Friday, August 22, 2008

Mama Mia! Tasty Italian Food


Last night, we went to dinner at Raia's Italian Market on Washington. It's been open for only one month but runs like it was born there decades ago. The Italian kitchen setting threw Little K for a loop.
"Whose house is this?" she kept asking.
She enjoyed her spaghetti while Trent chowed on the New Orleans pasta filled with seafood. I tried the red bell peppers stuffed with crab, shrimp and cheese. Ahh. It was heavenly. So heavenly, in fact, that I had no room for dessert. Little K tried chocolate gelato, which she devoured as evidenced in the photo here. Trent licked his lips at the cheese cake. In five minutes flat, the desserts were gone.
I was hoping that this family was related to my old softball buddy Angela Raia from Memorial Ashford Little League many moons ago. But no such luck. Darn.
I highly recommend Raia's for its family-friendly atmosphere and delicious Italian cuisine.
4500 Washington Ave. Suite 200
(just west of Molina's and Joy Yoga on the north side of Washington)
713-861-1042

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Party, Party, Party!


Last Sunday, I took Little K to a long-time friend's birthday party. Well, let me restate that. The moms are long-time friends. We got to know each other in 1980 when I was in first grade. Any ways, Little K & I went to the party at the Pink Pokka Dot Room on 19th Street in the Heights. Girls can have dress up princess parties here or in this case a "Fancy Nancy" party with guest visitor Hannah Montana. The guests first picked out their attire from a rack of fancy dresses. In typical fashion, Little K chose the gold sparkles seen in the photo here. Next up, the staff gave Little K quite a hair do. (I may find my next hair stylist there.) Then, the make-up came to adorn my 3-year-old's face, followed by nail polish -- purple (her choice, not mine but whatever).

The guests then sang "Happy Birthday" to the honoree and enjoyed tea and cupcakes. (Little K passed on the cake as usual). After that, the shop owner read to "Fancy Nancy" books to the guests, which made me giggle.
Next, the room changed into a dance party and my sweet Little K turned into a disco momma! A pretend Hannah Montana began singing and dancing on a makeshift stage and my little one got her groove on. It was hillarious. Who knew Little K could move like that when moments before she didn't even know who Hannah Montana was?! This party was a blast... for us all!
Olive Ann, 237 W. 19th. 713-802-2021.
Until the next nap time...

Monday, August 18, 2008

Get Dolled Up!

Here's a pretty way to beat the rain weather with your little girl.

Family NightPrincess Night
This is a special night! You can take some great pictures of your kids with Cinderella! Also, Sweet & Sassy will have everything from a Pink Limo to Glitter Make-Up! Plus: Dress like a Princess and get a FREE 4-pack Kid's Meal. Jingles the Clown Jingles is always SPECIAL! Hope to see you there.

Until the next nap time...

Friday, August 15, 2008

Translation Please

Kids say the funniest things, especially mine. Once again, Little K undressed this morning only to get her night shirt stuck. She pulls her head through but not her arms. She thinks it's funny and dresses around singing "Pack pack. Pack pack." She's trying to say "Backpack. Backpack," like Dora the Explorer. When I explained the logic at 6 am, she thought I was crazy. Oh well.

Last night, while she ate a Bullet Poscicle, she told me that she had to hurry up and eat it or it would "get milk-ed." She meant to say "melted" but don't try to convince her otherwise.

This weekend is jam-packed with 2 kids' b-day parties and one for my husband. Have fun with your families.

Until the next nap time...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Who's Been Peaking at My Book?

The Bunny Bungalow blog includes local happenings for all ages, but focuses mostly in the Heights. If you look at the blogger's entry from August 4, you'll see my book signing at Heights Antiques on Yale tied to the White Linen Nights event. Who's that stylish chic in the hat? My tennis friend Jennifer, who brought her hubby and two sons to the book signing. Too fun! Hope to see you all around town.

Until the next nap time...

Friday, August 08, 2008

Do the Right Thing

While at a business networking breakfast yesterday, a woman shared a notecard that a vendor gave her. Instead of just the company's contact information, this notecard also included the following:

1. Do the right thing

2. Do more than is expected

3. If it's wrong make it right

4. Make time for people

5. Improve someone's life

6. Make a difference

7. Do it now

While this certainly applies to business, the simplicity offers great concepts for parents trying to lead children toward morals and values. Hope this inspires you & your family to do good.

Until the next nap time...

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Do You See What I See?

Life is all about perspective. On Monday, Little K was getting ready for nursery school. She reminded me that we're not supposed to bring toys into the classroom. "Its the rule," she said. Then, an interesting conversation unfolded.

As she put on her sunglasses, Little K told me that a boy at school wears his "white glasses in the classroom" so she was going to wear hers. White glasses? I thought. Soon, I realized that indeed one little boy has reading glasses. By "white glasses", Little K meant that the glass was clear. When I explained that he needed those glasses to see like Mommy wears reading glasses when I work on the computer, Little K quickly told me that she just could not see a thing without her sunglasses. Right.

It never ceases to amaze me what she can come up with. Luckily, her perspective almost always brings a smile to my face. Until the next nap time...

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Cookies, cookies, cookies


Since nursery school was canceled today due to the storms and we couldn't drive anywhere, Little K & I made cookies, cookies, cookies. It started out simple enough with sugar cookies. We used Trent's Aunt Denny's recipe. While super tasty, the recipe doesn't make much. Of course, we taste tested so much of the dough, that we could have been the culprit.


Since my mom always makes oatmeal raisin cookies when it rains but Grand is not feeling well today, we decided to make our own. I tried this recipe from Quaker Oats. Unfortunately, I started off the mixing by adding twice as much butter as the recipe called for so we had to double everything. No problem. We'll share the cookies. Well, Little K went down for her nap and I kept baking the batch. I think I have over 100 cookies now. I'm plating them for family and neighbors, thankfully.


The cutest part was when I handed Little K the beater so she could eat some of the dough. As I used to explain to my own mom, she replied: "But it doesn't have enough on it to eat, Mommy." I smiled and handed her a spoonful of dough. All calories aside, it's been a fun day.


Until the next nap time...

Free Movies

If you think it's safe to get out of the house this morning, here's something fun for you & the kiddos despite the rain.

This movie theater is playing free movies for kids at 10 am.

Marq*E Stadium 23 & IMAX
7600 Katy FreewayHouston ,TX 77024713-263-7843
08/05/2008-08/06/2008

Doogal (G)
Are We There Yet? (PG)

Until the next nap time...

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Fun-Filled Day


We had a Mommy & Little K Day on Friday. I can't believe how much I enjoyed it.

First up: a trip to the dentist. It was Little K's first dentist appointment so she was a bit hesitant. The hygenist Miss Lynnda was super about explaining everything and even letting Little K sit upright in the chair. Of course, the treat bag full of toys was helpful, too. I had not prepared myself for my daughter's intrigue. After her cleaning, it was my turn, making it a challenge to supervise a 3 year old while getting my own teeth cleaned. Little K found the tools amazing. After Miss Lynnda skirted the window with the water tool, Little K was investigating everything. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of Miss Lynnda AND Little K cleaning my teeth, drowning me in water & flossing my teeth. That photo would have been priceless.
Tip for next time: bring a toy that will keep Little K engaged for awhile.

After that we went to breakfast at Le Peep with Grand, my mom. It was yummy and great for kids.
We went home and did our artwork. I bought finger paints with little sponges for designing, plus some butcher paper to lay on the driveway. Together, we created two banners that now hang on the fence by our driveway. Little K loved painting her hands & feet so she could do handprints & footprints on the paper . She sang with glee and I realized how much I had missed just hanging out with her.

After school & weekend activities just aren't enough for me. it filled my heart to spend that quality one on one time with her. I realized how BUSY I've become over the last year and how much I've missed with my daughter. Not to be too hard on myself, we do a lot of stuff together after school & on weekends. But I was carefully reminded on Friday that this time passes too quickly. I'm determined to make more of these moments.

Until the next nap time...