Welcoming 30!

A few weekends ago, a close group of friends and I ventured down for a fun night in Atlantic City to celebrate our turning 30. It was honestly just so fun and I’m thankful for the friends that were able to make it! In a perfect world, ALL of my close girlfriends would have been able to be there but life, it gets in the way! I love that even the ones who couldn’t make it were able to send their well wishes! I’m sure I’ll see them all soon!

We spent the weekend shopping, walking the beach and the boardwalk, and just really celebrating friendships! Some of these friendships go back almost 20 years. Wow.

Here’s a bunch of pictures that I snagged from the smart girls who remembered to take pictures!

The Birthday Girl and I. We’re 30!!!

Me and Deena.

The water? FREEZING.

Jill, myself, Meg, and Colleen

Julie and Beth. These girls represent such a fun time in my life!

Jen, Julie and Beth. These are my post college/grad school friends.

Deena, Colleen, me, Katie, and her sister Lauren. The LeVan girls came down the night before too so we could just have a long weekend.

Jen and Julie

Deena, Katie, and me

Party gifts for the girls who came. It’s a wine glass with their initial monogrammed along with the phrase, “My Cup Runneth Over”. I’m so blessed for the friends I have in my life!

Deena, Colleen, Me, and Mariel. Outside of Caesar’s Palace.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk as soon from the shops at Caesar’s Palace. This place is oozing with Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry... I was one happy girl!

Mariel and Julie

Lauren, Katie, and Me! Doing some shopping, naturally.

Deena and myself.

ALLL the girls having some snacks and dinner before going out.

In the Borgata. We made our first stop at club MurMur. Great dancing! (Expensive.)

Me and Dee, again.

The glasses which Mariel tied all the ribbon around the stems. Impressive!

iPhone photo. Meg and me! Friends since 10th grade!

Cool and I. Stone Harbor shops.

New Hair

Hey Friends! Here is a few pictures of my new hair color! I really like it.

However.

There’s a problem.

I really only like it when it’s curly or wavy. My hair is normally stick straight so this new look, which was supposed to be “low maintainence”, is anything but...

I think in about a month I’m going to go back to my favorite fall hair color, rich chocolate brown.

Here’s a few pictures of the new look!

Mini Update

1. P90X? STILL CRUSHING IT. Arms muscles are like WOAH. Bragging? Of course I am! Wouldn’t you be if you had a body changing work out that you stuck with for 10 weeks and counting?!?

2. A new job. I’m all signed up for the job fair in April back in NC. The HR rep at Wayne County schools has made me promise to her on numerous occasions that I will DEFINITELY be attending. That sounds promising, right? My NC teaching certificate should be here in a few weeks and I’m researching a graduate program as we speak to get my last (20ish?) credits for a Masters Degree in Reading. I hope the first 20 I already took transfer!!! (Fingers crossed...). Either way, the first 6 credits I earn, hopefully this summer, will get my PA certificate reactivated. That baby transfers everywhere since it holds such high standards to achieve. God Bless you, PA, for making me work my booty off to get a degree. It’s paying off big time! Oh, and did I mention that I earned a 4.0 in my last Graduate Program? Yeah, Baby...

3. AC this weekend! Ringing in the big 3-0 in fashion and style with some amazing girlfriends. Now that will surely come with a TON of pictures! I have a cute new dress and a Juicy Couture faux fur coat to go along with it. Oh, and today will bring me some NEW SHOES. Giddy up!!!

4. Ava. Let’s see. She counts to 10 in SPANISH. Yes, Spanish. She’s a rock star at her new memory game, it’s amazing. She can sight read about 15 names from the people in our family and extended family. She’s also started drawing some shapes. Hey, hey fine motor skills! She can do a circle AND a triangle AND a square. My goodness. The amount of songs and dances she has memorized. Oy vey! Oh, and she’s amazing her teachers left and right at preschool, especially with her vocabulary. I go in to pick her up and they’re just astonished at what she already knows. (Big ol’ pat on the back for ME!). I hear things like, “We tried to teach her colors, but she already knows them. We tried to teach her shapes, but she already knows them. We tried to teach her the alphabet, but she already knows that...”. You catch my drift. The best part? Working with Ava is just PLAYING. There’s nothing in our daily activities that says “school”. She’s a sponge, she’s happy, she’s healthy, she’s smart, and she’s mine. ALL MINE. (Well, Curt’s too, but you know what I mean.). :)

She’s now wearing a 3T. Yes, 3T. Her foot won’t stop growing so she scored FOUR pairs of shoes from Stride Rite this past week from her Mimi Quigley. (Spoiled? You bet...). Gymnastics and Ballet are going wonderfully! She’s absolutely loves to run around and get her gross motor on. I feel like I have a lifetime of dance recitals and chorus concerts ahead of me. (YESSSS!!!!!)

I often hear from others, “How old is she?!?”. Ha! She’s 2.5 going on 16!! I think what I’m most proud to share is that Ava has the BEST MANNERS OF ANY TODDLER OUT THERE. Still. It’s always “please, thank you very much, no thank you...”. I’m so glad I’ve been home with Ava to raise her the way I felt was right. I have really high expectations for her preschool next year and I hope she just continues to grow and learn! Lots of Ava videos on FB, as always. Need to document her daily awesomeness, of course. I should add that Ava still has her toddler moments, which in reality, just adds to her cuteness of insisting on being independent. I can’t count how many times a day I hear, “No. I can do it by myself!”. Oh, and now that we’re here “sharing” with AJ every day, there’s also a lot of , “That’s mine!”. Fun!

Just the other day I was having fun joking around with Ava and she said, “Where’s Mimi?”, to which I responded, “She’s at work.”. Jokingly I said, “Where’s Ava?”, and she smiled and said, “I’m right here!”. It just goes to show how in a year she’s able to grasp some humor, use the correct pronouns, and make a full on, grown-up sentence. Amazing. I love watching her become a little girl with the way she talks to me. She likes to use the word, “Breakfast, lunch, dinner” when talking about food. “Mommy? Pizza for dinner? Orange crackers for snack?”. She also likes to strut her stuff when she gets dressed in the morning. (yay!!!!!!! yay for loving clothes!!!!! yay!!!!!!!!) When she’s dressed she goes to look for Curt, strikes a pose, and says, “Do you like my outfit? It’s sooooo cute!”. Ha! Work it, girl...

Okay, I could go on for YEARS. I’ll save some proud Mama moments for another post...

5. Curt. He’s a machine at work. The long hours and the dedication are still there. I’m amazed at how much time, energy, and effort he puts into his job and still manages to love what he’s doing. It’s quite impressive. Still waiting for the Major promotions list to come out. (They sure are takin’ their time, right?!). He has some exciting news coming up in the next couple weeks, but I’ll wait until he makes his general announcement to share. Lots of TDY’s and work related trips over the next couple months in preparation for the big “D”. (Can’t bring myself to say the word...yet.). Yucky. I guess the same ol’ same ol’ is good for Curt! Workin’ hard for our future. Amen.

6. Life. Overall, my friends, life is great. I have very little to complain about and so much to be happy and thankful for each and every day. We have a very busy year coming up but this family and united and ready to take it on! I’m ready for work (and, um, hello, a dual income again!), I’m ready to send Ava to a great school, I’m ready to sent my Captain America off to defend our freedom (well, not really “ready” but, I’m working on it...), I’m ready to continue to improve myself, my body, and my faith. This girl misses some church in her life. For someone who’s so reliant on my daily chats with God, I really need to find a church that leaves me in tears after a good message.

So, here’s to be 30.

CHEERS!

(PS: Be sure to look at the other post I wrote this morning on my newwwwww look! Taking 30 and changing it up a bit! Watch out!)

A New Look

I know I’m kind of neglecting my blog lately but I’m up visiting my parents for a couple weeks and getting time to sit down, upload pictures, and write is just not happening. So much to do! So many people to see!

Ava is crushing it these days with her sleeping. Back in NC, this girl was regularly waking up in the middle of the night, only to come join me in bed and send Curt to the guest room. Judge all you want. It’s easier than listening to a 2 year scream for two hours, which she would, than just letting her climb up in our bed. I was a midnight intruder of my parents bed for YEARS and I turned out just fine. ;) But, not joking she’s been sleeping until 9-930 am DAILY. It’s crazy, I tell you. I’m rather enjoying it, though!

But, back to the blog post point. I’m taking the plunge and getting ombre’ hair next week! Of course, my version will NOT be as drastic as some of the celebs out there, but, I have complete faith in my stylist and I can’t wait to do something new to this mousy, brown hair color of mine! It’s basically a really, REALLY low maintanence way for me to add some highlights to my hair without having to upkeep it every 6-8 weeks. Sounds fantastic!

Not sure of what I’m talking about? Here’s a few of my celeb inspiration pictures that got my excited about this new look!

Best Dressed Toddler?

Lands End.

Hasn't this brand been around forever? I swear, my Mom was buying clothes for herself and my sisters and I for years when we were growing up. It's quality clothing and will last longer than your child will even be able to wear it! So many of Ava's special outfits are from Lands End and I keep coming back for more!

Check out some of the things they have to offer for toddlers this spring. It's so nautical (my weakness!) and summery! I'm wanting so much stuff for Ava! I will be honest. Ava is outfitted from Target and Osh Kosh B'Gosh (which I am OBSESSED WITH...) 90% of the time. I enjoy Carter's as well but I feel like other brands are really standing up to her toddler ways a little bit better!

Anyway, here are some seriously over the top looks that I may need to pick up for Miss Ava. Can you tell I'm breeding my "mini me"? She loves to waltz around the house with my giant handbags while wearing my highest of heels. Watch out!

P90X Update

This program has, without a doubt, changed my body for the better in the past four weeks. The biggest difference I see is in my arms and how they have some serious definition and toning all around. IT'S AWESOME. I find myself flexing in the mirror. I wish I could say I was joking but it's the honest to God truth. I'm so proud of what I've accomplished in the past 4+ weeks. My core is stronger, my arms are stronger, my legs are strong, my endurance is higher, and my motivation has gone through the roof. My eating habits have improved in an effort to make sure all my hard work isn't erased by having junk food in my diet. Not only am I doing my daily P90X workouts but I'm also walking/running a couple miles every other day outside while Ava is at preschool.

"BRING IT!"

(And, if you're looking for some extra motivation to get that bod of yours back into shape before summer, just go pick up a copy of the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Nope, I'll never look like those gorgeous models, but I can try my hardest!!!)

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

On a whim, Curt made arrangements for us to go to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. He booked our hotel late Thursday night and we were there on Saturday morning. Yes, on a whim! Even though we were only there for about 36 hours we had a wonderful time! Pete and Gretchen were already going to be there that weekend on a little road trip of their own so we made plans to meet up with them on Sunday. Curt and Pete did some golfing and Gretchen, the kiddies and I did some shopping! We started out with breakfast at Cracker Barrel, shopped for a few hours, and then all met back up again on the boardwalk for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. The babies were so very well behaved! We had a wonderful weekend!

On Saturday, Curt and I took Ava to Ripley's Aquarium for a couple hours and then let her run wild at Boardwalk on the Beach. She was EXHAUSTED once we got in the car to head back to our hotel. She was zonked out in less than 3 minutes and didn't blink and eye as we carried her into the hotel, checked in, and made our way to the room where she could sleep. If that's not exhaustion, I have no idea what is...!!!

Curt took Ava downstairs to the indoor pool at our hotel and although she was a little hesitant at first, she ended up LOVING the water! Looks like we need to add swimming lessons to Ava's growing list of activities! Excuse the plain jane bathing suit she's wearing. I didn't bring her SUPER cute one that I bought from Carters just a week earlier so I had to run into Marshalls at 9 pm Saturday night to try and find one. Speedo it is! And...um...guys, this is a size FOUR bathing suit. FOUR!!!! What a big girl!!!!

Here are some pictures from our trip!