A Perfect Memorial Day

What a great day to remember those who fought and are fighting to protect our wonderful county.  God bless the USA!

Yes, This is Nancy ...

Awwwww yeaaaaaa.  I received the phone call this morning that Riley's water table is in!  I can't wait to pick it up tonight!  I am also very thankful that I remembered to say, "Yes, this is Nancy" when they called to inform me. 

You see, when I went to get the raincheck the other day, the woman asked me my last name. 

"Balaban.  B like boy, A-L-A, B like boy, A-N like Nancy". 

This is the standard way I spell my last name for anyone who asks.  I kept wondering when she was going to ask my first name, but she never did.  Then she said, "Thanks Nancy!  We'll call you when it arrives!".  I felt too guilty to explain that my name wasn't Nancy ... and that I simply said Nancy because sometimes I make my 'N' sound like 'M' and that's probably my own fault for not learning to enunciate better when I was in elementary school because back then I was sure that I was going to grow up to become a professional cheerleader and who really needs to differentiate 'M from 'N' when shouting "De-fense!!  De-fense!!"  Anyhow ... I digress.

So I was nervous that I'd forget to say that I was, in fact, Nancy when they called me and that I'd then lose my only shot at the world's coolest water table ever.

But I didn't.

So this was a long post for no reason.  Other than to say that the table is in.  And that I now go by Nancy.

A Mommy-and-Me Afternoon

It has been a beautiful, hot day here today - reaching 90 degrees - and Riley and I have had the afternoon all to ourselves.

Whoa!  Water!

Having fun!

Trying to catch it.

Trying to drink it.

Brrr... cold water on a 90-degree day can still make me shiver!

Mommy brought out two baby popsicles - I thought that meant they were both for ME!

Daddy's golfing ... and Mommy's a sucker!

These Are the Moments ...

... that melt my heart.  The moments where I walk into a room, no one knows I am there, and I catch a glimpse of such a precious moment between Daddy and Daughter.

But it's HEALTHY! At least my mom says so ...

Last night was 31-cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins.  If you haven't drawn the conclusion yet, Riley is becoming quite the ice cream monster.  I was hesitant to attempt to get her the cheap-o treat, remembering driving by Baskin Robbins last year on this same night and seeing the sea of people in the parking lot and busting out of the doors and windows, all to get their 31-cent cone.  But I tried.  And I succeeded!  In fact, when I pulled into the empty parking lot, I wondered if I was there on the wrong day.  I walked in, saw about 10 eager ice cream scoopers staring back at me, and just one woman at the register.

"One scoop of Wild and Reckless Sherbet, please" ... for my wild and reckless 16-month old.

As my mom pointed out, "Sherbet?  Well that's healthy for her, Meg!".  Maybe healthy wasn't the right word ... but the point was true that it was healthier than the ice cream I was eyeing up.  So hey - it's healthy.  At least my mom says so.

And moments after walking through the front door, a wild and reckless Riley charged at me, full speed, with arms stretched out in front of her as far as they would go.  And the rest is history.  Healthy, sloppy, messy, sherbet history.