life in general

around here

Lockers, dressing out for P.E. . . . . oh yes, we are there

Today was "Get your schedule day" but we already had Conner's schedule because he attended the 6th grade summer institute last week.  Because of that little camp he knows his way around the school and is a pro when it comes to opening his locker.

But still, we walked through his schedule once so we could meet the teachers.  And then he politely asked if I would sit on a bench so he could go through his schedule on his own.  Go for it kid.  I was glad to see that initiative and planning on his part, wanting to be as prepared as possible.

The nerves over first grade are gone . . . 

She met her teacher today, loved her, and seems to be much more comfortable with the idea of going into 1st grade.  Most of her worries centered around the morning line-up (they line-up on the playground, rather than going straight to class) -- she doesn't think she'll be able to remember the number she needs to stand next to.  I told her that we could write the number on her hand and she is counting on it.

This one is an old pro, but still wary of the wolf

Seriously, that thing is so realistic.

Going into 4th grade, Payton is facing the least amount of transition among the kids this year.  He was so excited to find out a that friend from last year is in his class -- they staked their claim on two desks right next to each other.  I think he enjoyed showing Anna around the school and giving her tips.  He got his new agenda book and loves the fact that it is blue this year.  We got home and he said, "I am so excited for school!"

Purple Penguin is a winner

We have heard the great reviews, it was even on our summer fun list . . . . but for some reason it took us this long to finally make a stop.

And oh boy, it was delicious.

Flavor choices . . . . Payton - blue bubblegum, Anna - pink cotton candy, Conner - rootbeer, Me - coconut and vanilla with ice cream.  The shack is only open for one more month and you can bet that we will be back for another visit.

This is the method Payton used to cool down his ramen at lunch today.

What a nut.

college bound

Somehow, I've raised a worrier.

Anna is suddenly worried and concerned about the weather and what will happen if it rains too much or if lightning hits our apartment.  She's worried about being able to remember where she lines up at school.  And comically of all, she is worried about all things related to college.  Yes, college!  Nevermind the fact that it is 12 years away, she wants to straighten out all the details and logistics in her head right now.

Personally, I don't understand the worrier mindset -- I can easily let go of things that are not in my control or that are in the distant future.  For the most part I don't worry, fester, stress, over-analyze, or work myself up about stuff.  

So as she comes to me with question after question after question . . . brow furrowed . . . sometimes panic in her voice . . . . I answer all those questions.  But inside I just want shout - "It's a long time away! Stop worrying about it!"

The last few days we have had some in-depth and repetitious conversations about college.  Here are some snippets:

**********************

When I go to college how will I know what class I'm supposed to go to?

You'll have a schedule.

But what if I forget?  I'm a forgetter.

You can print your schedule on a paper and carry it around with you.

But I won't know where to go.

We'll walk around campus with you and show you where all the buildings are.  Plus, your roommates and friends can help you too.

What if I don't have any friends?

Everyone goes to college by themselves so everyone wants to make new friends.

So . . . . how will I have enough money to eat?  I don't have very much money.

Don't worry.  Mom and dad will help you out.

Mom, what about paying for my apartment?  And my food and stuff.  I'll have to pay every week and I don't have money.

Again, don't worry about it dear.  We'll take care of you.

What do I do for lunch?

You can pack a lunch and bring it to school with you, or eat in one of the cafeterias.

Okay, I'm definitely going to pack my lunch.  How do I get my food?

You'll go to the grocery store.

But I don't know how to shop at the grocery store.  How will I get there?  I need a car.

We'll figure that out when we get closer.  But your first year you'll probably live in the dorms and eat in the cafeteria.

So if I have a car I'll just drive to college and go to my classes.

Actually, most kids don't drive to school.  They just walk to their classes.

But I will get lost!  How will I know which way to go?

You'll walk with your roommates and friends and you'll find the way together.

But what if I'm alone?  I just know I'll get lost.

You won't get lost.  

****************************

When I go to college I need a phone, because if I get lost I need to call you so you can come find me.  

When I get my phone and get the cover on it, are you going to teach me how to use the phone?

And you need to tell me what your phone number is because I pretty much don't know it.

Mom, will you pick me up after dinner when class is done, because it's going to be pitch black outside?

Are you going to buy a phone for me, because I don't have enough money and that's going to be a problem because just in case I get lost.

*********************

Yesterday I was sitting at the computer prepping this post, when I asked Anna to come in and remind me of some of the college questions she had asked so I could write them down to remember them.  Instead I opened photobooth on the computer, started the conversation, and discretely hit video record.

 

Shortly after our conversation she came back to my room to say,

"Mom, now that you've told me what college is, I'm starting to think it's actually fun."

wrapping up the school year

The kids have just 3.5 more days of school!  So before we leave this school year behind I wanted to quickly share a few of the things they have been up to in the last month.

Make way for Chief Payton.  He did a state report on New Mexico -- why he didn't choose Oregon, I'll never know.  On presentation day he came dressed as the Apache Indian Geronimo and I whipped up some sopapillas (my first ever attempt) for him to share with the class.  Apparently they were a huge hit.

As you can see, Field Day was pretty much awesome.

The PTA put on a Father/Daughter Dance at school and everything surrounding this event pretty much melts my heart.  It deserves it's own post.  I'll add that to my list.  Anna looked and felt like such a princess.

I was so proud of Payton for earning a gold medal in the Great American Challenge.  He had to memorize the Star Spangled Banner, write the Pledge of Allegiance, and memorize all 50 states capitals.  While this other kids had been working on this for 8 months, he completed this in just 2.  Plus, he earns a gold medal for having the cutest smile on stage.  It's true.  A random mom even leaned over to me and said "what a cutie" after he accepted his medal.

While the rest of the 5th graders went on a whirlwind, chartered bus, 24 hour field trip to Disneyland and back . . . . Conner went to school, with the 15 remaining kids.  It sounds like he had a great day.  I mean, just look at that face.   A definite highlight was when I met him for lunch, with McDonald's in hand.

For inquiring minds:  we didn't send him to Disneyland because 1 )I don't think it was an option because we moved in long after the fund-raising & payments were made and 2) even then, we wouldn't have sent him on a 24 hour (essentially overnight) field trip.  Age 10/11 is too young for that, in my opinion.

After a big Heritage unit in Conner's writing class (he did lots of research on Denmark - my ancestry), the 5th grade classes put on a program for the Heritage Feast.  Crepes, hummus, japanese rolls, Norwegian pancakes, swedish cookies, croissants, enchiladas, apple strudel, pasta, Filipino duck eggs . . . plenty of food to go around.

Signs that summer vacation is right around the corner:

• The homework load around here has taken a nose-dive.  
• The kids have started to bring home memory books and journals.  
• I loaded "School's Out for Summer" onto my ipod to prepare for the big day.  
• Realized today that I need to pull together teacher gifts soon.  
• The Summer Fun List is up and ready (I'll share next week).  

bunny day: in photos

No, Anna does not wear glasses.  These are fake glasses from Claire's.  There was an abundance of sweetness & batting of eyelashes & hugs & persistance and Papa said yes.  She wears them all. the. time.  And loves them.  She tells us that they help her see better.  I think that they aged her about 2 years.  And I think that she looks pretty adorable.  (Note: the glasses will not go to school with her.)

See how all that sunlight is already making his hair lighter?

Bunny Day 2012:

the Easter Bunny filled the kids' buckets -- new swimsuits, candy, and one small toy

mom spent a few hours shopping

dad & kids went swimming.  Twice.

we dyed 18 hard-boiled eggs

watched The Ten Commandments

Easter Beauty

Anna has recounted her Easter experience with much excitement to nearly everyone she talked to this weekend.

"I actually heard the Easter Bunny hopping in the night! Well, I wasn't sure if it was a monster or the Easter Bunny so I stayed in my bed. But he brought treats so I know it is the Easter Bunny!"

My parents were here for a quick visit last week (we were the pit stop on either end of their trip), and Papa took the opportunity to take Anna shopping for an Easter dress. And accessories.

These photos are for him.

Doesn't she look just beautiful?

 

little red schoolhouse

Since 2007 our kids have attended a charter school in the most adorable little red schoolhouse.  It is situated out in the country among rolling hills, past large pastures with roaming cows, next to a holly tree farm, with a lovely drive that provides morning views that can take your breath away. 

We have loved it.  And our kids have been dearly loved there.  We've been fortunate to have some great teachers who "get" our kids.  

Lots of great memories, relationships, and learning has come out of this place.

On Conner's last day his teacher set aside some time for a good-bye party.  He brought cookies, I think they played a little game, and Conner had an opportunity to show off his best bendy joints trick in front of the class.  He went with the leg behind his head trick.  ;)

Payton's teacher held a party on Payton's last Friday.  She popped popcorn and they got to watch a movie.  It was a surprise -- he didn't know this was going to happen until it started.

Anna's last day almost didn't happen.  We woke up on that tuesday morning and got the phone call informing us of 2-hour late start due to snow.  When there is a 2-hour late start AM kindergarten is cancelled.  I was just heart-broken for her!  A few minutes later she came into our bedroom all dressed for school asking, "can you zip me up?"  Oh my, that brought up the emotions.  I looked at Scott and mouthed, "I just can't - you tell her."  Not too much longer I got an e-mail from her teacher wanting to re-schedule or make accomodations for Anna to stop in the next day (even just for 5 minutes) so they could say good-bye to her.  Luckily, we would be in town the next day.  And luckily our awesome friends the Habels let me borrow a vehicle for the day so I could get her to school.  (The plan was for Scott and the boys to start driving on Wednesday - so I would be van-less, Anna and I would stay behind to clean the house, and then fly out on thursday.) 

So Anna's last day party did happen.  It was also a surprise for her.  I was so thankful to her teachers for setting aside a chunk of classtime for her.  And additionally grateful for the class mom who showed up with cookies and drinks for all the kids!  Seriously, the state of my mind and the house in that last week was so far away from me being able to think about and put together treats for my kids' classes on the last day.  So many awesome teachers and parents stepped up to the plate and made these important memories happen for my children and I am so so so grateful.

And if a going away party wasn't enough one awesome mom, Ellen B., put together a wonderful keepsake for each of my kids.  She is the 5th grade class mom and waaay back last September when we announced we were moving, she got going on a project for Conner.

He received a binder with notes from each of his classmates.  "Conner, my favorite things about you are . . ."

What a treasure!  The common themes are playing four-square, writing a book, and being smart.

Ellen also went on to share the idea and materials with Payton's 3rd grade class, and Anna's Kindergarten class.  She didn't want any of my kids to be left out.  Talk about so sweet and thoughtful and going over & beyond.  

It was so fun to watch the kids huddle around Payton as he flipped through the book.  They all wanted to point out the pages that they made.

Common themes in Payton's book:  funny/silly, likes the color blue, plays on the swings a lot, smart, he is crazy.

A few priceless excerpts:

• You take a good sniff of your mom every morning.
• I will make sure I remember you so much Payton.  And I will talk with Brooke about you so much.
• You have a lot of energy.
• You always make me laugh when you laugh.
• Here is a poem just for you:  Payton I know you are moving it's just so sad. I will miss you forever and it's just so sad.
• You are so kind to the new kids.

After school we looked at the book and Payton shared that he had learned that over a period of time, the kids in his class took turns missing recess so they could stay inside and complete their pages for Payton.  Keeping it a secret from him the whole time. Oh my heart!  Imagining these sweet 3rd graders giving up a recess -- the thing they all hold precious and dear in their school day  . . . . if that isn't a tear-jerker

Anna's teachers wrapped her book in a pink bag with pink tissue paper and presented it to her while she sat in front of the class.  You can just imagine how her face lit up when she heard the word "present" and saw the color pink.  :)

A week or two earlier the teachers had spent some time taking some photos of the class at recess and posing with Anna at her desk and included those in her book.  I think she absolutely loved it.

And I won't mention the fact that I shed a few big tears as I looked through it.  In the classroom.  The day before we watched all our belongings get packed up into a moving truck, we spent the night on the floor in an empty house, and that morning I said good-bye to Scott and the boys as they headed out on the road.  I think I'm justified in being a bit emotional!

I think my favorite entry came from her friend Jaren -- Anna, my favorite things about you are . . . "Your hair and your shoes.  I love your smell and the way you're nice.  I like that you are funny and happy."  Hehe.  They have a super cute relationship.  I drove Jaren home on this day and I had so much fun listening to their little conversation.

• Anna:  "What would I do without a friend named Jaren."
• Jaren:  "I think I'm going to cry when you leave."

Sweet, right?

Well, I don't want this post go on forever.  But I just wanted to record this incredibly thoughtful and much appreciated keepsake that each of the kids received.  Thanks to Ellen, the kids' teachers, and all the parents who helped their children write and submit these pages.  They will be treasured!

new school // first day follow-up

Anna:  Other than the fire drill that scared her to bits, I think she had a pretty successful day.  She was too shy to tell the class her name.  But now that she knows everyone she can talk to them today.  She loved music -- they sang counting songs and she got partnered up with Benjamin for an actions song (shake hands, high-five, and hug).  There is a Conner and a Payton in her class.  But most importantly the Payton is also a boy!  (a rare find these days).  This morning she found a friend as she walked into the kindergarten play yard and I heard the girl say, "Hi Anna."  Being 6 is awesome -- all you have to do is say hi and you're instant friends.

Payton:  He broke into tears in the morning when the teacher instructed that all their work had to be done in cursive.  He's been practicing cursive on worksheets, but he hasn't had to write exclusively that way.  She told him it would be okay to write however he liked (she felt bad).  But she says that not too much later he was writing everything in cursive.  That's Payton.  He gets pretty jarred initially when there is a change to the routine or something he "thinks" he doesn't know how to do -- but then he's able to adapt and figure it out pretty quickly.  He was also a little grumpy about lunch time and the fact that all the kids were squishing him on the bench.  I'm not sure that he met anyone today -- it sounds like he played by himself on the play structure.  He was excited to start earning his ice cream sundae by passing off multiplication facts.  The teacher has some fun incentive programs that I think he is excited about.  His morning line-up routine is pretty simple, so he has that part figured out.

Conner:  Well, when I picked him up and asked how his day was . . . he gave me a thumbs down.  But as we talked about each subject/class I was able to pull a positive out of each one.  The boys in his class were really nice and they kept asking him to sit at their table.  His class rotates to 6 different classrooms and he was always the one at the end of line because it took him so much time to write the homework in his assignment book.  And one time his class left him behind.  But he was able to catch up.  He liked writing and science class the best.  We had a torturous afternoon trying to sort and get through all his new homework.  (Finally finished at 9pm).  Hopefully today will be better.  One of the most challenging things for him is knowing where he is supposed to go first thing in the morning (it changes everyday).  I tried to track down his homeroom teacher this morning to get my hands on a schedule this morning, but no luck.  I told the office and they are going to help us get that information.  This morning we found a very nice and helpful girl from his class and she was able to help him get where he needs to be.  I think once we get that figured out we can at least start the day on a good foot.

So, everyone had their own little hiccups on the first day.  Which is understandable.  We can just hope and try for fewer hiccups each day going forward.

Okay, 2 text heavy posts in 2 days is a little much!  So here's an image from pinterest.

Source: piccsy.com via Shannon on Pinterest

 

Right?

new school

This morning I took the kids in for their first day of school.  THAT was a whirlwind.  All the information on schedules, classrooms, teachers, pick-up, etc . . . I'm feeling a bit lost.  Going from a close-knit school of 200 housed in a charming old red schoolhouse in the country . . . .  to a "city" school of 950 where Conner has 5 teachers and there are over 70 rooms.

Anna has been really nervous the last 2 days.  Missing her friends.  Worried that she isn't going to know the routines and will make a mistake.  When it was almost time to go this morning she started feeling sick to her stomach and said she didn't want to go.  I cuddled her for a bit and distracted her with the camera on my iphone.  On our tour of the school, hers was the first classroom we went to.  As soon as we walked in her face lit up.  She met her teacher with a smile.  And I was able to say good-bye feeling like she was feeling good.  Later, on my way out of the school one of the ladies in the office asked if I was the one with the new girl in kindergarten.  "Oh she is just so sweet!"  Knowing Anna, I am sure she has warmed up to everyone just fine and is telling her silly jokes and stories already!

Leading up to today Payton has shown no sign of nerves or apprehension.  He's been very easy going about it all.  And the same was true today.  We saw his classroom, found his desk (which already had his name on it), and then went outside to the huge play yard to find where his class lines up in the morning.  He was all smiles when the staff member introduced him to the girls who were already in line.  The girls smiled back.  I said good-bye and looked back a few times, he was still smiling.  The last couple days he has been commenting with a laugh, "I bet when I walk into the class everyone is going to turn and look at me!"  As in, how cool will that be?!  He is such a funny, happy boy.

I think Conner also had some nerves going into today.  We've been trying to coach him on how to make a good first impression.  His plan was to tell everyone about Bionic Booger Boy, and demonstrate one of his bendy joint tricks (like, his foot behind his head) to the whole class on the first day.  We suggested rather, that he just try to be nice and friendly today, and share all those special parts of his personality in small doses over time.  :)  Don't overwhelm them in the beginning.

By far, he will have the most adjusting to do.  As he has spent the most time in a school, routine, and teaching method that he is used to.  And now he will be faced with subjects that weren't as prominent in his previous curriculum.  He has 5 teachers: math, reading, writing, social studies, science and then they rotate through specials (music, p.e., etc.).  This morning I dropped him off in Humanities class.  Humanities!  The sweet old lady who teaches the class shook my hand and in her gentle voice said, "In here we try to learn how we can all be more human."

There was a natural divide in the classroom with girls on one side and boys on the other.  (Which I'm sure is odd to Conner because the boys and girls in his old class mixed and conversed and played together pretty easily -- they were all great friends).  The only available seat was in the "girls sections".  He was whisked to his seat in the middle of the classroom before I could give one last pep talk or a hug good-bye.  I stood in the doorway and he looked back at me -- I could see the nerves and the "lost" look in his eyes.  I didn't want to make a scene in front of his new classmates or disrupt class which was already underway.  So I walked up to him, put my hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "do you have any more questions?".  His answer was no.  "I love you, have a great day."

Next comes the part where I walk back to my car with tears in my eyes, praying hard that they can make it through the day.  That they will just breathe and listen as all this new information is coming at them - we will learn the routines in time.  Hoping they will find a friendly face.  

Ohhh, this is hard.  Scott and I have never changed schools before so we don't have any tips from personal experience to share with them.

What we do have, is the priesthood in our home.  Last night Scott gave all the kids a father's blessing.  Each message of counsel and advice was perfect for each child.  I'm so glad that we were able to do this.  To let the kids know that we love them.  And especially to let them know that their Heavenly Father is mindful of them, their worries and concerns, and He is there to strengthen them, love them, and help them through this transition.  If this is all we can give them, then I think we're doing okay.

The Oreo Cakesters in their lunch might help a little too.

I know it will be a great school.  I know this will be a good experience.  I know the kids will get up to speed with their classes and just blossom.  I know they will find friends.  There is just going to be an adjustment period.  And we'll ride that wave together.

14 days

packing fuel 

I need a break from packing . . . chocolate.  The kids are so noisy . . . chocolate.  I'm walking through the kitchen . . . chocolate.

First, there was the Valentine's Day box of Lindor milk chocolate truffles from my dad.  Love those little babies.

When my stash was depleted and I thought I might need to hit up the store for more . . . . but then Scott arrived home with this:

It was perfect timing.  And let me tell you, these chocolates are in a category all their own.

The flavors are extraordinary.  So pure.  And fresh.

The Strawberry Cheesecake -- tastes like fresh strawberries mixed with cream.

Creme Brulee - I'm convinced that somewhere in the chocolate factory they made a batch of creme brulee, flame torch to the top and all, and then injected it into this candy.

There is Peanut Butter and Jelly, Cinna-Swirl, Strawberry Ganache . . . I could go on and on.  And I did all weekend.  Maybe it's the "no preservatives" thing because, man they are just so tasty.  It's a good thing they have a factory in Vegas because I'll be needing more, please.

3 days later I received this in the mail:

Aren't they pretty?  And isn't my husband thoughtful?

because we needed just one more thing

On Saturday, Anna decided that she wanted to channel her inner spiderman.  She tested her abilities (while I was on the phone, mind you) by bracing herself between the walls in the narrow hall off of the entryway.  An entryway that has a ceiling all the way to the second floor.  She made it to "the top" (the 2nd floor banister) and then dropped down to the bottom where she and Payton had laid out all the couch pillows as a safety net.

I finished my phone call upstairs and was walking toward the stairway when I heard:  "Payton, I touched the top!"

What are you kids doing?

Thud.

I made it down the stairs, rounded the corner and see her sitting on the pillows.

She looks at me, startled.  Pause.

Cry.  And she's grabbing her ankle.

Luckily, it wasn't broken.

Just a really bad sprain.  With lots of swelling and fluid in there.  She's wearing a fiberglass brace that is really helping to make her feel more comfortable and more confident in being mobile.  When we take it off for a bath or an icing session she begs for it to go back on.

Even though this little injury has brought unlimited TV and ipad time for her, it's not a party.  She'll often say, "I wish I hadn't done that."  Yes, we wish you hadn't done that either.

But other sweet moments have popped up.  I can't deny the melt your heart sweetness of seeing your husband carry his daughter into church, with an Ace bandage on one foot.  

Her current mobility:  She is really good at hopping on one foot.  She can hop to and from the bathroom and take care of herself in there.  When she isn't hopping she is crawling with one foot up in the air.  She gets up and down the stairs by scooting on her bum (sometimes a little too quickly for my liking)

Highlights of this experience for her:   1) getting an x-ray sticker that glows in the dark,  and 2) riding in a wheelchair.

movie monday

So, it looks like I spent Sunday evening playing around with iMovie.  Yep.  The house is quiet and my photos are entertaining me.

movie #1 - Last week's Pack Meeting.  Payton received his Wolf badge (yay!) and I handed the camera over to Conner when I was called up to receive the mother's pin.  You'll see that he was a little shutter-happy and captured every. single. moment.

Did you catch my masterful music/photo editing match-up of the lyrics "I throw my hands up in the air sometimes" . . . if not, watch it again.  Pretty proud of that one.  ;)

movie #2 - Driving to the aiport to pick up Scott and once again, Conner is operating the video camera.  And please excuse my filthy windows.  We don't notice those things until the sun starts to shine through them!  We made sure to take a trip through the car wash on the way home.

And no, this is not "one of our last looks at Portland before we move" as Conner says.  There is no moving date as of yet.

movie #3 - So Anna isn't left out, here's a short one featuring her ninja/spy moves.  

music class for amy

Today Anna named her doll Amy.  And then decided it was time to take her to music class.

First a little lesson in theory.  See the quarter notes and eighth notes she drew?

Then Anna plunks out Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano.

A high-five for Amy.  "Great job!"

"You passed a level!"

"Now you need a checkmark on your paper.  Good job Amy!  Everyone thinks you did good."

Today Amy also went dancing, took a nap, changed outfits 3 times, and had a tea party.  That Amy has quite a social calendar.  Good thing she has this pinkalicious girl to keep her on track.

(Excuse the mess in the background of the above photos. I took down all the everyday home decor when I put up the Christmas decor.  My plan was to go ahead and box it up, but that hasn't happened quite yet.  Tomorrow.)

---------------------------------------

Aside from witnessing the adventures of Anna & Amy, today I mailed these

added the mint frosting to last night's batch of brownies

baked Ginger Snaps with Anna (for some reason they turned out extra delicious this time)

and made Rolo turtles with Payton

Tomorrow the kids' teachers are getting treats. :)

pajama glam party - fun

Anna could hardly stand it waiting for her friends to arrive!  And when she gets excited, she gets silly.

Once everyone arrived we (my party assistant Caylin and I) gave the girls glitter toes while they watched a bit of Tangled.  Anna and I love doing glitter toes from time to time.  It's just 3 simple steps.  1) paint your toes, 2) while the polish is still wet sprinkle a fine glitter all over (Martha Stewart glitter is the best) and shake/blow/brush off the excess, 3) finish with a clear top coat.

Then is was time for dinner breakfast!  We served cinnamon rolls, sausage, powdered donuts, berries with whipped cream, and chocolate milk.  I think everyone was stuffed!

After food it was time for games.  We played Wake Sleeping Beauty, Hot Potato (Pillow), and went on a Diamond Hunt using their little flashlights to find hidden jewels.  As you can see, Anna really got into the games.

The party was structured just enough to keep everyone entertained, but not so much that the girls couldn't come up with a little fun all their own.  They played ring-a-round the rosie and started a happy birthday / cha-cha-cha congo line that wound around the house.

There were presents, which Anna loved.  In fact, while I was preparing the invitations she came to me in a panic and said, "Mom, we need to make sure we tell them to bring presents!"  

We sang happy birthday and tried to eat cupcakes, but everyone was still too full from breakfast.  Instead, we brought out the karaoke machine and the girls sang to Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and songs from Tangled.

 I think they enjoyed it, but it is a little tricky to share 2 microphones among 5 girls.  Especially when one of those girls is on a birthday high and thinks she deserves to have her own microphone the whole time and has a small meltdown when the CD comes to one of her favorite songs and she just can't handle it anymore.  (That would be Anna).  But she made it pretty far into the evening, 6:50pm, before deciding to lose it.  We had a little pep talk in the bathroom because she needed to get herself together before parents started arriving in just minutes.  It worked, and the girls layed around the couch with their pillows, watching a little more of Tangled while they waited to go.

Everyone was a little tired at the end.  I think it was perfect though:  we got prettied up, we ate, we played, and then we wound down and sent everyone home in their pajamas, ready for bed and a good night's sleep.

pajama glam party - invites and favors

I forgot 2 of the most important things!  Invitations and party favors!

The invitations were a printable included in the kit I purchased at One Charming Party.  I dipped the edges in Elmer's glue and then in silver glitter to give it a bit of glam.  This was another tip from the party kit -- yet again, I didn't have to think to create something cute!  Inside the envelopes I also included a couple white feathers for fun.

For her 6 year old birthday she could invite 6 guests.  This rule seems to work really well for us.  For Conner's 9th birthday he invited 9 friends.  For the 12th and 16th birthdays we may have to alter the plan a bit, but for now it works.

Party favors . . . these were so fun to put together!  I put everything in pink treat tubs from Bake It Pretty.  They were the perfect size.

The contents: toothbrush and sleeping mask from the Dollar Tree, pink whoppers, jewels, a mini flashlight (found for cheap at the Grocery Outlet), a mini zippered purse, and antibacterial hand wash from Bath & Body Works.  The "Sweet Dreams" note and poem was part of the OCP party kit.

I think the girls loved all their little goodies.

pajama glam party - details

The 6th birthday is a party year for us (we throw parties for ages 6, 9, 12 or 13, and 16) so Anna needed a party!

And I had a lot going on in our lives so I needed help!  Enter One Charming Party and Pinterest!  One Charming Party was perfect for me . . . I purchased their Pajama Glam party guide (a 50 page PDF) and I was good to go.  It includes beautiful photography with ideas, recipes, & instructions for decorations, party games, food, party favors, photo ops, etc.  Everything you would need to put together an awesome party.  And it also included printable invitations, cupcake toppers, thank you cards, place cards, and a cute note/poem for the favor.  I was able to throw together a great party without thinking too hard which is exactly what I needed.

The theme for this party was Pajama Glam.  Basically it's a mock pajama party where you have all the fun of a sleepover (games, pajamas, breakfast, etc.), but everyone goes home for the night.  It was very girly and fun.  I think it would work for almost all ages of girls.  

To get things started on the right foot I made a tissue flower wreath to put on the front door.  I always love hanging something special on the door for parties.  It helps to set the tone.

The table set-up . . . roses picked from my yard, white feathers, and acrylic jewels garnished the table.

The place-setting . . . a white doily placed beneath a glass plate (idea via pinterest) to give the meal a delicate and special feeling.  The name cards came from the OCP (I added the jewel).  See the cup of blueberries on the left -- later we topped those off with whipped cream.  I found these cups in a 6-pack at the the Dollar Tree.  They were so cute!

Cupcake toppers from OCP - again, I added a jewel.  I baked yellow cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting and finally pulled out my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator to make the frosting look pretty.  Both the pink and polka dot cupcake liners came from Bake It Pretty.  Such a fun shop.

I also served mini powdered donut in cupcake liners -- a super cute and simple idea I found on pinterest.

In the family room I made and hung tissue paper pom poms and a balloon garland from the ceiling.  Relatively easy, super cheap, and it gives a great impact.  I got the balloon garland idea from pinterest -- in this pin they threaded a needle with thread through the nubbies of the balloon.  I simply got some twine and tied it around each one, trying to evenly space them out.  It didn't take very long at all.

That's all for now . . . a post on the party festivities coming next!

anna at 6

I wanted to do a blog post about this girl's personality . . . because she is full of it.  I thought that giving a little photo tour of her bedroom, at least to begin with, would open a window into what she is all about.

First off, at age 6 she is 48 inches tall and weighs 49 pounds.  Yes, she's a tall one.

She is constantly decorating and rearranging things in her room.  I love the vase of flowers.

When we take the time to set out her school clothes the night before she always takes meticulous care to arrange them on the floor, looking just like a person.  I love the socks in the shoes.  And of course an outfit is not complete without a headband!

She loves to draw and draw and draw.  We have stacks and stacks of notebooks filled with her creations.  In some of these notebooks she has created scrapbooks with photos she scrounged from my stash (or trash), magazine cut-outs, cards she received in the mail, notes from friends, and miscellaneous ephemera from around the house.  They are so so cute.

Again, she loves to draw and tapes some of her pictures to her bedroom wall.  This one is so cute . . . a surfing princess!

More items that she found and decided to embellish.  She'll tell you that she is an artist.

The top of her bookshelf is an ever changing display of things she loves, collects, and uses.  At any given time there are no fewer than 20 items here.  Her pack rat-nature can be a little frustrating at times, but I do enjoy peeking in and watching her meticulously and thoughtfully arranging the things in her room.

A while back ago one of her baby-sitters taught her a simple tune on the piano.  Since then, she tinkers on the keys daily.  She creates "songs" and asks me, "wasn't it so beautiful?"  On this particular day Payton was trying to teach her how to play Old MacDonald and she was a very attentive student.

 

One of her quiet scrapbooking sessions.  She got her own scrapbooking kit for Christmas last year.

One day I picked her up from school and from the back of the van she said, "Mom, you better not cry about this. . . . I got student of the week!" as she whipped out her certificate from her backpack.  Later, she gave the same line to Scott.  I think she knew that we would be pretty proud of her.  

I've heard through the grapevine that she kissed her friend, Jaren, on the cheek at school.  When asked why she replied, "because I'm going to marry him."  This girl is a little bit obsessed with the boys and marriage.  All spring and summer long she would hound Scott with statements like, "I want to marry you" and when we told her no, we're already married she'd keep going with "but why can't I marry you?  you're so cute, etc. etc. etc." over and over and over again.  At our family beach retreat in May she was infatuated with Uncle Denver and wanted to marry him.

Missing her 2 bottom teeth.

 

We have a fun little ritual from the movie Tangled:  Me, "I love you."  Anna, "I love you more."  Me, "I love you the most."  

 At school she is known as Anna B.  Because there is another Anna in the class.  She says that she doesn't like being called Anna B.  But I think she secretly likes the extra attention.

Whenever Scott is gone she sleeps in my bed.  She loves this special privilege.  But after she kicked me in the face 3 times one night, she was banned from my room for a while.

She talks in her sleep quite often and most of this year she had frequent night terrors (3-4 times a month or more).  But it's been a month or two since we've had to deal with one of those, so I hope they are fading away.

She's been learning some vocabulary words at school like: glimmer, comfort, fleet, and expression.  One night she got out of bed and said to me, "Can I have a quick bed-night drink?  I'll be fleet!"

I recently read that October 5th is the most common birthdate and September is the busiest month in hospitals.  That was so funny to read because October 5th was Anna's due date!  She arrived all on her own a few days earlier.  I think September birthdays are pretty special.  ;)

There is so much more I could share about this girl.  She has a great personality and enriches our home on so many levels.  We just adore her and couldn't ask for a more wonderful daughter.  I love you the most.