Brooklynn's First Birthday

Our granddaughter, Brooklynn is one year old! What a little sweet heart! I had read on Pinterest about "Smash Cakes." They are cute little cakes, often shaped like 3D animals, given to a baby on their 1st birthday... to do what babies do...smash them. I remembered seeing them at the new Walmart, not knowing their actual purpose, buying one for a friend a couple years ago. I texted Jamie and asked if I could stop over with a "Smash Cake." It was Brooklynn's birthday but Jamie was planning on celebrating both Brooklynn and Sierra's birthdays on Sunday the 29th, but Jamie said yes and then also invited me to have dinner with them.

I hadn't seen Brooklynn in weeks so I realllllly was anxious to see her. She is taking steps now.... something that she couldn't do the last time that I saw her. She's so precious! When ever she sees me she stretches her arms out to me. I was afraid that she wouldn't do that anymore, being that it's been a while since we've seen her. I was tickled when she did it again. I love that little tyke!

Well.... of course the new Walmart didn't have any Smash Cakes except one 3D little snowman that wasn't for sale... orders only. :( I went to another Walmart and they didn't have any. They told me that they make Smash Cakes but their version is just a miniature of the big birthday cake. Jamie called me and said that she was running late and asked if I'd pick up the girls from Mom's house. (Mom babysits them) So not having enough time to check other bakeries, I just picked up some miniature festive cupcakes. Ryan picked up dinner (Chinese), I picked up the girls and we all met up at their house at about 7:30.

I had purchased a musical candle which was a hit with Sierra. When lit, Brooklynn didn't know what to do with it. She tried a couple times to touch it. This brought back memories of our first born, Jason. As an "at-home" mom, we practiced blowing out a candle so that Jason would know what to do on his birthday. We also practiced putting up one finger so that on the day that he turned one, when someone asked him how old he was, he'd put up his finger.

I love how warm and fuzzy old memories are triggered with grandchildren.  Also now when I watch the videos that I took of Brooklynn that evening, I can't help but thinking how much she looks like her mom at the same age. I feel like digging up old pictures to compare the two.

After singing and eating, Jamie had Brooklynn open a couple presents. Jamie had said that Brooklynn likes music. She wasn't kidding. Brooklynn opened up one toy that in the demo-mode played music while it was still in the box. Brooklynn put her hands on the top of the box and wiggled her butt to the beat of the tune. How cute was that!

I can't wait to see the girls again on Sunday to continue the celebration!

Record Temps

During the first ten days of 2012 we broke 5 record high temps. 

The weatherman says that we broke 7 last month (or was it all last year.... I didn't catch it.)

I love the weather that we've had the past nine months!

Record Shattering Temps

The previous record temperature for Fargo ND was 40 degrees on January 5th. Well today we shattered that record with 55 degrees!! Infact we broke the ALL TIME record making today the warmest January day in recorded history! Gorgeous day!

This winter has been awesome, weather-wise! We were still experiencing 80 degree temps all through October. We have only gotten snow once and that wasn't until the end of December. We still have not experienced subzero temps this winter! All of this is very unusual for our area!!  I'm loving it!

I drive a school bus.... and these dry, visible roads are awesome! We just finished 3 years of record snows and floods.  This is a nice change! (Sorry ice skaters and snow mobilers)

Jodi's Birthday

At work, we celebrated Jodi's 59th birthday. Oops.... I meant 48th birthday. (Inside joke, in case Jodi is reading this post, ha ha) We gave her card and an ice cream cake with a candle that sang Happy Birthday.

I love to tease Jodi. I know that she hates getting her picture taken. I prearranged it so that all the gals had a camera hidden in their pockets. When I brought out the birthday cake, Jodi looked at the cake and then at the table full of co-workers and instead of me with a camera...  (ha ha) EVERYONE had a camera taking pictures.
It was all in fun... and we got a lot of pictures of Jodi hiding her face. (chuckle)

New Year's Resolution

I did it! I did it! I did it! I kept my 2011 New Year's Resolution! I gave up sugar for a whole year! (I am such a sugar-aholic) Guess what I'm having for breakfast..... left over caramel corn that has been taunting me since Christmas.