Girls Weekend (July) 2012

So, I had every intention of logging on and getting some work done after Nathan went to sleep tonight.  Instead, I ordered some Pampered Chef and decided it was too late to work, but not too late to put up a quick post!

This year my college girls and I finally got our act together and planned a girls weekend for late July (after quarter of course).  We've missed a few years due to babies and weddings, but we really do try to get together at least once a year. Kristin's husband's grandparents own a condo on the beach in Galveston and they generously let us stay there for a long weekend (Thursday to Sunday). The last time we stayed here together was in 2006, one year after graduation.  I remember studying for the CPA exam by the pool.  What a difference six years makes! Two additional husbands and five kids between us...hard to believe! Anyway, after my client filed their 10-Q Thursday I spent a little time at the team happy hour then drove straight to Galveston for 3 whole baby-free nights (sorry, Nathan).  I reeaaaallly needed this getaway with some of my favorite and best girlfriends.  All of us are married now and three of us have children, so we all had various reasons for wanting to just get away for a few days!  I will say that sleeping in was pretty great, even if "sleeping in" meant sleeping until 7:00am.

The whole weekend was perfect (in my book anyway).  The only "plan" we made was to go to dinner one night.  The rest of the time was spend lounging by the pool reading/dozing/catching up and playing card games in the room watching the Olympics. We went to the grocery store Friday morning and stocked up on easy to cook (i.e. defrost) food and snacks. We went for one obligatory walk on the beach and also enjoyed viewing a beach wedding (and the scary storm front threatening to ruin it) from afar on the balcony.  Completely relaxing and completely enjoyable.  I'm already ready for next year!  We didn't take many pictures, but here are the few I have.

Girls weekend 2012

Girls weekend 2006 flashback.

Kristin, Lauren and me

Misty Sue, Lauren and me

Dinner at the Black Pearl

View from our balcony

I got picture updates of Nathan while I was gone, but otherwise didn't spend much time on the phone with Jimmy.  Lori (Lolo) came up to "help" Jimmy with Nathan, so no one feel bad for him for being abandoned.  This was very soon after Lolo got back from visiting Aunt Ashley in Hawaii, and she had a few presents for Nathan.  Here's some of the fun they had.

Dear Little Human,

At last! The humans finally went to bed and left this flat computer out. I write this letter to the little human they brought home about 18 moons ago. Little Human, consider this a warning...

I remember the days before you came to our territory. It's bad enough that Joule and I have to share Dad with that flat faced, tangled snob and Mom, but now all he wants to do is play with you! We used to have relaxing evenings where I could sit on dad's lap and get some love, but now after they put you in your cage for the night they just eat and go to bed. Speaking of bed, we are now banned from the bedroom at night because Mom "doesn't need cats waking her up too." Thanks a lot.

I've noticed that Mom is starting to let you climb up the stairs now. That fits in nicely with my plan to eliminate you.  Eventually she will let you go up all by yourself without her shadowing you...and that's when I'll act. I've spent years trying to trip Mom on the stairs, but her early training in cat avoidance has saved her so far. I bide my time.

In the mean time, let me give you some advice, Little Human. First, sunbathing time is not subject to interruption. If I'm laying on the windowsill in the sunshine I'm not "seeping," (whatever that means) I'm meditating on ways to separate you from the big humans. Second, I don't want to play with you. Ever. Period. When I run away from you that is not an invitation to chase me. I'm just trying to get to a place where you can't touch me with your grimy hands.  It just aggravates my indigestion. Third, Mom's admonitions to, "don't kick the kitty," "be easy with the kitty," and "leave the kitty alone" should be heeded. Especially that last one. Just leave me alone.

Fourth, my tail is a tool for balancing, showing my dominance over intruders in the back yard and adds to my graceful lines. Don't touch it, much less pull it. Finally, you may call me Cat. Biggles is not my real name, even though the big humans insist on calling me that. My name is actually Steve.  Regardless, whatever intelligible gibberish you try to pull off as "Biggles" is just not acceptable. Therefore, Cat or even "tat" as you say will suffice.

I leave you with these parting words...I don't like you. Please go live somewhere else. Maybe I can find your receipt so Mom can return you, although she does seem to have an unhealthy attachment to you.

That is all for now, Little Human.

Signed,
Steve (aka Biggles)

Nathan's First Trip to the Zoo

The first Saturday of every month is "member Saturday" at the Houston Zoo. This allows early entry (and thus excellent parking) and discounts on almost everything you do.   So the first weekend of July we decided to break in our new membership and go see some "graffs" and "yions (rawr)." A mommy who has been before cautioned me not to overdo it, after all you have free entry anytime, so we planned to arrive around 8:30 and only stay a few hours.

Nathan was, of course clueless about what was happening, and seemed more ready for a nap than a zoo adventure. 

Luckily he livened up once we got inside and saw some critters. We decided we were only going to see the birds (at the entrance), cats (for mommy) and giraffes (Nathan's current favorite from his Noah's ark toy). I think we also saw the primates since they were on the way to the cats.  We got to see a bunch of up close animals and Nathan was very entertained.

Nathan said, "Cat....meow." If he saw it now he'd say "Yion....rawr."

There's a tiger way back there somewhere.

Stopped for a snack and some shade.  Even though it was early it was HOT.

The giraffes also happened to be by the carousel so of course we had to take a ride! We picked a stationary animal because Nathan wasn't too excited about this big loud moving contraption. Maybe next visit we'll try a zebra.

Wave bye-bye to the giraffe!

We passed through the gift shop on the way out, which was air conditioned, hallelujah, and Nathan (who was asleep in the stroller) got a hat from Lolo and a shirt from Momo and Popo. So we will be decked out and ready for our next zoo adventure!!  It was a fun day although Nathan ended it with a little tummy bug. I think our next trip will include the zebras, elephants and "sish" (aquarium)...or maybe just the children's petting zoo...

June 16th - 5 Years Ago...

I married the love of my life. I really can't believe we've been married 5 years, together for almost 9 (in October) and have been friends for 14 years! Our anniversary this year fell on a Saturday. I was sick with a cold Nathan "shared" with me and frantically trying to figure out what Nathan was going to give Jimmy for Fathers day, which was the following day (yes, the secret is out...worst wife ever). We didn't do anything really special that weekend other than make a special dinner together of our favorite things after Nathan went to bed. This was a function of two things: budget considerations and we were going out of town the following weekend to Jimmy's cousin Miranda's wedding by ourselves. Lolo was coming to watch Nathan and that was my first night completely away from Nathan. So in anticipation of a romantic time away on the river walk in San Antonio the next weekend we kept it pretty casual. We didn't exchange gifts even though I'm told by a reliable source that 5 is the diamond anniversary. (Authors note: for those of you actually looking it up, the traditional gift for 5 years is wood...I guess I should have asked for wood floors!).

The  next day was Fathers Day. I let Jimmy sleep in some and Nathan gave Daddy a card and a photo frame collage of pictures of them together. Not my most inspired idea ever, I'll admit...I'll do better next year.  I don't think we took many pictures either, but here are the ones I can find. Mom fail.

The following weekend was Jimmy's cousin Miranda's wedding in San Antonio. Lori and her posse (Momo and Popo) came to keep Nathan. Jimmy and I were both sick with really bad sore throats, and against better judgment still left to attend on Saturday morning. This was my first real night away from Nathan since he was born. It was hard to walk out the door, but once we were in the truck I was good to go! I think the prospect of a full nights sleep was just too appealing. Unfortunately we both slept terribly because of our colds and general misery associated with them. But the wedding (Catholic mass) was beautiful, the bride was absolutely stunning (see below) and reception was a wonderful time spent catching up with Jimmy's aunts, uncles and cousins we rarely get to see.  After the heartache the family had this spring with the loss of aunt Lucy and Grandmama,  it was nice to get together to celebrate a new beginning. 

Breathtaking.

They took pictures of their "child" in a tux in different poses for the table cards.  This was ours...too precious.

Just like at our own wedding, I danced more with Jimmy's uncles than  with him.

Of course we got periodic picture updates of Nathan, so my mommy withdrawals were only mild.

Okay, so that catches us up through mid-June. I'll have to think about it but our next stop might be July!