flash back to summer

I've begun my annual race: going through the year's pictures in order to make calendars for holiday gifts. This year it's just plain embarrassing.

How bad, you ask?

I'm only in July.

Yes, July.

So, I present to you... a couple of snapshots from Mo's rainbow party.

Mo turned four in July.  The girl loves rainbows.  

Let me give you an example.  Every day when the sunlight shines through the decorative beveled trim -- which acts as a prism -- in our sliding glass door she shouts "Look, a rainbow!" and points to the place on the floor, arm of the chair, etc. where there is now a rainbow.

Every day.

Activities included rainbow necklaces made of Fruit Loops (the off-brand seemed not as colorful).

A rainbow "pass the package" game where every rainbow colored layer had a small prize.

There were rainbow snacks.

And, reincarnated rainbow decorations

I made an attempt at the rainbow cake that I'd seen floating around the blogosphere/pinterest world.

It was a hit with the kids, some of who swore the layers tasted different from one another.

Serving the cake without the thing tipping after halfway cut proved to be a challenge.

But this girl seemed happy, which was all that mattered.  Because that's why I do it.

this girl

is now four.

She asked for a "rainbow party and to play Polly Pockets."  Check and check.

our favorite guy

The week's highlights...

-- Celebrating Papa's birthday this week with a surfing themed party for four.

-- Mo picking up a piece of cereal off the ground in the garage; eating it and proclaiming "that was tasty"

-- Katie volunteering to read passages at choir off the dry erase board. She may only know about 50+ sight words, but you have to give the girl credit for her gumption.

-- Mo doing her dolphin kick in the pool (note to self: need to get some video of this)

Have a great weekend!

the baby is officially

The only two requests Mo had were:

"Me want jump rope party," and "Me want pink and yewow party."

And, so it was.

The week before the party, the girls and I painted a bunch of frames pink and yellow which we hung from the tree in the front.

There was pink and yellow play-doh (easy recipe here).

There were bubbles and a pull-string pinata which rained candy down on the kids.

Mo was beat at the end of day. She straight passed out watching her show before bed.

Happy Birthday Mo!

a party for papa

In Katie's world all parties have themes.

Katie: What theme is Papa's birthday going to be this year?

Me: Uh, what do you want it to be?

Katie: Well, last year he had a prince party. I think he should have a cat party this year.

Logical, right?

A cat party it was.

We made cat decorations.

We crafted cat masks.

Mama jerry-rigged some cat ears.

As well as some tails out of old leggings.

There were cat races.

And, the aforementioned inedible cat cake.

Hope you had a good one Papa!

maddie's circus party

A circus party ensued in honor of the baby turning two this weekend.

We borrowed parachutes from friends to give the illusion of being under the big top.

There were games.

I had to convince Miyo to help me make the lion game toss because I cannot draw worth a lick.

Miyo: It's just shapes, you can do it.

Me: Just get over here and draw me a lion.

And, of course there was circus paraphernalia for all.

My attempt at a carousel cake.

Maddie really liked the singing of 'Happy Birthday'.

Love that happy little face.

Happy faces eating cake.


And, we were treated to Mica's juggling talents.

He asked Katie to toss him a pin which we all thought was a bad idea hence Mica ducking for his life...

More pics from the photo "booth."