Happy Easter Birthday to Me & it’s the BIG 3-0!

According to my research, my birthday has never been on Easter.  It has been around it, but never on the actual day.  If I live to be 110, then it will happen again.  Not only did I share my birthday with Easter but it’s my 30th birthday.  I cannot believe I am thirty.  I have embraced it…I think.  At least for 4 weeks, I get to be a “year” older then Matt! lol.

My birthday weekend started on Friday with flowers and a surprise lunch date with Matt.  Matt suggested that I leave work early so he could take me to a movie.  We rarely get time off during the week together with Gracie still being at school so it was a nice surprise.  That evening we didn’t do much but some laundry, a small nap, and dinner.  Saturday we had an Easter Egg hunt at Matt’s unit.  Gracie had a blast.  She didn’t do so hot with the egg hunt…she felt a little pressured I think.  She likes to do things on her time and not when there a lot of other people.  But she made sure she got all the eggs that the other kids left behind.  Although, I think her favorite part was getting Hello Kitty painted on her face.

Even with her fear of all animals in costumes, she actually got an egg from the Easter Bunny.  We were so surprised!       Nothing says Easter then an egg hunt in camo netting right?

That evening, Jamie and Wes cam over for yet another Easter egg hunt at our house (much more Gracie’s speed by the way) and dinner.  But before we left, I got presents!!!!  Matt did a great job this year!

Matt told me after he showed me my Cold Stone Creamery Cake (Red Velvet) that 29.9 still rounds up to 30…not funny.Jamie & Wes got me a cupcake holder…I LOVE IT!Matt put a lot of thought into my birthday gift.  He knows how much family means to me, so he got me this beautiful necklace.  I love it so much!

Gracie had a blast during her at home Easter Egg hunt.  She made sure Daddy and Wes got in on the action too!

I am telling you, I had such a great birthday before it even actually got here!  Today we went to a new church.  Moving every three years, it is hard for us to find a church home.  Since we have been in El Paso, we have tried a few churches here and there but no luck.  Today, we finally found a church where we felt comfortable.  Gracie did a great job while we were there too.  After church we attempted pictures….it did not go well.at.all.

She did however get excited about her Easter Basket!!!!

After a busy morning, we took a 3 hour nap, had a Shrek movie marathon, and are now getting ready to go to bed.  It was a great birthday Easter weekend!  I loved every minute of it.  Happy Easter everyone, I hope your day was blessed and you remembered that He is Risen!

Recap #2-Mom’s Visit

We had a really great visit with my mom.  It was a crazy busy weekend, but it was a blast.  Friday, I rushed home to make cupcakes for our Easter Picnic for my office.  I made 96 cupcakes and decorated 72 of them.  Since Jamie left to her new office in May, I have become the baker of the MEPS.  Which I love, but at times like this, I really wish I would keep my mouth shut when I say “I’ll make the cupcakes!”

After the cupcake extravaganza, we headed on post to watch the Lt. Dan Band.  He is the veteran from Forrest Gump and also the lead CSI guy on CSI: New York.  It was nice and relaxing.  We always sit near the back of the crowd because I don’t really like super loud music and neither does Gracie.  I did sneak up front for some pictures.  Gracie was not feeling camera ready but I did get a few cute ones of her.  She loves music which means she loves to dance.  Even though I only got one decent picture of Gracie, it was a fun night under the stars with some music and hot dogs!

I just love her little jacket!

Saturday we woke up nice and early to get ready for the Easter Picnic.  It was such a nice day, not to terribly hot (we are already in the 80’s daily here in El Paso) and sunny.  The park where it was held didn’t have green grass, but it was still the perfect location.   We had food, jumping balloons, potato sack races, spoon race, and even a piñata. Gracie had so much fun beating the piñata!!!

As you can see, Gracie had an absolute blast.  Let me tell you; I have told you about her thinking she is the #1 princess.  Well, she sure let everyone know about it at the picnic.  It was time to hand out the Easter baskets and my co-worker told the kids to line up in a line so she could safely hand them out.  Well, little miss Gracie just marched right up to the table and took her pink basket like there weren’t 10 kids standing behind her.  She was so completely oblivious to the fact that she should have waited her turn.  I didn’t even know what to say then everyone started laughing so we just moved on.  This child is just something else.  Eventually, it was time to go.  Gracie was so upset when we had to leave.  However, she then remembered that we were going to see Rio and her mood changed dramatically.  Rio was super cute for those of you that haven’t seen it. 

Sunday, we took Mom to La Posta again in Old Mesilla, NM.  She loves the authentic food.  That particular restaurant has been around since the late 1800’s.  It is so yummy!  Gracie was in the mood to take pictures, so I snapped a couple cute ones that I have to share.

We finished our day and Mom’s trip with a little shopping at the outlet mall.  Even though it was a busy weekend, it was a great one!

Recap #1-Wild Fires & Cupcake Toppers

So, let’s begin with last weekend.  WHAT A WEEKEND!  Friday night, Matt spent most of the evening getting ready for his big bike trip with 2 of his buddies.   Saturday morning, at e o’dark thirty, (keep in mind I have been on the opening shift this week, so I was not thrilled about getting up early…on Saturday), Matt’s alarm went off.  The guys met at our place before heading out.  You could tell they were STOKED!

All packed up and ready to go!

While the boys were riding to Ft. Davis, TX, Jamie, Gracie, and I started our girls day.  Every time one of the boys are out of town, we always have a girls day and usually end up staying at one or the other’s house.  I am in the process of getting ready for Jamie’s baby shower, so we spent the day shopping for supplies and crafting.  We made these cute cupcake toppers.  I love them and they are super super easy to make!

Well, as we were crafting, we realized it was getting super late and we haven’t heard from the boys.  Around 6ish, Jamie got a call from Wes telling us that they were headed back to El Paso.  Apparently, they reached their campsite alright.  It was a very long ride since the weather was pretty windy (gusts up to 60 mph).  They went into town to get supplies and grab some food since everywhere in western Texas is under a extreme wildfire danger.  Well, they walked into the pizza joint and one of the workers told them that they weren’t cooking anymore food because the town was shutting down since there was a wildfire heading towards Ft. Davis!!!!  Needless to say, the boys high-tailed it back to the campsite and headed back to El Paso.  By the time they were out of town, the air was so thick with smoke and ash, it was flying in their helmets.   They made it back to our house around 10ish.  All together they rode for over 8 hours that day.  I was so thankful they made it back to El Paso safe and sound!

Sunday, we just spent the day at home.  I woke up with a really nasty migraine, so I spent the day on the couch doing absolutely nothing!  It was great!!!!!  Gracie loved having a day where she could rule the house.  She is very much into being a princess and will tell you about it.  Although, I think she did allow me to be queen for awhile…I still don’t think she gets the hierarchy…to her the princess rules the house!

I haven’t forgotten….

I promise I REALLY long post today.  My mom is in town and we haven’t stopped since her plane landed on Thursday.  But tonight, I will post and tell you all about the last two weeks…it’s been interesting to say the least!  But just to hold you over, out of the mouth of Gracie:

“Mommy, please be quiet about me.”

We’ve Been Lucky

**Apparently I never hit the “publish” button last week for this post!  I am so sorry!!!  I promise to get you up-to-date tomorrow.  We have had a busy week.  I promise it will be good…it includes a wild fire (yes, a real one!)**

We have been lucky when it comes to Gracie and her behavior.  The majority of the time, she tests her boundaries by requiring to be told twice about something.  For example, “Gracie, please don’t pour water on Mommy.”  “Gracie,  I meant it, don’t pour water on Mommy.”  Then usually she listens.  Gracie does have a bit of an attitude that is more funny then a problem and she has turned quite bossy which makes you giggle more then anything.  She plays quietly, only throws fits in small doses (we typically don’t have meltdowns), she handles change very well, etc. etc. etc.  This weekend, Gracie did something that most children do, but I was so baffled that she would actually do this.  I mean, she normally knows the right thing to do, but then again…I may be living in the my child is perfect and ALWAYS does the right thing world. 

I saw her with her crayons sneaking around the corner to the bathroom.  I thought to myself “this can’t be good.”  And I was right, she colored on the doors and walls around the bathroom. It can be cleaned, but nonetheless, she did it.  After I got over the initial shock, I laughed so hard.  Now keep in mind, the picture below is the minor damage, she got the door as well!  Sometimes, when you are a mom, you just have to take it all in stride.  I mean what can you do right?

It has been pretty quiet in the Cunningham household.    Just quiet weekends filled with errand running and hanging out.  Matt and Gracie planted a princess garden this weekend as well.  Gracie had such a blast doing…I of course have pictures below.  Next weekend, Jamie and I are having a girls weekend while the boys go camping.  I am sure I will have plenty of pictures to post then.