Clay Date

Yesterday was one of the best days ever!  To make any day fabulous you need the following ingredients:

an amazing mother

a fun destination (Ceramic Cafe quite possibly)

a delicious lunch experimenting with a gluten free menu

frozen yogurt

good laughs

smiling until your cheeks hurt

My mom and I are best friends, she is my hero, and we always love having dates with just the two of us.  We decided to spend the day at Ceramic Cafe and it was so much fun!  Before hand we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, and my mom experimented with the gluten free menu with me (she's amazing)...more on why later.

When we got to Ceramic Cafe we sauntered over what to paint and create.  Once my mom saw a star shaped bowl she knew it was the perfect choice.  My mom is infamous for having a plethora of red, white, and blue memorabilia.  I struggled with what to make, but finally decided on a cute rectangular plate that I could use as either decoration or a serving plate.  I saw a super adorable pattern on an example and got to work.

Sadly, my pattern was very intricate and very time consuming...but it will turn out amazing!

Still tracing...

Mom hard at work on her masterpiece...

Initials done!

Still painting...

Mom's creation...

My creation...

We ended the day in Home Depot shopping for new blinds for our condo.  Who would have thought that going to Home Depot would lead to a hilarious memory??

My mom was walking to the bathroom and a man that was shopping near us was close behind her, then he approached her:

Man at Home Depot: Your friend is gorgeous! (Talking about me.)

Mom: Thanks, that is my daughter.

Man at Home Depot: Oh, wow, well you're not too bad yourself.

Mom: Thanks (turns and keeps walking, laughing inside)

Oh, you never know where a good laugh will come from.

Overall, it was one of the best days ever!  Love you mom!

Free

Have you every tried swinging without a smile on your face?  I think it is impossible!  I was watching my kids swinging today at recess and the joy that was on their face was beautiful.  Freedom is my anthem today and freedom came at 2:00pm as I shut the door to my classroom, got in the car, and was officially on spring break.  I not only feel freedom because I have two weeks off from work, but I also felt a great rush of joy.  So, I thought that I would make a list of all the joyful things happening in my life right now. Enjoy!

• God is always there...
• Daniel's amazing one-liners that are hilarious...
• Delicious soy latte that warmed my belly this morning...
• Not having work for 2 whole weeks...
• LaFuze date night tonight...
• Dreaming of a red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles tonight...
• Getting to see great friends this weekend...
• Having an amazing group of students that made today a very relaxing day...
• Beautiful weather and clear skies...
• Baking cookies and shopping with Lindsay...
• An upcoming "mommy and me" date....
• Beautiful family and upcoming weddings....
• Remembering the cutest smile on my niece's face...
• Running and giving up the cares of the day...
• Minnie's hair all over my black pants today (it reminds me that she loves me!)...
• Shopping for new sunglasses...

I leave you with one more picture that makes me feel freedom and joy, and hope that you see the little pieces of joy in your life!

{we heart it}

March Mayhem

Can you believe that it is already the middle of March?!?!  I feel as though I blinked and 2011 is already a fourth of the way over!  Before I jump the gun, I must say that I am loving March.  February was way too busy and chaotic...March is being a great fiend to me.  

Last weekend I finally was able to sleep in on a Saturday morning, in my own bed!  I was a very happy lady.  Saturday night was spent celebrating one of my co-worker's birthdays, so I had to get ready with this little lady:

 

I also went dark!  I got my hair done and it is D-A-R-K, but I am loving it.  Hopefully you feel the same.  If not, some things are just better left unsaid :)

This past week we busy as usual with work, school, crazy happenings, and a conference that I had to attend.  Once Friday got here, I knew the weekend was going to be great.  But first I have to share what this picture is all about. 

 

Any guesses????

Well, Friday was a pizza party in my classroom and Daniel was off work so he came and delivered our pizza.  After he decided to teach the kids how to play "heads up seven up".  They loved him and the game, I think my little girls were in heaven.  It made my day to see him be so cute with them.  One little girl guessed Daniel picked her because "she felt a big hand on her little hand". 

Friday night was date night and we enjoyed some very delicious sushi!  I finally was able to convince Daniel to try sushi and he loves it!  Did I mention that we went to dinner at 5:30pm?  I think that was the earliest we have ever been to dinner!

 

We ended the night with a pajama party, "Due Date", and a delicious glass of wine!  I love Fridays!

 

Saturday I was busy taking care of my adorable niece and helping out my sister-in-law.  Then, we went over to the future Bombach household and took part in an amazing feast!  This pretty lady is getting married in July, and it feels like the time is going to fly by!

 

Joey made some savory fish tacos, and Andrea helped with fresh guacamole, salsa, and a slaw salad.  We loved every bite of it!

 

Then we got down to business with Rummikub (only our all time favorite game).  I am trying to forget the fact that I was nodding off the entire game, I was exhausted.  Daniel made team LaFuze proud and won the game!

Oh, I forgot to mention one new addition to the LaFuze household.  Do you see that thing above Daniel's lip?  Although it may look like a chocolate milk mustache, I will acknowledge the fact that it is finally growing on me.  Daniel is taking part in Mustache March for work, and has been working on it diligently now for almost three week.

Sunday morning I was up WAY too early (4:50am) to cheer on Colleen at her Safari Half Marathon.  It was fun to see her throughout the race and cheer her on at the finish line.  She is in the bright pink shirt!  It also made me miss the half marathon that I did last year.  The anxious belly before hand tackled by the amazing feeling of sweet success as you cross the finish line.  I have thought about doing another half, but am really enjoying shorter runs and strength training.  We' shall see.  In the meantime I will gladly wake up ridiculously early to cheer on a great friend!

 

Hope your March has been as blessed as mine!