Mr. Serious Plays Guitar

This is Rhys, shortly after Christmas, playing with his Aunt Kayley's new fancy karaoke machine with it's fancy 'echo' feature on the mic. Then Grampa tries to teach him to play guitar.

The guitar part is a perfect example of Rhys' deadpan/serious mood, where you're not sure he's even enjoying himself.

At the 1:24 mark he does his standard 'spontaneous raised arms' thing, as soon as he notices me taping him.

Post!

Today was really fun. Rhys & I spent the day at Grampa & Grandma's house to celebrate my Dad's birthday. Rhys got an early birthday present - a wagon! - and his uncle James pulled him around in it. He called it a 'baby motor home' because Rhys was lounging and eating snacks in it. Lots of video & photos were taken of the fun we had, but of course that was all on other people's cameras.

So, I'm just posting for posting's sake. I'll *try* to do better tomorrow!

Pip Pip, Cheerio

When I was pregnant, I used to joke that I wanted a sweet little English boy, accent and all. He'd wear jaunty caps and pantaloons, and he'd say things like "Mama, shall we to the market today? We could have a sit down, with a spot of tea".

On Easter Sunday this year, I came as close to that dream as I ever will, I'm afraid.

This outfit was a gift from friends of the family who bought it on their travels through Italy. The sweater is cashmere! It's the only outfit he owns that is hand wash only.

Warren brought 'the good camera', so we got some great photos from the Greek Easter Feast at Dad's. This outfit will now live forever in our memories!

Rhys & Grampa, wearing their Jaunty Caps:

Rhys with Crazy Uncle Adam:

With Uncle James & Aunt Kayley:

With Grandma Pamela:

With his Great Grandparents, on Pamela's side:

Lastly, a family portrait:

Birthday Recap

I didn't do the best job getting appropriate pictures from my birthday celebrations, but I'll post what I do have.

First, dinner at my mother-in-laws, with my mom, Warren, Father-in-law and Rhys last Wednesday. A pic of me & Rhys with my Marble Slab 'Oreo' birthday cake:

Then (the well documented in photos) Ladies Night at Theresa's on Friday.

I was greeted with '30th Birthday Party in Progress' yellow tape covering the front door:

Turns out, I'm a total HAM (who knew?!)...

Wearing my 'Never Grow Up Gangsta' necklace:

30 candle with homemade cupcakes! :

What, I have to share these? :

I'm trying to remember what we were laughing about?! :

Oh, the masks. Don't ask :

Opening Prezzies:

Ya, little buddy. That's how a felt at the end of the night, too:

(Editor's note: CUDOS to Keri for coming to girl's night with her little 7 week old and staying past midnight!!! Seriously! You are a better friend that I!!!).

Then, on Saturday, we went our for dinner with some more great friends. HOWEVER, I completely forgot to have the waiter photograph us all at the table. So all I have from the night is a lame self portrait I took before we left:

If nothing else, I figure that pic will come in handy to analyze any new wrinkles/chins that may crop up over the years...

Lastly, brunch at my dad's house on Sunday. Didn't take the pics I should of, but here's my dad feeding a very grumpy grandson:

Thank-you Family & Friends for treating me to a such a special 30th birthday. You all rock.

Thirty.

Thirty years ago today, my mom gave birth to little baby girl, and named her Amanda.

Thirty years ago today, my dad held a little angel in his arms, and probably wondered what the heck he had gotten himself into.

Now their baby girl is 30 years old, and has a baby of her own. How totally odd. I wonder what that must feel like. There is a line in 'Fiddler on the Roof' that goes: "Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older. When did they?" .

(Editor's note: I made this pic B&W to hide my greasy hair and lack of make-up...I'm not sure that it worked...).

Here's my Grandma holding me, 30 years ago in January 1980:

And her holding Rhys (his Great Grandma), in December 2009:

I have a very blessed life as I exit my 20s. In fact, I'm pretty confident that my 30's are going to be KICK-ASS, too!

Yesterday: Rhys got his H1N1 shot, and barely cried! The nurse said that vaccine is warm, so it hurts less. Here is a pic of Rhys NOT napping in his crib yesterday:

Today: DECADENT GIRL'S NIGHT with my Lady Friends. 'Nuff said :-)