Welcome to the World, Baby!

I am the proud Auntie of beautiful Emily.

Born yesterday at 3am.

She brings the total to 7 nieces.

She is perfect.

Happy Birthday, S!

S, all smiles, turned 6 on Saturday. He wanted to have a Kentucky Derby birthday party. He is obsessed with jockey, Mike Smith, and the undefeated horse, Zenyatta.
Favors, ready to go home. I love the seals I got at Sarah and Abraham.

Guests busy doing a horse craft project.

Don't you love the jockey helmets?

Stick ponies, all labeled with the names of Derby winners.

They're at the gate.

And they're off!

Watching recording of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

Having traditional Derby fare... ham and biscuits, cheese straws, pimento cheese spread. S wanted carrots, apples and sugar cubes, because that's what horses eat. I love that I have sons that really think about the food they want served at their parties. I wonder where they get that from?

Eight Eight, Don't Be Late

At Cheeseburger in Paradise, ready for my Pain in the Bahama. Layers of Rum Runner and Pina Colada. YUM! That's the way to celebrate my birthday.
All in pink, in honor of Mama's birthday.

Happy Birthday!

M wishes Grandma a Happy Birthday!

Dinner at our house for the family.
Pulled pork sandwiches, bakes beans, potato salad

and deviled eggs.
We all needed a taste of the summer.

Birthday girl and her cake

N and Uncle B reading about Diego.

How I spent my 40th Birthday

I took part in my first ever piano recital. I started taking lessons this summer. I thought it was a good example for the kids to see you are never too old to learn something new.

J is better than I am, he's been playing one year.

J and I after the recital

S is thrilled it's over!

Dinner at Paisan's, one of my favorites

The view of Lake Monona. I don't know what these people are thinking eating out in 100% humidity.

The Porta Salad. Amazing! Iceberg and Romaine lettuce topped with ham, salami, Cheddar and Mozzerella cheeses, garbanzo beans and greeen peppers.

Apparently it was good.

My birthday cake, from Carl's Cakes. Buttercream frosting. Yum!

Happy Birthday, J!

Yesterday my oldest turned 7. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. He is an imaginative, bright boy, who loves history. Tell him about Davy Crockett, George Washington, Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, and he is in heaven. He is forever packing his beloved backpack, with all kinds of interesting things for the next adventure. He spends all his time outside, playing in his treehouse, coming up with some master plan with his brother. He loves nothing better than a walk in the woods with his Daddy, all the while hearing stories about the "old days". Happy Birthday, my wonderful boy.

Picking a Theme

S, my four year old is busy choosing the theme for his birthday, which is not until August. For someone so young, he truly is a foodie. He told me a couple weeks ago, he wanted a penguin party, then everyone can have salmon. Yesterday S told me he wanted to have a breakfast party, where everyone comes in their pajamas, and has pancakes and fruit smoothies. I guess all that entertaining is rubbing off on the kids. Last year when J turned six, he wanted on Indian party, with Thanksgiving food. So, twenty kids ate a complete Thanksigiving dinner, with linen, gourds and pumpkins, turkey dishes, the works. And it was April! I let you know what S decides!