My version of Heaven (in pictures)

Lester's 40 for 40 gift this weekend was a surprise trip to my Mom's house. On our way there, he made a quick stop along I-95 at a new place he discovered that is now my favorite place on Earth. And then we continued on to my Mom's for a little party Lester planned, with my two sisters and their kids, my Mom and Dad and us. I was totally, totally surprised, and totally, totally thrilled!!

Instead of gushing about it in all caps and a million exclamation points, I will just show you what Heaven looks like in my dreams.

Well, hello lovers.

"Mommy! They are moving!!"

Not anymore, they're not. (Five little loverboys. 12 pounds of amazingness.)

He bought a bushel of crabs. They are all gone.

More sea-dwelling protein.

And still more, doused in white wine, onions and garlic.

A couple sides (and my Mom's famous potato salad: not pictured.)

Mom went out and bought these adorable crab-and-lobster cracking accessories. This double-sided paper towel holder is genius!

Drunk off lobster, lemon and butter, I had no problems wearing this stupid lobster hat.

Aaaaaaaand -- there was chocolate cake for dessert. BOO-YA!

I wish I was turning 40 EVERY YEAR!!

My shrimpie can't eat shrimp

I have been actually doing things during the day, like spending more time with Cary and Dean, cleaning my bedroom, folding clothes, grocery shopping, visiting with friends, going to fun places with the kids, etc. So I have not had time to blog.

I hate it when that happens because so much time passes that I miss things I really wanted to get down.

For that ONE reason, I'll be glad when I get back to work. I seemed to find a few minutes during the day more often when I was situated in front of my office computer for hours on end.

I have only a little bit of time, because Clair will be up from a nap soon so this will be quick.

Most importantly, we found out last week that Cary may have a food allergy!

Upon discovering redness, bumps and scratches all over his chest and stomach, I took him to the doctor. After answering a million questions, it seems the most likely culprit is the Chinese food we had the night before, when my Mom came to stay the night with us. I gave the boys fried rice and the broccoli out of my shrimp and broccoli. They love broccoli and kept asking for more, "Brocki, please!!" they kept saying. So I kept giving!

But the shrimp must have lingered in the sauce, because it apparently made my sweetie break out in a rash. Awwww.

At the doctor, Cary was a good sport. And all the nurses loved him. "What an angel," one said.
HA!

It was true, though, that he was much better behaved without Dean there. It was also nice just to spend time with him alone, since we never get to do that. Lester said the same thing when we made it home: that it was nice to spend time with Dean all by himself. So we're going to try to do that more often. Minus the shellfish.

(I need to point out here how BLOWN I am that Cary might be allergic to shellfish. I LOVE shrimp and lobster and Lester loves crabs! Now we'll have to be extra careful around him when we have those things. And he is not going to like it when we tell him "No." Sigh. Poor little itchy baby!)