She Likes Purple

Washington, DC: Part One

Our DC trip snuck up on us (as you might remember, we quickly went from a June Alaskan trip to an April DC one), and as we rode the shuttle from the parking lot to the terminal at DFW, I snapped a picture of us that kind of hiliariously summed up our preparedness for the trip.

We look so confused! And tired! Are we...going on vacation or are we going into a stressful work meeting? No one can be sure.

Anyway, the flight itself was thankfully uneventful. We got into DC, grabbed a Super Shuttle, and finally arrived at our hotel. (Quick travel math: Dulles arrival + Super Shuttle ride + Dupont Circle hotel = A MILLION TOTAL TRAVELING HOURS.) We booked our hotel room at the Topaz Hotel through Kristin, a blog friend who does travel advising, and when I mentioned to a few people that it was a Kimpton property, they told me you could request a goldfish be delivered to your room. 

A goldfish! 

I was quite excited by this because I think what our travels have really been missing is pets. I did have a brief panicked moment right before I got to the counter to request the goldfish because what if my friends had steered me wrong? What if they DIDN'T offer free goldfish and I requested one and things got awkward?

Thankfully, there was no issue and Spike (what I named him) was delivered to our room without incident.

(From top to bottom, left to right: Mike and me at Good Stuff Eatery, us in front of the beautiful Capitol building; Spike, our fish!; the Library of Congress)

After we welcomed Spike to our room, we headed out for another Spike. Spike's Good Stuff Eatery! The burgers and fries were just so-so, sadly, but the milkshakes. Guys, THE MILKSHAKES ARE GAME CHANGERS. 

Mike and I split a mini-toasted marshmallow shake and then went back two more times on our trip to enjoy our own, non-mini-sized ones.  

(MINI IS TOO SMALL)

After dinner, we walked around the mall, catching our breath at every turn. To see this place come alive in front of us, a place we see in movies and in pictures and in textbooks was just incredible, I nearly cried a dozen times. Maybe it was the history major in me, or the eternal sap, or both, but what a breathtaking part of our country. I felt really lucky to be there.

We stopped in the Air & Space Museum before it closed that day and then we headed back to our hotel room. 

We made it back that night to enjoy the complimentary happy hour in our hotel lobby (ANOTHER reason to only stay at Kimpton properties from now until forever), and I requested one glass of wine to enjoy in the lobby and one to enjoy in our hotel room. Yes, I requested two glasses in one hour's time, and I was a little hesitant to do this. Was that...overstepping the complimentary happy hour boundaries? When I went up to ask for the second glass, I said, "I'd like to take this glass to our room. Is that...can I...IS THAT ALLOWED? SHOULD I PAY FOR THE SECOND GLASS." The happy hour bartender got a glimpse into why I rarely drank in high school. I am very much a rule follower and I have a deep fear of authority. I didn't want to break any rules! HAPPY HOUR RULES! LIKE THERE IS SUCH A THING!

Anyway, I think I took a long bath and then crawled into bed at 7:30pm that night, where we watched a movie, ordered room service dessert, and remembered why vacations are so lovely. 

(When I told Mike that a book, a bed, and a glass of wine is basically my favorite scenario, he said, "You know, you could read and drink wine in bed at home ANY TIME YOU WANT." I hate when he makes so much sense. STOP MAKING SENSE, MIKE.)

The next day, we slept in and met Caitlin (!!) for lunch at Sweetgreen, which was absolutely delicious. Texas, go ahead and open a handful of these. We also got a tour of Caitlin's office. She works at National Geographic and Mike suggested I apply. If he thought my commute NOW makes me bitchy!

(Us, at National Geographic! This was just the hallway. We're very bad at choosing photo backgrounds.) 

After lunch, we headed back to the mall and walked around a lot. We had dinner reservations, so I told Mike that the one thing I absolutely had to do before dinner was see the White House. 

Guys.

We saw the freaking White House, and I had to AGAIN stop myself from tearing up. The White House! (I'm like the most cliche tourist there ever was.) President Obama was sadly out of town this day, which explains why he didn't come out and invite us in for dinner. 

Two little boys were standing beside us as we snapped pictures, and one said to the other, "What do you think is INSIDE there?" The other, "Probably a really big tennis court." 

From there we walked to dinner at Zaytinya with Mike's uncle, aunt, and cousin. (Seems like we had JUST eaten lunch, I know, but I swear there were MILES of walking between lunch and dinner. So many miles. We were so tired and hungry by the time dinner rolled around.)

Dinner was fantastic, and I recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a meal in DC. Favorite dishes: hummus, the crispy Brussel sprouts (OMG, these were amazing), and the crab cakes.

When we got back to the hotel, we headed next door for a drink at the Tabard Inn where we saw Janet Napolitano, although we only KNEW it was her after asking the waitress who the Secret Service dudes were with. Still, DC, you are so charming with all your politicians, just having drinks in the same bar as us. In Dallas, I've seen David Archuleta and Jake Pavelka. NOT THE SAME.

(At Tabard Inn, cocktails and flash photography)

The next day we headed out of town, and Mike had no idea where we were going. I TOTALLY surprised him. That's part two, my friends. Check back sometime in August for that recap.

Easter 2013

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, which I know may sound a little strange. I'm not a very religious person, but I do believe deeply in a few things and one of those things is the power of the people I love to make me feel wholer. 

I had a house full of those people this morning, and I felt it very good.

Including these little dudes, who dominated our egg hunt AND our confetti egg stash. 

We thought it might storm during our brunch and egg hunt. Sometimes Texas can surprise you in the best, most sunshiney ways.

I hope your day was just as warm, literally or otherwise.

***

Oh, and these beer biscuits that were on our Easter menu were DELICIOUS and you should make them immediately. 

My Easter Brunch Menu

I've hosted an Easter brunch and egg hunt for the last three years and it's one of my favorite traditions. Fine, it's because I serve mimosas. Guilty! Anyway, here's what else is on my menu:

(From left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4)

We're also having deviled eggs, fruit, and bacon. Juice and coffee, too. 

What are you having? 

Friendiversary

When we were 11, I made Natalie buy best friend necklaces. Like, all the time. You know, the really cool yin-yang-type necklaces that turned your skin green ten seconds after you put one on. I made her buy about a million of them.

It's not easy to be friends with me, but this lady has it down. She's been doing it for 20 years. 

Good, bad, really good, really bad. She's been there. And even when she wasn't there, she was there. Maybe especially then.

In college, I was having big issues with another friend. I was sad about it, so I called Natalie. When I got engaged at 5am, I called Natalie. (Fine, Mike made me wait a couple hours, so it was more like 7am.) On my honeymoon, when Mike was snorkeling and I was bored of my (really not fit for beach-reading) book, I called Natalie. When I found out I was pregnant, I called Natalie. 

She hated the term "friendiversary" that I said about a million times over the weekend. She hated it but laughed while hating it. I like to think that while Natalie and I are so very different, we always find a way to laugh. I like to think that's our language. 

When Natalie and I were in middle school, we lived just blocks apart. We'd walk to each other's houses, nearly every day, through our neighbors' yard. Over the course of four years, we created a ditch in that yard. We walked so often through it, we changed it.

This is Natalie's friendship, in a nutshell. It's changed me. 

Twenty years. Man, that's a long time to be so lucky.

Fun Things

Some super fun things: 

1. I got a Target gift card for my birthday (thank you, in-laws!) and instead of spending it on laundry detergent or groceries, I bought this purse. I really love it, and I would really love to link to it but where my love for Target is mighty, my love for Target's website is NONEXISTANT, OMG IT'S THE WORST.

2. After I passed on seeing Mumford & Sons when they came to Dallas a few years ago -- when tickets were something like $25, of course -- I swore I wouldn't make that mistake again. Anywhere in the state! I'll go anywhere in the state to see them, I swore! Or one state north, turns out. They'll be in Guthrie, Okla. this September and Mike and I are going. The concert is part of their small Gentleman of the Road series. I'm extremely excited, even if it seems like we might have to camp since hotels in the area are all sold out. I'm trying to convince Mike to buy a tent big enough to house a comfortable armchair. He has not stopped rolling his eyes at this idea since.

3. A couple years ago, I was in San Diego for Comic-Con and I got in a day early for set-up. There was no air-conditioning in the convention center that day and I was so tired when I left that I basically stumbled into the Hopping Pig to kill time before dinner. (Here's a whole list of my San Diego dining highlights!) I ordered a Lagunitas IPA because the brewery is in the town my stepmom and brother live. But, I loved it! Since then, I try an IPA every now and then and more so over the last couple months. I told my co-worker this, and she brought me a couple bottles last week, after a tough, stressful week. We've worked together for almost six years, and I would be such a mess without her. I would say that even if she didn't bring me beers.

4. Natalie and I are headed to College Station later this month, to celebrate being friends for 20 years. I get sappy when I think of Natalie because, well, it's Natalie. She's known me two-thirds of my life and there is really no one who has seen me through so much and still come out the other side to like me, except my mother. I don't know quite how to articulate what it's like to have a friend for so long, through so much, except to say that at some point she (thankfully) became a certainty. She'll be in my life forever. So, we toast that truth in our college town next month, over greasy potatoes and cheap drinks and, lamely but wonderfully, sleeping in. Twenty years! 

5. Mike and I were planning an Alaskan trip this year. A dream trip! But, siiiiigh, dream trips are not free. We just couldn't afford it. So, we swapped our tickets for a closer-to-home, much more affordable DC trip. We're still really excited about it. I've only been for work and something tells me the convention center isn't top of the must-see DC list. We have a lot of wonderful people offering us great tips, but if there's a must-try restaurant or an off-the-beaten path suggestion you think we should absolutley know about, let me have it! I love travel spreadsheets. Let me add your picks to this one. 

6. My mom turns 65 this year (she looks at least a decade younger, I know) and we've decided to take a girl's trip to Kansas City to celebrate. This is where she's from, and a place I've never been, so I can't wait to go. I can't wait to see where my mom grew up, where she went to school, and to just see this lovely new place through her eyes. I think there will be a bottle of champagne (or a couple cold beers; she's into beer lately) and a lot of good conversation in store for us. And a new map pin for me! 

7. I'm hosting a champagne-inspired dinner sometime in the next two months, and I'm excited to invite some of my favorite ladies to my house for a dinner with a bubbly theme. Here's my Pinterest board, but are there any recipes that really need to make this menu?

A (Couple) Pins of the Month

I had a goal (on my to-do list this year) to choose one pin a month that's been gathering dust on my Pinterest boards and attempt to tackle it. It could be anything, really, from a DIY project to a local restaurant I've been wanting to try. Annnnd then I failed right out of the gate because January was pin-less. I know! But, hey. My list, my rules. I still get to cross that bad boy off if I finish 12 pins by December and since I did TWO in February, I'm back on track. 

Phew.

(I also might attempt Janssen's Pinterest challenge, so there's an extra six. I will basically own Pinterest by 2014.)

Pin of the Month #1: Dinosaur Egg Party Favors 

(original pin)

I won't quit my day job to create dinosaur egg party favors for a living, but I still think this was a solid attempt. Even Mike was impressed, and that's saying something.

I bought clear party favor bags (at Michael's), candy rocks (I bought 2 bags, which was a good amount for about a dozen favors), and tasked Mike with printing the notes (front and back) on regular ole printer paper. Then I folded evenly and stapled. I would have preferred a sturdier stock, but this was a night-before-the-party project, so. 

Pin of the Month #2: Kyle's Party Shirt

Turns out, I really like buying Kyle shirts to wear to his birthday parties. Here's a snapshot over the years. (Minus his third birthday, when I didn't buy him anything special except a few hundred balloons.) 

I pinned a few possible shirts for his party, and purchased the winning one about two weeks before his party. The seller was awesome and put it in the mail the day after I bought it, since I left a note about when the party was.

In fact, all the Etsy sellers I've bought his party shirts from over the years have been great. Here are links to each: first birthday, second birthday (we had a small family party, with a transportation theme, so this airplane shirt was perfect), and fourth birthday. 

I know, hitting purchase and calling that a Pinterest project might feel like a stretch, but I often (LIKE, WEEKLY) pin things I'd like to buy one day only to forget all about those things and wind up just dropping $50 at Target on similar (but less awesome) things instead. 

So, there you have it! One post with a lot of references to pins. 

Kyle's Fourth Birthday Party

I love birthdays, as you likely know, and I really love the birthdays of my boys. (And, yes, of Molly. We bought her a big piece of delicious cake last year and I know it was delicious because I ate it all. That was a good day.) (I totally thought I blogged about Molly's last birthday and intended to link to it but, nope, around her birthday I was blogging about Taylor Kitsch and Whole Foods smoothies. NO WONDER SHE SIDE-EYES ME SO OFTEN.) Anyway, what's tough about Kyle's birthday is that February is Texas' usually coldest but also most unpredictable weather month. One year, we reached insane freezing temperatures for like a solid week. (I really thought I blogged about that horrible icy week of terrible cold but nope. I'm apparently a poor excuse for a blogger.) This year, it was 68 degrees the day before his party. The day of his party, of course, it was cold and overcast and windy, and I was super grumpy about it. 

Like really fucking grumpy. 

I went to Target that morning to buy all the things I still needed to buy (and many things I didn't still need to buy) and just stomped around the store and tweeted about how grumpy I was and stomped some more and then comfort bought a pair of earrings. (This was after I had already comfort ate a donut from Kyle's donut cake.)

The party turned out a-okay--as these things just turn out, of course--especially in Kyle's adorable four-year-old eyes. He was happy the entire time and he ran around outside in the cold, with his friends (and even without a coat!), and laughed and laughed and laughed. And laughed.

(That bottom right picture is candy grabbing post-pinata breaking, in case you thought we encouraged a kid brawl or something.)

We chose a dinosaur theme--and by we, I completely mean me because I pushed the theme on Kyle like the overbearing, birthday-obsessed mom I unapologetically am--but it was still my favorite theme ever. (And, don't worry, Kyle really liked it too.)

We set up pools of sand on the porch for faux-fossil digs. I buried a bunch of tiny plastic dinosaurs in the sand and let the kids take home whatever they unearthed.

Mike drew dinosaur feet on the front walk with chalk. (I just have to quickly give a shout-out to Elizabeth, who I stole the party idea from last year, and when I asked her where she found her dinosaur feet, she said, "Oh, I drew them with chalk" and I immediately thought THIS IS WHY ELIZABETH NEEDS TO LIVE IN TEXAS. I could stress eat donuts and she could just calmly fix my party problems.)

One thing Kyle chose all on his very own was his donut cake. We went back and forth on his cake for a while and he finally said, "I want donuts with candles." At first I thought we'd just buy two donuts, stick four candles in them, and call it a day, but then I decided donuts sounded good for everyone. And they were good for everyone. I could use one of those donuts right now, truth be told.

It was a good day, and when I put Kyle to bed that night, he told me that he loved his party, that he had the best day, and while I still have memories of grumpily stomping around Target because of the stupid effing clouds, the bigger memories are the ones of Kyle grinning.

Kyle grinning trumps a whole lot. 

He's four! I still can't believe it.

Four

Kyle is four years old today.

Ever since Kyle could walk, we've ingrained in his head that he must (EVEN IF I HAVE TO YELL VERY LOUDLY AT HIM) hold our hands in the street or in a parking lot. The yelling worked, because he does just that, reaches up for one of our hands whenever we hit the edge of a road.

Yesterday, after I picked Kyle up from school, he talked about the cupcakes he'll bring to his class today and about how good he listened to his teachers, and he grabbed his sweatshirt off his coat rack, all by himself, as he does, and it was all so simply how our lives are. Our lives, our routine, this is our normal. As we walked outside and reached the last step before the parking lot, he was talking up a storm ("Mommy, I have an idea, let's put a candle ON TOP of my ice cream tomorrow."), and he naturally reached up for my hand. Right before I took it, I just looked at him, this kid of mine, with his shaggy blonde hair and sunny smile, holding his hand up to me and I tried tried tried to remember it all. This one particular moment, this one particular boy, this one particular life. 

I never thought life could be this simple, this bright, this beautiful and, oh, I never thought I'd have such a perfect boy to reach up for my hand, to walk through parking lots and life with me.

I've wanted a lot in my day, but oh my goodness is Kyle a million times more than I ever thought I was worthy of wanting.

Happy fourth birthday, buds.

My oh my, do we love you to the moon and back. 

Thirty-One

I turned 31 yesterday, and it was a lovely, perfect, warm (on the inside) day.

I love birthdays and while I know that's not a universal feeling--just ask my husband who grumbles through his day each year--I still wish for you a birthday like I had when your day rolls around. We all deserve tacos with extra hot sauce and the fancy kind of champagne and co-workers who buy us flowers and in-laws who buy us Target gift cards and best internet friends who surprise us with a book straight off our to-read list and husbands who clean the bathroom while we lounge on the couch. Or, whatever your favorite things happen to be. Yes, that's what we all deserve on our birthdays: our favorite things. 

I'm about to bring this post down, after all that sweetness, you've been warned. See, every year, on my birthday, I think of a girl I went to high school with. I knew her, was friendly (enough) with her, and we even ate lunch in the same group for a semester when we were dating guys who were friends. We then went on to the same college, and we were waved-hello-from-across-campus, kind-of friends. We weren't close, by any means, but I knew her. I knew her.

She died right after she graduated, in a car accident. 

I don't know why her death hit me as hard as it hit me or why it stayed with me for so long. Why it's still with me, in a way.

See, every year on my birthday, I think of her. I think that she will never see 26 or 29 or 31. I think that her family would do anything to see her at those ages and that it's cruel, in a way, to complain about my own age when a girl I once (admittedly, barely) knew will never know the privilege of being 31. 

I don't know why her death stuck with me when countless tragedies happen every day, every minute. When Connecticut just happened last month. But every year on my birthday I think of her, and I think I owe it to her to enjoy this privilege of aging. 

This all sounds a little superior of me, I fear, especially when complaining about aging is normal, it doesn't make any of us wrong or awful or ungrateful. I think of her every year, though, and thinking of her keeps me from thinking about much else besides being glad to be whatever age I happen to be. 

I am 31 now, and I am just so glad to be.

Last night, at age 31, while Mike bought me queso and margaritas and Kyle held my hand. Yes, glad to be, indeed.

Girl's Night

I bought some high, high heels a while ago (I'd link to that post if I weren't typing this from my phone) and told Kristie how impulsive and ridiculous such a purchase was. I work in a casual office. I grocery shop, go to three-year-old soccer games, and blog in my spare time. None of these activities require high, high heels.

She's a great friend, though, that lady. She organized a "wear your fanciest shoes" girl's night out, where cocktails and dessert were also encouraged.

I was really tired a couple hours before leaving. I also have a scratchy, kinda sore throat. I thought that sitting on my couch sounded so much better than high, high heels and even dessert with good friends. I was wrong, thankfully.

It was a good decision, the shoes, the friends, the night. Lesson: try to say yes more to shoes, to friends, to dessert.

(Oh, we also saw The Bachelor's Jake at our restaurant. I can add him to my Dallas-area reality star spotting list, which also includes David Archuleta.)

Christmas (Week) Menu

Now that Thanksgiving is an entire DAY behind us, let's talk about Christmas food. I think that makes perfect sense.

So, again, my sister and her family are coming in for the week of Christmas, and since I can't actually remember the last Christmas I spent with her (maybe in 2000?), I am ridiculously excited about this year's festivities.

I'm planning some special menus.

Christmas Eve

She flies in Christmas Eve afternoon and I assumed no one would feel like cooking a big meal, but Mike got very sad about breaking our breakfast-for-dinner Christmas Eve tradition, so we'll cook.

Brown butter blueberry muffins

Pancakes (either red velvet or oatmeal cookie)

Mike's Scramble. (Mike is going to whip up scrambled eggs with onions, peppers, cheese, etc. He's requested we refer to this as "Mike's Scramble" for the duration of the holidays.)

Bloody Mary's. I might need to buy this mix (#47 from the Food Lush gift guide)

Christmas morning

Cheap cinnamon rolls from a tube. (Delicious, though!)

Mimosas

Coffee

Christmas Night

Steak (Mike's taking care of this)

Scallops in hazelnut browned butter (I've been eating a little fish for about a month now--just once every couple weeks or so--and I'll enjoy these on Christmas night.)

Whiskey glazed carrots

Green bean casserole

Twice baked new potatoes

Store-bought dinner rolls

French 75s

French silk pie, perhaps? (Haven't quite decided on dessert.)

Other

I think I'll try to whip up these cranberry & brie sandwiches at some point and maybe these old-fashioned chocolate donuts, too, because why not. It's Christmas.

One other dinner will also be this (oh-so-good) veggie lasagna or these spicy shrimp with yogurt

Have you thought about what you're having this year?

Happy Thanksgiving

I ate all the mashed potatoes today. I wouldn't be surprised if I dream about mashed potatoes tonight, in fact. (No one should have been concerned I'd go hungry my first meat-free Thanksgiving, that's for sure.)

It was a sweet day, filled with family, laughter, and, yes, so much food. The kids ran around the backyard like monkeys, the adults kept wandering into the kitchen for more food, for some insane reason, and we crawled into bed at 7:30 (where I'm typing this from right now).

I'm so thankful for so much right now, and I hope you are too.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Bring it, Holidays.

Lights up BEFORE Thanksgiving, like holiday bosses. (I would have put our lights up in July and by I, I mean Mike, but he wouldn't. Scrooge.)

I look at this photo and realize that while Texas may not technically be part of the South, it's a very Southern thing to put up Christmas lights in t-shirts. Promise it was 70ish when this photo was snapped! We're not forcing manual labor without the proper wardrobe!

I also have our Christmas menu all figured out. (Post to come.)

I'm excited about the holidays this year, if you couldn't tell. Partly because my sister and her family are coming to celebrate with us, for the first time ever (as a family), partly because my Christmas menu includes mimosas and carbs, and partly because I hope my mom buys me SOMETHING off this list. She's usually the one I can count on to (not really) surprise me with one thing I (really) want.

Good things, basically. The next month is full of good things.

(Continually updating our holiday plan here! Two cross-outs already. HOLIDAY BOSSES.)

My December Plan

Last year I wrote a December to-do list, inspired by A'Dell. It was so helpful! I'm doing it again, so the holidays can be possibly less stressy and nuts than they tend to be. (Although you will note that I am not adding "come down with strep three days before Christmas," HEAR THAT 2011.)

1. Hang lights on the house. (Hey, Mike, hang lights on the house!)

2. Make a decision about holiday cards. To send them or not to send them, that is the question.

3. Find a place for a girl's holiday tea. Then send an evite for said tea.

4. Gifts for Kyle's teachers. I think we'll make cookies with a Starbucks card attached, like always. Hey, who doesn't like sugar and the gift of fancy coffee? (Crazies, that's who.) (Kidding, if you don't like those things.)

5. Advent Calendar Activities. My sister and her family are visiting the week of Christmas, so I thought about making just a week-long advent calendar with fun activities for the boys to do together. 

6. Christmas pjs! 

7. Christmas menus. I'm thinking of dinner out on Christmas Eve since my sister won't arrive until that afternoon. Then we'll have our traditional cinnamon rolls and mimosas Christmas morning, and a big Christmas dinner spread. We'll have our traditional breakfast for dinner another night that week, when Mike's parents can join us. 

8. Make my birthday plans. I'm skipping a party this year and stealing away for the night with Mike. I'm really excited. 

9. Look at Christmas lights! I love this tradition and we'll either do this Christmas Eve or Christmas night.

10. Take a ride on the vintage railroad that runs from one nearby town to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

11. Make lasagna for a neighbor. There's a very sweet elderly woman who lives near us and ever since we first met her (years ago!), I've wanted to bring her a meal, to just be a little neighborly. We'll see if I can pull this off.

12. Write my (more realistic) 2013 to-do list. I hear you, readers! I should go easier on myself with the goals I set next year.

13. Take Kyle to see Santa. (It's free at Mike's work and I think free is grand.)

We're going easy on gifts this year, so I think I can knock out my shopping in one afternoon on Amazon, but I'll still probably add a task or two to this list, if I can think of something I'm absolutely overlooking. What's on your list?

I Didn't Break Open the Champagne Until Midnight. I'm Tired Today.

I've been with Mike for almost nine years. The year we began dating, President Bush was elected to a second term. In 2008, I sat on my couch, pregnant and hopeful, and watched those numbers roll in and when they were indisputable, I broke open a bottle of champagne and drank a (smallish) glass. It felt big, important, special. I had voted for the president. I liked that a lot. (I also wrote this because I liked a lot of people who didn't like it a lot, and I respected and understood that.)

Still, while my husband was happy for me and happy for the last election's results, he stayed mostly politically apathetic. I didn't blame him. It's a lot to watch an election's madness. It's even more to become invested in it. 

He knows my political thoughts, of course, and I don't think he disagrees with them. He just prefers not to talk about that stuff at dinner parties or even at our own dinner table. Again, I don't blame him much for that. 

All that's to say, I was surprised he decided to vote this year. Pleasantly, wonderfully, cried-actual-tears surprised. He said he did it for me, and if that's actually true, it's one of the best gifts he's ever given me. Voting means a lot to me, but I can't ask it to mean a lot to him. That he did it anyway made me fall in love with him all over again.

President Obama didn't take Texas, not even close, but we voted for our president, my husband and I. I like that a lot.

If you don't like it, and I know there are many of you, I hope you're given the time and space to be upset. No one should possibly begrudge you for feeling emotional. It was a lengthy, exhausting road to get here. 

I'll even share my champagne, if you need a glass. You might feel like celebrating something after a couple glasses. 

***

President Obama supporters, I have to share this picture with you. How awesome, right?  

Halloween 2012

A few months ago, I asked Kyle what he wanted to be for Halloween. I wasn't sure how he would answer this question because he's three. I can ask him what he wants for dinner, and that question somehow launches him into a re-telling of the funniest scene in Ratatouille. I love this age, I really do, but I can't begin to understand its thought process.

Anyway, he said he wanted to be a firefighter. Or maybe Spider-man. (A movie/cartoon he's never seen. THANKS, KYLE'S PEERS.) I was really pulling for firefighter, of course. It felt age-appropriate and adorable. It also felt free, as Kyle's older cousin had a costume I was pretty sure he could borrow. Free is so much cooler than a superhero in tights.

Everything was solidified when he got to try on the costume this summer, at his cousin's house. Yep, he was sold. (PHEW.) We had his costume squared away months in advance, and I kind of felt like a parenting rockstar. Except when I remembered the time I completely forgot about Halloween.

We had to bail on our plans for trick-or-treating this year, which totally sucked, but we spent the night in my in-laws' neighborhood, which was a nice consolation prize. Kyle was adorable and by the end, he made us wait for him at the curb of each house. "I can do it myself and you're not wearing a costume anyway," he told me. Ooookay.

He was wearing boots with his costume and I think they were a little uncomfortable because he eventually told us he was getting tired and was about done. We had just a couple more houses so we talked him into finishing those before we made it back to my in-laws. When he went up to the next house and the man asked him a question (that I couldn't hear), he said very loudly, "Trick-or-treat, my legs are tired." KIDS, THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE KIDS.

Also, for photo opps like this:

On the way home, Mike got the genius idea to swing by the fire station. They had to be passing out candy, he said, and it was easily the best decision we've made in a month. I say "we" even though it was Mike's idea because taking credit for his brilliance is a perk of marriage. It balances the impossible name he gave me.

Kyle was shy at first but warmed up quickly, as is Kyle's nature. He kept saying, "I'm a firefighter TOO!" The fireman on duty was incredible and I think we'll bake him cookies some time soon, to thank him for his awesomeness. There are just not enough kind words that would do him justice. He was warm, and he humored the hell out of my three year old (and us), all with a grin, and then he gave Kyle DOZENS of pieces of candy on top of everything else. Seriously, he's my hero of the week, that man.

Halloween was a win all around. Kyle said before bed, "I think we should go trick-or-treating tomorrow."

Bonus pumpkin patch picture, from this past weekend:

I hope you had a fun Halloween, too. Mostly, I hope you got to steal the good stuff after the kids went to sleep. Until next year...

The First Reason Why This is My Favorite Month of the Year

When we were on our family vacation in California last month, we were out all day one day and everyone was exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel. Kyle was so exhausted, in fact, he didn't bat an eye when the car stopped. Mike got him out of his carseat and carried him inside.

As I gathered up beach towels and bags and purses and rogue little boy flip-flops, I watched my husband carry my sleeping son inside. My heart, it caught in my throat.

I wanted to find my camera. I wanted Mike to walk slower. Would pausing time forever be too much to ask?

All I kept saying in my head, over and over, was, Wow, I just really fucking love those two. (The voice inside my head has the same foul vocabulary as I do. I hope you'll forgive it/me.)

One of those two (the older one) has a birthday today--a big birthday at that (35!)--and where I sometimes feel like words are on my side, I never feel like that when it comes to Mike. He's just better and righter and more than all the words.

Still, it's his birthday. It's his day. He deserves a few words.

Happy birthday, Mike.

I just really fucking love you.

Half Full

So, it's July.

I know this to be true because: 1) IT'S STUPID HOT (although not as hot as last year, small miracles); 2) the calendar says so; 3) my internal panic mode was jammed into the "on" position last week--as we hit mid-year--over all the things I have yet to accomplish in 2012. (My internal panic mode basically chants "FAIL" over and over, how about yours?)

I was expanding on my internal panic mode by detailing all the ways in which I've failed so far this year (not skinny enough, house not clean enough, Kyle still doesn't know how to open a champagne bottle for me) and then I told myself to just quit all that, immediately. The world keeps turning no matter how messy my kitchen or how often I have to get my own champagne. Tragically keeps turning on the latter, of course.

Anyway, instead of beating myself up over all I have to do and all I want to do and all I am legally obligated to do (someone remind me to get my car inspected, please), here's what 2012 has included so far, and it's not bad, my friends. Not bad at all.

1. Kept raising that too-awesome kid of ours.
2. Became a vegetarian. (That photo is of these delicious black bean sliders.)
3. Took a much-needed, so-fun girls' trip to Wimberley, TX.
4. Welcomed our new baby niece to the world. She's a keeper.
5. Walked (and snorkeled) the beaches of Culebra, PR.
6. Threw an engagement party for Kristie and Duvain. Congrats again, you two!
7. Finally brunched at Cafe Modern. Something that's been on my to-do list for a bunch of years.
8. Celebrated five (crazy) years of being married to Mike.
9. Kyle's first merry-go-round!
10. Launched a small business (Cherry Jean) with my friend Cherie. We've sold 50+ shirts this year so far. You should buy one!
11. Made a family yearbook.
12. Hung out with wild horses. No bigs.
13. Visited a black sand beach. Something I've always wanted to do, but something I didn't realize I could do outside of Hawaii. (I don't know why I thought this. Perhaps Hawaii is spreading lies.)
14. Dyed Easter eggs with Kyle for the first time.
15. Walked around Old San Juan.
16. Visited Fort Worth's food truck park.
17. Introduced Kyle to the world of track riding. He's already smitten and Mike is already beaming. (That same trip, we also got to spend time with my grandma. Something I didn't get to do at all last year.)
18. Discovered Sons of Anarchy. (Like that wouldn't make the list.)
19. Drove to Austin, to (finally) introduce blog babies to each other.
20. Threw Kristie a bachelorette party where we 1) had so much fun and 2) realized that 30 might be the official age to retire tequila shots.
21. Threw Kyle a pretty kick-ass third birthday party, at least according to the guests who wouldn't leave the balloon room. And according to Kyle, who began planning his fourth birthday party the next day. That's my boy.
22. Visited Vieques.
23. Held my best friend's (of 19 years!) new baby boy. Jack, you're the best.
24. Kayaked in the ocean, right after a beach bonfire.
25. Went to the Dallas premiere, where I wore Target and everyone else did not wear Target.

***

The year is half over. Half full, indeed.

All He Wanted for Father's Day Was Some Uninterrupted Garage Time.

Every year it's the same, thank everything that this kid has this dad.

Happy (day after) Father's Day, Mike! Your kid (and wife and dog) are crazy lucky to claim you as our own.

Kristie's engagement party + the perfect party menu!

Whenever you ask Kyle to name his family, he'll name Kristie before he gets to his tenth finger. She's one of my very favorite people and best friends, and my kid wholeheartedly approves. Blood is thicker than water but sometimes water is turned to blood, or something less icky sounding than that. Kristie is our family, pure and simple, and as she grows her own family -- she's getting married this August to a wonderful man -- we wanted to celebrate with her.

So, A'Dell and I hosted a pretty kick-ass party this past weekend (if you don't mind me bragging a bit) in Kristie and Duvain's honor and it was such fun.

Kristie looked just beautiful -- I'm sure you'll agree -- and it was wonderful how many friends and family turned out to help the happy couple celebrate. It was one of those nights I didn't want to end, and that's how many of my nights with this group of good people is like.

The menu was also a hit.

We did straight appetizers and one kind of champagne and beer. Kept it pretty easy, thank goodness.

We served: baked brie bites (with and without pecans), pizza puffs (with and without pepperoni) caprese pops, jalapeno popper dip (OMG SO GOOD), southwestern eggrolls, mini fruit tarts (so easy!), smores bites, salsa, guacamole, and cupcakes.

I recommend co-hosting your next party, if you get the chance. A'Dell offered up her awesome home and tackled the decorations and booze, and I handled the invites (weren't they fabulous?) and most of the food. It wasn't nearly as stressful as when you handle a whole party yourself, and we also divided those tasks super simply. I did what I enjoy best and vice-versa. No arguments!

I also got to clean up nicely with Mike. That's kind of a rare thing.

It was a night full of laughter....

....and champagne and friends and food and love, and everything I wish most for Kristie and Duvain's life. Cheers you adventure-seeking, life-loving, beautiful couple, you.

***

All of the good photos in this post are courtesy of Jess, who awesomely made the five-hour drive from Houston to celebrate with Kristie and Duvain. Thanks for coming, Jess and Willy, and for letting me use your beautiful pictures!