The Surprise that Wasn't

The Surprise that Wasn't, oh how that title fits this weekend so perfectly. Rich and I went home back to South Carolina this weekend for what was supposed to be a surprise party for my Daddy, but alas, several people spilled the beans, beginning with my Grandmama. I guess the only way to keep a secret is to not tell anyone, but then how do you get anyone to the appointed place at the appointed time? Either way, Daddy had a great time! What better way to celebrate the big 6-0 than surrounded by family?! Saturday we went out to eat at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach, and then we went back to Paul's apartment to open presents, eat cake, and show Daddy the DVD I made just for his birthday. I think it was all a success, because Daddy loved it! All the work and the late nights getting ready for everything were for him, and when I saw how happy he was, it was all worth it; it was even worth the big ugly bags I have under my eyes now from lack of sleep! My Daddy has touched so many lives, and I hope after this weekend he knows that and realizes how much he is loved!

My daughter the comedian

Brooke has become a regular little comedian; she will do whatever it takes to get attention. Tonight we were attempting to film the cuties telling their Grandpa happy birthday. I thought it would be nice to add a little video of his grandkids at the end of his birthday DVD; we did get one successful take, but this however is not one of them. Braden does a great job as you will see, but Brooke decides getting a good laugh was more important than cooperating; I hate to admit it, but it worked. Rich and I were so caught off guard, that we both laughed despite ourselves. I guess Brooke wanted to teach her Grandpa how to end a prayer rather than wish him a happy birthday.

Here is the successful take.

The Infamous Poop Party

Yes, you read correctly; today we had a POOP party. And what do you serve at a poop party? Well, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and tootsie rolls of course! And what do you wash those poop inspired cupcakes down with? Well, yellow lemonade of course! As Rich puts it, "You have to have some pee to wash your poop down with." I know it may all sound very crude, but I promised Braden and Brooke that when they both learned to use the potty without any accidents, we would have a Poop party to celebrate the grand, amazing, miraculous event! I can't say I've ever heard of a poop party before, but hey, why can't this be a first?! Rich is out of town, but he called today to see what we were up to; I told him that we were getting ready for the poop party. He asked me if our children would ever be normal after this, I say, anyone that is known for pooping on his brother's bike has no room to talk! Brooke and I dropped Braden off at school this morning then came home and got to work. We used the accent decorator to put the frosting on to look like poop, and then Brooke helped me mold the tootsie rolls into realistic looking poop; after we decided the cupcakes were sufficiently covered with what looked like poop, we started on the lemonade. After preparing the food and doing some last minute straightening, we went to get Braden from school, so the festivities could begin. We invited some neighbors and a couple people from church, so after everyone was there we ate our cupcakes, drank our lemonade, played a game, and then they played with toys. We were going to set up the sprinkler outside for all of the children, but they were more content to stay in and just play with each other. I think it is safe to say that the poop party was a hit, and I am ecstatic that Braden and Brooke are now potty trained; I wondered if it this day was EVER going to come, but luckily it happened in time to safe my sanity! Of course, now comes a whole new set of problems. Imagine: you are in the line in Wal-mart, exhausted, ready to get through the line, pay for your things, and get out of the blasted place, when you hear the dreaded words, "Mommy, I have to use the bathroom."

Brooke's first haircut

Well, tonight I cut Braden's and Brooke's hair. Don't worry; I only trimmed Brooke's hair. I wouldn't dare cut off her beautiful blonde curls; she wouldn't let me even if I did want to. It was her first time getting her hair cut, but she came through with flying colors; I'm sure bribing her with a sucker also helped. Here are some pictures of the grand event.

Motherly wisdom

My mama keeps telling me that I need to write down all the things the children do in a journal, but journaling is not exactly a strong point for me; in fact, I don't even know if my own journal knows that I got pregnant let alone had Emma. Well, I finally decided I needed to heed her motherly advice and conquer my journaling weakness, so Friday night Rich and I went to Wal-mart, and I bought 3 beautiful turquoise notebooks; I thought their beauty might inspire me. My goal is to start each journal with a description of each child, and then from then on write a little tidbit every day, sometimes just a couple sentences and sometimes several paragraphs. I also have recruited Rich in on my mission; I told him that both of us could write in the journal, because they will love to look back and read thoughts from their father as well. My goal is also to write the journal addressing each child, so they will feel like we are talking to them; I hope the journals will end up being something they treasure throughout the years, and I hope this will give me a kick in the butt to get better at writing in my own journal. I can blog all day, but I can't seem to take my pink journal out of the drawer beside my bed.

The first journal entry in Brooke's journal:

You are a vivacious, sassy, prissy, beautiful 2 1/2 year old. You have gorgeous blond curly hair, big blue eyes, a sweet little mouth, and a petite frame. You make me laugh one minute and want to scream the next! You have a mind and a mouth that never quit, and I am constantly amazed at your vast vocabulary. You are so anxious to learn and take on the world; you never miss a thing! I can't do or say anything without you taking notice, and heaven forbid, imitating me! You keep me on my toes 24/7. I love how much you love life; the world is your oyster, and you are loved by all. With your sweet little voice, your sassy ways, and your fireball spirit you melt hearts and recruit more members to the Brooke fan club, which is great, because you are your happiest as the center of attention! In fact, it would be more accurate to say that you DEMAND attention! Your daddy and I love you to pieces, and we consider ourselves blessed that Heavenly Father let you be part of our family! You are our sassy, dramatic, funny, smart, beautiful Brooke, and you are one of a kind! We love you sweetheart, more than you can imagine!

Labor Day Fun and Festivities

Yesterday was Labor Day, so we decided to do very little laboring and do a lot of relaxing and having fun as a family. We did start the day with some cleaning, but the rest of the day was spent having a picnic, going to the pool, and chowing down on some ribs. I of course, took tons of pictures of our day; though I get accused of being a Japanese tourist, I love to take pictures. When I look back at pictures, I am able to relive the moments of the past and think of those I love; when I look at the pictures from yesterday I remember how blessed I felt as I watched my children splash around in the pool with their daddy.

The Masedas LOVE TO DANCE

Yesterday Mama and Grandmama came to visit; I think they were having grandchildren withdrawl. Here is what my mama wrote about the day on her blog:

Yesterday was like a day-long party, full of treats and surprises and good things to eat. Mrs. Crolley and I decided that we had to see the grandbabies, so we left home shortly before dawn and arrived at our destination three hours later. The first treat of the visit was seeing two-year-old Brooke and her sweet mama outside waiting for us. After hugging the blond headed tyke and her mother, we went inside and spent a few minutes folding children’s clothes, all so little and cute.
We had an hour before picking Braden up from preschool so we sunk down into the comfortable sofas and watched a DVD that Carrie had creatively put together for the Maseda family reunion. It was wonderful; I alternately laughed and cried (well, almost) as I watched the story of Rich’s family evolve over the past 35 years…longer, since photographs of his grandparents were also included. Finally Baby Emma woke up, and that was yet another treat. Still sleepy, she stared at us with her huge blue eyes but was not quite ready to leave her mother’s secure arms.
11:45…time to load up the van and collect Braden from preschool. Book bag strapped to his back, he walked out of the side door with Mrs. Christy holding his hand as they both walked over to the car. He spotted his great grandmother and me and gave us a dimpled smile. I had a fleeting sense of déjà vu, for it seemed just a few years ago (not 28!) when Carrie, Braden’s mother, was walking out a side door of preschool. Another town, another time, same scenario.
We motored over to a nearby eatery for a tasty lunch. Since there was lots of variety on the menu, we all got our favorites ranging from hot dogs and hamburgers to salad and croissants. I even had a couple of surprises in my salad, artichokes and sun dried tomotoes. Yum. We all loved the ambience of the place. Warm reds, cool greens, and khaki covered the walls, and round tables with mismatched chairs were scattered about the wood floors. The children had to make a trip to the potty, of course, and the walls were a deep eggplant. Everyone ate heartily, even Baby Emma who sampled some bread crumbs and ice water.
Lunch behind us, we boarded the van and went for a ride in the countryside before heading home. Once there, we all gathered around the kitchen table for some healthy wedges of caramel cake that Grandmother had brought. Emma LOVED it…so much so that I had to get another piece since she ate so much of mine. Yes, I know she’s only five months old, but still. While feeding her yet another sweet taste, it hit me that we were having a party, a day-long celebration of family, love, togetherness, and life itself.
Feeling “fat and happy” with cake and cold milk, we adjourned to the family room where we watched some entertaining DVDs of Rich as a child and young man. Braden and Brooke were captivated by this younger version of their father. After the “movie,” Braden and Brooke wanted to dance for us so Carrie put in a CD with lots of their favorites, including one of James Brown’s; I don’t know the name of it…just some of the words: “Baby, Baby, Baby.”
With the music blaring and the children dancing around with abandon, that kitchen was a happening place. Grandmother joined in, and I held Emma while Carrie taped the moves and fancy footwork for posterity. A natural dancer, Carrie had to get in on the action, so I took the camera while she took the baby to the dance floor. Ranging in age from five months to 83 years, they were “getting down.” What a party! What fun! How great to be alive and witness such exuberance and high spirits. How wonderful to celebrate life and love and family

It is official~Brooke is now the proud owner of Dora pj bottoms

Yes, you read correctly; Brooke is now the proud owner of a handmade pair of Dora the Explorer pajama pants, and here are some pictures of the proud owner.