I'm Not A Mother

Last weekend was full but fun. I found myself wide awake on Monday morning when it was time to get up for work (surprisingly) only to find myself crashing hard by 12pm. It's a short week for me.  I will survive.

The Zoo Crew

MJ's mom and cousin are in town and they brought the kids.  The #1 ranked Zoo in the United States is in our backyard.  MJ has never been, which makes no sense especially since military gets in free.  I haven't been in a million years myself so it was a perfect group outing for Saturday.  We loaded ourselves into the rented mini van and spent the day walking miles and miles all over the world famous San Diego Zoo.  The place is huge.  Just when you think you saw all the animals you wanted to see you realize you missed out on the Kangaroo's and the Rhinoceros's.  These animals are so interesting to look at.  I could probably stare at the Gorilla's for hours.  I love the slow rhythmic way they move.  Not quite upright but also not quite downright as they use their front knuckles to get where they are going.  Their faces are so serious and their eyes so intelligent.  What are they are thinking about-besides why the F are all these people staring at us and what do they want?  Giraffe's have the cutest faces.  They are like a horse gone wrong but not because their long legs and neck transform them in their own unique and beautiful way.  The Rhinoceros walked in circles and the Kangaroo's just laid there.  I was really excited to see pouches but these didn't have them.  MJ has seen ones taller then him roaming around in the motherland of Australia so he probably was not too impressed but they were still cool to see. 

The San Diego zoo is exhausting.  The San Diego Zoo with little ones is REALLY exhausting.  That day alone totally validated our decision not to have any.  At one point the 1 year old and the 3 year old were wailing at the same time.  The little one was kind of cranky all day and the 3 year old hit his face on metal hand rails twice in a row after repeatedly being told not to run off. The weather was not too hot, not too cold; just  perfect for a long day outside.  We covered as much ground as we could but when the kids got too tired it was time to go.

I'm really proud of myself for resisting the urge to take a million animal pics that will only take up space on my hard drive and be really boring to look at later. 

Me and my two mom's (Mom in Law and Mom)

On Sunday we all went up to spend it at my Mom's.  My mom is still on crutches because she had foot surgery a few weeks ago and my Dad is out of town visiting his mom.   She really appreciated us being there and taking care of everything.  We kept it simple.  MJ grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs and we got sides from Fresh & Easy.

Both of the kids have the same name.  The bigger T came inside with two flowers from outside and said Happy Mother's day.  He tried to give one of them to me but I said I'm not a mother, and handed it to my mom in law.  I was the only female there that wasn't a mother.  Story of my life; but he didn't understand that.  Not five minutes later he came back inside with one for me and said Happy Mother's Day.  How sweet.  I guess he didn't want me to be left out.  You can't refuse such a sweet gesture so I laughed and took it.  We put them in our hair.

The little T is really sweet too.  He's just as squishy and cuddly as he can be. Kids definitely have their adorable moments but it's still nice to be able to send them home.

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Mini Cooper for Mother's Day

Opening her Mother's Day gift

The best gifts are ones that you already know someone wants but won't buy for themselves.  When we were shopping in LA last month we went into Victoria's Secret.  My mom tried on a Navy Blue "Pink" sweater but didn't get it because it was "too expensive."  When she opened her gift she was so surprised to see that very same sweater she left on the rack.  It felt really good to give it to her.  I loved her reaction.  I knew she would be surprised.  She started opening it and I said wait and ran to get my camera.  They are so cute I had to get one for myself.

Mimosa's

Pancho's Surprise // No surprise that this was delicious

For lunch we went to Anita's Mexican Restaurant.  We used to go to there all the time when I was a kid.  It's been a really long time since I've been.  It will probably be a while before I go again so for sentimental reasons I had to get Pancho's surprise.  I think it's the only thing I've ever ordered there.  It's this sloppy cheesy bean filled chicken enchilada.  Yum!  Just as good as I remembered.  The restaurant is right by the beach so we took a walk over there afterwards.  The thing about the beach is that even if it's 80-90 degrees everywhere else that good weather doesn't always make it to the coast.  The sun was trying to break through but there was too much cloud cover and it was mostly chilly and grey.  There were all these crazy people getting in the water and laying out in bikini's.  Didn't they notice the sun was missing?  I was freezing in my skirt and tank top and I wasn't even wet.   

At the beach

My cute nephew DJ // He was being a little bad that day but when you are 2 that's what you do

One non mom  and two moms

She gifted herself with a really cool Mother's Day gift last week.  A brand spanking new oh so cute Mini Cooper.  It's on my dream car but probably won't happen for another 5 years or so if ever list.  My sister and I test drove it.  I loved it and so does my mom.  It's about time she finally got a car that she REALLY wants and not something she settled for or got stuck with because my dad picked it out.

Mom and her Mini

I have a great mom.  She is selfless when it's easier to be selfish. So often she puts others needs in front of her own. She is kind, fun to be with and is the best mom I could ever ask for.  I feel very fortunate to have her for a mother and am so grateful for the close relationship that we have.  Sometimes I really wish I could do more for her.  She's worked hard all of her life.  If I was rich I would buy her a house, tell her to go on vacation and enjoy the rest of her life without worries because she deserves it.  I didn't buy my mom a Mini Cooper for Mother's Day but I really wish I could have.

May Days

Birthday season officially starts for our family in March with my Mom's Birthday.  April is my Dad's Birthday (along with mine) then it really picks up in May with Mj's Birthday, my sister's Birthday and Mother's Day all within a week of each other.  I'm usually on a shopping frenzy in April for myself and then my car registration is due in May so it's usually a pretty heavy load on the budget. It's basically like Christmas in May.

Red Velvet, Lemon and Chocolate w/Chocolate Chips

Mj's B Day was 2 weeks ago on May 2nd and he didn't want for much.  He never does.  Last year I pushed it because it was a milestone birthday but this year I let him be.  It was a Wednesday, he had tons of homework to do and he had a Vegas trip with his buddies that coming weekend.  His actual birthday was pretty much business as usual.  Work and the gym.  I came home and gave him his presents and we ate Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches for dinner.  He didn't even want me to make him a cake.  Probably because I suck at baking and if there is any good cake to be made he's better off doing it himself.  I got him some delicious bundtini's from Nothing Bundt Cakes.  They come in full bundt cake size, medium size bundlets and then the little bundtini's.  They are so moist and delicious.  I ate one even though I wanted more and the remaining five were all his.

The pretty mama's

Sunday we all met up at my sister's house to celebrate her Birthday and Mother's Day.   My sister sort of gets a raw deal in a way because her Birthday is May 9th so it's either on or around Mother's Day and especially now that she is a mother we pretty much have to lump her Birthday into one celebration with Mother's Day on the weekend.  We had a good time.  We went out to an early dinner at a place of her choice to eat then we had cake and ice cream back at her house.  Next up is Father's Day in June then my little sis's Birthday is in August.

Burgers & Beer!!!!

This has absolutely nothing to do with Birthday's or family holidays but last  Friday Mj and I went on another Groupon Burger date.  This time it was La Jolla Brew House.  It's kind of a dive but the staff there is so friendly and have you noticed that some of the best food often comes out of dive's?  We had 1/2 lb Burgers, Fries, Beer and a dessert to split all for $18.  Can't beat that.  Gosh I love Groupon!  That burger was so big I could barely figure out a way to get my mouth around it even after it was cut in half.  It was a perfect way to relax and stuff my face after a long and exhausting work week.

Busy Fun Mom's Day

Of course we still had some business to take care of from Saturday so Mother's Day started with that.  We stopped at the new house to measure the great room area so we could determine if the sectional we ordered the day before was going to fit.  Good thing we did because apparently the 12' long sectional that Mj wanted was just a little ambitious.  We have room along the wall  to do it but we want it to extend from the wall and face where the TV is going to go and 12' extends too far into the walkway.  So, after stopping at a store to check out appliances we headed back to the furniture store to make an adjustment on our sectional order.  Less couch equals less money so we are actually spending a little less then we planned which is always fine by me.

We headed up to meet my mom at Paradise Grill for brunch.  The weather was not as warm and sunny as I had hoped but we did OK sitting outside.  Mj bought mom flowers and I gave her the Spa gift certificate that my sister and I went in on together.  She gets to pamper herself at the spa and she so deserves it.  It was a 3 course meal.  We each had a drink of our choosing, a starter, an entree and a dessert.  We were all stuffed by the end but the dessert was part of the package otherwise I would have never eaten it and who can resist Chocolate Molten Lava Cake? I never seem to be able to.  It's the same dessert I wanted demanded when we came here for my B Day a month ago.

All three of us chose it and it was DElicious.  I couldn't help but notice the way the fudge just oozed out so perfectly after I took my first bite.  We were all stuffed by the end of the meal and no one was hungry again for the rest of the day!  My mom really enjoyed it and was so appreciative that I picked out a nice spot.  I wish I could do so much more for my mom.  She is so kind, generous and just overall amazing.  We have always been close and I am so lucky to have her.

My mom showed me the three dresses she picked out for my wedding.  The black one was so cute but it's a July wedding so it won't work.  She's going to keep it anyways because it is so cute.  There was a maroon one in typical mother of the bride style with a little jacket to go with it.  I felt the color would compliment Pink nicely and it was OK but it had nothing on the Pink strapless one.  First of all it's a lovely pastel Pink.  Second of all it is stylish and hip and my mom is going to look just gorgeous in it.  She had a few reservations.  "Yes mom, I know you are fifty but you look great and can so pull this off."  And she will. 

Mom and I went and got pedicures after brunch.  It's been a ridiculously long time since I had a pedicure and it felt nice.  Unfortunately due to the gloomy weather I am still wearing closed toed shoes today but at least I know I have pretty toes under there.  We stopped at my aunt's house to say hi on the way back to the house and before we knew it it was about time to go home.  I finished up the laundry.  Yes, I still bring laundry to mom's house from time to time because she doesn't require $2.25 in hard to round up quarters like our ridiculous laundry room does.  I collapsed into bed around 10:30 pm.

Sunday was also my big sister's B day.  Poor thing is alone and in the middle of a very difficult pregnancy.  Her hubby is actually out here on the West Coast for training.  I wished her a Happy B Day and sent her some Mac items she wanted.  Yes, I'm about broke.  I have Mj's B day, Mom's day and Big Sis B day all within one week of each other.  Oh, and car registration too.  It's so worth it though when I find just the right thing and can make them happy.