Balloon Glow. Well...Sort Of.

This past weekend, being the weekend before Derby, there were pre-Derby activities. Friday night, we attempted to go to the balloon glow. The glow is an event where all of the balloons that are competing in the next day's race are "puffed" up and lit up at the fairgrounds. In theory, you are supposed to be able to walk around in the field and look at the balloons. In practice, at least this time, it was too windy so only a few balloons could be up at one time. Must be a continuation of the Fantoni hot air balloon jinx. Perhaps it was all for the best as the sound of the balloons firing up was definitely not Jonathan's favorite thing.

Jonathan stayed up the latest he has ever stayed up for this event--9:30! Here he is at the Glow. This picture was taken just after he said "Mommy, no pictures!"



This is what it should have looked like. This year's results were definitely not picture worthy. Luckily for all the balloon fans out there, we skipped the Saturday balloon race so the event actually went forward. Seriously, what is the problem with us and hot air balloons??

Spring is (finally) here!

Sorry for the lack of posts! We have been working on the kitchen, enjoying spring needless to say, the blogs have fallen behind!

The weather this past week has been really nice so every day after work/school, we have played outside with Jonathan before time for dinner and bath. Intrinsically, he knew what to do with dandelions. Of course, it didn't help the mild allergy symptoms he has experienced lately, but it was pretty cute. Check out those cheeks!




Jonathan was too excited to get out his Cozy Coupe and his house from last year. For some odd reason, every time I tried to talk to him while he was in the play house, he roared at me, thus the odd look on his face.




Oh, and I finally had the opportunity to make a cake with both the stand mixer and a dishwasher. It was AMAZING. This one went to Jonathan's school for Teacher Appreciation Week. It's French vanilla with raspberry preserves between the layers, topped with raspberry vanilla butter cream frosting. The flowers are blueberries and almond slivers, idea courtesy of Rachael Ray. I didn't eat any, but I hear it was delicious. Or should I say "Yum-O!"

Did I Hear That Correctly?

Jonathan and I went outlet shopping on Saturday. I got a new Coach purse (yes!) and Jonathan got Crocs. He's worn them every day and is quite proud of them. The thing is, he omits the "r" in the word. Say it out loud and you'll understand why we have been in stitches since he got these shoes.



Yeah, I know it's juvenile humor. Around here, we take what we can get!

Lovin' Some Elmo

Mom and I took Jonathan to Elmo this weekend. Despite my general aversion to character clothing, I purchased an Elmo shirt for the occasion. I was surprised at how much Jonathan enjoyed the show. Not having seen Sesame Street Live for quite some time, I was surprised at how good of program it turned out to be. But for Jonathan, it was a whole different experience--he LOVED it. I realized after the fact that it was because he thought it was actually Elmo. And, really, how cool is that?

Here he is right before the show started, playing with the obnoxiously expensive Elmo light I bought for him. It was totally worth it; I think the look on his face says it all.



The theater was relatively small, perfect for seeing this sort of thing. I apologize for the blurriness--who knew that a fuzzy red monster could bust out those moves??



At the intermission, they had two guys come out to sell $8.00 gigantic Elmo balloons. Please tell me how that made sense? They then had an announcement before the second half, telling everyone who had one to put it under their seat. I personally did not have to deal with this problem as Jonathan didn't really have much interest in them, but apparently if you did not store your helium infused Elmo head appropriately, the ushers came around to school you on balloon etiquette. Just to give you an idea, this is what it looked like prior to the announcement:



Jonathan loved it so much that, Sunday morning when he got out of bed, he asked me if we were going again. Of course, we only went once, but next month "Backyardigans: Tale of the Mighty Knights" is coming and we are definitely going to go to that. If he loves it half as much as he loved Sesame Street, it will be money well spent!

Kitchen Quickie

Here are some current pictures. As of tomorrow, I will finally have a dishwasher! It will be heaven! I was unacceptably excited to purchase Cascade today! Only one more day until I can cook again!

The top one is for comparison purposes in case anyone has forgotten the hideous brownness of the pre-rehabbed kitchen:

Watch Out Tiger!

Tiger Woods should be frightened because Jonathan is now golfing. Sure it's with a $5.00 set of clubs from Wal-Mart, but it's best to start with the basics. He is just honing his golf skills until he's old enough to enter a golf camp. I can picture the Nike endorsements now...

Check out the kiddo in action. And yes, those are a stove and a refrigerator on the porch. We are still in the midst of the remodel. The new appliances came and we had no where else to put the old ones. They will be gone by this weekend, I hope!




Daddy tried to show Jonathan how to use the club less as a weapon and more as a tool with which to hit the ball.



Inspired by Kim, here is one Bryan took of Jonathan and me. I like myself even less in a picture after a full day of work but it will do. The one of Bryan and Jonathan is more to my liking!




Ah, I can't wait for the day when I can send the boys out for a day of golf and I can have some relaxing mommy-only time!