Spring In Our Step

 The kids are so happy to be able to be outside.  If you look closely you can see that Hailey is even wearing sandals!  It's not that nice out yet but she can't wait any longer.

I love the friendship that these kids have.  They enjoy each other so much and it warms my heart!

Chop Chop

 Hannah has been wanting to get her haircut. 

When we got to Rocco's she informed the girl to cut it short!  'Up to here' (chin length).

I am not sure why it makes me nervous to hear them ask for their hair to be cut short.  It's only hair.  It grows back so there really isn't a risk to it. 

And looking at the before picture, it's clear to see how excited she is about it!

As I should have known, it turned out adorable!

Love me some ANDY

 I think I may actually have lost count.  I think this is my fourth time seeing Andy Grammer.

The first time was the time that Loriann, Molly and I drove from our Allscripts User Group Conference in Chicago to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.  

He puts on such a good show and knowing that he was coming here, I just couldn't miss it.  It wasn't an option NOT to go.  I got some of the ladies in the neighborhood to join me and as I expected they LOVED him.  We had dinner at Annie's parlor before the show which was so delicious.

I think I may have recruited a few more fans :-)

Me, Kami, Kay, Amy in back
Leah, Beth and Nikki in front

I learned it from Daddy

Today before we left the house Hailey had to make everyone stop and look for the shoehorn.

She let us all know that this is how you get your shoes to go on.

I am not sure why but it makes me giggle to see these little girls do such grown up things.

Girls Night

Tonight the girls met at Benihana for a Girls Night Out.

It was a large group and a very nice end to our birthday month celebrations!

We had asked our waiter to take a picture for us and this is what we found when we got our camera back- ha ha!

I love these ladies <3 br="">

They have finished the floor!  It looks better than I imagined.  A few more days before we can walk on it but we are getting so close!

Relocated

Our shower is complete and this week they will start in on the floor.  

That means for the next week or so we will be using the girls bathroom.  I learned within a few days just how spoiled we are in our new house.  The girls bathroom felt so small.  It's really not but it sure was strange being closed in with a shower curtain again, that makes such a difference.

I can't wait until it's all done!

5th time for Maroon 5

I couldn't be more excited to be seeing Maroon 5 tonight.

This will be my 5th time seeing them and it seems appropriate for their V tour.

As always, Adam did not disappoint!

I was happy that this year I didn't have to drive from Madison then to St Paul and back to Madison like last year.  I was actually in Madison last week and when I found out I had to go in March again this year my heart sank thinking about the possibility of another road trip.

I would have done it but this time I would have been alone on the travel and it would have SUCKED!

The show left me wanting more and already looking forward to their next tour!

 

 

Family Birthdays Chicken Wild Style

Today the family met at Buffalo Wild Wings to celebrate all of the March birthdays. 

Jennie and Hannah both had their leather jackets on and Jennie taught Hannah about 'popping her collar'.  Aren't they adorable??!!

29 10

This morning I was treated to breakfast in bed.  When I came out of my room I found a birthday wish trailing all the way down stairs.  That was a great way to start off my year of being 29-10 :-)

This evening we hosted a party at our house for the March birthdays in the neighborhood.

There are currently 6 of us!

March 6th- Kay

March 7th- Nikki

 March 21st- Me

March 23rd- Mike

March 24th- Jake

March 26th- Amy W

Jennie, Kim, Joe, Bobby and Tom surprised me with a visit!  Thanks for making it out guys!!!

She's OFF!

Today was the day Hailey decided she was going to learn to ride her two wheel bike.

It was a beautiful day and after being held up in the house all winter, everyone has spring fever.

 This girl is UNREAL.

I was washing dishes and Hannah came running into the house yelling "Hailey's riding her bike without training wheels!" then she ran right back outside.

When I came out I could see her in the street with Brian and by the time I got out there with my camera on she was already on her way.

She hardly wobbled and she never fell.  She jumped on that bike and rode like she's been riding this way for years.  SUPER impressive.  Good job buddy!

I love her cheering for herself as she realized she was going by herself with nobody hanging on. :-)

Sandwiches anyone?

Today when I was making my way home from Target I saw that Hannah and Jacob were carrying a box on the sidewalk.  I pulled up to ask them what they were doing and they informed me that Joe had given them some Deli Express sandwiches to sell.  Joe works for Deli Express so there is always a fresh supply of sandwiches in the hood.  They had been at it only a short time and had already made some money.  Within a few minutes of them getting started a random guy walking his dog through the neighborhood bought one and so did our neighbor, Chris.  I believe by the end of the day they made $12!   I was actually pretty embarrassed that they were doing this, I always hate the thought of my kid running around asking people for money, but after talking with some of the fellow adults around here I quickly learned that they are happy to support the kids with their business adventures.  

I would be too so I suppose it's fair :-)

 

I hate selfies

 

I hate taking selfies but when I asked Brian to take one with me today he actually smiled.  Usually he is making a face or something but today he smiled.   We hung out at the Busta's tonight.  We do NOT see them enough these days.  It makes me super sad to talk or think about it so I typically just pretend like everything is 'normal' even though I feel like I am dying inside. 

I miss them so much and miss spending time with them.

It got harder and harder as the kids got older.  They are in activities, family time is now more sacred then ever and the older their kids get the harder it is to bring them places.  Their boys get way too bored hanging out at our house and since I can't invite myself to their house we have to wait for an invite- but due to activities and such there is just hardly any time to get together.

Stacey and I don't talk as much as we used to.  

We try to text now and then but it's usually just short and sweet.  It breaks my heart. 

 I miss her dearly.

Moving into our neighborhood has introduced a whole new set of friends into our lives so maybe we should be blamed for 'doing our own thing lately' but it seemed like things with our other friends were starting to slow down anyways.   It's sad and it hurts my feelings.  I try to act like it doesn't bother me as much as it does since I don't know how to 'fix' it.  

I know we will never get back to the days of hanging out every weekend but this twice a year plan we seem to be on isn't working for me :-(

No more sunglasses during dinner

 The roller shade for the sliding door was installed today.  It's going to take a while to get used to since it's such a change.  I think I am happy with it.  I am wondering if I should have gotten a matching shade for the small windows next to it though, I am not too sure about the mix of the blinds and the shade.  I think it looks unfinished or something.

 

Floating

The girls have been doing so good at swimming lessons.  They are getting more and more comfortable in the water and getting better with their skills each week.  We've decided to stop lessons during the summer and fall since we have other activities going on and pick back up next winter.  I hope that's the right decision and when we start back up they will pick up where they left off.