Valentine’s Weekend (Christmas Part Duex)

This weekend marked Valentine’s Day again.  As I said on Facebook this year, there are three special men that I honor, the first, the man who loves me despite my…(ahem minimal flaws), the man all men should be measured against, my father. I love you dad.  Second, my little monkey man Preston who has been my steady Valentine date since he captured my heart six years ago. I love you Preston. Third, the man who fate brought me to and who opened my heart, DJ and who also has given me two more monkeys to love.  I love you DJ (and Noah and Caden). Here are the V Day bags all made up (DJ’s, my mom’s and the three boys).

Saturday night DJ and I did our Valentine’s dinner at Tobacco Company.  Of course we get there and they were going to sit us next to an infant.  Yeah….three kids between us…not with us…not sitting near another.  We were switched to another table.  It was also the most frigid night in Richmond of the winter.  Sunday morning I slept in while DJ not only fed Pres, but made me breakfast in bed.  Heart him! Monday I left for work before he left for the week.  I came home to this surprise!

The Snoopy was for Pres. 

Tuesday Preston was my date to the new Mexican restaurant that just opened up.  Then it was home to exchange our gifts to each other.  He made me a card that said his heart gets big when he eats dinner with his mom.  Love this kid.  He also had a bag waiting for me tonight at Grandma’s.  (Who is finally home from NY)!

I volunteered to make cupcakes for the school party.  I also had a deposition in Virginia Beach that night.  Kelly picked up Preston and when I got to her house she had made the cupcakes.  I only had to ice them and decorate!!!!  Kelly thank you!!!

And no holiday is complete without a bag from grandma!!!

The Recent Goings On

Um..the GIANTS ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS.  Again.  New England is a miserable place I’m sure today.  I am sooooo happy.  Maybe now Eli can get a little respect.  Here are some recent pictures:

 

He was fighting a cold. Because the school won’t allow Chapstick, and Heaven forbid we use a tissue. Why would you when you have sleeves?  So that led to two big bloody scabs under the nose. Ugh.  But he’s still happy.  And DJ’s pancake tower made him even happier.

A recent fall playing tug of war on concrete (instead of playing on the more obviously safe choice, the grass). Again, happy. This past weekend we were up in Maryland.  Pres and Caden have become Frick and Frack. 

For those that read my Idol blog, you know I was a HUGE GN’R fan back in the day.  Cannot pass up an opportunity to take a picture with Slash…even if he is a cardboard cut out. Noah tried jambalaya and liked it too!

 

And even though I had no make up on and it was late, cannot pass up posting our Super Bowl picture. Did I mention the Giants won?

January Happenings

I have been a huge blog slacker.  I guess I will pick  up again once American Idol gets into Hollywood Week.  January is almost over…about 1.5 months away from Spring here in the RVA…although I cannot complain, this winter has been fabulous.  What are some things Pres and I have been up to…. Well he kicked off the new year with the Cruz’ and even stayed up until midnight with his buddy Robert!  He really enjoyed spending time with Ms. Sandy and the crew.  Which allowed mommy and DJ to spend the evening in DC.  After a seven course meal (so yum) we partied with his friends and then spent the night at the Fairfax in Dupont Circle.  It was such a fun New Year’s Eve.  Happy 2012 (25 days late).

Pres spent some time with Grandma and PaPa in Carytown.  He was excited to be picked up from Minnieland early and what is that in Mr. Preston’s hand…hmmm….someone “suckered” grandma….Just a side note on this trip my parents went into the grocery store.  Preston insisted on buying me a red pepper for my salad.  He even felt them all to make sure he was getting a good one.  I love this kid.

Preston’s new found love is Angry Birds.  He is forever asking my mom and I to play our phones. Even trips to the grocery store include game time.

By the way, he was so engrossed in Angry Birds, that he was sitting on my bread.  He is becoming quite a little reader.  I am impressed that halfway through kindergarten his writing and reading are coming along great!

Katie and Steve took off to Arizona to visit Chris and Anna.  Chris and Katie ran the Phoenix Half Marathon-and they both beat their PR (personal record).  It was awesome because Steve signed up to get their times at different points texted to his phone.  We were able to get updates here in VA. Go Raabs!

Oh the Giants are in the Super Bowl.  Preston had faith-here he is during the Packers/Giants play off game.  The only thing wrong with this picture is DJ insists on wearing his Redskin shirt despite the fact they are not in the playoffs.  I keep calling him a bitter man. Here’s my little Eli staking his ground.  Pres insisted on staying up Sunday night to watch them beat the 49er’s.  He told me, “Mom, the game is tied 17-17.  I have to watch.”  How can I argue?  I was so proud I almost cried.

Preston had his artwork on display at Barnes and Noble (or No-balls as he says it).  I was quite impressed with my little Picasso!

This past weekend DJ and I took the boys bowling.  And after adding up what it cost to bowl plus eat I vomited a little.  I dread thinking of what Disney must cost.  I mean it’s a tad absurd that a Sunday afternoon activity requires refinancing your home.  Just saying.  Preston was hysterical.  His fingers don’t fit into the holes so he was rolling the balls.  He had a blast with Caden and Noah.  Of course it became a competition as I wanted to win.  DJ and my scores are a tad pathetic considering we were bowling with rails up.  The PBA tour is certainly not in our immediate future.

 

And nothing is cuter than this picture-all watching National Geographic sea creatures.  Have a great week everyone!

There Go the Holidays

I’ve been meaning to post this post forever.  The holidays came and went in a true whirlwind.  Preston was deprived as ever, barely having enough gifts to open.  The whole family came down to the RVA to celebrate.  I’ve been a major blog slacker, both reading and posting.  Not quite sure in the new year if I will just do monthly updates or not, but since I’ve had this draft going, might as well finally post the pictures.  Enjoy!

Hanging his Preston star ornament!  And he also LOVED his candy a day Advent calendar!

The Wii from his Aunts and Uncles! Book of Mormon tickets for mom and a smoker for dad from the kids this year.  It is getting too hard trying to find the perfect gifts from those that have everything!

 

 

It is quite nice being with a guy I have absolutely no issues wearing heels with.  I was quite spoiled as well this year!

Katie did a 365 day “self portrait” blog.  It was AMAZING.  Check her out on my blog roll.  Her selfers became such a big part of all family gatherings.  Everyone wanted to be in one. There was only one gift to give her…her blog in a book.  It was the most creative blog ever and I am so proud of her.  Of course I ordered the book early and it came at 3:30 pm on December 23rd.  GRRRRRR.

It was a GIANTS Christmas!

And off to Grandma and PaPa’s for the pile of presents there!

Pres gets the synthesizer I never got…because I got a globe instead.

Yes my siblings got Legos…from their spouses.

Bike riding on Christmas day.  Happy 2012! May it be filled with love and laugher and hope and health!!!