A First For All of Us.

Quentin writes up the grocery list every Sunday and goes and get's the weeks grocery's once the girls are sleeping and then I help put things away once he gets home. He is always asking us girls what we would like for dinner and the answers change each week. Well this last Sunday (12/5/10) Clarissa decided to request something that we have never had before. Quentin even had to look up the recipe on his phone to see what all the dish will need to make it. Clarissa requested Chop Suey for dinner. She wanted water melon with it but since they are not in season we decided to have something else for fruit. Quentin planned for Chop Suey to be the meal on Friday night and Clarissa was talking about it non stop. She couldn't wait to have/try it. Now I bet your wondering how a 5 year old girl who's never had Chop Suey would think to request it. The answer is "The Lady and The Tramp". Its mentioned in that movie and the girls have seen it a few times lately since we aren't big on watching TV we watch more movies. So last night Clarissa was telling everyone at school about it being Chop Suey night, and when Quentin got home both Clare and Kimmy shouted "It's chop suey night for dinner!" I smiled at him and we where both thinking, I hope this turns out.

Here is the Chop Suey with out the Chow Mein Noodles

When I first saw it I wasn't sure what to think and then I was told by the girls to try it because I might like it. This is what Quentin and I tell the girls when they judge a meal before ever trying it. So after our prayer we served the Chop Suey.

Clarissa was so excited about this meal!

Clarissa taking the first bite of Chop Suey.

And she loved it!!! Actually we all enjoyed the meal and we all see it on the menu in the future. Great job picking dinner Clarissa!

I think its great that even after 20+ years of life I still get to experience a first with my family. I also have to say that Quentin could have easily told Clarissa no and to pick something else, but he looked up the recipe, put it on the menu, and made it. I think he gets AWESOME dad points for this one!

Kimberly didn't want her picture taken at dinner, but after dinner a precious moment occurred and I had to take a picture...

Clarissa reading her library book to Kimberly.

I was getting the girl's stuff ready to stay th night at Mama Mary and Papa Ray's house and heard Clarissa talking. I then went into the living room to find her not talking but reading to Kimberly. I love how close the girls are!

Bowling Play-date

Now that Clare has been in Kindergarten for several months and I've heard several friends names mentioned (some more than others) I asked Clarissa if she wanted to bring a friend bowling with us. She got very excited and asked me if I knew her friend's number. I did happen to know it because I'm on the home and school comity with her mom so I called them and asked if we could take her daughter bowling. The answer was YES! and so at 6:30 pm I went to pick up Clare's friend to go bowling. They both did great and they BOTH got spare's. While eating french fries the two girl where talking about their favorite parts. They both agreed that bowling with a friend was the best part and they can't wait to have another play-date and yes its already been planned.

Both girls couldn't wait to get started bowling.

Clarissa's friend doing a dance while the ball goes

down the lane.

Clarissa waiting to see what her ball hits.

The final score's

Enjoying some french fries

"The Light of My LIfe"

Before I get to far into what all went on tonight I wanted to take a moment and talk a little about this past week. Quentin had several hours that he had to take off so he decided to take the whole week of Thanksgiving off. The girls and I loved this because it meant that he would be home during the day. Clarissa loved it because Quentin and I would switch off who took her to school and who picked her up. Kimberly is a big daddies girl so you would often find her cuddled up with Quentin reading stories. On Monday Quentin wanted to bake cookies and Kimberly was very excited to help and wondered if her best friend could help too. He said SURE, so the 3 of them made cookies. We also did lots of running around town and out of town getting things done during the day that we don't normally get to do so that was really nice as well.

Making cookies and boy where they YUMMY

Kimberly waiting VERY patently to help with "Clean Up"

I just HAD to add this picture!

We had a great Thanksgiving at my parents house. It was great to be around family for such a special holiday and I didn't get many pictures but my dad got a few at the dinner table so those will be posted when I get them!

TODAY- Early this morning me and a few of my friends decided to go Black Friday Shopping. We only hit one store and it opened at midnight so it wasn't to bad. I got great deals and I know that the girls will be VERY happy this Christmas. This was my 3rd year doing Black Friday and by far the best year yet!

Then at 7:00pm was the Lighted Christmas Parade. We have not been to in in several years because the weather has been bad and yes it was cold tonight but it wasn't so bad if you bundled up. But we also had one of our family members in the parade. CLARISSA! She was an angel for the St.Pats float. We where so happy to be on the correct side to get pictures and wave at her. She really stood out in her bright pink coat, light up glasses, and her beautiful smile.

Kimberly before leaving for the parade, and Clarissa IN the Parade

We got home or at least the girls and I did. Quentin and one of his friends where dropped off at another friends house for a card night. I had planned for the girls and I to get home, in our pj's and the girls would enjoy some hot Coco. Everything went according to plans TILL they realized that daddy brought up the Christmas tree. The REALLY wanted to put it up and decorate it to surprise Daddy when he gets home. After I figured out how to put the tree together and how to fix the 2 broken lights we where ready to add some colored lights and the ornaments. The girls had a great time and so did I. We then started to sing our favorite Christmas songs and I thought it just added to the already perfect moment. I just love being a mom, its the greatest feeling in the world.

The girls putting up their baby's first Christmas ornaments.

The did just about ALL of the lower branches and

a few of the higher ones.

"The Light of My Life"

Fun With Dad

We have a wonderful children's librarian here in our little town of Perry. She is always planning fun story hours for the kids during the day but also for families at night. I asked Quentin if he wanted to take the girls to one of the pm story hours and I was going to "try" to get somethings done here at home. He was more than happy to take them. I handed him the camera and asked him to take lots of pictures! I was happy for him to get special time with the girls since I get the privilege of having so much time with them during football season. He took many more pictures than I expected but that made me happy he was so involved in what the girls where doing. Here are a few of my favorites.

Clarissa taking her turn hitting the pinate

Mrs. Suzanne was telling the kids parts of a scarecrow to draw on their paper while holding the paper on your head. Kimberly looks like she's really focusing on what she's doing.

Clarissa is so good at adding details to her art work and things have to go in specific spots. I love how her's turned out!!!

Kimberly is proud of her work, and so are we!

"Archeology"

Clarissa participated in her first play on Sunday November 14th. She originally picked that she wanted to be a bird but when the hats came in their where no birds so Clarissa then chose to be a cat and I felt that she looked perfect.

The play "Archeology" is about Noah and the arch. Between the songs that the younger kids sang the older kids had speaking lines and even cracked a few jokes. I was so proud of how well everyone did and most of all I was really enjoying watching Clarissa because she really knew her stuff. I couldn't keep my eye's off her. I added several photo's because they are of her singing several of her favorite songs from the play, and what can I say I'm an extremely proud parent.

Thanks you to all our family and friends

who came to support Clarissa.

"I hope this book inspires you"

In June of this year Quentin told me that he had my birthday gift already. This was a bit of a surprise because usually all I really want for my birthday is my mother in law's tuna noodle casserole and to be with my family. I'm going to be 25 on November 21st so its not like I have to get gifts and fancy things. But he told me that he purchased tickets to see The Cake Boss. He is on tour for his new book Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia and Buddy was coming to the Hoyt Sherman Place on November 13th and we had 2nd row seats, center aisle, and on the end! I couldn't believe it and have been looking forward to this day for several months now.

Quentin and I had the girls stay the night at my in laws and we went out to dinner to TGI Friday's for dinner. I could hardly eat I kept thinking about the show and how good our seats where. Quentin then revealed that Buddy enters the back and that since I had an aisle seat I would be able to touch him! I couldn't believe it Buddy has a great show and its not just about cakes its about family. He has taught me so much and I truly look up to him. Quentin kept telling me at dinner that I WOULD be on stage. I laughed it off because I knew that I would freeze if I did get to be on stage with him.

We got to our seats and I couldn't believe how close we where to the stage and we also found out the pictures could be taken just no flash photography. I must say I acted like a child when he came out of the as he walked bye I was able to give him a high five and that was awesome. I was SET for life just having that happen.

He then got started and asked if their where any ladies who was into baking or decorating. I clapped and cheered because I have been decorating Clarissa and Kimberly's birthday cakes for years and I also decorated my wedding cake. So when he said that he wanted us to make some noise I did and then Quentin said STAND UP! I was wearing a shirt that sparkled gold and when I stood up Buddy pointed right at me. I was on cloud nine and had no idea what to say or do. He gave me a hug and asked me my name. I stood there and said in front of 1,200 people I can't stop shaking lol. I then said I was Molly from Perry and he asked about my cake decorating experience after telling him he said I can't show him up. I laughed and said I wouldn't.

I started decorating my cupcake and boy was I shaking. It didn't help that Buddy was making jokes and talking to me while I was working. I was also using a turnstile and I had never used one of those before. Oh and the frosting bags where HUGE. I got to keep my cupcake and I got another hug before getting back to my seat. Quentin also got Buddy's attention because after Buddy dropped on of the unfrosted cup cakes he said, 5 second rule. and Buddy laughed and threw him the cup cake. This night couldn't get better BUT IT DID! We stood in line for an hour to get his autograph and a picture. Sadly we only had Quentin's phone to take pictures and it died right before we where going to get our stuff autographed BUT a kind girl said that we could use her camera and if I gave her my e-mail she would send me the picture so I don't have it now but I will soon! But something I will never forget where Buddy's last words for me. "I hope this book inspires you" I gave him a final hug and we where on our way home. THANK YOU QUENTIN for the awesome birthday gift!

I could hardly believe I was on stage

Getting advice from the Cake Boss

"I hope this book inspires you"

Minnesota Trip

This past weekend the girls and I made a trip up to Minnesota to visit a close friend of mine Sam (Samantha). We have been working on a good weekend for a visit and we where all happy to have the weekend finally here. Quentin decided he would stay home and do a few things around the house. The weekend was full of fun moments and we had a great time catching up. Sam was excited to make cupcakes with the girls because all three of them love to bake. The cupcakes where the best I've ever had. I have a feeling it was the extra tlc that the three of them put into them! We also did some shopping and on Saturday night Jorge (Sam's boyfriend) played his guitar while Clarissa sang and then she even tried playing the guitar. Clarissa is very musical and we have even started looking into her taking piano lessons. She would have done that all night if we would have let her but Jorge and Sam hand a surprise for the girls. They had rented Toy Story 3 and so we all watched that while eating pop corn! It was a great weekend and we had a wonderful time. We look forward to doing it again!

~The girls loved playing with Sam's dog~

Getting the cups ready for the cupcakes

Lets get started

~Waiting for the cupcakes to bake~

Now its time to decorate them!

Jorge playing guitar while Clarissa sings

~Clarissa playing and singing~

Kimberly enjoyed watching and dancing.

My sleeping beauties

Kimberly, Sam, and Clarissa