And so it begins...

It's funny- I don't think I've ever been one of those kids that wants summer to last forever- I think I've always liked school, especially a new year. Maybe I'm deluding myself into a false memory, but I really do think I've always liked school. Maybe it's because growing up I had very few kids my age to play with so school was the only time I'd see them. Huh? I wonder?

Anyhow- here it is again- that crispness to the air, the smell in the hall, school is coming- now I know that for many it has already begun, but not for us. The big day is September, 21st- a Thursday. Wait, a Thursday? Wow. Why Thursday? I'm sure there are all kinds of bureaucratic answers, but really who cares? It's THURSDAY! Only 2 days of school the first week! Awesome.

So as we begin the new quarter I want to look forward and look back...

Looking back at the summer here is a brief recap-

June- Friends came to visit
July- My nephew came to stay for the summer "Danny the Nanny"
August- The Fam went to St. George, Sara and I went to PCPA, Kathy and I went to Vegas and Abby turned 4! Wow August was busy.
September- Clara Kozbial was born, Sara was married- AWESOME and Alexander turned 1!

Looking forward-

September- School starts, Cate and I will walk in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in the OC, My brother starts a new job.
October- Student Play Festival, 2 friends get married
November- The Country Wife, More friends get married
December- 2 babies are due! (Michelle and Alejandra)

So I've got quite a bit to keep me busy!

I am very much looking forward to the new school year, especially The Country Wife- Oh man is it funny and it will be gorgeous!

I hope to have time to fill you all in (all 3 of you) on the shenanigans that take place over the next few months!

Do you smell fall in the air? No that's not smog, it's the scent of spice and the harvest to come; of an ending and the promise of beginning.

And so it begins...

Not to be Forgotten

 

It has been pointed out to me that I was lax in my posting about my Vegas trip... I failed to mention one of the highlights.

I saw Isaac!

We met him at NY/NY after he finished his shift at Zumanity. He gave us a very hands-on tour of the facility. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the show- it was dark for the days we were there. He then took us to The Orleans casino where we ate and gambled at bit. Then we went back to Treasure Island for more gambling and drinks.

It was awesome to see him, he looked great- More tattoos than last time, a lot more! He looked happy with his job and life and was still my Isaac!

I apologize for this belated blog, but I didn't want him to feel left out!

Are the steps to the underground to be found in sin city? I'll never kiss and tell!

We Can Officially Name Him!

I've heard it said that in some cultures a baby isn't named until his 1st birthday for very morbid reasons not worth mentioning.

So. Alexander William Randall Erickson is now official.

1 year ago on September 6th at 12:30 am my beautiful son was born.

It has been a bit of a trial for him this last year with breathing problems and tummy trouble, but as of today the Doctor has given him a clean bill of health! Thank God!

He is so much fun to watch and Abby just adores him- so far. Let's see how she feels when she's 16, shall we?

Thank you God for such an amazing blessing- not only one wonderful child but 2! How blessed can I be-

I love you my son- Happy Birthday!

If I Had A Mini-Van I'd Be Dangerous!

 

I mean it- If I were a soccer mom I would be hell on wheels. I think my kids should be glad I work, because if I were home all the time I'd drive them crazy- because we all know I wouldn't clean my house, I'd find crafty things to do for every little school project, team event and birthday.

My darling daughter just turned 4- 4! and we decided that since we were so busy with having a baby on her last birthday, that we should give her a big party just for her. I went all out, I made the invitations for the kids, I picked out silly things for the goody bags- I hand drew treasure maps for the kids- Yes you read that right- I drew! I hired a clown to face paint for the kids and give them a show- AND I thought, in a stroke of brilliance, that I would make a "cupcake cake" so that each kid would get them same amount of "cake" and clean up would be minimal.

All of this work so my daughter could have a great birthday- because I love her. Oh yeah and remember she's 4! OK, so I took it all too seriously and went over board- Especially considering the fact that of the 9 children invited to the party 2 showed up- oh yeah, 2!

Talk about minimal clean up. Now I know Abby would have cared less if no one showed up, she had fun either way- but I got all tense and butt-hurt about it. I know, I know, get over it Cat- Abby will grow up and have her own neuroses she doesn't need yours!

All of the psycho babble aside- Abby had fun and she really enjoyed Bubbles the clown and her 2 friends plus the poor young girl we hijacked into joining the party! We then went home to have an excellent family and friends BBQ. My friends rock!

But let us not forget the "cupcake cake"! I am a cupcake genius! (Ok maybe not genius, but pretty close) Not only did I get all 24 cupcakes to fit semi-snug together, I managed to ice them all to look like 1 big cake- But the topper, literally, was the fact that I drew (again drawing) in ICING, a copy of the treasure map I made for the kids on the "cake"! Oh yeah! Go me! (Insert happy dance here)

So what I learned from my 4 year old daughter is this- the number of friends at the party doesn't matter, it truly is the quality of friends- and my friends are like my cupcakes- sweet, comforting and always just the right amount of fun!