Wildlife Refuge

As I'm sure everyone remembers, we have had quite a lot of wild animals in our back yard.  We've had the usual rabbits (what's left of them anyways), squirrels and birds.  We've also opened our backyard to possums, raccoons, wild turkeys, and several stray dogs and cats.  We've also housed many, many mice. 
Yesterday, I went outside with my two sleepy girls and opened up the big umbrella to give us some shade and a huge wasp flew out.  "Great," I told them, "we're probably going to have a wasps nest in there."
So today we were in the back yard when I noticed what looked like a bunch of mouse droppings on the patio table.  "What the heck it that?" I asked Mike.
"Probably rolled mud for the wasps nest," he replied. 
He proceded to open the umbrella, stuck his head inside expecting to see a wasp.  Or several wasps.  Instead, he saw this.

A BAT!!!  The girls and I dashed into the house, leaving Mike to fend for himself.  He opened the umbrella again, very slowly this time (and took the picture I insisted he get), and the bat flew right out. 
By the way, my guard dog Ellie?  I'm pretty sure she didn't notice a thing.

We survived!!!

Last night, we threw Briana her very first sleepover birthday party.  She decided she wanted to have a movie themed party, and this is what we came up with.We had movie concessions on the kitchen island (the popcorn machine was a huge hit!).

We turned our family room into the movie theater. 

Complete with a ticket booth!

We made a really cute poster for all of Briana's friends to sign for her.  And we had silver and gold balloons.

Anyway, on to the actual slumber party. I had envisioned her friends coming over and quietly watching the movies we picked out.  Maybe staying up till midnight talking (quietly) and that would be that.
Nope. 
The girls were CRAZY!  They screamed and ran around for what seemed like forever.  In fact, my ears were ringing last night from the decibal level in our house.  I don't think I've ever experienced anything like it except for maybe at a concert. 
We did manage to play the games and do the activities we had planned out, but it was all such a whirlwind of activity and screaming! 

Guess what time they went to sleep?  5 a.m.  Guess what time I went to sleep? 4 a.m.    

Happy Birthday, Briana!

Jen Lancaster

Last night, Shannon and I drove down to Kansas City to meet Jen Lancaster!  It was so, so fun.  We went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory before we went to the book signing.  Even though we have a Cheesecake Factory here, I've never eaten there before, and needed to drive all the way to KC to check it out.  It was really good.  We got martinis called Girl Talk, which were delicious. 

I got a tomato basil pasta for dinner, which was equally as delicious.  After dinner, we walked over to Unity Temple to meet Jen.  She rocked!  She was funny, cute and awesome (a lot like me!).

She did a reading from her book, q & a from the audience (why can't I ever think of something to ask when I go to these things???), and then she signed books. 



And she told me it was nice to meet me! 

So, all in all, a fantastic girls night out.

WINNER!! WINNER!!

A very mysterious package arrived at my front door yesterday.  The return address said it was from Sample Room.  I sign up for a lot of online coupon deals, so I couldn't imagine what would be in this big box.  Cereal samples, maybe?  Nope.  The package didn't turn out to be for me at all. 

It was all Briana's, and it was her Duck Tape Prize Pack!!  From coming in 9th place in the HyVee duck tape contest!!  She was so, so, so excited about it!  It came with a congratulatory letter and everything.

The contents of the box were immediately dumped and sorted. 

And then they were organized by color and design.

Briana was a very good big sister and shared a couple rolls with Sydney!

Yay!!!

Crazy Hair Day

The Royal Wedding

We got up around 3:45 am to watch the royal wedding.  This pretty much sums up how we were all feeling come 7 am (our usual wake up time).

First Visit To The T.D. Park

Last night, we attended a baseball game at the new T.D. Park.  That's right folks, the T.D. Park.  Originally named T.D. Ameritrade Park, but shortened by many to T.D. Park.  Aside from the name, it actually turned out to be a really nice baseball park.

Sure, it could have been warmer out, but where's the fun in that? 

Did I mention that we sat in the third row?  It was really cool.  Unless someone hit a foul ball, then it was really nerve wracking. 

My poor Sydney is suffering from terrible allergies right now, and Briana wasn't feeling well either, so we only ended up staying for part of the game.  On our way out, I spotted this woman sitting a few rows back from us, who appeared to be having quite a good time at the game. 

The next time we get tickets to a game, I'll be taking my crocheting along as well.