It's the Circus - Not a Bar

Now that the dust as settled a little with the move the Hubby and I decided that the time was right to get together with great friends and take Cookie to her first circus. The Cooks and Jones had a great time getting together to ooh and ahh at the lions, tigers and bears oh my.

It was interesting to see how the circus had changed since the last time I attended. There is no longer the flying trapeze, they no longer sell t-shirts that say There is a Sucker born every minute and they reference things such as texting and DVD's.

Oh how the circus can make one feel so dated so quickly - okay truth be told - maybe I am feeling a little dated because of the all of the grey hairs I noticed getting ready for the circus. Excuse me while I enjoy my pity party, but since it is Friday I will save you from the whining while I get back on topic. Mama needs her hair did is clearly another post another day.

Cookie enjoyed every zing, zang, zoom minute of the show and of course it was only fitting that we go to the circus to score a picture in front of a Bud Light sign.



Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend!

My Little Party Crasher

Saturday was a fun filled day of pictures, and a birthday party. Cookie was early to rise and I was early to rise to make sure that I had my survival kit in order for the day. I was flying solo while the Hubby was on a much needed fishing excursion.

By 9 AM we were out the door and on our way to the studio. On our way to the mall, I preyed that we were not going to have a poop-a-palooza in the back seat.

I have to give it to the place where we get our pictures taken, they have a great location in the mall. Right next to Build A Bear aka Build A Bribe and Starbucks. I scored the first appointment of the day and managed to get there (poop and spill free) in just enough time to insert a quick coffee IV.

As we waited for the studio to open we watched the kiddos in line outside of Build A Bear. They were squealing with excitement and I could see that Cookie was feeding off of it. So, I folded and told Cookie if she was really good for the picture I would take her to Build A Bear afterwards. Besides nothing says good parenting like a little bribery. In my book it was a win win. She got a bear and I got a great picture.

Let's just say in less than thirty mins we were in and out of pictures. I scored this...



And Cookie scored this...



I was so proud of Cookie not only for following instructions, but I could see how proud she was of herself for doing such a great job. To be honest she could have really cared less about going to Build A Bear. But a deal is a deal.

We decided that since we were out, we might as well hit up the indoor play ground at McDonald's. On our way to McDonald's we discussed what Cookie was going to order. When we arrived she walked right up to the counter and placed her order. Chicken Nuggets, french fries and white milk. Then it was my turn. I have to admit, that I had to catch my breath a little, in awe of her independence.

I noticed that there was a birthday party being held, so we decided to eat inside and then play. After lunch Moo and I waited on the sideline as Cookie played with the kiddos attending the birthday party.

After about twenty minutes the Host of the birthday party announced that it was time for pictures. I called Cookie to the sideline so that they could take their picture. I explained to Cookie that the picture was for the birthday girl that we didn't know and that it wasn't a good idea to join the picture.

Then just like that it happened, Cookie crashed the picture!



Standing tall in the background for all to see. Not to make a scene I graciously apologized, and quickly snapped the memory of Cookie's first time as a Birthday Crasher. Needless to say, I put my foot down when she insisted on standing in line for cake. She was okay with it because she was going to Lexi's party that afternoon and she knew that she could have a piece then.

Overall the day was a great success and sometime over the course of the next week, it will be my Cookie that is standing tall in a strangers birthday photos and be known as the kid that no one has no idea who she is.

Oh that Cookie, my little party crasher!

Code 3 on U Scan

As the work day came to a close the Hubby and I decided it would be hot dogs and chips for dinner. A dinner fit for a King - actually a dinner fit for a Mom that was to tired to whip up a meal with actual substance. I figured since I lost out on Mom of the year on January 2, why not plop down mystery meat for my growing kiddos.

We needed to grab a bag of cheetos for the kiddos, so we thought we would make an uneventful trip to Krogers. While we were there we thought it would be a great time to go ahead and stock up the wine fridge, since it was now dusted off and fired up.

As I grabbed my super sized container of Coffee, the Hubby hit the chip aisle next to the wines. We loaded up the basket with six bottles, just so mama could get her 10% off. It's all about the savings people.

We headed down to U Scan because the lines were beginning to pile up with the rest of the 5'oclock (let's run to the store to pick up dinner)crowd.

We placed our items onto the counter, swiped our savings card and everything was right in the world, that is until....

...Everything came crashing down! Yep, all six bottles slowly fell to the ground for all the patrons with their ten items or less to see. Pure humiliating awesomeness.

In my head it was like a scene from a movie, when something is falling and you see the person going after it in slow motion yelling, "NOOOOOOOOO." In reality though - I frooze, the Hubby frooze and the attendent just shook her head. And just like that we became a code 3.

Apparently a Code 3 is a grocery code for, "Some idiots just made a major mess in my lane, and I need a mop stat!"

So, I did what any wife would do - I left my husband standing there alone in a sea of wine and (with my head down) I shamelessly went back to the wine section to restock my cart. As I headed back to the scene of the crime - the Code 3 rang loud throughout the PA system.

We offerred to pay for the broken bottles but Kroger graciously reassured us that we were not the first to have this happen. Needless to say we quickly left Krogers, so quickly we walked right pass our car.


Morale of the story, there is no sense in crying on spilt wine!

Only The Strong Will Survive

Potty Training! Cookie was a brave solider this weekend in conquering the potty training battlefield. At times we thought she might be a goner but she fought a good fight and continues to march forward. We are so proud of our little solider.

Most of all this holiday weekend we were honored to celebrate the bravery of the many men and women who fight everyday for our freedom. We hope that you all had a safe and blessed fourth of July weekend.