Opa! (Greek Night)

One night I decided that I was going to make Greek food, and the next moment I had invited my entire family over to enjoy the experience with me.

The initial idea soon got out of hand (as it usually does with me) and before you know it we had decided on a Toga Party, complete with prizes for best dressed, Spanakopita, Falafel, Tapas, and Tzatzikii. We also decided to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding, because it just seemed like a good idea. The only thing we didn't have was a lamb roasting in the front yard.

The Three Princesses: Abigail posing like a Greek Goddess, Julianna (my little sister) and Charlie (who just had to have some lace on her Toga)

Little man and Charlie enjoying their costumes. 

My little man in his pillowcase Toga. I swear he might start wearing these full time cause it just broke my heart to look at him he was so dang cute!

My family who were troopers for dressing up! Special thanks to my brother, Cory, who wasn't thrilled to be wearing a dress. 

Thanks to my friend, Rachel Coleman, who incidentally introduced me to the Greek side of life in New York, I knew exactly what to make. Who cares that it took me the entire day and my brain power for the week. Everything turned out sooo good. My mom's spinach pies were especially good!

  

If you've seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding you KNOW we had to make a bundt cake. With a hole.  Thanks Amelia for making a good one! 

My little man LOVED the falafel. And I LOVED the night. 

P.S. If you're wondering why I didn't post my toga picture it is because I had a costume catastrophy last minute and ended up wearing something less Greek and more Hawaiian. The outfit wasn't worthy of this post. ;)    

A True Professional

It turns out we have TWO writers in the Brooks family. Abigail enjoys keeping a journal and sometimes she lets me read it.

"The first time I saw my baby brother, Anakin, I saw an instant angel, until he cried. I was at Mucca's and the first time I held him I knew he was my brother. Time passed, he got five months and every time you hung him upside down and tickled him he would laugh and laugh. He smiled all the time and that is the story of Anakin."

Aw, man. This girl does a momma proud. She is such a great big sister. And I love her words so much I want to frame them...or at the very least blog them. Don't worry, I asked her if I could post this. And five bucks later, she agreed.   

Little Sisters

Jessica and I going on our first dune-buggy ride.

Yesterday was my little sister's birthday. It is hard to believe that she is now twenty-five with two darling children of her own. In my heart she is still just a kid. I think she will always be a kid to me, someone that I have to look after and protect.

Jessica killing me.

I have five sisters, and I love each of them very much, but Jessica was my FIRST little sister, and I think that over the years we've had more than our fair share of sister drama. Probably because we are only four years apart, and we shared a room the majority of our growing up years. Many times we were only moments away from killing each other, as depicted in this picture. I must mention that the picture doesn't lie. Jessica was usually in the better position when we fought, given her Hercules' strength. The very sad truth is that she can STILL kick my trash in almost any given situation.

Sometimes, when I listen to my daughters fight (which is all the time), it brings me back to when Jessica and I were kids, and I smile. Because deep down, buried under all that endless fighting, I know they love each other. I know that at the end of the day they are sisters and someday they will realize how priceless that relationship is.

Jessica and I nursing our baby boys.

Now days Jessica and I fight a lot less. Our four year age difference isn't noticeable and we live in different houses, which probably helps. ;) Both of us just had two baby boys, who I hope will grow up being the best of friends. Instead of fighting with each other, we fight the daily battle of being moms. And Jessica may be a mom and a wife and a daughter and a friend...but to me she will always be my little sister.

Ladies' Night Out

Ladies' night out. Can't live without it. Literally. It's like taking a shower or hitting a reset button on my femininity. It's the one night I don't smell like sour milk, diaper juice, and dusting spray. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for diaper juice most of the time, but this is the one night I don't have children hanging on my arms or ducking between my legs. It's just me, my ladies, and the night. And it's beautiful.

                  Tonight we hit up Texas Roadhouse. And we all ate way too much.

                                          My sister Amelia and I.

 My sister, Clarissa, and my momma. P.S. I love this photo of my mom. Rarely do I get her to be silly in front of the camera. I am keeping this for-EVER.

As you can see, this crowd is dead serious. In order to hang out with them I have to force my boobs into a brassiere that will actually keep them aloft and wear heals, because they are ALL taller and way more beautiful than I am.

I have to clarify that not all my ladies (AKA my sisters and me momma) could come tonight. Two of them, regretably couldn't come with us. In their honor, I am posting past Ladies' Night Out photos. Here's to you Brittany Ann and Jessica. We missed you girls.

 Brittany Ann with Amelia.

                       My sister Jessica and I. More of our story to come tomorrow....