Happy 28th Birthday To Lasses & A Surprise Visitor

Today after work/school, Autumn saw that Papa was in the pool and wanted swim with him before dinner.  Once dinner was ready, we made them get out to come and eat.  Dad found a lady bug and he had Autumn hold it and at first she was screaming b/c it tickled but then she calmed down and liked watching it walk across her hand.

Lexie had requested homemade eggrolls and fried rice for her birthday dinner.  But, she & Mom ate a late lunch of Vietnamese food so they weren’t super hungry.  Plus, it was late when they got home from shopping and eggrolls take a long time.  So, Mom just fried up some boudain and made creamy potatoes and peas.  She kept apologizing that it wasn’t eggrolls, but we didn’t care and it was a really tasty dinner.

Emma went to the groomer’s and got shaved for the summer.  She looks like a short haired Chihuahua now.  I was freaking out about how different she looked and she went and hid under the table as if she were embarrassed.

Poor Emma!  I told her I was just kidding and that she looked so cute and I pet her belly to make her feel better.  Anytime that we sing the Star Spangled Banner, Emma tries to sing along with us.  It’s HILARIOUS, especially b/c she’ll only try to sing along with that one song.  Especially the last note.  She’s such a good dog.

After dinner, the kids wanted to swim w/ Papa & Mimi.  We were talking and realized that Mom hasn’t been swimming yet this year!  The kids loved being able to jump at the same time and show Papa & Mimi what they’ve been learning at swim lessons.

They wanted Mimi to chase them around the pool (with Papa’s help of course).  They were laughing and having a grand old time.  We got Lexie laughing and she had an “accident” and didn’t make it in time so she stayed home from swim lessons and showered while I took the kids.

For her birthday dessert, she requested fruit pizza, which we haven’t had in ages!  We stuck a candle in the middle, lit it, sang to her, and had her blow it out and make a wish.

Here’s what the fruit pizza looked like before we cut into it.  It was super scrumptious and you can find the recipe HERE.  Mom was thrilled b/c a carton of raspberries were on sale for just $1 so she got 4 of them.

Mom & Lexie had gone shopping at WalMart while Emma was at the groomers and they found some ADORABLE clothes on the clearance rack.  They got this cute 4th of July outfit for Autumn, and some shirts and pants for $2 each!  They also got some clothes for Autumn & Lexie that were on clearance.  It’s always great to find a good deal.

After we got back from swim lessons, Andrew said he didn’t feel good and said he was going to go lay down.  He had thrown up before we left for swim lessons, but I thought it was just b/c he had swallowed some water in the pool.  He didn’t really get to relax much b/c Lexie & then Mom & then Autumn went in to check on him.  Mom & Autumn laid down on the bed next to him to make him feel better.

I had to get Autumn home b/c it was already 9:00 and she needed to go to bed.  After she fell asleep, I had Nick stay home w/ her and I ran to WalMart to get a few things we need.  Earlier in the day, I had gotten a call from Nate that he was going to drive home this weekend to surprise Mom for her birthday.

He called while I was at WalMart and said he was going to stop at In-N-Out for dinner.  I went over and met him there, and so did Ashley & Jordan & Avery.  I was surprised how busy it was even at 10:45 pm.  It was fun to sit and talk for a while and then we had to go home to surprise Mom before it got too late.

I walked into Mom & Dad’s room and they asked what I was doing back at their house, especially so late at night.  I just said I had forgotten something and opened the door wider to reveal Nate standing there.  Mom was already in bed so he went over and laid across the bed and gave her a big bear hug.

I thought she was going to scream or cry, but she just held him tight for quite a while.  I love this picture b/c she’s just soaking in the moment of being able to hold her baby boy in her arms.

Dad was asking Nate if his hair is regulation b/c it’s long on top.  Nate said he and a friend found in the rule book where it said the hair can’t be more than 1 1/2 inch in height, regardless of length.  So, it can be as long as they want as long as it’s not higher than 1 1/2 inches.  I like it a lot and think he looks like the Rocketeer b/c it’s such an old fashioned look.  We went in and surprised Lexie (who was already asleep) and she was so shocked.

I am so glad we got to celebrate Lexie’s day of birth today.  She’s such a wonderful sister and I’m glad we get along so well and are friends.  I still regret and feel awful about how badly I treated her when we were younger.  But, in true Lexie fashion she forgave me and we have been able to move past that and have a great friendship.  It’s been fun spending time w/ her for 45 minutes while the kids are in swim lessons.  She’s one of a kind and our family would be so incomplete without her.  Love you, Lasses & GO TAWANDA!