Black Friday--the return

I thought I was done with Christmas shopping for the girls, but I had to make some returns. I missed a couple sales by 30 minutes. I was too early. I guess you really have to pay attention to start times for sales. Nuts. Now I have to go out in the snow and search some more. The good thing is I got $100 credited to my card. I bet I can spend less than that and feel done. I still have to look for Mr., but he hasn't told me anything he wants yet. And of course I have to shop for myself. I am looking forward to doing this on my own some time in the the next 10 days. Lulu was a good partner yesterday, but it is so much easier on my own. Anybody want to babysit/shop swap?

Announcement, of the birthday variety

There are 2 weeks until my birthday. Consider yourself warned. I am expecting something great this year. Hint, hint. I know Mr. looks at this blog, so that is for him. I will be 31.

Last night, as I watched NKOTBSB perform at the AMA awards, I realized that I haven't changed much in the last 20 years. I used to watch all of the music award shows and all of the miss america pageants and I still have to at least check out the music awards. I avoid the pageants, unless Mimi spots one and asks to watch the talent portion.

I remember going on a road trip with my mom and grandparents to Idaho and listening to NKOTB the whole way--on my mini-boombox (not even a walkman) with headphones. I think I was 10, maybe younger. I used to be able to sing every word of every song on the radio. I loved Debbie Gibson too. I still like to sing to the radio and encourage my little ones to dance in the car. Music is fun. We all need to dance a little more--even if we have no rhythm.

So, that is my birthday request. Sing and dance at the store or in your car. Make people laugh or let them stare. Maybe they will join in. This is especially great on Black Friday. I guarantee you will be smiling.

Vacation

Right after the girls found out we were going to Disneyland.
1st day--at SeaWorld. It was so fun. And hot. We were expecting 85 for the high, but it was 90+ most of the days.

Mr. helped the girls pet and feed the dolphins. Lulu fed ice cubes because she didn't want to touch the fish. Mimi rubbed their heads very carefully.

This picture is actually from Friday. If you look in the background, you can see my parents. I talked them into taking a vacation and I am so glad they came. They knocked on our door (totally shocking the girls) in the morning and joined us at Disneyland for 12 hours that day. The girls loved playing with them. Most of the pictures of that day are on their camera.

Lulu driving the bumper car.

Wild Animal Park

It was hot and we were tired. The car thermometer said 101 when we headed to the hotel.

Lulu was shy when she took pictures with the characters. She loved Minnie's house. We got a few shots with some princesses and Pluto and Goofy. This was our first time really doing a character hunt.

We found Mickey! They were both excited and then Lulu got shy. Someday she'll learn.

The girls both had a great time. Mimi pushed us to stay out until 11:30 riding the rides. I guess she really wanted to make the most of her day.

Lulu kept calling the hotel the dentist. "Let's go swim at the dentist." "Are we going back to the dentist yet?" Won't she be surprised.

We went to Cheesecake Factory. We were ALL disappointed in the food, but the cheesecake was pretty good.

We spent a day at the beach in Malibu, checking out tide pools with Mr.'s sister. We had great weather and lots of fun.

We flew home on the same flight as my parents. It was a fun trip. The only picture we got of all of us together was at the airport. I really wasn't thinking about pictures by the time we were all together. I don't know how we will top this vacation.

The Surprise!

I had Mr. take the camera and gave him the sign as I brought some gifts down the stairs. The girls opened their bags to find princess shirts and Minnie mouse jackets. Mimi said, "Oh, Thanks!" Then I held out some tickets and Lulu said, "Tickets to Mickey." And I told them we would be leaving in an hour and a half to fly to LA and head on down to Disneyland, SeaWorld, and the Wild Animal Park. We were there for a whole week and had a whole lot of fun. The movie of their reactions and crying didn't actually get recorded, but they were so excited. I have lots of pictures to share, but I haven't gone through them yet. I got my Disney fix and probably won't feel the urge for several years. It was a nice break and we got to spend some time with Mr.'s sister which was just as fun as going to Disneyland.