Cow Appreciation Day 2010

Moo!

We don't go out to eat much. In fact, we usually don't go out to eat unless we have a gift card. And even then, we'll hold onto it until we find a coupon to use WITH the gift card. I know, I know...our frugality goes to depths that you probably didn't even know about. Hopefully it's not unhealthy.

In the spirit of not paying for food when we go out to eat, we dressed up as cows on July 9, 2010 to participate in Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a. Chick-fil-a had been advertising that if you came dressed as a cow, head to toe, on July 9 you would get a free meal. At first I didn't want to because free food usually equals BIG crowds. I have a strong dislike for big crowds. It's why I don't make more of an effort to go to things like Rockies games, even though I really enjoy them. But Lee and I decided that we should dress up and go for an early dinner, around 4:30 or so, and maybe we'd beat the dinner rush.

So I came up with cow costumes for all of us, using a combination of the cow kit provided on Chick-fil-a's website and stuff I had at home. And we did it. We decked ourselves out. I felt silly getting in and out of the car, but as soon as we stepped foot in the Chick-fil-a, I felt at home. There were cows EVERYWHERE. It was busy, but not line-out-the-door-around-the-building-down-the-block busy. (We've participated in something like that once, just to get free burritos from Chipotle. Still not sure it was worth it.) In fact, we only had to wait in line like you normally would when you go to Chick-fil-a. We stepped up to the counter and the kid smiled at us. I asked "What do we get?" because if you weren't dressed up enough you'd just get a free sandwich. But all three of us were wearing black and white only, with contrasting spots. We had on ears and Lee and I sported the noses found on the website. The kid said "Anything you want." So we had full meals, all for free.

Chick-fil-a is amazing. Free Chick-fil-a is MORE amazing. We're already looking forward to Cow Appreciation Day 2011.

*This post is dedicated to my old, dear, long-lost friend, Erin (Green) Bradley, who was the founding member of the Heiferette Club. Every moo in my heart belongs to her.

Big Girl Bed Adventures

Well, we've made the switch. Last night we put Alaina in her big girl bed for the first time. We set up the bed on Monday and put her new bedspread on it, which she loved. It's covered in flowers and butterflies, and she calls it "beautiful." Then on Wednesday we put up the bed rail, so Wednesday night was the first night for the new bed.

She did great. I'm pretty sure she has no idea that she could get out of bed if she wanted to. She stayed in it all night and I got her out of it when she woke up this morning. She is currently napping in the bed and has made no moves to get up either. I am okay with this.

I know this is a big milestone, and I can't believe how ready she was for it. Does this mean she'll be as ready when we start potty training in the next couple of weeks? (That is, if I can work up the courage.) She has surprised me about a lot of things in her little life. Time will tell.

She Doesn't Miss A Thing

Soon, like in the next couple of weeks, we are going to move Alaina to a twin bed. I'm tired of lifting her in and out of that crib. But that will mean that she'll be able to get up on her own, and that makes me a little sad. I love going to get her from her crib in the morning. She is usually quite happy, just hanging out until I come rescue her.

She used to comment on whatever I was wearing when I'd come to get her. She'd mention the color of my shirt, or whether I was wearing sandals or if I was barefoot. Now, pretty much every time I go in to get her in the morning, she points at my protruding belly and says "Baby sister!"

I guess the size of my belly now eclipses every thing else about me.

Why Does She Do This?

All week, Alaina's afternoon naps have been around an hour and a half. I put her down at one and get her up around three if she's awake. She's been waking up between 2:30 and 2:45 pretty consistently, but I let her play in bed until 3:00.

Today it is 97 degrees outside. I want to go swimming. The pool is less than 50 yards from our front door. I can hear children splashing. It is 2:54, and Alaina has not made a peep. It seems that every time I want to take her swimming, she chooses to make her afternoon nap a three hour ordeal.

I know she loves swimming. So WHY does she do this? I'm hot and fat and I needs me some pool time!

Alaina, Mighty Hunter

Happy 31st Birthday Lee!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alaina!

You are 2 years old! I can't believe how much fun it is to have a 2-year-old. I had no idea this is what life would be like when I was looking at your sleepy, squishy face two years ago. You are growing and learning; you are fun and funny. I love that you love people and that you feel free to greet strangers with a cheerful hello and a smile. I hope you never lose that, and I hope to teach you how to temper it with discernment so you can be free to love strangers without putting yourself in danger. You are going to be a big sister this year, and I think you are going to love having a little sister for a playmate. You will have so much to teach her.

Daddy and I love you very much. We pray that God protects your life and protects you from evil. We pray that God will draw you to Him at an early age, and that you will hate sin and get caught when you're guilty. We pray that God prepares friends for you that will encourage you in your walk with Him. And we pray that you will be a woman of influence, and not one who is easily influenced by the world.

Happy Birthday, Sweets. You make our life happy.

Love,

Mommy