Vegas

Mom decided to take a time out for herself and enjoy some R&R, in Viva Las Vegas... if there is such a thing. There was. It was a peaceful trip. It was a fun trip and just what I needed. I went with a great friend and we got to enjoy such nice things in a different setting. We earned this.

It was off to a sleepless start, which is not the way to begin in Vegas. I had a "Girls Night In" with the closest of my girlfriends the night before I headed out for vacation in Sin City. I didn't go to bed until 2am, and I was unpacked at this time. My flight left around 7am-ish that morning, so after only a couple hours of sleep it was time to pack and head out. I felt like a sincere trooper. Thinking of the work week I put in prior to this plus all the arranging of childcare so I could make this happen and pull it all off, yes, I was a trooper. This trooper was ready for some quality relaxation.

The first day of Viva was spent at a cabana in a bikini poolside with yummy drinks and great music... and the best company. The evening was filled with a super nice dinner at Fix then the "O" show. This was where my lack of sleep caught up to me and I dozed off during the show. It was seriously amazing, but I was seriously tired. It was a much needed cat-nap before the night.

The food was delectable and I can say that everything that went in my mouth was deeee-licious. My girlfriend and I rewarded ourselves with a Chef's Tasting dinner at Emeril Lagasses's where we sampled lots of his creations, in addition to a good bottle of wine. It was something nice, something we deserved. For lunch I even found a place that had sweet potato fries, which made the perfect side to my much needed greasy burger after a long night in VLV.

The shops in Vegas are one-of-a-kind, so shopping and then of course a day at the spa was a must for us girls on this trip. I also spent my last day, a day I will never forget, with someone that I love getting to know. We had the best dinner followed by my favorite Vegas show so far, "Love", great conversation, and an incredible time to make a perfect night. Now... back to reality... which is crazy, but I love my reality. It's good to be home.

Spring Break Treasures

I have a couple of super sweet spring break findings in S. Stink's backpack today. I'm a little late at emptying out the school backpacks since the break is almost over, but hey... that's how I roll, and at least it got done. Here they are:

A letter about Mom and Dad

A picture of Mom and what describes her according to Stink

and Dad...

These made me smile, laugh, and think... I loved them.

Snuggle Bug

Here's an update on Mr. Snuggler from day 1... he is still the best cuddler in the world, which hasn't changed. What's changed are these new pajamas he has, and they are just right for Mommy and Benny snuggles! They are flannel, broken in flannel at that. It's a soft material but carries little balls of lint all over and captures the sweet smell of my baby boy. They even have his favorite basketball teams all over them. He gets sweaty in them. So he always keeps the buttons down in the front, which works out perfect for back tickling time and might I add looks too darn cute! He knows I love these pajamas he wears, we call them nuggle jams. He knows my arms and heart are ready when he puts them on... so when they are clean, he always wears them. He still gives top notch bear hugs, with his squeezes just right. They are extra special in these jammies. The smells, kisses, hugs, and mommy love talk is priceless with my angels... something I will always value, especially in nuggle jams!

Dude Hang-out

This was a much anticipated event by the two loves of my life. They enjoy their friends and they have the best of them, they are surrounded by them... so fortunate. They see them everyday at school, practice, game days, church, and even right next door and looking out of the windows of their very own home. We can't brag enough about our social network. We have it made! So I decided to make some great memories for our cherished little friends and have a sleep-over. I made the first mistake when I, along with another called it that. "That's for girls Mom", my dear boys say. So it was from there labeled a "Dude Hang-out". I will say with pride that is the only mistake I made. To see the looks on my children's faces and their highly valued friends that I all love so much... making memories... having the times of their lives... was so worth it. Worth the apple soda stains, listening to belching and farts while eating delivery pizza, the nagging of brushing teeth after multiple cupcakes, the refereeing, and the sounds of herds of elephants running through my home... totally worth it. It was a special night. Stink confessed his best friend. Benny played in his own harmony. We had laughs, many. One of the boys looks at me puzzled over the smacking lips, toots and gulps of soda noises during dinner and says, "Ms. Jennifer, do you know you have half of the football team here?" I say, "I know, I love it!" and I do, seriously. My house is not a home without all that boy noise. My soul devours every ounce of it!