In 'Da Club

It's funny how the absence of something makes you appreciate it so much more.

Like this little face:

And this one, too:

The kids stayed with pretty much all of their grandparents over the course of one weekend while we jetted off to the land of $6 Steak & Eggs, Poker Jack and Gin & Tonics. I'm pretty sure they had the best time ever with their much adored Mamas & Papas.

Elle even held a tarantula and was quick to tell me that I wouldn't get a sticker at the Butterfly Pavilion because I'm too scared to hold a tarantula. She's smart, that one.

And Parker has run around the house squealing, "Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!" for the last 48 hours. I think he missed me. A little.

The hubz and I had such a wonderful vacation, which wasn't really a vacation. Only because at this point in my life I need SLEEP and REST and those sorts of things in order to come home refreshed and energized and those things don't really happen in Vegas. But we did dance and laugh and eat. And had a really good time. We're cool like that.


And we did get to help bestow the joy of marriage on some very good friends. It's a little club, this marriage thing. And they got in.

Marriage is kind of like the club "Marquee" at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas. It helps to know someone in order to get in. All those married folks can show you the way and hold your hand if you get scared and walk you right to the front of the line without having to pay cover....

Hmmmm. Bad analogy. Okay so you don't really need an "in" to get married. But a happy, successful marriage is easier if you surround yourselves with other happy married people. It makes you feel a little less crazy when your idea of a good time is installing new shutters on your house and having everyone over on New Year's Eve to play "Life."

So, welcome to the club Mike & Erika. May your marriage be as fun as your wedding.

Quote of the Day:
"Mommy, I miss you sooo much when you're gone. You're my favorite." ~Elle
"Mommy, I want a new family...." ~ Elle, the next day, while sitting in time-out