with a cherry on top

I have never met a weekend that I didn’t run to greet, arms flailing with glee, in the middle of the Friday afternoon driveway. 

The point is, I like weekends. A. Lot.  I’ve said it (several times) before, and i’ll say it (many times) again, the only truly satisfying weekend is a 3 dayer.  The rest just feel a dollar short.  But this weekend was so out of this world. 

And I am, for once, more than reconciled that it is ending. But of course, extraordinarily rare circumstances are behind such a radical change of heart. In two sleeps (as Ella would say), I will be whispering happy birthdays to my new niece who will be all sugar and spice and everything nice, tiny and wriggling straight outta the oven, better than homemade bread or cookies kind of wonderful.  

Can't wait to meet you, little girl!!!

The weekend went like this.  

Friday. Silver diner.

Sophia in sunglasses.  My parents and Lianna.  A whole lot of good (for us, not so much for whoever had to bus our table)

Then I got seconds of Lianna, Sophia and My parents at sweet frog for Easter froyo with Ella. 

And I received an Easter miracle present of taking Ella to a Church to visit with Jesus, and out of the blue, she requested that we stay longer (usually she is ready to bolt after a few minutes), and she wandered quietly around the church while I prayed. It was such a clear gift from Heaven.  

Friday night.  Sean’s birthday celebration.  Karaoke.  My dad, Sean and I singing the Beatles, my Mom, Christina and I singing RESPECT; Christina and I singing “No Scrubs”.  Too, too, good.  Sadly, no photo evidence. But it's all so true.
Saturday.  Sophia’s and Mimi’s Birthdays.  Mass with family.  Mexican food in D.C.  Mom being hilariously loopy from lack of sleep (she and Dad stayed out at a bar with us until wait for it 1:00AM!!!).  
And then, the cous de gras (sp?), Sophia’s 2nd birthday. 

There was a rainbow toulle tutu that Ed claims looks like troll doll hair.

There was a little 2 year old fairy skipping about in pigtails.  

There was an adoring crowd of Sophia enthusiasts enjoying the rompings of a little toddler just getting the hang of birthdays.  

She ate cake.  Oh boy, did she eat cake.

 I love the series of pictures of people posing next to the girl while she scarfs cake like a pro.

And of course, the presents went over like a pink helium birthday balloon. 

It was all so very delightful.  

And cheers to Lianna, my role model, for rocking 9 months of pregnancy with grace, beauty, style, and most of all, with such a servants heart.  

All she wanted was for her girl to have a happy birthday.  

 

Mission Accomplished, Li.  It was perfect.  And the cake was so darn good.

Having my parents here is the best. 

Sadly, Dad had to go back to Texas to do that little thing we call “doctoring”.  We miss you, Dad!!! 

Thankfully, we get to have mama here for a little while longer.  She is staying to perfect her grandmothering skills (they don’t really need any perfecting), and take care of the little dumpling while her mama is off to bring a new munchkin into the world.  

Exciting, miraculous, beautiful things to come this week.  Please pray for my beautiful sister, her hubby, and Sophia as they prepare to welcome a new precious immortal soul into their family. 

And pray for my mama.  Sophia is the best.  She is also a rambunctious little rascal with a strong-will and a surprisingly strong wriggle-out-of-your-arms maneuver that very few can withstand.  

God bless you with an extra happy with a cherry on top new baby girl kind of week!