Britney.

Last week I had a lot of fun at the Britney Spears concert in Minneapolis. I’m glad I went – it was fulfilling a childhood dream to see her in concert. The production-side was really good…amazing costumes and dancers and actual circus jugglers. It seemed so surreal to see her dropping down from the ceiling as the concert started. Seeing her really comeback. Seeing her really performing again. I was finally seeing her in concert.

You probably would need to have known me when I was in high school and college in order for you to fully understand why I say going to the concert was fulfilling a dream. And that's really what it was -- fulfilling a childhood dream. I don't really have the time, passion or desire to follow Britney on like I used to. But I digress...

Britney. So if you've heard anything about her concert, you've probably heard two things. 1) She isn't actually singing. 2) She's distant from the audience. Both are totally true. She didn’t say “Hey, Minneapolis”….or “Welcome to my show" until after the 3rd or 4th song. She does have a mic attached, but she didn’t even appear to be trying to sing her songs. They didn’t have a jumbotron (I think b/c they didn’t want people in the nose bleeds to see she wasn’t always moving her lips). So it just seemed like it was one big dance recital. I thought she sang danced to a good mix of old songs and new songs....which is good b/c I haven't bought her new CD and don't know all the songs on that album.

There's one thing I became aware of at the concert: if I ever have a girl, she's going to hate me! Most of the crowd was probably my age, but there were some teenagers -- 14 or 15 or so -- there with their moms. And I couldn't believe what those girls were wearing! Short, short, short spandex booty skirts that barely covered their butts. They had shirts that were just as revealing. They had some severe orange skin issues going on from too much tanning. Way too much make-up to be appropriate. They looked just like Miley Cyrus. I thought Miley was the only 16-year-old who dressed that way (because she's famous), but apparently teenagers in Minnesota (and probably everywhere too) do too.

The opportunity to go to the concert was really cool. When the tickets were about to go on sale, I saw a status for a friend from high school that said, "Want to go to Britney in a suite? Contact me ASAP!" Right when I saw that, Melissa emailed me and said, "Did you see Bria's status? We should go." So we emailed Bria and said we wanted in if there were any tickets left for the suite (even though I probably haven't talked to Bria in 5 years, but Melissa had), and that's pretty much how I got my ticket for the concert. It was cool having a suite. We had our own bathroom. We had the option for bottle service. They have to check your tickets when you come on to the suite level to make sure you are allowed to be there. If you get tired of the show, you can go into the suite and sit on a couch (but I didn't do that!).

That's pretty much the night. Here's some pics from the evening!

Ms. Britney Spears. Can you spot her?

Krissy and me. And a Britney ice sculpture. I think it's kinda freaky that it looks like Krissy's standing w/ someone...but it's the photo behind us.

Bria and me.

What's going on? -- April

It's already almost a week into April and I haven't shared what The Balows are up to this month. It's a pretty exciting month. And I'm really excited for the green grass and flower blossoms and warm weather, which will happen this month!!

• Britney Spears concert (this was actually on Friday and it was a great way to start the month. Stay tuned for a post and photos!)
• Jim's 30th Birthday -- We'll be traveling to Detroit Lakes to help Jim celebrate and will be staying in a hotel for the first time with both dogs! (scary!)
• Easter
• Jack's baptism
• A week of no work. I have to take a week of unpaid vacation, but at least I have a job and I'm really looking forward to having time off to do some spring cleaning, hang out with the dogs, help my dad with some marketing ideas for his book, and probably do some school work. Maybe I can squeeze in some time for some much-needed relaxing!

Chicago and Baby Jack

Two words can summarize by recent trip to Chicago: Jack and food.

The trip occurred last weekend when Melissa and I flew to Chicago to visit Erin and John and their new baby boy, Jack.

The last girls' weekend in Chicago was only 1 1/2 years ago, but apparently we've matured a lot since then. Last time we could be seen hanging out in downtown Chicago until the early morning. Not this trip. When John suggested we go out, we didn't want to go anywhere. We just wanted to stay home and watch movies, eat brownie sundaes and take turns holding Jack.

Although, not-so-coincidentally, we did take Jack into a few Irish pubs for lunch. One time a large pub crawl crew came into the bar as we were finishing up lunch. Apparently, having a baby a bar is a great way to get attention from guys (actually they were giving attention to the baby, not us), and it's also a great way to get some nasty looks from girls.

And a trip to visit Erin couldn't be complete without going downtown to Michigan Ave to go shopping. We went to the Coach store, we apparently the sales people were attention starved from lack of shoppers. I've never seen so many people help me find something that I'm not looking for. Like Coach rain boots. The girl says, "Aren't the C's cool. They're inspired from some art movement and they look like they're moving... blah..blah...blah. What size do you guys want? You all have to try them on." So we obliged and tried on the boats. I couldn't see the C's moving until I put the boots on my feet and looked in the mirror while I walked around. Then I got it.

I think I gained at least 5 pounds from all the food we consumed. It was all well worth it though. When I only get to Chicago once a year or so, I have to go all out. Thai food. Irish food. Italian food. Mexican food. Delicious!

The highlight was definitely seeing the Luckey's. It's so exciting to see Erin and John become parents. Jack was born several weeks premature, but is thriving and growing quick! In two months, he's already tripled his birth weight! He constantly likes being held, so that was great for Melissa and I since we went to Chicago to hold the little guy. The second he was put in his car seat, he'd start crying. We cuddled with him. We sang him little songs. Kissed his forehead. Fed him bottles. Let Erin change his diapers. In a couple of weeks, Jack will be in Minnesota for his baptism, so I'll get to see him again soon! Although it'll just be for a little bit.

Here's some pics from the trip.

Me and Jack

Awake and playing with his Auntie Jenny

Playing with Auntie Melissa

The aunties wore Jack out. Can they make baby clothes any cuter?

Jack sleeping in his favorite spot -- on his mommy!

Melissa's mom made this bib for Jack.

Can you see the C's move? Of course, we took a photo of the Coach boots!

Thankful Thursday...

I'm thankful for my home!! With traveling to Chicago over the weekend and the numerous evening engagements I've had lately, I haven't spent very much time at home. I love my house. I love the dogs, cat and husband that live in it with me. And sometimes the best nights are spent with everyone laying on the couch (dogs and cat and Dave and I) all cuddly and close to one another, watching TV and falling asleep before the 10:00 news starts.

And I must add that cashing in on a great deal is exciting and I'm thankful for those opportunities when they arise. It's a win-win. I can get something new and cute to spruce up my wardrobe. And I don't have to feel guilty about spending lots of money. Case in point: finding an adorable gray skirt on the clearance rack at Kohl's for $8. Plus, I had a take an extra 15% off coupon. It was all meant to be, because today I had something cute to wear! (Is anyone else completely tired of heavy, bulky winter clothes and ready to break out spring skirts and capris and tank tops?)

Thankful Thursday...

This week I'm thankful for long-time friends, babies and airplanes. Melissa and I are flying to Chicago tomorrow to meet Jack, Erin's 2-month old. From the photos I've seen, Jack looks little and precious. Erin tells me that he wants to be held all the time -- which is great news for Melissa and I as we've been patiently waiting since January to hold him!

Melissa, Erin and I have been friends since high school. They are among my closest friends. We've supported one another through some pretty difficult times...and celebrated good times too. I'm excited to visit Erin and am looking forward to really joining her on this new journey in her life. As much fun it is to see photos and get updates on Facebook, it's not quite the same as being there in-person to experience this new baby crying and smiling and doing whatever else little 2-months olds do -- I guess poop and sleep and eat.

A humongous accomplishment (in my book anyway)

Last night, Dave and I took a big leap of faith. We gave both dogs the run of the whole house last night when we were out.

Cooper Joe didn't cause any problems.

When we're gone for short periods of time, we'll usually let him stay out. We keep the dogs in the downstairs only. But Cooper tends to still have accidents when we're not home. He tends to grab paper off the table. He tends to open closets (with the help of Gracie) and pull out shoes, and chew them.

So he spends almost 8 hours every weekday in his kennel. Since we've had him for the last 1 1/2 years, we haven't minded too much locking him up each day because Cooper Joe loves his kennel. We say "kennel time" and he runs up the stairs and into his kennel. Still, the guilt creeps in. It just doesn't seem fair when his older brother, Otis, gets free run of the house most of the day.

Then I got to thinking...maybe part of the reason why he gets into trouble when we're not home is partly because he has no access to his kennel at all, because it's upstairs. He doesn't have access to his space and that gives him anxiety.

So today, Dave calls me on his way to school. "Yeah, I decided to let Cooper stay out of his kennel again."

"What!?!?!" I'm thinking to myself. "This is unchartered territory! He's going to be free in the house for 6 hours!"

Dave explains that today is as good as day as any to see if he'll behave. And he assured me everything was picked up, so the dogs couldn't get into any mischief.

This afternoon when I got home, I carefully inspected every room. Not a single mess anywhere!! Hooray!!! Yeah!!! Yahoo!!! Woo Woo!!!

Now let's just hope that my theory about Cooper needing access to his kennel is right and today wasn't just a fluke.

Guess we'll find out tomorrow....

6 signs I'm an adult...

6. It seems that 99.9% of my paycheck goes towards bills, gas, bills and food. And bills.

5. On a Friday night, I'd rather stay home and watch a movie than go out and drink.

4. I shop in the misses section, since clothes from the juniors section don't really fit me anymore....and I get weird looks from girls when I shop in the juniors section.

3. Kids I used to baby-sit are now in college, drinking, and going on spring break trips. Some are even graduating college!

2. I find myself changing the radio to NPR from a music-playing station while I'm driving.

1. My nieces call me a parent.