Keeping it Real Friday

Remember back in February when I posted about my meal planning?

(here: http://skaggsfamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/feb-meal-planning.html)

How cute of me. How put together I was.  You all must have been so impressed.

Here's a true fact (which, aren't all facts, by nature true? I still say "true fact" a good bit): I haven't "meal planned" since that day.

And I am fairly certain I haven't cooked a decent meal since then either.

Is it just me or does the spring suddenly explode with events and obligations? I am not necessarily complaining, it's just fact.

I have no time to cook. 

And, I just don't want to cook.

I am ever grateful for the longer days and a husband who likes to grill

Plus, we are doing good to have the three of us eating a meal at the same time.  Last night Jones had Annie's Mac-n-Cheese, roast beef, and strawberries.  Trey ate at the baseball game with friends.  And I had Special K. 

Sign me up for the Betty Crocker Award.

Side note: My mom actually won the Betty Crocker Award in high school.  Another true fact.  She is queen of all things domestic.  I have stopped trying to live up. 

I also can't sew.  And while we are at it, I am so far from crafty.

However, on Pinterest, I am a rock star.   Well-dressed, beautiful home, crafty and a gourmet cook.

I love my Pinterest self.

Happy Super Bulldog Weekend, y'all. And a very happy birthday to my Daddy!

.

Birthday fun

We had fun celebrating Jones' big day!

On his birthday, he woke up to balloons and blew out birthday candles in a banana. How can it be more fun than that?!

Then Trey and I took cupcakes to his class. We were there when Jones woke up from his nap and I think it confused him. He cried for the first ten minutes of his class party! He never cries. He got over it when he saw we came bearing cupcakes. We took off the rest of the afternoon and just played together - the three of us. So fun!

That night we celebrated three birthdays at our house: Jones (April 17), Uncle Bobby (19th) and my daddy (20th). So much fun!


We ended the birthday celebration today at the Doctors for his 2 year check-up. No shots today - Just reporting in what we thought: he is huge. 95% for height (37 inches) and 90% for weight (32 lbs.).

My big boy.

two years ago today.

Two years later, and my life is completely changed.

You are so very, very loved, little man.

Jones' 2nd Season Basebabll Birthday Party!

I am traveling for work right now and am without my camera and connector, but wanted to go ahead and share a few iPhone pictures of the decorations and food at Jones' birthday party last Saturday. It was so much fun and Jones ate himself sick....literally. I think that is a sign of a good time, right?

Pictures of the sweet, wild birthday boy and his friends coming soon!
The ball and glove in the above picture belonged to my grandfather, who played professional baseball before he was drafted to fight in WWII. After the war, he continued to play minor league. So special. He would have loved this baseball party.

party planning mode

My sweet boy will be two on April 17th.

TWO.

Full blown toddler. Where or where did my baby go?

I am having so much fun planning his birthday party, set for this Saturday.

I should write a book on party planning on an extremely tight budget. Well, it would actually be the shortest book ever written. Only two words: Search Pinterest.

I would also throw in this little golden nugget: Use your brother-in-law's extremely talented graphic designer girlfriend to do all the design work. Seriously....so excited. Told her the theme and she went with it. I love it. We love you, Aunt Melinda!

No, for real. Love.

Here is a little sneak peak:

Right now thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday. Boo-hiss. The party may have to be moved from our backyard to indoors. But the party must go on.

Baseball party in my house with wild toddlers? Sure. Why not.

A birthday!

Today is my middle sister's birthday!
Hooray for Lala!

If you know Laura, you know the girl loves a birthday. Celebrating birthdays for a month may be a Tomlinson thing, but this particular family member takes it to the next level. She loves a celebration.

Celebrate we will, Yaya!

You are loved, loved, LOVED by so many!

(picture of us celebrating her birthday last year in New Orleans. Too much fun!)



And just a little shout out for the birthday girl, yesterday she was named Teacher of the Year at her school! Go Ms. T! So proud of my sister.

Some people were born with the gift to teach. Laura is without a doubt one of those people. What a blessing she is to many little lives.

* side note: I used 5 names for Laura in this one post. She answers to any and all. Here's to you, Laura, LT, Lala, Yaya, and Ms. T!)

90 years

Saturday we celebrated my sweet Mamaw's 90th birthday. 90 years. Can you imagine? Think about all that this lady has seen and experienced in her lifetime. Amazing!

She lives in a nursing home now and her memory fails her at times and her eyesight is very minimal, but other than that she is healthy. She is an amazing, strong lady and I am so proud to call her my Mamaw.

We were able to get a picture taken with Mamaw and her 4 children, her youngest one being my mom, her 8 grandchildren, and her 9 great-grandchildren. So special.

She loves babies and wouldn't let go of Jones....until Noelle Adams got there! Then she just wanted to love all over the smallest of the babies! She kept saying "y'all just leave these babies with me and go on".

Sweet Mamaw.

Blessed family we are!

one last birthday party shout out

Sweet Trey.

In our neighborhood park, there are three pavillions but only one big pavillion. Obviously that is the one I wanted for Jones' party. You can not reserve them; it is first come, first served. I have heard from other moms that if you want it for a Saturday, you better get there early. It's a popluar birthday spot, apparently.

Trey woke up at 5:45 the day of the party and was at the park by 6:00 to reserve the big pavillion. And thank goodness he was - by 6:30 a mom showed up wanting it! He never complained, never thought I was crazy (or never spoke it anyway) and I really didn't even have to ask for him to do this.

Love him. I think I'll keep him.

more party pictures

He refused to touch the cake. I tried all I could think of! So much for a smash cake.

Jones' Frog Prince First Birthday Party

We had a wonderful celebration of Jones' first year on April 2nd. We were so blessed to be surrounded by our families and incredible friends.. I have prayed and prayed for friends since moving to the coast and the Lord has certaintly provided me with a group of wonderful stay at home moms that love my child like their own.

We had the party at our fabulous neighborhood park and could not have asked for a better day. It was beautiful weather all day.

Here are a few pictures. I had the best time planning his party.

This is one very loved little boy. I can't believe he will be one on the 17th!

My little family.

NOLA

Laura's 30th Birthday trip to NOLA!

Perfect. Perfect weather. Perfect food. Perfect company.
Girl's getaway with my sisters and cousin - Perfect.

This birthday girl didn't let a cast on her leg and riding in a wheel chair ruin her party!

A few highlights...

Wine party waiting for the birthday girl when she arrived in our hotel room:

Birthday dinner at Red Fish:

Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters:

Shopping and eating on Magazine St.:

Relaxing after our time at the spa:

Cafe du Monde:

Enjoying the sites:

And we only got lost once!