Cocktails Anyone...

I have spent the last 3 days in Tampa for my day job. I spent my evenings rushing back to the hotel after dinners to work on orders for PGG, in my pj's, in the hotel bed on my ipad with reality tv on. It probably sounds boring to most of you, but I have come to the realization that I am just one of those people that cannot sit still unless I am by the pool or on a beach, or trapped in a plane.

Which brings me to today. Both Tampa and D.C. were having storms, but they boarded our flight anyway, pulled back from the jetway and then gave us the news....get ready for bumps....the entire flight! Well let's just say bumps were an understatement. I am used to being on planes. Before Mini K was born I probably flew close to 400,000 miles each year. I have been on bumpy flights, I have been on flights where the cabin has lost pressure, but I have never been on a flight like today. Let's start with the fact that this wasn't what I would call a jet, more like apuddle jumper without propellers. Thankfully, we made it to D.C. I have never been so happy to be on the ground, but the flight left me with more nervous energy than I know what to do with. So jittery that Mr. G poured me a cocktail as soon as he saw me and offered to cook dinner for the kids.

Image courtesy of www.boulderganic.com

They are both in bed, Mr. G is at one of his hockey games and I am catching up on today's orders, making lists and finishing up egg free cereal cupcakes for Mini K's assistant teacher's birthday tomorrow.

I promise I will post the recipe!

I also am going to multi-task and answer emails on this blog (forgive me, but I don't know how long I can sit at this computer!). Several of you ladies have emailed about our holiday card specials so here are the details:

1. You can access our fabulous paper store by clicking on the link above.

2. Our current special is 20% off all photo cards AND 50% off your choice of return address printing on the envelopes or return address stickers.

3. Our cardstock is thick...I am picky...it's not a business card if it bends so we don't sell flimsy paper!

And finally...for everyone that orders holiday cards from us by December 1st, you will be entered to win one of our fabulous new personalized ring dishes! We will announce the winner on December 2nd and you will have the dish in time to give for the holidays, and we say wrap it and give it to yourself!

So I am going to return to my champagne cocktail and block out today's flight from my mind and not think about the 4 miles that my running shoes will make me do tomorrow at 6am.

NYC Bound

This week has been insane. The least of my problems has been 2 hours spent at the UPS distribution center today, because it seems that 3 boxes have been out for delivery since Monday...they must be walking the boxes to me. Livid, well I am passed that emotion. I should crawl up and go to sleep, but Mini K deserves a treat after this week!

So the Grove Gals (yes Grove Gal E is coming too!) are heading north. Crossfit will not be in my plans, but the hotel gym will be a must visit if only because of what we have planned.

IN no particular order:

Levain Bakery: I will say I cannot go to the city without finding an excuse to swing by...I blame it on the chocolate and the peanut butter. I promise to take a photo and then you will understand

Alice's Tea Room: Mini K has never been and I cannot wait to take her

Magnolia: Mini K calls it the flower frosting store. I guess you can figure out what is her favorite part

Dylan's Candy Bar for an event

American Girl Doll Store (Mr. G calls it the 3rd ring of hell!) for afternoon tea

The Rockettes: This will be Mini K's first time seeing the Christmas show. I remember going to NYC every Thanksgiving when I was little. We would stay at the Plaza and go see The Rockettes.

Lilly P: You didn't think we would miss the sale on Friday did you?

But tomorrow we are paying a special visit to Mini K's current favorite: The Eloise Store.

I promise photos and to come back in a better mood.

Weekend Recap

Yesterday Mr. Grove and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I must say it doesn't seem like 7 years on one hand, but on the other I sit back and think about how much we have done: 2 major renovation projects on 2 different houses, 2 kiddos (or should I say 1.5 for now), more business travel than I can count and his constant support for my love affair with my dear PGG!

Since I cannot get on a plane until Mini #2 arrives we decided on an unconventional anniversary trip...one that included Mini K and involved a road trip. So Friday morning, we packed up and headed to The Homestead. Two amazing dinners, ice skating, skeet shooting for Mr. G, a private ski lesson for Mini K and 1 run for Mr. G before Mini K insisted on multiple trips down the bunny slope and a much needed prenatal massage for me, we packed back up and headed home.

Our little L. Vonn!

It was a fabulous weekend, not counting the years Mini K took off of my life, by being fearless on the slopes! I got back just in time for my doctor's appointment yesterday and there is now officially a light at the end of this pregnancy tunnel...Mini Boy G now has a scheduled induction date of April 20th! I promised not to bore all of you with baby posts, but I will warn you...the nursery is being painted next week and the bedding should arrive shortly and I cannot wait to show you. Now for anyone that has little boys, I need to figure out what our little prince will wear home from the hospital....this blue world is quite different than the pink one we are used to!

We Are Back!

Last week is still a blur...I got the 3 of us packed, or I should say overpacked for New York City and off we went on the train. Mini K LOVED the train...or maybe it was the fact that we were in a private car for the event that came complete with snack mix and M & M's.

As soon as we got to our hotel we were met with smores and peppermint cupcakes from Crumbs. After a little frosting high we bundled up and headed to FAO Schwartz. I wish I would have gotten a photo of the look on Mini K's little face when we walked in the door and she saw all fo the stuffed animals. It was PRICELESS. I should also say we literally ran into Ramona and her daughter on our walk to the store.

A shopping bag full of toys later we went back to the hotel to meet the now beloved Miss Lulu who watched Mini K both nights. If you haven't checked out her blog you must. You should also know that Mini K is now in love with her...she literally cried on the train home when she realized Miss Lulu wasn't coming home with us. Her exact quote was, "but she was more fun than tea at the American Girl Doll Store and the bicycle roller coaster (aka Mini K's name for a rickshaw ride!).

Saturday we spent the day exlporing museums, Bendels, 5th Avenue and the American Girl Doll Store and ended the day with dinner at Bar American. Those of you that follow me on twitter know that Bobby Flay was actually in the kitchen at Bar American and he couldn't have been nicer. The food was amazing!

Sunday brought us some lovely rainy weather, but off we went to Bryant Park. Mini K couldn't wait to go ice skating outside. It seems we weren't the only parents braving the nasty weather for our kiddos...Brooke Shields, her husband and their 2 daughters were also at Bryant Park. I have to tell you...Brooke Shields could not be nicer. So down to earth, beautiful, but you knew that and such a hands on mom.

We arrived home to a DEAD Christmas tree, so tonight Mr. Grove is out buying a second tree. We are NOT talking about it!