My Sweetheart

No, not Ryan, but Chickie. The other day she came home from school with these. She stopped at a fruit stand, and bought a bunch of fruit for us and these gorgeous glads.

We are so lucky to have such a sweetheart for a daughter.

Chickie

Chickie is on her way here. Her and my mother in law are driving out here from MN. Last night they stayed in Chicago. And they should be here around 9:00 tonight.

I am so grateful for my in laws, stepping up to the challenge of taking in and living with their teenage granddaughter. They had 3 boys so, I am not sure if the knew what they were really in for. We all know how challenging teenage girls can be. Yes, Chickie, I know you read my blog, and yes, you can be challenging, sometimes. Not a lot but, sometimes.

Anyway, Chickie is moving out here and will be attending a local community college until she decides exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to go. I am so looking forward to having her under our roof once again. Even if my makeup, clothes, shoes, scissors and tape are under lock and key. Yes, I said tape and scissors. For some reason when she would use them they would get lost in her room forever. I think we own like 7-8 pairs of scissors and currently I know where they all are.

I am so excited that I couldn't even sleep last night. It was like 3:30 before I fell asleep. Now, I am off to go clean. You know my mother in law is coming here. Just kidding Mom. You are the best mother in law a wife could ask for. Love ya!

The Graduate

Chickie graduated!

Chickie graduated with honors. Way to Go!

Oh my gosh, isn't she the cutest!

Singing for choir.


Got that diploma. The real one is actually in there.

Chickie's beau.

Moving the tassel over .

It's official.

These girls have been best friends since we moved here, when Chickie was in the 3rd grade.

Congrats you two!

Serious and studious.

Woohoo!



We are so proud of our girl. We are so, excited for her to begin her next chapter. She is so amazing and we know she will accomplish any goals she sets.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go.

We left NY Wed morning, stopped and stayed the night in Portage, IN and arrived in MN Thurs. night.

It was so great to see Chickie again. The boys haven't seen her since Christmas and I haven't seen her since March.

Of course, it was great to see Mom and Dad again too.

This weekend is going to be crazy with graduation and all.


Ryan took and made this collage which will go on her cake.

Frog Stakes

Have I told you lately how wonderfully awesome my daughter is? She purchased these the other day because they reminded her of me. Then she packaged them up with some soup I requested (Campbells Fiesta Nacho Cheese, I can't find it anywhere here), 2 puzzles for Johnsie and some Andes mints for Manny and her Dad. How awesome is that.
It was all "Just Because".

You can buy these at YOUR local Ace Hardware. Just had to give her employer a shout out.

Love ya Chickie!

Oh Mamma the Surprise

Last week while I was visiting Chickie and fam for my birthday, I was treated to an amazing birthday supper. Chickie and Gram got reservations at a restaurant in downtown Minneapolis called Zelo's. The food was awesome.

First, we had an appetizer of sauteed portobellos and peppers. Oh so good. After that I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana, Gram ordered the Tortiglioni Rossa and Chickie ordered the Fussili Lunghi. Am I right about that ladies? Because to be honest, I was so busy stuffing my face, I truly can't remember. Everything was so good. We each split our plates three ways so, we all could try each others. I do have to say that mine was the best by far. Sorry ladies.

The whole surprise, I mean everything, was Chickie's idea. She planned when I was flying out and what we were going to do each day.


My BEAUTIFUL Mother-in-Law, my FAVORITE girl, and me.

Being chocoholics, the Budino (Molten chocolate cake with Vanilla gelato and Fudge sauce) was our preferred choice for dessert. It was amazing. We also ordered a Tiramisu to share but, it didn't even compare.

So, afterwards we leave and head towards the parking garage. Well at least that's what I thought. When we were supposed to cross the street the girls grabbed me and said we weren't leaving just yet. Hmmm. I was confused and a little concerned. I said, "I'm not going to have to get up and dance or something?" They just smiled.

Ok, sorry Chickie, but I have to tell this part. It is just too funny. The night before my birthday Chickie said we should get pedicures on my birthday because her feet were so sore from shopping all day. Well, it just so happens that I was wore Chickie's high heels out to the restaurant. Which anyone who knows her well, knows she has some pretty stinky shoes. I mean STINKY. It was not my idea to wear them, but Chickie insisted I couldn't wear my clunky shoes. Anyway, both ladies happen to stop in front of a nail salon and this scared me. There was no way I was going to let someone touch my feet when I was wearing stinky shoes. They assured me wasn't where we were going. Whew.

As we walked on my mother-in-law tried to get us to cross the street but, she was too late because seconds later I noticed peeking out from behind a building the word MIA on the marquee. Seriously! We are going to see Mamma Mia? I LOVE the movie and the music. Chickie can attest to this. And it was opening night!

Yep, they totally surprised me. I had totally forgotten that weeks earlier I had asked Chickie if her and Gram were going to see a show while they were in the cities dress shopping. She told me Mamma Mia was going to be in town and I told her NO WAY are you going to see it without me.

Well, of course my girl remembered this and like I said she organized the whole thing. Good thing she has some good backers, because Ryan bought the plane tickets and my wonderful in-laws bought the show tickets.

This really was the best birthday I have ever had. Chickie, YOU ARE THE BEST. I love you so much and I am so proud of you. You aren't only my daughter anymore, you are turning into my best friend too! Love ya and thanks again Chickie, Ryan, Mom and Dad for an unforgettable birthday. And I did get up and dance!

Prom Dress Shopping

We literally spent 9 hours shopping in the Mall of America. WOW. Our feet really hurt. But, in the end we had SUCCESS. AND we had fun. Girl time is the best!

Gram and I really liked this one. It was so beautiful but, Chickie didn't like the way it looked or fit.

This one Chickie only just liked. Her dress last year was black and white so, she was looking for a change.

We all liked this one and it made it into the top 3. The fit wasn't just right though. The top was really loose.

Chickie looked great in this one but, it was a little boring.

This one was also in the top 3. It was very pretty. To be honest, I can't remember why we didn't choose this one. I think maybe she didn't like the bottom.

After trying on, I seriously have no clue how many dresses, Chickie chose this little coral number. Now we are only worrying about how it will look with her Beau's bright red hair.

We looked all over the mall for a bra that would work with this one but, we couldn't find anything. I have found some low back bra converters online. We will probably invest in one.

The bottom has to be hemmed just a little. Remember Chickie, you're not short, you're "Fun Size."



Video of the dress she picked.



Video of pink dress



Video of black dress



Video of off white dress.

My Homage to Me and Chickie

I have been missing Chickie like CRAZY. This is obviously the longest we have ever been apart. I Last saw her Dec 28 th when we were bawling our eyes out.

So, I have been getting really mushy lately because I knew that in the next few weeks she and Gram were going to go prom dress shopping.

The three of us went last year and because I am now in NY, I obviously can't go.

Sigh. Really how many times in a girl's life does she prom dress shop?

Well, for Chickie there are only going to be 2 times. And seriously this is not something a Mommy should miss!

So, here is the WAY TOTALLY AWESOME part.

Ryan bought me a ticket for my birthday to MN and so I get to help her dress shop!


Isn't that the best birthday gift ever!


The other night Chickie and I were talking about when she and Gram were going to be going and that night I had a dream about shopping with her. When I woke up I got all teary. I told Ryan about my dream and he said it was so hard not to tell me that day, about my present. I am a pretty snoopy person and I did not have a clue about this.

Thanks So Much Ry. I Love you. Here I come Chickie. Can't wait!

Homecoming

My baby girl and her beau Ryan going to their senior homecoming.

The girls have stood here for a pic all four years of high school. I will have to find them.

Cute girls.

Last minute touch ups.

Chickie's Birthday

My baby is 17. I know it is a cliche to say, "time flies," or "they grow so fast." But it really does fly by and they do grow up at incredible speeds. People tell you this and warn you to make sure you make every moment count but, nothing really prepares you for it. One day you are holding a baby girl in your arms and it seems like the next day you are sitting at her 17th birthday supper and you are on one side of her and her boyfriend is on the other. No matter what people tell you and how much they warn you nothing helps you to feel less sad. It's so crazy, one part of me is so happy that she is turning into an incredible young woman and the other part misses the little girl. I think I am also partly jealous too that I am losing my status as one of the most important people in her life. I know she loves me and I am important to her but she just needs me less and that is hard for me. Is it hard for all parents? Am I feeling this way because she is my first born? My only girl? Will I feel like this as my boys get older? Enough of the pity party and the woe is me.

I am not sure where I got the idea from, probably some show, but when N was a baby I wrote him a letter about my dreams and hopes for him. Some day, when he is older we will read it. I feel bad that I never wrote a letter for A. But I got to thinking, better late then never. So, I shall write her a letter. I better get one done for D sometime in the near future too.

---D wrapped up his robot, to give his sissy, so that they could share it. Sweet boy.----

---My first time making a cake using fondant.---

Anyway, Happy Birthday Baby Girl. Even when you are old and grey you will still be my baby girl. I love you truly. Happy 17th.

Absolutely 80"s

I can't believe when A put this outfit together to wear to school. Now let this be known that this was not an 80's day or any special day at all. I guess it was the last day of school but she just put this outfit together because she thought it looked cute. I totally wore stuff like this. OMG. Just please don't get the big 80's hair please.