Catch and Release Policy

Hello Spring.  Hello lizards.  We have a strict policy of do no harm to our little friends.  So they get some love and then let go.  I'm sure they love the love part.  The naming ceremony.  They best friend pledge and handshake.  

Poor lizards.  ;)

They do love the body heat they soak up and sometimes don't want to leave. . . or maybe it's the best friend pledge really taking effect.  ;)

7th heaven

Miley's big day.

The plan was to open presents after we got back from her pool party.  We swim in the morning here, when it's not too hot.  But, she just couldn't wait and so bright and freaking early they were squealing to open up gifts. . .

Jovey got her the mermaid dress up and Miley was soooooo pleased with it, I should have taken the credit since I picked it out.  ;)

 She's using all her muscles to break the tape, thus the face.

 A big thank you to all those who sent cards, gifts, money, and your love!  Miley felt so very special and appreciated every last bit.

Tip:  Make your own giant 7, or whatever number you may need ;), by drawing/cutting it out of foam core board and gluing coffee filters to it.  I spray painted them after to make it look ombre pink. . . and then added some feathers for the flamingo look.  Easy peasy. 

Miley's own personal birthday cake, which was a big hit with her.  No sharing!

Miley named this flamingo floatie, Big Rose.  Yep, she did. 

 So, I swear I took pics of the pool, but apparently I didn't.  Hmmm.  Anyway, we had lots of beach balls and flamingo rubber duckies floating in the pools.  I drew eyelashes on one of the duckies and told the kids to find the one that was different and they'd win a prize.

 After Miley's friend swim party we went to a movie where we ate popcorn for dinner.  ;)  And then of course we came home to play Dave's family tradition, Huckle Buckle.  I think my girls may be hooked on that little game as well.  ;)

These balloons won't die.  They are still here and will not leave the ceiling.  Weirdness.

Happy seventh birthday to our baby!

The big FOUR

So, planning a party is a huge pain.  It was fun, until I had to worry that no one could make it, which turned out was worth worrying about cause no one could. . . . . so we ended up having two separate parties, and more helpers at the scheduled party then partygoers.  Oh well.  Kid was happy, so I was happy.

Impromptu party number one. . .

Photo above:  Love Miley's face, she was telling me to hurry up because the sun was in her eyes.

Party number one included playing the water, with bubbles, making mermaid crowns and eating goodies.

The party I planned happened the next morning.  This one I had time to decorate for as well, which looked a lot better than my one sad picture I took of it, oh wait, two.  Seaweed, balloon bubbles, and fishies, everywhere.

The events of this party included chalk paint on the patio. . . then on themselves, and then on my sis, Tiff.

Bubbles, of course.  I love this bubble machine too.

One big bubble bath. . .

We also did water balloons and water races, but of course my camera was sitting on a table far from these things.

We made mermaid princess crowns with shells.  The finished product picture being modeled was taken with my instax, so no digital evidence that they worked out.  I found the idea on pinterest using lace and stiffy.

Some food.  Miley doused the cupcakes with sprinkles herself.  We also had fruit and veggies, juice, and sand pudding. . . another pinterest find which was tasty.

 She had so much fun with her friends!  Thanks girlies for coming over and partying with us.

 As for the gifts, here are a few shots of present opening. . . as you can see from her wardrobe changes these happened over the span of the weekend.

My Grandma, the sweetest person I know, made these food items for Miley to use in her kitchen.  Thanks Grandma Great, she's putting them to use.

 I have a video of her opening others, so that may be posted another time.

Four, I still can't believe it. . .

leaving las vegas

We had a wonderful winter vacation to Vegas last week, exactly what we needed to get out of the January funk I had found myself in.  Some things we learned/experienced. . .

no photos please. . . Even if you bring a camera and have photo worthy moments to document, a real vacation for me means no time behind a camera (sometimes it feels like my job).  Sadly this applied to this trip.  My camera sat in my bag the whole time, but my measly phone camera got put to use.  Those will have to suffice.

the greatest invention ever. . . I may have proclaimed this about some other device, but I was wrong. . . the iPhone is the greatest thing ever.  It was an excellent navigator and got us through all parts of Las Vegas unscathed.  If only it had a better camera on it. . . so maybe greatest is a tad premature, but my fingers are crossed for the next version.

cook needed. . . Tom and Brit are excellent chefs.  Maybe it's just me (and Dave, he'll rave about it too) or the fact that I didn't have to come up with or cook made everything taste better.  Infinitely better.

shy bowels. . . While pooping for Miley is under control at our home, it is another question altogether when we are away.  Aaaaaaagggghhhhh!  Baby steps I guess.  You know you like it when I talk about potty stuff.

dry clean only . . . If you are brave or stupid enough to venture into a Vegas casino, be prepared to smell. . . forever.  Was it worth it to see some extremely lazy lions, flamingos in the rain, or talking statuary?  Who knows, but it was great exercise. . . and an experience.  Miley was disappointed that we didn't go into the castle though, and we missed the Bellagio show cause it was cold and raining.  Bummer.  Next time.

disney stockholder. . . My love affair with the Disney store continues.  Went to the outlet there and took forever to decide what to bring home with us.  If it were solely up to me, it would have been everything.  I need to buy stock at this rate.

fearless. . . The Stratosphere is a hotel that resembles the Space Needle of Seattle.  At the top of the replica in Vegas they have fair rides that come off the edge.  It's freaky.  When Miley saw the swings twirling off the edge and the roller coaster spinning around it, she said, "Mom I want to ride that, can we ride that?"  Maybe next time.

chatterbox. . . My little girl talks in her sleep. . . a lot, and loudly.  She did it when she was a baby, but it was cute little coos and what not.  Now not so much.  OK, maybe a little cute, I just don't think we'll be sharing a room so much if possible.

two is my number. . . The level of difficulty for everything rockets upward with the addition of another child.  Thanks Stuckis for confirming two as my lucky number.  ;)  Good luck with your five though, I'm sure it will be cake.  ;)  And we'll still love you and visit you anyway.  I've got a couple of straight jackets, let me know if you need them.  ;)

online smm-online. . . I totally miss having real live stores to go to.  It was so nice having so many options in Vegas for shopping.  Dave thinks I'd still shop online, but I think I would move into the Anthropologie store if they would let me.

ain't no mountain high enough. . . We really do have the best friends, even though sometimes they abandon us and move away.  We are grateful for the Stuckis and their amazing hospitality for taking us in, dogs and all, and entertaining us too. . . even if that meant getting a lot less sleep than usual.  ;)

Now it's back to real life and I've got a full docket.  I'll keep you posted on my sanity, but for now doing basket fulls of laundry hasn't lessened my vacation-acquired-peace.

right here in river city

Trouble

That's what these two girlies are when they are together. . . but it's so fun to hear them giggling in their shared mischief.  

 . . .like when they had a tea party and filled up the play tea set with real water, or when they tried to have a slumber party in the same bed and sleep just wasn't a possibility.  

When they decided to care about dental hygiene and eat the toothpaste and then decorate the bathroom with it too.  

And of course when they couldn't help but jump on the beds.