m.i.a.

I've been M.I.A. (missing in action) these last couple weeks. I would like to say it's because I was off gallivanting around the globe on some fantastical adventure. Sadly that was not the case, the truth is I had surgery. Not to fret, it was elective and nine months in the making. The hardest part is over and I only have one more week to suffer through this horrible pureed diet I'm on. Every day I feel a little better and I'm ready to get on with it.

In other news, have you heard about shellac nail polish? I hadn't until last week. I usually don't get manicures because it only takes about two hours after walking out of the salon to have the polish chip. So I always felt like it was a waste of money and time. Now pedicures on the other hand....I'm your girl. Anyway, the other day I had cabin fever big time and I met friends at the nail salon. The gals started telling us about shellac and how it wears for three weeks without chipping or fading. I said I would try it, and friends, let me tell you! It's true. The nail polish stays true to it's word and stays put. It's magic.

My big kids are off from school this week for Spring Break. Because Miss Petite's little school is another school district, technically, her break isn't until next week. So, I signed El Fuego and Miss Divine up for a baseball camp. I knew Miss Divine would be one of few girls, but I didn't expect her to be the ONLY girl. It didn't seem to bother her much though. And, when I picked the pair up this afternoon, she had won herself a MVP award. Three cheers for being a girl.

The four legged members of our family have gotten themselves in a bit of hot water recently. Mavis is a barker. She barks at the deer. She barks at the squirrels. She barks at the people walking passed the house. She barks to bark. She LOVES to bark! Believe me when I say it drives us completely bonkers. We've tried every technique, every collar, and every reward. And, nothing has curbed her habit. To her defense, she never barks out of meanness. It's not because she wants to rip your face off. She simply just loves to bark. I think it feels good to her. My dogs are inside pets for the most part. I never leave them outside while I'm away. They go out to do their bizness and run around a bit, and they are back in the house at my side. However, those bits of moments when they are outside sewing their oats (and barking) has caused some unpleasant feelings for my retired neighbors. We are stumped as to what our next step will be. Very upsetting.

Other than that, I don't really have a lot to share. My life has been a bit like watching paint dry. I've spent a lot of time with my feet up and healing. I'm ready to get back into the saddle now.

raggedy ann and andy party

This weekend we celebrated Miss Petite's fifth birthday with a Raggedy Ann and Andy party. It was very much home-made with lots of creativity from my friend and my mother-in-law.

I set the lunch table up in the living room this go around. When I pushed the furniture out, it gave lots of room for parents to hang out and still be able to move about.

I made the bunting out of an old Raggedy Ann and Andy sheet found at an antique shop. My friend, Julie drew the Ann and Andy out of foam board for me. I then added hair made out of yarn. I really heart the way they turned out.

The cute tchotchkes were found at Value Village. Someone had painted these two up with love way back when and then I snapped them up for a whopping fourteen bucks.

We gifted Miss Petite with a lemonade stand on her actual birthday. She's been talking about selling lemonade at the end of the driveway. When I saw this baby on clearance I knew I needed it to come home with me. She loves it and it was perfect to set the party favors on.

Jello!!

Three cheers to my friend, Julie. We were together when I found this cake pan. She made the cake for us and it was perfect! Thank you! Thank you!

The kids decorated their own cookies.

Made paper Anns and Andys.

Ate lunch and celebrated the birthday girl.

Played old school party games like duck, duck goose, musical chairs, and tossed balloons around. We even had a dance off which was a riot! Five year olds can really bust a move!!

Something I haven't done much of in the past was have the kids open their gifts with the party guests. I always felt like it was hard on the kiddos seeing someone open presents and not have anything to open themselves. But my kids have been begging to do this at their parties, so we have been testing the waters. So far, it's always been a success.

My mother-in-law graciously put her sewing machine to work and made Raggedy Ann dolls for all the girls. They are darling and very special! I made cute cookie jars (complete with cookies) for the boys.

The party was a lot of fun and the kids seem to enjoy themselves.

Happy Birthday Miss Petite!!

five

"Today you are You, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

Dr. Seuss

Today marks the day we drove to the hospital on my due date (and my late grandmother's birthday) to meet our third child. She is a life saver even though she doesn't know it. She was meant to be even though my mom couldn't believe it. It's difficult to acknowledge my sweet Baby Love is now a full fledged kid.

Five!

A dancing queen and make-up lover. On her way to kindergarten. And, on her way to change the world!

Happy Birthday! We love you!!

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And before you panic that I gave her a coke and sent her on way to stunt her growth and corrode brain cells....this was simply just for a cute picture. I saw it somewhere (and even though my camera or photo taking skills doesn't do it justice), I thought the idea was adorable. She has this sort of 1950s vibe to her that I love. So this morning we bought one of these nostalgic Coca Cola bottles and snapped a photo.

does a body good

Remember those Starbucks frappuccino bottles??

After adding a little clip art, they are party ready!!

 

P.S. I'm in LOVE with these paper straws! So much fun!!