Valentine's Day Weekend

We had a busy weekend. Thankfully, all of the Starretts were feeling well finally! Friday night I had dinner at our house with Nichole, Leslie, and Wendy. I really enjoyed our time together! I made a wonderful recipe from the Kraft Foods website.http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/shrimp-tortellini-spinach-107842.aspx.  I doubled the recipe so I could enjoy it later and share it with Chris and the kids.  I was thankful that Chris was home to help get the kids to bed so I could focus on dinner. 

Saturday was a busy day!  Ian, Ruby, and I went to the AMF bowing alley to pick up gift cards for Taylor and Grayson's birthdays, our youngest nephews on the Starrett side.  They had a great time playing in the arcade!  We were so happy to have a weekend with no snow that we just had to get out!  Plus, Daddy needed some quiet so he could sleep from working overnight. This photo was taken last Sunday during our sledding adventure in the neighborhood.  Thanks Pinkaj, great photo!  After we put Ruby down for a nap, Ian and I went to Party City to pick up balloons for Taylor and Grayson and then to head to Allen & Christine's house.  Ian helped me pick out 2 Transformer balloons for his cousins.  He proudly carried them to the car and we set off for Sandston.  On the way, Ian decided he was hot and put down his window on I-295.  Unfortunately, he'd tied his favorite stuffed animal, Max, to one of the balloons, the one that flew out the window.  I was yelling at Ian to catch Max who was about to fly out the window too.  Luckily, he acted quickly and saved Max, but we lost one balloon.  I lectured Ian about opening the window without asking Mommy.  It scared both of us and I'm sure it startled the drivers around us.  Then, he said he'd hold on tight to Max and the remaining balloon.  When we got to Allen & Christine's house, I was helping him out of the car, he was holding the balloon and then he let go and I didn't catch it in time, so we lost that one too!  Sadly, Taylor and Grayson were watching out the window when it floated up to the sky.  Here are some photos from the party:  http://picasaweb.google.com/emilystarrett/GraysonTaylorSBirthdayParty2010?feat=directlink  We had a great time.  Daddy and Ruby met us after they woke up from their naps.  It was great to see my inlaws, Pop Pop and Mom Mom.  Ian and Kyle had matching VA Tech jerseys on and they hung out and watched Sports Center together.  It was great to see Christine's parents, Karl and Linda.  They've been through a lot with their daughter, Nicole's, battle with ovarian cancer.  Please keep Nicole in your prayers!  Apparently, she just got a new wig (much darker than her original hair) and she looked good in the photo Christine showed me.

We left to go watch Daddy play basketball.  Yes, basketball.  He's very athletic but I've never seen him play basketball.   It was a Kraft Foods supervisor vs. hourly employees basketball game.  Ian, Ruby, and I enjoyed watching Daddy play.  Ian struggled to stay off the court and they both didn't like the whistling and beeping.  We left early to rush to Mechanicsville to  CJ's Thumbs Up Ball before it ended.  Daddy stayed to finish the game and unfortunately they lost to the hourlys but not by much.

The ride to Mechanicsville was funny.  Ian asked me, "How do they make roads?"  and "How do you get married?"  Big questions that were equally complicated for Mommy to answer.  He wondered aloud if "Mechanicsville is where they work on cars?!"  Too cute.  His brain is constantly working...and he rarely stops talking.  :) 

Ruby tries every word and says the cutest things.  She's so precious and sweet!  I've determined that she is quietly mischevious.  She is so into Ring Around the Rosey right now and loves to hold my hands and just bounce.  She was so intrigued by a gymnastic meet on TV, I think she's a budding gymnist.    She definitely felt better this weekend and was more independent and less clingy.  :)

The Thumbs Up Ball was awesome!  We got there toward the end but got some snacks and chatted with Roger and Rachel some.  Our friends, the Suydams were there so we enjoyed seeing them.  Of course, Ian's first question to Rachel was, "Where's Charlotte?"  Ugh.  Rachel handled it beautifully.  I'm sure it's not the first time she's been asked that by a little friend.  I won a raffle prize.  $15 to Jason's Deli.  Yum!  They then called my number again but I was honest and admitted that I'd already won once.  The kids were BUCK WILD by that point.  They'd spent all day eating junk and were tired so we headed home. 

Kate came over for a sleepover on Saturday night.  She and Ian had a great time.  Kate slept in a sleeping bag in Ian's room.  They were so cute and played nicely!  Kate's been wanting to sleep over for a couple of weekends and had talked about "waking up and having cereal at Ian's house" for weeks.  So, we had her over to do just that.  Later, Meg showed up w/ Cohen and Landen to play a little and pick up Kate.  It was fun to play together.  Here's a photo of Cohen.  So cute!

Valentine's Day was nice.  We didn't do much which was welcome after such a busy Saturday.  I went on a nice long walk and ran into my friend, Kathy, so I enjoyed chatting with her.  Then I came home to Chris on the couch with both children asleep in his arms.  My heart melted.  All my Valentines on one couch!  Ian and Ruby are even more beautiful when they are asleep.  Here's a photo. 

Meg came over later and Chris and I went out to a fabulous dinner at Bonvenu.  Thanks Meg!  Bonvenu is a new restaurant in Carytown and we had a wonderful time together and enjoyed an amazing meal.  Chris LOVED the chocolate coffee creme brulee.  He did not share it very nicely.   The 2 bites I had were amazing!  My lamb chops were really yummy too. 

Happy Birthday to Dad/G'Daddy tomorrow!  The card is in the mail.  I didn't plan for no postal service due to Sunday and President's Day.  We'll give you a call tomorrow. 

We hope to head to St. James the Less for a pancake supper tomorrow night.   Fat Tuesday!