Girls Night Out - Pauline's Birthday

I have several friends from high school that I still see. We decided to gather at Texas Roadhouse for Pauline's birthday. About 20 people showed up for dinner. This many people would usually give me anxiety waiting for everyone to order, the food to arrive, blah, blah, blah. But the time just flew by trying to catch up with some girls I hadn't seen for several years. Old friends are fun because they know your childhood plus the aches and pains of growing old.

Since I brought the birthday girl, I was one of the last to leave. This is just a handful of the people that stayed late. We may be getting old, but we still like cake and balloons.

Snap Chat

I now have a new form of social media to keep me entertained.

It's called Snap Chat. Melissa was showing me how to make characters out of the pictures.

I need a life!

Sunshine "Shimmer"

Violet is obsessed with My Little Pony. She know the names of all the characters and gets mad when you don't know their names. She tells you the name using her 3 year old speech and wants you to repeat it. I thought she was telling me Sunshine Glimmer. I kept repeating "Sunshine Glimmer" and she kept telling me no. I even tried "Sunshine Glitter." That, too, was wrong. I finally grabbed my phone and looked it up. She was saying "Sunshine Shimmer". 

But like all 3 year olds, her attention span only runs about 5 minutes before we have to change activities. She wasn't too happy with Lincoln sitting in one of her chairs. She's trying to learn to share, but it's hard!

Lincoln's Crawling

It finally happened and I was there to see it.

Lincoln finally crawled. It's really funny because he crawls about 3 paces forward, then 4 paces back to sit up. But he eventually gets to where he wants to go. Time to start baby proofing the house again.

Great Barrier Reef Badge

I'm not sure how but I received another badge from Fitbit.

The Great Barrier Reef Badge commemorates walking the equivalent of 1,600 miles. I'd probably have more badges by now if I took more interest in my exercise program. I'm kind of in a slump right now but I'm hoping to turn things around. Maybe I could just walk to Florida!

Knuckleheads!

I've always wanted to go to the bar called Knuckleheads. It's located in Kansas City on the other side of Front Street from the Sears Outlet. (Those from Kansas City can appreciate this description.)

Even though my experience with concerts has not been that great, I decided to venture out once again with my cousin Gary because the concert was being held at Knuckleheads. On a scale of 1-10, I'd have to rate this concert maybe a 3. And that's only because I could check off Knuckleheads as a place I've always wanted to go to. The name of the performing band was Trampled Under Foot. That should give you some idea as to why I gave it a 3.

Lincoln - 8 Months Old

Lincoln is now 8 months old with 8 teeth and a big determination to crawl.

All I can say is "Yikes!"

How to Lose Those Pregnancy Pounds

I saw this picture of Jamie and all I could think of was women trying to lose those last few pregnancy pounds after having a baby.

Jamie's advice - don't wear heavy clothes in 90 degree weather!

You Should See the Other Guy!

I'm not a big fan of this picture but I wanted to document the day Dad had a fight with his walker - and lost. 

He actually stumbled and fell into his walker. After a trip to St Mary's Hospital in Blue Springs, a transport to Centerpoint in Independence and over 20 stitches, it took about 24 hours and he was back home. 

Create Your Own Royal's Jersey

Another Harrah's event featured creating your own Royal's jersey.

I really wasn't interested in the jersey but my number one Royal's fan, Michael, wanted one. So I took the opportunity to take him to dinner before going over to the convention center to place our custom order.

I thought I might at least try on a jersey just to make it look legit.

The 4th of July

The 4th of July is no longer a one day fireworks extravaganza. Especially when the 4th falls on a Monday. Firework explosions begin several days before the 4th and last way past midnight on the 4th.

Violet was old enough this year to experience her first sparkler. When I was a kid we couldn't wait until dark before we'd break out the sparklers. But it seems as though that tradition is now a daytime activity. Better safe than sorry.

Firework Art

Pinterest is a great source for parents to find ideas for arts and craft projects to keep their little ones busy. That is those parents who want their kids to do something besides sit in front of a TV or computer screen.

Violet's latest artwork is a toilet paper stamp craft fireworks display. You cut strips half way up the end of a toilet paper roll, dip it in paint and dab up and down. Violet's first attempt was spinning the roll. Once Melissa figured out the correct way, Violet created several works of art. I even have one on my refrigerator.

Melissa & Jamie - 10 Year Wedding Anniversary

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Melissa and Jamie's wedding. Considering they began dating in high school, they've been together right around 17 years.

Last year they spent their anniversary in a storage room at Paradise Park due to a tornado warning. This year I offered to babysit while they went to a show. But there wasn't anything good at the theater so they opted for Worlds of Fun taking Violet and Lincoln with them. I should have gotten them a book for their anniversary entitled "101 Ways to Celebrate Your Anniversary"! Congratulations, Melissa and Jamie. May you continue "Making Memories of Us"!