Happy 7th Carissa

Dear Carissa,

For your 7th Birthday you just couldn't make up your mind.  You weren't sure what kind of party you wanted and you couldn't even think of a present!  Then one night Dad set up the slip and slide and right then you knew... Mermaid Lagoon Party!  Then it all came together...

You invited all your friends and cousins.

They came ready to party!!

You can make anyone laugh and don't mind being goofy to make the party fun.

 All the girls got on their mermaid tales and danced around you.  It was so sweet!

 I am not sure why I haven't done this before but you just can't beat a BASKIN ROBBINS ICE CREAM CAKE!  It just can't be bad...hello 31 flavors my new best friend.

YUM-O

 I can just look at these pictures and smile. You had such a great day and you deserve it.  You deserve to always be happy and see Joy all around you.

 

I love you my sweet baby girl! 

Happy Birthday ~ Love, Mom

And we are done!

This was the first day of school...

 

And today was the last day of school.  I can't believe how much they have grown!!  My little stinkers are now 2nd and 5th graders!  Holy crap.

 

I can proudly say 9 months later they still love each other too!

 

 

Mother's Day 2013

I always feel silly making grand proclamations.  I tend to shy away from saying "I always" or "I will never".  Because someday I just might and I have felt what it tastes like to take those words back.  I am not a very definitive person and don't really take hard stances on much.  I try to see both sides.  I like to say I am reasonable. But the more Mothering I have been doing (all whooping 9 years of it) I can say a few things with utmost certainty. 

 

I will do ANYTHING to protect my girls.

Knowing they are NEAR me brings me joy.

I will NEVER stop loving them. 

They are my WORLD.

 

I want so much for them.  I like that they do well in school and they are kind.  I love that they care for each other and each one of our family members.  I know they are good at dance, and singing, and piano, and sports, and reading...I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

 

I was spoiled this Mother's Day.  My girls took the time to really show me how much they love me and it was so special. 

 

 

 

I am the luckiest Mom.

Teacher Door Decorating

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  I try really hard to get to know the girls teachers and let them know that I am so grateful for the time they spend with my girls almost daily.  If you really stop to think about it these teachers are with your child for 7 hours a day.  Guiding them, directing them, and caring for them.  I believe it is so important that we provide teachers with the support they need.  They are helping raise our children too! 

 

Enough of my soapbox!!  Without my Silhouette Cameo I would NEVER have been able to make these doors.  Here is what another mom and I did for the 4th Grade Door.  The idea is all over Pinterest.  We just added a bowl at the bottom and pictures of the kids with saying about the teachers on each of the "Reese's Pieces".  The hardest thing was figuring out the font for the Reese's lettering - so if you are looking for it is called Wild ride. 

My second door was for the 1st grade teacher.  I used multiple colors of tissue paper cut in circles.  I twisted the circles and then clipped it with a clothespin in the center to form the wings.  I stamped each child's name on the clothespins.  Really simple!

The last insane thing I did was make a book of 100 reasons we love the teacher.  Between each reason was a $1 bill.  I got this amazingly cute idea from the site Everything Pink.   The gal makes it look rather painless.  Apparently her bank is nice to her and will give her FLAT dollar bills. * Also, they may count the money in front of you so when you get home and decide to do the project 5 days later you don't realize you only have $81 dollars instead of $100!!*

 

I must say this gift brings TEARS to the eyes of the receiver so if that is the effect you are going for then... DO IT! Lastly, Office Max will gum the stack for about $1.55 so don't go and buy the glue. 

 

 

TWO MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL!!

Easter in a Flash

March was super eventful. So much family and Love!

 

 



 

SPRING BREAK 2013

Our Trip was spontaneous (of course!), with one day notice to hop in the car and drive to San Diego, but is was so worth it!!

 

We scored some free tickets to Legoland which we are so thankful for and the girls had a blast.

They took a driving test, flew a helicopter, steered a boat, and rode a horse.  All thoughts of them being to old for this stuff went right out the window.  They ate it up.

 



 

At one point I heard one of the girls say "Let's pretend we are Legos."

Hmm, not quite sure how that would play out...but OK.

 

 We tried to lock them up but that didn't last long.

 

They spotted this handsome devil and lost all sense of decency.

 

Oh - Daddy is in trouble!!

 



The rest of our trip was just spent relaxing and eating Yummy food.  I even had Lobster for the first time and LOVED IT.  Thank you Rocking Baja Lobster in Oceanside!

(See, Daddy is in trouble!)

 



There is nothing else like walking on the beach.  It is so relaxing. 

For the record this picture below is proof that I do listen (even if they say I don't!)

 



I am forever grateful for times like this.  When we are together and can just BE. 

 

We will be coming back soon to stand on the Moss covered rock at Shell Beach in La Jolla!



Fresh Start

It is never to late for a Fresh Start - to start over - to begin New.  Every morning is a chance to try again and get it right and I am so grateful for it.

 

It is Spring around here for sure with one week to go until SPRING BREAK.  Yes, that means hotter weather but I am trying not to think about that!

 

I was inspired by the Monogrammed Moss Pallet Sign on The 36th Avenue Blog.  Instead of using an initial I cut a bunny out on my Silhouette and used that instead.  The sheet moss was from Michaels in the floral department.  Such an easy and cute project! 

 

 Now my entry way is so Fresh and Inviting!!

Makes me smile every time I pass by.

 

 

 This girl has been smiling a lot more too! 

 She got her braces off yesterday and I think she looks so beautiful!