You Don't See That Every Day

Dear Family and Friends, A BIG thank you to those of you who made it to our son's graduation party! It was so fun to see everyone, and yet, we feel like we missed out a bit because we couldn't get around to talk to everyone. The Boy has been incredibly blessed by all of you, not just with the cards you left for him, but for your input in his life. I know that someday he will look back and see just how you played a role in his growing.  Thank you. To those of you who could not make it, I totally understand. I didn't make it to some friends' parties this weekend either. And so for you, I have pictures of what you missed: Good friends, Good food, Good family, I must say, having company over is quite an impetus to clean up the house and yard! It was sparkling on Sunday after days of 'spring cleaning'. The kids all pitched in to help ... ok, maybe it was more like mandatory volunteering, but we worked on it as a family, and then got ...

We had a few princesses over for tea this past weekend. We brought out the special girls' tea sets, and prepared plenty of dainty food for little fingers.  Little K had her first friends birthday party this time. She was able to invite 4 friends over to celebrate with a tea party. They played games, they ate food, they drank "tea" (lemonade), the made princess party hats. And Little K came away with some nice gifts! Plenty of princessy items, lots of bubbles (yay!) and a baby doll.  She loves her babies, and is taking some time on making sure this new one has just the right name. 2 days later, and I am not sure if she has settled on a name or not yet.  She also got a beautiful dress. That lights up. And sings. Yes, a singing dress. By the end of the evening, the rest of us were all quite done with the song, but she loves that dress, and its matching, singing, bracelet. I wonder how long the batteries will last. Hopefully not until she is 6.

Our girl turned 11 this weekend. Hard to believe we have 3 kids in the teen/tween ages. What a ride it has been so far! For her 11th birthday, we took Dot out for dinner, without any siblings! She chose the restaurant - a local Mexican food place - and then we came home for cake!  The next day she finally got a birthday party! We don't do parties for the kids every year - and when the birthday is in April, surrounded by a lot of other activities, other birthdays, and holidays!, the poor girl has had to wait a long time for a party. But this year we made it happen. We were going to have an outdoor event, with games and a treasure hunt; but then the forecast changed our minds. So we planned a craft party. We went to the dollar store (oh what a treasure for parties!) and purchased a bunch of shirts, hats and socks to decorate. The girls arrived in the morning all giggly and wound up. Like most 10-11 year old herds. And then they started designing. It was so fun to hear them and s...

I threw a party and people actually came! It helps that they are all related to me, and that the party wasn't for me. My sister's birthday is today, and I have not been very good in the past about celebrating her day. She however is Always good for the kids' birthdays and other celebrations and babysitting. So I thought it was high time I got a party going for her. I only asked if she was available Sunday afternoon for cake and ice cream. No mention of other party goers. And thankfully she said yes, so I could get on the phone and invite all those local siblings to come on over. She was a little surprised when she got here and there were already a bunch of others here too! Instead of cake - because really, who can figure out how much people will eat?? -- I made cupcakes. Easier, faster, and nicer to serve. There was one party-goer who didn't want to wait for the party to eat the cupcake: But I made her wait anyway. She did get into the swing of things ...

I have been away. That seems to be a common theme for this time in my life. Football dominated the weekend. There was a wedding. The next day was pumpkin carving day. My brother holds an annual carving party, dozens of friends and family coming to carve pumpkins. In the recent years a pumpkin rolling has been added to the list of events. We all stand at the top of the woods and take turns rolling. This year we even had a King crowned - the one whose pumpkin went the farthest won the crown. It just happened to be my 26-year-old nephew.