Dane's Sweet Birthday

Happy "Sweet" Birthday to our big boy.  With a Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed party, it surely was a sweet celebration.  Dane is my candy eater and loves all things chocolate.  Guests noshed on chocolate covered fruit and marshmellows thanks to our chocolate fountain, gobbstoppers, gumballs, pixie sticks and a few veggies (to throw in so the parents didn't throw us out!)

Our little guy had a big day!

Oompla Loompa dance contest (the little ones learn the steps first)

a little twister stretching

kids had fun making their own chocolate lollies!

toothbrushes in party favors ...of course!

Messy but fun!

Just in time for the holidays






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With Gratitude...

...we celebrated Thanksgiving.  I am so very blessed and offer up my thanks and praise to God not only on Thanksgiving but all year long.  This turkey day we were filled with thanks and turkey...and stuffing...and repeat.  As per normal with my beautiful blended family, we pull double duty on the holidays...but who's complaining?!  Seconds? Count us in!


The guys enjoyed a little football while the hens were heating up the kitchen!


Try these fun place-card holers & get the kids involved!


At the Arnold's


At the Heimer's


What a day!

Where the Magic Happens! Sew Fab...

After a hiatus from my clothing line aspirations last year... I am ready to jump back in the swivel chair and let the creativity flow.  With a year of re-adjusting and settling into our new life in Southern Maryland, I packed away the old Singer for a while.  Finally starting to feel like my feet are back on the ground, I have missed having my creative sewing outlet.  With a house full of boys and all things boy related, my favorite room in the house is my sewing room.  My sanctuary of fabulosity is all frills and ruffles; totally girly.  With my new sewing room complete and fully functional, it is time to start shopping for fabrics!

"More Brussel Sprouts Please!"

Just had to share this delicious and easy recipe that actually had my kids wanting seconds for brussel sprouts! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Simple recipe here

Fall Fun

Fall is my favorite time of year! The excitement and anticipation of the approaching holidays, the gorgeous change in scenery, (my birthday), and the crisp weather that just seems to add a little extra energy to the day's adventures.

Halloween Fun

Don't you just love dressing up for Halloween?  I never grow bored of dreaming up clever costumes and adorning my boys in fun get-ups (listen, as a boy mom, it's the closest thing I get to playing dress up with them!)  Here are some shots from the 2010 festivities!

2010 Top Get Away Spots

A (sometimes very enjoyable) part of my job as event planner for government conferences is to preview properties and conduct site visits for upcoming events. I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit this past year and enjoyed some fabulous accomodations. Having completed a number of site visits and events, I can certainly give valuable input on The Loews Coronado in San Diego California, The Gaylord National in DC's National Harbor, and  The Tides Inn are among my top resort and spa reccomendations for 2010.

Each have their own flair and their own specialty. Whether is be the fine cusine or Mixology classes at the Mistral Resturant at the Loews Corondao, the well appointed luxy suites at the Gaylord National, or the first class Spa at the Tides on the Chesapeake these properties are top facilities for event hosting.  Attention to detail and in tune to the smallest touchessucessful event planning requires, these folks really cater to their clients.


Grand Lobby Loews Coronado



Atrium Gaylord National



Warm accomodations of the quaint Tides Inn, VA

Summer Vacay 2010

It has been a super busy summer. With a move to our permanent home (bye bye rental!), heavy travel with my new job and Justin's tournament schedule in the mid-atlantic pro circut and lessons until the late summer sun goes down, quality time for the Tiger family is spread thin in the summer months.  Our vacation was way overdue and we both could literally feel the stress melt away with each mile we headed out of town.

We packed up and headed South to our home away from home. It was a true homecoming and felt so great to see our family and friends and enjoy some real R&R.

Our jet skiis are named after our boys' fun nicknames.  Can you guess which one is which?

This is the 1st year Jackson was finally old enough to drive (with an adult of course).  He was a wild man on the jet ski!  Little Dane loves the Nana and Pop's big boat and watching the dolphins play in the gulf!

Just like all Northerners that head to Florida for vacation... we went to Disney!!!

Top 5 vacation favs...quality time with my mom!

Kids at College

Gross Science, Going Green: Recycled Art, Lego Robotic Math...after 2 weeks of baseball and hitting camp in the sweltering heat, Jackson is enjoyed exercizing his brain in these creative learning venues with hands on interaction and learning outside of the box. The kids summer program at the  College of Southern Maryland is an excellent environment for learning, creativity and inspiring kids to think about their world in a new way.  In fact, after last week's Going Green class, Jackson vowed to not ask for or want one single new toy for the rest of the year.  He is re-useing and re-purposing and creating new toys...quite an undertaking for my Bakugan, DSi loving 8 year old! That course take away alone was woth it for mom!

Independance Day

The summer time often leaves me feeling very independant...and typically not by choice.  With the hubs in the height of his busy season the boys and I are on our own most weekends and evenings.  With that, we appreciate family time even more.  After a long weekend of lessons and tee times, we spent a beautiful afternoon on Soloman's Island with Dad.  We took in the sites, tastes and sounds of the day and ended it with a magical display of fireworks over the Bay!

We ate dinner at Stoney's for their acclaimed crab cakes. The place was family friendly and smack dab on the ocean.  The boys ravaged some yummy crab cakes while watching in amazement as all the sailboats came into dock for teh fireworks. After dinner we took a walk on the Pier and watched the fishermen clean the day's catch of rock fish. 

Being the Florida girl that I am, I was delighted to try Kim's KeyLime Pie!  Authentic and delicious, if you haven't stopped in for a slice, you simply must!  ...the Chardonnay isn't bad either :-)  

What a fun fourth!  Enjoyed exploring Soloman's Island.  I have been a few times in the past, but only to visit the Tiki Bar...so, well, you know the rest!

Facing the Giants!

Jackson and his Rookie Machine Pitch team won the championship!  We were very proud of our little bad news bears that certainly went in as the underdogs.  The boys were ecstatic!

California Girl

I think I could handle that title!  After spending 8 days in Southern California, I became quite comfortable with the gorgeous La Jolla sunsets, amazing wildlife, vegetation...and yes the 70 degree weather boasting clear skies that almost seemed to be in high def. Did I mention how yummy the fish tacos are!

A lotta work and a little play in San Diego.  Our event was fabulous and my hard working team continued to inspire and impress. I have made such wonderful friendships here in my new home! 

After 5 long days, Justin flew out to meet me and enjoy the most breathtaking of canyons and mountains from some of the country's most gorgeous golf courses.  We loved Georges at the Cove where we enjoyed the most delicious dinner after watching the sunset behind the seals.

When living at a 5-star resort for over a week, you become very familiar with the staff...and they become familiar with you, and your needs. Especially when the property is as extraordinary as the Loews Hotel Coronado Bay where the customer service standards are way above par.  Kudos to the team at the Loews - a superb resort with breathtaking veiws from every room... especially the suites! Thanks for a great week guys!

Easter 2010

Productivity Pro

You have a sink full of dishes, three loads of laundry, 17 bills to pay, a big stack of novels you'd love to read, and zero – count them – ZERO minutes of free time. What about the gym, QC with the Fam, plus the organic gardening and hand sewn window treatments you have been putting off (smiling) ... us Super Women have to hone our time management skills and re-claim our "me" time!!  Time Management Expert, Laura Stack is the author of Find More Time and Leave the Office Earlier and has these 10 helpful tips:



1. Reduce waiting time. If your doctor or meetings always run late, plan ahead. Make good use of this time and carry note cards, bills and magazines in your tote. (thank you Lord above for one of your greatest creations... The Blackberry! - I also always carry a book in my giant handbag for times like these!)

2. Limit your television watching. Sensible limits may relieve guilt from overindulging while freeing up time for more worthwhile pursuits. Record your favorite shows and skip the commercials.

3. Say no to yourself. If you're not excited about attending a social function, then don't go! (yes, even I can get a little over socialized!) Stay home and relax. Or if you planned to go grocery shopping but the sun is shining and you'd rather be in your garden, it's fine to change your mind and do your shopping tomorrow.

4. Cut down on cleaning. (can I get an "Amen"!) This expert says: Wipe the sink after each use. If you're inclined to make the bed, pull up the quilt before you get out of it. Use washable throw rugs with rubber backs in heavy traffic areas. Change filters on the heating/cooling system frequently to cut down on dust.

5. Batch tasks when you can. It takes longer to do small administrative tasks one at a time. Instead practice "saving up" these items. Put all your copies in a "to be copied" project file; your filing in a "to be filed" bin; etc. Pick a regular day and time to handle all these tasks at once.

6. Don't put things down "just for now." Temporary places too often become permanent places. Put something away while it's in your hand rather than allowing large piles to accumulate.

7. Reduce time at the store. Use catalogues – or store websites – which will gift-wrap and mail presents for you. Buy gourmet gifts from an online bakery or specialty store to have on hand when you attend parties – nuts, jams, teas and candies make excellent gifts.

8. Hire it out. You can get the kid down the street to mow your lawn for $20. Now think about hiring out housekeeping, laundry, cooking and other tasks you don't enjoy or need to do. (same goes for laundry - you would be suprised that laundry wash/dry/fold service is per pound of clothes - worth every cent!)

9. Change your pace. If you normally do your grocery shopping on Saturday, pick a weeknight to go instead. The stores are much less crowded on Wednesday evening than Saturday afternoon. The desire to get home after work, instead of feeling like you have all day, will keep you clipping down the aisles.

10. Focus on simple pleasures. When your day's work is done, make time for yourself. Relaxation doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. A bubble bath or really good cup of coffee can be as satisfying (and less time consuming) as a spa visit or fancy restaurant.
Yes, extravagant occasions are nice, but when you focus on simple pleasures, you'll get more for less, in less time, more often.

Social Climber

Hunting season (egg hunting that is) is upon us and we enjoyed a Breton Bay community egg hunt at the beach this past weekend. We practiced our hunting for the Bunny's big appearance this Sunday!