Growing up

The start of the school year is just a week away and with it comes something I am not ready for. Anthony will be walking both to and from school this year since they daycare we've been using does not bus to the middle school. Yep, that's right. I am officially the mom of a middle schooler. Where has the time gone? It feels like we were just getting started in kindergarten and now he's going into 5th grade.

So, to help alleviate some of the worry from my mind with him walking home in the afternoons, we took the step to get him a cell phone.

He is so incredibly happy to have it, even though we went with the most basic, pay as you go, 10 cents per minute plan that has texting blocked on it. I don't think I have ever seen him so grateful to have something given to him.



What a week

This week has been a bit of a rough one, with some good bits thrown in.

I had to travel on Tuesday for work, so Monday before the kids went to bed, I got lots of hugs and Alex didn't want to stop giving them to me. He told me if he didn't let go, then I wouldn't be able to leave and would have to stay home with him.

Speaking of Alex, we've been waiting for about 2 months for one of his front teeth to come out. Last month, we joked that it would come out while we were on vacation. That didn't happen. So Monday night, I was joking around with him and told him he better not lose it while I was gone.

Guess what happened while he was eating popcorn Tuesday night, while I was sitting in a hotel room in Cleveland?

He called me after it happened and was so happy. He also told me he didn't want to leave it for the tooth fairy because I wasn't home to see it. So, we decided that he would write a note to the tooth fairy explaining that I was out of town and that he would put it under his pillow after I got home on Thursday.

My work travel ended Thursday, and what a long day it was! I had a 7 am flight, so I left the hotel at 5:15 to get to the airport. I got lucky on that first flight and had no seatmate, so I was able to stretch out and get some sleep during the flight. My next flight was a pain - I had to go from one end of the Charlotte airport to the other and had less than 30 minutes from the time I got off the first flight until they were supposed to start boarding the next one. Thankfully, they were running behind, so I had time to rest a few minutes once I got to the gate. After 7 hours of being on the road/in the air, I finally made it back to Memphis and manage to get a few hours done in the office before heading home and getting some much needed sleep!

Friday brought a relatively normal day, followed up by Wine & Cheese night at Seize the Clay. I've never done anything like that before, but went with some friends who go pretty regularly. I had a blast and am looking forward to going back and doing some more pieces after I see how this first one turned out. I also am looking at planning at taking the kids in - I think they would have fun creating their own pieces. I'm thinking this is going to be a great idea for Christmas gifts this year. :o)

Monday, funday, birthday!

So, today is my birthday and I got to spend it at work. But, a friend of mine made me a batch of strawberry cupcakes with chocolate covered strawberries on top which were awesome and totally made up for me having to be at the office today.

Don't they look great? :o)

We had John's family over for dinner last night. After dinner, the boys were helping with presents when Alex gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek and said "I love you, mom. That kiss was your birthday present from me." He's so cute and adorable, I hate for him to grow out of this stage.

Then, Anthony says "Happy birthday, mom! You're what, 32 now?" To which I responded "I love you, son!" He was so proud of himself at first, because he thought he had guessed right. I let him know that he was wrong, but that it was great that he thought I was younger than I actually am.

Happy "pre" birthday to me!

So, tomorrow is my birthday. Kind of bummed that I have to work, but this morning totally makes up for it. My sister, her fiance and my 10 month old niece had a 7 hour layover here in Memphis while on their way back to Cleveland from a wedding in Missouri that they had yesterday. So, I was up bright and early to pick them up at the airport at 7:30 this morning to bring them to the house for a few hours.

The boys were excited to see Lily, too, and had fun playing and keeping track of her so Katie and Marshall could get a quick nap in while they were here.

Family, friends and free stuff....oh my!

When it comes to shopping and spending money, I tend to look for deals. No, I'm not one of those crazy coupon ladies (but I will use them - if I remember to take them to the store with me). But I do sign up for the email "clubs" of the restaurants we go to and some of the stores I shop at, as well.

Those email clubs are now flooding my inbox with coupons for free appetizers, dessert, etc. for my birthday. I've got a 25% off coupon for Payless, $5 off at Build a Bear (don't tell my kids about that one), and various restaurant coupons (free order of chocolate covered strawberries from Melting Pot, anyone?).

So, it looks like I'll be spending the month of July eating out at various restaurants with John and the boys or friends. First stop? Dinner this Saturday at Cheddar's with some friends. No coupon for them (yet), but we'll see if something comes thru before we go.