Costanza's Wallet and the Janitor's Keys

Remember George Costanza's wallet that made him sit on a tilt? Jon doesn't sit on a tilt but that's only because he doesn't store his morbidly obese wallet in his back pocket. He uses a front pocket instead. Like George, he claims he needs everything in it.

How 'bout those keys? I guess bishops are like janitors, they need a key to all the locks. But does he really need them all on a daily basis? That's a lot of extra weight to be carrying around.

But with the keys in one pocket and the wallet in the other, I suppose he feels quite balanced. Weighted, yes, but balanced.

Sweet Emotions

I have a personal chef of sorts. He makes exactly what I want without even having to ask for it. I kinda like the special treatment but I like the food even more.

Our favorite lunch spot is just down the street at The Rock. They have the best pizza buffet you’ll ever find. Fresh salads, soups and ginormous sodas (not that I care about that part but Jon sure enjoys it) are all included in one great price. And they take requests--just name your favorite pizza and they’ll toss it first into the air and then into the wood-fired oven. We love it so much that we go for lunch at least a couple times a month…or really more like once a week if I’m being honest.

One day, many months ago, the pizza maker asked if I had any requests. Though my favorite pizza had been removed from the menu, he enthusiastically agreed to make one for me. Sweet Emotions it is called. Spinach, mushrooms and caramelized onions…oh, and a little brown sugar sprinkled right before they add the sauce make it sweet, indeed. It’s quite delicious.

This pizza maker, whose name I don’t know but should for all the effort he’s made for me, has been making them for me ever since. As soon as he sees me, he goes straight to work on my favorite pizza. Sometimes he even hand delivers a few slices to my table as soon as they are ready.

The other day I took my mom and sister-in-law, Amy, to experience some Sweet Emotions. We were arriving just 10 minutes prior to the end of the buffet hours so I wondered if it might be too late for a pizza to be made just for me. I should never doubt my personal chef. He’s as sure as the rising of the sun. Within minutes, three hot slices arrived to the table. Mom and Amy tried some too but they had to walk to the buffet to serve themselves.

It really was like any other day at the buffet until we started to head out. They were putting the buffet away for the day and asked if I wanted to take the rest of the Sweet Emotions pizza home with me. “Would I?!” I exclaimed with a tone of do-you-really-need-to-ask?

So I skipped out the door with a whole lot of Sweet Emotions made just for me.

I ate the left overs for dinner that night and lunch the next day. Now that's what I call a good deal!

Best Spring Break Ever

Give Caleb his cousins for a week and he'll declare it the "Best spring break ever!" Add Grandma and Grandpa to the mix and it's extra exciting. The Star Wars exhibit at the science center, basketball, games, movies and favorite restaurants are examples of the fun they had together.

They even did yard work to earn their way to the Wimpy Kid movie.

Yes, I overpaid them but they worked willingly and did a pretty good job.

It was a great week!

Monkey'n Around

Natalie decided to have her party at the gym again this year. It's the perfect place for our little monkey and her friends. We served pizza and monkey cupcakes. Monkey head cups and banana taffy for the favors. Oh, and bananas. All monkeys love bananas, right? And there was lots of monkey business...

Sienna

Makenna

Natalie was swinging from the rafters. Literally.

Ava

Sophie

Elsie

Emma

Alyssa and friend Hailey did some bigger tricks.

Lauryn

Chloe

Therese

Carson

Natalie loved every single present, which included three pillow pets and this poncho from friend, Luka. She's been wearing it ever since she opened it.

What more could this little monkey wish for?

Home Alone

Tara and I went to grab a quick bite at the Mexican restaurant down the street and we came home to Alyssa practicing her beam routine on her "beam". Evidently Natalie and Alyssa were staging their own home meet.

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

I pretty much can't get enough of her. Except when she won't go to bed at night. Or when she makes one of her signature messes. But really, I could just eat her up!

I hate it when she turns a year older, but I can't stop it no matter how much I wish her to stay my baby. She started her special day with a McDonald's big breakfast and some presents.

She couldn't wait to share her moon sand with Emma. They played for hours.

They are perfect friends, those two. Their relationship warms my heart and makes any day better. Natty's birthday just wouldn't be complete if it weren't shared with Emma.

They shared a Subway pizza for lunch.

And some girlfriend chatter.

Grandma and Grandpa gave her new Twinkle Toes. She lights up with every step.

She requested Red Robin for dinner but broke into tears when she thought the waiters forgot her birthday. Thankfully, after a friendly reminder, the singing crew arrived with the sundae and balloon.

Natty agreed to gluten-free cupcakes to accomodate her sister and Alyssa returned the love by making a really cute slide show as a birthday tribute.

No birthday is complete without the spanking machine...

Happy happy birthday, Natalie dear! Do you really have to be six?