Mid-Week Randoms

Like we have done in the past, the kids made their own valentines for their friends at school this year.  Samantha chose to do blow-pop suckers with a (free) printable that I found online and Sophia opted for Starbursts, again with a (free) printable.  For Jack, I went a completely different route and we did a dinosaur theme -- eggs that "hatch" dinosaurs when placed in water and a dinosaur stamp, packaged together in a bag with another (free) printable.  We even gave the teachers some EOS chapsticks that were put together so cutely.

The finished valentines, ready to pass out to each of their friends and teachers:

Valentine's Day morning:

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Steve is not really a big fan of birthday cake (or any desserts).  Every year, I try to "think outside of the box," and make something that isn't overly sweet but yet, something that we can still put candles in and sing happy birthday to the birthday boy.  Well, I overheard him mention to Sam that he would like a hamburger cake for his birthday this year (after seeing a commercial for one on TV).  I'm sure that he was kind of joking and never ... in a million years ... would think that I would make one for him.  Oh, but I did!

Yellow cake, lightly tinted brown with rice krispy cereal on the top to simulate the bun, chocolate cake for the burger with crumbs on it for a more real appearance, mustard and ketchup made with colored frosting and smashed green candy fruit slices for the lettuce.  He was really surprised!

Ready to open presents!

Jimmy was wearing his appropriate "My dad is super rad shirt" for the special occasion:

A family pic with a few of us actually looking at the camera:

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The night of my birthday was very low-key.  I made spaghetti for dinner (my favorite) and once the kids were tucked in bed, I set to work drawing and coloring the peacock for Sophia's birthday "Pin the Feather on the Peacock" game.

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For St. Patrick's Day, Jack designed a leprechaun house at school:

He brought it home and we set it up on the eve of St. Patrick's Day.  That night, a leprechaun (with big feet) stopped by and left some candy and cookies for the kids.

Cinnamon rolls shaped like shamrocks for breakfast:

My boys, sporting green for the holiday:

All of the kids, with James pretty much done with this whole picture thing.  Ha!

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Crazy Hair Day at school:

Sophia's hair is pretty long when it is wet; it's amazing just how much it curls up.

I've always been one to tell her how beautiful her hair is, never wanting her to feel self-conscious over how curly it is.  My hair was just as curly as hers when I was growing up and I was often teased.  I get compliments on it now and have learned to embrace it and I want her to be proud of it too.  There are a lot of women that would pay a lot of money for curls like that!

My momma heart just about exploded when she came home with this paper from school last week:

She said that she is special because ... she has 'curly hair."  I just love her.


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A walk in the woods with Jack.  This boy would live there if he could.

A bridge on our path:

Pointing out deer tracks in the mud:

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An impromptu photo of my gang:

(And can we just talk about the cuteness of James holding onto his sisters' hands?)


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Snow in March?  Yes, when you live in Michigan. 

This kid is intrigued with anything that runs, including the snow thrower.  On this particular day, Steve was teaching him (and standing very nearby) how to use it.  By next winter, my four-year old is going to be cleaning out the driveway by himself!

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Celebrating Sophia

This little girl turned six this month and we managed to spread out the celebrations over several days ... in fact, she giggled every time we teased her about the number of parties that we were having.

Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we made sure that the day was all about her.  We began with the traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and followed that up with opening all of her presents from us.

The presents had been sitting out on a table in the corner for a couple of days and she was more than a little anxious to open them.  She was nothing but smiles the whole time!

(I'm not sure who was more excited about the gifts -- her or Samantha.  After all, Samantha knew that a couple of them would be ones that they could play with together).

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Sophia settled on brownies to take to school for her class treat the day after her actual birthday, but we decided to make them a bit more special.  I added some grass frosting and made different bugs to put on the top using various candies.  I thought that it was quite appropriate for the (hopefully) upcoming Spring season.

A close-up view:

(I heard that they were a big hit with all of her classmates).


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Her "friend party" was originally scheduled for the Saturday after her birthday (March 4th), but we ended up rescheduling it due to the incredible amount of illnesses that were going around at the time -- both in our family and among her friends.  It was for the better, and then most everyone was able to attend the following Saturday.

We still went ahead with the "family party" that Sunday though.  We were missing a few guests, but we made the best of it and celebrated big with tacos and cake and ice cream.

Sophia had chosen her own theme this year -- peacocks -- and it was so fun to coordinate colors, feathers and craft projects.

The peacock centerpiece in the middle of the table was a tissue pom-pom that I was originally going to hang, but instead opted to make a head and turn it into an actual peacock.

Some of the fabrics were loaned to me from our neighbor, who also had some extra peacock feathers that she had once used for decoration in her home.  I tied a ribbon around them and they added just the right amount of flair to that corner of the room.

The dessert table, always one of my favorite things.  The canvas painting was, once again, covered in wrapping paper and then decorated to match the theme.  The peacock on it was made out of painted spoons and Q-tips (such a great project with the girls!) and I cut the "6" out of scrapbook paper that I had in my craft closet.

Getting ready to open presents after dinner:

A new shirt (which she chose to later wear for Spring pictures):

Quite possibly the highlight of the day, a treasure box from Grandpa filled with gold coins and jewelry:

The cake that I made and decorated for her:

Ready to make a wish and blow out her candle:

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The long-anticipated "friend party" finally took place on March 11th.  Most of the girls were able to come and we began the party with a craft that I had all set up in the family room.

This was an idea that I had seen online and then modified it slightly based on the items that we had at home and the age group that we were working with.  Even Jack was able to participate.

Such concentration:

Some of the finished projects, drying on the countertop while the kids washed up for lunch.

I opted to let the kids eat in the dining room (not usually my first choice for parties because of the chance of spilling their punch on the carpeting), but the table in the family room was filled with craft supplies.  I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

It turned out just fine and the guests loved their lunch -- kid-friendly chicken nuggets and french fries ...

... complete with a fruit skewers that resembled a peacock, of course.

After lunch, we played "Pin the Feather on the Peacock."  I drew the peacock and colored it one night when the kids were in bed.  Sophia loved it so much that it is now hanging on the back of her bedroom door!

The prize was two bottles of nail polish, where the closest contestant was able to choose their color(s) first and so on ...

The birthday girl went first and after I spun her around three times, she headed in the completely WRONG direction.  It was hilarious.

Jack too!

Not even close to the "X."

Posing with their feathers on the bird:

Sophia with some of her friends from school, Scarlett, Gabby and Jordyn:

Opening her presents; it happens every time -- the girls always want to be as close as possible to one another during the gift opening ceremony.  Every time.

 Time for cupcakes and ice cream!

Another birthday wish for this girl!

High on sugar and fun:

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Finally, we ended the celebrations the next day when Aunt Deb and Uncle Dennis came over (and Grandpa too!) to celebrate Steve and my birthdays and brought gifts for Sophia.  They weren't able to attend the "family party" the previous weekend, so Sophia had MORE gifts to open.  She is one loved little girl!