Happy Birthday tea me...

What's your opinion on buying a birthday present for yourself?  

I really wanted to try David's Tea.  The Montreal-based company has taken the tea world by storm.  "Tea World"?  Did I really just say that?  Anyway... the tea... fantastic.  The choices... endless.  I had an outstanding birthday yesterday.  Seriously, the BEST.  I was showered with love, and presents from the moment I woke up.  Of course, every birthday is fun, but my family really went above and beyond this year.  So did I neeeeeed the tea?  No.  But birthdays are a great excuse to spoil yourself just a little, and you know, I'm all over that.  This was my birthday present to me, and I've been in tea heaven since it arrived.  :) 

Organic Mother's Little Helper

The great escape. Need a little relaxation? Try running for the shelter of this mother’s little helper. It’s got organic valerian (aka “nature’s Valium”) to take the edge off your 24/7 reality. Plus there’s chamomile, peppermint and lemongrass for an added dose of tranquility. And pretty blue cornflowers just to make you happy. One sip and you’ll feel like you’ve spent the day at a spa.

Love Tea #7

One sip of #7 and you’ll find yourself head over heels. Mysteriously changed. Magically happy. Walking on air. How does it work? Frankly, we don’t know. Our blender came up with it and then just ran off with the girl of his dreams. Maybe it’s the chocolate bits that lower your inhibitions. Or the seductive strawberries. Or the romantic rose petals. Either way, this black tea is seriously lucky.

Birthday Cake
Party like it’s your birthday! What’s the best thing about birthdays? It could be the presents, or spending time with loved ones, but let’s be honest. It’s all about the cake. With vanilla icing, and lots of sprinkles. And this sweet and festive rooibos blend brings the taste of birthday cake to your cup any day of the year – sprinkles and all. Best of all, not only is it low in calories, it also has all the goodness of rooibos. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

I also snagged the Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait for Evy, the Mango Madness for James, and Licorice Twist because it's Jeff's favorite tea.  Honestly, I really like all of them, but so far the Birthday Cake blend has been my very favorite. I'm so excited to order again and try the Toasted Marshmallow, the Gold Rush blend, and soooo many more. My catalog is full of circles, stars, hearts, and notes- it looks like Evelyn got to it. But nope... that's all me. 

 What's your all-time favorite tea?

Oh this man...

If you happen to see him today, wish him a Happy Birthday! 

Love you, Sahnzy.  ♥

1 Year Old, 33 Years Apart...

Jeff, September 1978                                                       Elliott, July 2012

Happy Birthday, Baby Dahl...

Seriously, where the heck did this year go???  

Our teeny, tiny, baby is 

O N E !

Ok, now allow me to get all mushy and *mom* on you for just a minute...

You guys, my BAAAYBEE is ONE!  And eating cake and walking around, smashing toy cars on the floor, and being a real boy!  I honestly feel like this year was such a blur.  Thank God for digital photography, and instagram, and blogging, and huuuge memory on hard drives- because without them I wouldn't even believe that a year had passed.  ONE seems so significant- it's almost too much to process.  So I have a secret...  

Wanna know the very first thing I said to this little boy; and to James, and Evelyn too?  Even in the foggy haze of cesarean drugs, and the deep-seeded acknowledgment of a body flayed open, wounded and emptied...  I've managed to wish a "Happy Birthday, Baby" to each of them the first time we met.  So this was really Elliott's second Happy Birthday.  Right?  Sorta?  Kinda? 

Thinking of it that way just makes it all a little less heart wrenching for me and helps me hold it together.   Holding it together kept me from being that mom- blowing out the one year old's candle for them, with tears running down my her face.  

So I thought: it's special, but it's not the MOST significant day he's had yet...  and I kissed his little head for the 10 bazillionth time, and blew out the candle with a smile.  I had fun.  He had fun.  And we had fun watching him have fun.  Obviously, our entire household is obsessed with this boy.  That's what you get with big age gaps and little babies.  He just makes us all ridiculously happy.  

Which brings me to the image below...  you know- an average day, but with chocolate and balloons:

We celebrated at home, just the 5 of us.  6, if you count our friend the chocolate bear cake...

But he didn't last very long.

Elliott had his very first taste of ooey gooey chocolatey goodness.  

Verdict?

SUCCESS!

♥

Oh, Elli... you are the happiest little blessing to your family and such a precious gift to each of us.  

We love you like craisin cakes and we're just so excited to know you, to help you grow, and to see you discover the world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!  

Nanny's 90th!

This weekend we celebrated Jeff's grandma's 90th birthday.  It was a surprise party with 125 of her nearest and dearest.  And yes, there was just a little uhhh... concern over surprising a 90 year old woman.  

But believe me when I tell you, that this woman is not your typical great-grandmother.  She's a spicy little thing!  Ella es buena onda!  She walked into a serenade by about a dozen Mariachi players, and a big, giant hug from all of her great-grandchildren.  The look on her face was one of astonishment and overwhelming joy.  But what really got me, was the look on Jeff's mother's face.  It was so moving to see her watching her mother- knowing that she had made it all possible.  I had goosebumps.  She's an inspiring example of everything a daughter should be.  I hope I can do half as much for my own parents when they turn 90.

 The party was a huge success.  The food was...  oh my gosh, UH-MAY-ZING.  Everyone had so much fun.  

Elliott was covered in lipstick of every shade.  A napkin caught on fire.  

Stories were told, tears were shed, and Nanny danced all night!  

She even did the Macarena!

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Nanny.

♥