so great. I will for sure be taking them back. which reminds me, I forgot to tip...will have to talk to a manager on Monday and get that taken care of. These girls were so wonderful. Even Katie, the 3 year old, got to take part. I think she loved it most.





Kaila's "mirror" shot and the beginning of her "punk" do


My girls both got the "Rockin" do. I had big time hair envy.


Meghan and Erin both got the "dazzling" up-do.




--------------------------------------

The most beautiful girls in the world. I can hardly stand the cuteness.



-------------------------------

After the pampering at Libby's we went out to Peter Piper Pizaa for birthday cake and presents. Had like a speed birthday party as everyone was pretty tired and just wanted to go look at themselves in the mirror!

Huge thanks to Laurel and Beth for letting your girls share in the fun and giving sarah such wonderful gifts. Beth, the CD is already in my car! We (yes all us girls!) LOVE IT! Oh and extra thanks to Beth for letting me use her camera.





HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE SARAH! we love you bunches and bunches.

OH! and yes, Sarah did manage to cut her bangs again. Happened at school this time so at least I wasn't 'in charge'. No pictures as of yet but hope to soon. It's not nearly as bad as last time but it will need professional fixing, and possibly a funky new style. I think the child wants bangs, yes?

sarah turns 5

Today is a fun day. My little girl turns 5 today. It's put me in a crazy fun mood. So much so that the office dog, which normally bugs the crap out of me, is even cute. Now THAT'S a good mood.

Per standard Michelle style I've waited till the last minute to plan anything. Even so, things have worked out. I'm taking mini cupcakes to her school at 2:15 for a quickie party there. Then at 4:00 I'm taking Sarah, Kate and 3 other girls up to Libby Lu for some girl time. Then we're all heading over to the tried and true and most wonderful place on this planet earth, Peter Piper Pizza.

I can't wait.

taggity tag

You know I can't resist. Thanks Kaelene

Joys-
1. Listening to my kids giggle
2. knowing that my hubby thinks I'm funny and laughing with him
3. fresh strawberries, cool whip on just from the oven shortbread

Fears-
1. disappointing people
2. not selling the book
3. heights/falling

Goals-
1. find my scrapbook room (again)
2. stay in touch with my friends who keep moving away
3. learn how to french braid sarah's hair while she's still young enough to let me do it

Current obsessions-
1. see #3 in Joys
2. twitter
3. kindergarten hairdos

Random things about me-
1. I suck at kindergarten hairdos
2. I really do love my job, even though it seems I only complain about it.
3. I can be happy for days after someone says, "you made my day"

I'm going to do this one too - thanks Lorie

Have you ever...(if it is bold I have)

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given to a charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Held a lamb
25. Gone skinny dipping
26. Taken an ice cold bath
27. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Ridden a roller coaster
30. Hit a home run
31. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
32. Adopted an accent for fun
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
35. Loved your job 90% of the time
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Watched wild whales
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Gone on a walk on the beach
40. Gone sky diving
41. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
42. Bench-pressed your own weight
43. Milked a cow
44. Alphabetized your personal files
45. Worn a superhero costume
46. Sung karaoke
47. Lounged around in bed all day
48. Gone scuba diving
49. Kissed in the rain
50. Played in the mud
51. Gone to a drive-in theater
52. Done something you should regret
53. Visited the Great Wall of China
54. Started a business
55. Been in a movie
56. Gone without food for 3 days
57. Made cookies from scratch
58. Won first prize in a costume contest
59. Got flowers for no reason
60. Spoken more than one language fluently
61. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
62. Bounced a check
63. Read and understood your credit report
64. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
65. Called or written your Congress person
66. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
67. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
68. Helped an animal give birth
69. Been fired or laid off from a job
70. Won money
71. Broken a bone
72. Ridden a motorcycle
73. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
74. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
75. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
77. Had your picture in the newspaper
78. Read the Bible cover to cover
79. Changed some one's mind about something you care deeply about
80. Gone back to school
81. Changed your name
82. Eaten fried green tomatoes
83. Read The Iliad
84. Taught yourself an art from scratch
85. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
86. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
87. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
88. Been elected to public office
89. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
90. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
91. Dyed your hair
92. Rocked a baby to sleep
93. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
94. Raked your carpet
95. Worn a mood ring
96. Ridden a horse
97. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
98. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
99. Buried a child
100. Gone to a Broadway play
101. Been inside the pyramids
102. Shot a basketball into a basket
103. Danced at a disco
104. Played in a band
105. Shot a bird
106. Gone to an arboretum
107. Tutored someone
108. Ridden a train
109. Brought an old fad back into style
110. Eaten caviar
111. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
112. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
113. Published a book
114. Pieced a quilt
115. Lived in a historic place
116. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
117. Asked for a raise
118. Made a hole-in-one mini golfing
119. Gone deep sea fishing
120. Gone roller skating
121. Run a marathon
122. Learned to surf
123. Invented something
124. Flown first class
125. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury hotel
126. Sang a solo
127. Gone spelunking
128. Learned how to take a compliment
129. Written a love-story
130. Seen Michelangelo’s David
131. Had your portrait painted
132. Written a fan letter
133. Spent the night in something haunted
134. Ran away
135. Learned to juggle
136. Been a boss
137. Sat on a jury
138. Lied about your weight
139. Gone on a diet
140. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
141. Written a poem
142. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
143. Gotten food poisoning
144. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
145. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
146. Gone to the opera
147. Gotten a letter from someone famous
148. Worn knickers
149. Ridden in a limousine
150. Attended the Olympics
151. Can hula or waltz
152. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
153. Been stuck in an elevator
154. Had a revelatory dream
155. Thought you might crash in an airplane
156. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
157. Saved someone’s life
158. Eaten raw whale
159. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
160. Laughed till your side hurt
161. Straddled the equator
162. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
163. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
164. Sent a message in a bottle
165. Spent the night in a hostel
166. Been a cashier
167. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
168. Joined a union
169. Donated blood
170. Built a campfire
171. Kept a blog
172. Had hives
173. Worn custom made shoes or boots
174. Made a PowerPoint Presentation
175. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
176. Served at a soup kitchen
177. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
178. Known CPR
179. Gone fishing
180. Found a long lost friend
181. Voted for a contestant on American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance
182. Successfully convinced someone you were of a different nationality
183. Received a promotion
184. Movie-hopped (Gone to two movies in a theater and only paying for the first movie)
185. Planned a surprise party for someone
186. Beaten all levels of a video game
187. Driven more than 2,500 miles on a cross-country trip
188. Cried yourself to sleep
189. Stayed awake for more than 24 hours
190. Crossed a national border by car
191. Been to an island
192. Been completely out of debt (student loans, house, and all)
193. Read a book from the Twilight series
194. Traveled to Italy
195. Given birth
196. Found a bra that fits perfectly
197. Learned to meditate
198. Owned your dream car
199. Learned to love eating raw vegetables
200. Seen all 50 state