Tuesday with Tori

Tori goes where the green blanket goes. We move it around the back
of the couch so the cushions don't get too flat in any one spot.
Tori's not exactly the most svelte of felines.

McMargaritaville

I got my new issue of Southern Living magazine on Friday, and it had several margarita recipes in it. I just happened to have all the ingredients for a classic margarita so I decided to make up a batch. The recipe said it yielded four servings. No way. I got two servings out of it - and I drank 'em both.

Recipe:
3/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup orange liqueur (I used Triple Sec)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (I used a half-cup of Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix everything together until the sugar dissolves and pour it over ice.

It was a strong drink, but it was yummy. Thank goodness we ate dinner very soon after I finished the first drink or there's no telling what kind of crazy pictures the McHusband would've gotten.






The magazine also has a recipe for Frozen Mango Margaritas. I think I might have to whip those up next weekend. Nothing says Independence Day like a good margarita. Right?

Lyla's Party: The After-Party

It's too bad Lyla couldn't stay up and enjoy the festivities once the sun had set. Not to worry, we had fun on her behalf.

We sat around and chatted for a little bit, then it was time for some Crispy Wickets. {By the way, I Googled "crispy wickets" and the post referenced above was second on the list of results. Check me out, infiltrating the interwebs so thoroughly.}




Bri and Nate both gave the installation their best shot.




After Crispy Wickets, we girls headed into the bounce house. Bri's friend, Julie, called it when she said earlier in the night, "Watch, this thing's going to be full of drunk people later." I agreed with her and was already picturing Nate and his buddies in there being crazy. Little did I know that it would be my mom, Bri, and me in there being crazy.








I have to say, the bounce house was a great addition to this year's party. If only it could've come with air-conditioning...

Aww, cute sisters.


Eww, sweaty sister.


Nate hadn't been feeling well the day of the party (Lyla gave my mom, Bri, and Nate the gift that keeps on giving - a summer cold) so he went to bed early. Bad idea.


Click on those pictures to make them bigger so you can really appreciate the efforts of Nate's friends. Bri and Mom asked for a text to let them know we'd made it home okay when we left that night, and Bri's response to my message was, "Cleaning Nate off so I can go to bed."

Thanks for turning 2, Lyla, we had a blast!

Lyla's Party: Fun in the Sun

It was HOT at Lyla's party. Thank goodness for baby pools, slip 'n' slides, and Summer Beer.

Guess what Lyla got for her birthday? A playset with "wings."


No, that's not Owen's monkey face. He'd taken a sip of a drink and was apparently saving some for later.


Owen had a blast in his very own pool. Watch him spin.


Hmm, I'm pretty sure Lyla's licking snot in this picture.


Hey, Owen, I see you!


And there's Gena on the slip 'n' slide.


I tried to stay cool by sticking close - real close - to a fan.


Shannon and Calvin stayed under the tent so they could watch Owen and the other kids, and the McInlaws found some shade up on the deck.




It was time for a break from the heat so we went inside to open as many presents as Lyla could tolerate - about 4, I think - and then it was time for cake.


Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Lyla, happy birthday to you!


If you can believe it, this is the best cake-eating picture I have.


After cake, we went back outside. Somewhere between the high chair and the "wings," Lyla lost her dress. Let's hope this is the last birthday party where she sheds all but her britches.


We made a pit stop at the slip 'n' slide to cool off on our way back to the house.






Okay, that's all for now. I think we'll go for the after party next.

Lyla's Party: The Decorations

We were in Charlotte this past weekend for Lyla's 2nd birthday and for Father's Day. Bri and my mom did a fantastic job of putting the party together. What's black, white, and pink all over? Lyla's 2nd birthday party!

I got there at noon on Saturday and they put me to work right away. One of my duties was blowing up balloons, which is a task I conquered last year as well. Hmm, think there's a message in that assignment?


There were goody bags for all the kids, and there even bags with picture frames for the moms and grandmas.






The little zebras were magnets.


Bri set up a candy bar, which I neglected to take full advantage of. Don't get me wrong, I did some "quality control" before the party started, but then I forgot that the sweets were over there begging to be eaten. What can I say, the heat must've gotten to me.




You can't have containers full of candy without labels that fit the theme.


There was a Pin the Tail on the Zebra game for the kids.


And this guy, the party mascot, hung out by the front door greeting all the guests. Bri did a Polaroid guestbook and everyone had the zebra in their picture. I'm sure Bri and Nate, er, Lyla will enjoy looking back at those pictures.


And speaking of the front door, my mom made this sign for it.


My mom also made this sign in the flowerpot.


Back inside. Of course, the food tables couldn't be any less than decked out in pink and zebra colors. Even the Happy Birthday Lyla sign coordinated perfectly. But would you have expected any less?




How cute are these lollipops? Yes, they made them.




One of Bri's very talented friends made the cake for the party. Can you say UH-dorable?!




{Note to self: Find a cake-decorating friend. Sorry, Chelle, you had your chance.}


Watching over all the food was a zebra pinata. But guess what? He wasn't for the kids. Oh no, they had their goody bags. This pinata was full of airplane bottles of liquor.


Unfortunately, he met a sad (for him) end.


I'll be back with more party pics. Wait 'til you see the pictures from the bounce house after party...