See what came in the mail...

Matt's Valentine's Day gift arrived just before we left for Kingsmill. Not very romantic, but I needed a reason to give it to him. After reading many blog postings encouraging people to get their free canvas print, I had to do it. You can get an 8x10 canvas print free although you do have to pay the $15 shipping fee. After selecting that, another offer window popped up with a great deal on this 16x20. Matt has a large spot in his office that I thought this would be perfect for. It is absolutely beautiful! If you haven't done so, I highly encourage you to get one for yourself here.

Ta da...

Birthday Week Part 2

This has to have been the best Birthday Week e-v-e-r! I don't think there's any topping this one.

Friday evening was our Mother Daughter Dinner. My mom, Carly, and I enjoyed dinner together. It was nice to have that girl time with my two favorite ladies!

On Saturday morning, after Flag Football, my mom took C&C and Matt and I headed to Williamsburg. Matt had made plans for us to stay at Kingsmill Resort and had reservations for me at the Spa. I could barely contain myself. I'd never had any sort of massage before, let alone visited a Spa before, so this was super exciting. As soon as we checked into our condo, we headed over to the Spa. Friends had told me to go early and stay late and to bring lots of magazines to read while relaxing in the lounge. I followed directions. After changing into my robe and slippers, I plopped myself into an over-sized lounge chair, covered up with a warm fluffy blanket and read. Does this sound heavenly? It was! I was called for my facial first, which was absolutely delightful. An hour of massaging, exfoliating, hydrating...ahhhhhh! Back to the super comfy chair with my magazine to wait for my massage. My massage was so relaxing and peaceful (as I guess all massages are). My masseuse was very sweet and did a wonderful job. I loved every second of it and couldn't help but fret all through it that it about it being over too soon. Of course I headed back to my comfy chair (because I needed to relax some more) with my blanket and magazines and laid around for another hour or so. Matt gave me specific instructions not to think about him or wonder what he was doing...so I didn't. I started to get hungry, so I finally peeled myself off of the chair and changed. Minus a shower, hairstyle, and make-up, I picked Matt up at the Fitness Center and we headed to a casual restaurant at the resort. It's a good think I didn't run into anyone I knew. I had the look of pure relaxation! Back at the room, Matt started a fire and I showered, and then we just laid around talking, watching tv, and staring at the fire. It was such a nice evening.

Matt had breakfast waiting for me when I woke up Sunday morning (at 9am I might mention) and then I was off to the Spa again. Of course I got there early so that I could take full advantage of the surroundings before having my pedicure. That too, was such a treat. Soon after that was finished, we headed back home. Of course I didn't want to leave, but I left feeling so happy and relaxed. I am so grateful for a husband who thought evough of me to plan such a wonderful "ME" weekend, and so grateful to have a mother who was willing to keep C&C while I was away. Thank you!

Sunday evening my mom came over and we had Surf and Turf for dinner. My favorite, king crab legs, were on the menu. It's been quite some time since I've had those and they are my absolute favorite! My mom and the kids enjoyed the steak while Matt and I devoured 2 pounds of crab. Mmmmmmmm!

Well, there you go. It's over! Now I will wait 51 more weeks until Birthday Week rolls around again. Thank you all for celebrating with me!

Birthday Week

51 weeks have passed since last year, actually it's flown by at super-speed...you know what that means. My Birthday Week is here. For those of you who don't know, I l-o-v-e Birthday Week. I didn't grow up celebrating birthday weeks, it only started once I hit 30, but I can tell you it has really made birthdays more bearable. The week leading up to my birthday is no longer filled with depressing thoughts about getting older or reminiscing about my "younger" days, but with happiness and anticipation of being spoiled and doing all things ME (I know this sounds completely selfish, but I'm really not!). Matt and I plan out the week in advance and fill it with my favorite things...friends, hobbies, food, etc... and I am so excited that it's here! Seriously, if you don't celebrate Birthday Week, you should! How could it not be worth it? You won't be disappointed, I promise!

So, this week started on Monday with Shopping Day. I went to the outlets in Williamsburg and strolled along, window shopped, skipped lunch and snacked all day. Unfortunately I really didn't find anything special or exciting, and no real bargains per se. When I got back into Richmond, I went straight to Short Pump Towne Center and shopped some more. It was there that I found some goodies. A couple of tops, a sweater, jewelry, and jeans - two pair. I picked up a pair of Skinny jeans (let's hope they work!) and some Boyfriend jeans (with rolled cuffs). The lady helping me told me all about how fashionable and comfortable they were, and were "even featured on Oprah". Had to get me a pair! Then I got home just in time to enjoy dessert with the fam...what a perfect day in Jenn's world!

Tuesday was a fun day too. Matt was off from school because of the snow so he and I went to Carly's (rescheduled) Valentine's party at preschool. A relaxing evening at home finished out Day 2.

One of the highlights of the week, for sure, was last night. I invited all of my favorite ladies to join me for dinner. All but two of them were able to come (Sally and Dawn, I missed you!). As some of us were standing together waiting for a table, it occured to me that not everyone knew each other. I quickly, in true teacher fashion, came up with a "game" which involved each of them asking questions of each other to try and determine their names and how they knew me. It was neat for me to watch as each of them recalled stories/events involving the other ladies. They were finally able to put a face to a name they had heard about through conversations with me. I must say it was so exciting for me to be surrounded by my favorite women and for them to finally meet each other. These women are such special people to me and I value their friendship tremendously. I am truly fortunate to have found such wonderful friends. Thank you ladies! I love you.

I love Birthday Week...what shall the rest of the week bring?

XoXo

Valentine's Day - slightly overdue

Here are the goodies I put together this year for C&C...I hope their friends and teachers enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them. Well, maybe enjoyable is not the word I would use to describe these projects...the Rice Krispie treat suckers were quite difficult and frustrating (I almost gave up!) and the lettering on the mug was a challenge...let's just say I'm happy with the way they turned out and glad Valentine's Day doesn't happen again for another 365 days!

Rice Krispie treat lollipops dipped in chocolate (they look cute now, don't they? Making them...not so cute!) Here is the tutorial I found online.

I wanted to make the same I Dig You valentines that I made last year but Michaels didn't have the shovels,

so I came up with these instead...

Regina and I used the Cricut and a special contraption she got for Christmas to cut the vinyl letters for the mug...now that we've got it figured out, reproducing them in the future will be easy! The mug says i like you a latte and there is a Starbucks gift card inside (for Connor's teacher)

These were the goodies that Carly took (along with her valentines pictured above). Her teacher is a Diet Coke fanatic, so I came up with this idea. Matt spray painted a six pack holder for me and I filled three glass bottles with Hershey's Kisses, M&M's, and Conversation Hearts. The other slots were filled with Diet Cokes. Two other ladies at Pre-school like Mountain Dew, so their valentine was fun to make!

Every moment is a blessing...

Snow, snow, snow, and more on the way. Many of you are ready for Spring to arrive and I know that will be great too, but I, for one, am thankful for this snow.

As I sit and glance out the front windows of our home at the winter wonderland and ponder how much work will pile up from these days off due to inclement weather I can smile and know that every moment I get with family is a blessing. Furthermore, every chance I get I will attempt to make these moments count. Time moves so fast lately and seems to hurry along even more rapidly with age. Nevertheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed so many memories made over the last few days and realize it is so easy to take them for granted and move along in the fast lane. Today was another day off from work and I was able to wake Connor up and see him off to school. Getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, walking to the bus stop, and watching him wave from the bus window as they drive off.........all things Jenn sees daily and many of you might too. Yet, for me, a treasure to experience once in a while. Jenn, sadly, had to work so she left soon after. Carly also had school today and was picked up by Sally. Kisses, hugs and waves all around from her too. So cute andf something I usually miss out on! So, all alone, I decided to try a workout at the gym,......awesome! I remembered quickly how much I love to have some time to focus on fitness and only wish I could fit it in a typical work day. Connor's lunch at school began at 10:55am. PERFECT for me to make it there. You should have seen his face when I walked in the cafeteria door,...he never expected that! Every day I watch middle school lunch waves and see the students interact with one another, yet I have never seen my own son sit with his peers for lunch. It was enlightening and a very rewarding experience. He immediately searched around for a chair to accomodate me and occasionally placed his head on my shoulder, which is more than I expected with his friends around. I watched and listened as he talked with his friends and it actually took me awhile to be accepted into the social group at his table. I did not pressure him to talk with me nor did I expect to be the center of attention. My purpose for the visit was to be more aware of his daily routine to stimulate dinner conversations later. (It is amazing to me what you can get from a small child with the right questions and how you can shut them down in an instant with the wrong comment or facial expression). Yet, I was impressed to find that Connor actually wanted me to share in his stories, interactions and comments in his social group. It was a bond I hope he and I share even through his teenage years, which I expect to be a challenge. As lunch came to a close and I left the building I could not help but feel emotional about several profound moments in just a short time and I would love to share them all, but I will only share one for now.

A woman in the cafeteria who I later learned Connor calls Granny, commented to me twice about him. "He never has trouble eating his food and is always well behaved", was her first comment and I smiled and thanked her. Yet, she made a special effort to approach me once again as I was about to exit the room and with a sincere look in her eye she continued, "I don't mean to single anyone out, but I must tell you that he is one of my favorites in here". I was speechless. I wanted to be sarcastic, I wanted to be doubtful and I had lots of questions, but I held my tongue. I touched her gently on the shoulder, asked her name, and told her that was such a kind comment for her to share with me. I was so proud and felt so comforted inside that Connor has such wonderful support. She is part angel I think and she has given me more of the right questions to ask at dinner.

I headed home and missed Connor already, but knew that in a short time Carly would be home and I had her all to myself. I was ready to prepare any lunch I could for her, within reason of course, but she wanted no food. Her personal request,......."please sit with me and watch Beauty and the Beast". A Disney movie and quality time with my daughter,.......SWEET! It's funny, even something as simple as watching a movie with her can open doors to her thought process and ideas. We talked about love, life, fairness, intelligence, friendship and other topics, but not using those words. We conversed in a way that a toddler may express them and she attentively listened to my answers and ideas with an open mind. It was refreshing. Lunch followed and we sat together continuing our talks and laughter. Just the two of us. Then, it was game time. NO TV, no Wii, no coloring, ..interactive games. It was only then that I realized the amount of knowledge Carly has been developing. She knew numbers, colors, letters, and shapes, she memorized things in a game of concentration and she even helped Daddy a little bit when I struggled to remember where some things were (to make a match). She was proud and I made every effort to stroke her ego because she deserved it. The result,......a big hug with two comments, "You're my best Daddy" and "Can you marry me?" Can I say Yes?

Well, we then had to get Connor off the bus from school. Another job I rarely get to do and it was nice to be able to be the first one to ask how his day was. Success! His behavior chart read 12/12 smiley faces for the day today. A perfect day!

......yes, a perfect day indeed! Thank you snow.

Snow Fun!

This was our first snowstorm this winter (since we were in New York for the last one). It was beautiful to watch the snow falling and quickly covering the ground. I like the feeling of being "snowed in" so we did take advantage of the conditions and stayed in our pj's and comfy clothes all day, all weekend, up until, well, today! Our driveway was the first in the neighborhood, I'm sure, to be shoveled thanks to my over-achieving husband. He is now paying the price for his 8+ hours shoveling the past several days. Luckily we were able to maneuver our way 1/4 mile to a nearby hill known for sledding. C&C l-o-v-e-d it (which is why we spent a total of 6 hours there over 2 days).

The towels spread out all through the foyer and kitchen have finally been removed, boots put away, jackets, hats, scarves, and mittens dried and put away, and we wait for the next big snowstorm! This weekend...???