Part One of This Post: My First Mother’s Day-
Oh man Sunday was fun. In that nontraditional I’m-sure-some-other-moms-might-not-get-it way. The whole weekend was sort of an extended Mother’s Day extravaganza since we made time for visits to the farmer’s market and a Bon Air parade/festival with Clara and John on Saturday (Burger’s afraid of firetrucks and loud noises, so he skipped the parade). Then on Sunday, I was awakened by the bean who was holding a handmade card (she scribbled all over it with crayons- so cute) along with an equally sweet card from John and Burger. I was also given a printout that was entitled “The Tale Of Sherry’s First Mother’s Day” which explained that John tried to hunt down the gold Calypso for Target dangly earrings that he knew I had been drooling over, but they were sold out in two stores that he drove to as well as online. So he snuck onto my Pinterest boards and saw that I was also obsessed with these lovelies (found here on Etsy)…
… so he ordered them for me instead. Yes there was excited arm flapping. I love them so much. They kind of remind me of lemons which take me back to our wedding day. And I love that John thought to check Pinterest to find something I was obsessing over. Smart man.
Alas, my new lovely lemon earrings didn’t arrive in time to be handed over in the flesh, so a picture of them was sweetly included in my little First Mother’s Day printout along with news that John was also getting me a Mother’s Day massage to continue the tradition that he started last year when I was hugely pregnant and desperate for some prenatal massage relief. Wahoooooo. He intentionally didn’t book the massage for Mother’s Day (he told me to pick a later date because he knew I wanted to spend the whole day with Clara). Sweet, huh? Thanks hubs. For the Mother’s day rubs and the beautiful baubles.
Anyway, after my little wake-up slash card & gift fest, Clara and John and I went to Einstein Bagels (one of my favorite breakfast spots) where I got an asparagus and mushroom flatbread sammy (for two bucks with a coupon- haha). It was so delicious I can’t even say. John and Clara shared a muffin and a coffee cake in case you’re wondering (suddenly this play by play got very specific). Then we headed home for Clara to catch a nap and John parked me on Karl The Sectional to watch some delicious reality TV (Pregnant in Heels) while he went outside and got back to work on the patio. The plan was for him to work for two hours while Clara napped and then come in and shower and play with us for the rest of Mother’s Day.
Here’s where Mother’s Day veers of into the nontraditional realm. By about two hours into Project Patio it was apparent that John needed waaaaaaay more time to make progress, so I decided the best possible way to spend the day would be to play with Clara while daddy kept working on the pavers (what mom doesn’t want a finished patio for Mother’s Day?). So Clara and I played with blocks and puzzles and crayons and had some lunch and brought daddy some granola bars and even practiced walking a little bit (don’t worry, it was all assisted so John didn’t miss any true first steps). We even got outside for some fresh air and had fun on the patio while John worked away in the background.
Burger was especially excited to have some fun out there too, and it was cute to see both of “the kids” enjoying our new space- even before it was completely finished.
And about eight hours of hard hubby handiwork later, I had my Mother’s Day patio! John had completely cut all the edge pavers – he just needed to add sand between the cracks, which he planned to do on Monday (final “after” pics should be up tomorrow morning for ya, btw). And we had just enough time to enjoy a nice family dinner (burgers from Five Guys – mmmm) and then it was time to put the bean to bed and enjoy some sofa chillaxing (John wrote Monday morning’s post while we watched a criminally long episode of The Apprentice – seriously three hours is about two hours too many). But it was the best Mother’s Day ever.
Part Two of This Post: Proof I’m Crazy-
I always tell you that I’m neurotic and loud and crazy but for some reason you guys don’t buy it (instead I get pinned as perfect and prissy, which are both hilariously untrue). But behold, this video pretty much proves my insanity. We were asked to chat about radon by our local news station (it was recorded a few weeks back but aired last night at 11pm on NBC12). And while John’s quotes make total sense, I shout things like “We’re gonna die tonight!” and “It sounds like aliens. Invasion!” while waving my arms around wildly. Here’s our Flip video of the TV screen (yeah, we’re high tech):
Now do you believe me? I’m nuts. We cracked up the entire time it aired (and then rewound the DVR to watch it again while cry-laughing). And for those of you at work, you can read a breakdown of the segment here (complete with some nutso Sherry quotes worked in of course). Oh and there’s some cute footage of the bean in the video too, so it might be worth a watch on “mute” if you’re trying to keep your video-viewing on the down low at work.
Possibly the funniest thing that happened during the interview was that Clara started clapping for the first time. On camera. And we sort of lost it. They even sent us this “outtake” of the big moment:
If the clip above doesn’t work, here’s a direct link for ya. And yes. I’m flapping my arms and generally acting insane again. I guess that’s to be expected at this point.
Aww Happy (late) Mothers Day! <3 The patio looks fabulous. What a great gift!
Yay for cute earrings! And a nearly finished patio! Clara is so cute feeding leaves to Burger. Haha. And, you’re not completely crazy. Haha. :)
HAHA Clara clapping is adorable! and the look on your faces is pretty funny too, you guys were trying not to look. Yey for Claraaaaaa :)
Home improvements you can smell?? Lol, that made me laugh! I’m a reporter, so I totally understand the cringe factor of watching yourself, but you did a great job!
Haha, that was an awesome line too. We had so much fun.
xo,
s
That’s what I was going to comment on. You can forgive Sherry because she’s not a pro, but “home improvements you can SMELL”? What a weird statement.
i love how clara claps a few times, then shoves her palm into her face. like, “wait, a sec, what is this thing?!”
beautiful patio, earrings, and most importantly- baby. :-)
I was watching the outtake video on silent at work. I know I’m wasting comment space, but I just have to say, I Love YoungHouseLove! Thank you for being awesome!
awww, perfect! sexy John, Beautiful Sherry, precious Clara, and adorable Burger= PERFECT family. I love ya’ll!!!
So, I just watched the video and I love that they zoomed in on Clara. So cute!
She’s totally the star of this group. Haha.
xo,
s
Gorgeous earrings. And your videos were too cute!
i was totally in that parade with my dance school! Good times :)
Happy Mother’s Day! It was my first Mother’s Day as well (my girl is 8 weeks old) but unfortunately we live in a cardboard box apartment, searching to buy a house now (hence me reading your blog every. day. and drooling).
The husband knows how much I love gardening, so he cleaned up our smallish porch and covered it with candles, flower pots, and flower boxes along the railing! Looks like I’ve got my very own DIY this weekend!
OMG the clapping is ADORABLE. And the furtive looks between you and John as you both realize it? You couldn’t have planned it better if you tried!
Happy Mother’s Day and Congrats on the finished patio! You guys are an inspiration!
Happy belated Mother’s Day!
PS – I love those earrings and I can’t wait to wait the video when I get home :)
soooo cute. I love hearing about Mom’s getting spoiled and extra loved for Mother’s Day!
http://lifelovesleah.blogspot.com
Happy 1st Mother’s Day! It sounds like the perfect day! And I loved the nbc12 report…you are hilarious! We are good friends with the Nobles so we heard you were doing the taping…Ryan didn’t mention the Clara clapping moment though- that was amazing!!! :)
Okay, hilarious video. Ironically enough, you still don’t seem crazy. It’s endearing! lol.
Also, I’m trying not to laugh hysterically at my work computer while watching the adorable second video. thanks for the pick-me-up this afternoon! Yay Clara!
WTF is Radon? Never heard of it. Need to google.
Cute video btw. And sounds like a great mother’s day.
We have a few posts about it (search “radon test” on our sidebar if you’d like). It’s like aliiiiens!!!! Just kidding.
xo,
s
Hm. Doesn’t seem to be discussed very much over here in Germany. Need to check. Hope it’s fine here. I live in a rented apartment which makes it all the more complicated.
Don’t think my landlord would invest that much money. It’d probably be even more expensive, we don’t have crawl spaces where you can easily install foil. We have cellars, made from cement. No idea how you’d intall a radon-deflection-thingy there.
Love those Target earrings – I picked them up in silver last week. But the ones John got you are even cuter – and the Target ones are really heavy on your ears.
On a more serious note, I’m stopping on my home from work to buy a radon detector. Yikes! It’s one of those things I’ve been putting off for months!
Sherry- literally thats hilarious! I was thinking you were just exaggerating while quoting yourself in the video- but no, you really did say them! haha… they dont sound as bad as they read!
Still laughing!! =) How sweet is Clara?!
hahahaha sherry your “aliens are coming” line is cracking me up!
Clara’s clapping and your reactions totally made my day! I’m not sure how you managed to collect yourself to get back to business after that. I would have been giggling throughout the rest of the interview.
Love the patio too – can’t wait to see the pics of the finished product.
S, your arm flapping gets me every time. The clapping video is so cute/funny even on mute. **Laughing hysterically on the inside** (I’m at work in a very quiet set of cubicles).
“It sounds like aliens. Invasion!”
LOL
I’ve no idea what the exact context of that statement was, but they managed to put that in the video completely out of context to make it as confusing and odd sounding as possible. *chuckles and bonks the video editor* Oh well! ;-D
You guys totally rule!! John is trying his darnedest to be Serious Guy Being Interviewed while Clara decided to start clapping for the first time ever while mom gawks at her totally awe-struck. Thanks for sharing the fun! :D
The Clara clapping video is hilarious (and adorable).
Untraditional traditions are the best!!
I am so impressed by the new patio, and the ear rings are to die for.
Also, it’s great that you know that it’s not always easy to watch videos at work, I hate when I miss the whole point just because I cant watch the embedded video.
Your entire family is too cute for words!!! I love the video of Clara clapping!
I love how during the video John kept talking (while looking a bit distracted) after Clara clapped and you immediately looked at him as if to say “did you see that? Did you see what your daughter just did?!” So cute…
I loved that! They were both trying to concentrate, but a big moment just happened! That is awesome that you now have this moment on video to always look back on :)
LOVED IT!! I had to hide my laughter while I watched it at work.
Only you could take a news story about radon and make it hilarious! Nice work. And kudos for John to using Pinterest for gift ideas – my hubs did the same a few months back for my bday. Smart guys! More should catch on.
That video of Clara clapping — even on mute because I’m at the office – is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.
Nice work you guys!! I LOVED the out take….that Clara is too much! Her smile is so genuine!
you guys are hilarious! :)
How awesome is Pregnant in Heels?? Were you by chance watching the episode where they want a focus group to approve their choice of baby name? I do kind of covet Rosie Pope’s adorable accent though :)
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!
Haha that focus group episode was the best one ever. I love how they ended up using the name everyone else universally hated!
xo,
s
SNL had a hysterical “Pregnant in Heels” sketch this weekend (their Mother’s Day show). The woman playing Rosie Pope totally nailed her accent. Check it out on Hulu :)
Oh my gosh I know! John and I were giggling like crazy.
xo
s
Sherry you are not crazy; enthusiastic, yes. Way to go for being featured in a great short on the dangers of this “alien” gas!!
I bet it helped motivate John to have Clara there being so cute and enjoying the patio already!
Love the looks on your faces trying not to pay attention to her clapping.
So funny! I love your idea of Mother’s day. I celebrated my first one by tilling the garden and planting trees at our new house. I got a wheel barrow… Oh-I got to sleep in a little too, which was pretty nice:)
LOVE the earrings!!!
LOVE those earrings! You have a good hubby. :)
Hahahaha How awesome is it that Clara sniffed her hands and then clapped for the first time on CAMERA!!! Awesome that you guys got the footage of that! And it was clear as day!
YEAHY CLARA! And Sherry I think you are even more beautiful when animated, INSANE and all!
Honestly, I think you kids need your own reality show…
Happy First Mother’s Day Sherry!!!
Awww, that’s so cute. Trying not to laugh, but not being able to help it :) Super-cute family!
The outtake is great. What a wonky clap! Go ‘head Miss Clara. She’s just clapping for her TV debut, that’s all.
so cute!! that outtake was awesome. and those earrings are beautiful! can’t wait to see the final patio shots!
Love that you guys had fun doing a piece on Radon. Hahahaha.
Happy first Mother’s Day to you! That video is awesome, especially the blooper! Clara is too adorable.
Cute claps! This really does bring much-needed attention to the issue… and it’s a little horrifying to think about where else I’ve lived without knowing whether or not I was being effected. Nice interview.
Oh my god, Sherry. You are too freakin’ funny. That video KILLED me! You are slightly insane but that is what we all love about you. hahaha.
the quilt is fantastic! you only need to add a border to it (a turquoise or lime will look gorgeous) to look kind of professional!!! congratulations, I have had my sewing machine for more than two years and haven’t sewn anything so big yet! I’m kind of jelaous! Now that I am pregnant waiting for my girl to be born in about two weeks… I think I should try… though I have to finish her nursery first, but this is going to require more time… ahem…
Love your blog guys, I have been reading it for more than a year without leaving a single comment on it. But you inspire me continuosly, I want to make a baby book for my daughter, but in Spain is difficult to find a fabric-covered book :(
Forgive me if this was mentioned in the previous patio postings somewhere, but did you rent that saw? Did someone show you how to use it or is John just that smart? ;-)
That’s a wet saw that we borrow from John’s dad (we used it to tile the bathroom in our first house, so that’s where John learned how to use it). More details about cutting the pavers and using that saw to come in our big patio reveal post tomorrow!
xo,
s
Cool. Was wondering if the same saw was used for tile and thicker pavers. I anxiously await all the “deets” in tomorrow’s post!
Yup, amazingly the same saw worked. John worried the pavers would be too thick but he made it work!
xo,
s
I love the pretty earrings but I love the outtake video even more. Clara is so cute and so is your whole family. You guys got me laughing!
Jessie
I had to watch the clapping video a few times b/c it made me laugh so hard. I love that John knew what happened but he was trying so hard to cover it up, and then you started snickering! That was great, so funny!