weekend gimmick

I'm so tired today. We didn't really do too much, but I feel exhausted!

After work Friday, we went over to my mom's place for dinner. She invited a bunch of people over, and needed some help cooking and preparing, so we rushed over after picking L up from home and even managed to put an over night bag together. I never really understood why my mom always hosts Friday night get togethers. She works till 4, drives home, then has to start cooking for a 6pm gathering. She managed to do it all in time, and was able to pull off about 5 dished, and standard filipino time was in effect, so it worked out well. L had a great time entertaining everyone. She went to bed with my parents at about 1:30am. N and I pretty much crashed at 11 and didn't even know when the party ended!

Saturday started off as usual. Breakfast with the family. I miss that. When I lived at home, we'd usually eat dinner at the table together, if we were home, but Sundays were usually the days we'd all sit and have breakfast together. Just to sit and catch up or talk about whatever...we don't really do that at home. Because of our living situation, we're usually in front of the tv eating dinner. But I do enjoy those days the 3 of us are at the table and eat as a family. Anyway, we had planned to just go out for breakfast or dim sum, but when we got downstairs, L was already sitting eating, so we decided to stay. My sister and brother in-law prepared a lot of food, and I would have felt bad leaving! Ain't nothin' wrong with a little fried SPAM, fried rice, steamed dumplings, pan fried gyoza, eggs, and coffee in the morning! It was good! After breakfast, we were planning to take L swimming, but because we had just finished eating, we decided to walk it off first - at the mall. We didn't really have any purpose but to find some new jeans for L since all of hers were already too short already. N and I ended up buying a new bottle of perfume and cologne. I've never had so much perfume sprayed on me at one time! We both had a sales lady helping us, which is rare, because I'm usually in and out, when it comes to perfume.

That evening, we had a husband and wife surprise party to go to for our Ninong's 65th and tita's 60th. So, while I was unpacking our overnight bag, I realized that I had forgotten one of my MOST ESSENTIAL POSSESSIONS at my moms!!! My make up bag!!! You know, when you've got a routine with your make up, etc, trying to make it happen with different tools and palettes just doesn't work quite the same. It took me 2 hours to get ready!!! I did start earlier, but, as usual, ended up rushing at the end!!! Anyway, we were still on time. I LOVE, love, love, when a surprise party actually works! It did for these 2, and they were both shocked!!! It was a good thing there were a lot of nurses in the room, just in case anything happened! It was fun, L had a great time, as usual, entertaining others, and dancing the night away.

Sunday, we went to L's gymnastics class bright and early, then rushed home to get ready for Jenna's 2nd birthday party. It was so fun! There are so many kids within our circle of friends! I love it! Fun in the gym, food with friends, and face painting for the kiddies. OK, being an artist, when and if I offer my services, I had better be good. There was a young lady doing the face painting, who was a staff member of the venue. She set up her little station for the kids and they all lined up and waited for their turn. So patiently, I might add! When it was L's turn, the lady asked what she wanted. L replies, "Dora"! The lady looks at me. "Which one's Dora? The one with the hat?" I was like, "girl, you are in trouble!!!" I went over and grabbed L's backpack to show her. The outcome of her sorry attempt to draw Dora looked like a pumpkin with a black afro! I felt bad for L, but, hey, she couldn't see it anyway! Did anyone get a picture of it??? Next time, I should ask what the artist does best before L gets a chance to say what she wants! After the party, we went home and pretty much passed out! Actually, L and I fell asleep in the car on the way home, and N kept L company while she finished her nap. They were both asleep for such a long time! That evening, after tripping over our ottoman, seriously hurting my shin on the couch, literally landing on top my daughter, but trying not to squish her, and crying for a few minutes, we got a call and visit from Darleen, Randy, and Isaiah! We hadn't seen little Isaiah in so long because he had the chicken pox, so it was really nice to have them over! Thanks again for the calamari! It hit the spot!...but I can still taste it today...!!!