Birthdays, Hobbits, Clapping, and an Uncle

I have so much to post that it seems an unsurmountable task and I usually give up without even an attempt. Plus it is much easier-and more entertaining- to read other people's blogs, which is what I end up doing every time I log on to my own blog. But alas, I am here to conquer the goal I set for tonight. Well, at least until Mike calls on his lunch break in 8 minutes at which point I will reassess the situation.

I don't even know where to start. Hmmm....I guess with the fact that I now have a TEENAGER!!Yep- Skye turned the lovely 13 on June 1. I think I'm actually relieved that the tween crap is over and we can now move on to the real deal. (I'm going to eat those words in another year. Maybe I should just do it now.) This also means that somewhere along the road I too had a birthday. The Big 3-0. Yes, it's true, I'm 30. Wow. This may not be a very attractive photo of myself, but Skye sure looks cute. And look how much taller she is than me!

This is just a cute picture of Reiley in navy...

Another cute picture of Reiley in her pjs....

Now for some real excitement...I have uncovered a hobbit hole! There really is such thing as The Hobbit Cafe in Houston where one can dine on really yummy and fresh food while enjoying Lord of the Rings decor. I'm not a fan of Tolkein, but I am a fan of food (in case you couldn't tell). And I give this place two thumbs up! Delicioso! Oh- this is me in the furry chair...



These are my wonderfully amazing friends, Layne on the left and Tolkein-fan Katy on the right.

Michaela snapped this shot of me & Smiley Reiley. Not bad, minus the tv screen in the background. I guess I could have edited.

More exciting news!! Reiley learned how to clap this week! We took about 100 photos of the event. I chose to post this one because she looks funny. She's so smart.

This is another picture I just wanted to post because it's so cute. I came to the realization this week that Reiley is not my baby, she's our baby. I don't even get to hold her when I want to sometimes. Especially when Skye is around- she's a baby-hogger. (Skye, by the way, is off at girl's camp this week with the other Young Women in our church. Lucky Duck.)

This is another of my recent favorites. My brother Matt with Reiley. Isn't it adorable?!

Did You Know???

Did you know that I LOVE Tom Petty??? And chocolate??? And steak??? Some people do, and some people know how to wrap it all up in to one pretty little package. This is turning out to be a GREAT birthday! And my birthday isn't even here yet!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! (You know who you are!)

The Wish List of a Teeny-Bopper

Skye turns 13 in less than 2 weeks. Here is the wish list this year (in her order):

1. Money
2. Cute Clothes
3. Anime stuff
4. Avatar
5. Books
6. DS Games
7. Shoes
8. Parfume
9. Jewelry

Who is this teenager and where did my child go?!?

Look Who's Sitting!

Swimming, Sort of

Art Car Show, Part Deux

I told Skye this was going to be as close as she ever got to dogsledding. She was game.

This sidewalk statue offered lots of fun for the kiddos.

My posse for the night...

Clapping Lobsters and Winos

Mom & I took the girls downtown last night for the Art Car Preview Show. It was amazing! This car made me think of Olive Garden. How about you?

This was Skye's favorite...



Yes, those are saddles in the back of the bus. The owner wasn't around, so I'm not sure if they were mechanical or not. I'm guessing they are.

This was my favorite. Clevery name "Shattered Vanity", it was covered in mirrors. When I had my gallbladder surgery, this car was in the parking lot of the surgery center. It was my first encounter with an art car. (I know my pictures aren't great. It was a little difficult maneuvering the stroller through the crowds. I had to take what I could get.)

The Sock Monkey car came with its own puppeteer...

I wasn't quite sure if this was supposed to be paint or wax. It looks like wax, but I'm pretty sure those are paint cans pouring on the paint.

The cat hearse...

This is the epitome of an art car...

We also saw a car covered in clapping lobsters, a mermaid van with a live (drunken) mermaid, and a jeep that shot fire 50 ft. in the air (which freaked Reiley out and we moved quickly away from that one). It was a great show!