Last night, we went to the Big Screen at Consol Energy Center and watched the Penguins SQUASH the Flyers 10-3 in Game 4 of the first round of playoffs. Tomorrow night, they’ll be bringing it back home for game 5…we’ve got to sweep the next three so that we can move on to the next round. We believe, do you?
Sunday made for the perfect day to go enjoy some time down by the creek.
‘lil Miss A got to do one of her favorite things, jumping in “muddy puddles”. Sadly, she couldn’t do her other favorite thing, fish, but she got in plenty of practice with a stick.
‘lil Man popped himself a squat on the creek bed and played with muddy rocks, no jumping for him!
We took several photos, and you can head over to Flickr to see the rest of them!
When we visit the zoo, our kids, by far, enjoy the elephants the most. ‘lil Miss A’s first real word (at 2 months old, and I can’t make this stuff up) was “Ellie”. (Granted, she didn’t speak a peep again for a LONG time.) ‘lil Man was captivated on this last trip, staring for minutes on end and waving (as if the elephants could see him). One of the best things that the Zoo offers is an opportunity for a photo with one of the elephants. We’ve taken the chance twice now, and will probably continue to share a “progression” as the kids get older.
Here we are in 2010, the summer I was pregnant with ‘lil Man:
And here we are last Friday:
…and that’s why we became members of the National Aviary for Valentine’s Day, and went back to visit for Mr. Burgher’s birthday. Unfortunately, ‘lil Man was not himself, so most of the trip was enjoyed by A. I was able to test out some photos, and would rather share them with you than write much about the trip. Enjoy!
This afternoon, my parents took us out to a movie, and the only one that was really appropriate for the kids was The Lorax. Admittedly, I wasn’t 100% excited to see this movie, and I know that sounds weird from an ex-teacher/mom, but I was more a “Boxcar Children” kid than a Dr. Suess kid. But then, I remembered something about trees and thought it was probably going to be decent.
And, it was. For ‘lil Man’s first movie, it wasn’t so great (he and Mr. Burgher had to step out twice, and eventually gave up and went outside), but ‘lil Miss A loved it. I loved it. The message was something we all need to hear, and it was a feel good movie. If one person doesn’t show they care, the world may never know to care. What a great thought to share with the kids!
image courtesy of http://www.jessegiglio.com/
A long time ago, I was a first grader and I met the person who would be my best friend forever. No, this isn’t some story of silly elementary school friendship, this is a real life, forever and ever story. Wendy and I met at Pinecreek Elementary school, playing on the playground in muddy puddles. We had that one lone year together as children, then renewed our friendship when I moved back in tenth grade. Our time together was again short, but Wendy was a woman who will always live on through me, through my children, and hopefully through their children. 
Today, after twelve long years without her physically here with me, my Wendy memories are burned into my brain. While there are days that I still feel the pain, there are days like today that I am proud of the person knowing her helped me become. Today, twelve years after she took her last breath, I know one big reason why God put my Wendy in my life. Even when she had so many reasons to take and not give, she gave. She gave and she loved. She gave with her whole heart. And she was such an amazing person for that.
It was December 1999. Our youth group had picked an angel to buy clothes and toys for at Christmas. We girls were in charge of getting the gift–boys know nothing about buying clothes for little girls. Wendy was in remission, but she led the charge of us getting our gifts. We packed into my dad’s conversion van and hit the road for DuBois. Warm clothes for the baby girl were a must, and then a fun toy. Wendy made sure we used our budget to the fullest to give our angel child the best gifts we could. Then we shared laughs over dinner, just a bunch of teenage girls making memories. We quickly lost track of time and got home late, but that was ok because our families trusted us girls together.
It didn’t matter what she had been through, she was always giving, always loving. Being the example of what we all should be. That December night was just one of many that I got to witness and learn all about giving with a joyful heart. Everyone needs someone like Wendy in their lives. The lessons she taught me will always live on and I am so thankful.
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Speaking of people who are great examples of giving wholeheartedly, take a look at what some of the peers from my first 2nd Grade class were up to this week. Green Sea Middle School Walk for Glaucoma (from SCNow.com). What great examples of love and lifelong friendship!
Today was the day. A day 3 years and almost 5 months in the making. ‘lil Miss A got her first haircut. Nothing major in style, just a nice trim up to help tame the hot mess that her hair becomes most days.
(The cape is perfect for our ‘lil miss, isn’t it?) We went to our local MasterCuts in the mall just to see prices. One of my friends in Myrtle Beach worked at a MasterCuts, so I knew that if there was only 2 people on the list ahead of us, it was going to be a short wait. They’re just that kind of good. I signed us up and in the time it took Mr. Burgher to get A to the bathroom and back, they were ready for us.
I was quite happy we got the stylist we did–she wasn’t the youngest or oldest in the salon AND she had a nice haircut, so I knew we could trust her. She’d be cutting my hair, too, after all. 
‘lil Miss A let me lift her into the seat with boosters, then it was time to get to work.
Although she wasn’t near as chatty as I was with the stylist, she sure did sit well for her (unlike that one time I tried to cut her hair.) Before we knew it, the first snips were done.
She even let the stylist use the blow-dryer on her when she was done–something she never lets me even get near her. When the haircut and style were done, A got sparkles sprayed in her golden locks and then was given a lollipop and tattoo. She was one happy camper, and very happy to show off her “new look”. She quickly became a Diva and just might have threw her weight around throughout the evening because of her new status.
After one haircut, she’s an expert on hair. She even suggested I keep the clips and foils in my hair because they made me “beautifuler”.
While we were there, Mr. Burgher got a small trim up (he’s growing out his curls) and they let ‘lil Man don a cape and sit on his lap to see how it worked. I set out for a trim and got a good bit of style and color in my hair (well overdue) plus an eyebrow wax. It was a treatment that was very much needed and made this Mama feel happy.
(By the way–MasterCuts has a great special right now on cut, color, and eyebrow wax–you even get a bottle of nail polish! You should stop in and get this great treatment, too. This isn’t in any way a sponsored post, just a neighborly service to tell you what a great deal you can get. Send me a note if you’d like our stylist’s name, too!)
Why is it that I can never fall asleep early on a Thursday night? Here I am, wide awake, but I guarantee you I will a) drag tomorrow or b) crash tomorrow night at 9 PM (what a Friday). I blame it on my past, surely my body is in a cycle…here’s how my Thursday nights used to be (life before kids)…
* Choir practice nights at Pleasant Hill
* Band or chorus concerts
* Church bowling league
* Church softball league
* Night class (all four years of college!)
* Fosters pizza nights after work at SVO
* Line dance lessons at the Wagon
* Celebrity Rehab and China King
So, here I am tonight, my body acting like it is a weekend, when in reality there’s still a workday to get through tomorrow. Thank goodness for jean days and a jam packed to do list.
Kids, you are sound asleep as per usual, lucky ducks! *Yawn*
Today, Super Bowl Sunday, was a bit confusing for our ‘lil Burghers. Neither ‘lil Miss A or ‘lil Man understand why our Steelers aren’t in the Super Bowl. Kids, we know it is confusing, but don’t hate us for saying it just wasn’t our year. You’ll understand one day. For now, celebrate for Uncle Rob’s Giants, ok?
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In other news, today was a good, lazy day. Mr. Burgher, ‘lil Man, and I slept in a bit (A was off enjoying a weekend with Pappy and Grammie, the ‘lil suck up!). When we woke, I got my lunch packed for tomorrow and we worked on organizing the kitchen. Before we knew it, it was time to whip up some cinnamon rolls and Buffalo Chicken Dip and get to our family Valentine’s Day gathering. (Blog fodder for another day this week!)
About halfway through the event, I got incredibly tired. We stayed up until almost 4 working on our cards, so I wanted to nap. Luckily, the kids and Mr. Burgher agreed, so we came home to nap in the early evening (perhaps a mistake) and then caught up with the Super Bowl. This is what confused the kids…why are we awake and not watching our Steelers? Both are snoozing away again (we have really good sleepers) and us adults are about to join in the Zzzz’s. (We’ll be off dreaming about the day we can afford the Acura NSX.
How did you spend this Super Sunday?
Tonight, I stepped inside a place I haven’t been for almost 18 years. Not too much has changed with the exception of the people and the food. And the couch. The couch where Mr. Rogers or Mr. McFeeley and I would sit and swap stories is gone. And the smell of sticky buns no longer fills the air.
Tonight, I joined my new work team for a planning meeting at a place where many memories of my childhood were made. Running through the orchard, finding wild mushrooms, being pulled in a wagon, throwing toys in the huge kettle, pretending to make butter in the churn, staring at porcelain dolls. But most importantly, bonding with my family and making memories with my Great Grandma.
Tonight, I hope I made her proud with how far I’ve come.
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Tonight I dined at Emilia’s Garden which used to be the Friendship Garden Tea Room, my Great Grandmother’s restaurant. Things haven’t changed too much, but the fare is a bit different–it is now Italian food. Everything looked amazing, and everything I tasted (chicken pepperoni soup then tortellini) was 8 steps beyond amazing. I suggest this one goes in your “date night” idea book. Yum!
