From Paris with Love!

Julia's 8th birthday party. We brought Paris to our house with pink and black colored festivities!

The invitations...





Tender Lemon Cake with Swiss Buttercream icing.
An array of pink goodies to choose from!

Jordan and Presley...

Sara and Carlee...

Pin the Poof on the Poodle!

And the winner is....Jordan Wood! She got it right on!!
And the birthday girl!

Julia and Presley...

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Making her wish...




Can't believe it's been 8 years since she graced my Manic Monday with her sweetness.
Love you, my little cuddle bug!

Oh, To Be a Child Again!

"How To Be a Valentine Girl" as explained by Julia Mason

While getting a head start on making Valentines for my daughter's class, Julia (my 1st grader) came and sat with me in my art studio chatting to me about her day at school. Since she's entered the first grade, she has become quite the Chatty Kathy and leaves no space for interjection from listeners. Eventually, after about 10 minutes, the conversation leads to an episode I will heretofore refer to as "Confessions of a First Grade Valentine Girl".
(The entire conversation is strictly Julia speaking. Believe it or not, this is the condensed version and I don't think she took a breath while she sat cross-legged with her chin propped on a dainty limp hand.)

"Sooo, mom...My friend, umm, she has, like this problem. And she asked me for help since I'm cute and stuff. She was like, 'How do you be a Valentine Girl if a boy asks you?' and I told her that she had to get up in the morning and brush her teeth really good so like her breath doesn't stink, then she had to pick out her clothes and a pretty jacket that matches and shoes that he will like because they like the pretty shoes that sparkle, then you have to brush your hair and like put a bow in it. It might be a good idea if your mom does your hair for you. And like then, you're ready to be a Valentine girl. And Carter and Wyatt, they ALWAYS chase me around the playground and I'm always like, Ugh! when will they quit chasing me? So, I run away screaming and try to hide but they still find me no matter how hard I try. (*At this point, I giggled under my breath.*) And so I asked them why they keep chasing me all the days at school and like, Wyatt said 'Because you're cute.' and I said I knowed that but why? And Carter and Wyatt, they keep asking me to marry them and I keep saying no, except for this one time I said yes because he like kept asking and I thought he maybe'd stop asking if I said yes, but he didn't. So, at lunch, Carter, he's the one I said yes to, like he comes and sits next to me and says 'Since you're going to marry me that means I get to put my arm around you.' and I said 'No! That's gross! Can't you just leave me alone?' and then he said, 'So, you're not going to marry me?' and I said 'No, like can't you read my mind?' "
(*I busted up into full belly laughter for a solid 2 minutes while Julia waited patiently, staring at her nails. Oh, Lord help me with this, my 3rd child...And have mercy on those poor boys' souls.*)

Press 1 for more Cheetos

You know those automated response systems that you get when you call certain numbers like the credit card company or any and all customer service lines?
They all sound the same with a monotone voice telling you to "Press 1 for this...Press 2 for that... Press 3 for nonsense...Press 4 for the run-around...Press 5 to shoot me...Press 6 to shoot yourself...or press 7 for more options that still won't answer your questions."
Well, I have a similar device mounted on my brain stem that is triggered by certain events...minus the "Press 7 for more options" option.

For instance, while driving the kids to school the other day I took a curve fast enough to persuade an old Cheetos chip to roll out from underneath the seat and reveal itself in all its hair and filth- covered glory. Garrett spotted it immediately and must have heard angels singing as he proclaimed,
"Awesome! A Cheeto!", as if the Cheetos gods had rained blessings down on my son's head.
My unfaltering, automatic, didn't-think-twice, duh! response:
"DON'T EAT IT!"

...because anyone with a 6 year old boy knows that if he had a split second more it would have vanished into the abyss that is a boy's digestive system.

One more plethora of mystery germs diverted!
And the world of Garrett is safe.......at least until the boy wakes up in the morning.

SHE'S HOME!!!

It's amazing how much being in your own environment can make you feel SO much better. There is something about being surrounded by things that are familiar and comforting to you that seems to make the troubles of the world just melt away.

As of about 9:30 this morning, they discharged Daphne from the hospital and she is already gaining more color in her face and her desire to eat has increased. She doesn't want much, a bite here or a nibble there, but it's something. Here is a photo of the aftermath of her surgery.


We cannot say thank you enough for all the letters, texts, Facebook posts, cards, emails, gifts and prayers that were sent our way. It truly did make all the difference in the world for her. The more her room filled with flowers and teddy bears, blankets and balloons, candy and magazines, letters and cards, the more she would smile and interact with us again. THANK YOU! You have no idea how much your thoughtfulness contributed to a faster recovery.

Maybe she'll be up to making dinner tonight? I'm pooped! ;)