Dreams Really Do Come True

Remember how I mused that my dream job was as a Water Aerobics Instructor? How I was going to revolutionize the whole aqua exercise genre with my ghetto jams and outgoing personality?

It turns out that dream may be coming true. My local YMCA is hiring an "Aqua Fitness Instructor." I'm totally going to apply, though it seems my only qualifications are that I'm 18 or older (but just barely at age, um, 24....). I'm hoping they're desperate, and that my enthusiasm for aqua exercise wins me favor. Personality has to count for a lot, right? It takes a special lady to convince people to squeeze into a swimsuit, hop into a pool, and then sweat it out to semi-synchronized dance moves. That special lady is me.

I'm thinking of just taking the normal class and then--haha--telling them I heard they're hiring, and that they should just hire me--haha! Then I will just stare at them while they awkwardly try to digest my nervous laughter and pushy suggestion to hire me on the spot.

Bring on the water noodles!

Things That Have Turned Out Better Than I Expected

Sorry for the recent mommyblogging. It's not what my blog is normally about. I'm all better now, which means it's time to do a totally pointless post about useless junk.

I could talk about the fact that Beezie has been a total delight and turned into a total Momma's girl after 18 months of being a solid Daddy's girl. The tide has turned! Lil' Lady knows where her bread gets buttered.

Okay. Moving on to things that have exceeded expectations.

Justin Bieber

Have you heard his new song Boyfriend? It's pretty freakin good. It may be the way he says 'girl' repeatedly. It reminds me of a certain boy band from Boston. I'm not going to run out a buy front row tickets like Hayley, but he's a talented little lad.

Magic Bullet

We still use our Magic Bullet all the time. Lancer whips up banana/choco drinks, and I use it for shakes of the protein variety. The infomercial convinced me I would be making 4 second guacamole ALL the time, but it's been reliable for drinks. No complaints.

Le Crueuset

These were a serious investment, and we were a little nervous about buying them. I didn't want to shell out major money to have them collect cobwebs on the shelf. But I use them all the time. I have both the round and oblong ones, and I use both of them every single week. I absolutely love them. Every kitchen should have one.

Treadmill

Recent illness aside, I use this thing every day. It's so convenient, especially when it's cold and rainy outside. Which leads to my next one...

Netflix Streaming

Get that baby all hooked up, and you can enjoy shows whilst on the treadmill. The best motivation as girl could ask for.

Bike Seat

I got a used Co-Pilot bike seat for Beezie at Outrageous Outgrowns last year. Yeah, it took us 6 months (almost to the day) to get it installed. But once we did, we were hooked. We took B to go get a little helmet on Saturday. She loves it. With the bike rack for my car, I anticipate many hours on the bike trails along the ocean this summer.

OxiClean

This stuff can get anything out. Case in point--Lancer got ketchup all over his pants at a BBQ. I washed and dried them with normal soap, and they stain was still there. But I wasn't about to let a set in stain get me down! I gave those puppies an Oxi bath, and sure enough...the stains disappeared!

Trash Can

Several years ago, we splurged and got a fancy Simple Human trashcan using Eriika's Container Store discount. We thought it might be overkill--but it's not. It doesn't require you to use your hand or foot--it just airily swings open with a light tap. Plus, the garbage never smells. I can't explain that part, but it's true.

KitchenAid

We've loaded up on all the attachments for our Kitchenaid. It saves you from having a million kitchen appliances with only one purpose. Case in point--Lance has been whipping up homemade lemonade with lemons from our backyard and the juicing attachment.

Tupac Hologram

What the what?? It's no secret that I somewhat shamefully love ghetto rap. In fact, I once traded a kid I was babysitting some seriously ill gotten gain for a Tupac CD in 1996. Not my finest moment. In my defense, why did a 10 year old have a Tupac CD in the first place?? I digress. How is that a hologram? Let's just keep pretending Tupac is dead while the "hologram" goes on tour with Snoop and Dre this summer.

Keratin Straightening

That's not my hair. That lady needs a haircut. Keratin is the kinder, gentler cousin of the Brazilian Blowout. That crap if full of formaldehyde--yes, that formaldehyde, and you do not want that on your head unless you're dead like Tupac (wink, wink!). The Keratin kills the curl, kills the frizz, and leaves you with silky, golden locks. It's changed my life.

Haviana Flip Flops

GQ recently had an article about the various d-bags in the nation. Palo Alto, apparently, had its own qualifications. At first I scoffed. I'm no d-bag! But as I went down the list...it became clear I'm totally Palo Alto. So I like sushi, year round weather, recycling, and Haviana flip flops. Sue me, GQ. Sue me. PS--they have these at Costco every spring for about $10 a pair. Load up!

What things do you love more than you expected?? What items have exceeded your expectations?

My Fabulous Staycation--Until I Was Poisoned

Lancer is a hardworking gent. We haven't had a proper vacation in years (which pains me beyond belief because we used to take epic vacations) so we decided to take a week off and live it up in Napa.

Welcome to the good life!

Plenty of TP to rip apart.

Snacks aplenty!

Room to make your beloved Dabba Dabba dolls a nice, comfy bed!

We decided on the Westin Verasa, and took off with Blake. The day we checked in was fabulous--bright and sunny.

This was the view from our balcony. Heavenly.

Beezie hopped on a chair, and made herself at home. We decided she knew what "vacation" was, and was digging it. It meant more pouch food, more TV, more sleeping in, and lots of pool time.

We got a two room suite. That is THE WAY TO GO. The kitchenette was also a bonus.

Two shower heads!! This was amazing. I showered twice a day just to take advantage of it.

We were right next to Oxbow, which houses a ton of tiny food stands that have gourmet food.

Luckily, they have a Gott's, which is our standby fave.

Lancer got the special sandwich--an Asian inspired beef sandwich, and I stuck with the fish tacos. Naturally, we got the sweet potato fries. Their dipping sauce takes the cake.

We went for a walk, and took in downtown Napa, which is cute and charming.

The next few days, the weather was uncooperative. But we've learned to just bundle up and go. We hit up St. Helena, Calistoga, and Youtntville.

We hit up Dean and Deluca, and snacked on gourmet cheese and fresh Napa Valley grapes.

We sampled smooth, delicious gourmet olive oils.

Got rides on some very soft and accommodating shoulders

Did a little window shopping

Chased each other all around the soft grass in a churchyard

One of the standout meals was at this little hole in the wall named Buster's. Our valet told us about it, and he was right--this was some of the best BBQ we've ever had, and I lived in the south!

Before

After

Happy Momma. The tri-tip was outstanding, though I have to say the sides were nothing to write home about. The sauce was amazing. I wish I had grabbed a jar before we left.

This is where it all started to go downhill. We spent the afternoon at Dr. Wilkinson's, and each got massages while the other one played in the pool with Beezer. That part was great. Beezie was a natural in the water.

The weather outside was rainy and freezy, so we sought refuge in the indoor pool. It was hot and steamy, and I started to feel the effects of heat exhaustion. We headed over to one of our favorite haunts, and I was feeling better.

I have no idea what I ate, but it laid me out. We ate there on Wednesday, and I'm still sick on Sunday. I've barely eaten anything since then. I'm almost positive I accidentally ingested gluten--I feel like I ate 50 loaves of wheat bread. Ugh. Not the greatest way to end a fabulous and relaxing week, but in writing this post, I'm able to see the good times we had.

We also came up with a few rules for traveling with Blakely:

1. Indoor pool
2. 2 room suite
3. Kitchenette
4. No more than 3 days

Till next time, Napa!

An Egg-Cellant Easter

We had the hoppiest Easter on the block. Last year Beezie has an ear infection that destroyed all of our fun plans. We totally made up for it this year!

We hosted a small potluck with close friends. I did the ham and Brooke's famous creamed corn. Our friends brought the rest. I'm lazy.

The Juice Box Gang

We all dug in and enjoyed the delicious spread

Then we lazed around in a ham coma

Some "famous" guy had a birthday, and his lovely wife made him an Android cake. Yes, you read that correctly. An Android cake. If you knew him, this would make perfect sense.

We also had a fun Easter egg hunt at our friend's house, followed by a BBQ. The weather was amazing, and the kids all had a great time.

Beezie knew what was up. She was an egg-gathering champ!

Ready, set, go!

After gathering up our allotted eggs, we hung with friends and played with all of their awesome toys.




Easter morning brought a basket full of fun surprises. It's safe to say the Easter Bunny knows Blakely very well.

B was delighted with her new "Dabba Dabba" dolls. She hauls them all over the house, and likes to sleep with them in her crib.

She loved opening up the individual eggs and getting a little treat in each one.

We got all gussied up in our Easter finery, and headed over to church.

This isn't the greatest picture, but we're both genuinely laughing, and I love it.

Happy Easter, everyone. Hope your day was great!