Lasts

This week has been a week of "lasts" for Nate. Last train ride to school. Last day of school. Last time to see his teachers. Last 4 day week. Last Nate & Mom Day (transformed into Nate, Lila & Mom Fridays now).

And in case you are wondering, I'm a mess. Nate? He couldn't be happier about going to kindergarten next week. I guess I should find happiness in that, and I do, but every time I look at him, I see the baby Nate, the 2-year old Nate, the 3 going on 4 Nate...you get the point.

We had a great last Friday together. He had to go to the dentist and for some kids that would not be the start of a good day, but as we were leaving this morning, he said, "Mom, I am sooooo excited to go to the dentist!" And he was such a big kid at the dentist. Went right back when they called his name, while Lila & I waited in the waiting room.

From the dentist, we went to pick up flowers for his teachers to give to them at their end of the year party today. Then we went to Jilly's Cupcake Bar for a celebration lunch, where I took these...

Ignore the sweet potatoes on Lila's face. I think she's still cute.

Then we came home and while Lila took a nap, Nate & I watched 101 Dalmatians (he had never seen it before) and ate popcorn. After making peanut butter playdoh and playing Clone Wars, we headed off to meet Scott for the school party. To finish off the night, we ate Mexican at Nate's request.

It was a perfect last Friday. Although I'm drained. I didn't think Nate going to kindergarten would be hard for me. But it is. But I guess that's okay. It's kinda funny when you think about it - you want your kids to grow up, but when they do, you are sad. Here's to making the next 13 years count before he goes to college.

Nate, we are so very proud of you and know you are going to be a rock star at kindergarten! We love you so much sweet boy!

First Pony!

First ponytail! So so cute...they put it in at school and I guess I'll be going to get some hair ties this weekend. Her hair is clearly long enough and the bows will stay in so much better!

Recipe Late Monday

When Scott & I got married, he told me he wasn't eating meatloaf. I've always kind of liked meatloaf, but I didn't make it (or anything else for that matter) for many years. When my sweet mother-in-law gave me Paula Deen's cookbooks for Christmas a few years ago, I found a meatloaf recipe and made it. Scott told me again that he didn't like meatloaf. I made it anyway. And guess what? He liked it.

So if you have meatloaf naysaers in your house, make this meatloaf. It's even better the second day on a sandwich.

Go HERE to find the recipe.

My Almost Kindergartener

I'll spare you the "How can it be's" and instead just say that I am so very proud of my almost kindergartener. He is such a sweet, handsome, inquisitive, action packed big boy. In the last month, I swear he's gotten taller and leaner and his face has changed. There is not one ounce of little kid left on him. Sad, but true.

On Saturday night, I took him to get some new tennis shoes, then we ate at Five Guys, and finally went to see the Smurf's movie. We had a wonderful time...although I don't think he really understood that I had not seen the movie before. I told him we used to watch the cartoons on Saturday morning, which totally blew his mind.

Turks & Caicos - The Real Post

10 years of marriage...10 years of friendship...that's what we celebrated last week with our great friends, the Pooleys. Turks & Caicos was the location for our grand party and the island did not disappoint. It is always fun to go some place you have never been before, especially when everything works out to be gorgeous.

We rented a house (you know one of my favorite sites is VRBO) and it was situated on a small cliff overlooking the ocean. Pure loveliness. The view from the veranda.

The view looking back at the house - the plants were so lush and beautiful.

Audra & I chilling in the water at the beach. It was so nice to have days on end to solve all the world's problems with her!

Scott & I before cocktails one evening...

Our bestest friends Ryan & Audra!

I like this picture of us, so I'm choosing to ignore the guy in the background taking shots of who knows what. If I remember correctly, these people took 1,231 pictures of their plates of food and 2,356 pictures of the sea gulls. Sorry, it was memorable.

Before dinner one night at a great Spanish place on the water. The shrimp was scrumptious.

Ryan & Audra, looking lovely.

The boys. Oh the boys. How funny they are. Before snorkeling one day. Which meant Audra and I could sit by the pool uninterrupted.

At the tip top of the relaxation meter.

Hanging out at the Coral Gardens beach...having a tex-mex snack as my husband called it.

I would definitely recommend Turks & Caicos as a vacation destination. It really is the perfect mix of seclusion and commercial. There are no McDonald's, Wal-Marts, Targets, or chain restaurants. But there are quaint places to eat, drink and be merry. But you have to drive on the wrong side of the road. It was only a problem for our boys sometimes. Just kidding. They both did very well.

Ryan & Audra, we had a fabulous time and can't wait for our next vacation together! And when you are having a bad day, just remember GIVE WAY!

Turks & Caicos Pre-Post

My blog has been neglected. But see, I had a very good reason. I was soaking in the sun.

Here...

More to come when I catch up on life!

Recipe Monday

I'm always looking for crockpot recipes - that seems to be the easiest way for me to cook these days, and I'm sure some of you feel the same way.

Anita's Crockpot Lemon Chicken (www.allrecipes.com)

6 large chicken breasts
1/2 tsp Lawry's garlic salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 stick butter (I use margarine & less)

Mix lemon juice and Worcestershire Sauce. Put chicken in crockpot and pour liquid over. Put butter on top. Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high 6 hours or low 10 hours.

Enjoy!