I hope you dance

What is it about music that makes even little children get this uncontrollable move to twist and jiggle their bodies?
And why is that so ridiculously fun? Have you ever noticed that people can't stop smiling when they're dancing? I'm pretty sure it is a physical impossibility. In fact, if everyone just once a day took the time to dance around their kitchen, the world would be a happier place.
Watch the video (steal some of the kid's moves) and then go get your grove on in the kitchen. You'll feel better.

I would totally date this kid.
Except I'm married.
And I would be arrested.

Meet...

Brigham Stromberg.
He has big, beautiful eyes. The most darling little nose. The tiniest perfect hands. The most soft and silky hair. And he melted my heart. Thanks for letting me steal your baby for a half hour Mindy!!

The big brother, Rykker.

And the whole adorable family.

He'll be breaking some hearts.
Trust me.

If you want your child to stop sucking her thumb...

just show her this picture.

Works like a charm.

Don't judge.

What do you do when...

you stumble upon a perfect day,

in a perfect setting,

with the perfect outfits,

the perfect children,

the perfect lighting,

and you just happen to have your perfect camera? I submit that you take pictures.

Lots and lots of pictures.

Two Year Old Awesomeness

Today we were driving home from lunch at the school with Luke when both of my girls promptly feel asleep in their car seats. After about 10 minutes of complete silence in the car, I slammed on the breaks when I got cut off by another car, and Aubrey awoke suddenly with the biggest eyes and screamed,

"I don't want to share!!
Where's Daddy? Oh, nooooo!
We should have popsicles!"

And then she instantly closed her eyes and fell back asleep.

I almost got in an accident I was laughing so hard.
Oh, the things that go on inside a two year old's head.

When Life Gives You...

pebbles,

throw them in the pond.
When life gives you a Farmer's Market,
eat a whole bag of Kettle Korn.

When life (or a really short-sighted mom) gives you a paintbrush,
Paint.
(Quickly - before she takes it away)

When life gives you a tunnel,
Run through it while screaming.

And when life gives you a rainstorm in summer,
Dance in it with your dad.

The Awkward, the Even More Awkward, and the Truly Wonderful

This week's episode of "The Good..." is a tribute to my loving and devoted husband on our 4th Anniversary. I never knew four years could fly by so fast and yet seem like such a lifetime ago.

Girls, you know how you fantasize about your wedding your whole life (you did. you know you did.) and then it's over in only a few short hours? Well, here are the awkward, the even more awkward, and the truly wonderful moments of mine.

The Awkward
My brother, Brad was our "DJ" - if standing on the stage and trying to look cool counts as being a DJ. (Just kidding, Brad.)
Well, right as we were wrapping things up and preparing to make a run for it, my brother announces that everyone should head outside if they want to see us off, and then says,
"Congratulations Adam and Ashley!!!....
and....
Luke."
(Adam was my long-time boyfriend all through high school.)

Classic.

The Even More Awkward
My amazing bridesmaids were so thoughtful and decorated our honeymoon suite with flowers, chocolates, and certain other things that shall remain nameless. Right before I left, my sister mentioned what number our hotel room was. But, when we went to check in that night the hotel gave us a different room number. Very concerned, I explained that the other room had been decorated especially for us and that there was some mistake. She told us that that room was registered to a "Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Webb" (who happen to be Luke's parents!!!)

Now that would have been awkward....

The Truly Wonderful
Despite the blisters on my feet, the corset that almost broke one of my ribs, the earrings that took three people to get them in, the fact that we arrived an hour late to our own luncheon, and having to make Brittany hold my dress for me while I went pee, it was one of the most magical days of my life, and more than anything else, I remember being truly happy.
I mean genuinely, I-can't-possibly-smile-any-bigger-than-this, out of my mind, happy.

Happy Anniversary, Luke.
I love you.

Tragedy

There has been a recent death in our family, and I am devastated.
Sadly, today at 2:08 our beloved Naptime died of natural causes.
Naptime was a loyal and selfless member of our family and will be missed by all (except my children). Naptime changed my life for the better and I will miss it every single day. I cannot imagine living without it, but the precious memories of Naptime will live on in my heart.
We love you, Naptime.
Rest in peace.

In correlation with the recent death, I was unable to produce the promised "surprise" for today. Maybe if Naptime ever visits us again...

Well, don't count on it.
Sorry.
It really was going to be awesome.
Maybe instead I will grace you with last nights adventures. It all started with me chasing down some punk little kids that thought it would be funny to bang on my glass sliding door at 10:30 at night (where are these kid's parents?!?) and then hide behind a dumpster. After I calmly walk out to tell them that we have kids sleeping in our house and if they wake them up, so help me...
they run away.
So I run after them. Barefoot.
Then I realize that I'm in my pajamas running down the street barefoot after a few 8 year olds and I turn around to go home. But not so fast - some nasty man in a car from 1972 pulls up beside me and the following conversation ensues:
Him: "Hi there."
Me: "Hi."
Him: "Do you know where JC lives?"
Me: "No, sorry."
Him: "Well, have you lived here long?"
Me: "No, not really."
Him: "I'm Juan."
Me: "Hi."
Him: "How long have you lived here... (pausing to see if I will fill in my name)"
Me: "We've been here for almost a year."
(At this point I am walking away from the car trying to give him the hint that he is wierd and I'm not interested.)
Him: "WE?!?!"
(He puts his car in reverse and starts following me as I'm walking away!)
Me: "Yes. Me and my (huge, scary, beefy, weight-lifting) husband."
Him: "Why are all the pretty girls always taken?"
Me: "I don't know. Have a great night."
Him: "So do you think we could get together sometime?"

Are you serious?
I went home and vowed to never leave my house alone after 9 pm again.

The Good, The Bad, and the Truly Unfortunate

I'm going to try something new.

Every Wednesday (well, some Wednesdays...) I am going to pass on my precious wisdom to you, my faithful readers, and let you all in on a few of my most profound findings.

Thrilling, I know.

Now, before we begin I must remind you that I am no expert - and you are reading this blog by your own free will and choice. Therefore, you may not sue me, stone me, or shun me if you do not like what I have to say.

If you do not agree to the above mentioned terms, please stop reading now.

For everyone else, "The Good, The Bad, and Truly Unfortunate - Volume 1" will be featuring restaurant foods.

THE GOOD
Do you really not know what would be #1 on my list?
That's right, people: Cafe Rio, my first love.
The Pork Burrito will change your life. Seriously.
If you have been ordering anything besides the pork (although all the menu items are still above par), you have been wasting your life. And I am ashamed of you.

THE BAD
You may be surprised by my choice of "the Bad," but please, let me explain. I have awarded the Johnny Carino's Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo the title because it is bad comparatively.
I spent 3 1/2 years of my life eating the fettuccine alfredo and I must admit, I was blissful in my ignorance. Then one night, our lovely waitress politely told us that we were missing out and insisted we try something else. A little annoyed, we ordered the Grilled Chicken Bowtie Festival.
It was love at first bite.
Fettuccine Alfredo: never again.
Oh, and the Italian Wedge Salad.
Um... yes.


THE TRULY UNFORTUNATE
Today I ran to Michael's which happens to be right next to Taco Bell. It was around lunch time and I asked Brooklyn if she would like to eat Taco Bell. She looked at me like I was crazy and said in alarm, "Mom, you can't eat Tinker Bell!!"
Anyway, we ordered a few volcano tacos since they were cheap and came home to eat them.
Volcano is the perfect name for them. Aubrey took one bite and started crying; Brooklyn started scratching at her tongue and begging for water. Even after drinking a full glass of ice water, Brooklyn looked at me sadly and said, "My mouth feels yucky."
We ended the meal with an Otter Pop.
Yum.
Congratulations, Volcano Taco.
Now blow yourself up and turn into ash.

Happy eating, everyone!!

I just thought...

that this was beautiful.

And I thought you might think so to.

P.S. I have a special treat for Friday.
Stay tuned.