Party Like It's Two Thou-sand and Nine!!

Ok... so this post has been in the draft section since June 23, but it's finally making it's debut!!


On Friday, June 19, we embarked on the journey to Houston for the party of the summer. Watch out CMT Awards... the after-parties of the after-parties of the around the world celeb birthday party trains can't compare to this... Abby's 4-year-old party was on Saturday, June 20 at Bounce U in Sugarland. And it was a screaming, laughing, bouncing good time!

We landed and Teresa was there waiting on us with cold water and cokes... it was soooo hot and humid! We hopped in the Lexi and away to Missouri City we went! After a stop at Target for Princess wrapping paper and birthday cards, we headed to the other Black's house to await the dawning of the girls. The sleeping beauties rose shortly after we got there, and we were greeted by a giant hug from Abby which shortly followed by "I'm the birthday girl. My party's tomorrow. Did ya bring me anything?" As we laughed and answered her questions, she saw the Princess box and said, "that's a girl's present. It has Princesses on it." And a few moments later, paper was flying; ribbon, unraveling; and smiles were on faces... it was great!! After the gifts were ripped apart, we played in the dark with the glowing scary monsters and then Abby got girlie, along with Uncle Troy, and started on everyone's makeovers. Uncle Troy had Snow White with irridescent glitter polish on his toes and multi-colored fingernails which were Cinderella, Belle, and Sleeping Beauty Pinks, Ariel Blue and Snow White Iridescent polish respectively. For those of you who do not believe this, we have still shots AND video. Izzy even had a go at his feet. Needless to say, it wasn't on his nails, but the top of his feet and toes. She did a great job!!

We stayed for a bit longer then headed to Spring for dinner. We grilled in the 95 degree weather at 8 PM... gosh, it was hot!! We were later visited by TB's friend, Anthony, from high school. It's been quite a while since they have seen each other and were reconnected on Facebook a while back. They chatted and reminised about the days of old, and I do mean OLD (I love you, TB... LOL)! These guys have been out of high school for 18 years now, so there was a lot to talk about. Dinner was phenomenal... we outdid ourselves on steak, chicken, and grilled shrimp with baked potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, and salads! It was so good. Following dinner was clean up and bed time. We had to have our rest for the Four Year Old festivities the following day!!

We got up on Saturday and headed to the party establishment--Bounce U. It's an inflatable fun zone that echoes shreaks of laughter and excitement as the kiddos run, climb, bounce and slide down the gigantic inflatable slides, wrestling rings, and obstacle courses. The giant slide seemed to be a fan favorite. It was worn out by the time our 75 minutes were up and so were the kiddos. We made our way to the red party room, where the Tinkerbell cake and balloons were waiting. Abby got to sit in the birthday throne and we sang a happy birthday to her... the regular one. That kid doesn't like options for the birthday song... just the regular one, she said with a confused frowny face, as opposed to the "happy birthday to you... cha, cha, cha (accompanied with clapping during the cha, cha, cha part). She blew out her candles and got a fairy from the cake, and we were ready to rock. The kids all sat down and devoured their juice boxes, cake and ice cream. The time to leave came and went, and we went and left them with the pile of cake crumbs from under Izzy's chair and the mess we created! It was great!!


The rest of the afternoon included the tour of Toys R Us: The Lakeside Meadow Edition. I've never seen such an array of toys. She couldn't play with them all... even with help from Isabelle. It was like a pinata of toys exploded and rained down on us. I'll bet to date that she still hasn't seen everything that she got!! There were a few favorites, but mainly, they just made the rounds. Barbie came in strong with 4 or 5 guests at the birthday party present gala with Disney Princess paraphernalia following a close second. Fisher Price sorta lost out this year! She's growing up!!!

We headed back to Spring after the day of festivities... tired, exhausted, spent... did I mention tired?! It was a wonderful trip full of wonderful memories. I love those two babies. They are my heart... I can't wait to see them again!

We got up on Sunday and made our way to Hobby. Our flight left at 9:30 AM CST, which is really 10:30 AM EST, so we were able to sleep in a bit. We got through security, went to our gate, and awaited our turn to board the corporate jet. It was full, so we took our seats, one in front of the other, for the long flight home.


Jammed packed weekend... yes. Was it worth it... yes. We love our trips to Texas... even if we only get to stay for 1 day, the time is worth it. We miss our families, but know that one day soon enough, we'll be back (that's we'll be back, not Ab-by Black... Todd, Kelley... you'll understand that one!?). Next weekend, we're on our way to Amarillo. I'll post about our visit with my mom soon!

They're Here...

Yippee!! My Gurkee's arrived! I have the olive pair on right now, and my feet couldn't be happier! The beige are on back order, but I can wait. The olive ones are neutral enough to match my wardrobe! Once again, I insist everyone purchase a pair. They are a little hippie-ish, but I will be hippie-ish for comfort!

The time's ticking down... we are T - 4 days until the big trip South... I believe some call it "God's Country!!" I'd have to agree!! I will say, I'm not too excited about trading my 80 degree days for 95+ degree days, but it'll be worth it to be partying with Abby and Izzy! How much fun... BounceU better watch out!

Then... our tables turn for more visitors! On June 29, I will officially be in the Philadelphia area for a year! My how time flies!! Mom is then coming up on July 2 for a fun-filled Philly Phourth weekend! It'll be her first trip to the mighty Mid-Atlantic where we will dine at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and then play around Philadelphia for a few days. I think a trip to QVC's studios is in store (the shopping mecca for my mother). I can't wait!!

I guess June is basically almost over... it's the 15th, and we've got the rest of the month jam-packed! What a wonderful summer... it's been a blast so far, and we've got so much more to look forward to!!

Don't forget the summer solstice is upon us!!

Excited About My Gurkees and Dressin!

I am so excited!! About 4 years ago, my mom ordered my a pair of shoes from a tanning supply catalog when my sister was in cosmetology school called Gurkee's. They are rope sandals... actually they are spun carpet fibers that are bound together by heating them together to form a rope-like string, and formed into sandals. They are my favorite summer shoes... it's the next best thing to being barefoot!

I said last year that I thought it was their last summer, but when spring rolled around this year, out they came! After wearing them for long days, I've realized that it should have been their last summer. My feet start to hurt after about 3 or 4 hours, and I've never experienced that sensation from my rope shoes.

I've been searching forever for these wonderful shoes, but have yet to find anywhere online or a store that sells them. Moma ran into a girl in the new DSW in Jackson that had on a pair and asked where she got them. The answer was Shaggy's--a very hippie store who's customer base is Jimmie Hendrix fans and incense lovers. Wendy and I went in and found the shoes, but they didn't have my size. The search continued.

I got home Sunday and hopped online. I found a website one like the 15th page of a Google Search that sold said sandal in question, and they were on sale for $22 a pair! I got two pair of Barbados--one natural and one olive, and I can't wait for my new shoes to come in the mail!! It'll take some getting used to as I wear in two new pair, but since I had these for 4 years, I'm thinking two new pair will last me around 8 years or so! Woo hoo!

I'm so happy I found new Gurkee's and it'll be so nice to have comfy summer shoes! I encourage everyone to get a pair... www.gurkeescentral.com.

Hope you enjoy!