Gratitude Week: Tuesday

(Man I look OLD and tired)

I'm thankful for "night girl dates" as Lulu would call them.

• Dove Chocolates

• Browsing at not one, but two bookstores. (Per Lulu's request, we rode the escalator to the second floor to look at "her" books.)

• Flower shopping at my most FAVORITE grocery- Central Market. We picked up quite a few bunches for our table centerpieces. Lulu thought roses would be magnificent.

She also requested another date night, although I think it was because of the chocolates.

Plants and Such

Terrariums

I have become obsessed. I happened upon this little idea, albeit 1 year after everyone else, but I'm smitten. Lulu and I sat down and talked about what we would like to do. She thinks a fairy terrarium would be magnificent (her new word of the day), but I think in the end we will probably do something with all the shells she has collected. I will admit I was a bit shocked at the sticker prices on some of these terrariums. We have opted to put hers in her old fish bowl. Especially if we go with an "underwater" theme. She has requested a mermaid. I'm contemplating putting mine in one of these beauties and making something like this and setting it on my desk. Now if I can just figure out how to make it completely uninteresting to Teddy.

Girls Weekend

Adam and my father planned a short fishing trip in Idaho during August. I suggested he take Teddy along because he can fly for free. So, a couple of weekends ago, I sent these two on a plane for their short weekend away. In the end, Adam dropped Teddy off at my sister's house for a fun Auntie weekend and he headed to Rexburg, ID to meet up with my dad and fly fish on the Madison River. They had a great time and Adam loved his short little outing, so did Teddy. You can see Adam's recap here.




Because the boys were gone Lulu and I decided to have a big girls weekend. After we dropped them off at the airport (at 7 am on Friday) Lulu looked at me and said "Mom, it is just us. It is our weekend. What are we going to do?" Lulu and I talked about it and I suggested we go and get a pedicure. She also wanted to get barrettes, go to breakfast, see a movie, and eat at Chuy's.

I had to work on Friday, but that night we went to a birthday party at the city pool. We had a great time and enjoyed swimming in the big pool (we usually can't because we have Teddy) and one another.

On Saturday we got up early and went to breakfast. Afterwards we went to get our pedicures. She was excited to go, but once we got there she became really afraid. She refused to sit in the little chairs (they have these cute little armchairs) and wanted me to just do her nails at home. Finally one of the women coaxed her into getting a manicure by showing her the little flowers they would add to each of her nails. In the end she got both a manicure and pedicure. Afterwards she was ready to make another appointment and told me that "next time I'll sit in my OWN chair".

We did everything on her list. Although I quickly learned why it is a bad idea to over indulge children. In the end we had a really nice time and it was great to spend quality time with my girl.

**photos by April Rankin of TWINty Photography