Day or 2 late...

Life has been a roller coaster ride of yummy goodness since Christmas.  Family, fun, work and so much more have occupied our every waking moment at the Castle.  And you know I like to do everything in grand Princess Style.

My Diva celebrated her 10^th birthday in her usual diva style.  Family party on the day of her birthday included the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and even a friend or two.  The family party always includes all requests for dinner; sometimes it’s reservations (personally my favorite) and others it happens to be your favorite meal.  This year the Diva wanted a Mexican party.  She wanted tacos plus all the fixins.  And what would a birthday party be without a cake??  Lately the Diva is slightly obsessed with Pinterest and she found an amazing Oreo Pudding cake.  Believe me there was not one thing low fat about this cake.  It was so good, though!

Happy Birthday Little Diva

We moved to the weekend and on to her friend sleepover party.  The Diva along with her 3 besties spent the night.  The girls are so funny, I love them so much.  How we went from being little girls playing with stickers, coloring books and Barbie’s; to make up, new hairstyles and boys in such a short time is still a mystery to me.  They want to be grown up so badly, although I continue to tell them there is not any hurry. OH... don't call the cops that's Sparkling Grape juice in their wine glasses. 

Raise a glass to BFF's

Grape juice is GOOD!

CHEESE

Birthday weekend came and went and I blinked and it was time for MLK weekend.  That might not mean anything to you other than a day off, but to us here at the beach it means 30ASongwriters Festival.  Cool nights and HOT music direct from those who penned it.  It’s one of my favorite holiday weekends.  True, it means a heck of a lot of work, but I have to admit it’s a heck of a lot of fun.  Here’s a few photos of the songwriters and artists I was lucky enough to meet. 

Matthew Sweet

Reed Waddle

Joan Osborne

David Ryan Harris

I think my favorite was Kevin Rowe, there is just something about that British accent.  Makes me think Prince William and Prince Harry and what princess doesn’t have a secret crush on those two? 

Kevin Rowe and my favorites chickies from the office.  Heart you Jami and Elisa!

My Kevin, however really enjoyed himself and was the recipient of a serenade from Larkin Poe.  Here’s the picture to prove it.

Larkin Poe

The Bangles were hailed as the big draw and yes they were good, but the smaller venues interacting with the artists were so much more fun!

Yep, that is the Bangles behind me.  

And I will close out with one last picture of my handsome Kevin and me hanging out and having a fabulous time.

 

Almost a New Year

Here are a few of the pictures from Holidays. It's been such a great time for the Carter family.  We have enjoyed spending time together. 

Mid December we were able to meet my brand new great niece Campbell. The Diva's favorite phrase is she needs to "hijack that baby." 

The Diva and her new baby cousin.

December 23rd was Kevin's Mothers birthday.  We had a party for her at our house. We still can not get her to tell us how old she is.  We think she maybe around 71, but she gives you this look and will tell you she is 39... her youngest son (Kevin) is 45, so for some reason I tend to think that is not her *true* age. 

My Sweet girl in front of the Christmas Tree on 12.23

In front of the Christmas Tree on 12.23

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun, we baked cookies for Santa and had a great time with the Hollington Clan. Fiesta Rice soup and Creamy Chicken Enchiladas were a compete hit.  Opening presents was not a bad deal either.

Cousins baking cookies together.  

 Christmas Day rolled in and we had a great day.  Here are a few of the 3 of us.

The Diva's favorite over the shoulder
pose on Christmas Day.

Me and Kevin on Christmas Day.

Now that we are in between News Years and Christmas and I am on *STAYCATION* we are home and having a serious Harry Potter marathon and being lazy as can be.  I hope your holidays were as great as mine.  Happy New Year.  MUAH!!!!

Kitchenaid Mixer!

Kitchenaid mixer, how I covet you.  Kevin continually says you think you are more important than you are. He says you are completely overpriced.  I do not think such, however.

Isn't it pretty, I think it should live at my house, don't you?  Happy Friday everyone!!!

Hump Day

Personally I am not the kind of person that celebrates Hump day. I mean it's Wednesday, sure we are on the downhill slide of the work week. However, Wednesday usually has the ability to make me crazy. All I can think about is I have so much to accomplish at work before I can leave it all behind on Friday. Or I have a lot to accomplish at home before I can make the weekend a time to relax a reality.

So my answer to Hump Day is where a killer outfit and great shoes.  Both of those will get you over those Hump Day blues.  Since it's winter outside and the high is only 53 degrees (which funny enough it is 52 degrees right now), boots is the answer.     

Wednesday Wear! by princesskellic featuring rhinestone jewelry

Tormenting... I mean Shopping with Kevin

Last nIght, Kevin and I had date night.  It was a lot of fun.  The Diva stayed with her BFF and off we went.  Well he asked me what I needed to do and I told him well, shopping would make me happy.  Two hours and multiple store later, we bought very few things.  Michael Kors, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Dooney, Calvin Klein all had things I needed.  Kevin, however did not agree with me.  So in the end we bought the Diva some stuff and ate a steak from the Outback and was home by 9:30.  Party Animals aren't we?  LOL
Here's 2 photos from last night.

My Diva and Alan Rickman

This morning on the way to school the Diva says “Momma, I have a question for you.”  Taking a deep breath I prepare myself, because I never know what might come out of that little mouth at any given time.

“So when you are reading a book do you hear the people in your head talking?”

My reply: “Umm yeah, I would say so.”

“Well I am reading Harry Potter and sure I hear the voices of Harry, Ron and Hermione, but the voice that sticks out the most is Snape.”

I smiled at her and asked “why do you think that is?” 

She got this little sideways grin and said, “I think because, secretly he is my favorite person in Harry Potter.”
This is a revelation; normally its Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dobby or even Peeves.  Still not sure why she likes Peeves so much.  And there is no question to her devotion to the other 4.  So I ask her “really what makes Professor Snape your favorite?”

The little sideways grin came back and she responded. “Well Momma, I love his voice, there is just something about his voice that makes me smile even when he is being a nasty turd (yes my Diva said turd) to Harry.  But I know that is not the real thing that is just the man playing him in the movie.  So even though I like that it’s not the real reason.  I think it’s because even after everything he still loved Lily.  I sure hope somebody loves me like that someday.” 

At this point she has a far away silly grin on her face.  So I tell her, “The man that plays Professor Snape his name is Alan Rickman.”

“Oh, does he always sound like that?” she asked.

My response (taken from Professor Snape himself) was simply “Always.”  She immediately got the reference and got an even bigger smile.

Pulling out my iPhone, I went to you tube and we watched this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJqejvcpJQw (Yes I was running a little behind for work this morning but when your daughter wants to listen to Alan Rickman, how can you refuse?)

When it was finished’ her response was “Yep, he is definitely my favorite and can you call him to see if he will read me a bed time story every night.  It would be so nice to hear that voice each night before I fall asleep.”

“So you really like his voice and want to hear it some more?”

Her response with a grin: “ALWAYS.”