An Evening Out

I brought these cute little chocolates home from dinner last night. You may or may not be able to tell, but they are from the Reagan Presidential Library. The chocolates were placed on top of the dessert, but since they were so cute, I needed to bring them home to show the girls. Then they ate them.
I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to the Reagan Library yesterday for an event. Mike Huckabee was there for a book signing. We arrived in time to hear his speech. I really enjoyed listening to him. The content was spot on and laced with just the right amount of humor. All of the "change" going on right now is overwhelming to me. It was rejuvenating to be in a room full of people that believe in the conservative movement. Optimists that believe that America's best days are not behind us, but ahead of us.
After the speech, and Q&A session, dinner was served and we ate in the shadow of Air Force One. The view from the library is amazing and dinner began just as sunset began. Perfect. Timing. I wanted to lick my plate, but didn't, because I am sure that may have been inappropriate... even though the food was delicious.


I'm trying to wrangle tickets to attend the upcoming event with Condoleezza Rice.

Happy Dog

Roxie Dog in her element.
She really thinks that she is a labrador.
Ever seen those dog competitions where the dogs (usually yellow labs) fly into the water after a toy and compete for distance? In her younger years, Roxie dreamed of that... well she would have if she knew about it.
Now, with her bad hips, she slowly enters the water and swims around... followed by standing on the step and smiling.

Not Hideous, maybe.

I promised photos of the cake. It didn't turn out like I had pictured in my head, but it isn't all that hideous.
I know it will be tasty, and I know E3 will enjoy it.
It is a two-layer 9x13 cake, one layer is vanilla, one is chocolate. There in another half layer for the "hill". All of it is covered in chocolate frosting and crushed cookies. Cake ball (same method as link, different flavor) boulders and chocolate rocks are an attempt at a dry river bed, something that E3 is familiar with when we drive the sand rail in the high desert.
I hope it lasts until the party, because I have a feeling that there may be a few missing rocks and boulders by cake time.

Time Flies

E3 turned 3 today.
I can hardly believe that it has been THREE years since I rushed to the hospital just in time for E3's birth. Stuntman arrived just in time for the delivery.
He is such a fun little guy. Fun to watch, fun to play with, fun to speak with.
He's a little obsessed with monster trucks and MarioKart Wii at the moment, but he is always up for playing in the sandbox. At least until his "stomach barks" saying that it is time to eat.
He adores his sisters and they adore him, although he occasionally plays the role of annoying little brother.
Happy Birthday my little man.

Uncanny

School's out

Now it's time to plan the summer. It doesn't look like we will have an out-of-town vacation this year. Stuntman will be away to the home office for training a few times during the summer. He left today for two weeks as well. We stuck a Father's Day card in his luggage. Hopefully, he won't open it until then.
It finally feels like summer here. It has been cool and drizzly for a couple weeks, but now it has been sunny for almost two days. I was enjoying the cool weather because I know that we will have PLENTY of 100 degree days in the near future.
Just the usual going on around here. Prepping for a big birthday party for E3. He's never had one. E3 missed having the big first-birthday-bash that we had for each of the girls because Stuntman was deployed at the time. The 2nd birthday was just after Stuntman returned home, he wasn't in the mood for a lot of visitors at the house. I have some things together for the party, but still a lot to do. I have a vision of the monster truck cake that I will be making, I hope that I can create it in cake form.
There will be photos... unless it is hideous.

So Proud

Kindergarten Graduation... not something that I did when I was six. We just went into first grade.
E2's Kinder Promotion Ceremony was great. All the kids in little cap and gowns ... adorable.
They began the ceremony with the kids introducing themselves and saying what they want to be when they grow up. There were several veterinarians, a rocket scientist, a boxer, a couple ice skaters among others. E2 said "I want to be a Mom that works at home". Big applause followed. I guess that she figured it out a lot earlier than I did. It certainly wasn't what I had planned, but it truly is the best job in the world... sometimes the most frustrating, but also the most rewarding.

Priorities

It's been raining here for the last few days. Just a shower here and there, cloudy skies and thunder now and then. I like it.
With no outside play, E3 and I have played the Wii together. He is a bit obsessed with Mario Kart.

E3 doesn't use a toilet, but he can kick my butt in Mario Kart Wii. seriously.

He just finished ahead of E1... the reigning champion of the house.

He can't drive a real car for 13 years. Oh boy.