Happy Birthday to My Wonderful E

Saturday was E's birthday.  She is my helper, my friend, my creative inspiration . . . I love her energy for life.  She is constantly planning  . . . something -- a craft project, a way to earn money, a pageant, a party.  She started planning her party a year ago?  Well, at least 9 months ago.  And I must say it was a BLAST!

As her friends entered Daddy greeted them with their ticket and a "visa card" with $15 to spend on the concessions.  We watched the movie "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" on the BIG screen (borrowed a projector from friends and filled up the loft wall with it).  After the movie we had cake and ice cream and took turns on THE CLAW.  What was in the claw?  Silly bands of course.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WONDERFUL E!

HAPPY FALL

BR reminded us all day yesterday that is was the first day of FALL.  It was a great first day of Fall for Tucson -- only mid 80s and overcast -- ahhhh!!  The end of the heat is growing near!!  Fall is my favorite time of year!!  I love to cover my home in pumpkins -- wood, ceramic, fabric and of course pumpkin Scentsy!  I hope your day was wonderful, too! 

Watch out Mary Lou!

I realize I have just aged myself by referencing Mary Lou Retton . . . oh well. Just had to share pics of little S at her gymnastics class. As Jen put it" what a perfect fit for her." S is my child who runs everywhere on speedy legs like a gymnast about to vault. She can also climb anything. At 18 months she could climb on top of our kitchen counters WITHOUT the assistance of a chair. On occasion she has even greeted Daddy in the driveway as he comes home from work by climbing through his window and into his lap to drive into the garage -- also without assistance (except driving assistance of course). So, here she is . . . (she's so fast it was hard to get a good pic. I took a video clip, but Sarah was watching herself and deleted it -- we'll try to get a clip next week.)

Surprise!

For YEARS I have wanted to learn to quilt. My friend Sarah Bisel recently wrote a FANTASTIC quilting book entitled "Fast, Flirty and Fun" (you can find it on Amazon), and today she held a workshop in her home to teach how to make the "Charming Garden" quilt from her book. I was able to go, and am sooo excited with how my quilt top turned out (and in only 5 hours)! I love that Sarah designed patterns using pre-cut assortments -- that makes quilting much more doable for me. She also gives great instructions and diagrams. I still need to finish it and quilt the top -- I'm a little intimidated by that step, but I feel really good about what I've been able to accomplish so far! I HIGHLY recommend her book - you should check it out!

THANKS SARAH!

Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away

We live in the desert and don't get to see much rain. We have lots and lots of sunshine . . . until monsoon season. I love monsoon season -- it's such a great change! I don't know if my memory is faulty, but it seems like the monsoon seasons in the last couple of years have been a bit disappointing. BUT, today we got to experience an Arizona monsoon (we really should call these "storms" when compared to the monsoons taking place in other parts of the world). While B was at a pool party (oops) -- we got hit with a down pour, thunder, lightning, even hail. After the lightning passed, the kids ran outside to enjoy the puddle in our backyard.

PrEsChooL

Little S started preschool last week. We're in a co-op with 3 other moms, and it couldn't be better. I've participated in co-ops with the other children as well, but I have to say I'm really enjoying the smaller size of this one. I taught the first week and had a lot of fun learning the different personalities -- they're all so eager to learn! It's fun to hear little S trying to sound out words and learn her letter. Her most requested bedtime songs have now become her "preschool songs" (days of the week, months of the year, welcome . . . ) Yep, I guess our baby is growing up!

Spy Training

This weekend our house was transformed into a spy training center in honor of B's birthday (yes the invitation is backwards -- don't try to read it :). B planned the whole thing -- 4 training tasks and then a mission to test their skills.

Decoding their spy names (shadow, danger, ignite, x-plode, stinger, etc . . . )

manuevering through the laser maze

Retrieving spy supplies in the obstacle course.

Destroying the "weapon of mass destruction."

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

A totally cool party for a totally cool guy! (We used a reigniting candle for the bomb cake -- it was hilarious:) B was a great sport!