Enjoying My Ten Day Break Between Terrible Two Episodes...Christopher is now 3 and Jacob won't be 2 until Thursday!!

Christopher blowing out his birthday cupcake and jamin' on his birthday guitar and microphone

Last Monday was Christopher's third birthday. Brad and I were in California, so we celebrated his birthday before we left. On the kids birthdays we let them choose to do whatever they want. Since Christopher is scared to death of Chuck E. Cheese, Hugo (Hornet's mascot), Chick-fil-A cow or any type of mascot type thing - our choices were limited. The only thing I could think of to suggest to him for his birthday was Celebration Station. A local place where we go and ride go-carts. They also have a little train ride, mini golf and arcade games. The kids usually have a good time there and they don't have any thing that Christopher is scared of. I just assumed that is where he would want to go. He did not want to go there. I suggested a local pizza place he likes and the ice cream place that has fun rides he likes too. He did not want any of them. I could not think of anything else for him so I just asked him where he wanted to go for his birthday. He wanted to go to the kangaroo restaurant and then go to the camping store...So for his birthday we went and ate at Outback Steakhouse and then headed over to Cabela's. Not your typical three year old birthday destinations, but that is what HE wanted!

Cathy and the boys brought us to the airport. Brad and I about to leave...David insisted that he was going too...until Cathy told him they were going to the zoo after dropping us off! Cathy and the boys leaving the airport.

Brad, Dave Ramsey and Julie at Champions Club Recognition Dinner

Brad and I went to Los Angeles last week. I agreed last year that I would go with him if he were to win another Symbol of Success award for Chick-fil-A. Three years ago he won the truck as a "Symbol of Success" for his exceptional increase in sales. This year he had his best year in sales and profits (even with the economy hoopla, hurricane closures and then the snow storm in December). WARNING...Bragging Wife Here...Instead of winning the Symbol award he won the most prestigious award for Chick-fil-A...he is now a member of the Champions Club. He not only increased his sales significantly but also the profit percentage increase. He is superb!! :) I am super proud of him and after sitting next to him at his recognition dinner, I realized that he really is the best of the best and a super businessman! Actually I've been knowing that from working with him professionally ten years ago. I was reminded of that business side of him this past week. To help honor him, we were invited to a special dinner Chick-fil-A had coordinated with Dave Ramsey. He is a national speaker and author of a few books that promote financial freedom with biblical references. Brad has been listening and following his plan for a few years now...before it was "cool" to be debt free. We really enjoyed spending some time with him and seeing how down to earth he is. And he is oooohhh sooooo funny! I thought I was going to wet my pants I was laughing so hard. While we were there I also got to see Kirk Cameron...yep, a few months ago it was New Kids on the Block and now Kirk Cameron. Next it will be Paula Abdul or Zack from Saved by the Bell! :) ...speaking of meeting celebrities - on our flight from LA to Dallas we had some guy that was booted off of American Idol the night before. I haven't been watching this season so I had no clue who he was. We were also on the same flight as Jessica Simpson. She was acting very diva like in her first class seat...as I passed her on my way to the back of the plane! :)

Julie and Kirk Cameron...No, he had no clue we took the picture -especially since he just told us NO pictures! OOPS!!!

The Oscars were being set up while we were at the Kodak Theater. We had gone a few years ago and were able to take our pictures in front of the statue Oscars. This year they were covered. I guess because of the yucky weather. We still had a good time even with the rainy cold weather. While we were in California, Cathy (my twin sis) and Chris stayed with the boys. The first night we were there Cathy called quite a few times and I was a bit nervous. After I answered they were all for very minor things and I calmed down. Actually one of the times she called to see if I would mind if she washed the bathroom rugs...of course not, but why do they need to be cleaned since they were just cleaned the day before we left?? She said because Christopher and Jacob just peed all over them! :) That is when I really started relaxing and enjoyed my time away from the potty messes! :) The boys had a great time and loved that Cathy would do or buy anything for them that they asked. She brought them to the zoo and even fell for the pleas to go into the gift shop. I never let them go in and if they do...we certainly don't buy anything ...unless they break it! :) Cathy and Chris both seemed to be all in one piece too and hopefully they enjoyed it as much as the boys did. They said they'd come back!?! Next time we are heading to D.C. and will try to stay gone longer than five days!

Julie and Cathy acting silly in Grand Isle. We were behind the last car in the parade so we acted like unknown celebrities at the conclusion.

Cathy and Chris live on a little island off the coast of Maine. Most of the people on the island are lobster fishermen (including both of them). After Hurricane Katrina, Cathy organized a fundraiser to help the fishermen in Grand Isle. She raised over $10,000 in just a few weeks. None of us have ever been to Grand Isle so we took a road trip down on Sunday and ended up getting at the tail end of their Mardi Gras parade. If you can't beat 'em - join 'em...and that is just what we did. We had a good time and are hoping to go back a day early next year and rent a beach house so we don't miss the parade.

Master C (Christopher) on the parade route

The parades Grand Finale...David Arton! :)

After a couple of blocks of us being silly and taking turns being the finale...we stopped the car and watched the parade. The kids loaded up on goodies from the last two floats.


Thursday is Jacob's second birthday. I am enjoying my ten day between Christopher and Jacob's birthday without a 'terrible' two year old. I asked Jacob what he wanted to do for his birthday and he said he wants to ride in an airplane. I asked him where he wanted to go on the airplane and he just said, 'bye bye'. I mentioned earlier in this post that we pretty much let them do what they want on their birthday...this is an example of where I will have to guide him on what 'he' wants...I foresee a trip to celebration station, New Orleans children's museum, zoo, aquarium, the ice cream shop or pizza place...NOT an airplane ride!

David and Jacob at the Hornet's game. Christopher is too scared of Hugo (their mascot) to even go to the Hornet's games. He and I hung out shopping together this night while Brad, David and Jacob high fived the players going to their locker room.