It's date night, so let's hang with the hippies.

Let me tell you a sad tale. 

It's goes like this..

Paul and I have not been on a date since February. 

SAD.

Friday night I said we MUST go out, just the two of us. 

So a plan was set in motion, and our awesome babysitter (hello Olivia!) came to our aide. 

I was happy to slap on a few extra coats of war-paint, and spend a little more time getting fancified. 

Nicest joint in BG? We were told to check this place out...

The food was good, but I especially loved the goat cheese, bruschetta.

After our meal we thought we should go on a romantic walk downtown. Doesn't that sound lovely?

We were completely oblivious that there was an International Festival going on.

 But hey, let's check it out!

Um. As soon as we got in the thick of things, we were greeted with smoke. And I be talkin' bout the ciga-weed kind.

And LOTS of hippies.

Me in my momma outfit, Paul in his button-down shirt. Well, we sort of stuck out.

But if we are nothing, we are flexible.

So, we sat back and took in the hippies and enjoyed them...

Especially THIS guy.

 We actually had a blast hanging out with the hippies, and think maybe we'll give that sort of antics a try one day.


Growing up, my parents went out every Friday night, just the two of them. I don't know if we can work that out, but there's no way we are going 8 months again!

Almost 10 years, and we still got it.

Flashback Friday. Time is my enemy.

Pierce and Hope.

Ages 4 and 2.

Not gonna lie...

These pictures make me wanna sob like a baby, and suck my thumb.

I wish I could reach right through this picture, and pick them both up. 

Time is my enemy.

GOOOOOOOOO OREOS!!!!

Last night was the last game of the Oreos season. 

And let me just say...

Fall ball ROCKS!

The weather is nice, it's not near as cut-throat as spring ball, and the season is short! 

This was an absolute perfect way for Pierce to get his baseball feet wet again, and decide if baseball is where it's at. 

And yes, baseball IS where it's at. 

As we drove away from his last game, the tears fell. 

He just isn't ready to say goodbye to the season, and I think most of all to his friends...

He's not in school with any of his teammates...

So he may not see any of them again until the spring.

What a JOY it is to see your child having fun with his buddies.

I think the sentiments can be wrapped up simply...

GOOOOOOOOO OREOS!!!!

School is not what it used to be.

Last week, Pierce's teacher sent home a paper letting us know that their class had the chance to sing at leadership night. 

Leadership Night?

Not sure exactly what that meant, but I said he would be there. 

And as usual with Pierce, he didn't give me much scoop on what the night was about. Mostly because I think he didn't really know, he just knew he had to sing. 

So a gym full of parents piled in to see what this was all about.....

The school has implemented the 'Leader In Me' program, and it's based on this book right here.

There were presentations, songs, and even a talk to us parents about how we can be pro-active about our own emotions.

For real?

 THAT was exactly what I was thinking as I sat there taking it all in.

 School is just so much different now than when I was a student, you know in 1842.

Back when I was a student, we were told to just do the work. I was never encouraged to BE PROACTIVE or BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND. Uh, no.

And for the most part, I think it's pretty awesome. Some of it felt a little too zen for me, but overall I think it's GREAT.


Enter Pierce and his class.

They have been practicing very hard on a little song all about the 7 habits...

Poor little things, they were so nervous! And quiet! Hilarious! They sounded like little mice. (And honestly, could my camera take more ghetto pictures?)

But they made it through, and brilliantly so I might add.

Thankful for an education that is thinking outside the box, and teaching our children to be leaders! (Somebody cue a Whitney Houston song!)

A glimpse into G & T

I am blessed with MANY great friendships.  Each one of them give me something unique and wonderful, and I love each of those relationships with all of my heart. 

And that is something I think I will blog about one day.  Each of my friends and what I love about them. 

But today is about G & T, and our humor. 

I've been besties with Tracey for 5 years or so. And immediately what drew us together, was our humor. 

Isn't it interesting how you can find something HILARIOUS, and the thing that has you in stitches, another person may not even crack a smile. So, you sit there in awkward laughter wondering, WHY DON'T THEY THINK THIS IS HILARIOUS?

Well, Tracey and I are bent the same way, and we find the same things funny, so there is no awkward, WHY ISN'T SHE LAUGHING moments. 

Our awkward moments come when we can't stop laughing and people stare at us.

With Tracey's permission I thought I would share just a few of the reasons I think she's so funny (T in white, G in green) 

We aren't ALWAYS goofy..

But I'd say we are 98% of the time.

Thankfully she understands how sarcastic I am.

I really believe sarcasm is our love language.

And I'm so thankful for friendships that make me laugh.....

Every.single.day.

Another glorious, kid-centered weekend.

Oh, the weekend. 

The glorious weekends. 

And this weekend, like most every weekend, was centered around kid activities. Amid resting here and there, and planning for a very busy, and exciting month ahead. 

But the weekend at hand. We had two ballgames and a school festival that we needed to rock. 

Or as Hope sweetly calls it, "the festibal." 

As soon as the jumped in the car Friday afternoon, I was bombarded with, "can we go to the festibal? PLEASE!!!" 

We had about an hour we could spare before the game, so we took some very happy kids to their festibal...

My children are so different in so many ways, and I just love that about them...

One way they are different is in their social skills. Pierce is quiet, and on the shy side. 

And then there is Hope...

She was walking around like she owned the school, waving and yelling at people, and would have honestly left me in the dust.

Thankfully Pierce still had time for me.

It was so fun to watch them in their environment.

They are both thriving at school...

And I've actually come to love their school. (I can't believe I said that)

But sadly for one 5 year old, the party had to end.

And when I saw this face I knew what was coming...

EXACTLY THIS. 

Never fear...

All was restored.

And we were ready to cheer on our boy. 

We have SO enjoyed this fall ball thing.

And most importantly, Pierce has so enjoyed it. 

I'm not lying, he has tried SO HARD.

Every time he finishes a play he looks at his coaches for affirmation and then to Paul and I. If it wasn't unbecoming to blubber in public, I totally would. Well, because I'm ridiculous about my kids, and because I'm so proud of him.

After the game, the coach gave the game ball to Pierce for his efforts and in his words..

"This ball goes to a player that never complains and always does what he is told and gives his all. You all could take some lessons from him. It goes to Pierce."

A button or two may have been burst.

Thankful for his heart! (Er, good job on not noticing the eyes closed mom!)

Grandparents, I leave you with two more videos. (One I videoed and one Paul videoed. You will *NEVER* be able to tell which one is me!)

Thankful for another glorious, kid-centered weekend.

Flashback Friday. Because all shall suffer with me.

There is no one that is safe.

If I will publicly embarrass myself, then you should too. 

And by you, I mean anyone I can grab an old photo of. 

And today I decided I should make Paul suffer with me. I of course, have loads of old pics of Paul, but today I will just share one gem with you. 

Check him out in his senior photo glory. 

Rockin' a B.U.M. EQUIPMENT shirt, a kickin' senior ring, and his glorious mustache. 

  

Ladies, he's all miiiiine.

What are TOMS?

So, my blogging and IRL friend, JaimeMac asked me what are TOMS?

Even though she also said, since it isn't a purse she probably really doesn't care. But she did ask, so I shall share. 

Not like I'm a TOMS expert or something. Actually I'm slow to get on the bandwagon, everyone is wearing them here, and I JUST got my first pair. 

It was Brittany who first showed them to me, and I thought they were ugly! But just like the colored denim trend I'm fighting every step of the way, I'm sure I will eventually come around just like I have to the TOMS.

ANYWAYS.

One of their things is that for every pair of TOMS purchased, they will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. 

I for one, have no clue if that is how it actually works?

And to be really honest, that's not why I bought a pair.

I was interested in finding a pair of cute, comfortable shoes.

So, I stole some pictures off their website.....

Is that considered like an internet crime or something?

If it is, please don't report me.

Oh, and the sparkle TOMS?

I DIE.

And may I just say, these are by far the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever put on my feet!

I'm in love with my TOMS!