Busiest Weekend

 We had the busiest weekend ever! I don't even know how I am still awake to write this (oh, wait I do, I am reading Catching Fire.....amazing!)

 I was up bright and early (3 AM) on Saturday morning to hang out at LP Field. Well, more like work my butt off volunteering for the Country Music Marathon.

I completely regret not taking pictures. I wore a yellow vest and directed traffic. Hilarious! And let me just add, that only about 20% of those people cared. The other 80% either ignored me, shook their head at me, or tried to run me over. I am so glad that I have a sense of humor. And those other parking attendants were great too - they were so fun to work with. It really is amazing how funny the "herd" is.

I spent the majority of time doing this (I took this pic prior to the 30K plus people that came through). What you are looking at is 10 UPS trucks - and there are another 10 on the side I'm on. And all 20 trucks were full of checked bags. After people were done doing the race, they came to these trucks to get their belongings.

So, I spent 3 hours in a hot UPS truck. Looking for bags. Finding them, not finding them - it was quite the adventure.

Let me just jump on my soapbox for a minute - volunteer today! Of the 400 people that I helped, I got 10 praises for the help I was giving - but that made it worth it. This might have seemed like grunt work, but the volunteers and staff really do make these events. The Country Music Marathon benefits St Jude's and if my being there helped raise even a dollar for those kids, it was worth it! I got so much out of it. For just a few hours, I was "Ann", not mommy or wife or friend or family member. I was just me and getting to meet amazing people, both volunteers and runners. I am totally doing it again.

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After that, I had to keep moving or I was going to crash - so we headed to the ball field to watch Daddy play softball. 

Abby spent the majority of her time scooping up dirt. I told her to get it out of it, but she told me that she was "cooking". Silly girl.

Abby and I both crashed pretty early on Saturday night (Well, me later than I would have liked - I started Catching Fire!).

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On Sunday, we went to church and then lunch with friends that moved away (so mad I didn't take pics).

Then we went to the Franklin Downtown Festival.

My heart was in my throat, but Abby wanted to do the giant slide by herself.

She did that slide like she was a pro.

The best was when she face planted halfway down the slide and fell down backwards. For a second, I seriously thought she broke something. But she came up grinning and I could not stop laughing. She is just so tough. 

My sweet little girl is just growing up!

We met our friends there and Abby got to hang with her friend Casey.



She loved the ball pit. 

She is just so funny and I really think that 3 is the BEST age.

I am looking at my calendar for May, and it exhausts me. We have SO much going on.

I just have to take pictures!!!! 

Book Club - 2 Books!

Fearless Fourteen - by Janet Evanovich

Summary:

Our heroine, the irrepressible bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, finds herself watching over a goth teen called Zook, who is heavily into gaming, after his mom can’t make bail and disappears (or has been kidnapped). A lot of people think there is stolen money buried in or near Officer Morelli’s little house—that’s Steph’s Morelli, the cop who is her number-one boyfriend most of the time, or at least when the entrancing Ranger isn’t nearby. The money is the reason behind Zook’s mom’s disappearance, and it’s the tie that binds Evanovich’s various plotlines, which carom about endlessly, not always resolving. Questions abound: Are Steph’s sidekick, the plus-size Lula, and Ranger’s man Tank really engaged? Ranger is working security for a fading but brassy pop star: How does Steph manage to get into and out of her reality show? Can Zook and his sidekicks protect Morelli’s house—and Stephanie—with their homegrown weaponry (think potatoes as missiles)? Where else but Evanovich’s fourteenth novel can a line like “it’s raining money and popsicles!” actually make sense? *Amazon

Review:

Ugh, I was so disappointed! I have read countless reviews through this book club about this series with Stephanie Plum. Everyone loves it - did I pick a bad one? I just randomly picked one......give me another to try! I was just so confused/mad. Here were my thoughts: Why were all those people given free reign of her house? Why was she letting Gary (the stalker) and Mooner (the stoner) just lay around all day? What was up with the video game and wood elves? I just thought it was very unbelievable. So if you have made it this far through my review.....give me advice and/or a better one to try. I do like series (love Sue Grafton), so I would love a new one!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. *Amazon

Review:

I was hesitant about a book that talks about teenagers killing each other. Seriously, how can that be a good read? But OMG it was. The book was so well written, I literally couldn't put it down. I assumed what would happen, but I was still on the edge of my seat. And then I was so shocked at the ending. I read the summary for the next one and can't wait to start it. I was a little distracted with the whole Liam Hiamsworth (that I knew played my favorite character Peeta) image in my head. (Correction - Apparently I just assumed the players. Liam does not play Peeta, but Gale. That makes it a whole new book in my head!) But I guess it helped me imagine him more. Anywhoo, if you are debating this series, I highly suggest it!

Linking Up Here:

This Is How....

We watch American Idol in our house.

With our dress tucked in our underwear. 

Chug-A-Lug

Stuart mentioned to me a few weeks ago that he bought Abby a train set.

Honestly, I forgot about it.

But tonight, he ran down the stairs like a kid at Christmas and said, "It's here!" 

Abby was so excited.

When Stuart was putting it together, Abby would hand him each piece and say "What about this one Daddy?"

Honestly, it was so irritating that it was funny. 



Eventually (after much laughing), I put her in the bath so Daddy could finish putting it together. 

She was soooo happy when she got out and got to play with it. 

I think this picture just sums it up.

The only way that I could get her to bed was to have her put the trains "to sleep" as well.

Earth Day

Well personally I am hating this new blogger format. Impossible to figure out!

But anyways, we went to Earth Day on the square on Saturday. It was freaking cold!

But Abby still had a good time!

After that, we walked over to the library and hung out. Much warmer!

This pic is from Friday night (When it was lots warmer!).

Abby could seriously blow bubbles 24 hours a day. She loves it!

Book Club - Before I Go To Sleep

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson

Summary:

Every day Christine wakes up not knowing where she is. Her memories disappear every time she falls asleep. Her husband, Ben, is a stranger to her, and he's obligated to explain their life together on a daily basis - all the result of a mysterious accident that made Christine an amnesiac. With the encouragement of her her doctor, Christine starts a journal to help jog her memory every day. One morning, she opens it and sees that she's written three unexpected and terrifying words: "Don't trust Ben." Suddenly everything her husband has told her falls under suspicion. What kind of accident caused her condition? Who can she trust? Why is Ben lying to her?

Review:

This was not my typical type of book. But I read online that it was great. It was AWESOME. So full of suspense, on the edge of your seat read. I stayed up past my bedtime way too many nights to read more. And I suspected the ending, but it still shocked me.

I highly recommend, but it is one that you have to pay attention to. There were a few times that I had to flip back a few pages to remember things. But overall, a fantastic book. If possible, I would love to see it as a movie!

Linking up Here:

More Ouchies

Abby loves to get boo-boo's. Or maybe not loves them, but gets them all the time!!

This one was pretty ugly, apparently she fell on the sidewalk at school and scraped her knee.

She kept the band aid on for 2 days and then finally let me take it off to see.

She told me that she couldn't smile, she had to make a "sad face".

She gets so devastated about any sort of boo-boo that she gets, but if you can't tell, she has bruises all over her legs.
A pretty bad close up, but you can see all her bruises.
She is just like me. I can barely bump into something and get a giant bruise.

I told her that we would put a band aid on it and then have a happy face.

I am pretty sure that she will be ok!

I have been trying to remember all the funny things that she says, but I always forget. I happened to write this one down tonight. We were eating pizza and I asked Abby if she wanted a napkin. She said, "I don't need a napkin, I am just going to lick myself".

Love her!

Squeaky Clean

Abby has been a regular at the dentist for almost 2 years now.Ever since the incident with the tooth.

It is actually quite funny, she is SO good there, unlike the doctor appointments. There, she will throw a freaking fit and embarrass me to no end.

At the dentist, she is a perfect little angel. Everyone there absolutely loved her.

They couldn't believe that she is only three as she was so well behaved.

Yea, we are pro's at the dentist.

We had an insurance change so this was a new place and I was a little nervous (Seriously, she is 3 and this is her third dentist office to go to). But they were so awesome with her.

I always ask about the broken tooth and have them take extra care to look at it. But they said it was fine, just will continue to look at it.

I also brought up the whole "I eat my toothpaste" dance that we do every night and morning.

They said that was normal and not to worry about it, just give her enough toothpaste to brush her teeth, "a smear" and she will be fine.

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After, we stopped at a hair salon for a trim. I am trying so hard to grow those bangs out (they start in the middle of her head). So we get only some of the bangs trimmed every few weeks.

But she is pretty sporadic on the bow front.

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This is AFTER the haircut. It is still in her eyes. I just want to jam a barrette in it!

I had a dentist appointment today as well, Abby was again SO well behaved and sat outside the room and colored the whole time.

Granted, she left with blue highlighter on her nose, but still.

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We find Abby the most random things to do. Stu was making deviled eggs for work tomorrow and gave Abby the egg carton. Then we found ping pong balls and told her to have at it.

She had a blast throwing those ping pong balls in the egg carton.

And do you see the balloon in her hand? The dentist made her a balloon flower and she has not put it down since!

Weekend Review

We had another beautiful, busy weekend.

Soccer verdict: Getting better, but it is still ugly.

Abby honestly would be fine if they just kicked the ball back and forth.

When the cones come out, she is all about it.
Unless people talk to her, then the hands go up and she starts crying.

And for the first 30 minutes, they do games such as red light/green light or Sharks and Minnows.

She just whines on the sidelines.

But oh those cones, she is a professional.

So she gets about 5-7 minutes of play time a week!

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We went to my Mimi's 85th birthday party in Knoxville after.

Sadly, I took no pictures.

Well just this one. Luckily, my bro brought their Ipad and Abby watched a movie on the way there.

She looks so grown up!

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Today was church and then we cleaned out the garage. Exciting times.

Abby was quickly bored with the garage clean out, so we got out the water table.

She loved it (and yes, I know she needs a hair cut. If she would just let me pin it back, it wouldn't look so bad)

She also fell in love with Popsicles. This was her second just today.

She had it all over her face, her arms, and her legs.

Good times!

Queen of Bull

Some nights, Abby just doesn't want to go to bed. We have a strict bedtime of 7:30 on school nights (trust me, she is impossible to get up if she stays up later).

If it is one of those nights, she comes up with every excuse in the book.

• It isn't dark outside.
• I need more milk, my mouth is thirsty.
• My stomach hurts, I need medicine.
• I'm coughing, I need medicine.
• I need a book.
• I need to say more prayers.
• I have to potty.
• I don't have lotion on.
• My leg hurts, I need a band-aid.
• My arm hurts, I need a band-aid.
• I need to see what outfit I am wearing tomorrow.
• I need to see the shoes I am wearing tomorrow.
• My blankets are falling off.
• I can't find [insert 1 of 50 stuffed animals].

You might think these are valid excuses, but when she uses every.single.one of them in one night, they begin to lose credibility.

Luckily, it usually only lasts about 20-30 minutes and then she is out like a light.

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And some pictures from dinner out tonight:

"Well of course I cross my legs like a lady"

"Isn't it a shame that my Mommy hasn't cut my hair?"

Easter Fun

What an end to a 3 day weekend.....

Today was an awesome, beautiful day. And we went to a great service at a new church. What a way to kick things off!

Well before that, we had a little visit from the Easter Bunny.

Abby got a Tag Reader and a Little Mermaid book. She has read that book quite a few times now.

She also got a Minnie Mouse headband - loves it!

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I am so bad that I didn't get a picture of Abby in her Sunday best. It included a hat!

Today was just too busy!

Abby is loving our new dining room table. She loves to crawl under it and hide.

And she got out her doctor's kit to take the temperature of all the chairs....they all got smiley faces!

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We hosted both of our families at the house.

Since Abby was the only kiddo, I wanted to find something fun for the adults to do.

An old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt!

Let me just tell you - I was so nervous about this not being fun for all the adults.

They loved it. I now will call it, "The First Annual Easter Egg Hunt", as it will be a tradition going forward.

Abby got into it as well.

Pretty much, all my beautiful shrubs (and fresh mulch) contained multiple Easter Eggs.

It was hilarious to see everyone stirring up the 1,000 bugs that live in my greenery. I just hope we found them all!

Then it was time to open them!

They were filled with money, candy, letters and challenges.

The big hit was the "glitter eggs". I emptied eggs and filled them with confetti to bust over people's heads (Thanks for that idea Pinterest).

The prizes were all silly - back scratcher, whoopee cushions, chocolate bunnies.

Abby getting a glitter egg busted on her arm.

The Staples boys - Steve, Stuart, Kevin and Sean.

All of them were asleep on the couch shortly after!

Gammy got Abby a picnic table for Easter. Since Daddy was inside sleeping off a big meal, my brother and sis-in-law put it together. (With a little help from Abby)

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She also got a cute basket from Nana - with Minnie pj's.

I think that sums up our Easter - note to self to take more/better pics next year!