Busy, busy, busy!

It must be this time of year, because when I look at all my friends' blogs, no one else is posting either. Busy-ness abounds!

I know the Davises have been really busy and will be for the next few weeks, it seems.

Here are a few things that have been happening in our lives that I didn't have a chance to record before now.

1. While I was away in Atlanta with Clair, Lester and the boys were hanging buddies.

They went to see a "Goodnight Moon" play! And met the actors!

They look bewildered.

 They rode on the famous Dentzel Carousel in Glen Echo Park.

They went to the National Building Museum in Washington D.C., and visited the "Play, Work, Build" exhibit.

And they capped off the weekend by watching some of the Sunday football game at Nana's and Granddad's house!

Busy, right? In between all that, Lester also took the kids to "Make Your Own Pizza" at Uno's and did the grocery shopping. I'm tired just thinking about all that stuff.

2. I got back from Atlanta and really needed a nap. But my work-life has been crazy, and this past week, personally, was also a whirlwind week for me.

I had my staff retreat in Potomac and a staff happy hour at a nearby restaurant/bar (also in Glen Echo, coincidentally).

That's me in the pink, giving a presentation!

After the happy hour, guess who came to hang out and eat and drink (some more) with me? Beth!! Laura C. was supposed to come, too, but got busy trying to make that paper, yo! (You better werk, Laura C.!) and we also invited my love, Angel C., but she was busy making a human being.

I don't have any photos of Beth and me gabbing it up, but rest assured, we looked fabulous and we had a blast. LOVE my blog friends turned IRL-friends!!

3. Then, at the end of the week, my lovely, wonderful, super-amazing friend Shreya had her annual dinner party for all her girlfriends. This is the one where her chef-husband (who is an attorney by day) makes a 4-course gourmet meal and serves it to all of us. And the food is always out of this world. This year, the theme was "NOLA" and the gumbo, shrimp 'n grits, po' boys and bananas Foster were all so good, seriously, I am still drooling.

My friend Jen and my friend Kelly. I had a photo of me and my friend Renee, but I look like a cow in it, especially next to Renee, who looks amazing in a dress she MADE, so I decided not to post that picture. I know that goes against all the "Show Me the Mommy" empowerment jazz, but whatevs. Get over it.

Also, this year, Shreya really put her husband to the test by having 43 women at the dinner. FORTY-THREE!

That's Shreya at the head of one of the 3 long tables of ladies. She's saying wonderful things about all of us individually while her husband, at the sink, is getting the first course prepared. I can't say enough about Shreya's Girls' Dinner.

We always talk about how awesome Shreya is for treating her girlfriends to this kind of pampering and love, but for real for real?? Her husband Jason gets the gold star!

4. And finally, this weekend, my sister watched all three of my children so I could take Lester on his French-themed birthday getaway!

We stayed in a hotel, where we played French music and had other French-themed fun. I won't go into details. Ahem.

We had a sublime dinner at this French country restaurant in Ellicott City. Top-notch. I highly recommend.

Sunday brunch. Continuing in the French theme: French-press coffee!

This was my first time ever leaving all three kids; I admit that I was more than a little bit nervous. But the kids did GREAT; they went to Russy's football game and ran around like crazy people, having a blast. Then came back to my Mom's and conked out!

Matty and Clair, the pacifier twins.

Deanie and Clairzee - without Mommy or Daddy and doing just fine!! Who would've thunk it?

Why is Cary in the stroller? No one knows.

 I was so surprised! Tahira and my mom said that Clair hardly cried the whole time. and the boys were well-behaved.

And when we came back to get them Sunday afternoon, Cary and Dean took one look at us and said, "We missed you, mother and father! Hooray, you're back!!"

HA!!! No, what they actually said -- with sour faces -- was: "Noooooo! We want to stay here!!" And then refused to give us kisses or hugs. Oh well!

Now we know we can leave them with family and they'll be just fine. I predict more outings for Lester and me from here on out!

But first, after all this busy-ness, I need a NAP.

Big things poppin'....

The title of this post is an ode to my old-school days of (sometimes) listening to rap music, which I rarely do anymore, because my iPod has been taken over by Justin Roberts (thanks, Angel), Dan Zanes, Elizabeth Mitchell (thanks, Tahira), Elmo, Cookie Monster, Tag, Leap and Lily and a host of other shrill-voiced characters.

But once upon a time, T.I. rapped about "Big things poppin' and little things stoppin'..." and I did a little shoulder dance at my desk and felt cool. Today I still feel pretty cool, because of a few big things happening in my little family.

1. Clair is 15-months today! She is the most opinionated, cranky/cheerful child ever to live. She is going to be a force to reckon with, and I am just going to pray that she uses her powers for good.
She has 4 words: "ott" (for hot); "uh-oh"; "mama" and "dada." Most of the time, we are all dada -- even Cary and Dean. She has started occasionally saying "unh-unh" for no. But usually she just screams angrily at all of us all day long, and swipes and swats at us for some offense unknown to anyone but her. She climbs the stairs like a pro, but can't get down, and can get down off the sofa but can't get up. She has stranger anxiety like none other, and prefers me to anyone else in the world. This is sweet, somewhat, but you know...It'd be nice for other people to see her laugh and act silly instead of just cry and cling to me all the time. But I guess this will come. I hope it will. She is snuggly and sweet (when she wants to be) and loves, loves, loves to dance and read books. She is my absolute sweetie.

I need to take more photos of my silly sweetie!

 2. Cary and Dean have been practicing on their balance bikes!

I won't say who is doing a better job with the bikes so far, but this picture is an indication.

What's taking you so long???

One day this week at school drop-off, Dean climbed out of the car, went and stood by this tree and said, "Mommy, you have to take a picture." I don't know if this is for his secret Facebook page, or just what, but I called Cary over and did what I was told.

I have no idea why he needed this moment captured for all eternity.

 3. I have not done anything toward my goal of getting someone to accept my children's book idea, since getting rejection after rejection after rejection.

Thanks, "Submissions Department."

But I got this fortune in my cookie the other night when I brought home takeout for Lester and me after a loooong board meeting.

I wish it said, "Someone is going to publish your book." But I'll take what I can get.

 And now I think I will get back in the saddle! Must. Keep. Moving. Forward.

 4. Speaking of getting back in the saddle, Beth and Tam will be happy to know that I made an appointment to see my doctor and get my blood sugar, cholesterol, and Vitamin D levels tested. I go tomorrow morning! So yay for that.

5. And not to brag about my husband anymore, because seriously, it really is an embarrassment of riches, but I have to get down for history's sake the amazing 40 for 40 gift he gave me yesterday.

I came home from work feeling tired and sick and wanting to take Tylenol, hurry through the night's activities and go to bed. But Lester told me to get freshened up because we were going out! I honestly had to talk myself into getting excited, because I was just so beat down, but who can resist a man who is so incredibly sweet? So off to take a shower I went.
When I was ready, Lester went upstairs saying he was going to wash up and throw his clothes on. I stayed downstairs and played with the kids, when there was a knock on the door. I opened it and much to my surprise, my Dad was standing there! I thought HE was the babysitter and I immediately turned to ask Lester, "Are you insane?"
That's when I noticed that Lester was still in his shorts and T-shirt.
Turns out: He wasn't my date after all -- my Dad was!
Lester had gotten us tickets to see a play at Center Stage and arranged for my Dad to take off from teaching his evening class so he could go!
It was the SWEETEST thing! I still get all goosebumpy thinking about how he pulled that off. I was totally, 100-percent surprised.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any better -- he handed my Dad a card, which we read in the car. It was all about how Lester knows the close bond my Dad and I have and how much I miss talking to and spending time with him. He said in the note, "I thought I'd give you both the best gift I could think of: The gift of time together." And then, as if my mascara wasn't running enough already, he then wrote, "And Dad, I really hope that one day Clair and I have the same close relationship that you and Tanika have."

I swear, I think I saw a little tear in Dad's eye, too, after reading that card. (Admit it Dad, you cried a little!)

The night was a lot of fun. Dad and I really enjoyed the play (Beneatha's Place) and stayed out in the car afterward talking about any and everything until about 11:30!

This shirt dress looks much better when I stand up straight, I swear.

I came in the house and begged Lester not to give me anything else, because that was the ULTIMATE in my eyes. The ultimate! But he insists there's more. He keeps saying, "Babe, don't worry, these are small things!"

But this whole exercise has proven again and again that the small things mean the absolute most -- in case I ever forget.

Who needs big things poppin'...when the little things are this magnificent?