Birthdays, Bikes, Baseball and Baking

Tristan got a "grown up" bike for his birthday complete with much desired hand brakes. He got tons of other awesome gifts from lots of generous friends and family (pictured - Bakugans from Grandma DiPiero). His birthday party was fun with just a few mild disasters, aka Florida rain storm, but the kids had fun with a pinata, making fun foam pennants, having a home run derby and eating hot dogs and pizza. Then Monday was playdate day so the kids each had some friends over - Tori and her friends Sydney and Rebecca baked chocolate chip cookies all by themselves (except the oven part) and they were delicious. Lots of fun later amidst the craziness!

A Walk to Remember...

sorry cheesy title, had to do it! Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk 2009 at St.Petersburg Pier.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Tristan! It's hard to believe my baby boy is 7 years old already. While sometimes it breaks my heart that my "baby" years are all over it has been such a joy to see him start school and become his own force of nature as opposed to Tori's little playmate. You did what she told you for so long and now you create your own stories, make your own games, and follow your own rules! Yet you are still her biggest fan.

You are my shy child that would prefer to remain out of the spotlight but have the sweetest little voice when you sing. When you are not singing there is always a sound effect coming out of your mouth! To watch you on a soccer field or throwing a ball around is to know that you have the natural grace of a born athlete. I look forward to watching you grow in skill and enjoyment as you play. I love listening to you read and be proud of yourself for sounding out the big words or finishing a chapter book!

To my little athlete, my cuddler, my compassionate and loyal buddy, Happy Birthday.

Scary

Not Halloween scary, real scary. This whole putting an offer in on a house with the possibility that you might own something that big and have to take care of it and make payments that you can totally afford today but are a little worrisome if you suddenly lost a job or had a massive medical crisis is SCARY. Kids who are old enough to be dropped off at the pool with coaches and kids old enough to be wanting bikes with hand brakes for their birthdays and kids old enough to requests allowances are SCARY. Trying to juggle a million things in your life and kids lives and still make sure you have plenty of time for family time is SCARY. Making sure your kids are believing things about their faith because they believe and have real faith not just accepting whatever you say at face value only to challenge it later is SCARY.

The Hunt

The house has resumed with a new realtor. After a disappointment that was really out of our reach to begin with but...a girl can hope. So we have this list of things we would like (4 bedrooms, pool, in Brooker Creek school zone, fenced yard) and this list of things we need (3 bedrooms, yard space, garage, storage space of some kind). And its hard to remember that the wants are optional. For example the pool is a big deal to me - we use it ALL THE TIME. But its not really a need...my friends have pools, my parents have a community pool just miles away from the houses we have seen and we have a YMCA membership. So we have two in mind - one has more curb appeal and is newer (including roof and ac) and one has LOTS more space with tons of remodeling inside but may need a new roof in the next 5 years and looks older from the outside. Not sure what will come of either of them but can I just say that I hate the process. I hate looking, hating comprimising, hate all those numbers that change from house to house (insurance, flood or not, taxes, etc).

House A:

House B:

And to top the whole mess off we have to be careful about how we move out of this one. While I could probably live in a villa for the rest of my life Todd would prefer not too. I guess that's fair. But my parents own this one and while they would be happy for us if we found a good deal and got into our own place I don't want to hurt them either and with the market what it is...who knows what will happen here. And I respect them and definitely don't want to hurt them ya know?!

Okay thats my lament for today...off to church and maybe an afternoon at Busch Gardens!

Memory Walk

My mom is the director of a secured Alzheimer's unit in Palm Harbor and has asked me to walk with her. Unfortunately this disease is one I see first hand regularly as those in early stages act out before treatment or proper care has been obtained and find themselves in a psych ward. If you are interested in supporting this cause that touches SO many people as either those with Alzheimer's disease or the family of check out this page: Memory Walk St.Petersburg 2009

Baby Shower, Ikea, Friends

It has been a crazy few days. Worked alot last week and then spent my day off getting stuff prepared for a baby shower I cohosted (with the amazing Lauren) for my friend Jenni. Below are a couple of pictures of the cake (ok so I'm no Duff but still thought it turned out ok) and the chocolates we made as favors. On the way home from the shower I made a quick stop into IKEA to get these really cute cake doily things and also some new glasses (we've been drinking out of plastic cups way too long!). Then Sunday we had lunch with friends at Sonny's and another couple and their kids over for dinner. Fun times. Unfortunately Monday brought a nasty migraine which means as soon as I am done with this I have a mountain of weekend laundry/ironing to do!

Labor Day Weekend

Gotta love a long weekend. Saturday we had a great day playing with Bobby and kids and the West family at the pool. Sunday we took the boat out in the Bay all day and then had dinner with my brother and his wife. Ended the night playing darts and having drinks at a nearby place. Then Monday we attempted a round of frisbee golf, played some baseball with Tristan's new bat and glove, and made super yummy lava cakes!

Lava Cake
4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 tbsp. flour

Preheat oven to 425. Butter 4 custard cups. Place on baking sheet.

Microwave chocolate & butter until butter is melted. Stir with whisk until chocolate is melted & blended smooth. Stir in sugar until blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour until smooth.
Divide into the custard cups.

Bake 13-14 minutes. Let stand 1 minute. Run a knife around the cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto plates and serve immediately with ice-cream.

Maternity Photos

Many of you know that I have always wanted to be a photographer but also feel that its one of those jobs you might A - make NO money at and B - always have to work weekends and C - could try to do and then really suck at. None of which would be good for me :-) So of course I jumped at the chance to do some maternity photos for a friend. Here are just a couple. Jenni is 33 weeks pregnant with a little boy, fondly called Tater Tot until his mommy reveals his name on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (air date to come soon - we hope!).

Very odd children...

They seem to have gotten daddy's flare for the dramatic - an evening with the camera out brought about this nuttiness!

Sept Ticket

For Tristan's bday party - I was proud of them. Thought I would share!