Ok, so now I can tell you what happened!

Bottom line…I surprised my dad for his birthday! Surprise! Happy Birthday Daddy!

I called my dad a few weeks ago and asked what he was doing for his birthday, this coming weekend, and it was a few things in NY, so I was going to fly up and surprise him and then last week he decided to come to Boston to spend his birthday so guess what I did tonight!

It was last minute, so flights were interesting, time and connection wise. I don’t know if you’re like me, but you want the shortest trip time, least number of legs, stuff like that. Travel time wise, this wasn’t a bad flight, there was a layover in Detroit, well, we landed and I had about 15/20 minutes to get to the next flight and total, it was about 4.5/5 hours, just seemed to take a long time, but I made it!

On the first leg of my flight, Denver to Detroit, I sat next to two very nice guys and a pilot joined us in the jump seat. They were great, we talked about movies, music, flying, football (well, they talked football) and things to do in Denver. Hi guys! Thank you to the pilot for giving me a list of about 15 things to do and places to eat. Look out DCM,we have things to do!

The second flight was fine, the woman to my left complained a bit too much, but her loss.

When I got to Boston, my fantabulous sister, GES, picked me up at the airport, we drove to the house and we were chatting before going to bed and EJS was coughing, so GES goes upstairs to check on her. I came up about two minutes later, she was coming out of the bathroom, saw me and her face absolutely LIT UP! She grinned, ran and jumped into my arms, right there, that made it all worth it! It reminded me of one of the times we were at Atlantis, she was about three and they had just gotten there, they got off the shuttle, she saw me and her little face lit up and she came running up to me! There is nothing like that feeling in the world!

This morning, it was up about 7 to see the girls before school and camp. MGS saw me and looked at me sideways, then hid behind her mom, she looked out, realized who I was, remember she had just gotten up, she ran over, tackled me and kissed me, ahhh..there’s my Miss M!

A and MG left for school and work and it’s Friday, that means its Dunkin’ Donuts on the way to work! GES and I drove EJ to the bus (it was raining, by the way) for camp, we dropped the car off for inspection and walked home. We both cracked open our laptops and started working.

A few times during the day, dad would call one of us and tell us where he was in his journey, we both played along so well. Right before he got there, we took quick showers, not quick enough apparently! Just as I turned off the water, he was here!

GES met him after he came in the house, they were chatting when I snuck down the stairs and crept around the corner, as he turned from the kitchen counter, I walked into the kitchen and said “Happy Birthday Daddy! Surprise!” He was surprised and yet, not so much! He’s a smart guy and had a feeling.

I was not too surprised that he had an idea, I’m kind of known for surprising my family with a visit. There was one time in college, I came home, walked into the restaurant and my mom went nuts. My dad looked up and it was as if I was supposed to be there. He was still surprised and it was the best birthday present ever!

The rest of the day was laid back, pick up EJS from the bus, a little shopping, wait for A and MG to get home, cook dinner, set the table, wait for B & B to come with their two boys, J and his new baby brother G, what a doll baby! I got to hold, feed, burp, snuggle and love on G, it was awesome.

Everyone finally left, it was games, stories and bedtime. Whew.

Happy early birthday daddy!

You’ve now had stories, it’s night night time!

I woke up wishing I had taken the day off, oh well.

I started working this morning and luckily, since its a holiday week, it wasn’t too heavy with calls and emails, got caught up. DCM got up eventually and we went to lunch after my one call of the day. Welcome to Moe’s! After lunch, DCM went to see his kids, DCM, KAT, CS, LB and new baby A, lucky dog!

I went back to work and eventually CTS came over to pick up her new lawn mower and we caught up for a bit, it was great! She said that since I said I was moving and moved, we’ve seen each other more than we did before! No complaints here!

A few hours later, I went to meet SDL, her sister, DJL and you guessed it, Miss A!!! Ahhhh…snuggle, hug, kisses all over, bounce, jump, bounce, jump, giggle, snort, snuggle, kiss, hug, jump, bounce and do it all over again. Miss A was cute too!

We met at Texas Roadhouse, the rolls were great and the Caesar salad was tasty, veggies, not so much, but that’s not the main reason we were there. It was great to catch up with SDL and JDL and play and snuggle with Miss A, I got to play with her while her mom ate, then I handed her over and she had dinner, sweet potato, salmon, pork, apple & pomegranate sauce, fall colors!

She was in her normal fashionista fabulousness! Bright, sparkly and put together nicely, with a cute, pink, sparkly bow! Perfect! Made my night to get to spend time together with good friends, always happy when they can make time for me!

What a day!

I started work as usual, early. It was a full day of work, a few customer calls, documentation, then at 3:30, I was done! I love saying that, even though I’ve worked a full 8-9 hour day, I get off at 3pm, I feel like I’m playing hookie!

I believe I have mentioned that I’m ready to get back to exercising, running soon, well, today was the first day. I put on my running gear (I wore the shirt from the Epilepsy 5k I did with DCM’s company the first weekend I was here), and headed out. I explored the neighborhood across the way (I was wondering where people were going on that path as they pass by the apartment). I did about 2.5 miles at the hottest part of the day, but it wasn’t bad! I think it was about 84 and very hot in the sun, but… I humidity, so it wasn’t hard to breath.

Since I get up at 6:45 and start work at 7, I don’t run in the morning like I used to, so I am going to have to change my pattern and run in the afternoon. I can’t wait to be comfortable running in Colorado then go do a race back in Atlanta!

After my walk, I changed and went to the pool. For those of you keeping track…I kept the bikini bottoms and wore an old bathing tank on top (the other tops are going back). It was nice, I spent about an hour there before I had to change to walk to the supermarket to meet DCM so we cold shop for what we were having for dinner. I love that!

So..in addition to my busy day, I caught up with some friends and family…I had a great talk with TS, caught up with JS, left a message for BG, talked to MM, while I was in the pool..(his house went on the market two weeks ago and he got an offer within 24 hours, soooo happy for him! Maybe I need to rub his head for good luck!), I talked to dad, GES, LD and EJS, who had a great time at the baseball game yesterday and is excited to start summer camp on Monday! I only missed MG, she had just gotten up from a nap, didn’t want an part of that!

I might be talked out…yeah right, we’re talking about me here! Wonder who I’ll talk to tomorrow! Maybe it’s you!

Today started out normal enough, I started work, got some things done around the house, got things mostly ready for tomorrow’s yard sale, fingers crossed! added more mulch to the yard, it’s really starting to come along! If I could only really kill the dandelions, oh my word!

I have to tell you about the mulch I am using, it’s red (surprise) rubber mulch! It is made from recycled tires, if you look closely, you can actually see the tread! It has a guarantee of about 12 years and you don’t have to replace it, just turn it over every now and then. Looks good and I’m helping the environment by recycling, how cool is that! When I first put it down, it was about $7 per bag, today it was $4.97, so if you’re interested, go for it! I comes in red, brown and black.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-0-8-cu-ft-Rubber-Mulch-in-Red-HDVRDMN8CB/203922303?N=bx4a#.Ual9Pcu9KSM

I finished about 4:45 and went in, got cleaned up and headed out to what I had been looking forward to all week! I have a friend, LK, who I have known since we were kids, our moms worked together way back when. Her dad was my French teacher in middle school, he and his wife laugh because the day he became my teacher, I stopped calling he and his wife by their first names, they became Mr & Mrs B, I haven’t been able to call them anything else! I was almost 30 and they said you know you can call us J and E, nope, can’t, sorry! So, here I am, almost 42, and I am still calling them Mr and Mrs B.

Our families spent holidays together, we loved going to their house to decorate the tree and celebrate Christmas, they would come over and celebrate Chanukah. We traveled together and as we got older, stayed in touch with each other. I went up to NYC when LK married AK at St Patrick’s Cathedral. When you’re catholic, where else do you get married! I got announcements each time her children were born, we stayed in touch.

LK went to grad school in Florida (please correct me if I’m wrong!) and met her husband, AK. They were living in Florida when AK’s work took him to Georgia, about eight years ago, lucky for me! I found out they were moving up here and I couldn’t wait to go and see them! I got to the door and we almost fell on the floor! We both thought our mothers were at the door!

They have three beautiful girls, all amazing athletes. The oldest, KK is 13 and is a fantastic softball player, can perfect almost any sport she plays. When she was younger, there was touch football, the boys didn’t want to play with her until they saw how good she was, then they fought over her to be on their team. When she was younger, she swam competitively, but not anymore, she still enjoys the water, but just for fun. There was lacrosse for a minute and basketball. She also has an amazing head for sports facts, you want to know something, ask her. I actually called her once from a hockey game to ask her what a hat check was!

JK is in the middle and still has the wonderful cherubic face as she did when she was little, great big smile always. She is a demon on the soccer field and is a champion swimmer! I have been at some of her meets and it amazes me every time, she excels at everything she does. She was even on teams with older kids because she is just that good! Tomorrow, there is a swim meet at Georgia Tech and then a soccer match in the afternoon! No wonder she was tired tonight! I remember for her 5th birthday, we had our claws and paws done, her first! And then she, her mom and grandmother, Mrs B for those of you not paying attention! All went out for formal tea with finger sandwiches and costumes!

KK is the youngest, I remember when she was born! Like her sisters, she is a star athlete. She’s tried a lot of different things, cheerleading, dance, but her real skill is swimming! I remember when she was a toddler, we too her to a water park and while the older two took their time getting in the water, she just jumped right in! No fear! I reminded her of the time her mom and I realized it was time to get rid of the crib; we went into her room to check on her and she was standing ON the crib! She has always been strong and fearless, all the while, still sweet, and loves her barbie dolls, I got to meet about 6 tonight! Thank you! She had braided all their hair, so she did mine too!

I got to the house and was greater by the dogs letting everyone know I was there! Divit came to the family a few years after they had moved here and after Jazz, LK’s sweet black lab passed, they added two sisters, Twinkie and Yoohoo, yes, you read that right! I also met their three hermit crabs, (I only remember Shaniqua and Lucy, sorry K!), with bright painted shells! They will never be homeless!

When I came in the door, I got the biggest hugs from the, even what was almost a hug from the oldest, KK. I have to kind of force her to hug me, sort of, pull her arms around my waist. I always told her its just easier to hug me than fight it! (I always feel like my mom when I say that!) I think it’s just our thing, the whole time she’s saying “I don’t hug” and I told her I didn’t care!

The hugs were great, from the girls and from LK and AK. It is always so warm and loving at their house. It was like a security blanket for me during some very rough times. My favorite thing all night, well, there are so many…hearing my name, Aunt J, look at this, Aunt J, check this out. I love those girls, I always have and always will refer to them as…my girls.

When the girls were little, I would see the family at least once a month, if not more, but it’s been hard these last two years for us to get together, either I’m on the road for work or they are on the road for a traveling team tournament, but one thing is, we are never far from each others thoughts and hearts. We see each other on Facebook and chat on the phone, very rarely lately, but we still chat and catch up. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing them on my doorstep in Colorado and I am hoping to see them whenever I visit Atlanta, it’s always fun to visit family!

Tonight was as if no time had passed, I showed up for dinner, they fed me. I did bring dessert, Dutch apple pie and Breyer’s vanilla ice cream! We caught up, we laughed, we joked, we hugged, we reminisced and we loved, it really felt like home and I know it always will.

It was tough to say goodbye, but we got a great picture and I will see them again and I have a feeling, I’m going to have one or two or all of the girls visit me, maybe their mommy will make a girls weekend with me! I got a bunch of goodbye hugs and kisses, my favorite!
Hey LK, lets FaceTime!

As I drove home, I had a smile on my face and it will stay there for a while. Thank you.

Another full day at my sister and brother-in-law’s house.

I slept in, 9am, hold yourself back! MG was at her first swim lesson, yesterday was EJ’s lesson. Then it was a mad dash to put a picnic together and out the door. The picnic was at Camp Grossman, to celebrate the end of Mayim, the K-5 grade Sunday school class at the family’s synagogue. There was singing, thanking, playing (daddy pushing my sister and I on the swings, how long had it been? Dad said about 35 years! lots of laughing!) fellowship, cookie decorating,
and food, what could be better?

Then home for a bit of rest, what’s that? Then it was time to go to EJ’s dance recital! The KM Dance Center presented their 28th annual show, this year was Aladdin. As you may have guessed, the show was themed around the Disney musical Aladdin, there were dance numbers in Arabian themed costumes and in between numbers they would act out scenes from the movie.

EJ was part of the group that danced in the middle, the number was called Loopty Loo and had nothing to do with the theme of the show, just really cute costumes, ala Jasmine, coins that jingled, blue eyeshadow and red lips you can see from the back of the theater, and ballet slippers.

She was right on point (pun intended? You decide!), she was great and had her cartwheel down pat, turned and twirled with the best of them, ok, I’m a little proud! They were so cute!

After the show, on the way to dinner, I asked if she was going to do this again, “No I already did it.” Fair enough.

So, that means we do not have to do this again, unless MG decides she wants to do it, thank goodness! This does not mean there will not be another recital, just not another dance recital. I’ve been lucky enough to be at a swim lesson, soccer game, gymnastics exhibition (she was terrific at her birthday party last year) and her dance party this year, I haven’t seen her ski yet, but I will! She and her sister have not lacked in any experience, my sister and brother-in-law has given them every opportunity to try new things and find what they love to do.

This is where I need to give my parents and all parents a great big THANK YOU for sitting through our dance, piano, whatever recitals, shows and exhibitions! Parents put up with so much for their kids, sitting thorough number after number after number of dance, cheers, meets, everything just to see their kids perform for five minutes.

I had my first dance recital, tap from Ms Rosemary’s, when I was four and I am sure my parents suffered through it, before and after my number. Although, I don’t know if it was as stifling hot as it was in the auditorium today!

I don’t think I really appreciated what my parents did until I had to sit through my first cheerleading camp exhibition for my daughter, 2,000, ok, it was just 30, but it felt like 2,000 squads doing the exact same cheer, oh my word! Then today, I was doing it for my niece, watching my sister and brother-in-law experience it for the first time, sitting next to my dad, who was old hat at this.

They drive us to rehearsal, sit there or maybe go home and pick us up later, listen to the songs over and over, the crying when we don’t want to go or we’re too tired, buy our costumes, do our makeup, do our hair, buy us flowers and sit in the auditorium and wait and wait and wait until its our turn and then have to sit there and wait to watch every other group perform because we want to watch our friends shine for their parents.

To the kids, I say, “Thank you” for giving us the opportunity to watch you grow and shine and brag about you and all you accomplish and to know we supported and loved you with all that we are and would never change a thing.

For all the parents who sit there hour after hour, cheer and encourage, on behalf of all the kids out there on stage, I say “Thank you”, you’ll never know how much we appreciate you. And please know, we’ll never understand what you go through for us until it is our turn to be in the crowd cheering our own kids on.

Today was MG’s birthday party, she turned three on Thursday and of course we need to celebrate!

The day started with the pitter patter of little feet, which, apparently when you are six and three, sounds like thunder! As you read in my post from last night, I was up until about 2:30/3:00 and those footsteps came sometime before 8, there is no such thing as sleeping in around this house! Am I complaining, nope, not a bit!

So, up and at ’em! Quick shower, then on to cleaning and setting up for the party, we were expecting about 50, par for the course with this bunch. There are families that come for the entire time, some that come in and go out. There are kids, kids, kids.

EJ decided she wanted to sell lemonade and give the money she made to “people who don’t have any”, so thought much discussion, she finally decided to give the money to Birthday Wishes, a great organization that “brings birthday parties to homeless children.” I told her that whatever she made, I would match. I’m waiting to find out what I will be donating. (Thanks to CWB, her daughter S and her brother B for the inspiration)
http://www.birthday wishes.org/

What a party, it’s always a lot of love and laughter and good times at a party at this house, no me goes away unhappy. We had a bouncy house, lots of food, cake, splinters, new babies to play with, all in all, a great party!

The party was called for 10-2, everyone finally cleared out by 3, I then reminded GES about wanting to get a manicure before the fundraiser tonight, so she and I walked to the nail salon to get pampered. She got a mani, I got a mani-pedi, ahhh. I sat int the chair and got all done up, Kelly green on my feet and electric/midnight blue on my fingers. GES got a really fun red, closer to a magenta/purple, felt good and looks great!

We got home, had a snack and all of a sudden I had an allergic reaction, so GES gave me some kids Benadryl and it knocked me in my butt. I dozed off on the couch, missed my sister and brother and law when they left.

Then it was feed the kids dinner, bedtime stories and lights out.

Is it my turn?