Art Party

We did Sara Beth's party on her real birthday.  She did an art party and we had a flower theme.  It was a little wild, but she had a blast so it was worth it!  I have been out of town the last two weekends so I ended up having to cut back some of my ideas due to time.  The decorations were pretty simple!

 I had butcher paper on the wall for them to draw on while everyone was arriving.  She invited the girls in her class and a few others from preschool last year.  Everyone was able to come so that made it extra special for her!

The first project was to paint a flower shaped canvas.  They all got really into this!

Their second project was to do thumb print flowers and these flower pots.

 We did it in the garage due to the rain.  As the party went on the high humidity made it a little slippery.  Thankfully Leigh and Sam were the only ones that slipped and Leigh was the only one who got hurt!  But boy--she sure got a goose egg!

6

Wow Sara Beth, you are 6!  This was by far the most fun birthday because you have been counting down the days!  You woke up early (even earlier than normal) and announced "I'm six"!  That kicked off a big day!  I will have to recap it later because I am worn out!

If I was asked to say one word that described you, I would say sweet.  You are the kindest child I know. You truly care about other people and sacrifice yourself for others.  Just last night we had only one piece of pork left and you started to eat it and look at me and then asked if I wanted it.  You love school and have really enjoyed learning this year.  You are doing a great job reading.  Your favorite thing in math right now is to count to 100 by 5s and 10s.  You are taking gymnastics as your activity. I would still say that your sister is your best friend.  Most of the time y'all play really well together. You love the Lord and want to read and pray and learn more about Him.  You always come home from church excited about what you are learning.

I oftentimes look at the pictures of when you were little and wonder where that little baby has gone.  It sure has gone fast, but I am loving watching you grow up!  You are a fun little companion and I am so proud of the girl you are becoming!  I love you!

Saturday night dancing

In honor of Holly and Frank, we taught the girls this dance!

As you can tell, we all need lots more Saturday night dancing to even be halfway decent!

Valentine's Parties

Leigh's party

Daddy was able to pop in for a minute

Sara Beth's party

On the way home we were able to have a surprise lunch date.  She picked Chick-fil-a!  It was so fun!  She was very talkative (probably from the sugar at the party) and I held on to every word!

Candy Cane Heart Valentines--the REAl way to do them!

So...I decided a year ago this is what I was gonna do for the girls' valentines. I bought the candy canes six months ago at Sams when they came out for Christmas. I read numerous blogs and websites about how to do them, and then I set off to work.  I ended up throwing away FIVE trays of them because they just were not working! So...here is the way that I found them to work!

Here is what you need...candy canes, lollipop sticks, chocolate to melt, sprinkles.

Put the candy canes on a greased and old cookie sheet with a lollipop stick in between.  (see pic below) It was my husband's idea to put the stick all the way up to the top and that definitely helped them stick together. Bake them on 275 degrees for 3-4 minutes. I found it was best to do 5 or 6 at a time.

Take them off  one at a time and  slide them onto your cold counter and mold them together in a heart shape around the stick.  Yes, it burns your fingers...but not too bad!  Let them cool and then put them on wax paper.

I bought the already colored red chocolate that comes in little circles.  Melt it and spoon (don't pipe-it doesn't work-trust me) the chocolate into the center of the hearts.  Add sprinkles (this is the part your kids can do).  Let them cool.

Then put into a little clear bag and tie with ribbon.

I am so glad I ended up doing them.  I think they turned out so cute and ended up being easy.  Zeb asked me why I just didn't go to Walmart and buy them valentines in a box.  I blame my parents.  I mean, my dad doesn't just build something, he BUILDS something! And my mom does everything 100%--flowers, parties, holiday meals, wreaths, the list goes on and on... Ha!  

Updates

As you all know, I panicked that my oven wasn't working.  Well, my dad fixed it.  It wasn't anything wrong with the oven just the lock and I can cook again! (This was actually fixed a week ago--I've just been busy!)  One morning when it was broken I had a very hard time coming up with breakfast.  Usually my kids eat cheese toast or waffles or something that goes in the oven.  The ONLY thing I could come up with was pasta--so that is what they ate--without complaining!  

This happened on the pasta morning...  I was fixing lunch for Sb to take to school and I dropped the orange peel as I was putting it in the garbage.  I bent down and got stabbed in the forehead.  Well, actually I got skewered!  I had a wooden skewer poking out of my head as I stood up!  Sb was the only witness and her eyes were huge!  I yanked it out and ran back to Zeb in the bathroom.  I was fine!  It ended up not a big deal at all--my head was just real sore for a few days!  I am so thankful it didn't get in my eye!

Also  pasta day was my great aunt Dot's birthday!  I love this picture below even though it isn't a good quality picture.  You can see Doe (my grandmother) in the background.  Can you guess who loves birthdays???  I think Dot would have loved just sitting at home and doing nothing---but her older sister wouldn't let that happen!  

Also on pasta day, we found out the hard way that Sam is allergic to juice just like the girls!  Hence the reason he is taking an oatmeal bath in his boots!  Poor little guy is still recovering from horrible blisters!

Our neighbors grandkids came for our missions conference last week and my kids were so excited to be able to play a little!  Miles and Davis, we can't wait for y'all to come back!

G's birthday was Sunday so we celebrated at their house on Saturday night!  5 of the 8 grandkids enjoyed some post dinner books!

Chez Ami Show

I am having a Chez Ami show this Thursday from 9-11 and 4-6:30 at my house!  The clothes are precious as usual.  Free shipping if the order is above $150 (come with a friend and y'all can order together!).  Monogramming is free.  The clothes hold up so nicely--Leigh is wearing some outfits for the 4th year in a row (Sb wore them 2 years and now she has!)


Brittany Odom is the rep!


If you can't come, call me and I can place an order for you!

Boots in a Puddle

A few days ago after the rain, I got a few minutes when Sam was the only one awake.  I took advantage of this time and taught him how to splash in the water.  I say taught, because I had to encourage him to step in it.  I have spent the last few months holding his hand and avoiding the water, so he was a little unsure!  I am quite positive he will always be looking for puddles now!

I have mentioned several times he is fond of his "butz".  Well, yesterday he took a nap in them!  I never would have let the girls do this! As you can tell, he slept peacefully!

Yesterday we went to the children's museum.  This is the only picture I took.  It cracks me up! Anna Fair looks like she is saying "What have I gotten myself into!" Notice how hard Sam is concentrating!

On a different note, we had some dinner guests last night!  It was so fun.  The only problem was that my oven isn't working! ahhh!  Thankfully my neighbors was working! Monday night I set the auto clean on our oven and the smell was strong so we hit off.  Now, the stupid "lock" light is flashing and won't stop.  It also won't let me hit any buttons!  Have any ideas?  I flipped the breaker on the oven-didn't help! I have fooled with the lock--didn't help! I have hit every button on the oven--didn't help! I have stared at it for way too much time--didn't help!  I mean, how do I cook without an oven??!!  I know we have a microwave, stove, and grill--but this girl needs an oven!