WOAH... 14?

It took a couple days to set in, but its official, we have a 14 year old! We had a great evening at dinner. Jared wanted to go to Red Robin, he's such an easy date. We hadn't been in a long time so it was extra yummy. He had a cake shaped like a cheeseburger which Josie helped add I believe 17 candles. He loved his presents, he got lot's of money from his grandparents and effects pedals for his electric guitar, music books, clothes and a few other goodies. His love for music makes it really easy to shop for him. :) Happy Birthday, Jared!

I'm loving life!

I've always loved my life, but I'm really loving it right now. Working out again for the first time in so long feels so good. So good in fact I cry after my workout. I love the high afterward and I love being sore the next day and I love my power walks with one of my closest friends. I've decided it's easier to workout everyday then to eat perfectly, I'm surrounded by too much fun involving food. So yes, I ate that donut today and it was killer! :)

Coffee (hot cocoa) with my girl!

We had a few errands to run today, but afterward we stopped and had a little visit with each other. Even being together all day I sometimes forget to just stop what I'm doing and ask her how her day is going. We watched people out the window, talked about yesterday and what we were going to do the rest of the day over coffee and cocoa. She loves to do grown up stuff so this was a very big deal to her. She was on her best behavior.





When it was time to go home we walked to the car talking about how its almost time to pull her swimming pool out and find her swimsuits. As I buckled my seat belt Josie said "Step on it, Momma". I had to ask her to repeat what she said because I was shocked. Sure enough she said it again. Too cute!

Music!!!

I think Josie is as into music now as I am, I know Jared loves it, but that has been obvious to us for years, he plays trumpet, tuba, acoustic and electric guitar and can quickly figure out a song off the radio within a short period of time. This is one of those things that warms me from the inside. I adore music, a good song can change your whole day. I always think about what song would give the best feel for the moment like I'm in a movie or something. We listen to music pretty much all day either on the computer, in the car or on the stereo at home. We haven't done a lot of children's music, its so plain and generic to us and honestly I'm not up for listening to Winnie the Pooh soundtracks (no offense). Of course we sing the classics like Twinkle, Twinkle and ABC's, but even as a baby it was Norah Jones that put Josie to sleep every time by track 3. Her nighttime music has changed to Jewel's Lullaby album, there is no exceptions for this one. It's so good, its almost hypnotizing and very soothing.

Anyways, I've been digging the names that Josie has given to her favorite songs. These are her daily requests. Some of my favorites too might I add. Once you hear the songs you can easily see why she calls them what she does, I think what gets me though is that fact that she's asking to hear them. :)

The Aha Song - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here by She & Him
The Shock You Song - Electric Feel by MGMT
The Strawberry Song - Bruises by Chairlift
Ahhwoo - She Wolf by Shakira
Birdie Song - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

Oh gosh, I almost forgot the best part, I got an early birthday/mother's day gift today from my hubby, an Ipod. We've had some fun with that today!

She's so funny!

I've been trying to write the funny stuff down lately. Here are a few:

Josie assumes that everyone is talking to her lately. Tonight I asked the dog if she wanted to go outside because she was whining and Josie says "No, it's cold and dark out there".

We told her about the new puppies that my parents got and asked her if she wanted to hug em and squeeze em and love em and she responded without missing a beat: "I'm gonna squeeze em and hurt em", in a deep raspy voice. Although not a pleasant thought, her interpretation of what we said was really funny.

She has been referring to herself as Sweetie for at least the last 6 months. A few weeks ago this changed into Sweetie the Horse. However, the past week she is now insisting that she is Sweetie the Robot Horse. I think all this stems from us looking at photos and saying that's me or that's you when you were a baby. She likes to say, "Momma that's me when I was a horse". She has an awesome imagination, its always a challenge to decide whether or not to correct her.

It's the memories not the photos right?

Josie and I went with some of our favorite friends today to see Seasame Street Live. Some of the other kids in our party won a coloring contest so we all got to meet before the show for a Meet & Greet. We didn't know which characters would be coming to see us until they came out. I know for the kids its a big deal to see these guys in person, but even I was taken back. It's probably because I grew up with Seasame Street as well so I suppose its still a part of me. So out walked Abbie Cadabbie & Cookie Monster, pretty darn cool! The kids got their photos taken with them if they wanted to. Josie was not up for it, I think it was a little much for her. We got a group shot that did not turn out very well, hence the title of this post and you can see from the photo that Josie wasn't getting any closer then she had to, infact a friend dragged her over last minute to make it in the photo.

After Abbie & Cookie left we headed to our seats. While walking to our seats we see all merchandise. For me, I could easily walk away from pretty much everything accept the Elmo wand that spins and lights up. I wanted Josie to have a momento from the show and this was lots of fun, it was also something to threaten with later if she wouldn't stay in her seat (MWAH HA HA).


The show begins and I realize I am WAY to excited for this show. I loved everything from the backdrops to the lighting and I especially appreciated the authenticity of the characters voices and costumes. I can be a bit of a snob for stuff like that. They did some really neat stuff with black backdrops and neon painted puppets, I would post a photo, but they turned out completely black. Anways, it kept making me think of Ke$ha's appearance on SNL a few weeks back, I wonder who stole it from who? (ha ha ha)

So the most important part was how Josie like the show right? She loved it! Towards the end of the show they sang Hot, Hot, Hot and boy did she shake her hips. I see belly dancing in her future for sure. She was on her best behavior too. We would definitely go again infact I'm tempted to go to one of the shows up north too. I highly recommend going! We have a very fun day and as always, when you are in good company anything is fun! We are so lucky to have the friends we do!

Sentimental beyond a doubt!

Yesterday we went to visit my parents. The grandkids have a special spot under the tv where all the toys are. They love the whole process of opening the doors and pulling out the toys. I love the fact that they are the same toys I played with, not the same brands, but the same exact toys with a few newer ones throw in. I love the simplicity and familiarity of my parents house. I like the comfort of knowing where everything is and that they've always been there. Anyways, here is Josie playing with some Old School toys, which I still think are the best, they withstand the test of time, even though they are now considered choking hazards!

Project Couch...

So now with our lives slowly getting back into place, the crafts and other fun projects are coming out of hiding and back into focus for hubby and I. The first project that we have been wanting to try out for years is indoor furniture used as outdoor patio furniture. My husband and I love color. We always discuss how to get our house looking like we feel inside without making our house look crazy/tacky so we just don't do it. So we've been on the hunt for a couch that we can paint and test out. The issue has always been, where and how do we get the couch since we don't have a truck. Well last week my parents finally got a new couch. Their current couch had been in my moms side of the family for decades. She would have it covered every 10 years and restuff the cushions, lol. I convinced her it was time to say goodbye. We ended up getting the couch yesterday and now as its sitting in my garage waiting to be primed and painted I'm kind of feeling sick about it. I suppose I too am attached to this damn couch. It's just always been in my life. However, it's just a couch right? They have a new one right? They were taking it to the dump right? Okay I feel better, we will paint the couch.

So here is our inspiration:



Can Ed make it look like this? Yes! Will it stay looking beautiful outside? Not sure!

Here is the couch. Wish us luck! :)