Practically perfect in every way

I love downtown Ft Worth. I'm so glad James works there and not in Dallas anymore. I feel like Dallas is sleek and shiny but busy and crazy complicated. But Ft Worth feels more down-to-earth. And I can actually navigate there and get where I need to go with only a little help from James.

 

At Sundance square, they are having a Summer Movie Night every Wednesday. You bring your chairs and blankets and settle in for a fun movie projected on a big screen.

We were scared we'd get rained out on this particular Wednesday, but it passed us by and we were able to enjoy unseasonably cool weather! At one time the girls even said they were cold. Which is absolutely unheard of in July in Texas! Cold, ha!

The only downside to our excursion is that Jax's fever came back. He's had a virus... Took him to the doctor on Tuesday and she said there's nothing that could be done... just Tylenol and wait it out. It was the weirdest virus, too. He'd be fine all day, even without a dose of medicine... then the next moment, he'd be down for the count, high fever and lethargic.

We left for Sundance square and he was feeling just fine... but by the time we got there, 30 mins max... he was burning up and just wanted to sleep. And of course, I had forgotten the Tylenol. MOTY award goes to *this gal* right here... cause what did I do? Turn the crazy bus around, no. Make James go find a Walgreens, no. I took a picture and propped him up in a chair with a blanket and let him sleep. Of course, when you have a sick kiddo... all you can think about is them... it's hard to enjoy anything when you're worried.

Before the movie started, Leroy and the Jubilettes from the Jubilee Theater in Downtown performed some fun songs for us. They had the crowd up and dancing, doing the twist... such a fun way to pass the time, waiting for it to get dark!



They started the movie right at 9...the sun had finally gone down.

Every time I watch this movie, it brings the feels. The happy feels.

So many lines.... spit spot.... You are the father of Jane and Michael Banks, are you not?
Mary Poppins: practically perfect in every way.

She really is, isn't she?

I wish we would have been going to these every week. Of course, we have to skip swim practice, but the girls don't mind. We would be going tonight to see The Muppets. But Bella has Activity Days...and I promised myself, in all the things we have to do, we'd put church first. But next week! They're showing Back To The Future, another classic! Can't wait.

                                                  

TwiNerds....

...that's the best way to describe us. Well...a good way to describe lots of women out there who have read the books and gotten caught up in the phenomenon that is everything Twilight. We love it!! Like Shelley's husband says...it's good to be passionate about something...even if that something is sparkle-y vampires :).

So...we three went to see the Twilight TRILOGY...not just the premiere of Eclipse, but the whole she-bang, Uno, Dos, Tres. It was a great experience...the screaming every time Jacob took his shirt off (which is mostly all thru New Moon), the chick sitting behind us that thought she should narrate all thru Twilight, Shelley and her neck pillow, the staff dressing up as Twilight characters, the bags full of junk food, me almost winning a free tshirt but I couldn't think of the name for the actor playing Victoria!!!!!!! Gah! I KNEW it, but totally had a brain fart.

Like I said before, the theater people dressed up as characters from the movie...the mc-dude was Jasper :). They had trivia and giveaways all thru the movie intermissions. They had these life-size Edward and Jacob figures...who were actually given away to 2 lucky people (not us...cause we're not lucky like that). They had a poll Team Edward vs Team Jacob...and of course Edward won!

The movie itself was really good! I enjoy seeing the books on the big screen...thru all three movies, they really do keep the integrity of the books, and I love that! There were some funny little quips added, such as: "Doesn't that guy ever keep his shirt on?" Or something along those lines...said by Edward, talking about Jacob...and it was SO TRUE...obviously, since we were deaf from all the screaming during New Moon. And then "Let's face it, I'm hotter than you." ...said by Jacob, talking to Edward.

I'm now doubly excited to see Breaking Dawn...so I googled the release date and it looks like November 11, 2011, which is absolutely ridiculous, so I hope that's not true! Over a year to wait?? That's just not nice! And then the 2nd part in 2012...have they not seen that movie?! lol...I'd like to finish the saga before the world ends! (kidding, people, kidding)

As we are TRUE TwiNerds....we made shirts for the occasion!

We are definitely OCD....obsessed with the good stuff! We cut out the letters and appliqued them to the shirt...then hand-stitched them on. The "obsessive Cullen disorder" is done with a Cricut and freezer paper (which I'm now addicted to...freezer paper stencils, more on that to come...).

Then we dazzled it up...why?? Because the Cullens' SPARKLE!

I made us some necklaces as a little souvenier for the night. If you look up at the pic of all 3 of us, you'll see them...if you click on this image below...it prints out very nicely and you can make it into just about anything. I REALLY wanted a shirt that looked like this...but, I'm not quite that talented....yet Ü.

I'm going to see the movie again on Saturday and I'm super excited! It will be interesting to see what I missed due to complete exhaustion at 1am!!

Goin' to the drive-in

I think we are the craziest parents alive. There. I said it.

When we were packing up to come home from our latest "adventure"...James said it best. He says to me: "Well, that was an experience."  (You see that look on his face?)

On Friday afternoon, I was perusing thru Facebook....and I noticed someone's comment that they were taking their kids to the drive in. And I thought how FUN that would be (I'm obviously insane). So I looked up the info...the cost, where it was at, etc, etc...and mentioned what I had found to James, thinking he'd just laugh at me. But nope. He got home from work and we gathered all our crap stuff. And drove the 45ish minutes down to Ennis, Tx to the Galaxy Drive In for a double feature of Shrek Forever After and Iron Man 2.

We got there in plenty of time...picked out a good spot, sprayed on the bug spray, set up the blankets in the back of the car and camping chairs outside of the car....we even got dinner from the snack bar (twice, duh...because there were TWO movies). The girls actually sat thru BOTH movies (I've trained them well)...however, the Boy gave us some difficulties...but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, he gives us difficulties every night. It was a fun time, and the girls had a blast....but, yeah....we won't be doing that again anytime soon. The 2nd movie ended at about 1am and we made it home by 2. Pure craziness.

Crazy, I tell ya.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Here is another Book vs Movie review for you! I love how they are making so many movies from books these days (or maybe I've just been noticing more). The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is out in December and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane is out in October (Dennis Lehane of Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River) are two that I am quite excited about.
This spring when I read The Time Traveler's Wife....I would have never thought it could be made into a movie. It was a confusing book to read...what with the jumping around from date to date...and the end of the book, I'd think back and have many "aha" moments. But I was very impressed with this book...it's a very heart-wrenching story.
To those wanting to see this movie, I say: GO SEE IT. But first...read the book. It will be worth it and you won't be left going "What the heck?" in the theater. They did a SPECTACULAR job on this film, in my opinion....pulling from each important part of the book and mashing it all together into something funny, lovely and oh so tear-jerking (maybe I'm just a big goob).

Hmm...what shall I read next? They seem to be turning a bunch of my fave's into movies these days! Any requests....maybe I can use some of my 'pull'! Ü haha

Movie vs Book.

This morning, my sis, Katie and I went and saw My Sister's Keeper, a movie based on a book by Jodi Picoult (one of my fave authors). Since we had all read the book, we were VERY excited to see this....and prepared ourselves to bawl like babies all the way thru!

Now...I love me some movies....I can ALWAYS find something I like or find something nice to say about a movie (even you, oh Land of the Lost...bleh). Same goes with this movie...it was very heart-wrenching and oh my, sad...

BUT.....

My advice...don't read the book before you see the movie!

I'm about to go in ***SPOILER***mode...so please join me below the pictures if you dare.


The biggest "moment" of the movie for me....well, wait. I have to say...I loved this book. It's the first Jodi Picoult book I had read (and if you know me, it's the first book I will offer to lend to you, too), and the content of the story has always had a place in my heart...the plot totally makes me think "What if that happened to me, what would I do for my child?"
So, anyways...there was this moment in the movie where the mom and her sister are talking, and the sister says something like "Just give it a rest, you can't do everything, maybe now is the time to stop." To which the mom replies "I can't" and isn't that so true, I know I for one would do anything to save my child....for those of you who know the storyline...this mom refused to believe her daughter would die and did everything possible to keep that from happening, including genetically engineering her youngest daughter to be a perfect match for Kate. That youngest daughter, Anna, seeks medical emancipation so she can't be forced to give anything else to her sister. I always felt like she was being so selfish...that she shouldn't care and should do everything to help. Of course, you find out in the end that her sister told her to do all that, so then I feel chastized ;).

Though the movie was good and evoked strong emotions from me, they let me down big time with that ending. I was gearing up for it....trying to visualize how Kate would be after being cured with Anna's kidney....but they nixed that and Kate died instead!! What the heck...totally not cool!

Obviously, most movies based on books are going to change things and you'll only get disappointed if you expect too much. I love the visualization movies give...but I have to admit I can get so disappointed (i.e. The Other Boelyn Girl) when I try to compare Movie vs Book. And I hate that I do that in the first place because it irks me beyond belief when people criticize movies, like they are expecting an epiphany from each and every one. Seriously, it's just a movie. Granted, if you are a visual person, a movie can really MOVE a person to tears, anguish, fear, etc....but it's not going to change your life. And if that's what you expect...maybe you shouldn't go to the movies...try a book.

All in all, it's a good movie...go see it as a matinee, since it's cheaper (or wait to rent it)...bring your tissues. Seeing a child go thru something as horrible as cancer and the treatment for it, is enough to bring tears to the most jaded of souls eyes. OR...skip the movie and read the book (Gasp! Did I really just suggest to skip a movie?!).

The Big TV

Yesterday, we took the kiddos to the Disney Matinee Club's presentation of Winnie the Pooh. Since March, Disney has been doing these Matinee movies...there was a Princess one (which would have been alot better, but we were gone), they showed Cars in April and I think Tarzan, too....and then this month was for "preschoolers". They advertised it as having a sing-a-long parade, which I thought would be more interactive...but it wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. They did, however, show Classic Pooh, which I love and am glad the kids were able to watch it on the "Big TV". That cutie there smilin' is Katie's kiddo, Emma....we are actually all related in some way or another...we have the same ancestor, which is way cool. One day we'll figure out the link ;).

I cannot wait to take them to see UP. Which the girls call "Good afternoon". So fun.

The Phantom of the Opera

Wednesday afternoon, I drove myself down to Las Vegas. The drive went by really quick and I arrived in just 2 hours and 15 minutes...going the speed limit the whole way! Go me. I picked up Krista and we headed to the strip to pick up tickets and then had some yummy steak at the Lonestar Steakhouse (fitting place to eat, me being from Tx and all Ü). We ate till we were bursting at the seams....then went back to the Venetian.
I just have to say THANK YOU, KRISTA! She treated me to the production of The Phantom of the Opera. And it was FAN-TUBUL-ERRIFIC. Seriously.
I think this show has been in Vegas for 2 years now? Maybe more. I remember the day I found out it was coming to town to stay...I was so excited. But we never went! Either not enough money, or not enough time, I guess. So, thankfully, I have a great friend like Krista!!

I love this show SO MUCH. It started way back, with my friend Stephanie Knoeppel...she would bring her music and we'd sing and play at church after meetings. Those of you who know Steph, she has a voice to rival Sarah Brightman...and she could belt it out! Oh man, those were the days. But I never thought I'd get a chance to see the actual show...
You know I had to take some pictures when I first sat down, and of course, I got scolded for it. But I couldn't help myself. They are horrible pictures, but what you see is the auction scene.

And this is the chandelier. I seriously teared up when the chandelier lights up and lifts and the main theme for Phantom plays. I'm a goober. But you have to understand...I love the music so much, I have the sheet music and make attempts to play it. When the soundtrack to the movie came out (yay, Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler)...I played it over and over, my girls know what it is by the second note. This is the music that I would put on in the car to calm Bella down when she was a baby.

Krista's husband, Travis, is a fantastic trumpet player, and it just so happens that one of his trumpet buddy's plays for the Phantom orchestra. He was nice enough to give us a rockin' backstage tour. We were able to walk across the stage and see all the trap doors, and sets. He took us under the stage, to where the mechanics of the show are. Another dude down there explained to use the technical doo-dads and what not. Totally cool.

We even got a picture with the Masquerade mannequins.

Too cool.

After this, we extended our girls night with a chick flick: He's just not that into you. Which was SO good. Two thumbs up.

Thank you, Krista!! Having you as a friend has blessed my life immensely (and not just when you take me to cool shows Ü).

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!” {Dr Seuss}

It's been a little boring around here in Kirchnanaland for these past few days.....it's that first of the year lull, I guess. Ü

But, thanks to my friends Netflix and Redbox, I do have some movie suggestions (these are probably old news, but thats how we roll):

*Eagle Eye (must see...Shia Labeouf, sigh...say no more.)

*Run, Fat Boy, Run (yes, the title may be deceiving, but Simon Pegg makes my side ache with laughter)

*Ghost Town (yet another British actor...yet another funny movie. I seriously need to check out the original Office now...Ricky Gervais is funny!)

*Hancock (Can't help it, loved it...I'm a Will Smith fan!)

*Wanted (not for the faint of heart, thus the rating...but the car chases are a-maz-ing)

*Apocalypto (yes, another rating not to be desired...but I just have to say...worth it, totally worth it)

In my Q and cannot wait to get:

*The Duchess

*The Women

*War, Inc

*The Secret Life of Bees

this list is so long it's embarassing. I am a movie fan thru and thru...there are so many cool movies out, too. I think I passed this on to my children....since Bella screams "BIG TV, BIG TV, BIG TV...I WANNA GO TO THE BIG TV" everytime we go to Chili's (the theater is right next door). We were there this past weekend and I looked up at the billboard announcing all the movies....Bedtime Stories, Marley and Me, Valkyrie, the Reader, Australia, Four Christmases, Twilight, Quantum of Solace....I was in movie heaven!! In the months before Bella was born, I think James and I went to the movies twice a week...sometimes three times....he's not as big of a fan as me, but he knew how to make his big ole pregnant wife happy Ü.

Anyways....

I haven't just been sitting around watching movies and eating BonBons...though there is nothing wrong with that. I've been trying to get a head start on cleaning up the mess that is my house...for Krista's visit! Only 9 more days!! WOOHOO.

I put together some headers for some family and friends: Jen, Krista, Ashley...and mine, of course...but after doing theirs, mine is definitely in change-mode. I love blogging and roaming blogs...and see all sorts of designs everywhere, makes me wish I had more talent! Ü

Crafting! Yes, I have been crafting, crafting...well...paper crafting. I'm gonna start making some frames for my wall and piano tonite.
I FINALLY got my grandparent's Christmas presents done! YES...Grams and PopPop...these are on their way to you tomorrow!

6 sides of pure goodness....When I go to Vegas in Februrary, my sis Lisa and I are throwing a baby shower for my other sis, Kari. I am SO HAPPY to be doing the invites, I came across this overall idea and its so dang cute! This is just a prototype...to send off for "approval"....but I'm in love ÜSo that's it for now...gotta go feed my starving family. Cook? Who me? Maybe if I put it off long enough, I'll get the old man to cave in to going to Little Mexico (best Mexican Restaurant in GP, if I do say so myself)....

The Belated Birthday Post

I meant to post about this on the 17th...as I mean to do all things on time, but I figured I could capture the whole she-bang in one post.

My birthday day was really a good day. I started it by spending too much money under the guise of "oh its my birthday...happy day to me"...which is fun, but leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I did walk away with a new outfit for singing in Church today (James and I sang "Mary's Lullaby" for the Christmas program) and a spiffy new CTR ring, it was love at first sight:

So, my mood wasn't 100 %, but James saved the day and took the girls and I out to lunch at my fast-becoming-favorite restaurant, Hoffbrau Steaks. Yummy steak salad!Happy Birthday to me......they serve fried pickles as a appetizer!

Thanks to all who called, texted and....posted on facebook...looks like thats where all the cool kids are these days, I received over 25 birthday wishes (thank goodness for reminders, right?! lol). James was on the warpath to make sure I was not forgotten on my day...sending out an email to family with a reminder! Not that ya'll would have forgotten, right? lol

For the last month, I've reminded James that I wanted to go to the restaurant, Simply Fondue for my day. After reading up on reviews, we were planning on switching and going to The Melting Pot, since I had heard first hand that the cheese there was to die for. But then we thought about our night and what we wanted to do..... Simply was closer, so we kept our reservation there.
It turned out to be a really cool experience! We weren't blown away by the food, but it was yummy and we've never done anything close to this, so it was totally worth it.
Crappy pictures because my camera died, like always....but the gist of it is:
You get a plate of 8 meats, which you cook in a pot of oil, then a plethora of dip-its Ü. Aube would have been in heaven. But not a kid-friendly place in the least...since the middle of the table encases a stove top!

We ended the night, and my birthday week ;), with the movie, Seven Pounds. Which was wonderful, I highly recommend it...though beware of ultimate longness.

I must publicly apologize to James Ü the title of the movie, Seven Pounds...is NOT the weight of a heart, which I was very sure of at the time...but looking up, it seems a human heart weighs 8-11 ounces ;). The title refers to the Shakespearean pound-of-flesh metaphor, meaning a figurative debt that needs to be paid back. Seven pounds of flesh that the character gives away to seek redemption for an accident he was involved in, that resulted in the loss of seven lives.

How's that for a spoiler. Ü

Ske-doosh!

We decided to celebrate being broke by going to the dollar theater tonite to see Kung Fu Panda (or Kung fu Kenna, in Bella-speak....her 2nd time seeing it, my first). Can't keep us down! Ha. We were about 1/2 hr late b/c both James and I forgot our phones, and wearing a watch just isn't saavy. OH! And because James spilt his nachos all down the front of his shirt, pants and a good part of the hallway on our way to the theater. Smooth move....Ske-doooooosh. Then Aube head-butted her soda all over his leg and floor.

I think it's just been that kind of day, for alot of people it seems....maybe its the rain? Gotta blame it on something. For me, one day of rain is bliss....but 2, then 3....well, things get a bit droopy. NOT that I'm complaining (as long as Friday is sunny so I can mow the lawn and Saturday is sunny so the kids can play in a bounce house at the party, and not be stuck inside playing pin the tail on the balloon! Ü).

I went to Old Navy today to find a shirt or two (or three), because you know....spending money you don't have is a BLAST. And I found THE SOFTEST, MOST COMFORTABLEST pair of jeans EVER CREATED. Seriously, they were THAT GOOD. But...yeah....size 12....about 8 1/2 sizes tooooo small. But what are you gonna do? Cry in my Big Mac? haha. But they are out there, folks...a pair of jeans you could sleep in. I'm not a jeans person...at the moment I only have one pair that I like and WILL wear to special occasions. But I like to be comfortable, not all pinchy. I don't like to put my girls in jeans...neither one have any right now...I don't like to see their skin all red and pinched. But with the cool winds a-blowin' in....its about to be jeans weather. And man oh man, do I wish I was a size 12 again.

Random of all randomness....my apologies.

Hopped up on Mr Pibb....

Just a few things...
#1...it's too hot...don't make me start singing "Where are you Christmas?" ....mkay.
#2...............SIGNED BELLA UP FOR HER FIRST DANCE CLASS.....shoulda bought stock in Excedrin Migraine, cause I'm gonna need it. But even imagining the headaches I will have does not make me any less excited to see her in pink tights, leotard (that word just LOOKS wrong) and patent taps!
#3.....thank goodness for awesome Youth from church....who will rush over last minute to babysit for us.....then to learn WE saved HER from a boring night at her sisters house! Rock on.
#4.....................I FINALLY GOT TO SEE BATMAN #2 (not Batman go #2, for those who can't read....please forgive me, the Mr Pibb went straight to my brain)!!!! FREAKIN' Awesome, just like everyone told me. For those who skipped it b/c it was "too dark"....please go and see it...just don't take your 3 year old so he can babble about popcorn in the row in front of me! Seriously...PG-13 is there for a reason...and just b/c YOU are there with your underage kids, doesn't mean it's ok. Like going to see House of 1000 Corpses (not on my recommend list, by the way) and seeing a family, mom...dad...sister age 7, brother age 5....totally not cool parents! I could go on, and don't need to b/c I let my 3 year old watch Phantom of the Opera. It's the Pibb, people, it's the Pibb talking!
#5......Totally stoked that it's a holiday weekend....even though I work, it's gonna be a blast! And it leads into SEPTEMBER, one of my FAVORITE months of the year. Why? Party, party, party....then it leads into October which has party, party, party. It's gonna be grand, ya'll....

{A Moment to Myself...}

It's been such a fun week, I cannot believe I only have a day and a half left with my mom!! It's no fun that time has to go by so fast. But we have really had such a great time together...it makes me hate these miles in between us!
Tonite, mom and I went and saw Mamma Mia, this would be my THIRD time...and I think the movie just gets better as time goes on! (I might even see it a 4th, since I found out today the chick who cuts my hair wants to see it! LOL)










There is a part towards the end of the movie, where Sophie asks her mom to help her get ready for her wedding.

They sing this song, Slipping Through My Fingers. And all three times I have seen it, I get all teary, like a goober. The first two times I heard the song, I related it to how I felt about my daughters...how small moments are so important with them.
But tonite, I was more than teary because I related the lyrics to how I felt about my own mom. Music makes me feel more than anything else, I think...and the lyrics to this song make me want to just hug my mom and hold onto her....not let her go!

The Lyrics:

DONNA:

Schoolbag in hand

She leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye

With an absent-minded smile

I watch her go

With a surge of that well-known sadness

And I have to sit down for a while

The feeling that I'm loosing her forever

And without really entering her world

I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter

That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growingS

lipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes

Her and me at the breakfast table

Barely awakeI let precious time go by

Then when she's gone

There's that odd melancholy feeling

And a sense of guiltI can't deny

What happened to the wonderful adventures

The places I had planned for us to go

Well some of that we did

But most we didn't

And why I just don't know

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time

DONNA & SOPHIE:

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture

And save it from the funny tricks of time

Slipping through my fingers -

DONNA:Schoolbag in hand

She leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

The middle....

Celebrating the 4th of July!!!!!!
I love this holiday, the bbq's and fireworks, finding random things to do during the day!

That morning, we went and saw WALL E! Which we LOVED!! Some others have been commenting on the message the movie seemed to put across...which is understandable on all accounts. But for those debating whether or not to see it....SEE IT! Seriously, draw your own conclusion...but don't go into it looking for something...just go watch the movie! Thats how it should be with movies, thats why they are made...to entertain!! And Wall E will definitely entertain!!
While the kiddos napped after the movie, Mommalove and I headed down to the HOM store to try and spend a gift certificate. I found this:and fell in love!!! It is THE COOLEST bunkbed I have ever seen. And no, the gift certificate didn't cover the cost...that will take a little more saving up!
James and his dad went out and bought some cool, tame fireworks for the girls. Aube was an instant fan, enthralled at the sight of the fireworks....not minding the loud sounds.
Bella...well...not so much Ü. She watched from inside the screen door for awhile...braved it later, but had to have Grammy plug her ears for her!
Maybe next year Ü.

Pull up a car....

James took these hilarious pictures earlier today:

The girls are at the Drive-in Movies.
They are quite enchanted...
watching Enchanted Ü.

Necessary Things

The only thing necessary for the triumph

of evil is for good men to do nothing.

-Edmund Burke

Just finished watching Tears of the Sun.....this quote was at the end of it. Very good movie, in my opinion...makes me tear up bigtime at the end. I always feel horrible when I watch movies or read about the terrible things that go on with the wars in Africa. My life seems small and insignificant when others life and die in such tragic circumstances. What can I do but pray?

Alma 34

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.