Princess Party Explained

So, the kids did have fun with the castle, but only because they had no idea that there are parents out there that can/will make this: http://www.mrmcgroovys.com/f-Cardboard_Castle.aspx

I found the idea for the cake here: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=45850 (although, once again, mine was a little more amateur).

And we played a really fun princess game. I read The Princess and the Pea, and then we took turns hiding a bouncy ball under pillows while one princess was in the other room. She then had to sit on each pillow and guess which one had the ball underneath. Only a true princess guessed the right one.

Lots of fun, but I'm a little relieved to take a break from birthday parties. I'm all partied out.

Once Upon a Time...

Three fair maidens went to a party at a castle (made out of a cardboard box).

They danced, played games,

had a pillow fight,

ate cake & icecream, opened presents.

And then lived happily ever after (or atleast happy for an hour or two).

A Day in the Life of a Princess

Aubrey turned three years old today, and enjoyed a day of royalty.

6:50 a.m. - Read a princess book to her brother, who looked mildly interested.

7:15 a.m. - Went on a treasure hunt for gifts.

7:25 - Opened gifts (all found thanks to Chad, our trusty map reader).

7:45 - Lots of dancing & singing.

8:15 - Breakfast: Strawberry Whoppers with a few bites of Cheerios.

9:00 - Makeover: pedicure, manicure, pretend makeup, the works.

10:00 - Went to library looking for princess books and videos, Dora media accepted as well.

10:40 - Bought icecream at store.
Me: "Doughnuts? Yes, good idea, but may I suggest the chocolate covered one with M&M's sprinkled on top. I will need a bite."

11:20 - Played at the park.
See Elizabeth, Mahina, & kids - Yah!
Aubrey walks in front of swing, needs to be rescued. Thankfully Mahina rescues the other scared child.

1:00 p.m. - Lunch: popcorn & applesauce.

3:00 - Gets a little beauty sleep while watching Dora.

5:30 - Dinner: Pizza, breadsticks, pink juice (the color is very important).

6:00 - More dancing & singing.

7: 00 - Princess cupcakes.

8:00 - Aubrey: "Mom, can I have more milk?"
Me: "Yes Aubrey. It's your birthday, you can have whatever you want."
Aubrey: "Yes! I like this!"
Me: Thinking to myself: don't get too used to the idea, kid. Mostly just one week a year (especially regarding the previously mentioned food choices).

*Aubrey is such a joy, we are thankful for every moment. And I will dance and sing with her until she asks me not to.

Life is Messy

I have a confession to make - I am a recovering messaholic. I suffered (mostly others suffered: sister, parents, roommates) through the condition most of my life until I got married and decided that it was best to give up my messy ways. But as my children ran through the sprinklers and rolled in the mud, it got me thinking. They were very dirty and very happy.


And when hands are sticky and faces are covered in food, I know that they are well fed and very happy.

And when toys are scattered around the room, I know they played hard and are very happy.

So perhaps, true happiness cannot be found in a freshly disinfected remote control (which I am told is very germy), but in the messier moments. From now on, I will resist the temptation to follow my children around with a vacuum and maybe get a little messy myself. While making avocado pizza (mmm...avocados, mmm...pizza) a few nights ago, I tossed my pizza crust just like the chefs do (not exactly like them, I need to work on my technique). Kinda messy, kinda fun.

And as a side note, here's a boy that could use some dirt therapy. See all that drool? Yep, two teeth and only five months old! Not a happy boy...

The Great Indoors & Other Adventures

Hold on - this is a long post (seeing as it was a long weekend). So, "cool" parents probably took their kids camping over Labor Day weekend, but seeing as it rained and hailed (what the?) we decided to camp indoors - a little wimpy, I know. But really fun! We roasted marshamallows over the grill, made the bunkbeds into a tent, told scary stories (Aubrey's duck story - scary), played hide & seek. And then when it was time to sleep, James & I slept in our own bed! Genius, really.

On Labor day we headed to the Family Fun Center, where the kids played arcade games & bumper boats. Funny story about those bumper boats- Chad & I got in and somehow out all of the boats to choose from, we chose the one that didn't work. So as we drifted, we were also getting soaked because these boats are also equiped with squirt guns. We had nowhere to go, and no weapon to defend ourselves with. Finally a nice man alerted the teenager in charge (who was socializing with all the girls) to come and help us. When we got it to work, it was time to head in. I would have felt a little angry over parting with ten dollars for such an expereince, but as we were pulling in, our boat sent a wave and soaked the social teenager (knee socks and all). It amused me a little.

Chad had his first day of public education this week - very exciting. He was not nervous at all, slept like a baby. I, on the other hand, couldn't sleep at all - worring over bus stops and buddies to play with at recess. I suppose I worried enough for the both of us. So when the day finally arrived, I realized I should have been worried about embarrassing my child. In my defense, I wasn't crying at all! I was just taking a picture (this one below), and Chad says "Hurry, mom" and gives me this look like he's just amusing me. When we got inside, the teacher said the parents could stay for awhile, but I sensed a little independence in my child and when I asked if he was ready for us to leave, he quickly dismissed us. Honestly, I had no idea parental embarassment would come so soon.