Papa-Palooza! -- Dad's 60th Birthday Party!

I have been dying to share this...for months we have been planning a SURPRISE party for my dad's 60th birthday!  My brother Steve, sister-in-law Adrienne, Shikhar and I have been in cahoots with my step mom Teresa for weeks to pull this off...and I can't believe we did it!!  We kept him totally in the dark up until the moment he walked through the front door! 

We had a lot of fun preparing for this fiesta, and in the end our little get together went off without a hitch!  Nearly everyone we invited was able to make it including my dad's parents, siblings and several of his closest friends. 

Adrienne did all the cooking for the party and she totally out did herself.  She served up a delicious Italian dinner, complimented by her totally gorgeous desserts. 

It was so much fun to watch my dad as he laughed and enjoyed exchanging memories with some of his favorite people.  It's amazing the stories you hear when you get a few drinks into your dad's brothers and oldest buddies!

It seemed like everyone had a great time...including the babies!

In the end, it just felt great to organize an event for the sole purpose of celebrating my dad and the life he has lived.  A small gesture of gratitude for all he has done for us, I hope this party will serve as a reminder for him that he has so positively touched so many lives and that there are so many people in this world that truly and sincerely care about him.

He's an amazing person...and I hope he had an amazing time!

Happy 60th birthday Papa!!

A breath of fresh air...

For the past few weeks we have been battling "the crud" at our house....snuffling, coughing, sputtering, fevering...with some GI pyro-technics thrown in for good measure.  Just as I thought we were in the clear, poor Shikhar was laid flat by a nasty virus leaving him out of commission for the past 24 hours.

This is the time of year when I start to imagine the "toxins" building up in our house.  I get the urge to disinfect everything, to open up all the doors and windows...to, you know, let the germs out.  But with the sun out and temps up into the 70s yesterday, it felt like spring was finally here.

While my sickly sweetie was holed up in our bedroom tryin' to sleep away his illness, the boys and I took the party outside to get some fresh, clean March air into our lungs.

My pal Ashli brought her two adorable boys - Barrett and Jonah - over for a play date.  We were able to catch some rays while the boys played in the grass and climbed on the swing set.  While the outdoor adventure didn't last long, thanks to my little fair-weather friend Sonu (it was "too windy to play pirates!!"), it was still refreshing to feel comfortable outside -- no jacket required.

Gorgeous.

It seemed like everyone was out...neighbors were in the streets with their kiddos in wagons and strollers.  I even ran into more friendly faces than usual at the grocery store.  It felt like a reemergence into the world after a winter of hibernation.

I'm not going to fool myself...this is Nebraska which means a blizzard or two may still be lurking around the corner.  But after the past few weeks, this girl would much rather the high temps be outside than emanating from the feverish bods of her family members.


 So, here's to spring...and hopin' it's here to stay---I'm ready to get out and play!!

The best things in life really are free...

It sounds cliche, but I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

Now, don't get me wrong...expensive stuff is fun too.  I love traveling, spa treatments, new clothes, a nice car...and give me the green light and I could have a fabulous time running up an impressive credit card bill.  And I know it's not as simple as to say the best things in life are free --as it's certainly easier to enjoy said "free" things when you aren't worried that you won't have the cash to pay your rent or feed your fam.  I get that. 

In the realities of adult life and parenthood, one can't help but think about money on a fairly regular basis...Are we spending too much?  Are we saving enough?  Do I work too much?  Should I work more?  Where in the heck did I put that Pampers coupon???

I think it's easy to get caught up in the mentality that money equates with happiness.  I am oh so thankful that my husband and I come from supportive families that have helped and encouraged us as we pursued our educations. And, subsequently, that we have been able to get jobs that allow us to live comfortably doing something we enjoy.  But, even with all this, we still worry.  I am fairly certain there's no income that can totally alleviate this stress...I mean, even the B.I.G. had to lament his "Mo' Money...Mo' Problems" situation. 

But when I look back on my day, the best parts are usually those that cost little or nothing at all.  I think it's important for me to acknowledge these times and even to seek out free (or almost free!) fun for our family.  For me, this serves as a reminder that although it's certainly important for us to be very conscious of our finances and make good choices to help alleviate stress...to a point, more money doesn't necessarily mean more happiness...because we can have an awesome time without spending a dime.   

Here are just a few of the cheap laughs we've had over the past week...

Sonu, the comedian, seeing how many pairs of underwear he could wear at one time.



Super Hero Day at the public library...a totally free experience where Sonu could let out his inner Bat

Home made popsicles -- tastier, healthier, messier, way more fun.

Living room dance party...they had to rock the shades.

In two weeks I will be transitioning from full time to part time at work.  I am excited about my new schedule as I think it will provide me with a better balance ---still doing the job that I love but also able to spend more time with my little munchkins.  Although this change may mean a little less coin in our pockets...I know it's definitely worth it to have more "free" time at home with my guys. 

Any other ideas for good, cheap, family fun in the Omaha area?  Now taking suggestions!