So, this is 31!

You are probably wondering what this is? I was too, as I stared at it through the glass at Fresh Market's bakery. It is a St. Patrick's Day cupcake (a half eaten St. Patrick's Day cupcake to be exact!). Is it even March yet? I didn't think so. But this was the only cake-like confection I could find yesterday to celebrate my big 3-1! Before all of you defenders of the Fresh Market stand up in protest over their vast selection of delectable baked goods, I will say they did have some yummy looking petit fors. "Petit" being the key word!! They were about the size of a dime, so I opted for the cupcake. Even my fancy green saucer from England couldn't really make this cupcake look pretty!

So, this is 31! Those of you who know me well, know I love birthday cake. Over the years, I have been pretty creative with my requests. Some of my favorites included: a Tiffany's box, an entire tea set made of cake, a variety of characters and animals including an armadillo, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle , and the Grinch that stole my 21st birthday! I guess when you enter your 30's you have to put a way childish things as Paul advises in 1 Corinthians 13, but was he really talking about cake!! Oh well, add the lovely shamrock cupcake to my list of birthday confections! I guess it counts, since one year I did celebrate with a cookie cake (Red Hot Chili Pepper Cookie Cake courtesy of Vail West. Hope you enjoy the pictures, girls!!).

I have also included other random birthday pictures. Unfortunately, my selection of pictures here in Memphis is mostly limited to the last few years, but I did find a few somewhat oldies but goodies.

In order: 30th birthday, 28th birthday, 23rd birthday, 21st birthday and 19th birthday. Enjoy!!

Next Top Model Watch Out!

I received a flyer in the mail last week advertising a sell at the local Marshalls. Supposedly, they were getting a shipment from "that big store in Manhattan," as the flyer read. So, after Bible Study on Thursday, me and the kiddos made a quick run to Marshalls. There were all of three racks with clothes from Bloomingdales. They did have some top brands: Diane von Furstenburg, Marc Jacobs, Lily Pulitzer, to name a few. Of course, with my kids literally crawling out of their stroller (Did I mention, that our stroller is all but obsolete now? The kids are too big for the straps, and if I stop for more than 5 seconds, they procede to stand up in the seat or attempt to crawl out.), I had to grab and run. I did leave with a shirt and what I think is a really cute purse. Of course, I may not be able to get my shirt back from Kathryn. She models it and the purse in these pictures!

Most random online purchase

Call me crazy, but I saw a cotton arrangement at a store in Mobile what seems like years ago, and I 've wanted one ever since. So, in a weak moment on the internet the other day, I gave in and finally purchased my own cotton bouquet! I haven't found the perfect container for it yet, so if any one has any suggestions let me know! The original that I saw was in a brass planter.

Thankfully, the cat has not figured how to get on top of the entertainment center because she has been eyeing it since I took it out of the box. I am sure the man I ordered it from in North Carolina got a kick out of shipping cotton to Memphis. After all, we are in the land of cotton down here!

Field Trip Fridays

In an effort to chase away the winter blahs, we have initiated Field Trip Fridays. Well, at least we had one today. Who knows what next week will bring!!

Walker, Kathryn and I went to McDonalds. Of course, when I walked in was there a high chair to be found? NO! So, we opted for sitting in the "car" booth. The kids did well for, oh, about 37 seconds. And although they can normally eat a McGriddle a piece, the one they were sharing was hardly eaten! I do have to admit (although they didn't have the high chairs) the Cordova McDonalds has charm. Fashioned after an old time McDonalds, the juke box plays every 5-10 minutes, which was entertaining for the kiddos. Especially Kathryn who had to remove herself from the booth, so she would have room to dance!

Well, of course, the story isn't over yet! Walker proceeded to get down from the booth too and run around the restaurant (did I mention they didn't have any high chairs!!). So, I decided it was time to leave (wonder what gave me that idea!). Then Walker decides to hurl himself on the floor in protest. Thankfully, this very kind older lady offered to carry Kathryn out to the car, so I could hog tie my son.

So much for a quiet breakfast on a rainy Friday morning. I am sure that's what all the old people trying to enjoy their breakfast were thinking too!

Here's some pictures from today's outing. Sorry that I didn't have the camera ready while Walker was throwing his fit on the floor!!


Hope you enjoy the pictures!!

Getting dressed with Mommy

It's amazing the things we will do to pacify our children so that we can get dressed...especially on Sunday mornings. There is something about Sunday mornings!!

Daddy or Elvis?

I know you are wondering, "Why do we have a life size cardboard cut out of Elvis?" Well, we do live in Memphis!!! I purchased this stand up of "the King" on Match Day 2004, the day we found out we were moving to Memphis. He has been up in our tv room since arriving in Memphis.

Well, one day last week, I took Walker and Kathryn upstairs to watch tv for a change of scenery. While they were up there, I heard one of them say, "Daddy." My first thought was, "They must see a picture of Matt." After all, that is one of their favorite things to do, point out pictures of their Daddy around the house. But then I realized there are no pictures of Matt in that room. They were talking about Elvis. I told Matt the story, and I don't think he fully believed me....until yesterday. Kathryn woke up earlier than Walker from her nap, so I brought her up stairs with me and Matt. It wasn't a few minutes into being upstairs, that she points to the cardboard man in the corner and says, "Daddy." Ah-ha! PROOF! Poor Matt. He knew he had been putting in some long hours at the Med, but this!

Speaking of the tv room, here's a picture of the new tv. Matt and I are in awe at how big it is! We watched two movies on it this weekend, and Matt was trying out a James Bond flick right before bed last night. Needless to say, we're already hooked! Oh, and thank goodness for Target. That is where our lovely new piece of furniture came from!!

An interesting find...

Today as I changed Walker's diaper, I noticed something shiny in it. (No, his poo hasn't turned to gold. Although goodness knows as much as this poor boy has gone in the last three and a half weeks, if it had, we'd all be rich!) Having learned multitudes about examining poo from my favorite BBC star, Gillian McKeith (thank you for introducing me, Amy!), I felt well prepared to dive in. What was it you ask? If my identification is correct, it was a piece of a rice krispy treat wrapper (read Happy Valentine's Day and see picture to find out where Walker got the rice krispy treat)!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Kathryn and Walker had a great Valentine's Day. Their Valentine's baskets were filled with a few healthy treats (well one: raisins, but rice krispy treats are pretty healthy, aren't they?), chocolates, crayons (thank goodness I bought the washable ones), and faux crocs! Kathryn has an obsession with Crocs. The last two times we were in childrens' shoes stores, I literally had to drag her out kicking and screaming because she couldn't have the pink Crocs. So, as you see in the picture, she is quite content in her $7 pink swirl Target "Crocs." Walker was of course more into the chocolate, hence the reason he flung himself on the floor the night before when I wouldn't give him MORE M&M's that Tula and Pops had sent. And probably the reason, he and Kathryn bathed in a lovely tub full of M&M's that same night (note to self: always check your child's hands before putting them in the tub...wet M&M's are pretty messy and almost negate the bath!)

None of this, however, tops my gift...a travel coffee mug. Yeah, he remembered!! I know what you are thinking, "You've got to be kidding me. She's excited over that." But I have been desparate for a new travel coffee cup, and sweet Matt remembered!! Of course, it doesn't top the pair of Wigwam socks I bought Matt, but hey, who's trying to out do who here?!! Matt and I enjoyed a nice dinner of homemade chicken salad sandwhiches and Symphony brownies...YUMMY...and two of Matt's favorites!! Our real Valentine's will be celebrated Saturday night when we get take out from Bonefish and watch a movie on our brand new tv!! Oh, yes, that post will follow...wait until you see the pictures!

On a final note, a devotional I read yesterday focused on the ever popular "love chapter" in 1 Corinthians...the version of this passage that was used, however, shared some new insight for this momma and wife who is striving to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
"Love meekly and patiently bears ill treatment from others. Love is kind...mellowing all which would have been harsh and austere...is not irritated, provoked, exasperated, aroused to anger...does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices with the truth, endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears up under all things, not losing heart nor courage."

Valentine's for Daddy

Nana and Papa sent Walker and Kathryn fun Valentine's stickers, so we used them to make Valentine cards for Daddy. Walker sure has a way with those crayons!!

Band Wagon

Since I spend minutes if not hours a day reading and laughing at blogs of friends and even people I don't know (did I just admit that?), I decided to jump on the band wagon! So here we are, or maybe I should say, "here I am" (as Matt my turn his nose up at the whole blog thing!). I am not a witty writer, but I hope you will enjoy frequent picture postings as well as updates on "what's all the buzz" at the Busbee house. With two soon-to-be two year olds, you can bet there is never a dull moment. So sit back and enjoy!