Cheers to Another 40 Years!

40! Wow, I can hardly believe it! Today was a good day. I planned my schedule in advance to spend the day taking care of me. 

So, when Auggie woke up and told me his throat hurt, Dan swooped in and took care of things. We knew strep and the flu were taking kids at school down left and right. He had no other symptoms or complaints but, sure enough, he tested positive for strep. Still, Dan sent me on my merry way! 

I started with one of my favorite classes at the gym which included 1,000 sit ups. I enjoyed a manicure. I got my roots touched up while enjoying a glass of wine. I relaxed and took in a day all to myself! 

With a sick little one, I was afraid we would have to cancel dinner reservations but our amazing babysitter came to the rescue. She was more than happy to see the kids and eat pizza and ice cream with them. 

As for me, I had the best date a girl could ask for with the most amazing dinner! Dan and I grabbed a cocktail at the yacht club before heading downtown to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. It was a delicious and amazing meal to celebrate 40! 

Tomorrow my coach turns back into a pumpkin! It's basketball and a swim meet for our Saturday along with our first snow of the season! This is 40 and I've got a lot in mind for this next decade! 

Thanks to all for the sweet birthday messages! 

On the Eve of 40

On this last day in my 30s, I was thinking about how I feel about turning the big 4-0! I have mixed feelings about entering a new decade. Mostly, I am wondering where the last decade went. I was a new mother when I turned 30 and the past decade, in part, feels like a blur. Three babies and a lack of sleep will do that, I suppose! It was an exciting, challenging, and sometimes painful 10 years.

Many things happened in my 30s that I expected and planned and am so grateful to have in my life. Three amazing babies who are healthy, smart, beautiful and full of life. I am married to my best friend and still look forward to sharing our life together. I was able to travel and experience so many amazing things. I am truly lucky!

Looking back, some things took me by surprise. If you asked me a decade ago, I never would’ve imagined running for office let alone being elected to office at the age of 33! I am able to be a voice for children and families which I love doing. I started my own company and have the flexibility to work and do all those mommy things I want to do. I am still on the hunt for my dream job but I love where life is leading me right now.

Certainly, I never expected to go through the pain of losing my sister. Watching my parents suffer through this loss has been the most difficult challenge of the past decade. Hands down. It has made me stronger though. This loss made me stop and reflect and focus on my own happiness and doing what’s best for my family.

Looking ahead, I am so excited for all the next decade has to offer! A little nervous but very excited! 

Weekend Recap!

We had a great last weekend of summer vacation! I hope this weather continues far into September and October. Wishful thinking, I know!

We made this weekend an extra long one to cap off a fun and memorable summer! This is the first summer I have not worked full-time or worked on a client project so that I could focus on a summer with the kids. It was wonderful!

On Thursday, we made a visit to the Columbus Zoo. Our kids love the zoo which never disappoints! Ceci's best friend met went with us which was even more fun. They had not seen each other since the beginning of summer and were thrilled to be reunited. If you have not been to the Columbus Zoo, you must! It was simply one of the best. 

 On Friday, Dan and I took Ceci on her birthday date. We gave her the option to have a birthday party with friends or to spend the day with Mommy and Daddy. She jumped on the idea of having us to herself for an entire day doing her favorite activities! I admit that it was way easier and more fun for us too! 

 Her first request was a round of golf! 

  

We love having a course in our neighborhood!

She requested Mexican for lunch! Then she made her first stop at Justice. It was a dream come true for her and torture for me! Yikes! It is just not my style for little girls. We were able to compromise and found a few cute items. 

Of course, she needed a mani/pedi before dinner!

Ceci requested sushi for dinner which is her favorite! She loved having an adult dinner with us.

Jeni's for dessert! She was exhausted and requested we head home soon after. 

We had a great day and loved celebrating Ceci!

Saturday and Sunday were a little more low key. We went to an open house for school on Saturday and met the teachers and some other families. On Sunday, we hit up the pool one last time. We decided that we need to go back to having a membership at a pool that opens Memorial Day and closes Labor Day not with the school year. 

Hope everyone has a great week!

xo,

Stephanie 

Cecilia's 7th Birthday!

On Sunday, our Cecilia turned seven! Because my phone is on it's deathbed and my camera is older than her, I have few pictures and I did not shout to the world of social media - "Happy 7th birthday, Ceci!"

We did celebrate our sassy, smart, creative little girl though! And the celebrating is continuing into this week which she loves. 

Ceci and I did sit down to a little birthday conversation. It went something like this:

How old are you? Seven! 

What makes you happy? People playing with me

What is your favorite animal? Kitties, dolphins and dogs

What is your favorite thing to eat? Shrimp and sushi (yep, so true!)

What is your favorite thing to do? Cuddle (maybe next year I shouldn't ask these questions at the end of a long day. Mommy will insert here - reading, singing, doing cartwheels - as some of her favs)

What is your favorite TV show? Disney Channel

What are you really good at? Cartwheels (She is determined to get her one handed cartwheel perfected by the end of summer!)

What is your favorite movie? Hotel Translyvania

What is your favorite color? Blue & pink

What is your favorite song? Katy Perry - Last Friday Night

Who is your best friend? Lane

What do you and Mommy do together? Shopping! (Hmmm...)

What do you and Daddy do together? Play golf

What is your favorite sport? Volleyball and golf

Where is your favorite place to go? HHI General Store (for next year's vacation, the only excursion I am going to plan are multiple bike rides to the general store for ice cream, donuts and slushies!)

What is your favorite book? The Secret Garden

What do you want to be when you grow up? Gymnast (I was surprised she didn't say Artist which is her usual response...clearly, she has cartwheels on the brain.)

 Happy 7th birthday, Ceci! We love you! 

xo,

Stephanie 

Frannie turns THREE!

Our sweet Frances Ruth is three! 

Words to describe her: funny, independent, rambunctious and caring. We can always count on Frannie for a good laugh, to cuddle with any time of day, to wake with a serious case of bed head, to pick a crazy outfit to wear and to be the first to finish a meal. She is easy to love! 

Frannie's birthday conversation - November 2012
It's funny to hear/read the responses of a three year old. They are very much based on recent activities. 

How old are you?  Two! (followed by laughs because she knows she is "free")
What makes you happy?  Mommy (heart melting!)
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite thing to eat?  Vegetables and fruit. (This is a new thing with her. She's really a meat and potatoes kind of girl.)
What is your favorite thing to do?  Play with toys
What is your favorite TV show?  Tom & Jerry 
What are you really good at?  Stuff and giving baby dolls a bath
What is your favorite movie?  Lion King
What is your favorite color?  Pink! 
What is your favorite song?  Bubble Toes
Who is your best friend?  Ryan and Olivia (pre-k friends)
What do you and Mommy do together?  Get baby dressed 
What do you and Daddy do together?  Pick up toys (yep, there is a lot of picking up of toys.) 
What is your favorite sport?  Basketball
Where is your favorite place to go?  Hotel (Ceci and Frannie think that going to a hotel is the greatest thing.)
What is your favorite book?  The Napping House
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A football player

Cecilia's Fourth Birthday

Birthdays are meant for celebrating! 

Birthday morning started with balloons...

...and chocolate chip pancakes!

 As the birthday girl requested, a Pirate Party!

Argh matey!

The seas were a bit treacherous at the beginning!

Our little lasses bundled up on a chilly, windy morning.

Make a wish!