Monday, July 28, 2008

The Circus, The Class of '98, and Weird Eating

I know y'all are on the edge of your seats waiting for me to recap my weekend. It is always so exciting to read about, isn't it? First of all, Jackson was sick all last week. He ran a fever from Tuesday to Thursday and just felt crummy. We had a lot of night-waking and every time I got up I thought about what it was going to be like having a newborn again.

On Friday evening Jackson and I went over to my parents' house and had dinner with them. Since Jackson had been sick, I'd hardly seen my sister (who was in town from Atlanta) all week. Jackson was kind of a turkey after not feeling well and getting anything he wanted for three days straight, but we all had a good time together.

On Saturday morning we took Jackson to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. We had so much fun. Jackson was too young to pester us about buying him a million things but he was old enough to love the show itself. Next year I'm sure it will be a different story. I could not believe how many booths were set up with stuff for sale in the foyer. The flashing lights, bright colors, and music made all the junk very hard to resist. I am 28 years old and I was like a kid again begging Curtis to get me one of those light-up toys. He said no. But when he asked me to get him cotton candy and it was $12, I delivered the goods! Is that not insane? It came with a clown hat. The snow cones in a light-up cup were $15. Amazing. AMAZING!

I'm not sure what Jackson's favorite part of the circus was (probably the popcorn - not bad at $2.50), but mine was the horses. They had the most beautiful black Lippizaner (I think) and white Arabians running around a ring. They were breathtaking. The trapeze artists were also really cool. Okay, I won't lie. Pregnant girl almost cried during the opening act when all the animals and performers came out. I was fighting it back.

We spent Saturday evening with some of my girlfriends from high school and their families. Cypress Falls Eagles, lift your banner high. Most of us missed our Class of '98 ten year reunion due to people traveling and others having babies, so it was fun to get together on Saturday and let everyone meet the newest arrivals. The Sheffields were sweet enough to host us at their house and feed us fajitas. Normally I am very uncomfortable taking my toddler to a house where no children live, but I knew that if anyone on earth understood what it's like to have a very lively boy, it was Mrs. Sheffield! When Justin (Jennifer's hubby - they were HS sweethearts) was a very little boy his parents woke up to find him frying bacon in the kitchen in the middle of the night. He also attempted to drive his mother's car (a standard) down the street at like age 7. He made it past several houses. She could seriously write a book. All that to say, I moved some crystal out of the living room and then didn't stress too much about Jackson.

Jen with Baby Jaylee, Leah with Baby Elise and Elle, Lauren with Baby Ethan, me and Jackson (who was having an interesting hair moment).


Jaylee, Elise, and Ethan


Elle and Jackson

*As soon as Elle arrived, Jackson started doing all his moves to impress her. Y'all, he was trying so hard. She wanted nothing to do with him at first but he eventually won her over with his big hair, I mean smile. They chased each other and the dog in the backyard and wore themselves out.

Michelle with Ethan


Laura with Ethan

*Thanks for the pics, Lauren!

Sunday was just a regular, low-key Sunday. Curtis spoke to the 11-12th graders about going off to college and I joined him. We enjoyed getting to do that. After church I let Curtis talk me into eating at Chili's instead of Pappasito's. I was all excited about getting the Asian crispy chicken salad, but they don't have it anymore! What?!?! Pregnant Girl was not happy! I got a chicken sandwich and only ate two bites of it because I had gotten too hungry and felt sick. Then I ate the rest when we got home. We call this the Humperdink effect since our first experience with this was in Irving at Humperdink's three years ago. They are SO SLOW. And this post was SO LONG and boring to read. Bless you, child. Now I am going to eat the rest of my Freebird's burrito that is waiting for me in my fridge. Woo hoo!

47 comments:

Toknowhim said...

Seeing all those babies makes me want one right now :) Jackson is getting so big and cute :)

Kelly said...

So fun to get together with your friends! No wonder the little girls can't resist Jackson - he is such a looker with that curly hair!
I laughed out loud about the little boy frying bacon in the middle of the night and then maybe got very, very scared of what's to come.

bethany said...

Isn't amazing how far we've all come in 10 years (thank goodness). That's so fun that you guys got to get together!!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

We are going to Ringling Bros. circus on Aug. 16th. So I guess I should save my money so we can buy some circus souvenirs?!

Shelly said...

Oh my word! I went to Chili's a few nights ago for the sole purpose of getting chips/salsa AND, most importantly, my caribbean chicken salad. Amanda - it's GONE as well! I was in such a pout I didn't even want anything else! Crying shame I tell you!

Lindsee Lou said...

Sounds like an exciting weekend! I love getting together with my old girlfriends!

And, in all seriousness, when I was 5 I drove my dad's standard truck out of the driveway. I was dared to by my older brother, so I did it. I was in SO MUCH trouble. (Although, my dad tries to tell me he doesn't remember this at all!)

Have a great week!

Lindsee

P.S. Cy-Creek Cougars...GO BIG BLUE! :)

I just had to!

Kara Akins said...

Reading your post makes me remember how much thought I always gave to food when I was pregnant. I was always trying to figure out what I could eat, trying to think of something that I'd love to eat and very quick to let others know what I wouldn't. I was so sick it had to be like that. To all the women who haven't thrown up a billion times while pregnant - I have nothing to say.

Angela said...

I graduated in 98 and I can't believe it's been 10 years since HS. Oh, my how life has changed.

Krista said...

Hey, you should probably be glad you missed the actual reunion and just got to hang out with your friends. My 10 year was a few weeks ago and it was horrid. So wished I could have just had my own party!

MITZI said...

Amanda, it looks like Jackson's hair is curling in front. Is that correct, or is it just a boy's bad hair day. I don't care how long your posts are, I'll read them. Blessings to you.

Marla Taviano said...

We went to the circus a couple years ago. Yeah, the prices were outlandish. Hardly even believable. We just ate the free gummy worms they were giving away (advertising the movie How to Eat Fried Worms)

When we got outside (after the circus), they were selling cotton candy for $1. Glad we waited!

Next time we go, I'm taking glow bracelets from Michael's. (15 for $1) My 3 girls could each wear about 380 of them, and we'd still be saving money.

Tara said...

What a neat weekend you had! I can't wait to take my 2 kids to the circus when they are old enough to appreciate it- They are only 15 months old now, but maybe next summer they'd be ready!

And what a wonderful time you had with some of your HS girlfriends. I actually had all of my college girlfriends at my house this weekend- It was crazy! There were 17 of us total, including the girls, husbands, and kids! Nutso, but so fun!

Thanks for the weekend update- Hope your burrito tasted good!

Lianna Knight said...

Amanda,
I read a comment you wrote on Kelly's blog and I had to read yours! You are too sweet and Jackson is just precious. I hope that God will bless us with a beautiful baby soon. Please say a prayer for us.

Thanks, Lianna

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Oh my goodness how CUTE all of those little pumpkins are!

Anonymous said...

sweetheart, I am feeling your pain! We went to Chili's a couple weeks ago here in Atlanta, and I was jones'n (no pun intended) :) for their asain lettuce wrap.

GONE.

even my 7 yr old was devastated. we both love them.
I'm not pregnant and it affected me very badly. when you're craving one thing, nothing else measures up! and I didn't even know they were going away, or I'd have gone and eaten them once more to say goodbye :(
went instead with the loaded nachos -- a decent backup.

we had our TWENTY YEAR high school reunion just last month. great seeing people, especially the ones we were closest to. I almost didn't go, because everyone I was really close to back then, I still keep up with. the DAY OF I decided to go. the best part was the family picnic, where you can hang out with everyone's families. seems we're all spread out now, so it's nice to have the opportunity to be together in person, and not just have the phone/internet.

Honey, hang in there with the nausea. It will pass soon!
take care,
lavonda

Nancy Mon said...

Amanda, you don't have to post this but if you do an ode to the Oasis fountain, I will take some pictures of the now cemented in area.

bethany said...

Well...I must say that I am 32 years old and have never been to the circus! How pathetic is that! Sounds like you all had loads of fun. I also went to Chili's after church on Sun (although in Modesto, Ca. rather than in Texas) and had the yummy Monterey Chicken. My friend Julie and I shared 3 (yes...3) sweet shooters. Oh my gosh....they were soo good! Chocolate brownie, strawberry cheesecake,and apple pie. Needless to say....we were beyond stuffed! Glad that the sermon was not on gluttony (as it was the week before)! Because we indulged just a little bit!
PS....keep the posts long....they are fun to read!

Allyson said...

It looks like you guys had lots of fun with all the adorable babies! Go Cy-Falls Eagles! c/o '97

connorcolesmom said...

Ok you are cracking me up with all the pregnant girl references - I LOVE IT!!
It is so FUN that you are PREGNANT!!

YIPPEE!!

Ok so that baby Elise is so cute with that JET BLACK HAIR - adorable :)

Also the comment about Jackson trying to win over the ladies is hilarious!

God bless
Kim

Anonymous said...

Jackson is sooo cute! Speaking of you pregnant girls and food .. have you heard Priscilla Shirer tell the story of some food she had been waiting to eat and her trash compactor?

You GOTTA hear it! HIL-LAR-IOUS!

Fran said...

The pix of those babies is just precious!!! Did it make you excited or scared to death?! :)

Boys are somethin else aren't they?!

Glad you had such a fun mini-reunion.

Hugs,
Fran

Amanda said...

Woohoo for Class of '98! I actually went to my reunion...it was a little out of my element. I would have enjoyed a get-together (like what you had) much more. 10 years has FLOWN by on some days, but inched by on others. I'm so glad that God plans our lives like that.
I love your posts, and I don't care how long they are. :)

Are you going to be at Deeper Still, Vegas? just curious

Ashley said...

It is so fun getting together with old friends. One of my best friends from highschool just moved back to town and she has a 5 month old and I cannot wait to get together with her again! Jackson is getting so big-boyish! He is certainly growing up.

Missy said...

I'll stick to my $1.25 snow cone, but going to the circus sounds like SO much fun!

Callie said...

Totally didn't know you went to Cy-Falls. I taught Jr. English there for the past 4 years - probably with some of your former teachers! Small world!

MamaCass said...

We are taking Tobey this weekend. We got a really good deal on the tickets which is good b/c it sounds like we will need the extra cash for cotton candy. I love Jackson's big hair=)

Amy T said...

Would you quit with the Freebirds, already? Just kidding. At least I can live vicariously, I guess. :) Ok, you really made me feel old in this post. I'm class of '88 and my 20 year reunion is this year. (sigh) Oh well, as old as I am, my sister is always older. heehee. Aren't we little sis's just the best?

kim said...

Hi Amanda, I don't think I've ever commented on your blog (maybe once?) but I've been a lurker for awhile. I enjoy your posts and all the cute pix of your little guy. My daughter is just a few weeks apart in age from Jackson; it's fun to read about the similarities and differences between a boy & girl of the same age! (: Anyways, just wanted to say Congrats on the new baby!! So exciting and when I saw Sunni is expecting too I thought how fun for you all to be pregnant together again! Can't wait to read more (:

Blessings!

su said...

Are there Red Robins in Texas? They have a yummy Asian Chicken Salad. But if you want to be really bad they have onion straws. Nothing like 'em. Salty, greasy, onion-y.

The stories about Justin are enough to scare anyone into being childless. Seven years old and driving a car??!!

One of my daughters at 16 jumped on an airplane with a girlfriend and flew from Colorado to LA for an afternoon on the beach and then back home the same day. I found out 3 months later. That one scared my socks off. All the what ifs. (It was before 9-11 and the airlines hardly checked IDs). And how do you discipline for that one? I had to be really creative.

Anonymous said...

Amanda, I have been to the Lipanzaner Farm in Austria and it is amazing. The babies are born black and turn white. Most of the Lipanzaners are white but there is a very rare few that are black. Their bloodlines go back over 500 years and they are all bred from those five bloodlines. Amazing, yes? They are absolutely goregeous animals. Sorry to be so long but I thought that was some good info. I love your blogs and no, they are not too long.

Rose said...

WOW Amanda, I just read about your friend Sunni, isnt' GOD amazing!!, your friends and SIL all pregos at the same time!! What JOY! CONGRATS! Looking forward to all your stories, your such a gifted writer, you make even the normal daily things seem so interesting and fun!!! :)

Anonymous said...

i'm with you...the opening act always makes me cry....how often did Sea-world get to you....the people and animals are too much!!!!

Angie said...

I love reading about your weekend! The circus sounds fun. We went to Six Flags this summer and I could not believe how expensive all those souvenir glasses of soft drinks were!

That Jackson is one handsome young man. He looks so big next to all those babies.

katiegfromtennessee said...

Amanda:)

Looks like your weekend was adventuresome:)...always a good thing to see a sister...Hmm, yeah, I'm thinking "in the Lord's strength" when you're up early with wee little one and little one:)...the circus and a mini class of '98 reunion-FUN:)...such cute babies:)...Jackson's hair makes me smile...Ooo, I went to Chili's Sun. too with a church group. I was a good girl and got fajitas with no tortillas:) Not long and boring:)

Have a blessed day Amanda:)

katiegfromtennessee
Gal. 6:9

::Traci:: said...

#1 - super cute kiddos in those pics. Awww... And the frying the bacon thing! Holy smokes!

#2 - Yay for c/o 98! :)

Anonymous said...

Hopefully I will never wake up to one of my children cooking in the middle of the night! Or trying to drive! It sounds like a fun weekend! Hopefully, you are beginning to feel better. It sounds like the circus was even more expensive than when Big Mama went in SA and I thought that was ridiculous!

Big Mama said...

Oh you were so smart to attend the circus this year when all Jackson cared about was seeing the show and not how quickly he could drive his family into poverty by excessive purchases of blinking memorabilia.

I cracked up about his hair. He enjoys a rich hair legacy.

Carolina Mama said...

Oh you make me laugh. Glad all is going well.

Tales From the Eurovan said...

Amanda,
We were living in the Bronx when my first son was born. We were still living there when I was pregnant with our second. We went to a diner one day for lunch and I guess I missed the "window of opportunity" for eating. By the time our food came I was so hungry I felt sick. I actually got sick and threw up ON THE TABLE! I was beyond embarrassed. Try humiliated! People at tables around us got up and left. Not that I blame them! I left the restaurant and got in the car and bawled like a baby! I remember saying to my husband "When will I ever feel better?!" How funny! Take care, Julie

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I love how Pregnant Girl refers to herself in the third person. :-)

Steph V said...

When you were taking about the promptu reunion earlier tonight I had no idea these were the one's you were referring to. How funny that I grew up with both Michelle's younger sister Rebecca and Leah's younger brother Ryan. I haven't talked to Ryan in so long, I didn't know Leah had another!! Anyways...how fun!

Erin said...

sooooooooooo mad I missed the baby reunion. I teard up when I saw the pics. Maybe I'll photoshop me and Ry on that couch with yall. To make it realistic I'd have to put CC hanging from the garage door like Justin and Hunter in full cowboy gear putting Jackson and Elle in handcuffs. that's how my crew rolls :) Oh, and Jackson's hair is soooooooo cute

Nichele Lynn said...

Oh, how I love Jackson's hair! He's getting so big!

R said...

after buying a $10 Elmo balloon at Sesame Street Live a few months back, we're totally hip to the souvenir scam!

praise God for $2.50 popcorn...THAT, we can handle. :0)

good to know Jackson liked the circus. we were considering taking our 2 1/2 year-old to the DFW show, but we weren't sure if it would be her thing.

Julie and Alberto Robles said...

Oh Amanda! How I wish I had the excuse of pregnancy to vouch for my mass comsumption of Freebird's burritos whenever I visit Houston or College Station. Mmm...could you mail me one?

Anonymous said...

"Pregnant girl crying at the opening act" - lol. I get very emotional over big things, too. It just amazes me that people can be so dedicated and talented. And how well they can use their God given gifts. It gets me everytime. I even teared up at the "High School Musical" tour my daughter and I went to. Seriously sometimes I think I need professional help.

Ashley said...

I missed seeing you and a lot of those other faces at our 10 year! So glad ya'll were all able to get together and share in your new lives as moms!! Especially YOU!! I hadn't checked into blog land in a while...PRAISE GOD for your little bambino on the way, YEA!