Personal Shopper

Last Sunday, Rod & I took Sophia to Storkland to find her Christmas dress & some dress shoes. We found a beautiful dress, matching dress shoes & a real-live shopping cart. Yes, you read that correctly. A flipping shopping cart. Rod couldn't resist when Sophia ran over to it & immediately started 'shopping' - she proceeding to find a baby doll & put her in the seat, then go around putting 'groceries' in it. I admit, it was pretty funny. However, I was trying to be the 'responsible' parent in trying to get the task of finding dress shoes that fit done. Rod was convinced we'd have to get the cart & I fought him on it as I thought it was silly to pay ____ (it's more than I care to share/admit!) well, let's just say it cost more than $20. So I continued to put up a fight claiming that we only needed to purchase what we actually went there for. I lost. Luckily, we still had to go to Publix to get some groceries...so, we were able to put Sophia to work in the grocery store - HA! We gave her a fake grocery list (as she's all about mimicking Mommy these days)...& voila! We had our personal shopper....everyone in Publix was killing themselves laughing - including us. Sophia felt like such a big girl!

The Uncommon Finch

One of my dear Sigma Kappa sisters in my pledge class from Auburn emailed several of us girls last week & shared the link to her newest baby, The Uncommon Finch - it's her line of gorgeous handmade jewelry. After perusing the site, I was blown away! I had no idea that she had this sort of talent, but her pieces are amazing! This newest venture was born out of the poor economy where she was an accomplished architect & was laid off - she struggled & prayed for the right door to open (meanwhile downsizing & working several other jobs to make ends meet). She even began taking metalsmithing classes to learn to work metal into fine pieces...jewelry was always a big part of who Catherine was (& is!), but we're all so proud of her for making something so beautiful out of a very dark period of her life! She has several lines that she's started (with very clever titles) & there is truly something there for everyone ranging from simplistic to exotic in earrings, necklaces, bracelets & more. She's just launched her site, so please take the time to check it out...you may just find something fabulous for your friend or even for yourself. She'll even make custom pieces...& that's a good thing, because I've got a few ideas up my sleeve for her!

http://www.theuncommonfinch.com/index2.html

Happy Halloween!

It's hard to believe this was Sophia's 3rd Halloween! We've gone from being a Pea in the Pod (not even crawling)to a Ballerina (the chubbiest & cutest!) to our little Minnie Mouse who was capable of shouting "Trick or Treat"! Ah, we're just so proud. HA! We'd been trying to prep Sophia this year on 'what to do' - wearing a costume, carrying a bucket, ringing a doorbell, saying "Trick or Treat" & then "thank you". We accomplished most of that list...not too shabby! We had made plans to take Sophia by the grandparents houses that afternoon to let her do some practice runs & to let them have some photo opps. We arrived at Lopez's first where she totally didn't want to wear the ears, carry the bag or ring the doorbell. Fantastic. We even completed the mission by not wanting candy. Fail. However, we were able to get some sweet photos of Sophia with Patricia, Rafa & Gabby...the bonus was Devon showed up! This made Minnie's day! Next up we headed to the Schultz's where we had a repeat...at least she rang the doorbell here & was interested in receiving the goods from Nana's basket! This time she understood what was going into her bag & she wanted to taste it....like, NOW. A few photos & giggles later, we were off to Ava's house!

We had planned to get together with Crimi's at their house to do trick or treating & to have dinner. Upon arrival, the girls squealed at each others costumes & decided to play. We quickly gathered the goods for the trailer ride around the neighborhood with some other friends & off we went. It was much colder than we expected, so in total we gathered treats for about an hour I'm guessing. The girls had fun riding on the trailer & seeing all the other kids' costumes. They did very well & were the most polite children out there...of course! Afterwards we headed back to Crimi's where we changed the girls into their PJ's & warmed up eating some yummy homemade ziti, breadsticks & more. It was delish & we were all able to thaw out - BRR! The girls had a blast & Rod even assembled a fun fort out of blankets & chairs - they LOVED this...they were giggling going in & out & it was fun to watch.

I even opted to bring a Halloween favorite from my childhood that my mom would make, Ghosts in the Graveyard dessert. It was always fun to eat...however, I was too late in buying the supplies & couldn't find the pumpkins or candycorns. My cool whip ghosts were only one & he melted into the dirt....the disaster provided a great laugh & good lesson that I need to buy the supplies early next year. However, it tasted the same as I always remembered - deeeelish!! Here's the link to view it & to make it next year:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/ghosts-in-the-graveyard-54472.aspx

Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!

Our whole family couldn't wait for October 18th, when we'd all go down to the MPAC to see Playhouse Disney Live! on tour...we'd been pumping up the big day for awhile to Sophia. It was her chance to see all the characters of her favorite morning Disney programs - Little Einsteins, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny & of COURSE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with all the main characters! It was so funny that here we were taking our 2.5yr old to see these characters & thinking she was really excited, but the level of excitement in the theater completely changed when Mickey Mouse came onstage - young or old, it was like we were all 5 again - it was pure magic...and the faces of our kids were truly priceless! We attended the event with our partner family in crime, the Crimi's. Ava & Sophia had fun giggling & 'talking' about the characters sitting on their daddies laps - meanwhile Monica & I served as the family historians snapping the family memories. The girls had a blast (& so did we!)...Sophia even wore her upcoming Halloween costume, Minnie Mouse - sans ears...that just wasn't gonna happen. We had to even bribe her with M&M's to wear it - if you think you're above bribes, just become a parent & you'll quickly understand why we do it! Sophia was jazzed at the whole experience & even walked away with a new Mickey Mouse plush animal!

It was well-worth the investment & I believe the next time the show comes to the 'area' is next spring to Birmingham...we highly recommend it! The show was great as the adult people dressed in character, but they lip-synched to the chilren's voice from the show...this kept it as close to the show as possible as the kids recognized the characters by sight & voice. It was an interactive show where the kids helped the character by shouting answers to questions, etc. Lots of fun! We even got to do the Hot Dog dance with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang - yay!

After our trip, Rod was set on whisking Sophia off to Disney World next spring, but I said 'not so fast'...I think we still have another year before it's worth THAT sort of investment - HA!

Yada, Yada, Yada

Here I sit dreading having to update this 'thing'...I think I might be in a mood today, not sure. However, lots has happened since our last post - sigh. It's been very eventful for little Miss Sophia for sure! The remainder of September brought some fun birthday parties for two of Sophia's friends, Ava Crimi as well as Sophia Minor. The parties were back-to-back on one weekend & so our little Sophia was completely partied out when all was said and done! It also brought a very fun trip courtesty of Nana & Papa to the Georgia Aquarium and of course, the pumpkin patch too!

Sophia at her BFF, Ava's party:


Sophia at Sophia M's birthday party in the inflatable jump-jump:



Next came our 2nd annual trip to the Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch in Clanton, AL. It's a fabulous little place that offers tractor-train rides, an inflatable jump-jump area, shopping, music, eats,facepainting, etc. all in addition to the pumpkin patch itself. Like last year, Sophia had a great time (aside from some tantrums, but hey, she's two - it's to be expected!) & so did we. We managed to snap some fun photos of Sophia trapesing (sp?) thru the patch to find the perfect pumpkin...just in time as it started to mist on us!

Next came a much anticipated trip to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta! Rod & I first visited the aquarium back on our first anniversary in 2008. We decided we'd go 'check it out' & take notes on the do's & don't's before we took Sophia. We both had such a great time that we knew in another year it'd be about time. So a year & a half later we went back - this time with Sophia & my parents. We arrived at lunchtime & proceeded to have all sorts of fun inside! Sophia loved running from window to window looking at all the fishies & watching them move, swim, eat, etc. It was sensory overload, but she loved it. She even ventured to the 'touch pools' where she experienced what different marine life felt like. We were proud of this accomplishment for sure. We watched the 3D/4D? show....however, Sophia didn't want to wear the shades they provide, but she was completely content watching a blurry movie without it. Go figure. Meanwhile, the rest of us had a great time grabbing at things in front of our faces like we were 5! When all was said & done, all of us were completely pooped & ready to drive home...what a FUN day!

Whew! I made it....now I'll be working on getting photos together of our trip to Playhouse Disney Live! that came to Montgomery and our Halloween photos...they are priceless!!

War Eagle!

Rod never spoke truer words than his marriage mantra: "A happy wife is a happy life"...he scored free Auburn tickets from a sweet girl in his office & we were able to go to the loveliest village on the Plains to watch Auburn vs. Mississippi State! Rod was to fulfill the only requirement of the ticket giver (Blair), by wearing orange & blue to the game - as many of you know Rod is a grad of that 'other' school...Auburn's rival, Alabama. The silver lining is that Rod got his degree from Alabama, but only ever attended the Tide's football games for the hotdogs. I swear. You give him free tickets to a football game & tell him what kind of 'goods' the concession stands will have, he'll be there with bells on, guaranteed. No questions asked. He fulfilled his promise to Blair & sported the colors - much to my delight. I practically bleed orange & blue & am a die-hard Auburn fan thru & thru! I better especially after being in the Auburn commercial my senior year & having my face plastered to every Tiger Transit on campus as part of the marketing campaign with the commercial!

Rod & I were able to drive up yesterday morning & walk up & down College Street to see all the new shops & peruse the campus bookstores...I love that town during gamedays! It's my favorite spot it the whole world! We also were able to meet up with two of my sweet Sigma Kappa sorority sisters too...we giggled & reminisced & drooled over the STILL cute Auburn firemen as they cruised thru campus on their orange & blue firetrucks...ha! Rod was able to visit with Jenni's husband Tyler & they were able to talk banking & finance...we joke they have a "financial bromance". How fitting!

Once inside the game we had a fantastic time sitting a section or two away from the roar of the student section & we had fun scarfing down stadium hot dogs, popcorn & more. We cheered Auburn on to their 2nd win of the season against Mississippi State...War Eagle! We hope to get back to Auburn before the season is over for another game or to tailgate with friends at the very least!

Student Driver

As most families do, we spent the Labor Day weekend at my in-laws lakehouse up on Lake Martin this past weekend. It was lots of fun & filled with some pretty funny memories. Sophia got to catch some rays at the neighborhood pool, see her Aunt Gabby & boyfriend, Devon too. She also got to visit with Devon's friend Graham (or as she refers to him: Graham Cracker). It's true. We arrived Saturday just prior to lunch & had fun hanging out downstairs with the college kids. Sophia was happy to show everyone her bike skills & even sweet talked them into playing "bumps" (aka "cars") with them. Meanwhile, Devon & I, who are often referred to as the "geeks" in the family, were busy updating our iPhones & iTouches with the latest Facebook & Twitter apps. Luckily, Devon is more up-to-date on that sort of thing & was able to get this chick up to speed. However, as we all visited downstairs, Rafa was in charge of the grill - let's just say he was paying more attention to the US Open on TV upstairs than the grill downstairs outside. Patricia noticed the heavy amount of smoke drifting upwards & we thought it seemed a tad heavy outside too. As we stood up to look outside, the pinestraw next to the grill was already ablaze. Seriously. The boys rushed outside & quickly extinguished the flames (only a few inches high, but dry pinestraw...whew!). The flames had already scorched a few rose bushes & had already traveled around & up past the stone wall towards the driveway. We were fortunate that only a flew plants & pinestraw bit the dust & the house nor anyone was hurt. Needless to say Patricia scolded Rafa in some very fast-talking Spanish, none of which I could even make out! Then if that wasn't bad enough, Rafa proceeded to then burn the veggies. Oops! Lunch was still edible & the day went on....only at the Lopez house! HA! Sunday brought us the glorious last day at the neighborhood pool where Sophia was more happy to sit (snacking of course!) & people-watch than to get her little body wet. Oh well...people watching was actually pretty fun that day. Afterwards, we hopped in the car to drive the 2.5 blocks to get to the lakehouse - yes, we pulled a "Britney". However, it was definitely not on a L.A. Freeway...we didn't even pass any cars...Sophia had the BEST time: