December Birthdays

I used my Harrah's celebration dinner tonight to celebrate the December birthdays - me, Jamie and Dad.

The celebration dinner allows me to spend $500 for dinner. You'd be surprised how hard it is to spend that much money for 8 people for dinner. We had appetizers, steaks, lobster tails, desserts and even took home a bottle of wine. On top of that everyone had "to go" boxes so we have dinner for tomorrow night.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today was just like any other Thursday night dinner except it was my 59th birthday. I feel like I should start a bucket list of things to do before I turn 60. But the only things I can think of are clean out my closets, organize my storage room and garage. I need to pick something daring and exciting and outside the house. Nothing comes to mind right now but I'll add "think of things for my bucket list" to my bucket list.

Dad, Michael, Melissa, Jamie, Violet and I went to dinner at Bandanas. The bar-b-cue was good and Melissa and Jamie had a cherry pie waiting for me at home. I'm not crazy about celebrating my birthdays. I've entered that period where people say "you look good for your age." I'd hate to think of what they'd say if I looked bad. Probably no one would ever speak to me again.

Jamie and Melissa Date #2 Post Baby

Last night I gave my Mavericks ticket to Melissa and volunteered to babysit Violet while they went to the hockey game. Melissa put Violet to sleep in my bed before she left but was terrified that Violet would wake up while she was gone. But the event center is 10 minutes away and I promised to call if she woke up.

Wouldn't you know the game went into overtime and then a shootout. This time the Mavericks lost and I swear Melissa and Jamie were home within 10 minutes of the game being over (I was listening to it on my computer). But Violet was still sleeping. Best babysitting job I ever had.

Now there was the problem of what to do with sleeping Violet. We had a couple of options. 1 - we could leave her in my bed and I could sleep on the couch. But that was quickly nixed since none of us would be able to hear if Violet woke up. 2 - Melissa could get in my bed with Violet and I could sleep on the couch. But Melissa didn't want to spend most of the night awake with me snoring on the couch. 3 - Melissa could pick Violet up and take her to her own bed. Although number 3 was the winner, Melissa had a bit of trouble getting Violet back to sleep. That's probably why they say never wake a sleeping baby.

Thanksgiving

For the past several years I've been making Thanksgiving dinner. There's the traditional turkey and dressing (Grandma Eddie style), mashed and sweet potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, jello salad (thanks Karen), cranberries and rolls. Karen even brings a tasty dessert. But I'm getting to the point where something always seems to go wrong. Last year the turkey wasn't done so we put slices of it in the microwave and tried to eat turkey jerky - it was so overcooked. This year the turkey was perfectly cooked but the dressing was not cooked. And the dressing is the best part. So I quickly turned on my Master Chef mind and threw the dressing in a skillet. Besides being a bit burnt from trying to cook it so fast, it was pretty tasty.

I also took advantage of both Michael and Jamie being home and had them put up my Christmas lights and outdoor decorations. Then I made everyone dress up so I could get a family picture for my Christmas cards (picture to be revealed at a later date).

But we also took a few pictures of Michael and Violet.

Melissa and Violet.

The Taylor family (Khloe and Lola were hiding).

And Michael and Dad.

But, of course, Violet stole the show with the best picture of all.

Next year it's either dinner at Melissa and Jamie's new house (hopefully it will be completed by then) or we go to Harrah's buffet!

Maverick's Game with Michael and Ashley

Jamie had to work Wednesday night so I took the opportunity to treat Michael and Ashley to the Maverick's game.

 
Poor Ashley wasn't prepared for how cold it can get in an inside ice rink. But the Maverick's won after a five minute overtime, a tied shootout, and 24 attempts at the goal during sudden death. We also won a catered dinner for 20 at the chuck-a-puck game. We'll probably save the catered dinner for Violet's birthday celebration. Where am I going to come up with 20 people to come eat bar-b-cue.

Bundled Up for the Winter Chill

Melissa picked up Jenn and Randy from the airport and stopped at Kaleidoscope at Crown Center on the way home.

Sure is a good thing I can crochet. The weather was rather chilly but Violet was able to keep warm with the hat and blanket I made for her. It really must have been cold because Violet kept the hat on her head.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Violet is at that stage where she mimics the things that you do.

I think she's spending a little too much time with Khloe and Lola. Although I did creep downstairs and caught Melissa with a toy in her mouth.