Camp GiGi and Pappa

When we returned from our wonderful Corsicana Christmas, Bill and I knew that even though we had 5 days of vacation they would be filled up with the preparations for Liam's birthday. There were so many closets that were stuffed with toys, etc. And what working mother has time to spend organizing closets and guest rooms and utility drawers when they already feel like they do not have enough time to spend with their children? or husband for that matter. Too add insult to injury, we also had to take Christmas down. There was so much disorganization and if you know me at all... Without organization there is chaos. I cannot function with an unorganized house. I felt trapped by clutter. Kept feeling like I needed a bigger space. Better yet... I needed to get rid of anything that did not serve a purpose. Get organized and start the new year fresh. So when my mother offered to keep Liam for a couple of days, I thought hard about it and came to the conclusion that it was better to spend 3 quality days with him rather than 5 disorganized ones. That Bill and I needed some time to reconnect as well. To go out on a real date. To stay up late watching an uninterrupted movie and sleep in in the morning. To take time for us so that we could be the very best parents for Liam.

At first we were not sure what to do with ourselves. No one to chase after or say "no no." No one to feed or schedule naps. In fact, no schedule at all. We decided to fondue! A two hour dipping dinner at the Melting Pot. And to top off the evening, we rented Inception without background music of a banging remote on the coffee table. A quiet evening just the two of us.

The next morning we hit the ground running. We took down Christmas in nothing flat. Bill tackled the outside while I sorted through the boxes of fairies and ornaments inside. Within hours Christmas was over. Packed away carefully and ready for round 2. The utility room was no match for Bill. Just wait till you see it now. In fact, you can hear an echo. Tucker wasn't sure to be relieved that he could eat in peace or scared because it felt so empty. And every drawer has a purpose and every item a space. What in the world to do with all collected grocery bags? Daycare of course... and they were thrilled to receive them. After tackling the chest on chest organizing, I took a trip down memory lane and carefully packed tiny little clothes into 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and holiday shrink bags. All of those special little memories shrunk down into 4 bags and plastic bin. A bittersweet box.

We cleaned and de-cluttered and then cleaned some more until we just couldn't organize anymore. I was amazed at all that we had accomplished in such a short amount of time. We deserved date night #2! We decided to check out the new City Center. If you have not been, and you are in the Houston area it is a must. It was hopping.

The earliest last minute reservation at Eddie V's on a Tuesday night was 8:15. But we didn't care! Who has a time clock? Not us! We enjoyed a drink at the bar and one amazing meal!

On our way home, we took some time to look at the beautiful Christmas lights. We talked and laughed and pretended like Christmas wasn't over!

And on that night, December 27th 2010... we realized that 10 years had passed. Ten years since saying yes to that handsome football player wanting to make our relationship "exclusive." Ten years ago that two best friends, two soul mates started their journey. And as if someone else knew besides us in that car, we heard it. Yup, our song. The song we chose ten years ago to signify 'us.' One of those cheesy pop songs! And I had to laugh. It had almost been that long since I had heard it last. It was perfect!

While we had a wonderful 3 days together, we could not wait to get our hands on a little 11 month old! We met GiGi and Pappa half way for the hand off. There were some oh so fab places to stop for lunch... we settled on BBQ and then headed back a family of 3 again.

I cannot thank my parents enough for giving that little boy more grandparent love than he could handle and spoiling him absolutely rotten. I am not sure how he convinced them to give him his birthday prizes early, but they did! And from the looks of it, I would like to sign up for Camp GiGi and Pappa!