Elephants, Rockstars and Frozen Margaritas!

On Saturday, I had my birthday. I'm not afraid to say that I am now 34. It was a wonderful day with only one thing missing: my twin sister. I missed all my family, but it is just WRONG to spend my birthday without my sister. Luckily, I get to go see her in less than a week.

Anyway, we started the day with a family trip to the circus. This was the first circus trip for B and both boys. We had fun although J was disappointed there weren't more animals (only tigers, elephants, sheepdogs, a little dog, and miniature horses). I thought it was all very entertaining. Here are a few pics:

I love elephants! Here's a closeup of one that was giving rides before the circus began.



The tigers performed in the ring closest to us which was cool. They were the first act. Very impressive and such beautiful animals.
The tiger tamer was a hilarious guy with rock star hair and tigerprint pants. He thought he was a rock star too. VERY entertaining. He returned in several acrobatic acts including this one:

He's the guy on the outside of the top ring. Yes, the rings were spinning at the time.


And, of course, I had to take a photo of the elephant act.
Then later that night, we got a sitter and B and I went bowling with our best friends in the neighborhood. I haven't been bowling since middle school and even though I am awful (my scores ranged from 44 to 72) we had a blast!

It was SO much fun. Maybe a little too much fun (pitchers of beer and frozen strawberry margaritas), but a great way to celebrate my birthday! I am a truly blessed person.

Because I love him...

So my husband is going through a bit of a Chuck Norris stage. It all started when he found this t-shirt at Target. Then it continued when I got him this one for Valentine's Day. Then I had a chance to go to a glass painting night with some friends and while everyone else painted their wine glasses, I made these:

Chuck Norris doesn't step on toes. He steps on necks.

Champions are the breakfast of Chuck Norris.

Nice, huh? Nothing says true love like Chuck Norris.

Thank Goodness for Bookmarks

It's been a long time. I almost forgot where to go, but luckily my Blogger bookmark was still there. I haven't forgotten my blog, just too busy with life. Will catch up soon. I promise. I have knitting and crafting and cute pics of my boys to share. Hope you all are doing well. See you again soon...really I mean it.

Happy Spring!

Yeah, first day of Spring in Texas and we got around 6 inches of snow. Who would have thunk it?

Book List: I am Loving Reading Edition

I've just been in reading mode recently and have been reading quite a few books. Here are the latest:

College Girl by Patricia Weitz: This book, unlike the rest in this group, was not a light read. It was about a girl who's in her senior year of college. She's struggling to find her place on campus and in life. Anyone who's had doubts about fitting in somewhere can relate to this novel. However, hopefully your experience was better this one. It ends okay, but there are some depressing moments before the ending. Interesting, but NOT light.

The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne: This was an adorable book with a really fun main character and I could see it making a great movie. I really loved it. It's the third in the "Little Lady Agency" series and I only wish I had read the other two first. After reading this one and knowing the ending, I don't think I would enjoy the first two as much since I know the ending, but I am still considering reading them because this one was so enjoyable.

Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips; Lucky Streak by Carly Phillips: These are two of the books in the Lucky Trilogy. As always for Phillips, they are an enjoyable light read. I liked them both, but really got into Lucky Streak--really liked the characters in that one. If you like the romance novel formula (romance, mystery, sex), then you should check it out. I read the preview of the third novel, but wasn't tempted to read it.

Ready for Love by Debbie Macomber: I know Debbie Macomber from her Blossom Street books so I wasn't sure what to expect. Although a different subject manner, this book had the same kind of easy read. Inspired by the movie Sabrina, this book is actually two mini-novels about two brothers. The first is most closely related to the film and is about the older brother. The second is about the younger brother and it's plot seems less inspired by the film. I enjoyed both as quick, light reads. If you enjoy steamier romances, this is NOT the book for you.

Dockside by Susan Wiggs; Fireside by Susan Wiggs: These two books are both part of "The Lakeshore Chronicles" by Susan Wiggs. I'd never read any of her books before, but J liked the picture on the front of Dockside and picked it out for me. I really enjoyed the writing style and plots in both books, but of the two Dockside was my favorite. I just got totally sucked in. There are quite a few books in the series and I'm tempted to read them all. A minor character in one or two of the books, then becomes the main character in a later book. Very fun. More books of the "less steamy romance" variety.

Full House by Janet Evanovich: I got this book in a neighborhood book exchange a while ago and just slowed down long enough to read it. I guess it was one of her earlier books and it was recently republished. It was a fun light read with some mystery, a developing romance, and a little, just a little, steaminess. A different kind of heroine, a divorced mother of two, but a fun read all the same.

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie: Jennifer Crusie has become one of my go to authors when I want a light, fun read. This is actually the first novel she ever wrote and it's a cute one. A little steamier than some of the others, but not over the top, it's a fun romance story.

My Little Leprechauns

When we were getting dressed for St. Patrick's Day, I told J that he had to wear green. We were headed to a St. Patty's Day craft play date and I wanted the boys to look festive. I picked out a green t-shirt for J to wear. I found the green vest I knit for J for Christmas in 2008 and decided that N could wear it. When I went to pick out the rest of N's clothes, J decided N had to wear his green pants too. Well, then J wanted to wear green pants. So shortly thereafter I had two little leprechauns.
J looked more like a modern combat leprechaun in his olive greens, but N looked like just a traditional little leprechaun.
Or maybe traditional leprechaun at Mardi Gras.

Birthday Fun, Part 4: J's Actual Birthday

The first thing J did when he woke up the morning of his birthday was play with his new Leapster and Diego game from Mooma and Papa. N, of course, had to crawl up next to him and watch.

After opening presents, we went to Toys R Us where J had fun sitting on this fire truck. Even though it was his birthday, we still didn't put any money in it. Poor J.


For the first time ever, J got to pick out any toy that he wanted (within a budget). He picked this cool Diego Animal Rescue train.

B and I decided to get him his first bike. Here he is riding it a few days later at the park. After a little hesitation, he's done really well with it.
Since we'd already done cake (for his party) and cupcakes (for school), we just bought this small cake for J's birthday night treat. They sell them at the grocery store and he's been wanting one for a while.

And that is the end of J's birthday fun.