Cousins

This is what happens when cousins get to hang out. Make an Alden sandwich with Conner on one side and Colby on the other! We were all giddy! I have cousin crushes on my own family and I can't wait for these boys to develop that for each other. Buying secret Ding Dongs during Lent, making videos during Thanksgiving weekends, putting on talent shows, playing with Barbie's well past an appropriate age, pillow fights with hard items stuffed into the pillow shams, playing hide and seek in the scariest basement ever... Megan and I say, "You're welcome, boys! We did it all for you!"

Dreams Really Do Come True: A Princess Party

So on top of all of the pony excellence, Dustin and our good friends, The Allen Family, threw me a Princess Party. Shaunna was literally hopping from excitement when I came in. She got to throw a girly party-finally-after being surrounding by boys for years. We are a two girl island with a sea of six fellas.

That's right. It's a pinata. And a pony cake with a castle candle.

You know that feeling you get when you receive something you didn't even know you wanted? That's the feeling I had all day long.

I got to wear a tiara and even had a drink named after me by Shaunna, the best bar tender ever... vodka, Pama liqueur, champagne, and a sugar cube at the bottom.

I won't go into details but I have a broken toe and yet very fond memories ofthe best birthday party ever. I was blissfully asleep by 7 p.m.

Ashamed? No. Thirty-one year old Pony Princesses are entitled.
My thanks to my many friends and family that helped me celebrate one of the best years so far!
(As per usual, I did not get one picture of my friends. I swear I have them.)

Dreams Really Do Come True: The Pony Express

Last Saturday, March 20th, was my special day. Dustin was home for the weekend, the weather was already perfect at 7:30 a.m., and I was in a fantastic mood despite some sad songs on Pandora. (Don't listen to "Landslide" sung by Stevie Nicks on your birthday... regrettable.) Anyhoo.
Let me re-start by saying that it is IMPOSSIBLE to have a crumby birthday when you are greeted by these two cowpokes.

Dustin, as usual, had some big designs for my birthday. It started with dressing Alden in a handcrafted suit complete with vest, chaps, and wee little bullets on his belt. Oh, and the boots. Perfection.

He crafted me a bandit mask along with a signature orange bandanna. And for Dustin? Naturally, a pipe cleaner Yosemite Sam moustache. Duh.

For those of you wondering if we always dress up for birthdays the answer is no. Just for 31 year old little girls that have been - jokingly - asking for a pony every year.

I'm no dummy. I could see the theme building as Dustin continued to dress us up and pace the house. He had been so intent on mowing the lawn that morning, too. But I just didn't allow myself to get too excited.

But when I came out on the front stoop and saw the most glorious pony ever grazing in our front yard, I was 6 years old all over again! I laughed. I cried. I think I even skipped over to it.


We promptly set Alden on top of Sammy, the 25 year old lady pony, and got to walking up and down our yard for nearly an hour. I never stopped giggling.





So even though I was too old (read to heavy) to ride the pony myself, I do believe I had even more fun making that memory as an adult with my own family at our home. That yard has probably never had such an event happen in it and now, thanks to Dustin, Alden, and a little gal named Sammy, it has!

Practice Makes Perfect

This video is just over a month old now but that just means that Alden's skills have gotten that much better. Little dude has energy plus some.

Riddle Me This...

Q: How many years old must Erica be before she grasps the concept that coffee followed by Indian cuisine is a baaaaaadddddd idea?
A: Erica is not going to dignify that with an answer.

This Must Be the Seventh Sign...

Next Saturday (March 20th) is many things. It is the first day of spring. It is the zodiac New Years Eve. It is, according to my soon-to-be brother-in-law, National Corn Dog Day. And, Spike Lee and I share it as a birthday.
I don't want much. Just a pony, a pair of very special flip flops, a new set of earrings, and for my husband to visit home. My fingers are crossed on the first three but I just got a confirmation email that D will be coming home that weekend for a quick visit. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Loren Michaels also pitched in a is having JUDE LAW AND PEARL JAM on Saturday Night Live that weekend. My God, I must have done something sooooo right. Thank you, birthday genie, thank you.

And All That Yaz

Because I can't post pictures (it's a looong and boring story but it will be over soon), I have to try to NOT ONLY talk and show photos about the glory of Alden. A topic that has been brewing in my noggin for a couple of days is the current Yaz commercials on T.V.
Yaz is a birth control pill that is specifically helpful to those that suffer from PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) which sounds like PMS's crazy older step-sister. I do believe in the product and, to be clear, I am not making light of what these particular women (and those that love them) must endure monthly. I AM, however, making fun of the current commercial they have depicting various gals - the token redhead included - doing wacky but liberating things. Things like changing in the back of a taxi cab, falling back into a filled bubble bath, cutting bangs into long hair, and painting a huge studio orange. You know, you're run of the mill young, fun, totally girly stuff! But if you mute the commercial and just watch these ladies with a little skepticim (as I am ALWAYS wont to do)you might see this type of behavior as disturbing and indicative of exactly what they are taking the pill for.
Watch it. Judge it. Join me.

Zoo Time

Ok, first, check out Alden's new hat from Dustin. Yes, it's reversible and yes, it is adorable.

We saw EVERY ANIMAL at the Seattle Zoo. Every one. But Alden was most curious of the gorillas and hippos. How appropriate, no?

Whoa!


Once a hippo always a hippo!

That was a good time.