Royals vs Cardinals

Yesterday I took advantage of free tickets from Harrah's to go to the Royals game. The seats were great but the person on one side of Sonia was drinking and acting the fool and the lady sitting on the other side of me was not only taking up her seat but part of mine. Plus it was a drizzly day and the Royals were losing.

So Sonia and I decided to finish watching the game from the concourse and enjoy the food. I remember when you could only get a hotdog and a coke at the game. Now they serve everything from hotdogs, hamburgers, barbecue nachos, a vast variety of French fries, beer, soda and mixed drinks. I think the cost of the food could have bought another seat at the stadium.

More Artwork from Violet

Violet has added a few more pictures to her artwork portfolio.

I've added a few more children's activities to my closet of toys for Violet. Mostly playdoh and blocks. But I don't think I'm quite ready nor have the area for fingerpainting. I do have sidewalk chalk. But the weather hasn't cooperated in order to bring that out yet.

Violet's First Haircut

Violet is constantly pushing her hair out of her eyes. But no matter what type of hairband, bow or ribbon we try, she doesn't want anything in her hair. She won't even let you braid it - although it is very fine and the braid probably wouldn't stay.

So last Friday Melissa took Violet to get her hair cut and styled. Melissa reported that Violet did very well. The sucker helped. But Violet would not let the stylist put the cape around her.

At first Violet wasn't sure she was happy with the new look.

But then she got used to it and really likes it. Her hair still doesn't stay out of her eyes and she still won't let anyone put anything in her hair to hold it back, but now Melissa has a clip of Violet's first haircut to put in her "Baby's First" accessories box.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day - that traditional holiday where kids honor their mother's, showering them with gifts and appreciation. When Michael and Melissa were children, I would get the glued macaroni designs and colored pictures. Now I get presents! An iTunes gift card from Michael and a gift certificate from the local flower nursery from Melissa and Jamie.

I started taking a picture each Mother's Day of me, Melissa and Violet. Maybe next year Violet will cooperate.

I love taking selfies of all of us together. It's not easy getting everyone to look good so, of course, I pick the picture where I look the best.

I can't believe I've celebrated 33 years as a mother. It's the hardest job I've ever had but also the most rewarding.

Fitbit - Workweek Hustle

I got a Fitbit about 8 months ago. I finally started using it a back in January. Jenny, Melissa's friend, saw my Fitbit on my wrist at Violet's birthday party and asked if I wanted to be one of her Fitbit friends. I immediately said "No" thinking there was no way I could keep up with her. But I downloaded the app, accepted her friend request then added Michele, Bruce and Courtney. I've been holding my own but with these people you really have to work just to keep up.

This past week Jenny invited me to participate in a "Workweek Hustle" - who can get the most steps Monday through Friday. There was myself, Jenny and 8 of her friends. I have never walked so much in my life - except if you count that weekend I went to Chicago with Michele.

These girls were tough but I managed to beat them all! I found myself getting out of bed at 6:30 a.m. and walking for at least 15 minutes every hour - plus morning and evening walks around the neighborhood. I also earned 7 badges this week. Classics Badge - 25,000 steps in one day; London Underground Badge - a total of 250 miles walked since I started counting steps on my Fitbit; Trail Shoe Badge - 30,000 steps in one day; Sneakers Badge - 10,000 steps a day 26 times; Urban Boot - 15,000 steps a day 8 times; High Tops Badge - 20,000 steps a day 5 times; and Boat Shoe - 5,000 steps a day 46 times. I'm really too competitive for my own good. I did loose 3 pounds this week but now must wear orthopedic shoes. Today I'm struggling just to put one foot in front of the other. But I'm bound and determined to beat Bruce at least once - he always wins the weekly step count. Get moving Bruce, I'm right behind you!

Ducks

My last post showed a picture of Violet and Jamie feeding the ducks outside our condo. Today I looked in my backyard and I swear there were the exact same ducks that were at the lake.

Jamie said he brought them home with him. I think it just took them 5 days to walk here. Unlike the ducks at the lake, I couldn't get very close to get their picture. I needed Violet here to give them some bread.

Magic Dragon Car Show - Lake Ozarks

This past weekend was the Magic Dragon car show held at the Lake of the Ozarks. I wondered why they called it "Magic Dragon". Some people say the Lake of the Ozarks looks like a big dragon from the air as it winds through the Missouri hills. Several years ago it became known as The Land of the Magic Dragon. At their very first car show in 1987 they used the name Magic Dragon and it's stayed with them ever since. I thought it might be fun to take Melissa, Jamie, Violet, Khloe and Lola for a weekend at the lake. I booked a condo at Southwood Shores which just happened to be down the street from Jamie's Grandma Barb.

So Friday night we picked up Grandma Barb and took her to dinner at Li'l Rizzo's Italian restaurant. I didn't make a very good selection for my meal but Melissa, Jamie and Grandma Barb had the chicken parmesan and said it was delicious. After dinner we dropped off Grandma Barb and headed to the Bagnel Dam Strip to see the cars. I remember going to the strip many weekends as a child but if you blindfolded me and put me in the middle of the strip today, I would have no idea where I was. It has changed so much.

After walking the strip and looking at the cars we stopped at the ice cream parlor for a little snack. I think Violet had more ice cream on her face than in her cone. It was the favorite part of the night for her.

And then we tried to get her to pose with me in the giant chair. I should have been paying a bit more attention to my own pose.

On Saturday we spent the whole morning at the outlet mall. While Jamie headed back to the car show, Melissa and I drove through Steak 'N Shake for a quick lunch. But Violet couldn't even make it through the wait for our food. She fell asleep. So we decided to eat our lunch in the parking lot and head back to the mall. Melissa and I did a sort of "tag team" shopping while Violet napped. Melissa would go into the store, pick out something she liked, then come back to the car while I went in to see her choices. At some stores I think the sales people were getting a little leery.

Later we went back to the condo to pick up Jamie and headed to Miner Mike's - the kid's arcade at the lake. Besides the room full of arcade games, they had this giant maze. And even though they had many different types of slides, we couldn't get Violet out of the ball pit.

Jamie had to leave Saturday night and as he was loading his car, the ducks came around for dinner. So from the steps of our condo, Violet fed the ducks. I think I used the excuse of going to the car show just so I could go shopping at the outlet mall. Whatever works!