Under The Sea

On Saturday afternoon, Arabella had 11 of her friends over to celebrate her 6th Birthday Under the Sea! She woke up before 6 am the morning of the party - she could hardly contain her excitement. She had been helping me plan her party for months. We poured over Pinterest boards and came up with the theme. She wanted the Little Mermaid, but I wanted to try and stay away from all of the cheesy character laden merchandise and I think that between the 2 of us, we came up with a great party!

One of my friends from high school makes the most beautiful tutu's - she made one for Arabella and it was perfect. It was a total surprise and Arabella loved it!

The weather was perfect, and we are so lucky it was, because a few days before, we had a day full of downpours, so I am so glad that Mother Nature got that out of her system.  We decorated the patio with crepe paper streamers to look like water - when the wind blew them, they flutter perfectly.  I was thrilled with them. It took some work and a bunch of hot glue to make them stick - I  am over using the hot glue gun for a while - and I think my burnt finger tips will be happy too!  I also decorated with clear balloons (they looked like bubbles) and a few colored balloons and then pom pom flowers.

To keep the girls busy, we took the plastic pool and filled it with sand and buried "treasures".  The girls loved it.  Max even had fun getting in on the action when he could.  I was surprised by how much they enjoyed it.

I also decided to do a few fun craft projects in place of goody bags - who likes to go home with a plastic bag full of junk and candy anyway??

The girls painted treasure boxes...

Arabella and Rian were so focused.  It was so sweet.

Then they made "pearl" necklaces.  I think they had a blast and loved picking out the colors of the beads they wanted to use.  We had to help tie them to the ribbon and I just think they came out so adorable. I have some left over beads and may even make one for myself!

For the food - I took the easy route - since the party was from 2 pm to 4 pm - we had some fruit, veggies with dip, goldfish and Pirate's Booty, sugar cookies that I iced with royal icing and lemonade.

For fun, I put in pink gumballs in white plastic clamshells.  I also found a cute template to cut out and put on the bottom of hersey kisses.  (Jay thought it was too much effort, but it is touches like this, that I think make a party!)

Before long, it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and enjoy yummy cake and cupcakes!

Arabella had so much fun with her friends!  She was thrilled to have an afternoon of laughter and fun with them to celebrate her special day!

Thank you Eva, Ruby, Claire, Victoria, Rian, Hannah, Hailey, Sofia, Cadence, Payton and Maia for sharing the afternoon with us!

End of Season Cheer Pool Party

Last Friday, we attended Arabella's end of season cheer pool party. We had been having hot and humid weather for a few days and then we had a cool front come through with rain the day before the party, so on Friday evening, it was a bit cool, cooler than we planned for. However, that didn't stop the silly girls from splashing around and having a fun time in the pool!

Mother's Day

I had a very special Mother's Day. Arabella was so excited about it during the days leading up to it. I love how she makes everything special and puts all her feelings into things. She is so precious to me. She and Max, with Jay's help, made me breakfast in bed, cards and presents. It was the biggest breakfast I had in a long time and it was yummy. Arabella and Mex helped me finish it!

Jay took care of Max while Arabella and I had a "mommy and me" morning/afternoon out.  We first went to Publix where she decorated a heart shaped cake for me.  She loves to be creative and cook and had a blast!

After cake decorating, we went to have lunch at one of our favorite spots - Nothing but Noodles.  We enjoyed our lunch outside in the sunny and warm weather.  After lunch we went shopping for some last minute birthday party items at Michaels and then we went to Ulta to pick up a few things I needed (I think I created a mini-me monster by taking Arabella makeup shopping there with me!)

When we got home, I was able to relax on the patio while Arabella and Max played in the sprinkler and yard.  We had such a nice day.  Thank you so much Jay, Arabella and Max.  For without, you two beautiful children, I wouldn't be a mom.   You probably have no idea how much you mean to me and I am forever thankful to have been blessed with you.  I love you all!

How Does Your Garden Grow

Arabella and I have been talking about having a vegetable garden for a few years now, so we decided that it was time to just plant one. We decided on the area and Jay dug out the grass and reworked the soil. When it was ready, Arabella, Max and I picked out the plants. She was so excited and couldn't wait to get her hands in the dirt!

We planted 4 types of tomatoes, spinach, red and yellow peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelon, strawberries, a pomegranate bush, basil, oregano, rosemary and dill. Arabella has a green thumb so I am sure the plants will just thrive under her watchful eye! We can't wait until we are able to eat the fruits and veggies we grow!

April's End

I can't understand how the days pass by so fast! Before I know it, Arabella will be done with Kindergarten and we will be into the dog days of Summer!

I am happy that I have been keeping the blog up to date. Some day, Max and Arabella will be happy that I did this as a way to "journal" all the fun things we did. I need to start creating books out of my blog posts...but that is another post.

Last weekend, Jay had a friend over and they were working on the cars. He is of Egyptian decent and he showed Arabella how to write her name in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Its pretty neat!

We now have 2 frogs living in the playhouse.  Max thinks they are funny and is constantly trying to touch them.  I am sure he is terrorizing the poor things.  Arabella tried her hardest to get him to leave them alone...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!

Max is a little daredevil.  He loves to try and climb on anything at any time.  I turned my back the other day when we were out in the yard and I found him like this on the center of the patio table!  Little stinker...I like to think that the Spartan Race & training that I did while I was pregnant with him is causing this behavior!  (And just because Jay gave me a hard time about my "insanely" priced Rainbow Light prenatal vitamins...maybe those had something to do with how strong he is too!)

Max and Arabella have been hanging out and soaking up the warm sun.

Max is growing up so quickly...he know is feeding himself...many times with the proper utensil!

And I ended April on a very tasty note.  I wasn't too sure how this bottle of Coppola Merlot would be.  It was after all a 1999.  (I picked it up during a visit to Napa in the Summer of 2002...mostly because I thought the little bottle was cute.)  I have grown to love the Coppola wines and this one didn't disappoint.  I was surprised that it wasn't rancid - after all it has gone through a few airplane rides, 3 moves on a moving truck and then just hanging out on the wine rack - and I enjoyed every last sip!