Happy Birthday!

We've partied this weekend!  Mary Claire had fun learning to frost a cake in honor of Juliette Low's birthday (founder of Girl Scouts) on Saturday at Cake Party. 

We got pictures of the girls while they were waiting to start.

 

This is my friend, Tina, who does a great job of teaching the girls how to use the frosting bags-and some of the different tips! (and isn't she adorable?  I told her I *heart* that apron!  She was using it to wipe off the tips, and I was so stressed she would stain it.  She said it always washes right out!)

They are listening so well!

 

 They started with a cupcake and a cookie.

Mary Claire's really concentrating on spreading her frosting.  Tina gave them a lesson in spreading: you squirt out some frosting on your cookie, then dip your finger in water, then you can spread it!  It gives it kind of a glazed look, depending on how thick you frost it!

 Here's how hers turned out:

It's upside-down, but it's a GS for Girl Scouts, and a triangle try-it for cake decorating.  (And also two hearts with marshmallows in the center.)

 She was looking at all the pictures-she found two of her friends whose parties she'd been to:

 And here's Emily's cake (beautiful!):

Then, we went home, finished up some stuff, and it was time to party for Clay!

We finished making little flags to go in the cupcakes (a whole other story...I had SO much trouble getting a cake made.  I ordered one, but it didn't work out/lots of stress/called somewhere else-they couldn't take any more orders/couldn't get a cake with a big picture, so we did cupcakes!)  Sadly, I don't have a picture!  They were gray with black and blue sprinkles, with these little flags:

 These are the gift bags that we filled with Megamind toys and candy!

I snapped a few pictures of them partying (you can't hear the roar..) (and I can see Ethan starting to cry-he got the wrong goody bag-I'd put his name on the bottom, but he didn't get it-we had to get him the right toy!)

 

Yay!  He got his toy! : )

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Clay, Happy Birthday to you!  Kennedy fit all ten candles into one cupcake, just like he requested! : )

The girls all sat together on the other side of the room (and they were angels!):

Last time, we didn't have quite as many kids, so the tables were pushed together, and we only needed two table cloths...But.

This time we had to separate tables-and the tablecloths were a little short.  The kids didn't care, so I adopted their laissez faire attitude! : )  No stress, really!

 Here are a few of the pictures of Clay with his friends.  I tried to take pictures Clay with his friends so I can make photo thank you notes for him to send:

Did I mention he got three teeth pulled on Tuesday?  His smile looks so different now!  The new ones should grow in over the next year.

New games for us to play!  And Mary Claire can't wait to check it out! : ) heehee

I think I took five pictures-Colton was hilarious! This was the best one. : )

Cuties-every one of them!

They'd all cleared out (check out the messy tables!), and we were bringing up the rear.  Did everyone get their drink and popcorn?

Obviously, I didn't take any in the theater!  It was a wonderful movie-I won't tell you how it ends, but I think the reviews might.  So sweet-and just like life.  When there is no hero, good rises up from somewhere else. : ) 

Tomorrow: Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread Pudding: Amazing!

La-ti-da, I love it when I get a new look! : )  Just over an hour, and woo-hoo (as good as a pedicure!)!
So, fall is upon us people.  Did you see those trees in Arkansas?  They are about two weeks late-but ah-mazing!  I tried to take pictures for you out my window on the way to get Ches for lunch, but it was hard.  I even rolled down my window-and saw another deer standing in the middle of the street.  Challenging me?  Then he saw I won the round last week, and he ran off.  (Maybe I should wait to get it fixed-war wounds are cool.)

I'm sure you can tell, but antibiotics are miracle drugs.  I'm feeling 100% better than Tuesday, and 85% better overall.  I'm starting to get my groove back (I know it wasn't that cool to start with, but it's better than bedhead and noisy coughing!).


So, back to work!  We were at Chick-Fil-A (work out and eat + at the same time = novel!) (ok, your kid works out, but then they are t-i-r-e-d).  So, I see this little boy who looks like someone I knew when I was little.  He was my brother's age, and he is a spitting image!  So, I get a lot of gumption (I can be this way), and I go to the mom and ask if she's married to my (childhood) friend, Brandon.  And..YES!  (score 1 for me!)  She is super sweet, adorable, and yes, she bred with my friend.  I'm telling you, if I'd had my camera, I'd have taken pictures to do some matching contest.  It was honestly my clue.  If she'd said no, I would have had to make an excuse for being totally weird (yes, common too).

So we talked, and she's pregnant again, and I know her in-laws (they are both gorgeous! and we discussed their hair..), and we talked about the library, and Mom's Club (which I totally go to all the events with my friend Veronica, but I've never joined!  maybe you have to live in Fayetteville to be in the Fayetteville Moms Club?)-but we've never ran into each other.  God lined up that meeting, that's for sure!  I bet I'll see her all over now.  I love to meet new people. Isn't that why you stay in one area for a while-to be a part of it?


Ok-I'm sure you are wondering about my baby Ethan.  He was not-so-good yesterday, and was generally not listening.  He didn't sit quietly at story time, he got too much soap, too many paper towels (a pile on the floor?), played behind the bathroom door, then at nap moved toys between him and another child, then told one of the teachers that his momma was going to be mad at them.  That was the last straw.  She took him to the principal's office (he has no idea what that is-it's just another mom or teacher as far as he knows).  So, I got a note, called his teacher last night, and told her he was looking for boundaries.  She's really sweet, and needs to talk more sternly to him, and I told her we use the Time Out chair (not her favorite, but she said she'd use it).  He is absolutely not perfect, but he's pretty good for me.  BUT, I don't let him get away with stuff.  (If you need to object, please use email.)


So, we were in Little Rock making a stop into my doctor's office, and I had a little to discuss with them!  I paid for my surgery back in September, but they billed my insurance anyway! I was all mad at first, but then....they paid!  Yeah, I know! : )  So, I have all these EOB's (Explanation Of Benefits) from my insurance company that they were paid, then I get these bills from the doctor and anesthesiologist's office with my "balance".  Ha!  So, I went in with all these forms, and I did indeed have a credit.  I couldn't be more excited!  I might get almost $2000 back.  We'll see when I actually get it.  It was a little weird.  Here I am, in front of them, and they didn't write me a check.  But, they said they'd work on it in the morning, and cut me a check.  I mean, I could've saved them 42 cents!


While we were down there, we found out that McDonald's had already started selling the Happy Meal toys for the Megamind movie!  I went in to buy them (since I didn't want to take up drive-thru time).  I asked which ones they had, and a manager said only the little Snapper Brainbot (stun-gun) thing.  I got four, and then she came out with the good guy (Metro Man-is this funny to anyone but me?  It is Brad Pitt) and Megamind, so I got seven of each.  I think it was three transactions as I kept deciding to buy more and more, then I didn't know if Springdale would have the cool ones!  The only other one I'd like is the Minion (the floaty fish in the helmet?)-he's cute. ; )


Alrighty, folks, I gotta make gift bags for the party, and Ches said something about a cake...I'll add it to my list! : )

Rainy Day Shoes

There are two theories when it comes to rainy weather footgear.  You either fall into the Protect Your Feet or Put Them Out There camp.  The first loves to hide their feet and keep them warm-these are the boot people (or heck-even closed-toe shoes!).  The other camp believes that you just let them get wet, and they’ll dry. These would be the flip-flop wearing chicas.  I have to admit I’ve been both, and maybe these people didn’t know it’d be raining, and maybe it’s the mood you are in or how cold it is outside. 

Ches and I had an interesting day today, and after we ate at Razorback Pizza (in Morrilton!), and we were side-stepping a stream of water, this flip-flop-wearing woman splashed right through the stream.  Yes, maybe her feet needed a bath, but that’s just not the camp I belong to.  (I wore what I think are called platform heels-you know, high even in the front?) to avoid getting wet-See? Both Camps!)

Ok, so now on to the interesting parts.  On my way to their facilities, I spied a lamp (circa 1995), still wearing its cellophane wrapper over its un-new shade.  Yes, it does make the shade last a few years longer, but is it worth it?

(Yes, there is toilet paper on the little table in the hallway.  Just in Case.)

Then, in the restroom I learned that they do indeed believe that duct tape can be used for anything.  (And they invest and use it in multiple colors, ‘cause they’re skilled that way)  Here it is on the toilet (covering up who knows what):

It didn't come out well.  It was black duct tape on a black seat.  I know you are sad that you are missing out.

Here it is holding the toilet paper holder closed (I do hate a door that keeps falling open and dropping out its paper!):

And here is where they put their money.  I was wowed by this one.  Here is this pretty nondescript casual restaurant (pretty dark and crusty but comfy), and they totally surprise me with their absolute voracious appetite for sports!  They have this big screen tv with a circular booth right under it (reserved for special people),

The "big" screen tv is to the bottom left.

then upon closer examination, here is this humongous movie theater-sized screen up above all the other tables-HUGE, I tell you.

Especially for pizza places in Morrilton!  I have to say I was impressed (which doesn’t happen that often).  They know how to rock it.  (But the lamps and bathroom, not so much.)

I'll be sure to tell you more about my day tomorrow. It includes Ethan going to the principal's office (me considering taking him out of school, my doctor's appointment, buying 21 toys at McDonald's, and how Ethan told the teacher that his momma was going to be mad at her.  Ha.).

Trick or Treat!

Hey Ya’ll!  Has it been busy for you too?  I got sick, and it so slowed me down!  I kept saying that I had to get better-I had things to do.  I’m sure I just couldn’t take anymore-after all the stuff I’ve been doing outside my house, with guidelines (I’m more of a free-artsy type-with neat tendencies. heehee).  Anyway, every time I do a party, I get sick!  I think it’s just stress trying to get it all done.  I’ll have to refuse next time they ask based on my health, and past experience. (Ha!  Let’s see how well that goes over!)

Anyway, we’ve had a Halloween!  The kids were storybook characters on Friday, but Calvin didn’t translate so well going door-to-door.  Clay said he just looked like a kid in a red striped shirt!  He wanted to buy a new costume (and I did go by Target Sunday afternoon), but no luck.  So, he pulled out our basic backup: the ghost.  We have a white sheet with eye holes that we keep around just for this reason!  We need another back up-the Ghost just doesn’t show up in pictures! : )

Here’s one of our favorite babsitters and her friends: (I’m glad they aren’t too old to trick-or-treat!  They don’t need to grow up too fast!)

And remember those luminaries we made at the party?  I had some candles left, so: Voila!  I think we had 10 including our practice ones and Clay’s from school!  It looked good, and when one fell over, the sand fell into the candle, and put it out right away-no fire (yay!):

And this is their bounty:

 

after Trip One-Clay went back out again!  We always buy their candy so they don’t eat it, so Clay wanted to up his dollar amount (he’s still earning to buy stocks!)  We offered 10 cents a piece, but we meant chocolate!  The starburst and Dum-dums should only be about 3-5 cents, but we went 10 cents.  Now, they picked a few to eat and keep, but I’ve got the rest.  (Ahh…power! Hahaha!)  Actually, we bagged up all of Clay’s extra, and he wants to take it to Mrs. Lee for her candy jar.  (She’ll have to get a bigger jar!)

Now, we are on to the next big thing: Clay’s party!  He’s having a Megamind movie-watching party this Saturday.  He’s getting excited, and Mary Claire is too.  She changed our Pig’s sign from Halloween to Clay’s birthday.  I’m glad that the kids take on some responsibility-I’ve been in bed sick, so I appreciate the help!  Next up: take down all that Halloween stuff! : )