Ahh, Walter's

As you faithful readers know, Matt recently had a milestone birthday. Since it was the big 3-0, I decided to give him a gift each day of his birthday week. Monday, Memorial Day, was a 6-pack of some crazy imported Belgian beer that he loves and he thought could only be found on tap at a cafe in the Village. Tuesday was a 6-pack of white athletic socks (don't laugh - what guy do you know who ever has too many of those?). Wednesday, his actual birthday, I sent subs, chips, and cookies to his work for all of his colleagues. Thursday was two new pairs of baseball socks (don't laugh - what baseball player do you know who ever has too many of those?). Friday was a Kindle. And Saturday we were going to 'go to dinner' with our friends Shawn and Melissa. Hi, spoiled much?

But instead of dinner, I planned a surprise party for him that night at his favorite local bar, Walter's.

It's significant that the party was at Walter's as it is the classic neighborhood bar which Matt loves, but as Wisconsin has yet to go smoke free (but will on July 5 - way to jump into the 21st century, Wisco!!) I have refused for 5 1/2 years to step foot in the joint.

So Saturday came and off he went to his baseball banquet for the Knights. He returned mid-afternoon and was greeted shortly thereafter by another surprise: Scott & Anna ditched the kiddies with Grandma and traveled from the hinterland for the weekend. Matt claims that their appearance set off a few alarms in his head, but I don't buy it. So the story was that we ladies were going to do some 'shopping' together first (read: set up for the par-tay) then meet the guys for dinner for the six of us.

Enter Shawn, whose job it was to get the guys to Walter's for a beer before dinner. He had to do some major stalling in order to give Karl & Kathy time to get themselves and GG to the party, but he played to his strengths, I guess you could say, and did a great job of holding Matt back.

Once they got there I think Matt was genuinely surprised. Even if he suspected something there is no way he would have thought I would do something at Walter's. Ha ha, gotcha.

Anna and Melissa helped me decorate the place with some classically tacky decor: streamers, balloons, etc, and some interesting additions. I had three huge photo collages created which chronicle Matt over the last 5 or 6 years. One was truly sweet and mostly shots of him and GG. But the other two were a little vicious, which is what he gets for never making a normal face in any photo, ever (see Exhibits A and B, below). Some were fun shots of him playing baseball, or dancing at weddings, and others were less flattering such as him with an entire pizza on his lap, or sitting on the couch with an exfoliating mask and giving me the bird. Ahh, good times.

The cuisine was...well, it was man-food. There were roasted potatoes, Italians with onions and peppers, chicken wings, and ribs. Makes me gag just to think about it, but it made the birthday boy happy as a clam. I built a cruller tower for a birthday cake, and had an open bar for our guests. There was one catch though: to get your drink for free, you had to show your official party badge:

I had these fetching pins made for the occasion. Thumbs Up For 30!

The cruller cake


Surprise!


Checking out the photo collages. Thank you, Snapfish


Hi, here's our family picture. In Walter's.


Someone had other plans for the lei


Annnnnnnnd we're happy


Steve: Hey baby, you're looking as good as that cruller cake
Erin: Puh-lease, you can take that line to go 'cause I'm here for the open bar


Exhibit A


GG taking the balloons for a walk. IN A BAR.


Foxy ladies


The Crew (missed you, Kroenings!!)


It's all in the family


Melissa: You should dunk your cruller
Scott: OK
???


Adorable. But my kid is still in a bar.


Steve: Who will love me if Erin is only here for the open bar?
Shawn: C'mere big guy


Presents!


Exhibit B


Tie-ing one on. Ha!


Oh dear, it's getting late. They're toasting buttered crullers.


The unflappable Mel


Unfortunately, I know what these two were talking about.


At this moment, Karl's entire life is flashing before his eyes

Happy birthday honey. Welcome to 30 - we love ya!

Memorial Day 2010

We were all looking forward to a long holiday weekend, hoping that the summer-like weather would hold out for our first visit to the cottage this season. Fortunately the stars aligned and it was perfect!

Matt coached his Dominican Knights into the playoffs on Saturday morning, and as soon as he got home we hopped into the familymobile and headed to Wautoma. The timing was perfecto...a one hour nap for Geeg plus an episode of "Letters!" and a little snack and ta-da, there we were.

Grandma and Grandpa Maio have already been up several times this season, and in their wisdom and spoilation (new word), they bought a new swing and slide for the wee one. It was fun to see GG take in the woods and the cottage again, of course not remembering it from last year. I especially loved the widening of the eyes when she discovered the wagon full of toys in the living room. She was in toddler heaven.

Look at me, everyone! I've got my own slide!


Again!


Q: How many Maios does it take to put up a swing?


A: Who cares as long as the princess is happy?

The weekend was filled with playtime and GG's new favorite activity, boat rides (or, in GG speak, boat RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE). Of course we had to wrestle her into a life jacket for each sea tour, but we convinced her that it was a chic accessory and she was totally into it.

Still squeezable cheeks


The first mates


Erin and I noticed that the life jacket grandpa chose reads "Ho Sports". Nice.


Ahoy, Cap'n!


Swimmers beware...Ho Sports is behind the wheel!


What does this button do?


Ready for the sunset cruise

It's been so warm this spring that the water was actually tepid enough to swim in. This is a complete 180 from last year, when I swam exactly zero times. So, after Memorial Day weekend, I have increased my lake swimming time 100% over last year. So far, so good.

We got GG in the water as well but she was not really feeling it. I think it was a combination of the slightly chilly water and the funny feeling of the sand underfoot. We brought her tot-sized water socks but I still think the sensation of the sand giving way as you walk was just a little too scary. I did carry her in far enough to get her wet which she initially freaked out about, but once Daddy started playing motorboat life was good. Finally we settled on standing in one place in the most shallow waters, playing with some toys and finding shells.

A little boat dancing before swimming


Watering Daddy


Mama, I'm tired


Amen, sister

We were also joined by Steve and Erin, which was super fun since we don't get to see them that often, much less for two straight days. Erin has lots of experience being an auntie to her sister's kids, so Geeg was thrilled to have another person to play with. Also we celebrated Matt's birthday on Sunday with a huge meal of ribs and cake for dessert.

Professional bubble blowers


Chillin with morning beverages


Who's walking who?


She once again thinks we're singing to her. Nevermind the fact that she tried to grab the candles while they were still lit...

And this is a pic from after we were home and I was unpacking. I heard this clip-clopping and Miss Thing came parading out of her room wearing her fashion heels from great Auntie Mare. Style, friends, style.

Alas the fun ended on Tuesday as the Knights lost in their last game of the season, and the last game of Matt's coaching career (until we enter the world of t-ball). But the good news is that he's still playing in the Old Man League, and as today is his 30th birthday, I'd say he finally qualifies. Go Orioles (and happy birthday, honey)!

Peel Me A Grape

GG and I have been spending lots-o-quality time together the last week or so, with my usual days at home and daddy out for a boy's weekend in the Twin Cities checking out the new Target Field. Fortunately the weather has been totally favorable for our little swimming enthusiast. My expectations for the plastic pool I bought in desperation at Walgreen's last year were not high, but by some miracle it seems to have survived the winter. So I huffed and I puffed and I blew it up to the delight of one little squish.

Immediately after filling with freezing hose water. Little hands could not resist.


She also decided to put her face in to blow bubbles, and of course got soaked. "Mama, cold!" Yeah, you don't say

After her nap the pool was bathwater warm, and fortunately for us, our friends Jessica and Madeline came over for a quick visit. They temporarily live in VA but were back in WI for a visit and made time to swing by. The girls had great fun cooling off, while Jess and I enjoyed a little mommyade (spiked lemonade in Waterford, of course).

Practicing for the 4th of July boat parade at the cottage


One of several failed attempts to get everyone to look at the camera at once


Is this kid cute or what?!?


Helping daddy out later that night

Matt was MN-bound on Friday after work. I chose to stay back with GG as the idea of 9-10 hours in the car for just a 24-hour visit made me a little ill. So instead the tot and I were out and about all weekend, starting with another new haircut. I have given her several good cuts, but last time I tried she zigged when I thought she was going to zag and, well, the outcome was not good. It definitely required professional help. The last time G was in a stylist's chair (well, in my lap in the chair) she SCREAMED like the scissors were piercing her skin. But this time she told me she wanted to sit by herself and was a perfect angel for the whole thing. What a difference five months makes! It's very 1960's Mia Farrow now, and best of all, doesn't look like it was styled by Edward Scissorhands.

After our successful styling, we went out for breakfast at City Market then headed to Lowe's to stock up on all of the necessities for a great summer yard. I haven't really done the annuals for the last two years (what, like I had a kid or something?) so I was excited to finally spruce up the yard again. Naturally I had a little help.

Just put a little in here, and a little over there...


What is with this junk on my hands? "Yucky!"

After a weekend of hard yard work, it was time to jump back into the pool for a relaxing splash.

After the swim I peeled off her suit and swim diaper and in the time it took me to set her wet suit over a chair she climbed up on the lounger to sun herself.

Oh hello admirers. You may adore me from afar.


Garcon! A lemonade and fruit plate!


I've been waiting for at least 30 seconds. WHERE IS MY BEVERAGE?


See if I ever come back to this place.

Um, Whose Idea Was This?

The week leading up to Mother's Day was gloriously warm and sunny (wretched, bone-chilling near-sleet for the actual day, but whatever). So we bought our cards for the grandmas and decided that instead of coloring them like usual we would bust out the finger paints that the Easter Bunny brought.

Let me back up and say that when the Easter Bunny was in Target collecting goodies for the basket, he/she took a moment and thought, 'hmmmm, maybe it's too early for finger paints. Oh look, it's washable!' Yes, EB, the paint is washable but it becomes exponentially more challenging to clean it up when it's EVERYWHERE.

Fortunately mommy had the sense to conduct this little artistic experiment outside.

I am an artiste, mother. I was born to create.


I create on paper...


on skin...


on carts, and anywhere else I can.


All clean, little Picasso

Biker Babe

There are a lot of perks to working for a privately-owned small company which happens to be in the business of selling motorcycles. One, I wear jeans to work every day. Two, the more I use the f-word, the more credible I become. Three, my boss (the owner) is cool about handing out thank yous often. Such was the case yesterday for our annual spring cook out. Every employee and their entire family is invited to feast on bacon-wrapped fillets, chicken with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese, and amazing sides as far as the eye can see. Genevieve has been totally taken with motorcycles lately so I was really talking it up to her. Matt brought her by the store after work and she was pretty impressed. Before last night she pronounced it "motor"...pause..."cycle!" but by the end of the night the word was rolling off her tongue like a true biker babe. She totally turned on the charm for everyone and was really well behaved. A nice change of pace from the 'tude she's been sporting the last couple of weeks. She also had a taste for the $600 jackets. I told her the same thing I told Matt when he started to drool over the bikes, "No no, don't touch".

Would daddy look good in this one?


Oh no, this one is better. It's "or-nange"!


This is just my size, momma!


And it comes with a cute little girl in the mirror


She was too scared to sit alone so we perched together on a trike.

Matt and I are headed to Harley-Davidson's annual Black & Blue Ball, supporting MDA, tomorrow night. The last time we attended a ball he was in a tux and I was in an Oscar-worthy gown. Tomorrow we'll be sporting our most fashionable denim and our hottest Harley shirts. Seems like the times have changed, but I'm sure to find most of the same crowd at this event as I did in my previous life. Time to slap on the work smile and enjoy the open bar!