Tutu’s and stuff

Holy crap. It’s the last day of March. 11 days until I have a 2 year old.

And that means 10 days until the big “happy tooo you” party!

Let’s talk about said party.

We have GREAT invites made by the wonderful Alison at Ten Tiny Toes Designs:

We have a really cute outfit that includes a pink tutu, new hair bow and this shirt:

And uh, that’s about it?

Food: I have been trying to come up with a menu I like for about 2 weeks with no success. I keep getting as far as chicken fingers w/ dippers (you know, honey & bbq & the like). This week I thought pink lemonade would go with the theme….. Obviously we will need more than just these things.

Suggestions? Anything ballerina –like or just in general tasty is welcome.

For dessert we are having cupcakes and a little cake for G (complete with tutu cake stand!). I am thinking strawberry, black velvet and yellow cake varieties all with pink icing. And for thematic decoration they will be topped with these:

Decorations: grey and pink balloons. Plus I made some tulle pom poms (thanks to these directions) and am pretty excited with how cute they turned out:

I might make one or two more still, we will see! I am recycling last years “happy birthday sign” & covering up the cupcakes with mini tulle pom pom’s! I bought some pink and white tin buckets to put (pink!) silverware in and plan on finding some ballerina –inspired cake plates.

I would love to make some type of centerpiece for the tables (only need 2!) and maybe do some kind of favor for the kids. I found cute little wands for the girls that might work but I’m not sold yet. I thought I could put them in here:

What about for the few boys that will be there?? Suggestions please!

You should SEE the lists I have – one for RSVP’s (helllooo out there, please tell me if you are coming or not!) & one with things I need to do/buy/make/cook etc.

I realize I totally do not need to stress out over this, but I really LOVE party planning and being all crafty when I can. I’ll be excited for the day to get here and for it all to be put together.

And then for time to stand still because OMG I am just not ready for her to turn another year older.

Wordless Wednesday

Don’t mess with the ninja.

Friday Night Leftovers…..on Sunday Night

• I’m late posting this, clearly, but I needed it today! I am sure Danifred won’t mind
• Spent the weekend visiting a really good friend – just me and my sister – no husbands, no children – it was really nice to get away and have a little fun.
• Note: I am not able to handle alcohol like I once was.
• Note Note: We went dancing, I am sure to be sore for days.
• Things are nuts, and not just nuts in the way they usually are, but a whole new level of CAHRAZY
• I can’t stop thinking about all the ridiculous, scary, horrible, unfair crap that is going on in my friends’ lives – more than one of them has some serious shit going on and I feel helpless for them. And like a bitch for complaining about the small [comparatively insignificant] stuff that is getting to me lately.
• Speaking of feeling helpless, I also feel like an asshole texting them the same things all the time. “praying for you” (which I am and I am sure they know that!) “hope things are better today” – but I guess they at least know they really are on my mind, even if I don’t have anything great to say, huh?
• What does RSVP mean to people? Clearly it does not mean "notify hostess of party whether or not you are coming”…. annoying.
• Also annoying when people dodge my calls/emails.
• Gianna got to pick out a toy today at Target. She picked a Beauty and the Beast tea party set. She carried it all around the store with her. We came home and as I was getting her out of the car she said “MOMMY PLAY TEA PARTY!” And we did. And it was beyond cute.
• My mom is in FL right now. It’s more than 50 degrees warmer there and I say NO FAIR!
• If you live in NOrtheast Ohio, are reading this blog and have not entered my giveaway for KidsGO Expo tickets – DO IT! And please, pass the info on to your friends so they can enter too!!!
• Promise to get to the rest of what I owe you sooooooon. I am thinking a birthday party post is in order this week.

KidsGO Expo: GIVEAWAY!!

It’s technically spring, but in NEO we know that really doesn’t mean anything since the weather can change by 40 degrees within hours and it could possibly (good lord I hope it doesn’t) snow in May.

We have all been cooped up in our houses for FAR FAR too long and shared way too many germs and it is time to spice it up a bit.

KidsGO Expo is our answer!

It’s a great event in NEO featuring all of this seriously exciting stuff and MORE!

Exhibitors

We have fabulous exhibitors this year including a Step2 Play Zone, Chick-Fil-A cow toss and a meet and greet with the Chick-Fil-A Cow! Meanwhile, Radio Disney will be rocking the house with the sounds of your favorite artists along with contests and giveaways! 

The Cleveland Boys and Girls Club, Cleveland Zoo and Great Lakes Science Center will be on site as will many other Cleveland organizations geared towards youth and family.

Learn about your options when it come to, childcare, education, sports, youth organizations and more...all in one place... at a fun event!
 

Meet and Greets!

Sport author and youth motivational speaker...David Lee Morgan, who has wrote biographies on athletes including Jim Tressel and LeBron James

Chick-Fil-A Cow and a Chick-Fil-A cow toss!  There a couple surprise guest who will also be names closer to the event.

Giveaways!

Step2 will be giving away a swingset to one lucky family ($600 value)!

The first 2,000 parents get a Goodie bag.  10 bags will contain $25 gift card for the Step2 Store!

Each child gets a coupon for a free kids meal from Chick-Fil-A of Willoughby!

One lucky person will win Chick-Fil-A for a year! [they had me at Chick-Fil-A…..]

But there’s more – remember my whole gig about sharing and stuff? Well I want to share this awesome experience with you!!

I am giving away [courtesy of KidsGO Expo] a 4 PACK OF TICKETS!!!!! [anyone can enter as long as you are willing to make the drive to Cleveland that weekend!]

How to enter:

• Leave a comment telling me you want to go!

Extra entries [separate comment required for each entry. don’t forget to tell me if you already do these things! extra entries FTW!]:

• Become a fan of KidsGO Expo on Facebook – tell them I sent you!!
• Become a fan of Are You Listening on Facebook!
• Follow KidsGO Expo on twitter
• Follow me on twitter

For additional information visit: www.kidsGOexpo.com

 

Contest open through April 1st 11:59est. Winner will be chosen using random.org. PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR COMMENTS!

Wordless Wednesday

It’s been 4 years since this happened.

Some days, I can’t believe we have made it this far.

All of the days I am thankful we have.

I owe you

I owe my blog some serious attention.

here is what I owe you:

• a local giveaway [fun stuff for kids to do!]
• a non-local giveaway [fun thing for kids to have!]
• the order of operations I promised I don’t know, weeks ago?
• more pictures
• birthday party stuff
• a letter to my daughter (birthday post) ((holy shit, her birthday is coming SOOOOON)) (((cue a ridiculous amount of emotion)))
• a new confessions of a….post (bloghop-style so you can play too) ((supermom is what I am thinking.. or superwoman… or whatever))
• whatever else I can manage to coherently write – there is a lot of shit going on in my brain right now.

catching up [30 day photo challenge]

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

not sure how I ever lived without it….
Day 13 - A picture of something you hate.

really really dislike the white stuff. I realize I totally live in the wrong state.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

all of them.

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

the PhD part. I guess writing a book would be cool too!

Day 16 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with.

we get into all kinds of mischief together!

 

a real post coming soon….

Spring is [almost] here.... right?

This post brought to you by Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's not really a secret that NEO has experienced what feels like a really REALLY long winter.

It is also not really a secret that I do not like winter and would like every day to be 70* [or warmer!], partly cloudy with no breeze.

We have lived in our house now for 10 months and have slowly been getting it up to my decorative expectations, but there is still a lot to be done.

One of the areas that needs some serious help is our [surprisingly spacious] front porch. Right now it houses: a grill that doesn't work, 2 dirty old plastic chairs, a deck box, a broom and Gianna's play house.

Pier 1 has some GREAT outdoor furniture that really lives up to my style, and give our outdoor space that "wow" factor I am looking for.

this bench:

 

with these cushions:

would be PERFECT out there for not a lot of green.

But truth be told, I would love those pillows for our living room too!! LOVE the outdoor/indoor versatility Pier 1 offers in their products. I also really like the outdoor dinnerware - something else I really want for indoor use!

Head on over to Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter , sign up for their newsletter and check out the special in-store offer they have going on this weekend.

You can also see what the Pier 1 Tweetups are all about - upcoming  Pier 1 Tweetups     are: March 22nd in Dallas, April 5th in Atlanta and April 20th in NYC.

Since the first official day of spring is March 20th (sunday!) head on over to Pier 1 and tell me what some of your spring must-haves are.

Reminders

I am thankful for Facebook because today when I logged on to my account there was a little reminder:

Our anniversary is next week – I KNOW that, but I keep forgetting.

If I can’t even remember that my anniversary is coming up because there is SO MUCH GOING ON, do you think I can remember to have sex with my husband? Or rather, remember to FEEL like having sex after completing 927123 things in a day?

EdenFantasys was introduced to me recently and I decided to put off doing work for a little while and check it out the other day.

I stumbled upon the greatest thing for a person as busy and as forgetful as myself:

A little something to keep things fresh for the next year – because after 11 years together and 4 years of marriage, we could use some new suggestions once in a while.  I think when I have some free time, I need to do a little more exploring over at EdenFantasys and see what else might liven things up in year 4.

Friday Night Leftovers

• Have I mentioned that I am addicted to Jersey Shore?
• Because I am. Kind of a lot. Something about it just makes me laugh.
• I really am still attempting to do my project 365, I just haven’t updated it since like January 3rd. I also am working on the 30 day photo challenge, will update that this weekend, I hope.
• I didn’t see Gianna for 2 days this week, it totally sucked. But today we went to the park and ended up seeing some friends there, so it was great.
• The sun was shining and the windows and doors were open all day. YAY SPRINGGGGGGG
• Our laundry has like quadroupled since lacrosse season started. I hate laundry.
• This is probably the lamest FNL I have posted in a while, brain is no longer functioning. Maybe it’s because of the Jersey Shore thing….
• Please visit Jen & leave her some love – she needs it in the worst way.

Heart Breaker

I have been CRAZY BUSY lately between my own school work, getting everything ready for graduation, my awesome jewelry business, teaching and just general craziness.

The past 2 days I haven’t seen Gianna hardly at all. The 10 minutes I saw her yesterday (she spent the day with my sister) she said “I ready go home wiff mommy” over and over. When Mike picked her up for the night she told him she missed me!

I talked to her this afternoon and she said “I miss you mommy”. OH EM GEE cue the waterworks! 

Before I became a mom, and honestly, up until I lost my job – I always considered myself to be pretty tough. Emotional at times, but tough in general. I went back to work and didn’t really seem to miss Gianna all that much. I went back to school and didn’t really seem to miss Gianna all that much. The time we spent together was awesome and I just knew that being gone were things I HAD to do.

Mind over matter I guess, because I didn’t have a choice but to be away so I just made the best of the situation. Being sad all day at work or in class wasn’t going to do me any good, so I just didn’t make a big deal out of it and got lots of love when I got home.

Now?!

Things are so different! For one thing, Gianna is a mommy’s girl for sure – she really wasn’t at all before. The other thing? She is quite the manipulative toddler! She knows EXACTLY what to say to tug at the heart strings.  I miss her like CRAZY when I am gone all day – but again, when I am away from her it’s because I have to be most of the time – so tomorrow and Saturday we will hang out all day and it will be fun.

I have to get back to my good old mind over matter mentality on the days I work all day – otherwise I will be a weepy mess every time she says “I miss mommy”.

Wordless Wednesday

Day 10 - A picture of you when you were little.

look how cuuuuute! [me and jacqui still share drinks like that….]

Day 11 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

I realize this is incredibly cliché, but it is incredibly true.

This little person has helped me realize who I want to be in life, for which I am eternally grateful.

my rock

Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

she has gotten me through everything – good, bad and otherwise.

I am blessed beyond belief to have her as a mom, best friend and grandmother to my child.

Babies are funny

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh.

something about this picture just makes me laugh.

Oh haaaiiiii Mommy!! Let’s chat and drink our bottles together!

(can you tell I am feeling rather nostalgic lately? My BAYBEE IS TURNING TWO!!!)

Crush

Day 7 - A picture of your celebrity crush.

mmmhmmmm

Friday Night Leftovers

• it freaking snowed. again. hate.
• teaching is the same, yet different, than I expected it to be. I need some ideas on how to get my material to a) last 4 hours and b)get the students engaged more.
• I have been easily annoyed this week.
• My blog has also been getting quite the work-out this week! [anyone else doing the 30DPC? link up, if you are! or when you do]
• Operation organize office was a huge success! I can actually focus in here now which is awesome.
• Gianna is 23 months old today. I can’t really wrap my brain around the fact that she will be 2 in one month.
• I am throwing a party in one month… must.get.invitations.out. I also need to get my crafty stuff together!
• When I got home last night, I discovered that my sneaky sister had left a lot of inspirational bible verses around my office. I am still discovering them (and I have a feeling I will be for a while). She is totally awesome.
• My other sister is totally awesome too, of course.
• Gianna asked to take her nap today. I was impressed.
• I have a maternity picture up in my office. a) I still can’t believe how humongous I was b) I can’t wait to be pregnant again (I can’t believe I just typed that)  c) no. I am not pregnant, or trying to get pregnant right now.
• speaking of pregnant – who ISN’T pregnant right now? SHEESH! I am happy for 2 of my girlfriends who are both having girls though – yay hair bows!
• Did I mention that I submitted my research to present at a state-wide conference?
• Must take advantage of this quiet time to get some stuff done.
• today I am thankful for Danifred for hosting FNL. you can play too!

Places & Friends

Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been to.

Myrtle Beach September 2010
Day 6 - A picture of you with friends you've known less than a year.

My Premier Family. Regional Rally 2011.

Move over snowboots

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am SO OVER winter.

REALLY REALLY over it.

In order to tame my winter blues and my anticipation of summer - I checked out express & their Spring 2011 women's swimwear collection.

Are these not freaking adorable???

 ((is the body of this model included in the purchase?))

They are screaming "wear me at your mom's pool [so you don't blind anyone with your crazy belly jiggle] until you get back in shape" followed by "wear me at the beach!" And at Disney (yay!).

There a ton of really cute swim suits on the express site - it is hard to pick just one! I am a bit of a swim suit collector... I will definitely be picking up a few from Express this year since I will have a LOT more time to spend at the pool than I ever have before. Now if only I could get my butt in gear and in shape....

I love a lot of things about Express (editor pants!), but their swim suits are awesome because:

• the tops have removable padding, since I need all the help I can get in that department.
• the designer details (flirty ruffles! glam beaded embellishments! polished metal hardware!) add that perfect touch of summer sexy
• Not to mention bright solids, on-trend graphic prints,  essential reversible style (more bang for your buck!), nautical inspired striped and sleek metallic styles so I have no choice but to buy more than one!

If you sign up for the Express e-mail, you will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $200 Express GiftCards!! Which means you can get your sexy bathing suit and other warm weather essentials including sandals, tote bags, sunglasses and hats.

The Express line gives the basic beach look an upgrade with bold hues and body-loving shapes - making it possible for ALL of us (even the ones who don't look like models!) a sexy look for summer!

I get their e-mails all the time and they are packed full of great deals that I regularly take advantage of - so GO! Sign up for the Express e-mail and get yourself entered to win a giftcard!! Sweepstakes ends 4.21 at 11:59pm EST [sweepstakes rules]