Vilakazi and burgers!

Tonight was absolutely spectacular! S&B Burger Joint has a charity day every Tuesday, where the nonprofit gets 10 percent of the proceeds. We were lucky enough to be selected this year! It was so exciting being a part of a business's giving, and it was so heart-warming to see how many of our friends came out to support us.

Don't serve popcorn

Mia hit another milestone: a noisy, chaotic, insane milestone. We had a sleepover. Our good friend Michelle brought her two kiddos over to stay the night with us.

The first lesson learned: you can never have two many snacks already prepared. By the time a kid asks for a snack, it's already too late. You can mosey around the kitchen, leisurely flipping through your cupboards. It's go time. You have to have something ready.

The second lesson learned: do not serve a snack you don't want to clean up. For example, don't give a group of excited, active children popcorn unless you'd like to wake up and discover popcorn kernels in your bathtub and other various locations.

They had so much fun. They watched a movie, jumped on the bed, did lots of yelling and even slept in a little bit. Noah spent lots of time riding Mia's Power Wheels. Izzy spent lots of time explaining how we should deal with Noah. Mia mostly giggled and followed them around like they were rock stars.

From one kid to three

Our wonderful friend Michelle let her two kiddos spend the day at our house. Let me just say this: having three children all of a sudden makes you feel less in a hurry to have a second baby.

We had so much fun with Noah and Izzy. Mia adores them. They adore Mia. It's a lovefest. We went to the park, played the piano and bounced on the bed.

But to be honest, it was kind of crazy.

We were unprepared on many levels, particularly the food level. We didn't have the snack situation taken care of, and Leigh made a mad dash to Crest. Turns out, kids compound each other's emotions. One is hungry? All of a sudden, three become really, really, really hungry - right now! At the time, it was terrifying. We were sure we would be eaten by a tiny, adorable herd of cannibals, but the pizza bagel bites arrived just in time.

So I'm in less of a hurry to have a second baby. I like the 2:1 ratio of adults to kids that we have now. Mia needs to be a little older and I need more snack-planning practice before we add a baby to the mix.

Grey Snow Eagle House

We had the amazing opportunity to somewhere pretty incredible today. We visited the Iowa Tribe's Grey Snow Eagle House, a refuge for injured and helpless eagles from across the country. It's just amazing. We went as a surprise for our friend Kelli's birthday. We hauled the kids out to Perkins and had a big ol' time.

It's a small place that gives free tours to anybody who wants to come check it out. They even brought out one of the education birds and let us see it up close. Incredible!

Crashing the deli

We crashed a supper with our pals the Kelleys and the Dupuys. I'm pretty sure Mia and Noah and Izzy (Michelle's children) are in love with each other. I mean seriously. Look at the cuteness.


Mia had so much fun, she confiscated our camera and took pictures herself.

Mocksmas!

This year we celebrated yet another Christmas, even in January. We celebrated Mocksmas - a term invited by Kelli Dupuy and her family. We celebrated with them and Michelle Kelley and their kiddos. It even included a visit from Santa Claus! We traded presents and had the best time. Everyone teamed up to buy Mia a wagon. I might or might not have cried. When they rolled it out into the living room, it was game on for Mia, Noah and Izzy. Kids were climbing in and out of that wagon every which way. It was hilarious. And you better believe Mia was pulling those two bigger kids around.

Ice cream with Ms. Michelle

Our wonderful pal, Michelle, dropped by our house to drop off some donations for our Vilakazi garage sale. We talked her into having supper with us. How could a super-busy, single mom of two spare this kind of time? Her kiddos were at grandma's house. It was a rare moment of free time. Then we went out for ice cream, and Leigh took this picture of Mia, who has completely stolen Michelle's spoon and ice cream. Thanks for spending your free time with us, Michelle. Your reward: losing your ice cream.

Sleepover

Not only was Saturday a big night for Vilakazi, but it was a big night for Mia. We have a steady supply of grandmother babysitting options. My mom visits often and Leigh's mom lives in Oklahoma City. But during our wine tasting, my mom was in Arkansas and Leigh's mom came to the event. What would we do with Mia?

Sleepover.

She stayed the night with our wonderful friend Michelle and her adorable kiddos, Izzy and Noah. The three kids had a blast. I'm pretty sure the three of them are the trifecta of cute. I can't even handle it.

When we pulled out of the driveway, Mia cried: "No, mama!"

Family day at the zoo

We went with our friends to go see the new tiger cubs at the zoo. And we had a big fun time.