It’s almost Sunday (10:54 p.m. to be exact).

Today I started by picking Emelia up from the Embassy Suites Hotel. Matt’s cousin (and my friend) Jana had her daughter Brooke’s 9th birthday party there. They had a suite, close to the pool (indoors) and had a blast! Emelia had such red eyes even with the goggles that were part of her party favors! Brooke loved the bag of goodies we sent which included a huge stamping kit (she’s very crafty) and some little pet thinkamajigs that all the little girls like I hear. I also got a bunch of the cute stuff at Target’s one spot and saved some things to tuck in Emelia’s luggage for late night activities… like the black felt art projects and fake leopard print fingernails. They had so much fun!

After a quick lunch at chickfila, we then got ready for party #2 & 3! These girls (Erica and Taylor) had a Hannah Montana bash at the local skating rink. It was great fun. I even skated for a bit with Emelia. There was a HM cake, singing balloons and everything HM you can imagine! Emelia was running out of steam before this party was over.

While we were gone, Matt and Bailey were doing something to his PSP which has resulted in a broken battery. They are so into taking things apart and hacking systems… very computer smart these guys! I just try to stay away from it all!

I put on a HUGE pot of stew! I started with sirloin steak. I cubed it and sprinkled liberally with salt, pepper and flour… browned in canola oil along with a sliced onion… added two cans of diced tomatoes, one can of rotel, and a can of crushed tomatoes… give or take a quartish of hot water, quartered a pound of new red potatoes, one pound bag of baby carrots, a bag of frozen veggies (white & yellow corn, asparagus, and more baby carrots), and a bag of cut green beans. I add in about a half package of williams chili seasoning and then more salt. It just simmered on medium for a couple of hours! DELISH! Dad came down for a few bowls because mom was out of town for her father’s birthday party. I made cornbread and picked up jiffy because it was on an end cap in the front of the store close to the register and I didn’t want to go all the way back to that aisle (it was a busy days, come on!) AND anyway, started making two boxes realizing I only had one egg. I added a touch extra milk and everyone said that it was the best cornbread ever! Who would have known eliminating an egg would have a good affect? I have to admit there was one more difference, I keep kosher salt in a small bowl and use it instead of a shaker (mostly) I dusted the unbaked muffins with a pinch of the kosher salt right before putting them in the oven.

Well, that’s all for this day. Emelia fell asleep really early. Bailey is asleep too. Amanda is sick but a little better and hopefully not talking on the phone, but sleeping! Goodnight!

P.S. My sweet special funny friend NANCY FACE is having a birthday in about an hour!!!

Happy Birthday Nancy!