Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son
This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess. This week, her 20 stages of winter will make you want to bundle up with a cup of hot chocolate and thaw out by a fireplace.
My fabulous friend, Colleen turned 40 on Saturday and threw herself an 80’s-style prom party. It was an absolute blast!!
Everyone dressed up! There was lots of neon, lace, big bows, arms full of bracelets, skinny ties, flipped up collars, leg warmers and pearls. Even the 80’s cover band, that provided enough dance music to last a lifetime, Orange County’s own, Tijuana Dogs got into the spirit.
All of my girlfriends and I have been fretting about our “prom” attire for months and it turned out for many, Ebay was the way to go. Who knew?
I, on the other hand, being the pack rat that I am still have my ACTUAL Jessica McClintock prom dress! With a little alteration to the bust line, I wore it! Crazy, huh?! I couldn’t believe it still fit either. Or that I even kept it!
I tried to mimic my 80’s hair style: big and curly and make-up: blue eyeliner and mascara. Although naturally curly, my hair doesn’t quite take a curl like it used to. Even with half a canister of mousse.
The cast of characters may have changed, hopefully we are all a little wiser. There were way more beer bellies, wedding rings and crow’s feet this time around, but the music is still the same, my friends make the world a better place and I found myself wishing the party would last All Night Long, just like I did at my high school Senior prom.
THEN
My prom date was my boyfriend at the time. He had just given me the watch I’m wearing as a graduation present. Lovely gift, but looks so out of place now.
NOW
Colleen and I and our rad dates.
The birthday girl and Matt, the Tijuana Dogs lead singer.
Does this pose look familiar?
Feels just like 1988!
I must admit, I had WAY more fun at this prom than at my own back in ’91. Maybe it was the alcohol or the music, the company or the pure nostalgia of it all, but everyone had a permanent grin on their face the entire night and my legs still hurt from dancing!
One of the best parts of the whole evening was being dropped off by Todd’s mother, who was in town visiting us for the weekend.
She waited up for us too!
This post was originally for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess and see how she effortlessly turns ordinary photos into a works of art.
This post was reposted for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 4.) My prom dress.
From auctions and events near and far, in his short life, Lucas has been around a lot of cars.
My husband sells cars for a living, but not just any cars, vintage, classic, (mostly) European cars.
His showroom is less than five miles from our house, so Lucas and I stop by to visit a lot.
A camera is never far out of reach…
Monterey Car Week – August 2009
La Jolla Motor Car Classic – January 2010
This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess. This week, she shares her love for Valentine’s Day. Look for a special photo of her and her husband in the snow shaped heart. 🙂 This photo was taken seven years ago.
This photo shows up on my phone two to five times a day and causes me to light up like a Christmas tree, roll my eyes or breathe a sigh of relief. Sometime days, it’s all three.
This photo is of a younger version of us, but us just the same.
This photo was taken three years before we were even married.
This photo is of me and my one true love, my forever Valentine.
We have spent eight Valentine’s Days together.
I love this picture and I love this man.
This post is for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: Prompt 4.) Share a photo that captures your special Valentine(s).
This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess. This week, she shares a great find from the Gap. 🙂
Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest. – Alexander Pope
Out on a walk the other day, Lucas and I saw this tiny yellow flower, a weed really poking it’s way out of the sidewalk.
How strange I thought.
And beautiful.
This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess.
My sister is so good with Lucas and their relationship is simply endearing to witness.
Lucas’ face lights up whenever we speak of aunt Leah and her visits are always too short.
Leah recently spent five days helping me out while Todd was away on a business trip and I could swear there was more laughter in (and out of) the house.
We have been blessed with some gorgeous sunny winter weather, allowing for some fun in the backyard. Lucas calls it his “park” and since he can’t yet be out there on his own, one or both of us are always out there with him.
On Saturday morning, Leah and I were both lounging on the chaises watching Lucas run around the yard having a great time, when all of a sudden he was sort of over it and wanted to go back inside. Leah and I, on the other hand were enjoying soaking in the sun, not quite ready to start the day and both wanted to stay put.
Leah bounced up and started chasing Lucas around the yard and then he’d turn around and chase her. This is a game Lucas loves and he and I play it often. Leah’s twist on the game was every time she “caught” him, she tackled him to the ground and tickled him.
His laughter was divine. 
It’s moments like this that make me hope my son and my sister always remain as close as they are today.
Today I want to be here. A half a world away. With nothing but blue skies and a warm sun.
Far from the worries, responsibilities, sadness and stresses in my life.
Just for today.
This photo was taken in New Caledonia in May, 2010 with my best friend, Sophie at my side.
This post is for Wordless Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess.
New Year’s Eve used to mean buying tickets to the hottest party, scoring an invitation, going all out to have one of our own, or having a nice, long romantic dinner for two followed by drinking like a fish.
This year, we had an 18 month old and had no babysitter, so our New Year’s eve was quiet and spent at a nearby Mexican restaurant. We were home by 7:00.
The salsa and margaritas were free flowing, but one hour is about Lucas’ threshold for dining out.
I was able to capture these cute photos of him with a balloon using my new favorite iPhone app, Mobile Photobooth. 
However…
If the first week of the 2011, is any indication to what the rest of the year has in store for me and my little family, I’m thrilled!
So far, Lucas and I have been to Pretend City Children’s Musem, explored a new park, went to a friend’s house for a fun play date and have made several successful trips to Target together in an effort to stock and organize our new home.
I’ve worked out four times, had lunch with a friend, a date night with Todd, have seen four awesome movies (The American, Inception, Rabbit Hole and The Town), one was even in the theater and spent a glorious hour in a spa chair!
It’s been the perfect balance of family time, friend time, me time and exploring our new surroundings. What more could I ask for?
This post is for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: Prompt 2.) If the way you spent your New Year’s Eve is any indication of how the rest of the year will go, how would you say your future is looking right about now?
Christmas jammies #1
We spent the week of Christmas in the Bay Area at my in-laws house. My sister drove up from LA to be with us too. My sister-in-law and her husband and two daughters live nearby, so they were a big part of our holiday. Our visit was full of food, family and fun.
Here are some photos that tell our Christmas story…
Watching the nightly news with Grandpa. One of my favorite photos ever.
Spending Christmas Eve with my two favorite aunts.
The tree.
The loot.
Christmas morning.
The wrapping paper is the best part!
Christmas jammies #3
The Day After – Tilden Park choo choo ride.
