Friday in my paradise

Arrival at the land of milk and honey? Big fat check.

And literally first thing on deck? 

Meeting my sister for sushi for her birthday. 

Sushi delicious and company even better. 

 After lunch, I headed back to my parents until we it was time to go out to meet some very special people.

People and conversations that I have missed dearly.

 It was nice to sit around with all these guys

 Listen to many a story

And do some serious catchin' up.

 And the main reason behind this little get together?

 All to celebrate Paul  Blade's birthday!!

 We all headed back to Eric and Tracey's after dinner to have some cake and just hang out.

 But it wasn't any time before my camera was hijacked by a certain someone, so I am in no way responsible for the images you are about to see.

 While an unnamed person was snapping away, I was busy laughing so hard I got a headache.

 Seriously, I thought I might die of a laughter related death.

 I wonder if that's possible?

 Then I come home and download my pictures and realize just how out of control my photog was.

 I mean, I don't even know what to say!

 Except that I had a seriously fun Friday.

 I miss hanging out with these guys!

 And appreciate them having this little shindig for us

 Even if a certain someone did steal my camera and take the MOST ridiculous pictures of all time.

Any guesses who that certain someone might have been??


I mean really, who else could it be?

I never knew this

As of tonight, we are on break!!! And I could not be more excited.

Tomorrow is Good Friday (and also my sister's birthday, and they should totally close school in honor of her birth) and they are closed to recognize that holy day, and next week is our spring break. So, as of tonight at 6:05 p.m., we are in our pajama's, watching a yawntastic kids show, and excited to head to the land that flows with milk and honey tomorrow. We will be up there for a week, celebrating Easter, birthday's, visiting with family and friends, and consuming sleep, sugar, and all things that equal a break.

Do you know what I never knew? That as a mother I would enjoy these breaks as much as my children do. As a kid, it never really dawned on me that my mom would be excited over Christmas or Spring break. But now a mom, I am over the moon. No homework, no karate, no ballet, in general, no pushing the kids.

Now I must go and watch a hideous Power Ranger show and snuggle, and I couldn't be happier about it!!!

I hope to blog from paradise next week, we'll see!! Have a grand Easter everyone.

Just for the sake of laughter

Oh, the funny things we stumble upon on the internet. 

I've always thought Bill Cosby was hilarious, and when I saw this one, I just had to share with the class. 

So true. So true.

(Hi mom!!!) 

Gone fishin'

Sunday after Bea headed home, Paul and I loaded the kids up to take them fishing. First time ever!!!  First time ever for 3 out of 4 of the Bush's. And we all know that it wasn't Paul's first time, so that means it was a first time for me too. I know that's not surprising at all, considering it was me, but this isn't about me...

After an hour and half drive, these kids were raring to go!! 

 I really wasn't sure how Hope would do with this.

 I thought she might be freaked out about the worms, and fish.

 But she totally surprised me! She took right to it.

 And in NO time, she caught the first fish!! I jumped up and snapped this picture as she was reeling it in. I was screaming and jumping up and down!

 My baby caught a fish!! And she was absolutely thrilled by this. Not a smidgen of hesitancy, and even happily held the fish and threw it back in the water.

 Of course, I knew Pierce would take right to it.

 He is his father's son after all.

 And eventually

 SUCCESS.

 But by far, the surprise of the fishing adventure? Hope was like the fish whisperer!! Sister's Barbie poll was catching these little fish right and left.

 MUCH to the chagrin of her older brother.

 Nothing that couldn't be cured though, by freaking mommy out with worms.

 And then thankfully, another fish reinvigorated my little fisherman.

 And what was daddy catching?

Well, he was busy, getting his bober thingy caught in the trees.

 And then catching massive fish.

 And what was I doing?

 Trying to get some sun on my white, pasty self.

 Taking snuggle breaks

 And taking pictures of my giant head.

 And then trying to cover said giant head.

But mostly? I was just enjoying my family, and making sweet fishin' memories with them.

My weekend with Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur. Best known for her role in the Golden Girls. And also, for her manly, raspy sounding voice.

 Tracey Reid. Best known for her lustrous hair, and being my bestie.

 Well, bestie was a sweetie, and made a trip down to see me on Saturday, but when I opened the door to greet her, she lovingly hacked on me, and talked like a dude.

She kept claiming all weekend "I think it's just allergies" but I suspected it was more. But she was still up for a visit, and I was happy for it! Only one thing I just had to do all weekend though....and that was to call her Bea.

First up was to take Bea to get her some drugs.

 She needed to be drugged up, so we could forge on.

 We had cute hats that needed to be tried on.

 And malls that beckoned our names.

 Of course, we had to try on sunglasses, because we ALWAYS do.

And once again, Bea and I bought matching ones.

 We had lots of pictures of to take.

 And even time outs to play a little Draw Something.

 Check out Bea's drawing. What you think this is??

 But don't let Bea's illness fool you, though she might now be quite herself, when you are not looking she will steal you camera...

 I am not even kidding.

 We did have an early night, we had to get back and root on the CARDS.

 And I needed to take care of Bea. I made her some hot chocolate and loaded her up with cough drops.

 I was hoping after a good nights sleep, she might wake up better on Sunday, but she didn't sleep very well . My mom instinct says she's got an infection going on. We did manage to get up though and go to church and head to a buffet for lunch, because nothing says Baptist girls, like a buffet lunch.

 Of course, our 24 hours went way.too.fast. They always do! But I'm so thankful for a friend that makes an effort to come see me, even when she's not quite herself.

I love you Bea!!!! Get your man voice to the doctor ASAP.