Anniversary Serenade

Our bed and breakfast was right across the street from The Mad Batter, a bar and restaurant. Michael wanted to take me over there for dinner cocktails and to play at their Thursday night Open Mic Night. We've gone to Open Mic nights where we live and I didn't think anything of it. Open Mic night is when amateurs bring their musical instrument of choice (usually a guitar) and sing for the audience. It's kind of like Karaoke but without the pre-recorded music.

We listened to the MC play his song choices. I think it was "If Not for you" by Bob Dylan, "Believe in Me" by Dan Fogelberg and "Lying Eyes" by Eagles. I had only heard Olivia Newton John's version of "If not for you" and had always thought it was her song. Not so...Bob Dylan wrote and sang it first. You learn something new every day.

Michael had a little surprise for me on our first anniversary night together. He had been working on a song for our anniversary and had written, composed and sang the song for me at The Mad Batter. I thought Michael was going to sing his traditional Jimmy Buffet, Beatles or Bob Dylan tunes but he decided to sing "Our Lullabye" song instead. Let me just tell you, I think the two women sitting in the bar thought that was the sweetest thing. I have to agree with them. I love my husband more and more every year. He always seems to amaze me. I have been blessed in so many ways. So when my Mom asked me if I was embarrassed to be serenaded in public, my only response was "Not when it's from the most romantic guy I've ever known." ;-) The best part is, I'll always have this video to look back on and think of the most memorable weekend we had together.





WARNING (this song is "sappy" and I could not condense the five minute video):

Our first decade anniversary

Michael and I celebrated our tenth anniversary on June 19th.  We had originally thought of a nice long weekend in Florida, Los Vegas or Napa Valley but we didn't want to go long distance (away from the kids).  So we begged the grandparents to watch the kids and took a three night getaway to Cape May.  

Late Birthday Post

We celebrated Sebastian's birthday on his actual birthday (on Wednesday) with Mom Mom, Pop Pop and Elizabeth. Since Elizabeth was unable to attend the sleep over birthday party on Saturday, I surprised Sebastian and invited her for a taco dinner and ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Michael had to travel on business that week so he flew in that night and got to Mom Mom's house just in time to sing happy birthday.

Mom Mom's birthday present was a hit!
Elizabeth getting her practice in.
While you're up there Elizabeth, could you please get the ice cream cake?
Here comes the birthday boy.
Sebastian getting a bird's eye view of everything.
All right, cake...bring it on!
Don't forget my piece Daddy!
What do you mean I need another bath?

Chocolate Super Nova

My parent's neighbor had a graduation party across the cul de sac.  They invited my parents and the kids over for some treats.  Little did I know, they had one of those fountains that cascades rich warm chocolate.  You dip pretzels, fruit, fingers, whatever and enjoy!  I had to watch them like a hawk so they wouldn't double dip.  The neighbor said, "oh don't worry, everybody does it."  Greeeeaaaat.....wer'e in good company.

Two's a crowd

A girl's best friend

What do Ava and Marley have in common?  They are both attracted to crinkly, noisy paper.
No, Marley is not the party favor

Ava discovers Marley's hiding place

Move over Marley!

Marley's loyalty only goes so far.

The party must go on!

Sebastian had his sleepover on the 13th (Saturday) because his birthday fell on a weekday (Wednesday the 17th). Michael took the boys to see the movie "Up" and I stayed at home with Ava. We met the boys after the movie and took everyone out to dinner. Sebastian wanted to go to his favorite restaurant where they create their own ice cream sundaes. The fun continued at home where they got to play in the basement and play with Sebastian's birthday present.

Hey, I didn't know they knew sign language ;-)

Daddy and Ava time (while waiting for our table at the restaurant)

Ben trying to cool his corn dog.  What a candid shot!

I couldn't believe how much the boys ate that night.  They had candy, popcorn and soda at the movie.  Followed by a full dinner entree. And piece de resistance...the ice cream sundae bar!  I think they stood there at the ice cream bar for ten minutes!! 

No stomach pump necessary....they polished off at least 3/4 of their sundaes!

Birthday boy trying out his Guitar Hero (another WII game)

They just wouldn't stay put.......

We don't know how long they stayed up.  Are we bad parents because we fell asleep before they did?  I think Michael heard rustling downstairs around 5:45 a.m. but we didn't get out of bed until 7:00 a.m.

Near Miss

June 13th was kind of a chaotic day.  We had the piano recital in the morning, a house showing at lunchtime and a birthday party at 3 p.m.  Sebastian had invited three friends for a movie, dinner and slumber party.   This was his first sleepover party.

So four hours before the kids are due to arrive, we leave the piano recital and head for the car.  I step across the grass and didn't see the hole in the ground.  My ankle gives out, I lose my balance and topple over.  Instead of landing in the grass, I fall on the sidewalk ledge.  At least I didn't fall completely off the sidewalk. But I landed on some broken pieces of sidewalk concrete (with jagged edges).  

I stood back up after the initial shock and my leg was bleeding.  Michael thought I broke my leg and Sebastian starts to get upset after he sees the blood gushing.  I didn't break anything...trust me, I think I would have known the minute I stood up.  We both assess that I should go to the hospital and see if I needed stitches.  The wound wasn't very big but the gash looked pretty deep.  So I told Michael to take the kids home so Ava can take her nap and I would drive myself to the hospital.  That's when my little man says between tears, "Mommy, I don't care about my birthday party.  I just want you to go to the hospital so they can fix your broken leg."  He's my wonder boy!  In summary, I drove to the hospital and was in and out within two hours.  It was a near miss all day!

Was this the best way to ruin an eight year old birthday party or what?  I thought I was through with stitches.  I've had my share of stitches in Vietnam when I was two and a half yrs old.  The doctors had to remove the shrapnel from my hip and sew me back up.  I have a scar about twelve inches long as a souvenir.  What's another scar!

Guess I don't have to shave my legs anymore.

Cleaning out the wound

Hey, looks a lot better....right?  What do you mean I need three stitches!

Okay, I know what your'e going to say....yes, I take photos of everything!! Even when I'm in excruciating pain. Now I know how Sebastian felt when he got his stitches on his eye when he was three yrs old. Although I think the shot was a LOT more painful for him since it was right under his eyebrow. OUCHY MOMMA! Yes, I screamed and yelped!

I told the doctor I could thread the needle for him...ha ha!

Good to go!  My leg was numb the entire day.  I didn't get the feeling back until the next morning.

Sizing Inconsistency

Ava is wearing sizes 2T and 3T right now. It depends on the clothing manufacturer. Ava is almost too big for some 2T's and too small for some 3T's. Old Navy brand apparently runs bigger because we put on size 3T pants on her and the poor girl lost her pants when she walked from one room to another. Still cracked us up!




The pink pants (alternate) were purchased at Sears. They were size 3T and fit her perfectly fine. Go figure!

First Recital

Sebastian had his first piano recital on June 13th. I can't believe he's been playing the piano for a year now. Michael and Sebastian first started out taking piano lessons together. But Michael dropped out temporarily when the work schedules changed. Michael is hoping to resume his piano lessons again but for now, Sebastian is our little Beethoven ;-)

We started out the day with the breakfast of champions (Dunkin Donuts)

Posing on the front steps of the church

Sebastian putting up a "brave front" but he was really nervous 

Program book (Sebastian was the tenth performer)

Waiting for the recital to start

Ava entertaining herself with puppy

Ava losing interest in puppy....something else up front was more interesting

Sebastian walking up to get his trophy

Sebastian smiling a sigh of relief that it's over

Ava losing it towards the end (I had to take her to the back and keep her pre-occupied)