Living in Munchkinland

I have spent the week exploring Denver. We are in a lovely suite at the Grand Hyatt downtown. We used the suite upgrade that came with out hyatt card and it was well worth it. Michael leaves every morning in the car to go to work and I am left to my own devices for hours on end. It is amazing. It is decadent. I don't think I have been so alone since before I even got married. It feels so odd to be responsible for no one but myself. The hours stretch out before me in glorious abundance. I make choices on the spur of the moment that only please me. It is addictive. I feel so free. I revel in my alone time, though I am so happy at the end of each day, when Michael comes home. I love to drag him through the streets and show him the places I have discovered and regale him with stories of my day over fabulous dinners in amazing restaurants. This week has been so wonderful for us. The kids have had a week full of fun with their grandparents which gave me the freedom to trus...

For the last few years, my parents have traveled to France to attend the Djanjo Reinhardt music festival. The festival is very small and laid back. It is tucked on a tiny island in the river accessed by a footbridge. With tents full of guitars and clumps of musicians all around jamming gypsy jazz, the festival is wonderful for my parents. However, France is a very long trip for my dad these days, so my mama decided to throw a gypsy jazz festival right in her own backyard. We hired two gypsy jazz bands to play, and threw a backyard, potluck bbq party. We decorated the tables with wildflowers and bought lots of french rose wine and yummy beers and invited some of our favorite people. It was a wonderful party. I had the best time and the music! The music was the very best part. My parents throw the best parties!

Here are some pictures of the awesomeness that is family movie night. The outdoor movie theater Michael has created for us is my new summer happy place. I no longer care how long the kids stay up or worry that my house isn't clean. When I am lying under the night sky, spying shooting stars above the movie screen and munching on a Chickostick, everything is good in the world.

School ended last Friday. Michael flew home late Thursday night and was able to join us for the weekend. We attended fine arts day at the Academy with both sets of grandparents. Each of the boys class performed a skit and then they had an awards ceremony. Davis got perfect attendance, but did not get the "All-A's" medal and was deeply disappointed and deeply motivated to try and get it next year. Samuel won the 1st grade reading award. After the ceremony we had a quick lunch and dashed off to the end of the year school pool party! The boys had a wonderful time and Michael and I got to meet lots of the other parents. Late that night, Davis got sick and I worried the whole rest of the weekend was going to be cancelled, but Davis quickly recovered and after a quick doctor visit, we moved on with our own "celebrate summer" pool party and potluck. We hosted at my parents house and despite the wind, managed to set up a movie screen outside. We had a nice gr...

I have had a pretty wonderful mother's day weekend. On Friday, the boys didn't have school so my mom and dad kept them while I got my hair done and then we all we went out to lunch at Casa Maria. Yum! That afternoon, Martha and Clark came over and Michael and Davis and his dad set up our outdoor movie theater while Martha and Samuel and I played monopoly. Then I made dinner and we gifted Martha with presents before our guests began arriving for Friday Backyard Family Movie night. Rain and storms had been blowing over all day, but the weather cleared just in time for a gorgeous sunset and perfect evening for an outdoor movie. We watched "The Sandlot", which I had never seen before, but really enjoyed. Michael and I have been telling each other, "You're killing me, Smalls!", over and over ever since. The next morning I worked out and then we loaded up the car, picked up mom and dad and drove up to the Reserve at Lake Travis to spend an early mothe...

Michael ran the Tough Mudder again last Saturday. He ran with a team of his friends. The boys and I didn't go this time, but one of our friends went as a spectator and took some pictures. Michael rocked the race and declared it "easy". He is crazy. He is also strong and fit and amazing. I'm very proud.

I'm all prickly lately. I've got a lot on my plate and I don't have time for a lot of bullshit. I'm southern. I'm used to white lies and euphemisms and putting a smile on my face. I excel at those things. I am a southern lady. There's a certain amount of bullshit that I am expected to wade through, but it's not happening for me these days. I need my friends and I need them to be true blue. I have a zero fakeness tolerance policy. Lies and half truths make me feel all squirmy and not-right. There's also this thing that I've always felt- maybe you feel it too? Or maybe it's just me, but whenever I hear anyone talking bad about somebody else, I imagine how it would feel if they were talking about me and then I come up with lots of excuses for the person. I must be so insecure, but I always assume that people are talking like that behind my back and I secretly wish there was somebody there making excuses for me. I'm not perfect. I g...

Our first backyard family movie night on our big screen was a success! We watched E.T. tonight. Our lawn was green and freshly mowed, and we all spread out blankets and chairs. The weather could not have been more perfect. It was so amazing to watch E.T. fly across the sky on his bicycle with the stars on either side of the screen. The popcorn turned out amazing and we handed our Reeses Pieces to be on theme. We had a great group of family of friends and Sam cozied up with Michael and me and we all snuggled. It was, for me, a perfect Friday night. I love my husband so much for making this dream of having an outdoor theater, a reality.

I have recently discovered "overnight oats", and they have made my life so much easier that I had to share. If you have early mornings, and are expected to provide breakfast, and you don't try these, then you are crazy-pants! They are especially perfect for hot weather as they are served cold. Overnight oats are so easy, you don't even need a recipe. They are vegan and gluten free friendly and YOU DON'T HAVE TO COOK. 1. The Ratio is one cup of rolled oats to one and a half cups of liquid. You can use any kind of liquid- milk, cream, coconut milk, almond milk, even orange juice. 2. Then you put in some flavor. Maybe a spoonful of chia seeds, or a scoop of jam, or a tablespoon or two of maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, vanilla, a dash of cinnamon or lime zest. You can also add protein powder or nuts or dried fruits. Whatever you think sounds good will work. 3. Cover the bowl with saran wrap and stick it in your fridge overnight. If you need something ...