cosmic charlie's 4th of july extravaganza :)

As per usual, we went to Charlie's for the annual 4th of July festivities! Charlie and Charlotte really know how to have a party (even during major home construction renovations!), and we always leave so happy, dirty, and exhausted. You can't ask for more than that, right?!

Emily and R3 resting up on Sadie's lap on the car-ride to Uncle Charlie's. :)

We started out with some fishing and swimming at "Lake Charles" in the afternoon.

Deee!

How cute is this picture?!

Note: There actually aren't pictures of dinner, which is a shame because there was the most awesome macaroni and cheese that forced (forced!) me to skip the line twice to get first and seconds before it was all gobbled away.

Setting up the big show! 

While the fireworks show was being set up, there were lanterns for everyone to light up and send off into the sunset. We did it for the first time last year, and the result was so engaging and beautiful that I think it became a new tradition!

Matt & Ioana | Sadie & Bob

Meggie brought her crew. :)

Sadie, as well as everyone, had a plethora of ant bites, which did not make her a happy camper. Poor thing! Socks are definitely a must next year... ;)

Boys on their cell phones. ;P

Yes, the fire department comes! (Better safe than sorry, right?)

And then, the fiyahwerks! R is on the official firing squad (with a t-shirt and everything!), which is a very elite group of selected boys that know how to be safe and awesome. As responsible as everyone is (and as lovely as the show turns out!) I'm still happy when it's over!

Big, warm, fuzzy special thanks to Charlie and Charlotte for having everyone over for another wonderful get-together. We're so lucky to have friends with the biggest hearts and most generous spirits. Hope everyone else had a lovely holiday. We're already looking forward to next year!

life around the apartment...

All I can say is that I love these goofballs with all of my butt-crazy heart. (Poetry!)

Sadie-bug. :)

Tickle-fight!

Little 80's girl.

ALERT: MEG IS SMILING IN A PICTURE. (And doing Sadie's hair/make-up... ;P)

Some good, ole rough-housin' with Nicky-poo!

I came into the living room to this one Saturday morning... gosh, I love this sweet little man!

One of the last time's Sadie styled my long hair...

Oh, nothing, just cuddling and watching "MythBusters!"

And the big finale.

formative influences

This week, Sadie told me she wanted to change her "Princess Sassy" roller derby name. You had a good run, Princess Sassy! After a tiny brain-storming session in the kitchen, we came up with Cheeta Rita, and I got to teach Sadie and Emmy aaall about Rita Hayworth via YouTube. ("She's so pretty!") Where's my Step-Mom Of The Year Award?

speakerphones and leslie knope

I have alot of thoughts about work!

1a. The day after my birthday, one of my clients, Leslie, called me at work and put me on speaker phone with her two daughters (both under, like 6?) and sang me "Happy Birthday," and it was adorable and heart-warming and insanely awkward.

1b. Today, two of my favorite "work cousins" (a term I just invented, meaning we work for the same company, they just work at a different store), Jenna and Lisa (who do the same job I do), called me on speakerphone and congratulated me for my promotion. And then Jenna and I talked for forever because, even though we've only met in person once, we talk on the phone all the time for various things and we have a really lovely connection because we're both really good at our very specific jobs and care alot, which is super refreshing. Also, her supervisor, Lisa, and my supervisor, Michelle, are basically work-sisters, and they're like work-moms to us, so we basically are work-cousins. This is important!

2a. I got a promotion that puts me in charge of my team at a new store opening, and watching "Parks and Rec" has made me really comfortable/confident sending a million emails, specifically one for every question that I have to my new boss and my regional coordinator! It's a great way of showing people you're super enthused!

2b. One of my favorite work-cousins, Maria, and I have the same job title and we are really good at feeding each other's Inner Leslie Knope. IE, we're really passionate, are really good at our jobs, are really silly and/or neurotic, and require alot of talking off ledges all the time. Sometimes the other one is playing Ann Perkins, but most of the time we're two Leslies talking and I love it and think it's hilarious, and I adore her and how much we talk off the clock. Maria also works at the same store as R, and I've been known to email him saying, "Give her a hug today if you see her!" ;P

2c. Before I left, I told my supervisor, "I just don't want anyone to think that I don't care!" and she replied, "Ohh, I don't think anyone could accuse you of that...!"

happy list

1. My new favorite beverage: water with cucumber and lemon.
2. Cantaloupe on sale.
3. "Muppet kisses" with Sadie-bug.
4. A new sassy, short hair-cut.
5. A new sassy promotion!
6. "Parks and Recreation," season 5, aka Emotional Babysitter
7. My sweet, wonderful boyfriend and how cute and supportive and amazing and blah blah blah :DDDDD
8. Happy Hour at Ceej and Jim's.
9. Top 40 is making me really happy right now.
10. Fresh, crunchy salads.
11. Fantastic new work clothes and PJs. #SWAG

richard III is nine

Continuing with our theme of "Things That Happened Weeks Ago," R3 is now officially nine! I sure am lucky this is the only other boy allowed to kiss me, because he's the sweetest, most hilarious little man. From spelling out "I Heart You" with his sandwiches to saying "Who's that pretty lady standing in the kitchen!?" while I'm making dinner, this kid's got a degree in Melting Hearts. While he still may not have the best attitude about eating his plants, he'll make his bed and empty the trash without being asked and takes home the trophy for "Not Talking With Your Mouth Full of Food."

This year, R3 is really into the Xbox, riding in the car with the windows down, and back-scratches. He loves cuddling in our bed on Saturday mornings and does super awesome backflips in the swimming pool! He loves being a boy and rocking out to "Eye of the Tiger" and any AC/DC song. He makes the silliest high-pitched commentary when he's playing video games and watching TV, which is equal parts Annoying As Hell and really easy to miss when he's not around (I can't watch Wall-E without him!).  He also claims to have already planned the rest of life without girlfriends ("video games, soda, and burgers"), however that hasn't stopped him from whistling and pointing to the couch simultaneously when he wants a cuddle right now (REALLY).

Top Richard Quotes this year include...

- "I'll bring you home a salad."

- "Your kisses are like magic!"

- Saying "dang" alot (I'm a terrible influence because I find it hilarious)

- "That's even better!" (after seeing my change my outfits on a whim)

- "Daddy + Kittens = Ms. Kylie!"

We had alot of making up to do this year because last year Daddy's car broke down in the middle of the his birthday and we got to hang out on the side of the rod in Garland for forever! Whew! We were all lucky enough to go to Granner's with Darrah + boys and Matt where there was lots of swimming, presents from loved ones, and eating of cake. We had such a lovely time! Like, "Meg Smiling In Pictures!" rank of a good time. ;)

Goodness, I'm obsessed with this picture!

Ugh!

LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE.

R3 wanted a Minecraft (video game) t-shirt, and since I'm so out of touch I had to call Meggie from Kohl's before purchasing one: "What does he like? Is this green pixelated dude ok? What's the green pixelated dude? Do you think he'll like it? Do you really think he'll like it?!" So grateful she can help with things like this!

Um, sweet little man had not one but TWO cakes. We brought an oreo cake, and Granners accidentally bought one herself. Lucky boy! If you can't tell, the cake from Granners is camo on the inside, which earned it the "Freedom Cake" nickname. Thanks, Cody! ;P

Our beautiful hostess. :)

Richard, we all love you so much and we're so blessed because we get to see just how much you love us back. I can't wait to see how well you do in school next year because you're really into science, taking things apart, and putting them back together. You can make your sisters laugh like no one else, are the most dedicated helper man, and you give the sweetest hugs to people you've just met. I'm so sorry you're not in Cub Scouts any more, but we promise to help you find as many Boy Things to do when you're with us. I'm also sorry I get so annoyed when you touch things before you ask because you have a curiosity that should never diminish. This year, you've finally gotten comfortable smiling for the camera, and your sweet little Chipmunk Smile can light up my whole day. We just can't wait to see all the shit you get into next. :)