Girlfriends

{This is an update to my post from Saturday}

What is it about girlfriends that make them so special?

· Maybe, it's the fact that they listen to your joys and your fears and still love you no matter how outrageous your ideas are

· Perhaps it's the fact that just because you don't see each other as often as you'd like you're still able to pick up where you left off

· Or could it be that you are guaranteed to have a blast each time you see them

Each year my college friends and I arrange an overnight get together. As I'm sure you can imagine, we enjoy being able to reminisce about good times we've shared along with creating new memories!

This year my friend, Courtney, graciously hosted us. It was only about a 45 minute drive from her house to mine {We live on the opposite sides of town}.

After unloading our bags we spent some time just chitchatting before heading to get pedis. I love how soothing simple conversation and laughter are.

We never really have definite plans other than to get pedis. It's the one consistent part that we have each year.

Rachel and Courtney

After getting pedis we headed to The Flying Cupcake. I had a Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake {There are several fun flavors like this}. I want you to imagine how tasty chocolate chip cookie dough is. Now think about the best cupcake you've ever had. You know the kind that are super moist and they have icing that is really smooth, creamy, rich, and chocolaty.  Like the best you've EVER tasted. Ok now combine these two treats and wham! you have the Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake!

So after this super awesome treat we got some lunch.  Yep, that's right, we ate our dessert first and then our lunch.  And ya know what; it's ok, because we didn't have to set examples for our kids!  What they don't know won't hurt 'em!

When our lunch was completed we headed back to Courtney's to change and freshen up.  Our activity for the evening was to paint at Wine and Canvas.

Rachel, Courtney, and Cat

Now let me tell you this Wine and Canvas place was very cool.  A local artist instructed us through a painting that we created ourselves and while we created this painting we . . . you guessed it - drank some wine!  Doesn't that sound like super fun?!  Ok, don't give me the, oh well I'm not an artist, you don't have to be.  You just have to want to have fun . . . that's all just have fun :)

Me and Rachel

While we were painting we took a few pictures and sent them to our husbands.  They had some interesting comments regarding our art work. 
    
Brent wanted to know where the rest of my painting was.
Rachel's husband, Josh, told her she needed to drink some more wine before finishing her painting.
Aren't they nice and supportive? {Jerks!}

Cat, Me, Rachel, and Courtney

Every so often the artist stopped and took a break during the painting process.  This picture was taken during one of the breaks.  I'll let you decide if our shenanigans are a result of the wine or sleepiness setting in.  When deciding keep in mind that 1 of the 4 is pregnant and has a 3 year old, another has 3 children, one has 2 children, and the 4th has no children, but teaches 4th grade.

Rachel, Courtney, Cat, and Me

Here we are with our finished products.  If you can't tell {I don't blame you if you can't} they are lake scenes with some hills and a tree.  And just in case you're wondering yes, we did giggle and say "A happy little tree" {You know like Bob Ross that painter who was on tv}.

When our canvases were completed we were STARVING so we headed to eat at The Cheesecake Factory.  The Cheesecake Factory, just in case you were wondering is like one of my all time FAVORITE restaurants!  If I always got to choose where to eat {and if I had an unlimited supply of money} I would choose The Cheesecake Factory. 

I was shocked to learn that my friend Cat had not previously eaten at The Cheesecake Factory.  I felt like it was my duty as her friend to take her there so she, too could enjoy some of the best food on the planet.  She agreed, it's yummy, and she would totally go back!

I'm sure you can guess this, but we headed back to Courtney's for a good 'ol fashion slumber party {well minus the bra freezing} and talked and fell asleep.

When I returned to reality this morning I was gleefully greeted by B and G who jumped up and down saying, "Mommy's home!  I missed you Mommy!"  Baby M got a huge smile on her face and kicked her feet rapidly.  I had fun being away, but it's nice to know they missed me at home.

Do you get away with your friends?  What do you like to do when you get away?

I'm Outta Here!

*All my bags are packed; I'm ready to go . . .

Yes, I packed 4 outfits for 1 night . . . because well I'm a girl and that's just how I roll. Hey a girl never knows what she's going to want to wear. It's better to be prepared, right?!

*'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane . . .

Really it's a Monte Carlo. I'm only going to the north side of town for our annual girls mini weekend with my college friends. I am so pumped to get pedis, go shopping, and have a few adult drinks. More than anything I'm looking forward to being able to finish a sentence without someone needing something or without having to clean up after 4 other people!

*Don't know when I'll be back again . . .

Actually I'll be back on Sunday. Sometimes I wish I could leave indefinitely. Like the time that I thought it was a good idea to take all 3 kids grocery shopping with me before nap time. Yeah, that went well. B was pushing his small cart into the shelves and into me. G had his arms sticking out of the cart and across the aisle like a bridge. He was telling other shoppers that they had to say the magic word in order to cross. Then he started high 5ing everyone who passed him. Baby M took her socks off and was chewing on them like a dog. It was such a hot freakin’ mess pleasant trip. I haven't done that one again!

*Oh, babe, I hate to go . . .

Well no, no I don't hate to go. I am freaking excited beyond belief to see my girly friends. I will miss my babies though. G had to pull out the big guns when I told him I was leaving . . . the little shit sweetheart gave me his favorite stuffed animal and told me to bring it with me so I would have someone to cuddle with. Damn him! Why does he have to go and make me feel guilty for leaving for less than 24 hours?! Seriously I think there is some secret kid book that they pass around. The book tells kids ways to make their parents feel terrible.

This was taken on our weekend 2 years ago

So as you can see I am headed to spend a little me time with 3 of my very close friends from college. I'm looking forward to sharing some fun stories with you when I return!

*{lyrics} Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver

Do you get some time to spend with your friends? What do you like to do when you get together?