4th Birthday Party for Princess Paige

Our niece Paige turns 4-years old tomorrow but she celebrated in style this weekend with her friends.

She, like numerous of other 4-year old girls, is into princesses.

Hence, the cupcakes.

 And balloons.

 The party took place at my BIL and SIL's house.

 The weather was HOT, so snow cones were a must for this birthday bash.

 As was a bouncy house in the shape of a castle for the princess and her peeps.

 A pinata was also in order.

How cute is this picture?

I have to say, I was a little worried about 4-year children swinging a real bat around but they did a-okay.

 Paigee enjoyed being princess for a day, and was even so kind to share her birthday cupcake with her best friend Sophia.

 Happy 4th Birthday Paige!!!

37-Years...

I'm 37-years old today!

This birthday is more special than others for many reasons but mostly because I have been given the best gift ever this year.

Expecting our first child.

It's hard to believe that 29-years ago I actually had a baby shower themed birthday party when I turned 8.

I'll never forget it.

My Mom asked what I wanted for my birthday and, being all about my 'babies' aka Cabbage Patch Kids, I said I wanted things for them.

That's how the theme came about.

Now, all these years later I'm having real baby showers, for a real baby, not a doll!

We celebrated my birthday over the weekend and it is by far one of the best I've had in years.

Brad outdid himself with a cake, card, a weekend playing in the water, and a handbag I've been admiring for years.

I know some of you detest this statement, but it's the truth, I'm absolutely over the moon!

I scheduled our last childbirth class knowing that it was my birthday so no plans tonight, which I'm fine with.

What I'm NOT fine with is that I left my cell phone at home!

Of all days!!!

LOL!!

Happy Wednesday!

Brad's Birthday and Weekend Pictures

After surviving sickness last week we enjoyed a low-key Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was actually Brad's 34th birthday and while he originally told me that all he wanted was 'silence' as his gift we went out and got sushi.

His favorite is the 'Fire Cracker' roll at Ru Sans.

After dinner we came home and some of our neighbors came over and we all celebrated with a few adult beverages.

Again, low-key which was needed after our crazy holiday schedule and then being sick.

Today I woke up and met my friend Kelli for brunch and a trip to the Mint Museum.
They have a new exhibit at the museum and it was free to get in today.

This was my first trip to the new location in Uptown Charlotte.

We decided to brunch at the restaurant that's inside the museum, called Halcyon.

First visit here too.

It's a farm to table concept restaurant and I will be back!
The decor is very rustic.

The food was amazing!

The new exhibit inside the museum is a collection of Romare Bearden's work and it was something to see.

A fun Sunday!

Now, I'm just sitting here relaxing and catching up with my besties in Louisiana on the phone.

Everyone is STOKED about tomorrow's National Championship game where my LSU Tigers will take on Bama!!

I thought about watching it with the LSU Alumni group here in town but it's a work night and I think I've talked myself into staying home instead.

Why can't they schedule the game for a Saturday night??

How was your weekend?

It's Been Real Jansport!

Dear Jansport,

It's been real.

Very real.

18-years of real.

I'll never forget the day in 1993 when you and I first met.

I was starting college at LSU and could not have been more excited.

You and I have been through a lot together.

Walks along the LSU campus, hikes in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona,Virginia, Tennessee and the mountains here in beautiful North and South Carolina.

But, after all these years it's finally time for us to part ways.

 I'm an adult now and it was made official when my husband, Brad, purchased this awesome North Face backpack for my birthday(which happens to be today).

 I would say the two of you could be friends but it's time for you to retire.

Thanks again for the memories.

You'll always be cherished.

Love,

Dee

Yes, it's my 36th birthday!

I've come a long way since the days of Holly Hobby lunchboxes!

Happy Monday!

The countdown is on until we are on Lake Erie!

Birthdayed Out

Fabulous birthday weekend fo sho!
Brad gets the 'best hubby' award for all that he did!

Since hubs gets every other Friday off and this happened to be his Friday off...he started with.

WAIT FOR IT!

Cleaning the whole house!! I got home from work to a clean house and this.

(Don't mind how bad I look. I didn't dress up for work too much that day)

A bike and a bag of 'treasures'.

Treasures as in fun dollar store stuff that Brad knows I like. Such as? These dryer balls! Has anyone tried these?
My Mom swears by them.
Also in the bag my favorites: gum, hand sanitizer, and chapstick.

AND!! A bottle of some of my favorite wine. Can't beat Franciscan.

Then off to a nice dinner at The Fig Tree. Another one of my favorites in my old neighborhood.

Then Saturday morning - a 10-mile bike ride along Charlotte's Four Mile Creek Greenway.

Nice indeed! We even saw several deer along our ride.

But.. at the very end of the ride -- I like a dumbass fell off my bike. Can you say RETARDED?

Here's the damage. Not too bad..

A little fall didn't stop us though! We went and tailgated for the Panthers vs. Titans game. We met up with some of my old neighbors.

We had planned on going to the game but opted out after standing in the sun. Instead we watched it at a bar with friends.

Then the weekend was topped off with dinner last night at Mez with my friend Kelli followed by seeing Eat, Pray, Love. LOVED the movie and dinner! Thanks to Kelli and to Brad for a fantabulous weekend!

I am officially birthdayed out!!

Now - a week of work and then I'm headed to St. Simons Island this weekend for a girls trip with cousin Alayna and several others traveling in from all over. Can't wait! Now - if only Earl will stay away!

Forty and Fabulous!

We had a FUN weekend despite suffering from allergies. The pollen here in the SE is OFF the charts right now. I have an appointment tomorrow to visit with a Ear, Nose & Throat doctor to find out a solution to help me cope.

This weekend we had 2 nights out in the Uptown area in a row!! Yeppers.. we hit my old hood Friday night then celebrated my friend Kelli's 40th birthday on Saturday night!

Here is Kelli. Her actual 40th was on Wednesday(where she was travelin on biz...ugh)..
I met her through a hiking group here in town about 2 years ago.

We hung out at her very Uptown condo at this historic building before heading out for dinner. I brought bubbles and cupcakes to celebrate the occasion!

A bottle of her favorite wine. Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay.

So fun!

Then we headed out for dinner at this place I've never before. I'm thinking Mrs. Potts has been here because I think she's a big sushi fan??

Here is Kelli and her boyfriend Blake that lives up in Asheville. Believe it or not we met him up there on a hiking weekend back in the fall. crazy..

Even though I LOVE wine I opted to drink liquor instead. One of my martinis.

I totally feel better the next day when I drink wine instead.

Then it was time for sushi! I'm not a big sushi person but Kelli LOVES it! and it was her birthday!

Even thought it's not my favorite I have to admit it that it was EXCELLENT!

Brad and I shared. These spicy tuna rolls rocked the casbah!

The whole crew.

I might poke your eye out! LOL! (after a few martinis)

Me and the birthday girl!! Happy 40th Kelli!!

More Birthday Fun!

The picture above is a few of the things I received for my 34th birthday. Lots of flowers, cards, gift cards, a nice bottle of wine and a GPS.

It was a fabulous weekend full of food, wine, friends, family, fiancee and fun!
Here are few highlights.

Dinner at Fig Tree - here is Brad and I in front of the fireplace. Then me with my Flora Springs cab!

After dinner we met up with friends for cocktails. Here's me and my buddy Kelly.

I'm not much for shots but did one that night! Our friend Bill.

I look happy eh? That is because I was!

The next day - my actual bday - Mom and I went and met with the florist then hit up a wine tasting. She bought me a nice bottle of wine.

Then we did dinner at this local Italian eatery with my parents. A wonderful weekend!

Now the countdown is on until we hit Lake Eerie on Thursday!

Happy Sunday!