March of Holidays

We couldn't go a week without celebrating something in March.  It started with Miley's spring break which was a stay-cation for us. . . and this is all I had planned. . .

But there was lots of this too. . .

A visit from cousins. . .

 And some dessert. . .

We were really missing the beach after our ocean trip, so we headed to the lake one day as well. . .

Dave went with us too, but I guess he didn't feel very photogenic.  ;)

Next holiday:  {Pi}e day.  We made mini chocolate cream pies.  Mmmmm.  Next time we're thinking strawberry, or lemon, or coconut, oh my.  We can't decide.  It may be the best holiday, cause it's sweet and simple.

St. Patrick's day was green-wearing, gold chocolate eating, green cookie making fun.  Jovey was sure to wear green so the leprechauns wouldn't pinch her.  Miley told her horror stories about leprechauns I think.  We made the green chocolate chip cookies to share with neighbors and friends.  We talked about who St. Patrick was and what he did.  I encourage you to look it up.  It's pretty interesting, and it makes for a better holiday.

Then it was Grammy's spring break. . .

So we had to go back to Sand Hollow. . . to play with caterpillars in the sand

Dave's birthday and then we were to Easter. . .

 (Jovey's best friend, Sloane)

The egg hunt was early in the morning and a tad chilly with the breeze, therefore the jackets, which I had to threaten Jovey to keep on.  She is POSITIVE it is summer already and needs to wear less clothes.

Easter dresses. . .

Our Easter celebrations were simple.  We did one egg hunt, and we made the rice krispie nests.  We talked a lot about Jesus and the resurrection.  We don't do the Easter bunny, but we did have some treats on Easter morning in their egg finding baskets.  A chocolate bunny is a must, sidewalk chalk, lip balm and some books about Jesus.  Perfect amount of fun and spiritual.  ;)

The girls sang the Gethsemane song all week long, and although Jo spends most of the video yawning and wiggling, she too can sing the whole thing.  It made for a nice reminder of what Easter is about.

How to make a Star Wars party

Project number 1:  Light saber lights

I used my strands of LED lights, cause they don't get as hot (allegedly) and then cut straws in approximately 2 inch lengths.  I bought shiny metallic silver duct tape and ripped off little strips to wrap around the lights and straw bits.  Boom. Light saber lights.  We made one for both sides of the force.

Project number 2:  Big poster

This one was accomplished easily enough, since I already had a huge roll of black paper.  I mean, who doesn't?  ;)  I gave the girls silver and gold sharpies, and a white paint pen and we made stars (dots in Jo's case) and wrote our birthday greeting.  I would have liked to make it like the movie title more, but we were short on time and so freehand it was.

Project number 3:  The Death Star

We took a punching balloon and paper mached the crap out of it.  We made our own paste with five parts water to one part flour and then boiled it until it made a nice paste.  Added a little salt, supposedly to keep it from going bad.  ??  Anyway, after it cooled down a little we slathered strips of paper with it and applied it to our balloon.

Jovey did NOT like getting that on her hands so her effort was rather feeble.  Miley was covered in paste by the end, and so was our balloon.  After it was all dry and set up, I popped the balloon, and I cut out a circle and then turned it over and used paper and paste to put it back on as the indent.  Spray paint and then hand painting some squares and rectangles.  Done.  I kept the balloon in it so I could use the rubber band as the hanging apparatus.  We didn't fill it with treats piñata style, cause last time we did a piñata it wasn't that fun. . . . so this was just decoration.

Project number 4: Printables to color, and crepe paper

Found the Star Wars sign on the internet as well as some lego star wars characters.  The girls colored them and we hung them up.  I gave the girls two rolls of crepe paper to decorate with and they went at it and asked for more.  Alas, I only had two big rolls or we'd have more of this fine decorating by Jovey. . .

 Project number 5:  Character balloons

 I drew some Storm trooper faces on some of the white ones and then I bought a huge mylar Darth Vader.  It was the perfect touch.  I bought a helium tank for the first time this birthday.  Usually we are store filler uppers, or use our own hot air.  It was pretty slick.  I don't know if it was worth it monetarily, but convenience wise it slick.  We used these balloons as target practice with a nerf gun.  We are excellent shots, just like Storm troopers.

 Project number 6:  Light sabers

This might be my favorite project.  Cut a pool noodle in half.  Use black and silver duct tape to make the handle.  Miley wanted buttons, so I used white electrical tape to add that detail for her.  These things are fun to play with.  They don't hurt to get hit with, well maybe in the face, and they make a nice smack sound when hit, so it is very cathartic.  ;)  Lots of battles were fought with these.  I couldn't find a red pool noodle, so our bad guys used pink.  Our good guys used blue.

I also bought some paper Star Wars character masks, but I didn't get a pic of them or us wearing them to surprise Dave when he got home. . . oh well.

 Project number 7:  The Food

The way to Dave's heart is definitely food.  In the bowls on the counter are the light saber snacks. . . pretzels dipped in colored chocolate.  These were a big hit.  Also on the appetizer menu. . . storm trooper cheese ball.  A really easy cheese ball (cream cheese, monterey and colby shredded cheese with a ranch packet) with olive pieces for the mask effect.  It was pretty good too.

Last but not least the two all time Dave favorites. . . lasagna (no pic) and Texas sheet cake.  To the cake, I added kitkats that I sprayed silver.  With food coloring spray.  They sell it at Michaels and Joanns.  Probably other places.  I used mini chocolate chips in between to make it look like an ammo belt on the one and only Chewbacca.

That's it.  Done.  Jovey wanted to watch Star Wars Rebels at the party, but we were too busy doing other things instead.  I think she was ok with that after all.  After making all the party decorations Jovey told me, "When Dad sees these decorations he'll say, Jovey they are beautiful.  And then I'll cry." Apparently she was taking all the credit for the party.  It was her idea after all.  ;)

Dave had lots of help opening his gifts. . .

(both the girls needed to have 'Leia buns' for the party)

Dave loved his party.  We love birthdays around here.  Come visit us on yours and we'll make sure to create something special.  ;)

uplifted

We are soon to celebrate Easter, and here are a couple articles I've read recently that have filled me up and a couple videos as well.  A much better read/watch than the news. . .

The Difference between Heaven and Hell

Bread or Stones

2nd grade is great

Program time. . . .

Miley practiced her speaking part with lots of attitude and actions and then got up to the mike and succumbed to the nerves.  ;)  She sang with gusto though, especially when she saw my phone pop up to take a video of her.

Aunt Liz was able to make it to the program with us and she took lots of the video.  She's awesome like that.  Mostly we got a bunch of clips of songs, not the whole song.  So here are some snippets for your enjoyment. . . (forgive our videographer skills, we were working in less than ideal circumstances)

First, spot the Miley. . .

At the end of the program they told us they would pose for a picture. . . Miley interpreted this as more than merely smiling. . .

Now Miley thinks she's in 3rd grade.  I told her that I wouldn't let that happen.  Dang kid keeps growing.