Once Upon A Mattress...

July 31, 2009---When we left Little Rock we took a different route home. We found that it takes almost the same amount of time to get home with we went through Ruston rather than Memphis. We liked this because we really wanted to see Rick's Memaw and other north Louisiana relatives. As luck would have it, Kathy (Rick's aunt) was going to be in town visiting Memaw and Emma (Rick's cousin) was in a play at the community theater that night. We arrived in town just in time ti have dinner with Memaw and Kathy before going over to the Dixie Center for the Arts to see "Once Upon a Mattress".

"Once Upon A Mattress" is a Broadway musical comedy adaptation of the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea". It was very funny and the kids really enjoyed it. Emma portrayed Priscilla, the Queen's Lady #2. She was in many scenes in which she sang, danced, and had speaking parts. If I'm not mistaken, this was her fourth play to participate in with the Ruston Community Theater. Emma is a very talented young lady. It's hard to believe she will be entering high school this year!

Toni (Emma's mom) had saved us the entire second row. The Crawford family was ready to cheer Emma on!! She is wearing a burgundy dress in some pictures and a burnt orange in others.

















with Memaw and Kathy:







The play wasn't over until 10:30 pm and we were too tired to drive home so we got a hotel room for the night and drove home the next morning. It was a quick visit but we will get to see them soon for Carmen's wedding!



***Note: Pictures from the scenes of the play were provided by Emma's mom, Toni***

Chloe's Latest Surgery

July 31, 2009---Chloe needed another pulse laser treatment so the whole family piled in the van and we drove to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock for Chloe's 5th hemangioma surgery. This was a very quick treatment so we were able to bring Anna Catherine and Jackson with us. We left our house at 4:30 am so the kids had not had breakfast. Chloe was not allowed to eat or drink milk after midnight but she could have apple juice until 9:00 am. It would have been cruel to get drive-thru breakfast for the older kids. Once we arrived and Chloe was called to pre-op, Rick took the older kids to the cafe while I stayed with Chloe.


Rick and the kids entertained themselves with straws (pictures taken by Rick's phone):

Chloe rarely goes anywhere without her Binky:

She really didn't like the polyester/fleece type scrubs she had to wear but who could blame her? It's 100 degrees and the middle of summer!

She did not like the pulse monitor on her toe:

She did like having full control of the television remote control/speaker:

The nurses gave her lots of stickers for being so cooperative:

Chloe was still a little monkey climbing on her hospital bed:

I told her they would bring her "goofy juice" (a sedative) so she stood at the door with her sippy cup. She was so thirsty! It had been three hours since she had had something to drink.

After the surgery she was very upset. She did not like wearing her no-no's (arm braces to keep her from bending and touching the hemangioma site).

The area has to look worse before it can get better. The entire area turns black from the laser but will fade to purple, then red, then pink, and finally flesh tone. We hope this will be her last pulse laser treatment. She has a follow-up appointment April 5th to see how well she has healed and if further treatment is needed.

Girls' Weekend 2009

July 23-26, 2009---I miss my friends so much. It's hard living in a new city where I only know a handful of people and close ties have yet to be formed. There's something special about having friends---that bond with people who share your same interests, are there anytime you need them, and love you unconditionally. That's why this weekend was so special for me. I was able to spend it with four of the most important women in my life. Time away from the husbands, kids, significant others, jobs, and our daily lives. Just us girls...

Thursday night the adventure began...Girls' Weekend 2009 in New Orleans. Now, this was not a touristy trip. This was a few days to spend time with my dear friends--Katy, Andrea, Julie, and Carrie. I didn't care where we went or what we did as long as we did it together.

Andrea drove to Carrie's house where they hopped in the minivan and drove to Oxford to pick up Julie. Then they headed further south on I-55 and picked me up around 11:00 pm. We chatted, vented, and laughed until we cried on the drive down to New Orleans. We arrived at Katy's house around 2:00 am and stayed up until 4:00 am talking, laughing, laughing so hard we were crying (this happened time and time again throughout the weekend).

Friday morning we were up and out the door before noon. I would think this is quite an accomplishment for five women. We went downtown for lunch and shopping. We popped in for a quick visit with Ashley at her floral shop--NOLA FLORA on the way. She does amazing arrangements and her shop also carries beautiful art work, gifts, jewelry, and so much more. We continued downtown and were greeted by the Mardi Gras Trees as we drove down St. Charles Avenue. Beads are thrown during the parades and become tangled in the branches. It is something you'll only see in NOLA.

After what was supposed to be a quick lunch at the Market Cafe but took almost two hours, we wandered off to do some shopping at the French Market. There are so many vendors with interesting wares. It was hot and crowded but well worth the sweatiness. It was hard but I didn't spend a dime. Some of the girl's bought some great artwork though.



I thought about buying one of the alligator heads for Jackson--REAL alligator heads. They had sizes from babies to what I might consider a small/medium size gator.



We liked this piece but not it's price tag. We thought it would be rather easy to make if you had access to tin.




It was a hot and muggy day in New Orleans (imagine that!--hahaha) and we were more than happy to pop into Margaritaville for an afternoon cocktail.

Back in River Ridge we went shopping at a cute little shoe place that had a fabulous selection of summer dresses and Volatile shoes. Have I told you how much I love Volatiles??? I have horrible foot pain due to my plantar fasciitis and these shoes ROCK!!! I would have a hundred pair if I could. They are amazing!!!! I just bought two new pair a few days before the trip. Check them out at http://www.volatileusa.com/

Jeff wanted us to meet his fiance so we met up with them (and Jeff's friend Keith) at a local pub called "The Mill" Friday night. We had fun to say the least. It's always an interesting time when we get together with Jeff.

Jeff and Jennie joined us for a midnight breakfast at Dot's Diner. The food was rather tasty, or at least my pancakes and diet coke hit the spot! Once again there was lots of chatting, stories, and laughter. You know, I really don't care where we go as long as we're together. I love these people as if they are my family!

Riley had spent the night with a friend Friday night and attended cheer camp at Rummel High Schol on Saturday morning. We were super excited to get the chance to watch Riley's performance that afternoon. She chanted, cheered, danced, stunted, and tumbled. She is a very talented young lady!

After her performance we dropped Riley off at her grandparents' house for the night. We went shopping at a two-story Target (interesting) and a fabulous shop in Kenner that looked appeared to be a country/western store but had the cutest things hidden away in the back corner---gorgeous jewelry, Volatile shoes, cute dresses, and fabulous home decor. They also offered free draft beer, pina coladas, and margaritas along with a variety of finger foods. We were in heaven!! I did purchase a fleur-de-lis piece for my mantle and a picture frame. There was such cute stuff in this store. We all decided that the word "cute" was definitely overused this weekend while shopping. What can I say? New Orleans has a lot of good shopping opportunities! I will definitely be visiting this store again!!

That night we went out for a casual dinner and drinks and then went back to Katy's to lounge by pool. Although no one actually got in the pool, we had a blast sitting on the patio laughing, talking, and catching up. These ladies are my very dear friends and words can't describe how much love and admiration I have for them. They are my GIRLS and nothing can ever change that!!

Sunday morning we rolled out of bed, packed up the van, and headed north on I-55. It was sad saying goodbye to Katy, Riley, and their house. Their house sold and they moved to Baton Rouge the following Friday. Oh, we'll still see them just as often, hopefully more often. They'll be up for a football game or two and we would like to go down to LSU to watch a college gymnastics meet. Rick also has family in Baton Rouge so I'm thinking will be visiting the area more since it is only a 2-3 hour drive now.

We all still chat through facebook, e-mail, and the occasional phone call. We'll see each other in the Grove, at birthday parties, and playdates. I LOVE MY GIRLS and am so looking forward to "Girls' Weekend 2010" in Sandestin!!! Get ready girls!!!!!

***Note: Some pictures were supplied by Carrie and Julie***

Fourth of July Weekend

July 3-6, 2009--- Friday morning we had a treat at the Crawford house---Rick took the day off work. This doesn't happen very often and we were excited to have some extra time with him. Mimi was coming in town that morning and he wanted to go with us to pick her up at the airport. We woke up bright and early so we could get haircuts before picking up Mimi. Anna Catherine opted for a new "do" because she wants her bangs to grow out. She got a short, choppy cut that she says makes her look like a "movie star".



Chloe mad because we wouldn't let her play on the luggage conveyor belt:

Chloe enjoyed riding on Mimi's suitcase:

Everyone was famished so we took Mimi to one of our favorite restaurants on the reservoir called Cock of the Walk. I'll blog about it another time. For now, I'll just say that the food is wonderful and the kids enjoy feeding the ducks our leftovers.

Afterwards, Rick, Mimi, AC, and Jackson went to the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson to see the "Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty" exhibit and "Eudora Welty in New York" photographs. Sorry but I do not have any pictures from their outing. We spent the evening hanging out at home because we had a busy 4th of July planned.

Saturday morning we all piled in the car and drove south to spend the holiday with Aunt Kathy, Uncle Don, Heather, Andre, Jack, and Wes in Zachary (hate we missed Presly, Briley, and Cullen). The kids had their movies while the adults listened to a hilarious book on CD (I wish I could remember the name of it. I'll post about it when I get the title and author).

The family was waiting on us with tons of hugs and kisses when we arrived in Tiger Country. We ate a delicious lunch that Uncle Don had grilled, chatted for a few minutes, and then it was time to relax at the pool.

Andre trying to convince/conceive Jack into swimming.

Rick tossing AC in the air. He had to do this to each child multiple times during the three hours spent in the pool. His arms were very sore afterwards.

Chloe LOVED the diving board.

It was so nice to visit with some of our Louisiana family. I know Mimi enjoyed getting to see them as well. It was a quick visit but we get to see them in a few weeks at Carmen's wedding (YEA!).

We decided to take the opportunity Sunday afternoon to catch a movie at the local theater. Mimi took Anna Catherine to see "Bolt" the last time she visited and they wanted to see "UP" during this business. Jackson had been asking to see "Ice Age 3-D: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" so he and I took this theater opportunity to see it. This was his first theater experience and I was insure of how he would handle being in a dark room unable to talk, play, or walk around. We stocked up on popcorn, m-n-m's and diet coke at the concession stand. They had booster seats for the little ones which was handy. He wore his 3-D glasses the entire time and was well-behaved.

As you can see from the photos, he absolutely loved it!! (NOTE: These were taken while the credits were rolling and most people had left the theater.) We didn't leave from our seats until the credits were over, the lights were on, and the cleaning crew were prepping for the next showing. We plan to go back to see "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" and "Where the Wild Things Are".

That night the neighborhood kids had leftover fireworks and we were invited to play with sparklers, snap-n-pops, and bottle rockets. Our kids have always been afraid of fireworks and loud noises in general so we were unsure of what their participation level would be. Jackson and Chloe were excited but Anna Catherine wasn't as eager. Jackson actually held a sparkler! This is a big thing for him. Chloe has no fears so she was happy to get her hands on anything available. Anna Catherine opted to stay in the house with Mimi for most of the festivities. She did come as far as the front walk and watch for a short time but then went right back inside.

All good things must come to an end. Mimi went home Monday afternoon and we can't wait for her to come for another visit.